Power Danger: House Odds Stacked Against Jerry's Kids Next Year at Vandy
There was no grooming comparable to most coaches working their way up the ladder from the bush leagues. Despite boasting zero college head-coaching experience, Jerry Stackhouse (Vanderbilt) and Juwan Howard (Michigan) were hired to be in charge of a power-conference member. They join 20 active head coaches for power-league members getting their starts as bench boss without serving as head coach for another college.
There is no rhyme or reason regarding first-year results. But if Stackhouse and Howard assemble an average inaugural campaign, the novice head coaches face an overall record of 18-14 with losing league mark. First-year worksheets for mentors in this category have dramatically gone downhill this decade. In the previous six years, the nine latest newcomer power-league coaches - Rick Ray, Kevin Ollie, Chris Collins, Steve Wojciechowski, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Mike Hopkins, David Padgett and Travis Steele - combined for an average record of 15-17 overall and 6-12 in league competition. Only five active coaches on the following alphabetical list compiled a winning power-league ledger in his inaugural season sans benefit of toiling as a college bench boss:
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 29 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Notre Dame hoop starters Ron Reed and Cy Williams extended significant MLB streaks on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 29
In 1953, Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (LSU's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) launched a homer into the center-field bleachers against the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds, a feat that had never been done before and would only be achieved twice more (by Hank Aaron and Lou Brock).
Detroit Tigers rookie 1B Dale Alexander (starting center for Milligan TN in mid-1920s) hit safely in his first 12 MLB games in 1929 before he was held hitless by the St. Louis Browns.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out four hits against the St. Louis Browns in a 1948 contest.
CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) awarded on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago Cubs in 1933.
In 1930, Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Ralph Erickson (Idaho State hooper in mid-1920s) won his lone MLB decision.
Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) homered twice in a 1989 game against the Montreal Expos.
Houston Astros C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) pounded two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1977 outing.
Brooklyn Robins 2B Jake Flowers (member of 1923 "Flying Pentagon" championship squad for Washington College MD) provided four hits, including three doubles, in a 19-15 win against the New York Giants in 1930. It was one of five games that month where he had at least three safeties.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) whacked two homers against the Boston Red Sox in a 1977 game.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding) collected two homers and six RBI against the Chicago Cubs in a 1961 outing.
In the midst of a 15-game hitting streak, Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) scored four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1969 contest.
Detroit Tigers rookie CF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) finished his first month with a .389 batting average after notching fourth straight two-hit game in 1979.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) sustained his fifth setback of the month in as many starts in 1978.
RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman for Saginaw Valley State MI in late 1970s) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Mets in 1994.
2B Dutch Meyer (TCU hoops letterman in 1934-35 and 1935-36) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Cleveland Indians in 1945.
In a 17-inning marathon where both starting pitchers went the distance, St. Louis Cardinals RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) outdueled New York Giants Hall of Famer Carl Hubbell, 2-1, in 1936.
Washington Senators C Les Peden (Texas A&M letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) provided his lone MLB homer (against the Chicago White Sox in 1953).
Cleveland tied a MLB record by winning its first 10 games of the 1966 campaign before the Indians lost, 4-1, to Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper in mid-1950s).
In the midst of 11 straight scoreless appearances in 1979, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Ron Reed (Notre Dame's leading rebounder in 1963-64 and 1964-65) won his third successive relief outing.
In 1975, LF Champ Summers (team-high scoring averages of 15.7 ppg for Nicholls State in 1964-65 and 22.5 ppg for SIUE in 1969-70) shipped by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs to complete a deal made earlier in the month.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) earned his sixth save in a row in 1969.
St. Louis Cardinals CF-1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) contributed four hits for the second time in a six-game span in 1960.
Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) provided at least three hits in each of his first four contests in 1919.
Swallowing Your Pride: Former Power-Conference Coaches at Mid-Majors
Nevada (Steve Alford), Northern Kentucky (Darrin Horn) and Tennessee Tech (John Pelphrey) feature new head coaches previously piloting at least one power-conference member. After former Georgia coach Dennis Felton was fired at Cleveland State, following is an alphabetical list of former power-league mentors swallowing their pride and currently toiling in more obscurity at mid-major level:
| Active Head Coach | Current Mid-Major School | Previous Power League School(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Steve Alford | Nevada (since 2019-20) | Iowa (1999-00 through 2006-07) and UCLA (2013-14 to 2018-19) |
| Tommy Amaker | Harvard (since 2007-08) | Seton Hall (1997-98 through 2000-01) and Michigan (2001-02 through 2006-07) |
| Rod Barnes | Cal State Bakersfield (since 2011-12) | Mississippi (1998-99 through 2005-06) |
| Bill Carmody | Holy Cross (since 2015-16) | Northwestern (2000-01 through 2012-13) |
| Keno Davis | Central Michigan (since 2012-13) | Providence (2008-09 through 2010-11) |
| Mike Davis | Detroit (since 2018-19) | Indiana (2000-01 through 2005-06) |
| Johnny Dawkins | UCF (since 2016-17) | Stanford (2008-09 through 2015-16) |
| Ed DeChellis | Navy (since 2011-12) | Penn State (2003-04 through 2010-11) |
| Steve Donahue | Penn (since 2015-16) | Boston College (2010-11 through 2013-14) |
| Cliff Ellis | Coastal Carolina (since 2007-08) | Clemson (1984-85 through 1993-94) and Auburn (1994-95 through 2003-04) |
| Travis Ford | Saint Louis (since 2016-17) | Oklahoma State (2008-09 through 2015-16) |
| Mark Gottfried | CSU Northridge (since 2018-19) | Alabama (1998-99 to 2008-09) and North Carolina State (2011-12 through 2016-17) |
| Anthony Grant | Dayton (since 2017-18) | Alabama (2009-10 through 2014-15) |
| Brian Gregory | South Florida (since 2017-18) | Georgia Tech (2011-12 through 2015-16) |
| John Groce | Akron (since 2017-18) | Illinois (2012-13 through 2016-17) |
| Frank Haith | Tulsa (since 2014-15) | Miami FL (2004-05 through 2010-11) and Missouri (2011-12 through 2013-14) |
| Darrin Horn | Northern Kentucky (since 2019-20) | South Carolina (2008-09 through 2011-12) |
| Jeff Jones | Old Dominion (since 2013-14) | Virginia (1990-91 through 1997-98) |
| Johnny Jones | Texas Southern (since 2018-19) | Louisiana State (2012-13 through 2016-17) |
| Todd Lickliter | Evansville (since middle of 2019-20) | Iowa (2007-08 through 2009-10) |
| Bobby McCullum | Florida A&M (since 2017-18) | South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07*) |
| Ritchie McKay | Liberty (2007-08, 2008-09 and since 2015-16) | Oregon State (2000-01 and 2001-02) |
| Dan Monson | Long Beach State (since 2007-08) | Minnesota (1999-00 to 2006-07) |
| John Pelphrey | Tennessee Tech (since 2019-20) | Arkansas (2007-08 through 2010-11) |
| Rick Ray | Southeast Missouri State (since 2015-16) | Mississippi State (2012-13 through 2014-15) |
| Kelvin Sampson | Houston (since 2014-15) | Washington State (1987-88 through 1993-94), Oklahoma (1994-95 through 2005-06) and Indiana (2006-07 and 2007-08) |
| Herb Sendek | Santa Clara (since 2016-17) | North Carolina State (1996-97 through 2005-06) and Arizona State (2006-07 through 2014-15) |
| Tubby Smith | High Point (since 2018-19) | Georgia (1995-96 and 1996-97), Kentucky (1997-98 through 2006-07), Minnesota (2007-08 through 2012-13) and Texas Tech (2013-14 through 2015-16) |
*South Florida's inaugural season in Big East Conference was 2006-07.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 28 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Texas A&M hoopers Davey Johnson and Wally Moon delivered significant MLB offensive performances on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 28
Oakland Athletics RHP Ray Burris (baseball-basketball standout in Southwestern Oklahoma State Hall of Fame) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins in 1984.
In 1966, CF Billy Cowan (co-captain of Utah's 1960 NCAA playoff team) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Chicago Cubs for cash and 3B Bobby Cox, who went on to become one of MLB's all-time winningest managers with the Braves.
Cincinnati Reds 1B George Crowe (four-year letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for Indiana Central after becoming first high school player named state's Mr. Basketball) collected two homers and five RBI against the Chicago Cubs in a 1956 game.
In 1928, St. Louis Cardinals CF Taylor Douthit (California hoops letterman from 1922 through 1924) collected four hits against the Chicago Cubs, giving him 13 safeties over a four-game span.
California Angels RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) fired a six-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1979.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) collected five hits in a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in 1998, registering the ninth game of at least five hits in his career.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hit safely in first 17 games of the 1971 campaign (career-high).
RF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) accounted for all of the Philadelphia Phillies' offense with a three-run homer in a 3-2 victory against the San Diego Padres in 1978.
In 1960, Los Angeles Dodgers OF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) manufactured three hits in his third consecutive contest.
INF Tim Nordbrook (hoops letterman in 1968-69 for Loyola LA) traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Milwaukee Brewers in 1978.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) defeated the Angels, 2-1, as the Cleveland Indians tied a MLB record by winning their first 10 contests of the 1966 season.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops team in mid-1960s) grounded into a double play against the Chicago White Sox to snap his streak of 10 consecutive safeties in 1981.
Washington Senators RHP Dick Such (averaged 8.9 ppg and 7.4 rpg in 1964-65 and 10.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg in 1965-66 for Elon) posted his lone MLB victory (against Milwaukee Brewers in 1970).
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points for Benedictine KS from 1955-56 through 1957-58) fired his second three-hit shutout of the month in 1965.
Toronto Blue Jays DH Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the California Angels in a 1992 outing.
Winner From Start: Few Among Few Coaches With Nothing But Winning Marks
The most illuminating item about Jim Boeheim ranking among the nation's all-time winningest coaches is the bespectacled "Baron of Upstate New York" assembled a stunning streak of nothing but winning records in his first 43 seasons with Syracuse. En route to more than 1,000 career wins, Boeheim's worst worksheet was 16-13 in 1981-82 when the NIT-bound Orange dropped four of its last five outings.
Adolph Rupp never had a losing record in 41 campaigns but did post one break-even mark with Kentucky (13-13 in 1966-67). Among active coaches, Michigan State's Tom Izzo never has registered a losing record in his first 24 seasons but had one break-even mark (16-16 in inaugural campaign in 1995-96). When assessing this topic, keep in mind the following mentors among the all-time biggest winners each had multiple non-winning seasons: Phog Allen (four non-winning records), Jim Calhoun (six), Lefty Driesell (four), Lou Henson (eight), Hank Iba (eight), Bob Knight (two), Mike Krzyzewski (four), Lute Olson (three), Dean Smith (two) and Eddie Sutton (two).
Gonzaga's Mark Few, who never has finished a season without being at least 12 games above .500, joined the following list of seven major-college coaches in history with winning marks every year in college careers spanning at least 20 years:
Coach Seasons Campaign Closest to Non-Winning Record Jim Boeheim 43 16-13 (Syracuse in sixth season in 1981-82) *Jerry Tarkanian 31 16-12 (UNLV in eighth of 19 seasons with Rebels in 1980-81) and 19-15 (Fresno State in seventh of seven seasons with Bulldogs in 2001-02) Roy Williams 31 20-17 (North Carolina in seventh season with Tar Heels in 2009-10 following 15 years with Kansas) John Wooden 29 14-12 (UCLA in 12th of 27 seasons with Bruins in 1959-60) Lou Carnesecca 24 17-12 (St. John's in 20th season in 1987-88) Peck Hickman 23 13-12 (Louisville in 14th season in 1957-58) Mark Few 20 23-11 (Gonzaga in eighth season in 2006-07) *Tarkanian also compiled seven more winning records in as many seasons for two community colleges in California, where he won five consecutive state championships after notching a 14-13 mark in 1961-62 at Riverside City College to begin his coaching odyssey.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 27 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Bill Almon (Brown), Lou Boudreau (Illinois), Tony Gwynn (San Diego State), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN), David Justice (Thomas More KY), Vance Law (BYU), Ken Singleton (Hofstra) and Roy Smalley Jr. (Drury MO) supplied multiple extra-base hits in MLB games on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 27
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) supplied three extra-base hits in a 13-5 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1986.
Cleveland Indians SS Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) blasted two homers in a 4-2 victory against the Detroit Tigers in a 1940 game.
Two NBA players - Gene Conley of the Boston Celtics and Dave DeBusschere of the New York Knicks - opposed each other as RHPs in 1963. Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) hurled 4-plus innings as starter for the Boston Red Sox while DeBusschere (three-time All-American for Detroit from 1959-60 through 1961-62) relieved for 2/3 of the fourth inning with the Chicago White Sox.
First MLB hit for INF Pat Crawford (Davidson hoops captain in early 1920s) was a pinch homer for the New York Giants in a 1929 game against the Boston Braves.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) smacked two homers in a 6-4 victory against the San Francisco Giants in 1986.
Baltimore Orioles RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Middle Atlantic States Conference Southern Division champions) hurled a two-hit shutout against the Washington Senators in 1961.
1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) stroked a bases-loaded double in the top of the 19th inning to spark the Cleveland Indians to an 8-4 win over the Detroit Tigers in 1984. Six years earlier with the Texas Rangers, Hargrove homered in his third consecutive contest in 1978.
Brooklyn Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) homered twice against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1951 outing.
Cleveland Indians DH David Justice (Thomas More KY leader in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) delivered three extra-base hits against the Chicago White Sox in a 1998 contest.
Minnesota Twins LHP Bill Krueger (led WCAC in free-throw percentage as freshman en route to averaging 5.1 ppg for Portland from 1975-76 through 1979-80) won for the fourth time in as many starts this month in 1992, compiling an 0.84 ERA in first 32 innings.
Montreal Expos 2B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) banged out three extra-base hits against the Chicago Cubs in a 1986 game.
C Hugh Poland (Western Kentucky hoops letterman from 1931-32 through 1933-34) traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves in 1943.
In 1981, Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) went 4-for-4, including a pair of doubles for the second straight game.
Chicago Cubs SS Roy Smalley Jr. (one of top scorers for Drury MO in 1942-43 and 1943-44) tripled twice and scored three runs against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1949 game.
Cleveland Indians 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) assembled three straight three-hit games against the Chicago White Sox in 1922.
RHP John Stuper (two-time all-conference junior college hooper in mid-1970s with Butler County PA) tossed his lone complete game with the Cincinnati Reds (two-hit, 2-1 win against San Francisco Giants in 1985).
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA scoring leader in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when named All-Evergreen Conference) notched his second shutout and fourth complete-game win in as many starts at the beginning of the 1963 campaign.
Boston Braves rookie RF Chuck Workman (two-time All-MIAA first-five selection was leading scorer in 1937 when Central Missouri won inaugural NAIA Tournament) went 8-for-11 against the New York Giants in his first three games of the 1943 campaign.
NCAA Retirement Planning: Weep On It/Sleep On It/Think On It/Drink To It
It's patently clear not every coach departs with pomp-and-circumstance style such as luminaries John Wooden, Al McGuire, Ray Meyer and Dean Smith when they bowed out. From 1964 to 1975 with Wooden at the helm, UCLA won an NCAA-record 10 national titles, including seven straight from 1967 through 1973. McGuire's goodbye in 1977 with an NCAA title marked Marquette's eighth straight season finishing among the Top 10 in a final wire-service poll. Meyer directed DePaul to a Top 6 finish in a final wire-service poll six times in his final seven seasons from 1978 through 1984. Smith won at least 28 games with North Carolina in four of his final five seasons from 1992-93 through 1996-97.
But fond farewells are the exception, not the rule, in coping with Father Time. Just ask Phil Martelli, who departed Saint Joseph's following his third consecutive non-winning campaign and fourth in five years. How many other school all-time winningest mentors rode off into the sunset donning at least a partial black rather than white hat? How much they may have tarnished their legacy is debatable but hanging around too long probably caused a few of the following celebrated coaches to lose a portion of their luster:
Dave Bike, Sacred Heart - four straight losing records from 2009-10 through 2012-13 at end of career
Dale Brown, Louisiana State - 23 games below .500 with four straight losing campaigns after 10 consecutive NCAA playoff appearances from 1984 through 1993
Howard Cann, NYU - 12 games below .500 in last six seasons after six national postseason tournament appearances from 1943 through 1952
Ben Carnevale, Navy - four non-winning seasons after three national postseason tournament appearances in a four-year span from 1959 through 1962
Everett Case, North Carolina State - only four games above .500 in final five full seasons after averaging 24.6 victories annually his first 13 campaigns from 1946-47 through 1958-59
Gale Catlett, West Virginia - 11 games below .500 in last four seasons after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in an 18-year span from 1981 to 1998
John Chaney, Temple - only 11 games above .500 in final five seasons after 17 NCAA playoff appearances in an 18-year span from 1984 through 2001
Charlie Coles, Miami (OH) - 12 games below .500 in last five seasons after appearing in 2007 NCAA playoffs
Denny Crum, Louisville - breakeven mark last four seasons while winless in national postseason play after missing national postseason competition only twice in his first 26 campaigns from 1972 through 1997
Howie Dickenman, Central Connecticut State - five consecutive losing records from 2011-12 through 2015-16
Ed Diddle, Western Kentucky - 5-16 mark each of his final two seasons after only one losing record in his previous 32 campaigns from 1930-31 through 1961-62
Don Donoher, Dayton - 12 games below .500 with three straight losing campaigns after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in first 22 seasons from 1965 through 1986
Fred Enke, Arizona - only four games above .500 in final five seasons after averaging more than 20 victories annually in nine campaigns from 1942-43 through 1950-51
Jack Friel, Washington State - 71 games below .500 in final six seasons after averaging 19 victories annually with only one losing record in 23-year span from 1929-30 through 1951-52
Taps Gallagher, Niagara - 17 games below .500 in final two seasons after only two losing records in first 29 campaigns from 1931-32 through 1962-63
Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson - 30 games below .500 in final three seasons after appearing in NCAA playoffs and NIT in 2005 and 2006
Jack Hartman, Kansas State - minimum of 14 defeats each of his last four seasons after 11 consecutive first-division finishes in the Big Eight Conference from 1971-72 through 1981-82
Don Haskins, Texas-El Paso - three games below .500 in final four years after 16 consecutive winning campaigns (including 12 20-win seasons) from 1979-80 through 1994-95
Nat Holman, CCNY - losing records each of final five seasons after incurring only two losing marks in first 32 campaigns from 1919-20 through 1950-51
Hank Iba, Oklahoma State - 33 games below .500 his final five campaigns after last NCAA playoff appearance of 36-year tenure with the school in 1965
George Ireland, Loyola of Chicago - 32 games below .500 his final seven campaigns after third NCAA playoff appearance in five years following 1963 NCAA title
Doggie Julian, Dartmouth - seven straight losing campaigns with fewer than eight victories after five consecutive first- or second-place finishes in the Ivy League with three NCAA playoff appearances from 1955-56 through 1959-60
Gene Keady, Purdue - eight games below .500 his final four seasons after 12 consecutive national postseason tournament appearances from 1990 through 2001
Piggy Lambert, Purdue - three games below .500 his final four seasons after 23 consecutive winning records from 1920 through 1942
Dave Loos, Austin Peay State - six consecutive non-winning seasons despite reaching NCAA tourney in 2016
Don Maestri, Troy - total of 30 games below .500 over final three campaigns from 2010-11 through 2012-13
Fang Mitchell, Coppin State - only one winning record in last 10 seasons from 2004-05 through 2013-14
Speedy Morris, La Salle - 47 games below .500 his final six campaigns from 1995-96 through 2000-01 after appearing in national postseason competition each of his first six seasons from 1987 through 1992
Gregg Nibert, Presbyterian - 10 losing records in as many seasons at NCAA Division I level through 2016-17
Jim Phelan, Mount St. Mary's - 50 games below .500 his final four campaigns after reaching the 800-win plateau with an NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 1999
Digger Phelps, Notre Dame - five games below .500 his final two campaigns after averaging 21 victories annually in a 17-year span from 1972-73 through 1988-89
Harry Rabenhorst, Louisiana State - 35 games below .500 in final three seasons after going undefeated in SEC competition in back-to-back years in 1952-53 and 1953-54
Rick Samuels, Eastern Illinois - 21 games below .500 in final four seasons after appearing in 2001 NCAA playoffs
Fred Taylor, Ohio State - 20 games below .500 in final three seasons after 11 top three finishes in Big Ten Conference standings in a 14-year span from 1959-60 through 1972-73
M.K. Turk, Southern Mississippi - nine games below .500 in final five seasons after back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1990 and 1991
Ralph Underhill, Wright State - nine games below .500 in final three seasons after NCAA playoff appearance in 1993
Mike Vining, Louisiana-Monroe - 22 games below .500 in final three seasons after sixth 20-win campaign in 2001-02
Sox Walseth, Colorado - 40 games below .500 in final seven seasons after Big Eight Conference championship in 1969
Clifford Wells, Tulane - 12 games below .500 in final six seasons after 12 non-losing campaigns from 1945-46 through 1956-57
Carroll Williams, Santa Clara - eight games below .500 in final three seasons after five 20-win campaigns in seven years from 1982-83 through 1988-89
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Lou Boudreau (Illinois), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN) and Harvey Kuenn (Wisconsin) supplied significant MLB offensive performances on this date prior to becoming MLB managers.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 26
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1957 game.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1959 twinbill.
1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) purchased from the New York Giants by the Washington Senators in 1940.
Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out five hits, including a pair of doubles and pair of triples, in a 12-11, 14-inning victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1948.
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in an eight-game span in 2007.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) amassed four hits and five RBI in a 9-2 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1959 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Wynn Hawkins (Little All-American was all-time leading scorer for Baldwin-Wallace OH upon graduation in 1957) toiled 11 innings in outdueling Jim Bunning in a 2-1 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1960.
Cleveland Indians RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler hoops All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) fired a one-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in 1933, giving him back-to-back shutouts.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1959 game.
Detroit Tigers CF Harvey Kuenn (briefly played hoops for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) collected four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1959 contest.
Chicago Cubs LF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hoops guard for two years in mid-1930s) provided five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1940 game. Two years later in a 1942 outing, Nicholson amassed two triples and five RBI against the Reds.
First appearance of the 1933 campaign for New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan hoops letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) resulted in a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies.
OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) shipped by the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox as part of a conditional deal in 2000.
Baltimore Orioles DH Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) supplied three extra-base hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1981.
Texas Rangers RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled his second complete-game victory in a week.
Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees in 1974.
New York Giants rookie 1B Babe Young (Fordham hoops letterman in 1935-36) manufactured multiple hits in his fifth consecutive contest in 1940.
20 NCAA DI Coaches Been Bench Boss of Multiple Schools in Same State
New bench bosses Casey Alexander (Belmont), Donnie Jones (Stetson), Todd Lickliter (Evansville) and Mark Pope (Brigham Young) previously coached another NCAA Division I university in the same state. But they aren't the only individuals in this category, joining the following alphabetical list of 19 active coaches presently serving as a bench boss in same state (three in Texas) where they previously piloted another DI school:
| Head Coach | State | Current DI School | Previous DI School in Same State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casey Alexander | TN | Belmont (since 2019-20) | Lipscomb (2013-14 through 2018-19) |
| Tad Boyle | CO | Colorado (since 2010-11) | Northern Colorado (2006-07 through 2009-10) |
| Cliff Ellis* | SC | Coastal Carolina (since 2007-08) | Clemson (1984-85 through 1993-94) |
| John Groce | OH | Akron (since 2017-18) | Ohio University (2008-09 through 2011-12) |
| Leonard Hamilton | FL | Florida State (since 2002-03) | Miami FL (1990-91 through 1999-00) |
| Jim Hayford | WA | Seattle (since 2017-18) | Eastern Washington (2011-12 through 2016-17) |
| Darrin Horn | KY | Northern Kentucky (since 2019-20) | Western Kentucky (2003-04 through 2007-08) |
| Donnie Jones | FL | Stetson (since 2019-20) | UCF (2010-11 through 2015-16) |
| Jeff Jones | VA | Old Dominion (since 2013-14) | Virginia (1990-91 through 1997-98) |
| Johnny Jones | TX | Texas Southern (since 2018-19) | North Texas (2001-02 through 2011-12) |
| Danny Kaspar | TX | Texas State (since 2013-14) | Stephen F. Austin (2000-01 through 2012-13) |
| Kevin Keatts | NC | North Carolina State (since 2017-18) | UNC Wilmington (2014-15 through 2016-17) |
| Todd Lickliter | IN | Evansville (since middle of 2019-20) | Butler (2001-02 through 2006-07) |
| Bobby McCullum | FL | Florida A&M (since 2017-18) | South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07) |
| Porter Moser | IL | Loyola of Chicago (since 2011-12) | Illinois State (2003-04 through 2006-07) |
| Mark Pope | UT | Brigham Young (since 2019-20) | Utah Valley (2015-16 through 2018-19) |
| Keith Richard | LA | Louisiana-Monroe (since 2010-11) | Louisiana Tech (1998-99 through 2006-07) |
| Paul Weir | NM | New Mexico (since 2017-18) | New Mexico State (2016-17) |
| Willis Wilson | TX | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (since 2011-12) | Rice (1992-93 through 2007-08) |
| Reggie Witherspoon | NY | Canisius (since 2016-17) | Buffalo (1999-00 through 2012-13) |
*Ellis also coached two DI schools in Alabama (South Alabama and Auburn).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 25 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Small colleges from seven different Southern states - Centenary LA, Fayetteville State NC, Morehouse GA, Spring Hill AL, Thomas More KY, Virginia Union and West Liberty WV - supplied former hoopers who made MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 25
New York Yankees P Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected basketball team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won his MLB debut in 1978 (4-3 against Baltimore Orioles).
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year hoops letterman for Allegheny PA) banged out four hits against the Houston Astros in a 1970 game.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1974.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) collected four hits and four RBI against the Cleveland Indians in a 1954 contest.
In a 1969 game, Montreal Expos 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) contributed four hits against his original team (Pittsburgh Pirates).
Two weeks after helping the Boston Celtics capture the 1961 NBA title, RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) earned his first A.L. victory (6-1 for Boston Red Sox over Washington Senators).
Cleveland Indians RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union team winning 1943 CIAA title) tied MLB record by striking out five times in a single game (at Detroit in 1948).
LF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) twice went deep for the Cleveland Indians as they hit a team-record eight homers in an 11-4 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1997.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Fred Kipp (two-time all-league selection as four-year hoops letterman for Emporia State KS from 1950 through 1953) won his first MLB start (5-3 against St. Louis Cardinals in 1958).
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (Arizona hooper in 1931) supplied five RBI against the Boston Braves in a 1936 contest.
Only 14 games into the 1982 season, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fired manager Bob Lemon and replaced him with Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58), the man Lemon succeeded the previous September.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) put the Minnesota Twins ahead with a three-run pinch homer in the eighth inning but they wound up losing at Chicago, 6-5, in 1969.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the San Diego Padres in 1969.
En route to hitting safely in seven of his first nine pinch-hit appearances with the San Diego Padres, utilityman Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) socked a homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) secured his fifth relief victory in the first month of 1971 campaign.
College Basketball's Hard-Hitting Impact on Opening Round of NFL Draft
Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins, a first-round selection in 2013, also played basketball for Clemson in 2010-11. Hopkins led the NFL in touchdown catches with 13 in 2017 and finished runner-up in receiving yards with 1,572 in 2018. Historically, the first 15 NFL drafts from 1936 through 1950 had a former college basketball regular selected among the top 10 picks. Four of the top six choices and five of the top 11 in the 1957 draft were ex-college hoopers. To our knowledge, none of them featured the excess baggage of Jameis "Crab Legs" Winston, the #1 selection several years ago who was also a versatile athlete but in baseball.
Back in 1963 when men were men before all of the ESPC-contrived Sam Who I Am draft-day crying/kissing and diversity sensitivity training (#BringBackOurMen), six of the top 22 picks, including five from schools that have always been or subsequently became members of the Big Ten Conference, were in the same category. In the average NFL draft, nearly half of the athletes selected also competed in basketball in high school. Following is an alphabetical list of NFL first-round draft choices who played varsity college basketball for a current NCAA Division I university:
| Hooper/1st-Round Choice | Pos. | College | Selected in Draft By | NFL Pick Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neill Armstrong | OE-DB | Oklahoma A&M | Philadelphia Eagles | 8th in 1947 |
| Doug Atkins | DE | Tennessee | Cleveland Browns | 11th in 1953 |
| Terry Baker | QB-RB | Oregon State | Los Angeles Rams | 1st in 1963 |
| Sammy Baugh | QB | Texas Christian | Boston Redskins | 6th in 1937 |
| *Hub Bechtol | E | Texas Tech/Texas | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5th in 1947 |
| Johnny Bright | RB | Drake | Philadelphia Eagles | 5th in 1952 |
| Jim Brown | RB | Syracuse | Cleveland Browns | 6th in 1957 |
| Ray Buivid | QB | Marquette | Chicago Cardinals | 3rd in 1937 |
| Bob Carey | WR | Michigan State | Los Angeles Rams | 13th in 1952 |
| Fred Carr | LB | Texas Western | Green Bay Packers | 5th in 1968 |
| Shante Carver | DE | Arizona State | Dallas Cowboys | 23rd in 1994 |
| Lynn Chandnois | HB | Michigan State | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8th in 1950 |
| George Connor | OL-DT-LB | Notre Dame | New York Giants | 5th in 1946 |
| Olie Cordill | HB | Rice | Cleveland Browns | 5th in 1940 |
| Ernie Davis | HB | Syracuse | Washington Redskins | 1st in 1962 |
| Glenn Davis | HB | Army | Detroit Lions | 2nd in 1947 |
| Len Dawson | QB | Purdue | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5th in 1957 |
| Mike Ditka | TE | Pittsburgh | Chicago Bears | 5th in 1961 |
| Rickey Dudley | TE | Ohio State | Oakland Raiders | 9th in 1996 |
| Ray Evans | TB-DB | Kansas | Chicago Bears | 9th in 1944 |
| James Francis | LB | Baylor | Cincinnati Bengals | 12th in 1990 |
| Reuben Gant | TE | Oklahoma State | Buffalo Bills | 18th in 1974 |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | California | Kansas City Chiefs | 13th in 1996 |
| Otto Graham | QB | Northwestern | Detroit Lions | 4th in 1944 |
| Harry "Bud" Grant | E | Minnesota | Philadelphia Eagles | 14th in 1950 |
| Bob Griese | QB | Purdue | Miami Dolphins | 4th in 1967 |
| Kevin Hardy | DL | Notre Dame | New Orleans Saints | 7th in 1968 |
| Tom Harmon | HB-DB | Michigan | Chicago Bears | 1st in 1941 |
| Todd Heap | TE | Arizona State | Baltimore Ravens | 31st in 2001 |
| King Hill | QB | Rice | Chicago Cardinals | 1st as bonus pick in 1958 |
| Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch | OE | Michigan | Cleveland Rams | 5th in 1945 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Clemson | Houston Texans | 27th in 2013 |
| Paul Hornung | RB | Notre Dame | Green Bay Packers | 1st as bonus pick in 1957 |
| Jack Jenkins | FB-LB | Vanderbilt | Washington Redskins | 10th in 1943 |
| Ed "Too Tall" Jones | DL | Tennessee State | Dallas Cowboys | 1st in 1974 |
| Matt Jones | E | Arkansas | Jacksonville Jaquars | 21st in 2005 |
| Billy Kilmer | QB | UCLA | San Francisco 49ers | 11th in 1961 |
| Ron Kramer | WR | Michigan | Green Bay Packers | 4th in 1957 |
| Johnny Lattner | HB | Notre Dame | Pittsburgh Steelers | 7th in 1954 |
| Bobby Layne | QB | Texas | Chicago Bears | 3rd in 1948 |
| Ronnie Lott | DB | Southern California | San Francisco 49ers | 8th in 1981 |
| Johnny Lujack | QB | Notre Dame | Chicago Bears | 4th in 1946 |
| Don Lund | FB-LB | Michigan | Chicago Bears | 7th in 1945 |
| Bob MacLeod | B | Dartmouth | Brooklyn Dodgers | 5th in 1939 |
| Jim McDonald | B | Ohio State | Philadelphia Eagles | 2nd in 1938 |
| Banks McFadden | HB | Clemson | Brooklyn Dodgers | 3rd in 1940 |
| Rich McGeorge | TE | Elon | Green Bay Packers | 16th in 1970 |
| Donovan McNabb | QB | Syracuse | Philadelphia Eagles | 2nd in 1999 |
| R.W. McQuarters | CB | Oklahoma State | San Francisco 49ers | 28th in 1998 |
| Leonard Mitchell | DE | Houston | Philadelphia Eagles | 27th in 1981 |
| Mack Mitchell | DE | Houston | Cleveland Browns | 5th in 1975 |
| Julius Peppers | DE | North Carolina | Carolina Panthers | 2nd in 2002 |
| Pat Richter | TE | Wisconsin | Washington Redskins | 7th in 1962 |
| Andre Rison | WR | Michigan State | Indianapolis Colts | 22nd in 1989 |
| Jack Robbins | QB | Arkansas | Chicago Cardinals | 5th in 1938 |
| Dave Robinson | LB | Penn State | Green Bay Packers | 14th in 1963 |
| Reggie Rogers | DL | Washington | Detroit Lions | 7th in 1987 |
| Art Schlichter | QB | Ohio State | Baltimore Colts | 4th in 1982 |
| Don Scott | HB | Ohio State | Chicago Bears | 9th in 1941 |
| Del Shofner | E | Baylor | Los Angeles Rams | 11th in 1957 |
| Norm Snead | QB | Wake Forest | Washington Redskins | 2nd in 1961 |
| Joe Stydahar | T | West Virginia | Chicago Bears | 6th in 1936 |
| David Verser | WR-KR | Kansas | Cincinnati Bengals | 10th in 1981 |
| Doak Walker | HB-DB | Southern Methodist | New York Bulldogs | 3rd in 1949 |
| Byron "Whizzer" White | B | Colorado | Pittsburgh Steelers | 4th in 1938 |
| Alfred Williams | DE | Colorado | Cincinnati Bengals | 18th in 1991 |
| Jack Wilson | HB | Baylor | Cleveland Browns | 2nd in 1942 |
| Kendall Wright | WR | Baylor | Tennessee Titans | 20th in 2012 |
*Bechtol played in the AAFC, where he was a second-round pick (9th overall).
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 24 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Alabama hoops lettermen Riggs Stephenson and Jim Tabor supplied significant MLB games with their bats on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 24
San Diego Padres SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) contributed four hits for the second time in four days in 1978.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Morrie Arnovich (Wisconsin-Superior hooper in early 1930s) went 4-for-4, including three doubles, in a 7-3 win against Brooklyn in 1937.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers in a 10-4 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1935.
Baltimore Orioles rookie 2B Marv Breeding (Samford hooper in mid-1950s) went hitless for the only time in his first 12 MLB games.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) went 4-for-4 in an 8-6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie SS Ben Geraghty (Villanova hoops letterman from 1933-34 through 1935-36) supplied his fourth straight multiple-hit game in 1936.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 doubleheader.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) tied a MLB record by striking out 18 batters in a nine-inning game at Chicago in 1962.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) tossed a one-hitter against the Texas Rangers. It was one of three shutouts for him in 1979.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of hoops JV team with Bloomsburg PA in mid-1930s) collected four of 22 hits by the Boston Braves and chipped in with four RBI in a 14-5 victory over the New York Giants in 1947. Johnny Mize, who later had a basketball arena named after him at Piedmont College GA, socked three successive homers for the Giants. Five years earlier with the Philadelphia Phillies, Litwhiler went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942.
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament hoops championship team) provided his fifth multiple-hit game in as many outings to start the 1960 campaign en route to compiling a .471 average while hitting safely in his first 13 contests of the season.
San Diego Padres RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year hoops letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) didn't allow an earned run through his first nine relief appearances in 1993.
New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (led Kent State in scoring with 14 ppg in 1957-58) contributed a career-high four RBI against the Minnesota Twins in 1971.
Washington Senators rookie CF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college hoops state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went hitless for the only time in his first 13 MLB starts in 1950.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 twinbill.
Kansas City Royals 3B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) belted two homers for the second time in a four-game span in 1970.
RHP John Pyecha (led Appalachian State in scoring, rebounding and field-goal shooting in 1951-52 and 1954-55) lost his only MLB pitching appearance with the Chicago Cubs in 1954.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played hoops briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) ripped two homers against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1940 game.
New York Giants RHP Hal Schumacher (multiple-sport athlete for St. Lawrence NY in early 1930s) and Hall of Fame teammate Mel Ott each socked two homers against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1934 game.
Baltimore Orioles RF Ken Singleton (Hofstra freshman hoops squad in mid-1960s) smacked two homers against the California Angels in 1979 in the midst of seven multiple-hit outings in an eight-game span.
Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Seattle Mariners in 1985.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) clubbed three doubles for the second time in a six-game span in 1932.
Boston Red Sox rookie 3B Jim Tabor (Alabama hoops letterman in 1936-37) tallied four hits for the first of four times in a 30-game span to early June in 1939.
Chicago White Sox LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) yielded his only run in 12 relief appearances during the month in 2012.
Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) went 4-for-4 against the New York Mets in a 1964 game.
Boston Red Sox SS Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in a 1934 contest.
San Diego Padres RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected four hits and five RBI against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1975 outing.
National Review: State-By-State Winners and Sinners in NCAA Playoffs
No state has won as much as 64% of its NCAA Tournament games and none has as many as five different schools with winning playoff records. The Michigan Wolverines reaching the 2018 NCAA final instead of the Kansas Jayhawks enabled Michigan (.6284) to nudge ahead of Kansas (.6279) as the state with highest all-time winning percentage before the Michigan State Spartans padded the state's advantage with a 2019 Final Four appearance. Kansas, one of 20 states represented by four or fewer members in the U.S. House of Representatives, is represented much more in the NCAA playoffs by ranking seventh with 163 victories from only three universities. Additional stately views of national winners and sinners you might want to review include:
- Schools from the state of North Carolina have collected more NCAA Tournament triumphs (324) than a total of 22 states including those with power-conference members such as Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and West Virginia.
- All four ACC members in Carolina have more than 25 playoff triumphs. Each of them (Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Wake Forest) has more all-time wins than entire states such as Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina.
- California is the only state with as many as 18 schools winning at least one NCAA Tournament game. Alas, less than 1/4 of them (four) have winning marks.
- Other than Syracuse, Canisius is the only current New York Division I school to compile a winning NCAA playoff record (6-4). CCNY, the NCAA's DI champion in 1950, assembled a 4-2 mark ledger before de-emphasizing its program.
- Despite Villanova's two NCAA titles in the last four seasons, Pennsylvania is the only state with at least 140 tourney victories to compile an overall losing mark (187-206).
- Syracuse (plus 28 in NY; 68-40) and Villanova (plus 28 in PA; 65-37) are the most games above .500 in states with overall losing playoff marks. On the flip side, Miami OH (minus 13; 6-19) and Murray State KY (minus 13; 4-17) are tied for most games below .500 in states with overall winning worksheets.
- Abilene Christian enabled Texas to nudge ahead of California for most different schools participating in the tourney with 24 although Houston (29-26) is the only institution from the Lone Star State posting a winning record. Texas (147-193) has a total of 13 Final Four teams after Texas Tech's success but is more games under .500 than any state (minus 46 including 11 different universities never winning a playoff contest).
- LSU is the only one of Louisiana's 12 schools appearing in the playoffs notching a winning record. South Carolina has the most universities participate in the tourney (nine) without any of them posting a break-even or winning playoff record. Kansas has only three different colleges appear in the NCAA Tournament but boasts seven times as many victories as South Carolina and four times as many triumphs as Louisiana.
- All six Mid-American Conference members from Ohio have losing records, combining for a 19-52 mark (.268).
- Tennessee, the winningest state in NCAA playoff history (78 triumphs) despite never having a national champion, is the only state with as many as six schools at least five games below .500 in NCAA tourney competition.
- Virginia is the only one of 12 different schools from its state and Memphis is only one of 11 different Tennessee schools appearing in the tourney to post a winning record.
- Memphis (34-26) is joined by Spokane, Wash.-based Gonzaga (34-22) as the only mid-major schools leading a state with more than 60 playoff wins.
- The only states with fewer than 45 tourney triumphs to assemble overall winning records are Nevada (39-28 by 6-9 Nevada and 33-19 UNLV) plus New Hampshire (10-7 by Dartmouth).
- Utah is the only state saddled with as many as three schools posting tourney marks more than 10 games below .500 - Brigham Young (15-32), Utah State (6-23) and Weber State (6-17).
Former Vice Plagiarist Joe Biden, amid aspiring details about his soap-opera family aren't circulated, better hope his prospects of success as a presidential candidate are a mite higher than the NCAA Tournament win total of the state he served as Senator because Delaware is 0-6. Belmont, UCF, UC Irvine, Fairleigh Dickinson, Liberty and Wofford posted their initial NCAA tourney triumph this campaign. Following are NCAA Division I playoff cumulative records listed by most state victories through 2019:
| STATE (# of Tourney Schools) | Overall Record | Pct. | School-By-School NCAA Playoff Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| NORTH CAROLINA (16) | 324-195 | .6243 | Appalachian State (0-2), Campbell (0-1), Charlotte (7-12), Davidson (8-15), Duke (114-38), East Carolina (0-2), Gardner-Webb (0-1), North Carolina (126-47), North Carolina A&T (1-10), North Carolina Central (0-4), North Carolina State (37-26), UNC Asheville (2-4), UNC Greensboro (0-3), UNC Wilmington (1-6), Wake Forest (28-23) and Western Carolina (0-1) |
| KENTUCKY (seven) | 236-156 | .602 | Eastern Kentucky (0-8), Kentucky (131-53), Louisville (76-44), Morehead State (6-8), Murray State (4-17), Northern Kentucky (0-2) and Western Kentucky (19-24) |
| CALIFORNIA (23) | 235-214 | .523 | California (20-19), UC Davis (0-1), UC Irvine (1-2), Cal Poly (1-1), UC Santa Barbara (1-5), Cal State Bakersfield (0-1), Cal State Fullerton (2-3), Cal State Los Angeles (0-1), Cal State Northridge (0-2), Fresno State (2-6), Long Beach State (7-10), Loyola Marymount (5-5), Pacific (4-10), Pepperdine (5-14), Saint Mary's (5-10), San Diego (1-4), San Diego State (6-12), San Francisco (21-14), San Jose State (0-3), Santa Clara (11-13), Southern California (14-20), Stanford (23-16) and UCLA (106-42) |
| PENNSYLVANIA (15) | 188-208 | .475 | Bucknell (2-8), Drexel (1-4), Duquesne (4-5), Lafayette (0-5), La Salle (14-11), Lebanon Valley (1-2), Lehigh (1-5), Penn (13-26), Penn State (9-11), Pittsburgh (24-27), Robert Morris (2-8), Saint Francis (0-1), Saint Joseph's (19-25), Temple (33-33) and Villanova (65-37) |
| INDIANA (nine) | 181-147 | .552 | Ball State (3-7), Butler (24-16), Evansville (1-5), Indiana (66-34), IUPUI (0-1), Indiana State (5-4), Notre Dame (38-40), Purdue (42-31) and Valparaiso (2-9) |
| OHIO (12) | 172-169 | .504 | Akron (0-4), Bowling Green (1-5), Cincinnati (46-32), Cleveland State (3-2), Dayton (19-20), Kent State (4-6), Miami (6-19), Ohio University (7-14), Ohio State (57-32), Toledo (1-4), Wright State (0-3) and Xavier (28-28) |
| KANSAS (three) | 163-98 | .6245 | Kansas (108-47), Kansas State (37-35) and Wichita State (18-16) |
| TEXAS (24) | 147-193 | .432 | Abilene Christian (0-1), Baylor (14-14), Hardin-Simmons (0-2), Houston (29-26), Houston Baptist (0-1), Lamar (5-6), North Texas (0-3), Prairie View A&M (0-2), Rice (2-5), Sam Houston State (0-2), Southern Methodist (10-14), Stephen F. Austin (2-5), Texas (35-37), Texas A&M (13-15), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (0-1), Texas-Arlington (0-1), Texas Christian (5-8), Texas-El Paso (14-16), Texas-San Antonio (1-4), Texas Southern (1-8), Texas State (0-2), Texas Tech (16-18), Trinity (0-1) and West Texas A&M (0-1) |
| MICHIGAN (eight) | 143-83 | .633 | Central Michigan (3-4), Detroit (3-6), Eastern Michigan (3-4), Michigan (61-28), Michigan State (69-32), Oakland (1-3), Wayne State (1-2) and Western Michigan (2-4) |
| NEW YORK (22) | 140-171 | .450 | Albany (1-5), Binghamton (0-1), Buffalo (2-4), Canisius (6-4), CCNY (4-2), Colgate (0-3), Columbia (2-4), Cornell (2-6), Fordham (2-4), Hofstra (0-4), Iona (1-14), Long Island (0-7), Manhattan (3-9), Marist (0-2), NYU (9-9), Niagara (2-4), St. Bonaventure (7-9), St. John's (27-32), Siena (4-6), Stony Brook (0-1), Syracuse (68-40) and Wagner (0-1) |
| OKLAHOMA (five) | 102-93 | .523 | Oklahoma (42-32), Oklahoma City (8-13), Oklahoma State (38-27), Oral Roberts (2-5) and Tulsa (12-16) |
| ILLINOIS (10) | 95-95 | .500 | Bradley (11-9), DePaul (21-25), Eastern Illinois (0-2), Illinois (40-31), Illinois-Chicago (0-3), Illinois State (3-6), Loyola of Chicago (13-5), Northern Illinois (0-3), Northwestern (1-1) and Southern Illinois (6-10) |
| FLORIDA (11) | 87-69 | .558 | Florida (47-20), Florida A&M (1-3), Florida Atlantic (0-1), Florida Gulf Coast (3-3), Florida International (0-1), Florida State (21-17), Jacksonville (4-5), Miami (8-10), North Florida (0-1), South Florida (2-3) and UCF (1-5) |
| VIRGINIA (12) | 84-99 | .459 | George Mason (5-6), Hampton (2-6), James Madison (4-5), Liberty (1-4), Norfolk State (1-1), Old Dominion (3-12), Radford (1-3), Richmond (8-9), Virginia (35-22), Virginia Commonwealth (13-17), Virginia Military (3-3) and Virginia Tech (8-11) |
| WISCONSIN (four) | 83-66 | .557 | Green Bay (1-5), Marquette (41-34), Milwaukee (3-4) and Wisconsin (38-23) |
| TENNESSEE (11) | 78-117 | .400 | Austin Peay (2-8), Belmont (1-8), Chattanooga (3-11), East Tennessee State (2-11), Lipscomb (0-1), Memphis (34-26), Middle Tennessee State (4-9), Tennessee (22-23), Tennessee State (0-2), Tennessee Tech (0-2) and Vanderbilt (10-16) |
| ARIZONA (three) | 70-53 | .569 | Arizona (56-34), Arizona State (14-17) and Northern Arizona (0-2) |
| WASHINGTON (five) | 69-61 | .531 | Eastern Washington (0-2), Gonzaga (34-22), Seattle (10-13), Washington (19-18) and Washington State (6-6) |
| UTAH (five) | 65-105 | .382 | Brigham Young (15-32), Southern Utah (0-1), Utah (38-32), Utah State (6-23) and Weber State (6-17) |
| CONNECTICUT (four) | 60-42 | .588 | Central Connecticut State (0-3), Connecticut (59-30), Fairfield (0-3) and Yale (1-6) |
| IOWA (four) | 59-60 | .496 | Drake (5-4), Iowa (30-28), Iowa State (19-20) and Northern Iowa (5-8) |
| MARYLAND (eight) | 54-56 | .491 | Coppin State (1-4), Loyola (0-2), Maryland (42-27), Maryland-Baltimore County (1-2), Morgan State (0-2), Mount St. Mary's (2-5), Navy (8-12) and Towson (0-2) |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (five) | 51-47 | .520 | American University (0-3), Catholic (0-2), George Washington (4-11), Georgetown (47-29) and Howard University (0-2) |
| ALABAMA (nine) | 49-64 | .434 | Alabama (21-21), Alabama A&M (0-1), Alabama State (0-4), Auburn (17-10), Jacksonville State (0-1), Samford (0-2), South Alabama (1-8), Troy (0-2) and UAB (10-15) |
| MASSACHUSETTS (nine) | 48-67 | .417 | Boston College (22-19), Boston University (2-7), Harvard (2-6), Holy Cross (8-13), Massachusetts (11-9), Northeastern (3-9), Springfield (0-1), Tufts (0-2) and Williams (0-1) |
| ARKANSAS (four) | 45-39 | .536 | Arkansas (42-32), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1), Arkansas State (0-1) and UALR (2-5) |
| LOUISIANA (12) | 41-76 | .350 | Louisiana-Lafayette (4-11), Louisiana-Monroe (0-7), Louisiana State (26-25), Louisiana Tech (4-5), Loyola of New Orleans (0-3), McNeese State (0-2), New Orleans (1-5), Nicholls State (0-2), Northwestern State (2-3), Southeastern Louisiana (0-1), Southern (1-9) and Tulane (3-3) |
| NEVADA (two) | 39-28 | .582 | Nevada (6-9) and UNLV (33-19) |
| OREGON (four) | 37-39 | .487 | Oregon (25-15), Oregon State (12-20), Portland (0-2) and Portland State (0-2) |
| NEW JERSEY (seven) | 36-65 | .356 | Fairleigh Dickinson (1-6), Monmouth (1-4), Princeton (13-29), Rider (0-3), Rutgers (5-7), Saint Peter's (0-3) and Seton Hall (16-13) |
| GEORGIA (five) | 33-39 | .458 | Georgia (7-12), Georgia Southern (0-3), Georgia State (2-5), Georgia Tech (23-16) and Mercer (1-3) |
| WEST VIRGINIA (two) | 32-35 | .478 | Marshall (1-6) and West Virginia (31-29) |
| MISSOURI (four) | 31-45 | .408 | Missouri (22-27), Missouri State (3-6), Saint Louis (6-11) and Southeast Missouri State (0-1) |
| RHODE ISLAND (three) | 23-33 | .411 | Brown (0-2), Providence (15-21) and Rhode Island (8-10) |
| SOUTH CAROLINA (nine) | 23-59 | .280 | Charleston Southern (0-1), Clemson (11-12), Coastal Carolina (0-4), College of Charleston (1-5), Furman (1-7), South Carolina (8-10), South Carolina State (0-5), Winthrop (1-10) and Wofford (1-5) |
| MISSISSIPPI (six) | 19-37 | .339 | Alcorn State (3-6), Jackson State (0-3), Mississippi (5-9), Mississippi State (11-11), Mississippi Valley State (0-5) and Southern Mississippi (0-3) |
| NEW MEXICO (two) | 18-43 | .295 | New Mexico (8-16) and New Mexico State (10-27) |
| MINNESOTA (one) | 14-14 | .500 | Minnesota (14-14) |
| COLORADO (four) | 14-32 | .304 | Air Force (0-4), Colorado (10-16), Colorado State (4-11) and Northern Colorado (0-1) |
| NEBRASKA (two) | 12-29 | .293 | Creighton (12-22) and Nebraska (0-7) |
| NEW HAMPSHIRE (one) | 10-7 | .588 | Dartmouth (10-7) |
| WYOMING (one) | 9-20 | .310 | Wyoming (9-20) |
| IDAHO (three) | 9-24 | .273 | Boise State (0-7), Idaho (1-4) and Idaho State (8-13) |
| NORTH DAKOTA (two) | 2-5 | .286 | North Dakota (0-1) and North Dakota State (2-4) |
| VERMONT (one) | 2-7 | .222 | Vermont (2-7) |
| MONTANA (two) | 2-16 | .111 | Montana (2-13) and Montana State (0-3) |
| HAWAII (one) | 1-5 | .167 | Hawaii (1-5) |
| SOUTH DAKOTA (one) | 0-5 | .000 | South Dakota State (0-5) |
| DELAWARE (two) | 0-6 | .000 | Delaware (0-5) and Delaware State (0-1) |
NOTE: Two states - Alaska and Maine - never had a school participate in the NCAA Division I Tournament.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 23 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former Illinois Wesleyan hoopers Bill Conroy and Cal Neeman contributed significant performances as MLB catchers on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 23
New York Giants LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in a 7-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1932.
Milwaukee Braves rookie LF Howie Bedell (averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for West Chester PA in 1955-56) banged out a career-high three safeties against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1962. Bedell hit safely in his first eight MLB games earlier in the month.
Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in a 1982 contest.
Boston Red Sox C Bill Conroy (Illinois Wesleyan hooper in early 1930s) collected a career-high three hits in a 1942 game against the Washington Senators.
In a celebrated fracas, New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) confronted Jackie Robinson (Pacific Coast Conference leading scorer both seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) after the Brooklyn Dodgers' INF bowled over a Giants pitcher covering first base on a bunt in 1955. The previous year, Robinson swiped second, third and home in the sixth inning before doubling in the winning run in the 13th in a 6-5 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Two years earlier, Dark delivered three extra-base hits against the Pirates in 1953.
Philadelphia Athletics LHP Chubby Dean (reserve guard for Duke in 1936) hurled a four-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in 1940.
Milwaukee Braves RF John DeMerit (Wisconsin letterman in 1956-57 when averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg) contributed a career-high three hits in a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961.
A pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the 10th inning by Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) tied the score for the Detroit Tigers in an eventual 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in 1961.
In 1960, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) won his first two MLB appearances.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in a 1994 outing.
In 1983, San Francisco Giants P Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts en route to pacing the N.L. in ERA (2.25).
RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer as a sophomore with 10.7 ppg in 1955-56) posted the expansion New York Mets' first-ever victory (9-1 at Pittsburgh in 1962) after they dropped their initial nine contests.
Detroit Tigers rookie SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied his fourth three-hit game in first nine outings of the 1953 campaign.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (Hope MI hooper from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1922 contest.
3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) hit safely in his first 16 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1988.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 5-for-5 but the Milwaukee Braves won, 7-5, in 14 innings in 1954 when Hank Aaron hammered his first of 755 MLB homers.
First MLB homer for C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49), a 10th-inning blast off the Milwaukee Braves' Lew Burdette, was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Chicago Cubs in 1957.
OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) involved in four-player swap going from the Chicago Cubs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1929 contest.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) held opponents scoreless in his first 25 relief appearances with the Washington Nationals until yielding a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) went 4-for-4 against the Houston Colt .45's in a 1963 game.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1987 contest.
States of Success: California & Kentucky Tied For Most Men's Championships
Kentucky (32), buttressed by Georgetown College's two NAIA championships in the last seven years, is tied with California as the state with the most national titles from each level of four-year college men's basketball - NCAA Division I, NIT, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Illinois and Ohio are the only states to boast at least one champion from all five levels. Among the 14 states amassing a total of more than 10 national crowns, Missouri is the only one in that group without a Division I championship after Virginia's success this campaign. Drury (Mo.), Central Missouri and Northwest Missouri State won DII titles this decade but the state's two headline schools - Mizzou and Saint Louis - never have reached the NCAA DI Final Four.
The biggest surprise among states fond of hoops but never capturing a four-year school national title was Iowa until Graceland won last year's NAIA crown. Following is how states stack up by national four-year school titles including the NIT and various levels of small-college basketball:
State DI NIT DII DIII NAIA Total California 15 8 5 0 4 32 Kentucky 11 3 10 0 8 32 North Carolina 13 2 3 0 1 19 Ohio 3 6 3 5 2 19 Missouri 0 1 5 2 8 16 Oklahoma 2 2 1 0 11 16 Pennsylvania 4 7 2 3 0 16 Wisconsin 2 1 0 13 0 16 Illinois 1 6 1 6 1 15 New York 2 10 0 3 0 15 Indiana 5 2 6 0 1 14 Texas 1 4 0 0 8 13 Kansas 3 1 1 0 6 11 Virginia 1 4 5 1 0 11 Minnesota 0 3 2 2 3 10 Michigan 3 3 1 2 0 9 Tennessee 0 2 1 1 4 8 Georgia 0 0 1 0 6 7 Massachusetts 1 1 1 4 0 7 Alabama 0 0 3 0 3 6 Connecticut 4 1 1 0 0 6 Maryland 1 1 2 0 1 5 Arizona 1 0 0 0 3 4 District of Columbia 1 1 1 1 0 4 Florida 2 0 2 0 0 4 South Carolina 0 2 0 0 2 4 Utah 1 3 0 0 0 4 West Virginia 0 2 0 0 2 4 Colorado 0 1 2 0 0 3 Louisiana 0 0 0 0 3 3 New Jersey 0 2 0 1 0 3 South Dakota 0 0 3 0 0 3 Arkansas 1 0 0 0 1 2 Nebraska 0 1 0 1 0 2 Rhode Island 0 2 0 0 0 2 Washington 0 0 2 0 0 2 Hawaii 0 0 0 0 1 1 Iowa 0 0 0 0 1 1 Mississippi 0 1 0 0 0 1 Montana 0 0 0 0 1 1 Nevada 1 0 0 0 0 1 New Mexico 0 0 0 0 1 1 Oregon 1 0 0 0 0 1 Wyoming 1 0 0 0 0 1
NOTE: Seven states - Alaska, Delaware, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Vermont - never have had a four-year school win a men's national championship.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 22 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles each went 4-for-4 in a MLB game on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 22
Cincinnati Reds OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 9-4 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 hit safely in first 14 games of 1979 campaign until his streak was snapped by the Minnesota Twins.
1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers and drove in all five runs for the Chicago White Sox in a 6-5 setback against the St. Louis Browns in 1935.
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) clubbed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1958 game.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) jacked a homer in his third consecutive contest in 1953.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 outing.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in a 1991 game.
In 1953, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) posted his 12th consecutive win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) contributed three hits, including an inside-the-park homer, in a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, snapping P Mike Torrez's 11-game winning streak dating back to previous season.
Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) scored four runs in a 16-12 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) shipped by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1995 to complete an earlier deal involving P Jack McDowell.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Texas Rangers in a 1979 contest.
Reliever Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Houston Astros in 1973.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) went 2-for-5 against the New York Giants in each of his first three MLB games in 1948.
Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-4 with three RBI in 7-2 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980.
Beat 'Em/Then Join 'Em: Non-League Games Serve as Head Coaching Audition
"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time." - Arnold H. Glasow
Bench boss switches for Jamion Christian (Siena to George Washington), Mick Cronin (Cincinnati to UCLA) and Ron Hunter (Georgia State to Tulane) probably stem at least partially from job auditions last season. The shifts resemble 1970-71 when Digger Phelps guided Fordham to its winningest season in school history. But what likely really impressed Notre Dame's administration was a 94-88 victory that season over the Irish. He was UND's bench boss the next campaign and went on to compile seven triumphs against nationally top-ranked opponents in his career at South Bend.
Non-conference schedules frequently are frustrating for fans of power-league members because of what seems like feasting on a steady diet of cupcake opponents. But you never know when a single game becomes a career changer. Initial research of results in this category shows Cronin's 29-point margin of victory this past season is exceeded only by Tommy Amaker's 32-point difference when Michigan overwhelmed Harvard. Similar to almost any job, timing is everything. Following is an alphabetical list of impressionable coaches such as Christian, Cronin and Hunter generating such favorable reviews after defeating a school (in a non-conference game) they were hired by for the same role before the next campaign:
*Competed in season-opening Military Classic before VMI defeated The Citadel twice in Southern Conference competition.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 21 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former hoops All-Americans Ernie Andres (Indiana) and Billy Werber (Duke) made news as infielders for the Boston Red Sox on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 21
Lone MLB RBI for 3B Ernie Andres (NCAA consensus first-team basketball All-American with Indiana in 1939) helped the Boston Red Sox outlast the Philadelphia Athletics, 12-11, in the opener of a 1946 doubleheader.
St. Louis Browns rookie RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) contributed four hits and four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1935 game.
Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) banged out four hits against the St. Louis Browns in 1937 season opener.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1982 contest.
Pittsburgh Pirates INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) pinch-hitting for Willie Stargell, delivered a decisive three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning for an 8-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1964.
LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees for P Jim Coates in 1963.
Chicago White Sox RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer with 8.5 ppg as sophomore in 1944-45) won his 1949 season debut (5-2 against Detroit Tigers) before dropping next 14 decisions through August.
California Angels C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 as team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) contributed a career-high three hits against the Texas Rangers in a 1972 outing.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's hoops leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three stolen bases against the Minnesota Twins in 1994.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1976 game.
Boston Red Sox SS Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) registered multiple extra-base hits in his third consecutive contest in 1934.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) supplied multiple hits in five of his first seven games in 1962.
Chicago White Sox RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) opened the 1957 campaign with a 10-inning shutout against the Kansas City Athletics.
New York Yankees DH Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the Texas Rangers in a 1990 game.
How West Has Lost: Majority of Playoff Dirty Dozen West of Old Man River
An unsightly Pac-12 Conference flop in the NCAA playoffs the past two years shouldn't have been a surprise unless you put stock in creepy porn lawyer #Avenaughty as a #Dimorat presidential candidate or always believe contrived comments from Muslim Brotherhood apologist/former CIA chief John "NBC News' Snoopy" Brennan. But at tourney time, the West frequently is worst. Oregon State (12-20) has the worst tourney record among longstanding power-league members. Moreover, Wyoming is the only former national champion (1943) to compile an all-time NCAA playoff record more than five games below .500 (9-20).
Everett Shelton, coach of Wyoming's titlist, is the only championship team bench boss to finish with a non-winning playoff record (4-12 from 1941 through 1958) and was more games under .500 in NCAA Division I Tournament competition than any coach in history until supplanted by Fran Dunphy (3-17 with Penn and Temple from 1993 through 2019). Also, Shelton is the only coach to lose three consecutive regional final games (1947, 1948 and 1949).
Joining Dunphy and Shelton among the eight coaches more than six games under .500 in NCAA playoff play are Rick Byrd (1-8 with Belmont from 2006 through 2019), Pete Carril (4-11 with Princeton from 1969 through 1996), Don Corbett (0-7 with North Carolina A&T from 1982 through 1988), Hugh Greer (1-8 with Connecticut from 1951 through 1960), Stew Morrill (1-9 with Montana and Utah State from 1991 through 2011) and Mike Vining (0-7 with Louisiana-Monroe from 1982 through 1996).
BYU, New Mexico State and Utah State are more games below .500 than any institutions in NCAA playoff history (minus 17). More than half of the following 12 schools at least 10 games below .500 in NCAA tourney competition are from west of the Mississippi River:
School Playoff Record Games Below .500 Mark Summary of Tournament Tumult Brigham Young 15-32 minus 17 only one of victories was by fewer than six points New Mexico State 10-27 minus 17 lost last 12 games since 1993 after winning seven of 11 contests from 1968 through 1970 Utah State 6-23 minus 17 lost 17 of last 18 games with only victory in that span in OT against Ohio State in 2001 Princeton 13-29 minus 16 lost eight of first nine games from 1952 through 1963 and last five contests since 1998 Iona 1-14 minus 13 13 straight setbacks with first four of them by fewer than four points from 1980 through 1998 Miami (Ohio) 6-19 minus 13 only victory in 10-game span from 1969 through 1992 was in OT against defending NCAA champion Marquette in 1978 Murray State 4-17 minus 13 lost 11 games in a row from 1988 through 2006 Penn 13-26 minus 13 lost last 10 games and 15 of last 16 after entering 1979 Final Four with winning playoff record (11-9) Montana 2-13 minus 11 won inaugural game in 1975 but lost last four contests since 2012 by an average of 26 points Weber State 6-17 minus 11 seven of last nine defeats since 1979 were by fewer than 12 points Wyoming 9-20 minus 11 1943 NCAA titlist before losing 12 of 13 games from 1947 through 1967 Creighton 12-22 minus 10 incurred four defeats by fewer than five points from 1974 through 1981
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 20 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (LSU), Dick Gernert (Temple) and Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD) belted multiple homers in MLB games on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 20
Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.
Cincinnati Reds RF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) contributed four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1948 game.
In his first appearance in 1956, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) fired a four-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49) smashed three homers in a doubleheader sweep of the Washington Senators in 1953.
In his MLB debut in 1923, pinch-runner Hinky Haines (Penn State hoops letterman in 1919-20 and 1920-21) scored the tying tally on Babe Ruth's ninth-inning, game-winning two-run double in the New York Yankees' 4-3 win against the Boston Red Sox.
Washington Senators RF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1963 contest.
New York Giants RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) didn't allow an earned run in 8 1/3 innings en route to registering his first MLB victory (2-1 against the Boston Braves in 1924).
Chicago Cubs 3B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) went 5-for-5 and walked twice in a 17-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986.
A single by Kansas City Royals RF Jerry Martin (Furman's second-leading scorer in 1969-70 and third-leading scorer in 1970-71) was the only hit Detroit Tigers P Milt Wilcox surrendered in an 8-0 shutout in 1982.
In 1981, Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third two-double outing in a six-game span.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hooper in mid-1930s) blasted two homers, including a grand slam, and supplied six RBI in a 7-4 win at St. Louis in 1947.
In 1961, 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) tied the score with the Philadelphia Phillies by ripping a two-out, three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Braves went on to prevail, 7-6, in 11 frames.
Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) won his first three starts in 1987.
Cleveland Indians rookie 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) accounted for multiple hits in each of first six MLB outings in 1921.
RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. Two years earlier, Tekulve permitted his only earned run in first 17 relief appearances of the 1983 campaign.
2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in his final season in 1947-48) collected an eighth-inning single for the Washington Senators' lone safety in a 7-0 loss against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.
Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) stroked three doubles against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader.
New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) doubled in his fifth straight game in 1986.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) supplied an extra-base safety in his sixth consecutive contest in the midst of eight multiple-hit outings in a 10-game span in 2002.
Beginner's Luck? Former Hofstra Hooper Alyea Homered on First MLB Pitch
How many Lane Thomases were former college basketball players before making it on the diamond? Thomas (St. Louis Cardinals outfielder) became the 119th MLB player hitting a homer in his first at-bat. Among the five ex-college hoopers homering in first at-bat on the following chronological list, Hofstra's Brant Alyea is the only one to go deep on the initial MLB pitch he faced:
| Ex-Hooper | College | First MLB Team | Date | Opponent Yielding HR | MLB Career HRs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ace Parker | Duke | Philadelphia Phillies | 4-30-37 | Boston Red Sox | 2 |
| Ted Tappe | Washington State | Cincinnati Reds | 9-14-50 | Brooklyn Dodgers | 5 |
| Wally Moon | Texas A&M | St. Louis Cardinals | 4-13-54 | Chicago Cubs | 142 |
| Bill White | Hiram (Ohio) | New York Giants | 5-7-56 | St. Louis Cardinals | 202 |
| Brant Alyea* | Hofstra | Washington Senators | 9-12-65 | California Angels | 38 |
*Alyea, who led Hofstra in scoring and rebounding in 1960-61 under coach Butch van Breda Kolff, is one of 29 players hitting homer on first MLB pitch he faced.
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 19 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Former hoops All-Americans Danny Ainge (BYU) and Bosey Berger (Maryland) made MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 19
Toronto Blue Jays LF Danny Ainge (three-time Brigham Young basketball All-American and national player of year as senior in 1980-81) went 3-for-3 in an 8-1 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1980.
Only MLB decision for RHP Steve Barber (J.C. starter under coach Jerry Tarkanian before attending La Verne CA) was a 9-8 victory for the Minnesota Twins against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
3B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first hoops All-American in 1931-32) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1937.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1966 game.
In 2017 in his third MLB start, Amir Garrett (averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg for St. John's under coach Steve Lavin in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before RS transfer year at Cal State Northridge) tied a Cincinnati Reds record for a rookie LHP by fanning 12 Baltimore Orioles batters.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) toiled 14 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Chicago Cubs in 1926. He was waived to the Cubbies two months later.
Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) went 4-for-4, including a game-winning triple in bottom of the ninth inning, in 2-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1984.
New York Giants 1B Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) collected six RBI against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1951 doubleheader.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B George Kernek (Oklahoma hoops letterman in 1959-60 and 1960-61) contributed three hits for the second time in four games in 1966.
Five hits by CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) were in vain as the St. Louis Cardinals incurred a 17-inning, 4-3 loss against the New York Mets in 1976.
In a 1961 contest, Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) supplied two homers and five RBI against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).
In 1942, Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) didn't yield a hit until there was one out in the eighth inning when CF Harry Craft (Mississippi College hooper first half of 1930s) singled for the Cincinnati Reds.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1954.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox in a six-player swap in 1969.
American Idle: Five DI Head Coaches Shed Rust and Shook Off Cobwebs
Billy Lange and John Pelphrey were in head-coaching mothballs for eight seasons until being hired to direct Saint Joseph's and Tennessee Tech, respectively. But they fall short of joining new Georgia State mentor Rob Lanier among the following list of five active head coaches serving in non-college head coaching capacities at least 10 seasons before returning to the NCAA Division I level as a bench boss:
Active Coach Current School (Years Away) Previous DI Position (Seasons) Joe Dooley East Carolina (14) East Carolina (1995-96 through 1997-98) before hiring by FGCU Rob Lanier Georgia State (14) Siena (2001-02 through 2004-05) Keith Dambrot Duquesne (11) Central Michigan (1990-91 and 1991-92) before hiring by Akron Tim Jankovich Southern Methodist (10) North Texas (1993-94 through 1996-97) before hiring by Illinois State Bobby McCullum Florida A&M (10) South Florida (2003-04 through 2006-07)
On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on April 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history. Arizona, Cincinnati, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Syracuse and UCLA - NCAA playoff kingpins at some point in their respective histories - had former hoopers make MLB news on this date.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 18
Chicago White Sox rookie 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers against the Detroit Tigers in 1934 in his second MLB game. Four years later with the Washington Senators, Bonura contributed three hits and four RBI in a 12-8 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 season opener.
Philadelphia Phillies INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV basketball captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) smacked a pinch grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1959 game.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1993 contest.
Texas Rangers 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) collected four hits and five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a 1976 doubleheader.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Boston Braves in 1946.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) threw the second of two immaculate innings in his career when he struck out the side on nine pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in third frame in 1964.
Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) provided a homer among his five hits in a 14-0 romp over the Colorado Rockies in 1997. Five years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lofton delivered multiple safeties seven times in a span of eight games while raising his batting average from .250 to .426 in 2002.
Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS) fired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.
San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Atlanta Braves in 1981.
Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) won his first start of season against the New York Mets before dropping last 10 decisions of the 1972 campaign.
Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers each season from 1944-45 through 1946-47) surrendered the first hit on artificial turf in 1966 when Los Angeles Dodgers SS Maury Wills singled to center at Houston's Astrodome.
1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped his first homer for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 (against New York Giants). The blast was Robinson's lone round-tripper in his first 30 MLB games.
New York Yankees RHP Roy Sherid (Albright PA hoops center in 1926-27 and 1927-28) toiled 15 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) registered his fourth victory hurling at least three innings of relief in the Atlanta Braves' first 11 games of the 1971 season.
Philadelphia Athletics 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) provided four safeties in season opener en route to seven multiple-hit games in his first 11 outings of the 1938 campaign.
What Were They Thinking? Low-Scoring Freshmen Feel They're NBA Worthy
In their brief college academic careers, these scholars must have taken a stimulating course in how to have a healthy self-esteem. Despite failing to compile a double-digit scoring average, freshmen Nassir Little (North Carolina/9.8 ppg) and Kevin Porter Jr. (Southern California/9.5 ppg) feel they are sufficiently talented to make a transition to the NBA. Ditto Jontay Porter (Missouri/9.9 ppg in 2017-18 before missing all of last season as medical redshirt). Emmitt Williams (Louisiana State/7 ppg) appeared bound for the pros, too, before reconsidering in "Smart" fashion. Williams resembled his coach (Will Wade), going from strong-ass offer to weak-ass response. Little and the Porters aspire to join the following alphabetical list of yearlings in this suspect category who were selected in the NBA draft over the previous three years after only one college campaign:
| Freshman | Pos. | College | PPG. | Drafted By | Year | Round | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ike Anigbogu | C | UCLA | 4.7 | Indiana Pacers | 2017 | 2nd | 47th |
| Tony Bradley | C | North Carolina | 7.1 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2017 | 1st | 28th |
| Deyonta Davis | F-C | Michigan State | 7.5 | Boston Celtics | 2016 | 2nd | 31st |
| Cheick Diallo | F-C | Kansas | 3.0 | Los Angeles Clippers | 2016 | 2nd | 33rd |
| Harry Giles | C | Duke | 3.9 | Portland Trail Blazers | 2017 | 1st | 20th |
| Skal Labissiere | F-C | Kentucky | 6.6 | Phoenix Suns | 2016 | 1st | 28th |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | F | Kentucky | 5.9 | Orlando Magic | 2018 | 2nd | 41st |
NOTE: None of the seven players on this list has averaged as much as 8 ppg during NBA career.
