Heisman Hoopers: Will There Be Another Versatile Player Like Charlie Ward?

December 12th, 2015 - 7:33

At least three Heisman Trophy winners in three straight decades - 1940s, 1950s and 1960s - are among the football players who also competed in college basketball. But Florida State's Charlie Ward (1993) is the only such multi-sport athlete in the last 50 years to achieve the feat.

At a time when basketball and football seasons overlap, you might want to know three Heisman recipients in a 10-year span from 1947 through 1956 were from Notre Dame. Following is an alphabetical list of Heisman Trophy winners who played varsity basketball at some point in their college careers:

Heisman Winner Year School Where Also Played BKB FB Pos.
Terry Baker 1962 Oregon State QB
Ernie Davis 1961 Syracuse HB
Glenn Davis 1946 Army FB
Tom Harmon 1940 Michigan HB
Paul Hornung 1956 Notre Dame QB
Dick Kazmaier 1951 Princeton HB
Larry Kelley 1936 Yale E
Nile Kinnick 1939 Iowa HB
Johnny Lattner 1953 Notre Dame HB
Johnny Lujack 1947 Notre Dame QB
Roger Staubach 1963 Navy QB
Doak Walker 1948 Southern Methodist HB
Charlie Ward 1993 Florida State QB

Calling Card: Cat, Scoochie and Yogi Add to Most Entertaining Nicknames List

December 10th, 2015 - 19:23

Dayshon "Scoochie" Smith (Dayton's assists leader last couple of seasons), Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell (Indiana's dynamic playmaker), Nathanial "Giddy" Potts (Middle Tennessee State's three-point specialist) and Anthony "Cat" Barber (North Carolina State's versatile sparkplug) are the latest players with the most entertaining nicknames. Bo and Mo, Buck and Duck, Bud and Butch, Dutch and Skip plus Red and Whitey are too commonplace. But Barber, Ferrell and Smith joined the following long list of collegians over the years with distinctive monikers:

Valentine's Way: Spartans Sparked by Son of Former Michigan State Standout

December 4th, 2015 - 19:36

An old adage portends "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." A challenging dynamic exists when playing for the same school where your dad was a standout. Whether or not it's a fair sampling (majority of dads are better), comparing the following father-son duos might provide a window depicting when the quality of play was superior. The Valentine's Way (son Denzel after father Carlton) generates headlines for Michigan State in the Big Ten Conference this season after the Marble Collection (Roy Devyn and Roy) excelled for Iowa in recent campaigns.

Marques Johnson was the third-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder for UCLA's 1975 NCAA champion and son Kris was a backup freshman for the Bruins' 1995 titlist. They are the only father-son duo to capture NCAA crowns for the same institution, propelling them atop the list of premier father-son combinations.

Did you know one of Carlton Valentine's teammates in 1987-88 was Andre Rison, who went on catch more than 80 passes five straight years from 1990 through 1994 with the Atlanta Falcons? The Valentines have gained more prominence, cracking the Top 20 among top father-son tandems, when Denzel flourished as one of the nation's premier all-round players in sparking the Spartans to short stint atop the national polls. However, his bid to become national player of the year incurred a setback when he was sidelined several weeks because of a knee injury. Other schools with a father/son link likely to participate in the NCAA playoffs this year include Florida State, Miami, Oregon State, Purdue, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. There is something in the family DNA for the following all-time Top 60 father-son tandems making the most impact for same major university factoring in how long they attended school:

Rank Family School Father's College Career Summary Son's College Career Summary
1. Johnson UCLA Marques, the national player of the year as a senior, averaged 14.4 ppg and 7.8 rpg from 1973-74 through 1976-77. Kris averaged 11.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg from 1994-95 through 1997-98.
2. Marble Iowa Roy, a three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection and the Hawkeyes' all-time leading scorer (2,116 points), averaged 15.8 ppg and 5 rpg from 1985-86 through 1988-89. Roy Devyn averaged 12 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.3 spg from 2010-11 through 2013-14, ranking among the school's all-time top seven in points, rebounds, assists and steals.
3. Burtt Iona Steve Sr., a two-time MAAC MVP, became the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,534 points by finishing among nation's top 17 scorers each of his last three seasons from 1981-82 through 1983-84. Steve Jr., a three-time All-MAAC selection, is school runner-up with 2,034 points from 2002-03 through 2005-06, finishing seventh in country in scoring as a senior.
4. Payton Oregon State Gary Sr., an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American as a senior in 1989-90, averaged 18.1 ppg and 7.8 apg in his four-year career with Beavers. Gary II, a juco recruit, emerged as Pac-12 Conference POY candidate in 2015-16.
5. Paxson Dayton James, a starter for two NIT runner-up teams, averaged 10.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg in three seasons in mid-1950s. Jim, an All-American as a senior, averaged 18 ppg and 4.5 rpg from 1975-76 through 1978-79.
6. Perry Holy Cross Ronnie Sr. averaged 13.6 ppg from 1951-52 through 1953-54. Ronnie Jr., a three-time All-American, averaged 23.2 ppg and 3.9 apg while shooting 88.5% at free-throw line from 1976-77 through 1979-80.
7. Hosket Ohio State Wilmer Clemens was named to third five on College Humor Magazine A-A in 1932-33 when he was fourth-leading scorer in Big Ten (8 ppg) as member of league co-champion. Bill, a member of the U.S. Olympic squad after appearing in Final Four as a senior, averaged 19.5 ppg and 12.3 rpg in three seasons from 1965-66 through 1967-68.
8. Haws Brigham Young Marty, an All-WAC first-team selection as a senior when leading the Cougars in scoring with 18.5 ppg, averaged 10.9 ppg and 4.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90. Tyler averaged 19.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg, ranking among the nation's top seven scorers his final three seasons (2012-13 through 2014-15).
9. Rautins Syracuse Leo, who led the Orangemen in rebounds and assists as a senior when he was an All-Big East Conference third-team selection, averaged 12.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 5 apg from 1980-81 through 1982-83 after transferring from Minnesota. Andy, an All-Big East second-team selection as a senior, averaged 8.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.4 spg from 2005-06 through 2009-10.
10. Brewer Arkansas Ron, an All-American as a senior for a 1978 Final Four team, averaged 15.8 ppg and 3.3 rpg after one season at JC level. Ronnie, a two-time All-SEC selection, averaged 15.7 ppg and 5 rpg from 2003-04 through 2005-06 before declaring early for NBA draft.
11. Robinzine DePaul William Sr. averaged 15.3 ppg in 1954-55 and 1955-56. William Jr. averaged 16.6 ppg and 11.4 rpg from 1972-73 through 1974-75, including team highs of 19.4 ppg and 13.5 rpg as a senior.
12. Young Houston Michael, an All-American as a senior, was top scorer for back-to-back Final Four teams featuring Akeem Olajuwon (1983 and 1984), averaging 18.6 ppg over final two years. Joseph averaged 14.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 2.4 apg in 2011-12 and 2012-13 with UH before transferring to Oregon.
13. Warren North Carolina State Tony Sr. averaged 9.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg from 1976-77 through 1978-79 under coach Norm Sloan, leading Wolfpack in field-goal percentage as junior. Tony "T.J." Jr. was an All-American and ACC Player of the Year as sophomore in 2013-14 before declaring early for NBA draft.
14. Price Oklahoma Dennis averaged 10.9 ppg from 1957-58 through 1959-60. Brent averaged 18 ppg and 5.8 apg for the Sooners in 1990-91 and 1991-92 after transferring from South Carolina.
15. Hummer Princeton Edward, a Final Four teammate of All-American Bill Bradley before becoming an All-Ivy League second-team selection, averaged 10.2 ppg and 7 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Ian, a three-time All-Ivy League selection, averaged 13.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg from 2009-10 through 2012-13.
16. Cox San Francisco Chubby, setting stage for first father-son tandem to both be two-time all-conference selection for same school in same league, averaged team-high 5.4 apg in each of his final two seasons in 1976-77 and 1977-78. John averaged 15.8 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2001-02 through 2004-05, leading the WCC in scoring as a senior.
17. Evans Oklahoma Eddie averaged 11.9 ppg from 1960-61 through 1962-63, including a team-high 16.4 ppg as a senior. Terry averaged 11.1 ppg and 5.3 apg from 1989-90 through 1992-93, setting school records in assists (628) and three-point field goals (259).
18. Raivio Portland Rick, a three-time All-WCAC selection who led the Pilots in FG% all four seasons, finished as their all-time leading rebounder (910/9.4 rpg) while averaging 17.2 ppg before becoming 1980 fifth-round draft choice by L.A. Lakers. Nik, a J.C. recruit, was an All-WCC selection as a junior in 2008-09 when he averaged 16 ppg and 6.5 rpg before heading overseas to play professionally after concluding his college career with 14.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg.
19. Temple Louisiana State Collis Jr., the first African-American varsity player in LSU history in 1971-72, averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons, ranking second in SEC in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and seventh in field-goal shooting (54.9%) as a senior. Collis III averaged 10.2 ppg from 1999-00 through 2002-03, including career-high 14.3 ppg as sophomore when he scored 30 points in regular-season finale at Tennessee. Garrett was defensive whiz for 2006 Final Four club before becoming an All-SEC second-team pick as senior in 2008-09.
20. Valentine Michigan State Carlton was the Spartans' leading scorer and rebounder as senior in 1987-88, finishing his career with 8.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg. Denzel averaged 9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 3.6 apg for NCAA playoff teams from 2013 through 2015 before emerging as a leading national POY candidate in 2016.
21. Ainge Brigham Young Danny, a three-time All-American who averaged 20.9 ppg, was named national player of the year as senior in 1980-81. Austin posted personal season highs of 9.5 ppg and 4.1 apg as sophomore in 2004-05 en route to career marks of 6.6 ppg and 3.5 apg.
22. Mayes Florida State Tharon averaged 16.4 ppg for FSU from 1987-88 through 1989-90. Stepson Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 30 points in final 4:38 last year as freshman in game against Miami (Fla.).
23. Guokas St. Joseph's Matt Sr. was tallest player and an original member of the famed "Mighty Mites" who asserted themselves in the Philly Big Five by winning 54 of 71 games in the late 1930s. Matt Jr. averaged 15.4 ppg and 4.6 rpg for the Hawks in 1964-65 and 1965-66 after transferring from Miami (Fla.).
24. Komives Bowling Green Howard averaged 25.8 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64, leading nation in scoring as senior All-American with 36.7 ppg. Shane averaged 10.6 ppg from 1992-93 through 1995-96, including career-high 14.3 ppg as a sophomore.
25. Ellis San Francisco Joe, a three-time All-WCAC first-team selection from 1963-64 through 1965-66, averaged 13.5 ppg and 8.9 rpg. Kevin averaged 9.1 ppg and 3 rpg his final two seasons in 1988-89 and 1989-90.
26. Springer Iona Gary Sr., a three-time All-MAAC selection, averaged 15.4 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1980-81 through 1983-84. Gary Jr., an All-MAAC third-team selection as a senior in 2008-09, averaged 7.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg.
27. Becker Arizona State Art, a two-time All-WAC selection, averaged 15.7 ppg and 9 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64, ranks among school career leaders in rebound average, FG% (52.4) and FT% (79.7). Teammate of Joe Caldwell had two games with more than 20 points and 20 rebounds as a junior when leading team with 11.2 rpg. Mark averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1986-87 through 1989-90, leading team in rebounding as a sophomore with 5.5 per game.
28. Henry Kansas Carl, an OCU transfer, averaged 17.1 ppg and 6.4 rpg in 1982-83 and 1983-84 as a two-time All-Big Eight Conference selection. Xavier, an All-Big 12 Conference Rookie Team choice, averaged 13.4 ppg and 4.4 rpg as freshman in 2009-10 before leaving school early for NBA draft.
29. Frederick South Carolina Zam Sr. led nation in scoring as a senior in 1980-81 with 28.9 ppg to finish career with 13.7 ppg. Zam II, an All-SEC second-team selection as a senior, averaged 15.1 ppg with the Gamecocks in 2007-08 and 2008-09 after transferring from Georgia Tech.
30. Kornet Vanderbilt Frank, an All-SEC second-team selection as senior, averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg from 1985-86 through 1988-89 before playing couple of seasons in NBA. Luke, one of the top outside shooters for a seven-footer the past three seasons, contributed a triple-double in game against Auburn.
31. Cline Wake Forest Herb, a two-time All-Southern Conference selection, was team scoring and rebounding leader from 1939-40 through 1941-42. Mark averaged 10.7 ppg and 3.8 rpg while shooting 81.7% at the FT line from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
32. Payne Iowa Tom was leading the Hawkeyes in scoring and rebounding at end of first semester of junior season (1956-57) when declared academically ineligible. Michael averaged 9.6 ppg and 7.3 rpg from 1981-82 through 1984-85, pacing team in rebounding his first two seasons.
33. Simmons Evansville Marty, an Indiana transfer, averaged 24.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 3.8 apg as two-time All-MCC first-team selection in 1986-87 and 1987-88. Blake has averaged 7.7 ppg for the surging Aces the past 2 1/2 seasons.
34. Howard Brigham Young Orin was a multi-sport Hall of Famer for the school in the 1920s. Doug, a second-team All-WAC selection as a junior in 1968-69 (15.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 85.3 FT%) and senior in 1969-70 (18.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 85.3 FT%) led Cougars in scoring his last two years.
35. Butler Richmond Jeff, a transfer from Robert Morris (Pa.) when it was a junior college, led UR in scoring and rebounding in 1975-76 and 1976-77, averaging 15.2 ppg and 9.6 rpg. Ryan, a starter much of stint from 2006-07 through 2009-10, finished his career fifth in total steals and three-pointers, averaging 6.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg.
36. Stephens Purdue Everette averaged 8.8 ppg and 4 apg from 1984-85 through 1987-88. Kendall averaged 8.4 ppg the past 2 1/2 seasons.
37. Ewing Georgetown Patrick Sr., the national player of the year as a senior, averaged 15.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg from 1981-82 through 1984-85. Patrick Jr. averaged 5.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg with the Hoyas in 2006-07 and 2007-08 after transferring from Indiana.
38. Stockton Gonzaga John, MVP of the WCAC as a senior, averaged 12.5 ppg and 5.2 apg from 1980-81 through 1983-84. David averaged 4.6 ppg and 2.9 apg for four NCAA playoff teams from 2010-11 through 2013-14.
39. Mimlitz St. Louis Jack, a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, averaged 14.2 ppg from 1955-56 through 1957-58. Ted averaged 7 ppg for SLU in 1985-86 and 1986-87 after transferring from Missouri.
40. McKie South Carolina BJ, a three-time All-SEC first-team selection, remains school's all-time leading scorer with 2,119 points from 1995-96 through 1998-99. Justin has been backup guard the past 2 1/2 seasons.
41. Morningstar Kansas Roger, runner-up in scoring for a Final Four squad, averaged 11.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75 after transferring from a junior college. Brady averaged 5.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.6 apg from 2006-07 through 2010-11.
42. Shepherd Butler Bill Sr. averaged 5.9 ppg in 1947-48 and 6.6 ppg in 1948-49. Billy Jr., who scored 49 points in a game at Arizona as a junior, averaged 24.1 ppg from 1969-70 through 1971-72 (career-low senior mark of 19.3 ppg while contributing team-high 5.8 apg).
43. Fife Michigan Dan averaged 12.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Dugan, a backup on the last Fab Five Final Four team, averaged 4.6 ppg and 2 rpg from 1992-93 through 1995-96.
44. Suttle Pepperdine Dane Sr., co-MVP of the WCAC as a senior, averaged 16.2 ppg from 1979-80 through 1982-83 before playing briefly in NBA. Dane Jr. averaged 5.6 ppg from 2009-10 through 2011-12.
45. Rose Houston Lynden, a J.C. recruit who became co-captain of 1982 Final Four squad, averaged 7.5 ppg and 3.3 apg. L.J. averaged 8.1 ppg and 5.1 apg as a UH sophomore in 2013-14 after transferring from Baylor.
46. Wilkins Illinois State Jeff averaged 16.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 1974-75 through 1976-77, leading team in scoring, rebounding and FG% as a senior before becoming an NBA second-round draft choice. John, a J.C. transfer, averaged 7.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg from 2010-11 through 2012-13.
47. Dozier South Carolina Perry averaged 2.5 ppg from 1985-86 through 1987-88. PJ, USC's top freshman recruit in 2015-16, was instrumental in helping the Gamecocks go undefeated into the new year.
48. Whitehead Louisville Eddie averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg from 1963-64 through 1965-66, finishing runner-up in rebounding behind All-American Wes Unseld as a senior. Luke averaged 9.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg from 2000-01 through 2003-04, including NCAA playoff squads his final two seasons (leading rebounder and runner-up in scoring as senior).
49. Mills Kentucky Terry averaged 6.7 ppg for three NCAA Tournament teams from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Cameron, who averaged 4.3 ppg from 1994-95 through 1996-97, led UK in three-point FG% as a junior when he averaged 11.8 ppg in the NCAA playoffs.
50. Sutton Oklahoma State Eddie averaged 6.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg while shooting 82.1% from free-throw line in the late 1950s. Sean, pacing the Pokes in assists and three-point shooting both seasons, averaged 11 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 4.4 apg in 1990-91 and 1991-92 for two NCAA playoff teams after transferring from UK.
51. Melchionni Duke Gary averaged 10.4 ppg and 2.7 rpg from 1970-71 through 1972-73. Lee averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg while shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc from 2002-03 through 2005-06.
52. Altenberger Illinois Bill averaged 7.7 ppg from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Doug averaged 9.6 ppg from 1982-83 through 1986-87, including 13.6 ppg as a senior when he was an All-Big Ten third-team selection.
53. McElwain Stanford Les played in early 1930s. Mal averaged 10.9 ppg and 6.3 rpg as a three-year starting forward in late 1960s.
54. Urzetta St. Bonaventure Sam, who led the nation in FT% as a sophomore and senior, averaged 6.2 ppg from 1946-47 through 1949-50. Nick averaged 8.7 ppg in late 1970s.
55. Vopicka Illinois James was second-leading scorer in 1935-36 and a starter on 1936-37 club tying for Big Ten title. Jim averaged 5.7 ppg in 1963-64 and 3.8 ppg in 1964-65.
56. Christensen Brigham Young Harold, a member of 1951 NIT championship team, averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg before he was chosen by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1953 NBA draft. Todd averaged 5.8 ppg in 1995-96, 1998-99 and 1999-00.
57. Parkinson Purdue Bruce, an All-Big Ten first-team selection as a junior, averaged 10.9 ppg and 4.3 rpg from 1972-73 through 1976-77. Austin averaged 2.2 ppg and 3.2 apg from 2000-01 through 2003-04.
58. Hall Vanderbilt Jerry Don averaged 6.3 ppg and 1.7 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63. Dan, who led Vandy in rebounding as a sophomore, averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg in 1989-90 and from 1991-92 through 1993-94.
59. Chatman Brigham Young Jeff remains one of BYU's all-time top 10 scorers after averaging 14.9 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1984-85 through 1987-88. Jordan was averaging 2.6 ppg as a freshman in 2015-16.
T60. Boyd Southern California Bob was an All-PCC South Division first-team selection in 1951-52 before coaching his alma mater. Bill averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg from 1972-73 through 1975-76 (missed 1974-75 because of broken foot).
T60. Craig Brigham Young Robert, a member of 1951 NIT titlist, averaged 3.5 ppg in 1949-50 and 1950-51. Steve, a teammate of All-American Danny Ainge, averaged 7.2 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 1975-76 and from 1978-79 through 1980-81.
T60. Lawrence Miami (Fla.) Anthony Sr. played a couple of seasons in mid-1990s. Anthony Jr. was averaging just over 5 ppg as a freshman in 2015-16.

Peon to Pedestal: Robinson Hailed as Latest Big-Time Small-School Transfer

December 3rd, 2015 - 18:59

Despite what you might read elsewhere, a striking number of major-college standouts started their careers playing for a four-year small college before transferring. Of course, the most prominent player in this category is all-time great Elgin Baylor. After leaving College of Idaho, Baylor became an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American with Seattle in 1957-58.

More than 30 different players became NCAA Division I conference all-league selections in the 1980s and 1990s after beginning their careers with a small four-year college. In 2013-14, Weber State swingman Davion Berry (transfer from Cal State Monterey Bay) became the fourth player thus far in the 21st Century to earn MVP honors in a DI league after transferring from a small college.

Michigan three-point specialist Duncan Robinson (17.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Williams MA in 2013-14 before transferring) will make major contributions to the Wolverines, but the odds are against him making as huge an impact in a power conference to what Gerald Glass did in the SEC for Ole Miss after departing Delta State. Who will be next player to join new Alabama coach Avery Johnson (transferred from Cameron OK to Southern LA) among the following chronological list of first-team all-conference selections since the NCAA playoffs expanded to at least 64 teams in 1985 after starting their college careers playing for non-Division I four-year schools?

Season First-Team Selection Pos. Division I School Conference Four-Year Small College
1984-85 Curtis High G Nevada-Reno Big Sky Tennessee-Martin
1984-85 Jim McCaffrey G Holy Cross Metro Atlantic St. Michael's (Vt.)
1984-85 Bob McCann C Morehead State Ohio Valley Upsala (N.J.)
1985-86 Oscar Jones G Delaware East Coast Winston-Salem State (N.C.)
1985-86 Jim McCaffrey G Holy Cross Metro Atlantic St. Michael's (Vt.)
1985-86 Bob McCann C Morehead State Ohio Valley Upsala (N.J.)
1985-86 Jerry Stroman F Utah Western Athletic Benedict (S.C.)
1986-87 Marchell Henry F East Carolina Colonial Athletic St. Andrews (N.C.)
1986-87 Avery Johnson G Southern (La.) SWAC Cameron (Okla.)
1986-87 Bob McCann* C Morehead State Ohio Valley Upsala (N.J.)
1986-87 Ron Simpson F Rider East Coast Adelphi (N.Y.)
1987-88 Avery Johnson* G Southern (La.) SWAC Cameron (Okla.)
1987-88 Larry Jones* F Boston University ECAC North Atlantic C.W. Post (N.Y.)
1988-89 Gerald Glass F Mississippi SEC Delta State (Miss.)
1989-90 Gerald Glass F Mississippi SEC Delta State (Miss.)
1990-91 Marcus Kennedy* F-C Eastern Michigan Mid-American Ferris State (Mich.)
1990-91 Tony Walker F Saint Peter's Metro Atlantic Kean College (N.J.)
1992-93 Leon McGee G Western Michigan Mid-American Michigan Tech
1993-94 Tucker Neale* G Colgate Patriot League Ashland (Ohio)
1994-95 Tucker Neale G Colgate Patriot League Ashland (Ohio)
1995-96 Johnny Taylor F UT-Chattanooga Southern Knoxville (Tenn.)
1996-97 Johnny Taylor* F UT-Chattanooga Southern Knoxville (Tenn.)
1996-97 Raymond Tutt G UC Santa Barbara Big West Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
1997-98 Andrew Betts C Long Beach State Big West C.W. Post (N.Y.)
1997-98 Chad Townsend G Murray State Ohio Valley St. Edward's (Tex.)
1999-00 Matt Gladieux G Coastal Carolina Big South Bellarmine (Ky.)
2000-01 Demond Stewart* G Niagara Metro Atlantic Mercyhurst (Pa.)
2001-02 Justin Rowe C Maine America East Clearwater Christian (Fla.)
2003-04 Miah Davis* G Pacific Big West Cal State Stanislaus
2004-05 Yemi Nicholson* C Denver Sun Belt Fort Lewis (Colo.)
2012-13 Davion Berry G-F Weber State Big Sky Cal State Monterey Bay
2013-14 Davion Berry* G-F Weber State Big Sky Cal State Monterey Bay

*Ten of these players were named conference MVP.
NOTE: Tennessee-Martin subsequently moved up to the DI level.

On This Date: December Calendar of Notable Games in College Hoops History

December 1st, 2015 - 7:05

Did You Know?: Marquee mentors John Beilein (Canisius), Vic Bubas (Duke), Denny Crum (Louisville), Bob Knight (Army), Guy Lewis (Houston), Ralph Miller (Wichita), Digger Phelps (Notre Dame) and Jerry Tarkanian (UNLV) lost their head coaching debuts with these schools between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Prominent players don't establish most of the school standards against lesser lights in non-conference competition. For instance, Utah's Billy McGill and Illinois' Skip Thoren set school single-game rebounding records in the early 1960s when each of them retrieved 24 missed shots against UCLA before the Bruins began their run of NCAA titles under legendary coach John Wooden.

Granted, fewer contests are played around Christmas but there clearly is a significant decrease in superior performances during that span. Holiday festivities can go awry between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Just ask top-ranked Virginia, which lost at tiny Chaminade in 1982, and NCAA champion-to-be Michigan, which bowed to Alaska-Anchorage on a neutral court in 1988. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in December college basketball history:

DECEMBER
1 - Eastern Kentucky's Jack Adams (49 points vs. Union in 1955), Iona's A.J. English (46 vs. Fairfield in 2015), Louisville's Wes Unseld (45 vs. Georgetown College KY in 1967) and NYU's Jim Signorile (50 vs. Herbert Lehman NY in 1969) set school Division I single-game scoring records. English's output tied a MAAC game mark. . . . Ronnie Shavlik (55 points vs. William & Mary in 1954 set North Carolina State's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Vic Bubas made his Duke head coaching debut in 1959 with a 59-49 loss against Georgia Tech before guiding the Blue Devils to three Final Fours in a four-year span in the mid-1960s. . . . Pete Carril made his Princeton debut in 1967 with a 62-59 win against Army en route to becoming the Tigers' all-time winningest coach and capturing the Ivy League's only NIT championship (1975). . . . Denny Crum made his Louisville head coaching debut in 1971 with a 70-69 defeat at Florida before amassing a school-record 675 victories. . . . Eddie Sutton made his Creighton head coaching debut in 1969 with an 84-62 decision over Wisconsin-Oshkosh en route to 802 victories with five schools. . . . Jerry Tarkanian made his UNLV head coaching debut in 1973 with an 82-76 defeat against Texas Tech before notching a school-record 509 victories with the Rebels. . . . Ralph Miller made his Wichita head coaching debut in 1951 with a 62-55 defeat at Colorado before registering 657 victories with three schools. . . . Guy Lewis made his Houston head coaching debut in 1956 with a 97-78 defeat at Kansas State before compiling a school-record 592 victories. . . . Al McGuire made his Marquette debut in 1964 with a 69-49 triumph over St. Thomas MN en route to becoming the Warriors' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob Knight made his Indiana debut in 1971 with an 84-77 triumph over Ball State en route to becoming the Hoosiers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Digger Phelps made his Notre Dame debut in 1971 with a 101-83 defeat against Michigan before compiling a school-record 393 victories. . . . Frank McGuire made his South Carolina coaching debut in 1964 with a 76-59 triumph against Erskine SC en route to a school-record 283 victories. . . . John Beilein made his Canisius coaching debut in 1992 with a 110-62 defeat at Duke before going on to win more than 20 games in a single season with four different DI schools. . . . Bob Nichols made his Toledo coaching debut in 1965 with a 108-77 triumph against Baldwin-Wallace OH en route to a school-record 375 victories. . . . Lynn Howden (24 vs. Florida State in 1970) set Texas' single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
2 - Eventual NCAA all-time scoring leader Pete Maravich collected 48 points and career-high 16 rebounds in his LSU varsity debut (97-81 win against Tampa in 1967). . . . Northern Arizona's Cory Schwab (43 points at Cal Poly in overtime in 2000) and Wisconsin's Christian Steinmetz (50 at Sparta's Company C in 1904) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Dean Smith made his North Carolina head coaching debut in 1961 with an 80-46 decision over Virginia en route to a school-record 879 victories. . . . Norm Stewart made his Missouri head coaching debut in 1967 with a 74-58 success at Arkansas en route to a school-record 634 victories with the Tigers. . . . Don Haskins made his Texas Western head coaching debut in 1961 with a 66-59 triumph at Iowa State en route to a school-record 719 victories. . . . Terry Holland made his Virginia coaching debut in 1974 with a 77-69 victory against Washington & Lee VA en route to a school-record 326 victories. . . . Phil Martelli made his Saint Joseph's debut in 1995 with a 64-56 success at Delaware en route to becoming the Hawks' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2004.
3 - Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Von McDade (50 points at Illinois in double overtime in 1990) set school single-game scoring record. . . . Lew Alcindor collected 56 points and 21 rebounds vs. Southern California in his varsity debut with UCLA in 1966. . . . John Wooden made his UCLA head coaching debut in 1948 with a 43-37 decision over UC Santa Barbara en route to a school-record 620 victories with the Bruins. . . . Lefty Driesell made his Davidson head coaching debut in 1960 with a 65-59 decision over Wake Forest en route to 786 victories with four schools. . . . Everett Case made his North Carolina State coaching debut in 1946 with a 63-28 decision over the Cherry Point Marines en route to a school-record 377 victories with the Wolfpack. . . . Arizona State's Mark Landsberger (27 vs. San Diego State in 1976), Jacksonville's Artis Gilmore (34 vs. St. Peter's in 1970) and UMKC's Tony Berg (23 vs. Baylor in 1996) set school single-game rebounding records.
4 - Mississippi State's Bailey Howell (47 points vs. Union TN in 1958) and Northwestern State's Billy Reynolds (42 at Lamar in 1976) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Brown's Ed Tooley shot an NCAA-record 36 free throws in a single game in 1954. . . . Long Beach State's school-record 75-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by San Francisco (94-84 in overtime in 1974). . . . Lou Carnesecca made his St. John's coaching debut in 1965 with a 64-62 triumph at Georgetown in overtime en route to a school-record 526 victories. . . . Bob Knight made his Army head coaching debut in 1965 with a 70-49 setback at Princeton before becoming Indiana's all-time winningest coach and compiling 899 victories. . . . UCLA's season-opening defeat by 27 points (110-83 at Illinois in 1964) was worst-ever for a team going on to capture an NCAA championship. . . . Marv Branstrom (28 vs. Arizona State in 1958) set San Jose State's single-game rebounding record.
5 - Kansas' Wilt Chamberlain (52 points vs. Northwestern in 1956), North Carolina State's David Thompson (57 vs. Buffalo State in 1974), Rider's Ron Simpson (48 at St. Francis NY in double overtime in 1987) and Washington State's Brian Quinnett (45 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1986 Amana Hawkeye Classic at Iowa City) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Chamberlain also grabbed 31 rebounds in his varsity debut, establishing an NCAA standard for most boards in first career game. . . . Charlotte's school-record 60-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Appalachian State (71-64 in 1977). . . . Dale Brown made his LSU head coaching debut in 1972 with a 94-81 triumph against Memphis State en route to a school-record 448 victories. . . . Harry Combes made his Illinois coaching debut in 1947 with a 67-27 success against Coe College IA before directing the Illini to three Final Fours in a four-year span from 1949 through 1952. . . . Shelby Metcalf made his Texas A&M head coaching debut in 1963 with a 61-58 triumph against Houston en route to a school-record 438 victories. . . . Gene Estes (24 vs. Texas Western in 1960) set Tulsa's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
6 - American's Russell "Boo" Bowers (45 points at Harvard in 1980), Nebraska-Omaha's Devin Patterson (41 at Montana State in 2015), Old Dominion's Alex Loughton (45 vs. Charlotte in double overtime in 2003), Rice's Doug McKendrick (47 vs. Georgia Tech in 1965) and Texas-San Antonio's Roderic Hall (52 vs. Maine in consolation game of 1997 Southwest Missouri Tournament at Springfield, Mo.) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Kent State's Doug Grayson set an NCAA single-game record by hitting 16 consecutive field-goal attempts vs. North Carolina in 1967. . . . Indiana's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Kentucky (66-51 in 1976). . . . Bob Presley (27 vs. St. Mary's in 1967) set California's single-game rebounding record.
7 - Niagara's Calvin Murphy (68 points vs. Syracuse in 1968) and St. Mary's Jim Moore (43 vs. Sacramento State in 1964) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Forest Arnold (46 points vs. Hardin-Simmons in 1955) set Memphis State's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Cincinnati's school-record 86-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Kansas (51-47 in 1963), Jacksonville's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Florida State (90-83 in 1971) and Tulsa's school-record 36-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Oklahoma State (93-75 in 1982). . . . Benny Becton (29 vs. Maine in 1962) set Vermont's single-game rebounding record.
8 - Davidson's Fred Hetzel (53 points vs. Furman in 1964), Morgan State's James McCoy (38 vs. Georgia State in semifinals of 1989 Godfather's Pizza Classic at Chattanooga, Tenn.), Rutgers' Bob Lloyd (51 at Delaware in 1965) and Wright State's Bill Edwards (45 vs. Morehead State in 1992) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Arizona's school-record 81-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Kansas State (76-57 in 1951) and Missouri's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Arkansas (95-82 in 1990). . . . Colgate's Jack Nichols (26 vs. Cornell in 1956) and Missouri State's Lee Campbell (20 vs. Southern Utah State in 1989) set school single-game rebounding records against DI opponents.
9 - Tony Bolds (41 points vs. Alcorn State in opening round of 1983 Great Busch Shootout at Southern Illinois) set Mercer's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Utah's school-record 54-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Weber State (79-77 in 2000). . . . Butler's Jeff Blue (23 vs. Michigan in 1961), College of Charleston's Thaddeous Delaney (21 vs. Charleston Southern in 1995), Dayton's Garry Roggenburk (32 vs. Miami Ohio in 1959), Iowa State's Bill Cain (26 vs. Minnesota in 1969), Lafayette's Ron Moyer (33 vs. Gettysburg PA in 1970) and Towson's Junior Hairston (21 vs. Niagara in 2007) set school single-game rebounding records against Division I opponents.
10 - Duke's Danny Ferry (58 points at Miami FL in 1988) and Long Beach State's Ed Ratleff (45 vs. St. Mary's in 1970) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Troy State (28 of 74) and George Mason (16 of 34) combined to set NCAA single-game three-point field-goal records in 1994 for shots made and attempted beyond the arc with Troy State's figures establishing marks for one team. . . . Tulane's school-record 42-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Arkansas (42-41 in 1949). . . . Bucknell's Hal Danzig (29 vs. Lehigh in 1958), Kentucky's Bob Burrow (34 vs. Temple in 1955) and Louisville's Charlie Tyra (38 vs. Canisius in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records.
11 - North Carolina A&T's Joe Binion (41 points vs. Livingstone NC in final of 1982 Miller Aggie Classic) and Virginia's Barry Parkhill (51 vs. Baldwin-Wallace OH in 1971) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Louisville's Clifford Rozier set an NCAA single-game record by hitting all 15 of his field-goal attempts against Eastern Kentucky in 1993. . . . Ohio State's school-record 50-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Davidson (95-73 in 1963). . . . Marvin Barnes (28 vs. Fairfield in 1972) set Providence's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
12 - Alabama's Mike Nordholz (50 points vs. Southern Mississippi at 1966 Birmingham Classic), North Dakota State's Ben Woodside (60 vs. Stephen F. Austin in 2008), Radford's Doug Day (43 at Central Connecticut State in 1990), Southern's Tim Roberts (56 vs. Faith Baptist LA in 1994) and Texas Christian's Lee Nailon (53 vs. Mississippi Valley State in first round of 1997 TCU Tournament) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Oklahoma's Mookie Blaylock set an NCAA single-game record with 13 steals vs. Centenary in 1987. . . . Henry "Hank" Iba made his Oklahoma A&M head coaching debut in 1934 with a 24-17 decision over Wichita en route to a school-record 655 victories with the Cowboys. . . . Kent State's Leroy Thompson (31 vs. Case Western OH in 1948) and Weber State's Willie Sojourner (25 vs. West Texas State in 1969) set school single-game rebounding records.
13 - Evansville's inaugural year at the NCAA Division I level ended in tragedy in 1977 when coach Bobby Watson and 13 members of his Purple Aces squad perished in a plane crash shortly after taking off en route to their fifth game of the season. . . . St. Peter's Rich Rinaldi (54 points vs. St. Francis NY in 1971), Southern Mississippi's Jerome Arnold (41 vs. Missouri-Kansas City in 1978), Toledo's Clarke "Pinky" Pittenger (49 at Bluffton OH in 1918) and Tulsa's Willie Biles (48 vs. St. Cloud State MN in 1973) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Phog Allen made his Kansas head coaching debut in 1907 with a 66-22 decision over Ottawa KS en route to a school-record 590 victories with the Jayhawks. . . . Bradley's Barney Cable (28 vs. Canisius in 1955), Eastern Kentucky's Garfield Smith (33 vs. Marshall in 1967) and UALR's Rashad Jones-Jennings (30 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2005) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
14 - Marshall's Keith Veney set an NCAA single-game record for three-pointers (making 15-of-25 shots from beyond arc vs. Morehead State in 1996).
15 - UC Irvine's Kevin Magee (46 points vs. Loyola Marymount in 1981) and Providence's Marvin Barnes (52 vs. Austin Peay in 1973) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Tennessee topped Temple, 11-6, in 1973 in the lowest-scoring game since 1938. . . . La Salle's Michael Brooks set the East Coast Conference single-game scoring record with 51 points at Brigham Young in 1979. . . . Jack Friel made his Washington State debut in 1928 with a 62-18 decision over Lewis-Clark State ID en route to becoming the Cougars' all-time winningest coach. . . . Cal State Fullerton's Kerry Davis (27 vs. Central Michigan in 1975), Colgate's Dick Osborn (26 vs. Yale in 1951), Texas A&M's Vernon Smith and Rynn Wright (21 vs. UNLV in 1978) and Utah State's Wayne Estes (28 vs. Regis CO in 1962) set school single-game rebounding records against DI opponents.
16 - Cal State Fullerton's Bobby Brown (47 points vs. Bethune-Cookman in 2006), Creighton's Bob Portman (51 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1967), Murray State's Marcus Brown (45 vs. Washington MO in 1995) and North Carolina's Bob Lewis (49 vs. Florida State in 1965) set school single-game scoring records. . . . In 2000, Illinois guard Cory Bradford set an NCAA record by hitting a three-point field goal in his 74th of 88 consecutive games. . . . St. Joseph's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Fairfield (82-68 in 1966) and Texas-El Paso's school-record 31-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Indiana (69-66 in 1989). . . . Florida State's Dave Cowens (31 vs. LSU in 1967), Mercer's Scott Farley (22 vs. Alabama in 1995), SMU's Ira Terrell (26 vs. New Mexico State in 1975) and UTEP's Jim Barnes (27 vs. Centenary in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
17 - Furman senior swingman Darrell Floyd set a Southern Conference single-game record with 62 points vs. The Citadel in 1955. . . . Oklahoma's Mookie Blaylock tied his NCAA single-game record with 13 steals vs. Loyola Marymount in 1988. . . . Cincinnati's LaZelle Durden set the Great Midwest Conference single-game scoring record with 45 points at Wyoming in 1994. . . . Illinois ended visiting San Francisco's school-record 60-game winning streak (62-33 in 1957). . . . Denver's Dick Brott (29 vs. Southern California in 1956) and Furman's Bob Thomas (35 vs. The Citadel in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
18 - Warren Isaac (50 points vs. Bates ME in 1964) set Iona's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Penn's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Temple (57-52 in 1971). . . . Adolph Rupp made his Kentucky head coaching debut in 1930 with a 67-19 decision over Georgetown College KY en route to a school-record 876 victories. . . . Hec Edmundson made his Washington debut in 1920 with a 30-14 decision over Varsity/Alumni en route to becoming the Huskies' all-time winningest coach. . . . Alabama's Harry Hammonds (28 vs. Massachusetts in 1966), Brigham Young's Scott Warner (27 vs. Texas Tech in 1969), Cleveland State's Dave Kyle (24 vs. Ohio University in 1976) and Hofstra's John Irving (28 vs. Long Island in 1975) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
19 - Iowa State's Lafester Rhodes (54 points vs. Iowa in overtime in 1987), Norfolk State's Tony Murphy (43 vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at UNLV in 2006) and UNC Asheville's Ricky Chatman (41 vs. James Madison in overtime in 1987) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Kevin Thomas (46 vs. Tennessee in 1955 Carousel Invitational at Charlotte) set Boston University's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Auburn's Rex Frederick (27 vs. SMU in 1957), Lehigh's Greg Falkenbach (25 vs. Drexel in 1970) and New Mexico State's Sam Lacey (27 vs. Hardin-Simmons TX in 1969) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
20 - Fresno State's Charles Bailey (45 points at North Texas State in double overtime in 1973), Georgia's Ronnie Hogue (46 vs. Louisiana State in 1971) and Maryland's Ernest Graham (44 vs. North Carolina State in 1978) set school single-game scoring records. . . . John Connors (23 vs. Iona in 1956) set St. Bonaventure's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
21 - Idaho's Orlando Lightfoot (50 points at Gonzaga in 1993), Ohio's Dave Jamerson (60 vs. Charleston WV in 1989), Pacific's Bill Stricker (44 vs. Portland in 1968) and Pittsburgh's Don Hennon (45 vs. Duke in double overtime in 1957) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Visiting Cincinnati outlasted Bradley in seven overtimes in 1981 in the longest game in NCAA history. . . . Texas Christian hit an NCAA-record 56 free throws in 70 attempts in 1999 against Eastern Michigan. . . . West Virginia ended North Carolina's school-record 37-game winning streak (75-64 in 1957 at Kentucky), Houston's school-record 59-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Illinois (97-84 in 1968) and Oklahoma State's school-record 49-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Southern California (28-25 in 1940). . . . Memphis State center John Gunn, who averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds per game the previous two years for national postseason tournament teams, died in 1976 due to complications of a rare disease (Stevens-Johnson Syndrome).
22 - Central Michigan's Tommie Johnson (53 points at Wright State in 1987), Georgia Tech's Kenny Anderson (50 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1990), Jackson State's Trey Johnson (49 at Texas-El Paso in 2006) and San Jose State's Adrian Oliver (42 vs. Puget Sound WA in 2010) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Centenary's Robert Parish (50 at Lamar in 1972) and Seton Hall's Nick Galis (48 vs. Santa Clara in 1978 Cable Car Classic at San Francisco) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . Louisiana State All-American Pete Maravich set an NCAA single-game record for most successful free throws by converting 30 foul shots at Oregon State in 1969. . . . Oklahoma's school-record 51-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Duke (90-85 in 1990). . . . Rich Kelley (27 vs. Kentucky in 1973) set Stanford's single-game rebounding record. . . . Oklahoma set an NCAA record for most consecutive points against a DI opponent with a 39-point run in the first half against Weber State in 2014.
23 - Scott Fisher (39 points at Montana State in 1985) set UC Santa Barbara's school single-game scoring record. . . . Bob Portman (46 vs. Weber State in 1968) set Creighton's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Top-ranked Virginia and national player of the year Ralph Sampson lost in Hawaii at tiny NAIA school (Chaminade) in 1982 in perhaps the biggest upset in college basketball history.
27 - Gene Harris (46 points vs. Holy Cross in 1961 Quaker City Classic at Philadelphia) set Penn State's single-game scoring record.
28 - IPFW's Terry Collins (36 points at UC Irvine in 2002), Oklahoma's Wayman Tisdale (61 vs. Texas-San Antonio in All-College Tournament at Oklahoma City in 1983) and Texas A&M's Bennie Lenox (53 vs. Wyoming in 1963 All-College Tournament at Oklahoma City) set school single-game scoring records. . . . NCAA champion-to-be Michigan lost on a neutral court at Salt Lake City to non-Division I opponent Alaska-Anchorage in 1988. . . . Providence's school-record 55-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by St. John's (91-79 in 1974). . . . Detroit's Bill Ebben (38 vs. Brigham Young in 1955), Gonzaga's Paul Cathey (28 vs. UNLV in 1977), Illinois' Skip Thoren (24 vs. UCLA in 1963), Michigan State's Horace Walker (29 vs. Butler in 1959), Niagara's Alex Ellis (31 vs. Villanova in 1956), UAB's Cameron Moore (24 vs. George Washington in 2011) and Washington State's Jim McKean (27 vs. West Virginia in 1966) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
29 - Ron Carter (42 points vs. Long Beach State in 1977 at Toledo) set Virginia Military's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Chattanooga's Vincent Robinson (20 vs. Tennessee State in 1989), Colorado's Burdette Haldorson (31 vs. Oklahoma in 1952), Louisiana-Monroe's Calvin Natt (31 vs. Georgia Southern in 1976), Ohio State's Frank Howard (32 vs. Brigham Young in 1956), San Diego State's Michael Cage (26 vs. La Salle in 1980), Texas A&M's Steve Niles (21 vs. Furman in 1969) and Utah's Billy McGill (24 vs. UCLA in 1961) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
30 - Austin Peay's James "Fly" Williams (51 points vs. Georgia Southern in final of 1972 Claxton Fruitcake Classic), Florida International's Carlos Arroyo (39 at North Texas in overtime in 2000), Fordham's Charlie Yelverton (46 vs. Rochester NY in 1970), Hawaii's Trevor Ruffin (42 vs. Louisville in 1993), Penn's Ernie Beck (47 vs. Duke in 1952 Dixie Classic at Raleigh, N.C.), St. Joseph's Tony Costner (47 vs. Alaska-Anchorage in 1983 Cable Car Classic at San Francisco) and Utah State's Wayne Estes (52 vs. Boston College in overtime at 1964 Rainbow Classic in Hawaii) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Duke overcame a 29-point halftime deficit to defeat Tulane in consolation game of 1950 Dixie Classic at Raleigh. . . . Stanford ended Long Island's school-record 43-game winning streak (45-31 in 1936). . . . Hawaii's Bob Nash (30 vs. Arizona State in 1971), Idaho State's Ed Wilson (26 vs. Arkansas in 1967), La Salle's Tom Gola (31 vs. Brigham Young in 1953), Michigan State's Johnny Green (29 vs. Washington in 1957), St. John's LeRoy Ellis Sr. (30 vs. NYU in 1961), South Alabama's Leon Williams (28 vs. Texas-Arlington in 1972) and Western Kentucky's Tom Marshall (29 vs. Louisville in 1953) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
31 - Loyola of Chicago's school-record 41-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by St. Louis (90-57 in 1964).

Memorable Moments in November College Basketball History

smALL-STARS: Robinson Among Big Things Coming in Small Packages

November 29th, 2015 - 20:51

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind (about your size) don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

The good doctor knows big things can come in small packages. What early-season sensation Justin Robinson of Monmouth may lack in height (5-8), he more than compensates for with heart. Brimming with self-confidence and mental toughness, the premium point guard defies odds by excelling in a big man's game, averaging 23.3 ppg, 3.3 apg and 3.5 spg in first four of six non-conference outings against power-league opponents.

The next mighty mite of consequence probably will be Chris Lykes (5-6), who committed to Miami (Fla.). Robinson, the nation's premier little big man this season, is the principal reason why his club is capable of keeping up with more highly-regarded power-league opponents in pre-conference competition. But Winthrop's Keon Johnson (5-7), one of the nation's premier three-point marksmen the past three seasons, and Mount St. Mary's Junior Robinson (5-5) are the current most likely candidates to join the following alphabetical list examining the top players in NCAA history even shorter than Robinson:

Mighty Mite School Ht. Short Summary of College Career
Vin Albanese Syracuse 5-7 Averaged 4.6 ppg for the Orangemen in 1955-56 and 1956-57.
Ken Alessi West Virginia 5-7 The Mountaineers' second-leading scorer in 1950-51 (10.1 ppg) behind All-American Mark Workman.
Christopher Anderson San Diego 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.9 apg and 2 spg for the Toreros from 2011-12 through 2014-15. Ranked among the nation's top 11 in assists average his final two seasons.
Kendall Anthony Richmond 5-7 Shot 80.6% from the free-throw line and 39.2% from beyond the three-point arc en route to averaging 14.2 ppg from 2011-12 through 2014-15. The Spiders' leading as a senior with 16.4 ppg after finishing runner-up as a freshman and junior.
Martin Badoian Brown 5-7 Three-year letterman was captain as a senior in 1951-52 when he averaged 13.9 ppg.
Mike Belich Pittsburgh 5-7 Led the Panthers in scoring as a senior in 1950-51 with 15.9 ppg.
Eric Bell Stephen F. Austin 5-6 Ranked 30th in the nation in assists with 5.7 per game as a sophomore in 2007-08.
Arnold Bernard Southwest Missouri State 5-5 J.C. transfer was an All-Mid-Continent Conference second-team selection in 1989-90. The next season, earned the same status in the Missouri Valley when he led the league in assists (7.6 apg) and steals (2.4 spg).
Tyrone Bogues Wake Forest 5-3 All-ACC first-team selection as a senior averaged 8.3 ppg, 6.6 apg and 2.3 spg from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
Jermaine Bolden Morgan State 5-7 Led MEAC in assists with 4.9 per game in 2008-09.
Jimmy Boothe Xavier 5-7 Led the Musketeers' 1956 NIT team in scoring with 16.5 ppg.
Earl Boykins Eastern Michigan 5-6 Two-time All-MAC first-team selection finished second in the nation in scoring in 1997-98 with 25.7 ppg, including 45 points vs. Western Michigan (tying school single-game record against a Division I opponent). MVP in the league's postseason tournament as a senior.
DeAndre Bray Jacksonville State 5-6 Posted an OVC-leading 5.2 apg as a sophomore in 2006-07 and ranked 11th in the nation as a junior (6.4 apg). Assists average fell off to 4.9 per game as a senior.
Greg Brown New Mexico 5-7 WAC Player of the Year as a senior in 1993-94 when he averaged 19.3 ppg and 4.4 apg.
Alex Bynum Brown 5-7 Averaged 8.3 ppg with the Bears from 1980-81 through 1983-84.
Alton Byrd Columbia 5-7 Three-time All-Ivy League first-team selection averaged 8.1 apg as a sophomore in 1976-77 en route to becoming the Lions' all-time leader in assists. Led the conference in assists as a sophomore and senior.
Joe Campbell Purdue 5-7 Eventual PGA golfer averaged 7.7 ppg in three seasons of varsity basketball. He was the Boilermakers' third-leading scorer (11.9 ppg) and leading free-throw shooter (73.6%) as a senior in 1956-57.
Pete Carril Lafayette 5-6 The 1952 graduate averaged 11.5 ppg in his career with the Leopards before becoming Princeton's all-time winningest coach.
Taurence Chisholm Delaware 5-6 Blue Hens all-time leader in assists with 877 ranked among the top 12 in the nation all four years, including a runner-up finish as a sophomore. All-ECC second-team selection as a senior in 1987-88.
Jackie Crawford Southwest Missouri State 5-7 J.C. transfer was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection and MVC Tournament MVP in 1991-92 (12 ppg, 4.5 apg, 83.5 FT%).
Jordon Crawford Bowling Green 5-6 Shortest player among NCAA's top 150 scorers as a senior in 2012-13 when he averaged 15 ppg. Led Falcons in assists his last three seasons.
Johnny Dee Notre Dame 5-7 Second-leading scorer (12.6 ppg) for the 15-5 Irish in 1944-45 before UND went 17-4 the next year when he averaged 5.8 ppg.
Jeremiah Dominguez Portland State 5-6 Big Sky Conference MVP in 2007-08 and league tournament MVP the next season. Leading scorer for PSU's all-time two winningest DI teams those years.
Gene Duffy Notre Dame 5-7 Averaged 6.6 ppg for the Irish's 1958 Mideast Regional runner-up. Contributed 6.8 ppg as team captain the next season.
Andy Dulik Navy 5-7 Averaged 10.3 ppg from 1954-55 through 1956-57, finishing among the Midshipmen's top three scorers as a sophomore and junior.
Haywood Eaddy Loyola Marymount 5-5 J.C. transfer led the WCC in steals (2.1 spg) in 1997-98 and in free-throw shooting (89.8%) and assists (5.6 apg) in 1998-99.
Don Ferguson Iowa State 5-7 Averaged 5.1 ppg in 1948-49 and 8.9 ppg in 1949-50 with the Cyclones.
Chico Fletcher Arkansas State 5-6 Three-time all-league selection led Sun Belt Conference in assists four consecutive seasons from 1996-97 through 1999-2000.
Robert Flynn Dayton 5-7 Member of 1951 NIT runner-up averaged a career-high 7.8 ppg as a sophomore in 1948-49.
Louis Ford Howard 5-6 Contributed 14 assists and 10 steals in a game against Maryland-Eastern Shore when he averaged a team-high 14.1 ppg in an abbreviated junior campaign in 2004-05 before averaging 9.2 ppg and team-high 4.8 apg as a senior. Led the MEAC in assists as a sophomore (5 apg) and in steals as a senior (2.6 spg).
Tony Freeman Indiana/Illinois-Chicago 5-7 Honorable mention All-Mid-Continent Conference in 1988-89 after playing for the Hoosiers in 1986-87.
Maurice "Kojak" Fuller Southern (La.) 5-7 Averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.7 apg as a sophomore in 1995-96 with the Jaquars.
Jack Goldsmith Long Island 5-7 Led the Blackbirds in scoring in 1945-46 when they posted their 13th of 18 consecutive winning records through 1950-51.
Tyquawn Goode Fairfield 5-5 Averaged 5.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.5 spg from 2001-02 through 2004-05. MAAC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior led the Stags in assists all four seasons.
Marques Green St. Bonaventure 5-7 Averaged 15.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.9 apg and 2.9 spg while shooting 83.5% from the free-throw line from 2000-01 through 2003-04. He finished seventh in school all-time scoring when his career ended while ranking first in assists and steals. All-Atlantic 10 Conference first-team selection as a junior when he led league in scoring (21.3 ppg), assists (8 apg), steals (2.6 spg) and free-throw shooting (87.9%) before earning second-team acclaim as a senior. He paced the A10 in steals his last three seasons.
George Harrington Harvard 5-7 All-Ivy League second-team selection as a senior in 1958-59 when he averaged a team-high 14.6 ppg after averaging 11.4 ppg the previous two seasons.
Jason Harrison Mississippi 5-5 Started every game as a senior for the Rebels' 2002 NCAA playoff team after serving as their "sixth-man" most of his first three seasons. Finished his career third on Ole Miss' all-time list for three-pointers (163), third in assists (427), third in steals (172) and fifth in free-throw shooting (82%).
Dick Hickox Miami (Fla.) 5-6 Averaged 19.4 ppg from 1958-59 through 1960-61, leading the Hurricanes in scoring all three seasons.
Jermaine "Squirt" Hicks Weber State/Chicago State 5-6 Co-Newcomer of the Year in Mid-Continent Conference in 1997-98. Scored 40 points at Fresno State the next season when he was an all-league second-team selection.
David Holston Chicago State 5-7 Scored school DI record 43 points against St. Bonaventure in 2006-07 season opener. Mid-Continent Conference second-team selection as a freshman in 2005-06 (13.4 ppg, 2.8 apg, 85.7 FT%). Ranked 10th in the nation in scoring as a junior in 2007-08 (23.1 ppg) when pacing country in three-point field goals per game (4.6). Became school's all-time leading Division I scorer in 2008-09 when averaging 25.9 ppg (4th in nation).
Shawn Hood Cleveland State 5-7 Leader in assists and steals in 1983-84 and 1984-85 for the Vikings.
Rod Hutchings Northern Arizona 5-7 Shot 93.3% from the free-throw line as a senior in 2000-01 to finish his four-year career at 84%. Also contributed 285 assists for the Lumberjacks.
Keith "Mister" Jennings East Tennessee State 5-7 All-American and Southern Conference Player of the Year as a senior. Two-time Southern Conference Tournament MVP averaged 15.7 ppg and 7.7 apg while shooting 86.1% from the free-throw line from 1987-88 through 1990-91. Paced the league twice in free-throw shooting, three times in steals and all four seasons in assists.
Aaron Johnson UAB 5-7 Averaged 5.2 ppg and team-high 4.1 apg as a freshman in 2007-08. Named an All-Conference USA third-team selection as junior in 2009-10 before becoming league MVP as a senior when he led nation with 7.7 apg.
Omar Johnson Texas-San Antonio 5-7 Averaged 12.6 ppg, 4.2 apg and 1.9 spg with the Roadrunners in 2008-09 and 11.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg and 3.4 apg in 2009-10.
Casey Jones Northeast Louisiana 5-7 Led the Indians in assists as a senior in 1990-91 with 5.8 per game, finishing his career with 3.8 apg.
Charles Katsiaficas New Hampshire 5-7 Averaged 7.8 ppg in 1947-48 and 12.1 ppg in 1948-49 with the Wildcats.
Darryl "Pee Wee" Lenard Georgia/St. Louis 5-7 Led the Midwestern City Conference in steals with 1.8 per game in 1983-84.
Drew Lavender Oklahoma/Xavier 5-6 Paced the Sooners' 2004 NIT team in assists and steals before finishing team runner-up in same two categories for their 2005 NCAA playoff squad. After transferring, he led Atlantic 10 Conference in assists with 4.8 per game in 2006-07.
Sherry Marshall Columbia 5-7 All-Ivy League first-team selection as a sophomore in 1947-48 when he averaged 8.2 ppg and shot 75.9% from the free-throw line. All-conference second-team pick as a freshman, junior and senior.
Kellen McCoy Weber State 5-6 J.C. transfer was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year in 2008-09 (team highs of 14.1 ppg and 1.3 spg) after averaging 8.8 ppg and 2.9 rpg the previous year.
Shandue McNeil St. Bonaventure 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.4 apg and 2.5 spg from 1993-94 through 1996-97. Led Atlantic 10 Conference in assists and steals as a sophomore (all-league second-team choice) and in assists as a senior.
Bob Michel New Hampshire 5-6 Averaged 9.1 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56 with the Wildcats.
Wendell "Cookie" Miller Nebraska 5-7 Averaged 6.1 ppg plus team highs of 3.6 apg and 1.9 spg with the Huskers as a freshman in 2007-08 before posting similar figures the next season as a sophomore.
Mark Morse Tulsa 5-7 All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection in 1991-92 (14.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 2.2 spg) and 1992-93 (17.4 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.2 spg). J.C. recruit earned award as MVC Newcomer of the Year.
Johnny Nunziato Boston University 5-5 Led the Terriers in scoring with 15.4 ppg as a senior in 1953-54 after averaging 6.6 ppg the previous season.
Billy Pappas New Hampshire 5-6 Two-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection averaged 18.9 ppg from 1952-53 through 1954-55 with the Wildcats.
Ronell Peters Texas-Arlington 5-6 UTA's all-time leader in assists led the SLC in that category in 1983-84 (7 apg). He also paced the SLC in steals in 1983-84 (2 spg) and 1985-86 (2.4 spg).
Otto Petty Florida State 5-7 The Seminoles' all-time leader in assists with 602 averaged 6.4 ppg for FSU's 1972 NCAA Tournament runner-up. Contributed 7.6 ppg in 1970-71 and 8.2 ppg in 1972-73.
Bernie Pina Rhode Island 5-6 Letterman from 1951-52 through 1953-54 averaged a career-high 8.5 ppg as a senior for the Rams.
Tajuan Porter Oregon 5-6 Career averages of 14.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.1 apg while shooting 87% from the free-throw line and 38.5% from beyond the arc with the Ducks from 2006-07 through 2009-10. Averaged 31 points in his first three games as a freshman, including 38 with 10 three-pointers against Portland State. Pacific-10 Conference Tournament MVP in 2007.
Calvin Rayford Kansas 5-7 Wisconsin native averaged 2.3 apg from 1992-93 through 1995-96. Member of KU's 1993 Final Four squad.
Jim "Miggs" Reilly Georgetown 5-7 Starter for 1943 NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Shawnta Rogers George Washington 5-4 Leading scorer for Atlantic 10 Conference Western Division champion in 1998-99 (20.7 ppg) when he was named the league's MVP while also topping the A10 in assists (6.8 apg) and steals (3.6 spg). Three-time all-league selection twice paced the conference in free-throw shooting.
Chuck Rolles Cornell 5-6 Two-time All-Ivy League first-team selection averaged 23 ppg as a senior in 1955-56 after averaging 16 ppg as a junior.
Jim Ross Washington State 5-7 Averaged 9.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59. Led the Cougars in free-throw percentage as a junior.
Gene Sosnick Pacific 5-6 All-California Basketball Association first-team selection as a senior in 1952-53 when he averaged 17.6 ppg for the Tigers.
Javan Steadham Delaware State 5-7 Averaged 8.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 2.1 apg as a sophomore in 1995-96 after contributing 4 ppg as a freshman. Averaged 9.7 ppg and team-high 4.8 apg in 1996-97 with the Hornets.
Frank Sylvester Bradley 5-4 Averaged 5.9 ppg from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Led the Braves in assists as a junior and senior.
Raymond Taylor Florida Atlantic/Florida International 5-6 Averaged 11.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.4 for FAU from 2009-10 through 2011-12 before transferring to FIU, where he played briefly in 2013-14.
Jim Thacker Idaho 5-7 Two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection averaged team-high 16.7 ppg in 1967-68 and 14.6 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 1968-69 with the Vandals.
Joe Tocci Penn State 5-7 Averaged 7.5 ppg as Nittany Lions senior co-captain in 1949-50 after contributing 6.3 ppg the previous season.
Monte Towe North Carolina State 5-7 All-ACC first-team selection as a junior averaged 11.1 ppg and 4.1 apg from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
Benny Valentine Eastern Washington 5-7 All-Big Sky Conference second-team selection as a junior in 2008-09 (team highs of 15.1 ppg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg and 55 three-pointers). Contributed 8.2 ppg and 2.7 apg the next season.
Spud Webb North Carolina State 5-7 J.C. transfer averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.7 apg with the Wolfpack in 1983-84 and 1984-85. Led the ACC in assists as a junior (6 apg).
Leland "Pookey" Wigington Seton Hall 5-4 Member of the Pirates' 1989 NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Willie Worsley Texas Western 5-6 Averaged 8 ppg as a sophomore for the Miners' 1966 NCAA Tournament champion. Contributed 12.2 ppg in 1966-67 before sharing backcourt with Tiny Archibald and scoring 14.4 ppg in 1967-68.
Rudy Zannini San Francisco 5-7 Member of regular rotation for 1955 NCAA Tournament champion.

Going South in Alaska: Anchorage Gives Cold Shoulder to Many DI Schools

November 29th, 2015 - 8:04

Drexel is among a total of 49 NCAA Division I schools losing to DII Alaska-Anchorage. Over the years, UAA upended the following current/future members from the six power conferences - Auburn, California, Houston, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Penn State, SMU, Tennessee, Texas, TCU, Texas Tech, Wake Forest and Washington.

Michigan's 1989 NCAA Tournament champion lost on a neutral court (Utah) to Anchorage, 70-66, during the Wolverines' pre-Big Ten Conference competition slate. The Seawolves dropped six of their last 12 games that season against Chaminade, Metro State (twice), Eastern Montana, Puget Sound and Alaska-Fairbanks to finish with a 21-9 record before Michigan earned an NCAA crown maneuvering through the DI playoffs under interim coach Steve Fisher.

UAA defeated at least one major university 10 consecutive campaigns from 1985-86 through 1994-95. If sizing up small-school successes over the big boys is a need-to-know topic in your college hoops analysis, CollegeHoopedia.com has assembled "one-of-a-kind" details on the striking number of "David vs. Goliath" small-college victories over major universities.

Thank Yous and Turkeys: Feasting on Highs and Lows of College Basketball

November 21st, 2015 - 10:15

A Thanksgiving holiday week absolutely should include the time-honored tradition of a smorgasbord mulling over a mixture of heartfelt Thank Yous while also chewing on tasteless Turkeys. The list of candidates in college basketball is extensive stemming from issues and individuals your most grateful for and those of dubious distinction. Following is a healthy serving of food-for-thought Thanksgiving tributes and tongue-lashings for hoop observers to gobble-gobble up:

THANK YOUS

  • Cheers to Grant clan headed by former Oklahoma All-American Harvey Grant. He and his sons could bypass the Barrys and Waltons in royalty respect as First Family of Hoops.

  • Cheers to vanishing breed Caucasian mid-major players such as Gonzaga forward Kyle Wiltjer who has realistic shot at becoming national POY this season if A-A voters are paying attention.

  • Cheers to Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) as he carries the torch for his father at the same school dear old dad attended.

  • Cheers to this season's crop of entertaining freshmen although they pale in comparison to the depth exhibited by gifted group in 1979-80.

  • Cheers to ex-college hoopsters Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham, who dominate as NFL tight ends even after fellow G-Man Tony Gonzalez retired, and set the stage at that rugged position for fellow ex-hoopsters Jordan Cameron and Julius Thomas.

  • Cheers to Canada, which could provide a north-of-the-border All-American for the fifth consecutive campaign.

  • Cheers to the Big East Conference, which appears to be undergoing a prompt renaissance after losing prominent members to supposedly superior leagues.

  • Cheers to Colorado State's Larry Eustachy, who overcame personal problems and became the first coach in history to win at least 24 games in a single season with five different DI schools.

  • Cheers to "old-school" seniors for not abandoning college hoops early and giving the sport at least some modicum of veteran leadership.

  • Cheers to the Ivy League and Patriot League, which seem like the last bastions replete with textbook student-athletes. Five Ivy League institutions - Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale - can still hold their heads high despite each of them posting all-time losing records. The Ivy League deserves extra kudos for not conducting the money-grubbing gimmick otherwise known as a postseason conference tournament.

  • Cheers to pristine playmakers who show again and again that "pass" is not a dirty four-letter word amid the obsession with individualistic one-on-one moves by self-absorbed one-and-done scholars.

  • Cheers to model coaches who have their egos in check and carry their personal profiles in school media guides after, not before, the player bios.

  • Cheers to upstanding schools having their academic priorities in order although it is getting increasingly difficult not to accept the stereotype that universities need to be one-dimensional sports factories to assemble successful NCAA Division I basketball programs.

  • Cheers to Gonzaga coach Mark Few, who has assembled a "mid-major" powerhouse giving every indication it will eventually reach the Final Four.

  • Cheers to entertaining little big men (players 5-10 or shorter) such as Monmouth's Justin Robinson (5-8) who inspire us with their self-confidence and mental toughness in the Land of the Giants.

  • Cheers to women's hoops, which has improved immeasurably while the men's game has suffered somewhat from inattention to fundamentals such as competent free-throw shooting. The team-oriented women look for passing angles to teammates "flashing" into the lane while far too many one-dimensional men seek camera angles to trigger a "flashdance" routine. Some of the self-centered men haven't quite comprehended it isn't platform diving or figure skating they're participating in and you don't secure extra points for degree of difficulty.

  • Cheers to junior college players and foreigners who overcome perceptions in some misguided quarters that they are the rogues of recruiting.

  • Cheers to the numerous promising first-year coaches assuming control of programs this season. They need to remember the fortitude exhibited by many of the biggest names in coaching who rebounded from embarrassing defeats in their first season as a head coach. An active luminary who lost multiple games to non-Division I colleges in his initial campaign before ascending to stardom as the all-time winningest coach is Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (lost to SUNY-Buffalo, Scranton and King's College in 1975-76 while coaching Army).

TURKEYS

  • Jeers to Hall of Fame coaches Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), Larry Brown (SMU), Rick Pitino (Louisville) and Roy Williams (North Carolina) for respective Eeyore-like analysis after their schools became immersed in assorted Hall of Shame scandals. How close did Mike "Let's Move On" Krzyzewski come to joining this negative ACC-heavy list in aftermath of reasons for Rasheed Sulaimon's departure from Duke and one-and-done rental player Jahlil Okafor's infatuation with clubbing before the NBA rookie center acquired a baby-sitting security guard before ever helping the Philadelphia 76ers win a game?

  • Jeers to Division I schools in a chaotic restructuring of conferences forsaking tradition although the quest for mega-leagues could be delusional because they're vying for television revenue that might not exist as network sports divisions operate at ample deficits.

  • Jeers to the striking number of power conference members who've provided a long list of players on their rosters participating in an authentic "War on Women."

  • Jeers to recruiting services incapable of discerning Creighton's Doug McDermott, unanimous national player of the year two seasons ago, should have been a Top 100 recruit coming out of high school in 2010. Ditto to announcers who infect the sport by spreading this virus without ever seeing any of the players enough to properly evaluate them.

  • Jeers to marquee coaches who've served up assistants as sacrificial lambs when the heat of an investigation of their program intensifies.

  • Jeers to anyone who incessantly castigates the majority of undergraduates declaring early for the NBA draft. Before accepting the party line that many of the players are making monumental mistakes by forgoing their remaining college eligibility, remember that more than half of the NBA's All-Pro selections in the last several decades left college early or never attended a university.

  • Jeers to any school for not promptly granting a recruit seeking to enroll elsewhere a release from its letter-of-intent when he wants to attend another institution for legitimate reasons.

  • Jeers to "Me Generation" showmen who've failed to comprehend their respective teams don't benefit on the court from a trash-talking Harlem Globetrotter routine.

  • Jeers to self-absorbed players who spend more time getting tattoos and practicing macho dunks than team beneficial free throws. It all hinges on dedication. There is a reason they're supposed to be "free" throws instead of Shaq-like "foul" shots.

  • Jeers to high-profile coaches who take off for greener pastures despite having multiple years remaining on their contract or don sweaters and workout gear with a logo of a sneaker manufacturer instead of their school during TV games and interviews. Where is their allegiance?

  • Jeers to network analysts when they serve as apologists for the coaching community. When their familiar refrain echoes throughout hoopdom, they become nothing more than the big mouths that bore.

  • Jeers to marquee schools forsaking entertaining non-conference games with natural rivals while scheduling a half-dozen or more meaningless "rout-a-matics" at home.

  • Jeers to several colleges that hired tainted coaches, showing winning is still more important than dignity at some schools of lower learning. The crass-act enablers of academic anemia know who they are!

  • Jeers to defrauding coaches who manipulate junior colleges and high schools into giving phony grades to regal recruits even before encouraging them to take lame courses at their day-care facilities to keep the team GPA out of danger zone. Ditto coaches who steer prize high-school prospects to third parties toying with standardized test results.

  • Jeers to "fatherly-advice" coaches who don't mandate that any player with pro potential take multiple financial literacy courses. Did they notice in recent years that products from Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse filed for bankruptcy after combining for more than half a billion dollars in salaries over their NBA careers? What contrived classes such as Afro Studies at North Carolina are taken in college anyway if a staggering 60% of NBA players file for bankruptcy five years after retirement?

  • Jeers to overzealous fans who seek to flog freshmen for not living up to their high school press clippings right away. The impatient onlookers need to get a grip on themselves.

  • Jeers to the excessive number of small schools thinking they can compete at the Division I level. There are far too many examples of dreamy-eyed small schools that believe competing with the big boys will get them national recognition, make big bucks from the NCAA Tournament and put the institutions on the map. They don't know how unrealistic that goal is until most of the hyphenated and directional schools barnstorm the country during their non-conference schedules in college basketball versions of Bataan Death Marches.

  • Jeers to lap-dog media embarrassed looking the other way at Louisville when stripped naked by lap-dancing Katina the Escort keeping copious copulation comments to assemble one of the biggest stories of the year while the press passed out from Pitino Personality or his bourbon.

  • Jeers to ESPN for rejecting a charity hospital ad promoting Jesus several years ago while giving forums to individuals who either lie to NCAA investigators as a head coach, lose new coaching job due to drunkenness, become a recruiting guru for the network after shady dealings at the highest level, specialize in man-check motivation, practice reprehensible race-baiting with the intellectually-bankrupt "Uncle Tom" bomb (Jalen Rose) or spew journalistic-junk spin along the lines of lunatic liberal propagandists Howard Bryant, LZ Granderson and Bomani Jones.

Name Game: North Dakota's Nickname Change Ignited Fighting Words

November 19th, 2015 - 20:19

Relatively new NCAA Division I member North Dakota, relinquishing its most notable characteristic, began a re-branding process after shedding the school's Fighting Sioux nickname for Fighting Hawks. The initiative stemmed from the state Board of Higher Education yielding to the NCAA's meddling progressive policy police following an extended battle over the nickname and logo allegedly being hostile to American Indians.

At one point, the school chose to respect the state's referendum process and resumed using the nickname in mid-season after an intense debate spurred supporters to file petitions demanding a statewide vote on the issue. But the end result became clear when the heavy-handed NCAA responded by saying the school risked forfeiting postseason games if it failed to "take measures to minimize or eliminate the presence of the imagery."

Previous schools failing to show sufficient spunk and making politically-correct decisions by switching their supposedly demeaning and highly-insensitive nicknames were Arkansas State (changed from Indians to Red Wolves), Colgate (Red Raiders to Raiders), Eastern Michigan (Hurons to Eagles), Louisiana-Monroe (Indians to Warhawks), Marquette (Warriors to Golden Eagles), Miami of Ohio (Redskins to RedHawks), Oklahoma City (Chiefs to Stars), Quinnipiac (Braves to Bobcats), St. John's (Redmen to Red Storm), Seattle (Chieftains to Redhawks), Siena (Indians to Saints), Southeast Missouri State (Indians to Redhawks) and Stanford (Indians to Cardinal). What is the infatuation with Redhawks, anyway?

For those insensitive louts non-pulsed by an offensive holier-than-thou victimization obsession, are they to feel shame at the extent of the alleged discrimination? Rather than bow to pressure, many traditional observers hope the following "Last of the Mohegans" remain steadfast and retain their time-honored monikers: Alcorn State (Braves), Bradley (Braves), Central Michigan (Chippewas), Florida State (Seminoles), Illinois (Fighting Illini), Utah (Utes) and William & Mary (Tribe).

If not, you run the risk of left-wing zealots from PETA (unless they are card-carrying members of the parallel universe People for Eating Tasty Animals) and the Bird Lovers International crowd possibly feeling empowered to capitalize on this catalyst for constructive social change by making it a heartless foul to have any nickname referencing a precious animal or fowl. What was the cumulative cost for nickname changes (more than $250,000 for North Dakota) and how many mental midgets did it take at the NCAA to concoct this colossal caricature intervention? No wonder it's so easy to ridicule the governing body with a name-calling barrage. In the aftermath of authentic turmoil across the country at so-called elite institutions, many think there are more significant issues in intercollegiate athletics requiring correction from the NCAA rather than where transgenders go to bathroom and giving a selective outrage forum to pious pinheads manufacturing a mascot/nickname problem that really didn't exist to any meaningful degree.

CollegeHoopedia.com has conducted significant research on DI school nickname changes over the years and the origin of unusual DI school nicknames. Check the summaries and decide how critical the issue is for yourself as we strive to survive in Obamaland's weak-kneed Fantasy World fond of the Muslim morning call to prayer and full of "green" gestapos. Many misplaced monologues might be akin to a petty fundamentally-transforming POTUS consumed with climate-change collective salvation mockingly hiding behind widows and orphans while pointedly picking on concerned bible-clinging Christians rather than marauding Muslims. Don't you think right-thinking Americans, seeking terrorist control; not gun control or climate control, need to turn up the heat to find a brave "warrior" to combat or even "contain" authentic savages? They already realize the country "did stupid stuff" twice electing an Audacity-of-Hype "chief" apparently too busy to take care of vital business in Iraq and surrounding nations by instead nanny-state helping his wife with her "cool" rap video appealing to segment of their constituency with IQ of a rock.

The Classics: Where Has Georgetown/Maryland Rivalry Been All These Years?

November 18th, 2015 - 6:13

"Holy shadows of the dead, I am not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and brother people to fight one another. I do not feel happy for this victory of mine. On the contrary, I would be glad, brothers, if I had all of you standing here next to me, since we are united by the same language, the same blood and the same visions." - Alexander the Great

The best non-conference game of the season may have already been played when Maryland came from behind to upend Georgetown. Where has this rivalry been for more than three decades? We missed out on Patrick Ewing and David Wingate vs. Adrian Branch in the early 1980s, Reggie Williams vs. Len Bias in mid-1980s, Alonzo Mourning vs. Tony Massenburg and Walt Williams in late 1980s and early 1990s, Allen Iverson vs. Joe Smith in mid-1990s and Mike Sweetney vs. Juan Dixon at the turn of 21st Century. Instead of grand games giving us a shot of adrenalin, we got to overdose on cupcakes with the Hoyas and Terrapins combining to win all 66 of their mismatches against in-state weaklings UMBC, UMES, Morgan State and Towson from the early 1980s through 2003-04. If committing to opposing each other like they did from 1946-47 to 1979-80, the "Duel in D.C." immediately becomes annual must-see TV in pre-conference competition comparable to Kentucky/Louisville, Illinois/Missouri and Cincinnati/Xavier.

Elsewhere, after 105 years steeped in history amid off-the-chart contempt, the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri expired for the foreseeable future when Mizzou departed the Big 12 Conference for the SEC. KU has a commanding edge in nearly every category (winning percentage, victories away from home and close games decided by single digits), but the Tigers have been enough of a tormentor to make the series as energetic and entertaining as you can find anywhere. Their border war stacked right up there with the more nationally-acclaimed "Clash of the Titans" between Duke and North Carolina.

Making about as much sense as Obamaland's delusional JV Syrian refugee policy treating possible terrorists like they're tourists in aftermath of deadly attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, it was shortsighted of KU and Mizzou to let their rivalry end. They simply join top six conference members DePaul/Illinois, Pittsburgh/West Virginia, Cincinnati/Ohio State and Texas/Texas A&M as potentially great natural non-league match-ups their fans can't enjoy.

Do we require self-absorbed Secretary of State John Kerry to bring James Taylor for a friendly sing-along to ease the stress after Utah cancelled its game at BYU next season? If bruised egos heal in the near future, perhaps sounder minds will prevail with Mizzou annually opposing KU in Kansas City much like it does in St. Louis against Illinois. But Mizzou can't complain if the Jayhawks continue to act like a jilted lover because the self-centered Tigers fail to oppose competent in-state foes such as Missouri State and Saint Louis.

By almost any measure including Alexander the Great's perspective, KU has a superior program to Mizzou, which is at its lowest ebb in more than 50 years after mess-maker Frank Haith left the Tigers' program in tatters. But Jayhawks coach Bill Self should rein in his rhetoric as the divorce dialogue intensified or at least take a crash course in college basketball history. When comparing the significance of the Kentucky/Louisville rivalry to the termination of KU's home-and-home conference conflicts with the Tigers, Self said: "Well, they've always played every year (out of league). That's all they know."

Well, Self needs to "always know" that UK and Louisville went 61 years from 1923 through 1983 without a regular-season matchup before they came to their senses and saw the light. Speaking of light, KU and Mizzou simply have to shed one lightweight apiece to keep a good thing going for the sport in general and for their fans specifically like the entertaining Philly Big 5. KU shouldn't also deny hoop fans a Top 20 matchup with Wichita State.

By toning down picking on patsies, there is plenty of room on their respective non-league schedules to keep playing each other. Ditto for Indiana and Kentucky plus Memphis and Tennessee resuming their rivalries, which would definitely be among the top 10 such confrontations in the country. If the century-old KU/Mizzou spectacle returns, it could immediately surpass Kentucky/Louisville and go atop the following list of the nation's top 25 non-conference rivalries if only because of longevity:

  1. Kentucky/Louisville
  2. Illinois/Missouri
  3. Cincinnati/Xavier
  4. Iowa/Iowa State
  5. Indiana/Notre Dame
  6. Brigham Young/Utah
  7. St. Joseph's/Villanova
  8. Georgia/Georgia Tech
  9. Florida/Florida State
  10. Marquette/Wisconsin
  11. Clemson/South Carolina
  12. New Mexico/New Mexico State
  13. Marshall/West Virginia
  14. Utah/Utah State
  15. Temple/Villanova
  16. La Salle/Villanova
  17. Florida/Miami (FL)
  18. Iowa/Northern Iowa
  19. Colorado/Colorado State
  20. Drake/Iowa
  21. Penn/Villanova
  22. Providence/Rhode Island
  23. Creighton/Nebraska
  24. La Salle/Temple
  25. Idaho/Idaho State

Centers of Attention: Will UK Frosh Labissiere End Up Like Davis or Noel?

November 16th, 2015 - 19:00

Regal recruit Skal Labissiere logged a modest 9 points and 5 rebounds for Kentucky as the Wildcats whipped Albany, 78-65, in their season opener. But Labissiere exhibited far more promise as a potent pivotman in UK's next outing with 26 points against NJIT. The ebb and flow of a freshman campaign took a turn for the worse when he collected a total of eight points and three rebounds in back-to-back non-league outings against Illinois State and UCLA before baking a double-bagel (zero points and rebounds) against Arizona State and scoring only two points each against Ohio State and Louisville plus a three-point outburst at LSU. Will Labissiere's first-season impact be more like Anthony Davis, the national player of the year three seasons ago when sparking Kentucky to an NCAA title or Karl-Anthony Towns in UK's 38-1 season in 2014-15 or Nerlens Noel in 2012-13 when the Wildcats wound up in the NIT or the most overrated recruit in history?

Actually, textbook centers are becoming a rare breed. Time will tell if Davis or Jahlil Okafor, who led Duke to last year's NCAA crown, eventually deserve to be included among the premier pivotmen in college basketball history. Okafor will need to pick things up a notch or two by not focusing so much on underage rookie clubbing after "helping" the Philadelphia 76ers to an NBA all-time worst season start of 1-29 in 2015-16. By almost any measure, centers in the last 40 years don't seem to be anywhere close to duplicating feats luminaries Lew Alcindor, Wilt Chamberlain, Artis Gilmore, Bob Lanier, Jerry Lucas, Bill Russell and Bill Walton achieved in their initial varsity campaigns.

Similar to Navy's David Robinson in 1983-84, Connecticut's Andre Drummond was scoreless in his season debut four years ago against Columbia. In a forgettable debut, Wake Forest's Tim Duncan was also scoreless in a season-opening loss to NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993-94 before rebounding with a 12-point, 12-rebound performance in his next outing against Hawaii.

Alcindor (77: 56 points/21 rebounds) and Chamberlain (83: 52 points/31 rebounds) each totaled more points and rebounds in their college game debut than Drummond, Duncan, Patrick Ewing, Nerlens Noel, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Robinson and Ralph Sampson amassed collectively. Following is a look at how many of the premier centers in history fared in their varsity debut against a major college and summary of their first season of NCAA Division I competition:

Celebrated Center School First Varsity Season Debut Game PPG RPG W-L Mark
Karl-Anthony Towns Kentucky 2014-15 8 points/8 rebounds 10.3 6.7 38-1
Jahlil Okafor Duke 2014-15 19 points/6 rebounds 17.3 8.5 35-4
Nerlens Noel Kentucky 2012-13 4 points/9 rebounds 10.5 9.5 21-12
Anthony Davis Kentucky 2011-12 23 points/10 rebounds 14.2 10.4 38-2
Greg Oden Ohio State 2006-07 14 points/10 rebounds 15.7 9.6 35-4
Tim Duncan Wake Forest 1993-94 12 points/12 rebounds 9.8 9.6 21-12
Shaquille O'Neal Louisiana State 1989-90 10 points/5 rebounds 13.9 12.0 23-9
Alonzo Mourning Georgetown 1988-89 10 points/10 rebounds 13.1 7.3 29-5
David Robinson Navy 1983-84 scoreless/1 rebound 7.6 4.0 24-8
Hakeem Olajuwon Houston 1981-82 2 points/0 rebounds 8.3 6.5 25-8
Patrick Ewing Georgetown 1981-82 7 points/4 rebounds 12.7 8.5 30-7
Ralph Sampson Virginia 1979-80 4 points/6 rebounds 14.9 11.2 24-10
*Bill Walton UCLA 1971-72 19 points/14 rebounds 21.1 15.5 29-1
**Artis Gilmore Jacksonville 1969-70 35 points/18 rebounds 26.5 22.2 17-7
*Bob Lanier St. Bonaventure 1967-68 23 points/17 rebounds 26.2 15.6 23-2
*Lew Alcindor UCLA 1966-67 56 points/21 rebounds 29.0 15.5 30-0
*Jerry Lucas Ohio State 1959-60 16 points/28 rebounds 26.3 16.3 25-3
*Wilt Chamberlain Kansas 1956-57 52 points/31 rebounds 29.6 18.9 24-3
*Bill Russell San Francisco 1953-54 16 points/17 rebounds 19.9 19.2 14-7

*Sophomore classification.
**Junior classification after attending junior college.

Buzz Feeds Doubt: Virginia Tech Setback Leaves Historically Black Mark

November 14th, 2015 - 22:57

Buzz Williams doesn't appear as if he will feed Virginia Tech enough vitality to propel the Gobblers to national prominence. An 85-82 defeat at home against Alabama State is not what VT fans had in mind when Williams arrived as coach from Marquette. VA Tech's embarrassing setback, leaving a historically black mark, represented the third year in a row for an ACC member to succumb at home against a HBCU (Historically Black College or University).

The SWAC struck again when Southern (La.) ruined the "buzz" surrounding new Mississippi State coach Ben Howland, 76-72, in debut of his prize prospect Malik Newman (2-for-8 from floor and 1-for-6 from charity stripe). No HBCU institution ever has reached Sweet 16 of an NCAA Tournament, but following are additional HBCU road victories on a power league member's homecourt or neutral court during regular-season play since ACC member Miami (Fla.) succumbed to South Carolina State in 2004-05:

Season HBCU Winner on Road Power League Member Loser Competence of Power League School Incurring Defeat
2004-05 South Carolina State 60 Miami (Fla.) 50 Hurricanes won at NCAA playoff-bound Florida.
2004-05* South Carolina State 63 Penn State 43 Nittany Lions lost by three points against 20-game winner Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament.
2005-06 Bethune-Cookman 75 South Florida 68 Bulls beat NCAA playoff-bound Georgetown in regular-season finale.
2006-07 Jackson State 71 Rutgers 70 Scarlet Knights twice defeated Cincinnati.
2007-08 Tennessee State 60 Illinois 58 Illini beat Oklahoma State and Missouri in nonconference competition before bowing to TSU.
2008-09 Morgan State 79 DePaul 75 Blue Demons defeated Cincinnati (18-14) in Big East Tournament.
2008-09 Morgan State 66 Maryland 65 Terrapins participated in NCAA Tournament.
2009-10 Morgan State 97 Arkansas 94 Razorbacks prevailed at Ole Miss, a 24-game winner.
2010-11 Texas Southern 66 Oregon State 60 Beavers beat 30-game winner Arizona.
2011-12 Tennessee State 64 South Carolina 63 Gamecocks upended Clemson, Alabama and Georgia.
2012-13 Alabama A&M 59 Mississippi State 57 Bulldogs beat Marshall Henderson-led Ole Miss and twice defeated Frank Martin-coached South Carolina.
2012-13 Southern (La.) 53 Texas A&M 51 Aggies won at Kentucky in inaugural SEC season and also beat NCAA playoff-bound Mizzou.
2013-14 Coppin State 78 Oregon State 73 Beavers bow to second HBCU school under coach Craig Robinson in last four seasons before winning at Maryland.
2013-14 North Carolina Central 82 North Carolina State 72 Wolfpack suffered first-ever defeat against a MEAC member.
2013-14 Texas Southern 90 Temple 89 Owls defeated UAB on neutral court by 21 points before the Blazers beat North Carolina, which whipped three PS Top 5 teams (Louisville, Michigan State and Kentucky).
2014-15 Delaware State 72 Wake Forest 65 Demon Deacons defeated North Carolina State and Pittsburgh.

*Neutral court (Milwaukee).

Humble Pie: Mullin' Over St. Thomas Aquinas 32-Point Victory vs. St. John's

November 14th, 2015 - 8:16

"I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps." - Mahatma Gandhi

A 32-point exhibition-game setback for St. John's against local Division II institution St. Thomas Aquinas was a generous dose of humility for newbie coach Chris Mullin. The Red Storm was red-faced, but it could take some comfort from the fact the inexplicable defeat won't formally count against its record like a 22-point setback against visiting Incarnate Word (Tex.) the following month. Tom Izzo-coached Michigan State (Grand Valley State MI prior to start of 2007-08 campaign) and Jim Boeheim-coached Syracuse (LeMoyne NY in 2009-10) each incurred the ignominy of succumbing against a small-school opponent in an exhibition contest before reaching an NCAA playoff regional semifinal by season's end. Last year, UAB upset Iowa State in the NCAA tourney after losing an exhibition game against UNC Pembroke. This season, Iowa got off to a great start in Big Ten Conference competition after bowing to Augustana (S.D.) in an exhibition game where the Hawkeyes trailed by as many as 15 points in the second half. Actually, former Redmen All-American Mullin is in good company among mentors exposed to the humility described by Gandhi.

Many of the biggest names in college coaching history recovered from embarrassing defeats certainly not cited on their otherwise mostly-regal resumes. For instance, there are numerous mentors who captured NCAA championships despite losing to a small school at some point during their careers - Phog Allen (lost to Emporia State), Jim Calhoun (American International, Assumption, Brandeis, Bridgeport, Florida Southern, Merrimack, St. Anselm, Stonehill and Tufts), John Calipari (Florida Tech and Lowell), Denny Crum (Chaminade), Jim Harrick (Abilene Christian), Don Haskins (Louisiana College), Hank Iba (Abilene Christian and Westminster), George Ireland (Regis), Doggie Julian (Amherst, Colby, St. Anselm, St. Michael's, Springfield, Tampa and Williams), Mike Krzyzewski (King's, Scranton and SUNY-Buffalo), Rollie Massimino (New Orleans and Philadelphia Textile), Al McGuire (Evansville and Washington MO), Rick Pitino (Adelphi), Nolan Richardson Jr. (American-Puerto Rico), Norman Sloan (Presbyterian), John Thompson Jr. (Assumption, Gannon, Randolph-Macon and Roanoke) and Jim Valvano (Armstrong State, Bloomsburg, Gannon, Tampa and Wilkes).

Kansas' Bill Self lost 18 consecutive contests bridging the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons with Oral Roberts but at least he didn't lose a decision to a non-Division I institution. The following alphabetical list "retraces steps" of prominent coaches who lost games to non-Division I colleges during their major-college careers:

Final Four Curse: Were Andrew Smith and Michael Wright Latest Victims?

November 11th, 2015 - 20:20

A question lingers as center Andrew Smith, the second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for Butler's 2011 NCAA playoff runner-up, lost his fight against lymphoma: Is there a Final Four curse? This topic reared its ugly head earlier this season when Michael Wright, leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for Arizona's 2001 national runner-up team including Gilbert Arenas, Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton, was found dead with a skull fracture in New York City in the back seat of his Lexus SUV. Covered with garbage bags amid reports of police investigating possibility of him murdered by someone he met on a gay dating app, the Chicago high school teammate of Kevin Garnett was 35.

Ranging from famous military battles to freak circumstances to mysterious disappearances to nuclear bombs to CIA activity to suicides, the existence of a Final Four curse is debatable although there is no denying a striking number of prominent national semifinal players and coaches died prematurely. For instance, Sid Tanenbaum, the second-leading scorer for NYU's 1945 national runner-up, was murdered on September 4, 1986, at the age of 60 when stabbed to death by a local woman in his Queens machine shop. According to police reports, Tanenbaum was assaulted because he chose to stop lending money to his attacker after previously assisting her numerous times.

Any tribute isn't enough when a man such as Smith is buried long before his time. Unspeakable tragedy also struck Butler when the six-month-old son of Emerson Kampen, a backup to Smith, died of a genetic disorder affecting the central nervous system. The following lengthy list of additional Final Four players (cited chronologically) passed away early (60 and younger), but the deceased left lasting memories:

  • Three of Oregon's starting five on the first NCAA championship team in 1939 - guards Bobby Anet and Wally Johansen and center Slim Wintermute - all died in their 40s. Wintermute disappeared in Lake Washington in 1977, a case that never has been solved.

  • Center Bill Menke, the third-leading scorer for Indiana's 1940 NCAA champion who supplied a team-high 10 points in the Hoosiers' national semifinal victory over Duquesne, later became a Navy pilot and served in World War II. In January 1945, he was declared missing in action (and presumed dead) when he didn't return from a flight in the Caribbean.

  • Thomas P. Hunter, a three-year letterman who was a sophomore member of Kansas' 1940 runner-up, was killed in action against the Japanese on Guam, July 21, 1944, while fighting with the Ninth Marines as a first lieutenant. Hunter was elected posthumously as captain of the Jayhawks' 1945-46 squad that compiled a 19-2 record.

  • Dale Gentry, the fifth-leading scorer for Washington State's 1941 national runner-up, collapsed and died of a heart attack in 1963 at the age of 50 after completing arrangements for his 16-year-old son's funeral following injuries incurred in an auto accident.

  • All 11 regulars on Pitt's 1941 Final Four team participated in World War II and one of them, guard Bob Artman, was killed in action.

  • Center Ed Voss, the second-leading scorer for 1942 champion Stanford, died of polio in 1953 at the age of 31, a month after his 7-year-old son also succumbed to the disease. Cardinal teammate Jack Dana's wife, California socialite Renee Cohu, died of a sleeping pill overdose in the winter of 1970 at the age of 42 when the missing daughter of a former TWA president was found in a Miami Beach motel.

  • Charles "Stubbie" Pearson, captain of Dartmouth's 1942 national runner-up and valedictorian of his class the same year, was killed in action on March 30, 1945, while dive-bombing a Japanese ship off the Palau Islands. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Teammate George Galbraith Jr., a backup forward, died in a training flight over Mississippi.

  • Three of the top seven scorers for Kentucky's first NCAA Tournament and Final Four team in 1942 died during World War II - Mel Brewer (Army second lieutenant/25 years old in France), Ken England (Army captain of ski troop/23 in Italy) and Jim King (Army second lieutenant and co-pilot/24 in Germany).

  • Bob Doll, a starter for Colorado in 1942, died in 1959 at the age of 40 of an apparent suicide.

  • Milo Komenich, leading scorer for Wyoming's 1943 NCAA titlist, died in 1977 at his home at the age of 56.

  • Georgetown's Lloyd Potolicchio, who matched DePaul legend George Mikan's 11-point output in the 1943 national semifinals when the Hoyas eliminated the Blue Demons before bowing to Wyoming in title tilt, joined the Air Force. Potolicchio was boom operator Master Sergeant when killed in a refueling mission on January 17, 1966, in a B-52 crash off the coast of southern Spain. His KC-135 tanker was completely destroyed when its fuel load ignited, resulting in the B-52G breaking apart with B28RI hydrogen weapons falling to earth and plutonium contamination occurring near the fishing village of Palomares. In March 2009, Time magazine identified the Palomares accident as one of the world's "worst nuclear disasters." Teammate Bob Duffey, a backup swingman, was killed on November 13, 1944, in European theater combat.

  • Curtis Popham, Texas' co-captain in 1943, was one of seven Longhorns lettermen since the mid-1930s to make the supreme sacrifice during WWII.

  • Swingman Johnny Jorgensen, a teammate of Hall of Famer George Mikan on DePaul's 1943 Final Four team, died in mid-January 1973 at the age of 51.

  • All-American Audie Brindley of 1944 runner-up Dartmouth died of cancer in 1957 at the age of 33.

  • Swingman Joe Bradley, a regular for Oklahoma A&M's 1946 NCAA champion, was 58 when he died on June 5, 1987.

  • Center Jack Underman, the leading scorer for Ohio State's 1946 national third-place team, was an oral surgeon in Elyria, Ohio, when he died in an auto crash on October 23, 1969, at the age of 44.

  • Frontcourter Frank Oftring, a key contributor for Holy Cross' 1947 champion and 1948 national third-place team, died on October 4, 1982, at the age of 58. Teammate Bob Curran, a regular for both squads, was 56 when he passed away on October 18, 1977.

  • Center Gerry Tucker, the leading scorer for Oklahoma's 1947 national runner-up, died on May 29, 1979, at the age of 57.

  • Forward Tom Hamilton, a regular as a freshman forward with Texas' 1947 national third-place club, died at the age of 48 on November 29, 1973, after suffering a brain hemorrhage prior to officiating a high school football game in Tyler, Tex. Hamilton, a first baseman briefly with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1952 and 1953, served as baseball coach and athletic director for St. Edward's (Tex.) at the time of his death.

  • Center Bob Harris, the leading scorer for Oklahoma A&M's 1949 national runner-up, died on April 10, 1977 at the age of 50. Teammate Joe Bradley, A&M's second-leading scorer, passed away on June 5, 1987, at the age of 58.

  • Bill Erickson, a starting guard for Illinois' 1949 national third-place team, died on September 21, 1987, at the age of 59. Teammate Don Sunderlage, the Illini's sixth-leading scorer in 1949 and top point producer for another third-place squad in 1951, died in mid-July 1961 at the age of 31 following an automobile accident in Lake Geneva, Wis.

  • Center Ed Roman, leading scorer for CCNY's 1950 titlist who was involved in a conspiracy to fix games, died of leukemia in early March 1988 at the age of 57.

  • Bob Ferrick, coach of Santa Clara's 1952 national fourth-place team, died in 1976 at the age of 56.

  • Don Schlundt, the leading scorer and rebounder for Indiana's 1953 NCAA champion, died of pancreatic cancer in October 1985 at the age of 52. Teammate Dick Farley, the Hoosiers' third-leading scorer, passed away from cancer in early October 1969 at the age of 37.

  • Joe Cipriano, the second-leading scorer for Washington's national third-place team in 1953 before becoming Nebraska's all-time winningest coach, was 49 in late November 1980 when he died of cancer.

  • Forward Bob Ames, who scored a total of eight points in three playoff games in 1955 for La Salle's national runner-up after being a member of the Explorers' 1954 NCAA titlist, was killed in Beirut in 1983 at the age of 49. A truck loaded with TNT on a suicide mission rammed into the facility where Ames, a father of six children, was staying while serving as a liaison trying to allay contacts among the Lebanese, Syrians and Israelis in hopes of calming the escalating discord. He joined the CIA and worked his way up the chain of command to become the Director of the CIA's Office of Analysis of the Near East and South Asia. "The Spy Who Loved Basketball" worked closely with both the Carter and Reagan administrations.

  • Forward Jerry Mullen, runner-up in scoring and rebounding as captain for San Francisco's 1955 champion, died in September 1979 at the age of 45.

  • Bucky O'Connor, coach for Iowa's 1955 Final Four club and 1956 runner-up, died in 1958 at the age of 44 in a highway accident near Waterloo. "The boy who has faith in God can look to the future without worry or strain," O'Connor told his players. "I firmly believe that the boys on our team who attend church are more likely to be successful because they can face their problems with hope and encouragement."

  • Jim Krebs, the leading scorer and rebounder for Southern Methodist's 1956 Final Four squad, was killed in 1965 at the age of 29 in a freak accident. While helping a neighbor clear storm damage, a tree limb fell the wrong way and crushed his skull.

  • Forward Joe Kitchen, a member of Louisville's regular rotation for 1959 national fourth-place team, was 52 in 1991 when he died.

  • Forward Al Filardi, the third-leading rebounder for NYU's 1960 national fourth-place squad, just turned 60 when he died in early August 1999.

  • Gary Bradds, a backup to national player of the year Jerry Lucas for Ohio State's 1962 NCAA runner-up before earning the same award himself two years later, died of cancer in July 1983 when he was 40. Bradds was principal of an elementary school in Bowersville, Ohio, at the time of his demise.

  • Frank Christie, Wake Forest's third-leading rebounder for 1962 national third-place team, was 50 in mid-October 1992 when he passed away following a brief illness.

  • Vic Rouse, leading rebounder for Loyola of Chicago's 1963 NCAA champion, died in late May 1999 at the age of 56. He owned an educational consulting firm after earning three masters degrees and a PhD.

  • Guard Denny Ferguson, a regular for Duke's 1963 national third-place team and 1964 runner-up, died from cancer in 2001 at 58. He was a professor at Cornell.

  • Bill Buntin, the leading rebounder and second-leading scorer (behind Cazzie Russell) for Michigan's Final Four teams in 1964 and 1965, collapsed and died during an informal workout one day after his 26th birthday in May 1968.

  • Forward Jamie Thompson, the third-leading scorer for Wichita's 1965 fourth-place team who tallied 36 points when the Shockers were eliminated in the national semifinals by eventual champion UCLA, died in January 2006 at the age of 60.

  • Guard Bobby Joe Hill, the leading scorer for Texas Western's 1966 NCAA titlist, passed away from a heart attack in December 2002 at the age of 59.

  • Guard Rudy Waterman, Dayton's third-leading scorer for 1967 national runner-up, died at 34 in mid-June 1979 after shooting himself and developing bacterial meningitis while hospitalized in New York. He had been fired from his job as a sales representative for a Midwest aluminum company. Flyers coach Don Donoher's son, Gary, died in New York at age 27 in August 1988 from AIDS-related complications.

  • Ken Spain and Theodis Lee, starting frontcourters with All-American Elvin Hayes for Houston's team that entered the 1968 Final Four with an undefeated record, each died of cancer. Spain, who overcame cancer after he was first diagnosed with it in 1977, died of the disease 13 years later in October 1990 when he was 44. Lee, who played for the Harlem Globetrotters, was 33 when he passed away in March 1979, one week after the illness was diagnosed. Teammate Don Kruse, a center for the Cougars' national third-place team in 1967, died in the spring of 2004 at the age of 59.

  • Dave Sorenson, second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer as a sophomore for Ohio State's national third-place team in 1968, died in 2002 at the age of 54 because of cancer.

  • Herm Gilliam, leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for Purdue's 1969 national runner-up, died of a heart attack in 2005 at the age of 58.

  • Maury John, national coach of the year in 1969 when directing Drake to a national third-place finish, died of cancer in 1974 at the age of 55.

  • Steve Patterson, one of UCLA's top three rebounders for NCAA kingpins in 1970 and 1971 after serving as Lew Alcindor's understudy for another titlist in 1969, died in 2004 at the age of 56 because of lung cancer.

  • Point guard Vaughn Wedeking, third-leading scorer for Jacksonville's 1970 runner-up, died in the summer of 2009 at the age of 60 after suffering from Alzheimer's for several years.

  • New Mexico State backup guard Milton Horne, who averaged 4.4 ppg for 1970 national third-place team, died in 2001 at the age of 52.

  • Howard Porter, Villanova's leading scorer and rebounder for 1971 runner-up, was trying to trade money and crack cocaine for sex with a prostitute in St. Paul in May 2007 when the probation officer was beaten to death at the age of 58, according to murder charges filed several months later.

  • Reggie Royals, the leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for Florida State's 1972 runner-up, passed away in mid-April 2009 at the age of 58.

  • Forward Mike Lawhon, Louisville's third-leading scorer for the Cardinals' 1972 national fourth-place team, died in early April 2004 at the age of 53. Lawhon was an orthopedic surgeon who passed away while attending a medical conference.

  • Larry Finch, Memphis State's leading scorer for 1973 runner-up, died in early April 2011 at the age of 60. Finch suffered the first of multiple strokes 10 years earlier. In early September 2014, his daughter (Shanae), suffering from Crohn's disease, collapsed and died at the age of 39. Teammate Ronnie Robinson, the Tigers' second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, died in early May 2004 at the age of 53 from congestive heart failure.

  • Maurice Lucas, leading scorer and rebounder for Marquette's 1974 national runner-up, died in 2010 at the age of 58 from bladder cancer. Teammate Jerry Homan, a backup frontcourter, had a son, Luke, pass away in the fall of 2006 when the UW-LaCrosse student's body was recovered in the Mississippi River after last seen celebrating Oktoberfest (UW-L teammate Austin Scott was charged with two counts of obstructing officers for lying to authorities during the death investigation).

  • Danny Knight, the leading scorer and rebounder for Kansas' 1974 Final Four team, was 24 when he died in June 1977, three weeks after sustaining injuries in a fall down the steps at his home. Knight had been suffering headaches for some time and doctors attributed his death to an aneurysm in the brain. Teammate Norm Cook, the Jayhawks' second-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer as a freshman, was 53 in 2008 when he died after suffering from paranoid schizophrenia most of his adult life.

  • Dan Hall, a frontcourt backup from Kentucky's historic recruiting class as a freshman for UK's 1975 NCAA Tournament runner-up, died of an apparent suicide at age 58 the first full week in January 2013. Hall subsequently transferred to Marshall, where he averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 1976-77 and 1977-78. UK teammate G.J. Smith, a reserve forward, died in late summer 2012 at the age of 59 because of a heart attack.

  • Bob Parker, a backup center for Syracuse's 1975 national fourth-place team, passed away in January 2006 at the age of 51.

  • John Robinson, Michigan's second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for 1976 runner-up, died in late September 2012 at the age of 56.

  • The remains of former UCLA forward Gavin Smith, who scored 14 points for the third-place Bruins at the 1976 Final Four, were found in a rural desert area of Southern California in early November 2014. Police had been probing Smith's mysterious disappearance 2 1/2 years earlier. Smith, a 57-year-old movie executive for Fox, was driving a black 2000 four-door Mercedes E Class when he vanished at night. Most media outlets focus on Smith's connection to UCLA but he actually made a hoop name for himself playing with Hawaii, where he finished 16th in the nation in scoring in 1976-77 by setting a Rainbows' single-season record (23.4 points per game).

  • Center Jerome Whitehead, the second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for Marquette's 1977 NCAA titlist, was 56 in mid-December 2012 when he was found dead because of chronic alcohol abuse. Teammate Gary Rosenberger, a guard who was the fourth-leading scorer in coach Al McGuire's swan song, passed away in the fall of 2013 at the age of 57 due to complications from a heart attack and stroke.

  • Tom Zaliagiris, North Carolina's top reserve guard for 1977 runner-up, died in late January 2007 at the age of 50 because of a bacteria infection.

  • Forward Glen Gondrezick, the leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for UNLV's 1977 third-place club, died in late April 2009 at the age of 53 due to complications stemming from a heart transplant he received the previous September. Teammate Lewis Brown, the third-leading rebounder and sixth-leading scorer for UNLV, spent more than 10 years homeless on the streets of Santa Monica, Calif., before passing away in mid-September 2011 at the age of 56. According to the New York Times, family members said the 6-11 center used cocaine with the Rebels. "Drugs were his downfall," said his sister. Murray State transfer Larry Moffett, UNLV's second-leading rebounder, passed away in early May 2011 in Shreveport, La., at the age of 56. He previously was a cab driver in Las Vegas.

  • Guard Chad Kinch, the third-leading scorer for UNC Charlotte's 1977 national fourth-place team as a freshman, died at his parents' home in Cartaret, N.J., from complications caused by AIDS. He passed away on April 3, 1994, the day between the Final Four semifinals and final in Charlotte. The host school happened to be UNC Charlotte. It was the second time Kinch's parents lost a son. Sixteen years earlier, Ray Kinch, a Rutgers football player, was killed in a house fire. UNCC teammate Lew Massey, the 49ers' runner-up in scoring and rebounding, died in mid-January 2014 at the age of 57.

  • Mike Phillips, the starting center for Kentucky's 1978 NCAA champion, died in late April 2015 at the age of 59 following a fall at his home.

  • Point guard John Harrell, a point guard for Duke's 1978 runner-up after transferring from North Carolina Central, died of an aortal aneurysm at age 50 in the summer of 2008.

  • Orlando Woolridge, a backup freshman in 1978 when Notre Dame made its lone Final Four appearance before he became a scoring specialist in 13 NBA seasons, died at the end of May 2012 at the age of 52 because of a chronic heart condition.

  • Curtis Watkins, DePaul's second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1979 national third-place team, died in June 2008 at the age of 51 due to a blocked artery.

  • Matt White, the second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for Penn's 1979 Final Four squad as a senior, was fatally stabbed in mid-February 2013 by his wife, who told police she had caught him looking at child pornography. White, the Quakers' all-time leader in field-goal shooting (59.1%), was 55.

  • Derek Smith, the leading rebounder and second-leading scorer as a sophomore forward for Louisville's 1980 NCAA champion, died of a heart ailment at age 34 on August 9, 1996, while on a cruise with his family. He was the leading scorer and second-leading rebounder for the Cardinals' 1982 Final Four team before averaging 12.8 ppg and 3.2 rpg in the NBA with five different franchises. His son, Nolan, became a starting guard for Duke's 2010 NCAA titlist.

  • Drake Morris Jr., the 29-year-old son of the third-leading scorer for Purdue's 1980 national third-place team, was shot to death in northwest Indiana in the middle of the night in late August 2011.

  • Center Greg Cook, third-leading rebounder and fifth-leading scorer for LSU's national fourth-place team in 1981, died in mid-March 2005 from congestive heart failure at the age of 46.

  • Rob Williams, leading scorer for Houston's 1982 Final Four team, died of congestive heart failure at the age of 52 in March 2014 after suffering a stroke 15 years earlier that left him blind in his left eye and partially paralyzed on his left side. Williams denied rumors he was too high on cocaine to play up to par against North Carolina in the national semifinals (0-for-8 field-goal shooting). But Williams admitted he used drugs. "Cocaine came later but I started out smoking weed (in junior high)," Williams said. "I was always a curious type of fellow, so I wanted to see what cocaine was about. So I tried it. And to tell you the truth, I liked it."

  • Lorenzo Charles, the second-leading rebounder for N.C. State's 1983 champion, provided one of the tourney's most memorable moments with a game-winning dunk against heavily-favored Houston in the final. Working for a limousine and bus company based in Apex, N.C., he was killed in June 2011 when the charter bus the 47-year-old was driving with no passengers aboard crashed along Interstate 40 in Raleigh. Wolfpack coach Jim Valvano also was 47 in the spring of 1993 when he passed away because of cancer. Backup forward Quinton Leonard died of a heart attack in the spring of 2006 at the age of 44.

  • Melvin Turpin, the leading scorer and second-leading rebounder as a senior for Kentucky's 1984 Final Four team (29-5 record), was 49 and battling diabetes in July 2010 when he committed suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest.

  • Baskerville Holmes, a starting forward who averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for Memphis State's 1985 Final Four team, and his girlfriend were found shot to death on March 18, 1997 in an apparent murder-suicide in Memphis. He was 32.

  • Swingman Don Redden, who averaged 13 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for Louisiana State's 1986 Final Four squad, was 24 when he died in March 1988 of heart disease.

  • Keith Hughes, a backup forward as a freshman for Syracuse's 1987 runner-up before transferring to Rutgers, died suddenly at his N.J. home in February 2014 at the age of 45.

  • Armen Gilliam, the leading scorer and rebounder for UNLV's 1987 Final Four team, died from a heart attack on July 5, 2011, while playing basketball in a Pittsburgh area gym. He was 47.

  • Mike Masucci, a freshman backup center for Kansas' eventual 1988 champion dismissed from the Jayhawks before the tourney commenced and his subsequent transfer, died in January 2005 at the age of 36 from a heart attack.

  • Guard Phil Henderson, the leading scorer and senior captain of Duke's 1990 NCAA Tournament runner-up, died of cardiac arrest in mid-February 2013 at his home in the Philippines at the age of 44. He was the Blue Devils' second-leading scorer as a junior and sixth-leading scorer as a sophomore for two more Final Four squads.

  • Larry Marks, a backup forward for Arkansas' 1990 Final Four squad after being a starter the previous season, died of an apparent heart attack in mid-June 2000 after playing some recreational basketball. He was 33.

  • Sean Tunstall, a reserve guard for Kansas' 1991 NCAA Tournament runner-up was shot and killed at age 28 in the parking lot of a recreation center in his native St. Louis on October 16, 1997, in a drug deal gone bad. Tunstall, recruited to KU when Larry Brown was the Jayhawks' coach, had received a prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of selling cocaine in 1993. "He was one of the few kids I never thought I completely reached," then KU coach Roy Williams said. Power forward Chris Lindley, who signed with Kansas and would have been a freshman for the 1991 squad before having his right foot amputated in January 1990 after a train accident, died at 34 in mid-February 2007.

  • Peter Sauer, a captain and third-leading rebounder for Stanford's 1998 Final Four squad, was 35 when he collapsed during a recreation game in White Plains, N.Y., hit his head and never was revived. His father, Mark Sauer, is a former president of two pro franchises - the NHL's St. Louis Blues and MLB's Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • A 32-year-old brother of defensive stopper Byron Mouton, Maryland's fourth-leading scorer and rebounder for a 2001 Final Four team, was shot and killed in an apparent carjacking incident in Houston about one month into the next season. The Terrapins went on to capture the 2002 NCAA championship as the Tulane transfer finished as their third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer.

Military Salute: Veteran Hoop All-Americans Who Served With Real Honor

November 11th, 2015 - 7:30

College basketball aficionados occasionally cite achievements they think never will be duplicated. On Veterans Day, they should be reminded about truly incredible comebacks likely never to be matched. In 1946-47, Andy Phillip (Illinois) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma) returned to first-team All-American status after missing three seasons while serving in the U.S. military during World War II. Charles Black (Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming) also returned to All-American acclaim after missing two seasons serving in similar capacities. Now that sacrifice is an off-the-chart achievement worthy of praise in stark contrast to the incoherent hunger striker/professional student at Missouri majoring in Extortion 101 despite enjoying the black privilege of one-percenter father who is an executive VP for Union Pacific Railroad earning nearly $8.4 million in compensation last year.

Even on a day of honor, the follow-the-pack press dwelled more on the cultural idiocy of boycott-threatening Mizzou football players and their "Black Mobs Matter" anarchy-supportive $4.1 million-a-year coach. But the diaper-donning dissidents and clueless cowering Democratic governor Jay Nixon flailing around again just like the Ferguson fiasco pale in comparison to the honor, dignity and courage exhibited by military veterans. Actually, many Mizzou fans thought the sheep-like players' performance to date showed the "entitled" already had quit on the season before the witch hunters' hoop brethren also probably finish at the bottom of the SEC standings. What's next in "containing" this rank self-absorbed nonsense from amateur-hour "cry-bullies" annoyed how terrorism carnage in Paris diverted media attention? It's surprising the Tigers' social scholars in solidarity didn't boycott a game vs. BYU because the Cougars boast an honor code "discriminating" significantly more percentage-wise against African-Americans.

Infinitely more important, numerous truly honorable hoopers had their college playing careers interrupted by WWII; not sensitivity training. While much of the misguided media currently obsess with mundane matters as a new campaign is ushered in, they should be reminded about authentic American heroes and doing everything possible to implore bureaucrats to improve contemptible conditions at many Veterans hospitals. The press could focus on the following list of All-Americans - three each from Illinois, Kentucky and Notre Dame - who deserve to be honored, at least for a day amid the campus whining, after having their college careers interrupted in the mid-1940s while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces:

Air Force - Charles Black (Kansas) and Jack Parkinson (Kentucky).

Army - Don Barksdale (UCLA), Lew Beck (Oregon State), A.L. Bennett (Oklahoma A&M), Gale Bishop (Washington State), Vince Boryla (Notre Dame/Denver), Harry Boykoff (St. John's), Bob Brannum (Kentucky), Arnie Ferrin (Utah), Alex Groza (Kentucky), Ralph Hamilton (Indiana), Walt Kirk (Illinois), Allie Paine (Oklahoma), Don Rehfeldt (Wisconsin), Jack Smiley (Illinois), Odie Spears (Western Kentucky) and Gerry Tucker (Oklahoma).

Marine Corps - Aud Brindley (Dartmouth), John Hargis (Texas), Mickey Marty (Loras), Andy Phillip (Illinois), Gene Rock (southern California) and Kenny Sailors (Wyoming).

Navy - Bobby Cook (Wisconsin), Howie Dallmar (Stanford/Penn), Dick Dickey (North Carolina State), Bob Faught (Notre Dame), Harold Gensichen (Western Michigan), Wyndol Gray (Bowling Green State), Hal Haskins (Hamline), Leo Klier (Notre Dame), Dick McGuire (St. John's) and John Oldham (Western Kentucky).

On This Date: November Calendar of Notable Games in College Hoops History

November 10th, 2015 - 7:21

Did You Know?: Rick Barnes (Texas), Gene Bartow (UAB), Bob McKillop (Davidson), Mike Montgomery (Stanford) and Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) incurred defeats in their debuts before eventually becoming the all-time winningest coaches for these schools. Check out the following November calendar for memorable games in NCAA major-college history:

NOVEMBER
9 - Brad Stevens made his Butler debut in 2007 with a 61-45 victory at Ball State before guiding the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament championship game in back-to-back years in 2010 and 2011. . . . David Holston (43 points vs. St. Bonaventure at Austin, Tex., in 2006) set Chicago State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Junior Hairston (21 rebounds vs. Loyola Maryland in 2007) set Towson's Division I single-game rebounding record.
13 - Rotnei Clarke (51 points vs. Alcorn State in 2009) set Arkansas' single-game scoring record before transferring to Butler. . . . Gregg Marshall made his Wichita State debut in 2007 with a 61-56 victory vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff before guiding the Shockers to the 2013 Final Four and becoming national COY in 2014. . . . Siena's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Vermont (80-76 in 2010). . . . Shaka Smart made his VCU coaching debut in 2009 with a 77-51 triumph vs. Bethune-Cookman before directing the Rams to the 2011 Final Four.
14 - Marcus Marshall (38 points vs. Eastern Illinois in 2014) set Missouri State's single-game scoring record as an NCAA Division I school. . . . Jamie Dixon made his Pittsburgh coaching debut in 2003 with a 71-62 triumph vs. Alabama in New York before becoming national COY in 2009. . . . Larry Eustachy made his Idaho debut in 1990 with an 88-54 victory vs. Simon Fraser before becoming national COY with Iowa State in 2000 and the first coach in NCAA history to compile at least 24 wins in a single season with five different DI schools. . . . Bill Guthridge made his North Carolina debut in 1997 with an 84-56 success vs. Middle Tennessee State en route to becoming the winningest first-year coach in NCAA history and national COY.
15 - Reggie Williams (45 points vs. Virginia Intermont in 2006) set Virginia Military's single-game scoring record.
16 - Al Skinner made his Boston College debut in 1997 with an 87-54 victory vs. Central Connecticut State before going on to become the Eagles' all-time winnningest coach and national COY in 2001.
17 - Rick Barnes made his Texas debut in 1998 with a 71-69 reversal at Houston before going on to become the Longhorns' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bo Ryan made his Wisconsin debut in 2001 with a 74-69 defeat at UNLV before going on to become the Badgers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Florida's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Miami FL (69-67 in 2014).
18 - Mike Brey made his Notre Dame coaching debut in 2000 with a 104-58 rout of Sacred Heart before becoming national COY in 2011. . . . Jim Larranaga made his George Mason debut in 1997 with a 78-72 victory at Howard University before going on to become the Patriots' all-time winningest coach and guiding them to the 2006 Final Four.
19 - Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky (43 points vs. North Dakota in 2013/modern-era mark) and Stony Brook's D.J. Munir (36 at Sacred Heart in 2001) set school Division I single-game scoring records.
20 - Okechi Egbe (44 points vs. Bethel in 2000) set Tennessee-Martin's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Tom Izzo made his Michigan State debut in 1995 with a 69-66 triumph at Chaminade en route to becoming the Spartans' all-time winningest coach. . . . Chicago product Ben Wilson, entering his senior season generally regarded as the nation's premier prospect because of Magic Johnson-like skills, was shot within a block of high school campus and died the next day after bumping into two gang members while walking down the street following lunch break.
21 - Nick Davis (23 rebounds vs. Jackson State in 1997) set Arkansas' single-game rebounding record. . . . Mark Few made his Gonzaga debut in 1999 with a 76-61 triumph at Montana en route to becoming the Zags' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jay Wright made his Villanova coaching debut in 2001 with an 82-68 victory vs. Grambling State before becoming national COY in 2006 and guiding the Wildcats to the 2009 Final Four.
22 - Billy Donovan made his Florida debut in 1996 with an 80-63 triumph vs. UCF en route to becoming the Gators' all-time winningest coach. . . . Scott Drew made his Baylor debut in 2003 with a 72-59 success vs. Texas Southern en route to becoming the Bears' all-time winningest coach. . . . Western Carolina's Kevin Martin (46 points vs. Coastal Carolina in 2002) and Stony Brook's Anthony Jackson (36 at Toledo in 2013) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Bruce Weber made his Illinois coaching debut in 2003 with a 94-66 victory vs. Western Illinois before becoming national COY in 2005 when guiding the Illini to the NCAA Tournament championship game.
23 - Kevin Stallings made his Vanderbilt debut in 1999 with a 72-55 triumph over Belmont en route to becoming the Commodores' all-time winningest coach.
24 - Gene Bartow made his UAB debut in 1978 with a 64-55 defeat against Nebraska before becoming the Blazers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Steve Fisher made his San Diego State debut in 1999 with a 73-57 victory vs. UC Riverside en route to becoming the Aztecs' all-time winningest coach and national COY in 2011. . . . Nolan Richardson made his Arkansas debut in 1985 with an 86-72 triumph over Southern Illinois en route to becoming the Razorbacks' all-time winningest coach.
25 - Bethune-Cookman's Reggie Cunningham (46 points at Stetson in 1995) and Nevada's Kevin Franklin (48 at Loyola Marymount in 1989) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Louisiana Tech's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Stephen F. Austin (67-58) in 1985. . . . Steve Alford made his Southwest Missouri State coaching debut in 1995 with an 83-71 win against Texas-Pan American en route to guiding four different DI schools to the NCAA playoffs. . . . Lute Olson made his Arizona debut in 1983 with a 72-65 triumph over Northern Arizona en route to becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob Huggins made his Cincinnati debut in 1989 with a 66-64 triumph over Minnesota en route to becoming the Bearcats' all-time winningest coach. . . . Gale Catlett made his West Virginia debut in 1978 with an 86-66 triumph over Rider en route to becoming the Mountaineers' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bob McKillop made his Davidson debut in 1989 with an 84-65 setback at Wake Forest before becoming the Wildcats' all-time winningest coach and earning national COY acclaim in 2008. . . . Roy Williams made his Kansas coaching debut in 1988 with a 94-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage before becoming national COY on four occasions. . . . Eventual national player of year Tim Duncan went scoreless in his Wake Forest debut, a 70-68 loss at NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage in 1993.
26 - Dana Altman made his Creighton debut in 1994 with a 68-61 win at Oral Roberts en route to becoming the Bluejays' all-time winningest coach. . . . Dave Bliss made his New Mexico debut in 1988 with a 96-71 success vs. Loyola (Md.) en route to becoming the Lobos' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Boeheim made his Syracuse debut in 1976 with a 75-48 triumph over Harvard en route to setting the NCAA career record for most victories by a coach at a single school. . . . Larry Brown made his Kansas coaching debut in 1983 with a 91-76 reversal at Houston before guiding the Jayhawks to the 1988 NCAA title when he was named national COY. . . . John Calipari made his Massachusetts coaching debut in 1988 with an 84-61 success vs. Southern Connecticut before directing the Minutemen and two more schools to the Final Four. . . . In his freshman debut, Rudy Macklin (32 rebounds vs. Tulane in 1976) set Louisiana State's single-game rebounding record. By contrast, eventual national player of year David Robinson went scoreless with only one rebound for Navy in his first game against a DI opponent (Yale in 1983). . . . Kelvin Sampson made his Oklahoma coaching debut in 1994 with an 85-74 victory vs. Coppin State before becoming a two-time national COY with the Sooners. . . . . Bill Self made his ORU debut in 1993 with a 78-66 win vs. Sam Houston State before becoming the only coach in NCAA history to reach a Division I Tournament regional final in back-to-back years with different schools. . . . Tubby Smith made his Tulsa debut in 1991 with a 94-81 setback at TCU before becoming the only coach to take three consecutive teams seeded sixth or worse to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA playoffs and earn national COY acclaim with Kentucky in 2003.
27 - Brandon Wood (39 points at Georgia Southern in 2009) set Valparaiso's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . P.J. Carlesimo made his Seton Hall coaching debut in 1982 with an 87-63 victory vs. St. Anselm (N.H.) before directing the Pirates to an NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 1989 when he was named national COY. . . . Lon Kruger made his Texas-Pan American debut in 1982 with a 66-58 setback vs. Louisiana Tech before becoming the first coach to direct three different schools to the Top 20 of a final wire-service poll. . . . John Thompson Jr. made his Georgetown debut in 1972 with a 61-60 triumph over St. Francis (Pa.) en route to a school-record 596 victories with the Hoyas. . . . Alvan Adams (28 vs. Indiana State in 1972) set Oklahoma's single-game rebounding record.
28 - Tom Davis made his Iowa debut in 1986 with a 91-81 success at Alaska-Anchorage en route to becoming the Hawkeyes' all-time winningest coach. . . . Lou Henson made his Illinois debut in 1975 with a 60-58 triumph at Nebraska en route to becoming the Illini's all-time winningest coach. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Army head coaching debut in 1975 with a 56-29 victory over Lehigh before becoming the all-time winningest coach in NCAA history with Duke. . . . Mike Montgomery made his Stanford debut in 1986 with a 67-65 defeat against Georgia Tech at Richmond before becoming the Cardinal's all-time winningest coach.
29 - The three-point goal was an experimental rule in the Southern Conference in 1980 when Western Carolina's Ronnie Carr made the first three-pointer in history at Reid Gymnasium vs. Middle Tennessee State. . . . Craig Bradshaw (42 points at Ohio University in 2014) set Belmont's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Alan Williams (39 vs. South Dakota State in 2013) tied UC Santa Barbara's single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Krzyzewski made his Duke debut in 1980 with a 67-49 triumph over Stetson en route to becoming the Blue Devils' all-time winningest coach. . . . Jim Calhoun made his Connecticut debut in 1986 with a 58-54 triumph over Massachusetts en route to becoming the Huskies' all-time winningest coach. . . . Cliff Ellis made his South Alabama debut with an 82-68 defeat vs. Centenary before becoming the only coach in the 20th Century to hold three school single-season records with at least 25 victories at the same time. . . . Billy Tubbs made his Lamar head coaching debut in 1976 with an 80-73 triumph over Houston Baptist en route to more than 600 victories with three schools. . . . Gene Keady made his Purdue debut in 1980 with a 72-59 triumph over Colorado State en route to becoming the Boilermakers' all-time winningest coach.
30 - Dartmouth set an NCAA single-game record by having nine different players contribute at least one three-point basket vs. Boston College in 1993. . . . John Chaney made his Temple debut in 1982 with a 68-67 triumph at George Washington en route to becoming the Owls' all-time winningest coach. . . . Bobby Cremins made his Georgia Tech debut in 1981 with an 82-66 triumph against Presbyterian (S.C.) en route to becoming the Yellow Jackets' all-time winningest coach.

Taking Care of Business: Koch Brothers in Demorat Crosshairs For Next Year

November 6th, 2015 - 20:24

The silly season is starting about the same time as the 2015-16 college basketball campaign and football inmates commence running the Miz-zou Animals asylum. For the next year until the 2016 presidential election, former college hooper David Koch will be a pivotal player in the political playground after starring as a center for MIT in the early 1960s. Emblematic of how warped things are these days, Demorat Senator Dirty Harry Reid (Nevada) will be "on Koch" condemning him and his brother for supporting "right" prospects while taking "leftist" stance failing to support "Kate's Law" legislation reducing prospects of illegal immigrants harming American citizens.

The far-left's favorite boogieman, depicted as a mix of Scrooge and Satan solely because Koch supports Republican causes, is actually the leading patron of the arts in the U.S. The philanthropist, instrumental in employing 60,000 individuals, boasts more "soul" than his detractors do collectively (while employing about six people), giving more than $1 billion to cancer research, museums and other charitable causes. He is executive vice president of Wichita-based Koch Industries, a conglomerate focusing on transporting and processing oil and natural gas and America's second-largest privately-held company.

One of the 10 wealthiest persons in the world, he bought Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' Fifth Avenue apartment in the mid-1990s before moving out 10 years later. Libertarian Party's VP candidate in 1980 survived with charred lungs while 21 people on board died of smoke inhalation on US Airways Flight 1493 in 1991 when it crashed into a SkyWest commuter plane an air-traffic controller erroneously directed onto an active runway at LA International Airport.

David, a 6-5 center who averaged 21.5 ppg and 11.8 rpg in 1960-61 and 1961-62, was an All-New England first-team selection as a senior when his 41-point outing stood as a school single-game scoring record for 47 years. Brother Bill was a reserve center for MIT. David's twin brother, Charles, has Wichita State's home arena named after him and is Chairman of the Board/CEO of Koch Industries.

Marc Short, the Koch brothers' insider in Washington, aligned with the Marco Rubio presidential campaign as a senior adviser. If interested, Collegehoopedia.com has conducted extensive research on what major-college All-Americans did in the "real world" after the basketball stopped bouncing. Including a striking number of small-school players, following are hard-working businessmen comparable to the Koch clan who meant business in more ways than just on the basketball hardwood:

ALEX AKOSI, Saint Michael's (Vt.)
Nigeria born and U.S. bred, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of MTV Africa built one of the fastest-growing international outposts of the farthest-reaching cable channel in the world. Featured on the cover of Forbes magazine in June, 2007. . . . Averaged 4.2 ppg and 5.2 rpg from 1994-95 through 1997-98. He was tri-captain his senior year after Saint Michael's won the Northeast-10 Conference championship the previous season.

DR. BOB ALBO, California
Chief physician for the Oakland Raiders and Golden State Warriors. Worked his way through medical school performing magic and has written 11 volumes on the subject (3,000 pages). His magic collection is the single largest private collection in the world. . . . Averaged 8 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Nibs Price. Posted career highs of 12 ppg and 9.2 rpg as senior captain. He was also Cal's starting catcher and team captain in baseball.

NOLAN ARCHIBALD, Weber State
President and Chief Executive Officer of Black & Decker. He was on the Board of Directors of ITT. . . . Named to National Junior College Athletic Association All-American second team in 1966 when he averaged 25.3 points per game for Dixie College (Utah). The 6-5, 195-pound forward averaged 15.2 points and 9 rebounds per game as a junior at Weber State and 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds as a senior. Named to second five on All-Big Sky Conference all-league team in 1967-68.

LEN ARMATO, Pacific
Former agent for acclaimed NBA centers Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon. . . . Leading scorer for Pacific in 1974-75 (12.8 ppg) when he was an All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association first-team selection. Paced the PCAA in assists in 1974 (6.8 apg) and 1975 (5.9 apg). The 6-0, 165-pounder transferred to UOP after his freshman year with Southern California.

JESSE ARNELLE, Penn State
Founding partner of San Francisco-based Arnelle & Hastie, one of the first minority-owned national corporate law firms in America. The four-year football letterman and one of the finest ends ever to play for the Nittany Lions is vice president of his alma mater's board of trustees. . . . The 6-5, 220-pounder averaged 20.2 points per game in 10 NCAA Tournament games in 1952, 1954 and 1955 and was the leading scorer for Penn State's only Final Four team (21.1 ppg in 1954). Arnelle, a two-time NCAA Tournament all-regional selection (1954 and 1955), remains the school's all-time leader in scoring (2,138 points) and rebounding (1,238) after pacing the Nittany Lions in those two categories all four varsity seasons. He had 15 games of 30 or more points and still holds the school mark for most rebounds in a single game (27 at Temple as a senior). Arnelle averaged 4.7 points per game in one season in the NBA (1955-56 with Fort Wayne).

C. DAVID BAKER, UC Irvine
Former mayor of Irvine became commissioner of the Arena Football League in November, 1996. He played professionally in Europe before graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review. . . . The 6-8, 220-pound post player from 1972-75 is the Anteaters' all-time leading rebounder (926) and second-leading scorer (1,601 points). UCI competed in the NCAA Division II Tournament West Regional his freshman and senior seasons. He grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Chicago State his freshman year.

RICHARD T. "DICK" BAKER, Ohio State
Managing partner and CEO of major accounting firm Ernst and Ernst for 13 years, starting in 1964. Member of Accounting Hall of Fame served on the board of directors of such major enterprises as General Electric, Anheuser-Busch and Hershey Foods. . . . Three-year letterman was Ohio State's second-leading scorer as a starting senior forward for a team that finished runner-up to Oregon in the first NCAA Tournament in 1939. He scored a game-high 25 points for the Buckeyes in their tourney opener, a 64-52 victory over Wake Forest.

CARL BARGER, Shippensburg (Pa.)
Prominent attorney in Pittsburgh led a coalition that purchased the Pirates in 1986. President and chief operating officer of the franchise for almost four years before accepting a similar position with the expansion Florida Marlins. Barger, who also became a minority owner and joined the board of directors of Wayne Huizenga's Blockbuster Entertainment, died at the 1992 major league baseball owners meeting in Louisville when an aneurysm ruptured in his abdomen. . . . Starting guard for Shippensburg's team in the early 1950s. His dorm room eventually became the school's sports information office.

TODD BEAMER, Wheaton (Ill.)
The Oracle Corp account manager was traveling from New Jersey to California on United Airlines Flight 93 for a business meeting on September 11, 2001, when he helped lead a takeover by passengers from terrorists, forcing the plane down in Pennsylvania countryside about 80 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. They were credited with foiling hijackers bent on crashing the Boeing 757 into a second target in Washington, D.C., possibly the Capitol or the White House. Beamer recited the 23rd Psalm with a GTE/Verizon supervisor over the plane's in-flight telephone before getting her to promise she would call his family. "I don't think we're going to get out of this thing," he told her. "I'm going to have to go out on faith." The phone line was still open when the operator heard him say: "Are you guys ready? Let's roll." . . . Beamer collected 24 points and 12 rebounds as a sophomore guard for Wheaton in 1988-89.

JOHN BELK, Davidson
Noted retailer (president of Belk Brothers Co. and Belk Stores Services, Inc.) is former mayor of Charlotte. He is listed in Who's Who in America. . . . Davidson's basketball arena and men's MVP award are both named for him. The four-year starter was senior co-captain of the Wildcats' 1942-43 squad compiling an 18-6 record and defeating North Carolina, N.C. State, Clemson and South Carolina.

DICK BOUSHKA, St. Louis
In 1963, at the age of 29, he was named president of Vickers Petroleum Corporation. Boushka was involved in real estate development when he became the ninth president of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. But in December 2002, he pleaded guilty in federal court in Wichita, Kan., to defrauding a bank of more than $17 million. . . . His career average of 19.2 points per game is best in school history (minimum of three seasons). SLU career from 1951-52 through 1954-55 included a 38-point outing against Alabama as a junior. He participated in the 1952 NCAA Tournament as a freshman before becoming a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection and 1955 NBA draft choice by the Minneapolis Lakers. Upon graduation, Boushka earned a gold medal while playing for the 1956 U.S. Olympic team in Melbourne, Australia.

AVERY BRUNDAGE, Illinois
AAU president in the 1930s before becoming president of the International Olympic Committee from 1952 to 1972. Competed in the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympic Games. . . . Basketball letterman with the Illini in 1907-08.

GREG BUNCH, Cal State Fullerton
Executive with Direct TV, moving there in 1998 from ESPN. He worked himself up in the cable sports business, starting as a door-to-door cable service salesman. . . . PCAA player of the year as a sophomore forward in 1975-76 when he averaged 16 ppg and 8.8 rpg for the Titans.

DR. RALPH J. BUNCHE, UCLA
U.S. government official and United Nations diplomat became the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in government and international relations at Harvard (1934) before teaching political science at Howard University until entering government service in 1941. The U.S. State Department named its main library for the late envoy in 1997. He worked under the joint chiefs of staff and was a chief research analyst in the Office of Strategic Services. The first African-American to be a division head in the Department of State (1945), he entered the United Nations in 1946 as director of the Trusteeship Division. Bunche, the first black person to win the Nobel Peace Prize, became principal secretary to the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine in December, 1947, and acting mediator soon thereafter in the aftermath of the assassination of the first mediator (Count Folke Bernadotte of Sweden). Bunche was awarded the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize for his deft handling of the armistice negotiations leading to the Arab-Israeli truce. In 1945, Bunche said he was "obsessed with a burning desire to excel in everything I undertake," and moved by "a calculated and deliberate interest to prove to (whites) that I am, despite their race, their equal if not their superior in intellect, ability, knowledge, and general savoir-faire." He served as U.N. undersecretary general from 1955 until his retirement due to poor health shortly before his death in 1971. . . . Born in Detroit and reared by his grandmother in Los Angeles, he graduated from UCLA in 1927 with a degree in political science after writing for the school newspaper, winning oratorical contests, serving as sports editor of the yearbook, and earning letters as a guard for three Southern California Conference champions. Legendary Bruins coach John Wooden acknowledges that Bunche, named UCLA's Alumnus of the Year in 1949, was instrumental in helping recruit New York native Lew Alcindor to his alma mater.

WAYNE CALLOWAY, Wake Forest
Former Chairman of the Board and CEO of PepsiCo earned $1 million in salary and a $2 million bonus in 1994 before retiring after contracting cancer. . . . The business administration major scored 29 points in 15 games for the Demon Deacons in 1957-58 as a 6-1, 180-pound guard. "One of the unique aspects of being on a team is that you clearly learn to share responsibility and share the credit," Calloway said. "You find out that there is definitely a reason for working together. In today's business world, you discover this in a hurry. You only get so far by yourself. It is when you, as a manager, have the ability to relate to people and have them all marching together that you can make things happen."

VINNIE COHEN, Syracuse
Partner in a law firm, Hogan and Hartson, in Washington, D.C. . . . Averaged 19.7 points per game for the Orangemen from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Ranked 16th in the nation in scoring as a senior with 24.2 ppg. Converse second-team All-American guard averaged 19 points in three NCAA Tournament games in 1957. Selected in the third round of the 1957 NBA draft by the Syracuse Nationals (23rd pick overall).

DALE COMEY, Connecticut
Former Executive Vice President of ITT, a conglomerate with global sales in excess of $23 billion specializing in diversified products and services in three areas--financial and business, manufactured products and Sheraton Hotels. He earned more than $1 million per year before retiring. . . . Comey averaged nine points per game in three varsity seasons after leading UConn's freshman team in scoring (16 ppg). The 5-9, 150-pound guard was an All-Yankee Conference second-team selection as a senior when he scored 17 points in a 77-71 defeat against West Virginia in the first round of 1963 NCAA Tournament.

DR. DENTON COOLEY, Texas
World famous heart surgeon in Houston has performed well in excess of 20,000 open-heart operations. "I've always had the opinion that my training in athletics equipped me for a life in medicine," Dr. Cooley said, "and particularly in surgery because there's so much of the physical part involved. Surgery is a specialty in which a person must have vigor and a healthy body to perform at his peak. It requires a certain amount of physical training as well as mental training. In surgery, operations are accomplished by teams. As in athletics, a strong individual effort is possible only with the support of a good team. The morale of the team must be maintained by the captain. And these are the things individuals learn in a program of competitive sports. We learn to accept defeat but not to be satisfied with defeat; that there is no alternative for winning. Extra effort and determination and hard work and practice are what lead to accomplishment and victory." . . . He was a three-year letterman (1938-39 through 1940-41) on Texas teams combining for a 51-21 record. The 6-3 Cooley saw action in both of the Longhorns' games in the inaugural NCAA Tournament in 1939 after they captured the Southwest Conference championship. Named the 32nd most influential student-athlete in 2006 when the NCAA celebrated its centennial anniversary.

KERY DAVIS, Dartmouth
Senior Vice President for Sports Programming/Home Box Office brokered deals with premium prizefighters including Roy Jones Jr. . . . Teammate of former Harvard coach Peter Roby averaged 3.7 ppg as a sophomore in 1976-77 and 0.8 ppg as a junior.

McKINLEY "DEACON" DAVIS, Iowa
National sales director with Primerica/A Member of Citigroup after serving as executive director of athletics at Northern Illinois. . . . Four-year starter averaged 10.5 ppg from 1951-52 through 1954-55. The 6-2, 175-pound forward led Iowa in scoring as a sophomore (14.9 ppg). He averaged 10.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg for the fourth-place team in the 1955 NCAA playoffs. The Hawkeyes' captain came out of college with a contract to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.

R. HAL DEAN, Grinnell (Iowa)
Former Chairman of Ralston Purina Company. . . . Played basketball for Grinnell when it was a member of the Missouri Valley Conference. In 1936-37, he was named to the second five on the All-MVC team and finished fifth in league scoring with an average of 7.5 points per game. The next season, he was again named to the All-MVC second five and finished 16th in conference scoring with an average of 6.5 ppg. The Spalding Official Guide described him as a "sparkplug" and "one of the Midland's best guards."

LaROY DOSS, St. Mary's
Chairman and president of the Ford Lincoln Mercury Minority Dealers Association was named one of the top 100 U.S. black businessmen by Black Enterprise magazine in 1978. Doss was the first African American to serve on his alma mater's Board of Trustees. . . . Averaged 14.8 ppg and 9.2 rpg in three seasons, leading the squad in rebounding as a sophomore and in scoring as a junior and senior. Second-team All-WCAC as a sophomore and junior and first five pick as a senior when the Gaels made their initial NCAA playoff appearance in 1959. Finished third on St. Mary's career scoring list with 1,139 points.

DR. CHARLES RICHARD DREW, Amherst (Mass.)
Surgeon was a pioneer in the development of blood banks for Allied Forces during World War II. Although his life was cut short at 45 by an automobile accident, he distinguished himself through outstanding achievements in science, medicine and education. As the first director of the American Red Cross Blood Bank, Drew encouraged public awareness that blood banks do not need to be segregated by race. His medical education began during the Great Depression at McGill University School of Medicine in Quebec. Although Drew worked as a waiter while a student at McGill, he graduated second in his class of 137. . . . The inventor of plasma was one of the first African-American players for a predominantly white institution. He was an All-American football player who served as athletics director at Morgan State College.

DR. PAUL ALLEN EBERT, Ohio State
Director of the American College of Surgeons since 1986. Nationally-recognized authority on children's thoracic and cardiovascular surgery is listed in Who's Who in America. . . . Earned All-American recognition by averaging more than 20 points per game each of his three varsity seasons (1951-52 through 1953-54). All-Big Ten Conference choice each year finished his career as Ohio State's all-time scoring leader. He had a 40-point game against Michigan as a sophomore when he was second in the Big Ten in scoring (20.1 ppg). Ebert, a three-time MVP for the Buckeyes, posted even higher scoring averages as a junior (21.7) and senior (23.5). Selected by the Milwaukee Hawks in the 1954 NBA draft after they had chosen LSU All-American Bob Pettit.

DR. HARRY F. EDWARDS, San Jose State
Nationally-known liberal sociologist and special consultant for the San Francisco 49ers. . . . The 6-8, 240-pound center averaged 10 ppg and 5.9 rpg in three seasons of varsity basketball for San Jose State from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was the Spartans' second-leading scorer (10.2) and rebounder (5.8) as a senior.

CLIFF EHRLICH, Brown
Senior Vice-President of the Marriott Corporation is listed in Who's Who in America. . . . The 6-4, 200-pound forward was a three-year letterman (1957-58 through 1959-60). He led Brown in scoring as a junior with 13.9 points per game and was named to the second five on the All-Ivy League team.

GILBERT "GIB" FORD, Texas
President of Converse. . . . The 6-4, 190-pound guard-forward averaged 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in three varsity seasons (1951-52 through 1953-54). Leading rebounder (7.8 per game) and third-leading scorer (9.8 ppg) as a junior. Earned a spot on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team as a member of the Armed Forces All-Stars while serving in the Air Force. Excerpt from Texas' guide: "A natural athlete and keen competitor, he is the key man in the attack."

CHET FORTE, Columbia
Former director of Monday Night Football on ABC Television. Nine-time Emmy Award winner also produced or directed Olympic Games, World Series and Indianapolis 500 before a gambling addiction cost him almost $4 million and led to a guilty plea to fraud and tax evasion charges. Forte, who last bet in April 1988, became host of a San Diego radio show and returned to the NFL in 1994 to direct several games on NBC. . . . The 5-9, 145-pound guard averaged 24.8 points per game in three varsity seasons (1954-55 through 1956-57). Named college player of the year by UPI as a Columbia senior when he was the nation's fifth-leading scorer (28.9 ppg) and ranked sixth in free-throw shooting (85.2%). Selected in the seventh round of the 1957 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals.

JAMES ROBERT GLADDEN, Long Island
First African American elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. . . . LIU basketball letterman in 1933 and 1934.

MURRAY GOODMAN, Lehigh
President of The Goodman Company, which developed commercial and industrial buildings and motor inns throughout the U.S. He became his alma mater's most generous living donor, with lifetime commitments of more than $20 million. . . . Captain of Lehigh's basketball squad as a senior in 1947-48.

STEDMAN GRAHAM, Hardin-Simmons (Tex.)
Longtime beau of TV personality Oprah Winfrey is president of a marketing and consulting firm with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. He founded Athletes Against Drugs in 1985 and was a regular columnist for Inside Sports magazine. Overcoming the "Mr. Oprah" label was a small portion of the eight-year "inner struggle" to discover himself outlined in his book titled You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success (Simon & Schuster/1997 release). . . . The 6-6, 200-pound forward averaged 10.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in his three-year varsity career (41-35 record), averaging 12.3 ppg and 10 rpg as a junior in 1972-73, and 15.2 ppg and 8.5 rpg as a senior in 1973-74. He played his freshman season in junior college for Weatherford (Tex.). Graham dabbled briefly in modeling and played professional basketball in Europe before conceding the NBA was out of his reach.

EARL G. "BUTCH" GRAVES JR., Yale
Son of one of the nation's most prominent and well-connected African-American executives. His father is the Founder, Publisher and CEO of Black Enterprise, the 300,000-circulation monthly magazine that had its advertising revenue increase from $8.7 million in 1986 to $22 million 10 years later, and author of the 1997 release How to Succeed in Business Wihtout Being White. Butch oversees Black Enterprise, his father's personal investments and the book tour. . . . Two-time All-Ivy League first-team selection led the Ivy in scoring in conference competition each of his last three Yale seasons (19.9 ppg in 1981-82, 22.1 ppg in 1982-83 and 23.6 ppg in 1983-84). The 6-3, 200-pounder played briefly with the Cleveland Cavaliers after being a third-round draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers.

J. WILLIAM GRIMES, West Virginia Wesleyan College
Former President & CEO of ESPN made the fateful decision in the mid-1980s to turn the tables on the cable companies that carried the network. Rather than paying them five cents per subscriber, ESPN asked them to pay for the right. The plan succeeded and, within a few years, the network was generating a profit. . . . Steady four-year basketball player was senior captain in 1962-63, finishing his career with 941 points, 246 rebounds and 129 assists. He averaged a career-high 16.8 ppg as a junior.

DR. HAROLD HALBROOK, Evansville
Heart surgeon at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis performed the first heart transplant in Indiana in 1982, marking the first ever heart transplant operation in a private hospital. . . . He was a senior class president on the 1959 team winning the first of Evansville's five NCAA College Division national championships. On the '59 national titlist, he played in 11 games and collected nine points and seven rebounds.

JAY HANDLAN, Washington & Lee (Va.)
Chairman of one of the nation's largest technical staffing services firms - H.L. Yoh Company in Philadelphia. . . . Holds school records for single-season scoring average (26.2 ppg in 1950-51) and career scoring average (21.3 ppg). Attempted an NCAA-record 71 field-goal attempts when he scored 66 points in a game against Furman.

BILL HARRISON, North Carolina
CEO of Chase Manhattan in New York. . . . Played in two games for the Tar Heels under coach Dean Smith as a sophomore in 1963-64.

DR. LAWRENCE HATCHETT, Marquette
Director of Southern Illinois Urology, based in Marion, after serving as the Director of The Bladder Control Center of Tallahassee, Fla., for 10 years. . . . Averaged 2 ppg with Marquette from 1977-78 through 1980-81. Scored four points in three minutes of 73-48 victory over Pacific in first round of 1979 NCAA playoffs before contributing a field goal in six minutes of opening-round loss against Villanova the next year. Received medical diploma from the University of Chicago.

WILLIAM "BUCKY" HATCHETT, Rutgers
Served as an executive with RCA. . . . The Scarlet Knights' first 1,000-point scorer averaged 18.3 ppg as a sophomore in 1947-48 and 17.2 ppg as a junior in 1948-49. He also earned letters at Rutgers in track and football.

JAMIE HOROWITZ, Amherst (Mass.)
President of Fox Sports National Networks previously held similar management and program development duties with ESPN prior to a stint as Senior VP/General Manager of NBC News' Today morning show. . . . The 6-2 guard scored 49 points in 22 games for Amherst in 1994-95 and 1995-96.

EDWIN HUBBLE, Chicago
Individual for whom the Hubble Telescope is named. He showed that galaxies besides our own existed in the universe and that it is expanding, findings that formed the cornerstone of the Big Bang Theory. . . . Hubble, who also competed in track & field, helped lead Chicago to a 12-0 basketball record and the school's third straight Big Ten Conference title in 1908-09. He earned his doctorate in 1917.

JOHN HUMMER, Princeton
Venture capitalist is co-founding Partner of Hummer Winblad Venture Partners. Served as a director of start-up and public software companies and currently serves on the board of Employease, IMX (Industrywide Mortgage Exchange), NTE (National Transportation Exchange) and Starmine. . . . Two-time All-Ivy League first-team selection averaged 15.4 ppg during his career with the Tigers. First-round draft choice of the Buffalo Braves in 1970 (15th pick overall). His nephew, Ian, played for Princeton.

LEVI JACKSON, Yale
Longtime executive with General Motors Corporation in Detroit was the first African American to play football for Yale. Jackson, who ran for a 59-yard touchdown on the fourth play in his first game in 1946, became the first freshman ever to win the Bulger Lowe Award, given annually to the outstanding football player in New England. He lettered in football four years and was captain as a senior in 1949. . . . Jackson scored 58 points in 42 varsity basketball games with Yale from 1947-48 through 1949-50.

MANNIE JACKSON, Illinois
Senior vice president, Honeywell, Inc., head of International and Home Building Control unit. The owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, a team he played for after graduating from Illinois, is the ultimate success rags-to-riches saga. Jackson was born in a boxcar in East St. Louis. . . . Three-year starter averaged 11.1 points per game in 1957-58, 13.6 in 1958-59 and 16.4 in 1959-60. Named to second five on UPI All-Big Ten team as a senior after finishing 10th in the league in scoring. Had 32-point game against Iowa as a senior captain. Finished Illini career as fourth-leading scorer in school history with 922 points. Excerpt from school guide: "A spring-legged jump shooter played forward his first year before being shifted to guard. Quick hands and an excellent eye for the basket."

MICHAEL JACKSON, Georgetown
Assistant to Turner Sports President Harvey Schiller. Served as president of Yankees-Nets, a media partnership between two of New York's major pro franchises. . . . Three-time All-Big East Conference third-team selection his last three seasons averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.1 apg for Georgetown from 1982-83 through 1985-86.

DR. DAVID JONES, Mercer
Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Supervises 20 doctors, more than 100 employees, and oversees in excess of 800 surgeries per year. . . . Four-year letterman and two-year starter captained the Bears his junior and senior seasons. He averaged 4.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game from 1970-71 through 1973-74. Known as the consummate role player, Jones helped Mercer make the transition from Division II to Division I status his junior year. "The greatest thing coach (Dwayne) Morrison taught me was how to take charges," Jones said. "I was always drawing those fouls."

LARRY JONES, Oklahoma City
Founded Feed the Children, a non-profit ministry that provides relief for poverty and disaster victims worldwide, after previously serving as a pastor of a United Methodist Church and as an evangelist. He and his wife, Frances, host a syndicated national television show for their $100 million, Oklahoma City-based charity organization. Country singers such as Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire are particularly empathetic, Jones believes, because many of them have known hard times themselves. "By far, the majority of them have not forgotten where they came from." . . . Starting guard averaged 14.7 points per game from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Abe Lemons. The 5-11 Jones led OCU in scoring as a senior with 20.7 ppg, finishing 61st in the nation.

VERNON JORDAN, DePauw (Ind.)
Powerful, well-connected lawyer was one of Washington's most important power brokers. Former president of the National Urban League and United Negro College Fund was a confidant of President Bill Clinton. Jordan made headlines in 1998 in connection with allegations that Clinton, while carrying on a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, obstructed justice by asking him to find Lewinsky a job in exchange for her silence about the affair. Jordan, who was shot by a white supremacist in 1980, joined the boards of many of the nation's biggest corporations--including Xerox, American Express and Dow Jones. . . . Member of DePauw's reserve basketball squad in the mid-1950s.

TOM KIVISTO, Kansas
Oilman in Tulsa, founder of the fifth-largest privately held company in the U.S. in 2007, promised to donate $12 million to renovate his alma mater's football stadium. He was fired as president and CEO in 2008 from SemGroup LP, the energy company based primarily on the delivery of crude oil he founded eight years previously. The firm filed for bankruptcy earlier that year because of $2.4 billion in debts stemming from bad gambles in the oil futures market. Former FBI director Louis J. Freeh was appointed by a bankruptcy court to sort out petition documents claiming that Kivisto owed the company $290 million in trading losses through his personal trading company. Kivisto earned $42.5 million in salary, bonuses and other compensation in the year leading up to the bankruptcy filing. . . . Captain of the Jayhawks' 1974 Final Four team when he was an All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection and set a school single-game record with 18 assists against Nebraska. He scored more than 50 points in three Illinois high school games in 1969-70 after his brother, Bob, tallied 52 in 1965 under their father/coach (Ernie Kivisto) before also aligning with KU.

BILL KRETZER, North Carolina State
Chief executive of yarn maker Unifi Corporation from 1985 until retiring in 1999. The textile company had 6,000 employees. . . . The 6-7 center from Springfield, N.J., averaged 7.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game for the Wolfpack from 1965-66 through 1967-68. In one of the most famous games in ACC Tournament history, he held the ball for more than 13 minutes in N.C. State's 12-10 semifinal victory over 10th-ranked Duke in a pre-shot clock game in 1968.

BILL LAURIE, Memphis State
Former high school basketball coach breeds and trains horses at Crown Center Farms, south of Columbia, Mo. He and his wife, Nancy, are Walt-Mart heirs. They purchased the NHL St. Louis Blues and Kiel Center for an estimated $100 million in September 1999 after failing to buy the NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche and their new Pepsi Center Arena earlier in the year. They also failed in their attempt to purchase the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies and move them to St. Louis. Nancy is the daughter of the late Bud Walton and niece of the late Sam Walton, the brothers who founded Wal-Mart. . . . Laurie, reared in Versailles, Mo., was a 5-10 guard who averaged 3.9 points per game for Memphis State team losing to UCLA in the 1973 NCAA Tournament final when Bruins All-American center Bill Walton hit 21 of 22 field-goal attempts.

JOHN L. LEE, Yale
Business executive and philanthropist. President and CEO of Barber Oil Corporation, Philbro Resource Corporation and Tosco Corporation before moving to the Hexcel Corporation. In the 1990s, he led a campaign that raised $1.75 billion for his alma mater. Yale honored him with the Yale Medal, its highest alumni award, in 1989 and the Yale Distinguished Alumni award in 1993. . . . Three-time All-Ivy League first-team forward averaged 20.3 ppg from 1955-56 through 1957-58. Scored a team-high 25 points in a 90-74 first-round loss against eventual champion North Carolina in the 1957 NCAA playoffs. Third-round choice in the 1958 NBA draft by the New York Knicks (19th pick overall); three selections ahead of Wayne Embry and 17 before Don Ohl. In 1996, the area where Yale conducted basketball, volleyball and gymnastics competition was renamed the John L. Lee Amphitheater.

MATT LYNETT, Manhattan
President of Wells Fargo Bank-Metro Denver from 2001 to 2006 was named chief executive of Young Americans Center for Financial Education in the spring of 2007. . . . Averaged 6.4 ppg from 1968-69 through 1970-71.

TOM MacMAHON, St. Peter's
CEO of Laboratory Corporation of America, a company with approximately 23,000 employees and annual revenue of $2.9 billion in 2003. Known as LabCorp, the company is a national leader in clinical testing. . . . MacMahon was fourth in scoring for St. Peter's 1968 NIT team, averaging 13.5 ppg. Finishing with 902 career points, he was a teammate of Elnardo Webster (school's leader in career scoring and rebounding average) and former Peacocks coach Bob Leckie.

JOHN MACZUZAK, Pittsburgh
President and Chief Operating Officer of National Steel Corporation, one of the five largest integrated steel producers in North America. . . . Averaged 3 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Pitt from 1959-60 through 1961-62. The 6-5, 250-pound defensive tackle played in one game with the AFL's Kansas City Chiefs in 1964 after being their 22nd-round draft choice the previous year. He was a ninth-round pick by the NFL's San Francisco 49ers in 1963.

LARRY K. MAHANEY, Maine
Sales for Webber Oil, one of the top 20 privately-owned corporations in New England, increased from $19 million in 1969 when he was elected president to $224 million in 1990. Webber distributes gasoline to approximately 150 outlets (over half of them company-owned) and has more than 80,000 retail heating oil and propane gas customers. . . . Three-year letterman captained Maine's basketball team as a senior in 1950-51 when averaging 12.1 ppg, finishing his career with a 6.1-point scoring average. Following a stint in the U.S. Air Force, he served his alma mater as an assistant coach in football and basketball while completing his master's degree.

BOB McGUIRE, Iona
Former Chairman and CEO of Pinkerton's Inc. and former President of Kroll Associates, Inc., an international corporate investigations and security consulting firm. Lawyer served as Police Commissioner, the youngest in New York City's history, from 1978 (when he was 41) through 1983 under Mayor Ed Koch. Mr. McGuire was appointed Special Master by a county district attorney to oversee the Gambino family's exit from the garment industry. . . . Averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.5 rpg for the Gaels in the late 1950s.

PAT McKENZIE, Saint John's (Minn.)
Team physician for the Green Bay Packers. . . . Starting point guard for Saint John's 1979 NAIA Tournament team.

CHARLEY MENCEL, Minnesota
Retired as the CEO and president of Caterpillar Paving Products. . . . His career scoring total of 1,391 points from 1951-52 through 1954-55 stood as a school record for 23 years. He was an All-American who averaged 15.9 points per game in his four-year Minnesota career. Selected by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1955 NBA draft.

STEVE MILLS, Princeton
President of Sports Team Operations/Madison Square Garden oversees the operational and business dealings for the "World's Most Famous Arena." Mills climbed the ladder of the NBA's executive ranks for 16 years, going from account executive to the commissioner's office where he helped develop the idea for the "Dream Team." . . . Three-year letterman from 1978-79 through 1980-81 played under legendary Princeton coach Pete Carril. Mills scored a team-high 16 points in a 60-51 first-round defeat against BYU in 1981 East Regional.

MATT MINOFF, Yale
Director of Israel's Playing for Peace program, an international initiative founded in 2001 that focuses on grass roots peace-building. . . . The 6-6 Minoff averaged 6.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Yale from 2000-01 through 2003-04.

MIKE MORAN, Nebraska-Omaha
Director of media and public affairs for the U.S. Olympic Committee for many years. . . . Member of UNO's basketball team for a short period in the mid-1960s.

GEORGE MUNROE, Dartmouth
HE had a 29-year career as an executive with Phelps Dodge Corp., including vice president in 1962, president/director in 1966, CEO in 1969 and chair/CEO from 1975 to 1987. Phelps Dodge is a Fortune 500 company and the nation's leading copper producer. Munroe, who served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, was a trustee and chairman of the Finance Committee of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. . . . The 6-0 forward, an All-American as a junior, was the leading scorer for runner-up in the 1942 NCAA Tournament (22-4 record) and averaged 12.6 points in seven NCAA Tournament games from 1941 through 1943. He tallied 20 points in a 47-28 national-semifinal victory over Kentucky to help eliminate the Wildcats in their first Final Four appearance.

AL NUNESS, Minnesota
Worked for three Fortune 500 companies as well as serving as the director of ticket sales for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their infancy. Director of sales and marketing for Buddy, Inc., before becoming V-P of Sports Sales for Jostens. . . . Junior college transfer was an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection in 1968-69 when the guard averaged 16.4 ppg as team MVP. He was the Gophers' first-ever African-American assistant coach.

DAVID PACKARD, Stanford
Co-founder of computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard was Deputy Secretary of Defense in the first Nixon administration. Packard and partner William Hewlett founded their company in 1938 with $538 and eventually grew the business into a $31 billion high-tech organization. . . . The 6-4 electrical engineering major was a letterman for Stanford's 1931-32 basketball squad.

DAVID PALACIO, Texas Western
Executive vice president of EMI Latin, which is affiliated with Capitol Records in Hollywood, Calif. . . . Backup guard for Texas Western's 1966 NCAA championship team scored a season-high four points against Loyola (La.). Contributed a second-half field goal when the Miners erased a 16-point halftime deficit to win in overtime at New Mexico, 67-64. In their next outing, he chipped in with another basket in a 69-67 triumph over Arizona State. Palacio averaged 7.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game the next season as a junior.

JAY PICCOLA, Roanoke (Va.)
President of PUMA (USA), one of the largest sports attire companies in the world. . . . Three-time College Division All-American was the leading scorer (16.2) and second-leading rebounder (8.3 rpg) as a sophomore forward for the Maroons' 1972 national championship team. The 6-5 Piccola averaged 15.7 ppg during his four-year career.

LARRY RAFFERTY, Fairfield
Founder and CEO of Cohane Rafferty Securities, LLC, an investment bank specializing in the mortgage banking and financial institutions industry. The business was sold to Lehman Brothers in 2001. . . . Stags captain was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in 16th round (109th pick overall) in 1965 NBA draft. Averaged 10 ppg and 5 rpg in 1962-63 for Fairfield and 10.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg in 1966-67.

JACKIE ROBINSON, UNLV
CEO of H3 Enterprises, which is dedicated to the Hip Hop culture and lifestyle. Formerly served as Chairman and CEO of RLLW, Inc., a franchisee of 73 Pizza Hut restaurants. Also spent 20 years as Chairman and CEO of Robinson, Loyd & Associates, the largest administrator of federal tax credit programs in Nevada for all major casinos while later serving as an executive at the Aladdin Hote & Casino. . . . Averaged 11.4 ppg and 6.1 rpg from 1973-74 through 1977-78. He led the Rebels in rebounding in 1975-76 before failing to play for UNLV's 1977 Final Four squad while redshirting because of an ankle operation.

JOHN W. "JACK" ROGERS, Miami (Ohio)
Retired chairman and CEO of United Parcel Service (UPS) lived in Ft. Myers, Fla. . . . Earned basketball letter as a 6-1 junior guard in 1953-54 when he collected 38 points and 25 rebounds in 14 games. Sketch in Miami (Ohio) guide: "Came back for another try after being skipped his sophomore season, and to (Coach Bill) Rohr that spells desire. Still the sharpshooter that made him College Corner's high scorer for three years, he has developed more of the hungry drive that Rohr demands." The College Corner gym had one goal in Indiana and one in Ohio.

JOHN W. ROGERS JR., Princeton
The No. 1 black money manager in the U.S. parlayed a serious childhood hobby into a money management empire. He seldom strays from his conservative investment strategy: buy undervalued small- to medium-size company stocks with long-term potential. In 1983, the son of a judge founded one of the country's first minority-owned investment advisory firms, Ariel Capital Management, in his Chicago hometown. He is chairman and CEO. The motto of his newsletter hawking hot investing tips, the Patient Investor, was "Slow and Steady Wins the Race." . . . The 6-0, 185-pound guard averaged 3.6 points per game in 23 varsity contests from 1977-78 through 1979-80. His first varsity start was a 66-61 five-overtime victory over Cornell as a junior. In his next game, he scored 20 points against Brown. Captained Princeton's team as a senior. Rogers, an economics major, carried copies of business magazines with him to away games and would call his broker from stadium pay phones. He flew to the West Coast to appear on the Wheel of Fortune game show, winning $8,600 in prizes that he immediately handed over to his broker.

F. SHERWOOD ROWLAND, Ohio Wesleyan
Shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1995 for his work in researching ozone depletion in the atmosphere. One of the world's most influential environmental experts splits his time as foreign secretary of the National Academy of Sciences and professor of chemistry at UC Irvine. . . . Attended college in his hometown of Delaware, Ohio, after graduating from high school in 1943 a few weeks before his 16th birthday. Wrote Rowland in an autobiography: "During these war years, only 30 or 40 civilian males were on campus, plus about 200 naval officer trainees and 1,000 women. With so few men available, I played on the university basketball and baseball teams (forward averaged 6.2 ppg in 1946-47 and 10.2 ppg in 1947-48), and wrote much of the sports page for the university newspaper. I enlisted in a Navy program to train radar operators. I served in several Midwestern Naval Separation Centers, as the 10 million Americans who had preceded me into the military were returned to civilian life. A major amount of this Navy time was devoted to competitive athletics for the Navy base teams, and I emerged after 14 months as a non-commissioned officer with a rating of Specialist (Athletics) 3rd class. My interest in competitive athletics also continued unabated in graduate school. Because of the atypical structure of its undergraduate college system, the University of Chicago, unlike almost all other American universities, permitted graduate students to compete in intercollegiate athletics. During my first graduate year, I played both basketball and baseball for the university team." Rowland was the team's leading rebounder as a senior.

GEORGE SELLA, Princeton
Former President, CEO and Chairman of American Cyanamid, a major chemical company. . . . Averaged 7.8 points per game in three varsity seasons from 1947-48 through 1949-50. The 5-10, 187-pounder was named to the first five on the All-Ivy League team as a junior and senior. Excerpt from Princeton guide: "One of the greatest all-around performers in Princeton athletic history, George captained Princeton's football team from his halfback position and at season's close figured conspicuously in All-American and All-Eastern selections. The speed and know-how George displays on the football field is also in evidence on the basketball court."

BILL SEXTON, Saint John's (Minn.)
Former owner and partner of Old Northwest Agents, an insurance brokerage firm in Minneapolis. Alma mater's arena is named after the part-minority owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves. . . . Holds the Saint John's single-game scoring record with 49 points.

WILLIAM E. SEXTON, Alabama
Self-made businessman is founder of Sexton, Inc., a family investment company engaged in private equity, real estate and venture capital. . . . Lettered for the Crimson Tide in 1953 and 1954, playing under coach Johnny Dee. He was Alabama captain as a senior.

EDDIE SHELDRAKE, UCLA
Restauranteur is largest holder of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Anaheim-based Polly's Pies franchises in the country. He operated as many as 15 KFCs and 13 Polly's in Southern California. Opened the first Polly's Pie Restaurant in 1968 with his brother. . . . Swingman was a starter with the Bruins in 1949-50 and 1950-51 for coach John Wooden. All-PCC South selection as a senior when he averaged 10.4 ppg and was team captain. Scored 11 points in UCLA's first-ever NCAA Tournament game (73-59 setback against Bradley in 1950) before scoring a team-high 21 points in an 83-62 loss to Brigham Young in the Western Regional third-place contest.

CECIL J. "PETE" SILAS, Georgia Tech
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Phillips Petroleum Company. . . . The 6-6, 180-pound forward led the Yellow Jackets in scoring each of his four varsity seasons (11.7 points per game in 1950-51, 17.1 ppg in 1951-52, 13.7 ppg in 1952-53 as an All-SEC first-team selection and 17 ppg in 1953-54). He set Georgia Tech records at the time for points in a game (39 against Furman) and in a season (393 as a junior). Silas also grabbed 24 rebounds in the Furman game in a season he led the Yellow Jackets in rebounding with 13.7 per game. Member of gold-medal winning U.S. Pan American Games team in 1955 while serving in the Armed Forces. Silas was selected by the Minneapolis Lakers in the 1953 NBA draft.

BILL STURGILL, Kentucky
The coal magnate, who owned the largest coal auger in the world at one time with a seven-foot blade, pioneered strip mining and reclaiming techniques often criticized by environmentalists. Sturgill, who played for Kentucky under legendary coach Adolph Rupp, was also a prominent figure in the horse and tobacco industry and served in Gov. John Y. Brown Jr.'s administration as secretary of a combined Agriculture and Energy Cabinet. . . . Sturgill, who averaged 2.4 ppg in 1944-45 (NCAA playoff participant) and 1945-46 (NIT champion), was instrumental in bringing Rick Pitino to the Wildcats as chairman of the UK board of trustees for 10 years.

BARRY F. SULLIVAN, Georgetown
Career banker retired as chairman of the First Chicago Corporation before returning to his hometown to serve as New York's deputy mayor for finance and economic development from 1992 to 1994. He worked at Chase Manhattan Bank for 24 years, earning distinction as the youngest Executive Vice President in the bank's history in 1972. . . . Averaged 16.1 ppg each season for the Hoyas in 1950-51 and 1951-52 before leaving Georgetown for military service.

PAUL TAGLIABUE, Georgetown
NFL commissioner from October, 1989, to July, 2006. Pete Rozell's successor strengthened revenue sharing and there were no players' strikes or lockouts during his tenure. . . . The 6-5 forward averaged 11.4 points and nine rebounds per game in three varsity seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Led the Hoyas in rebounding as a sophomore (8.9 rpg) and junior (8.2 rpg) and was their second-leading rebounder as a senior captain. Sketch in Georgetown guide: "One of the toughest competitors ever to wear the Blue and Gray. At his best when the going gets toughest. Fierce rebounder, an excellent shooter and a tireless performer. President of his class."

RICH TARRANT, Saint Michael's (Vt.)
Founder and chairman of IDX Systems Corporation, a firm providing payroll and claims processing for physicians that had nearly 5,000 employees nationwide and reported revenues of approximately $460 million. In 2005, IDX was purchased by General Electric for $1.2 billion. Entrepreneur was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from the state of Vermont in 2006, but lost the election to Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist. . . . AP All-American as a senior in 1964-65 posted highest three-year point total in school history (1,762). Holds numerous school single-season and career scoring records, including points per game in a season (28 ppg in 1963-64) and a career (25.2). Selected by the Boston Celtics in fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft (35th pick overall).

FRANKLIN THOMAS, Columbia
President of the Ford Foundation since 1979 is listed in Who's Who in America. He was on the board of directors of Citicorp/Citibank, CBS and AT&T. Became chairman of the board of the September 11th Fund. . . . Thomas, Columbia's all-time leading rebounder (1,022 in 71 games from 1953-54 through 1955-56), averaged a school-record 16.3 per game as a junior. The 6-4, 205-pounder led the Lions in rebounding all three of his varsity seasons, finishing his career with averages of 14.2 rebounds and 11.5 points per game. He was a second-team All-Ivy League selection as a senior.

JIM THORDSEN, St. Joseph's (Ind.)
Member of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce. Part of the Board of Directors and President-Founder of the Sports and Recreation Committee. After his retirement as a player in 1983, he founded his own sports marketing and public relations agency. . . . The first Puerto Rican named to a Little All-American team averaged 20.5 ppg and 9 rpg from 1971-72 through 1974-75. Played in two Olympics with the Puerto Rican National Team.

MONROE TROUT, Harvard
Considered among the trading elite on Chicago's volatile commodity markets. According to the New York Times, his Trout Trading Company earned profits in 69 of 79 consecutive months, an outstanding ratio. . . . He set a Harvard record for season field-goal shooting (65.9%) as a sophomore in 1981-82. The 6-9 center averaged 10 and 10.6 points per game in his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively, before slipping to 3.4 ppg as a senior.

CHARLES TUCKER, Western Michigan
Powerful Michigan-based sports agent has had clients such as Mark Aguirre, Carl Banks, Cornelius Bennett, Magic Johnson, Glen Rice, Glenn Robinson, Steve Smith, Isiah Thomas, Thurman Thomas, Lorenzo White and Kevin Willis. Tucker, who earned a doctorate in clinical psychology, stumbled upon the agent career when Johnson chose to make himself available for the NBA draft after his sophomore year at Michigan State and asked Tucker to represent him. . . . The 6-1, 190-pound guard earned a letter with the Broncos as a junior in 1966-67 when averaging 3.7 points per game and was scoreless in three games as a senior.

BOBBY TUDOR, Rice
Managing Director and Head of Goldman Sachs' Southwest Region, supervising professionals in the Houston and Dallas offices, before becoming Partner of the firm in 1998. He subsequently moved to London and assumed responsibility for all industry groups in investment banking in Europe. Retiring in 2006 after a 20-year career with Goldman Sachs, he became Chairman and CEO of Tudor, Pickering & Co. LLC, a boutique energy investment and merchant banking firm. . . . Teammate of Ricky Pierce averaged 9.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg from 1978-79 through 1981-82. Tudor led the Owls in free-throw percentage as a junior and assists plus steals as a senior.

SEAN TUOHY, Mississippi
Fast-food millionaire owned over 80 Taco Bell, KFC and Long John Silver restaurants. White adoptive father of African-American Michael Oher, an offensive tackle who also attended Ole Miss and became an NFL first-round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens in 2009 plus the subject of the movie "The Blind Side" starring Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. . . . Two-time All-SEC selection paced the league in assists all four seasons from 1978-79 through 1981-82. Twice led Ole Miss in free-throw percentage (as a sophomore and senior).

HAL UPLINGER, Long Island
Gained notoriety as the television producer for Bob Geldolf's "Live Aids Concert." The California television and marketing executive also served as the executive director of the World Games, a sort of Olympics for non-Olympic sports. . . . Averaged 8.3 points per game in 20 games as a starter for the 1950-51 LIU squad. Scored a game-high 26 points for Los Angeles City College in the 1950 NJCAA Tournament final when that school captured the title. Played one season (1953-54) in the NBA with Baltimore under his LIU coach (Clair Bee). Excerpt from school guide: "Works like a beaver under the backboards, utilizing his 6-4 frame in a way that belies his placid appearance."

TINKHAM VEALE II, Case Western Reserve (Ohio)
Founder and chairman of five separate corporations donated the funds to build his alma mater's state-of-the-art recreation complex. He also breeds thoroughbred racehorses in partnerships with several farms. . . . Earned three basketball letters in college.

LLOYD WARD, Michigan State
He was President/Central Division Frito-Lay, Inc. before becoming President and Chairman of Maytag Appliance. After leaving Maytag in November 2000, he became the first African-American to head the U.S. Olympic Committee before stepping down from that position in March 2003. . . . The 5-10, 165-pound guard averaged 4.8 points per game in three varsity seasons (1967-68 through 1969-70) with the Spartans. He was Michigan State's sixth-leading scorer as a senior with an average of 7.3 ppg.

JIMMY WESTON, St. John's
One-time police detective owned several restaurants, but none more popular than the smoky, jazz-jumping joint named after him on 54th Street in Manhattan. The saloon, opened in 1967 and closed in the late 1980s, would be frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra, George Steinbrenner, Muhammad Ali and Tony Bennett. . . . Teammate of All-American Dick McGuire averaged 4.1 ppg in 1947-48 for St. John's.

KENNY WOLFE, Harvard
Producer for ABC's Monday Night Football. . . . The 6-2, 165-pound guard was an honorable mention All-Ivy League pick as a senior in 1973-74 when finishing as Harvard's third-leading scorer with 9.8 points per game. The previous season, he led the league in free-throw shooting in conference competition (93.5%). Wolfe, a teammate of sports announcer James Brown, averaged 7 ppg in his three-year varsity career.

GERALD ZORNOW, Rochester (N.Y.)
President and Chairman of the Board of the Eastman Kodak Company from 1970 to 1977. . . . Three-sport letter winner graduated in 1937.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 31 MLB Games

October 31st, 2015 - 8:31

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 31 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 31

  • SS Alvin Dark (basketball letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) traded by the Milwaukee Braves to the San Francisco Giants in 1960.

  • Baltimore Orioles LHP Mike Flanagan (averaged 13.9 ppg for Massachusetts' 15-1 freshman squad in 1971-72) named winner of the 1979 A.L. Cy Young Award.

  • RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) started Game 4 for the Kansas City Royals when they defeated the New York Mets, 5-3, to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the 2015 World Series.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 30 MLB Games

October 30th, 2015 - 6:26

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 30 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 30

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman basketball squad in 1953-54) and St. Louis Cardinals 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) finished 1-2 in N.L. MVP voting in 1963.

  • 1B Gary Holle (Siena's scoring and rebounding leader in 1974-75 and 1975-76) traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981.

  • Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) hired as Baltimore Orioles manager in 1995.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 29 MLB Games

October 29th, 2015 - 6:21

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 29 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 29

  • Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) stepped down as president and general manager of the Chicago Cubs in 1987.

  • OF Wally Roettger (Illinois letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) purchased from the New York Giants by the Cincinnati Reds in 1930.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 28 MLB Games

October 28th, 2015 - 6:48

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 28 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 28

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading basketball scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) captured the Cy Young Award in 1968.

  • A homer by Atlanta Braves RF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg) against the Cleveland Indians accounted for the only run in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series as the Braves became the first franchise to win championships representing three different cities (previously Boston and Milwaukee).

  • 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) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975.

  • OF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Seattle Mariners in 2002.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 27 MLB Games

October 27th, 2015 - 7:46

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 27 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 27

  • SS Dick Groat (two-time basketball All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) traded with 1B Bill White (played two years with Hiram OH in early 1950s) and C Bob Uecker by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies for C Pat Corrales, OF Alex Johnson and P Art Mahaffey in 1965.

  • In the longest opener in World Series history (14 innings), Kansas City Royals RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) fanned the side in the 12th en route to three hitless frames and becoming the winner against the New York Mets, 5-4, in 2015.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Make Mark on October 26 MLB Games

October 26th, 2015 - 6:43

Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements and moments involving former college basketball players! Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Nonetheless, numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games, transactions and dates in MLB history.

Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an October 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

OCTOBER 26

  • Detroit Tigers OF Hank Greenberg (attended NYU briefly on basketball scholarship in late 1920s) won 1940 A.L. MVP.

  • In 1960, Washington Senators President Calvin Griffith (letterman in 1934 and 1935 when George Washington compiled 25-10 record) made decision to move franchise to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

  • RHP Oral Hildebrand (All-American for Butler in 1928-29 and 1929-30) traded by the St. Louis Browns to the New York Yankees in 1938.

  • RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Mizzou in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Texas Rangers to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973.

Predictable Pathetic Presstitutes: What Differences Does It Make? Part II

October 25th, 2015 - 21:32

"Liberals claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views." - William F. Buckley Jr.

If permanently-injured CNBC was part of a horse network rather than peacock, the smear machine would have to be shot after woeful performance moderating a Republican debate. Reinforcing what many right-thinkers (not left-feelers) already believe with CNBC's John Whorewood serving as Exhibit A (as in _ss), the American media can no longer be trusted. Their warped make-love-not-war sentiment includes lying to the masses about what comprises a winner following Hillary Rotten admitting lying about who was responsible for the murders of individuals under her charge. Whether it is assessing the veracity of an owe-your-gender-one presidential candidate by national political pundits or prominent college basketball coach by the toy department (sports), an overwhelmingly liberal lame-stream press predictably focused on style (Ready For Hillary 2016) over substance (Shrillary for Prisoner 2016) and gave Rick Pitino's polluted program an accountability pass. In the feeble minds of genius lib-nuts, it is justifiable or there is rationale for certifiably corrupt Clinton already deserving designation as POTUS-in-waiting and Pitino's "free-love" contract with Louisville should be extended another couple of terms for more Get-Your-Fill-In-The-Ville pitiful parties.

Call the mess-media debris Lyin' Brian fallout as the pathetic press sniffs Dr. Ben droppings similar to "The View" of pack of demented dogs. In a previous election cycle, a slobbering NBC anchor Brian "Save the Tin Foil" Williams of climate-change commercial fame (a/k/a self-proclaimed patriot) was fond of displaying adoring news magazine "halo" covers to failed President Barack Obama and then asking if His Earness' mother would have liked the image. No wonder Williams, another thrill-down-his-leg Peacock employee, was criticized for such a softball interview of Obama, who seems more comfortable in a mosque and exhibits more cartoon-like aggression toward Christian Conservatives dictating rules of engagement than to cartoon-hating Muslim marauders murdering Seal Team 6 patriots. Since Pinocchio nose-for-news Williams is in dire need of a drool bucket and truth serum, perhaps one of his echo-chamber counterparts who isn't certified Obama Orgasmic should brandish photos of murdered Americans in front of pen-and-a-phone POTUS and ask DingleBarry if he sleeps well at night knowing the Monarch Messiah did everything humanly possible before and during the Benghazi consulate attack to protect and save these hero sons of steadfast mothers. The Drone Ranger could also be asked what was the "dishonor-the-memory" initiative for give-me-a-break trusted "cloth-wiping comrade" when the former Secretary of State flippantly said during previous testimony: "What difference does it make?"

Insofar as "I Am Woman/Hear Me Bore" (curing insomnia even more than fossilized sex-expert socialist/Russia honeymooner Bozo Bernie) and a vital general weren't interviewed by the less-than-thorough accountability review board, the difference could be a "smidgeon" of honesty with the country's citizens boasting a triple-digit IQ vs. cover-up deception with much of the misguided media such as ABC phony journalist Gorgeous George serving as maddening wicked accomplices. Amid a geriatric "Free Spit vs. Bull Spit" duel, a probing press sits on the bottom-feeder sideline missing as much as the Rose Law Firm documents collecting dust on a table years ago in Hillary the Horrible's White House office (probably under Bubba's strategically-placed cigar box) or authenticity of Lyin' Brian's stories. Media misfits keep up with facts and vital news as well as former First Fabricator does her hustler husband's "Energizer" Honey after serial sexual harasser Sick Willie's number of extra-martial affairs more than doubled the age of a pizza-delivering intern in the Oral Office. In the wake of Moonlite Bunny Ranch hookers endorsing Stepford Shrillary, Bimbo-chasing Bubba probably headed West Old Man to join Lamar Odom in verifying level of libido support unless hedge-fund billionaire buddy Jeffrey Epstein arranged another more stimulating trip.

Speaking of arousal, perhaps saucy Megyn Kelly could pry herself loose from an unwanted Roger Ailes hug and try one of her GQ poses to lure the "I-wasn't-thinking-a-lot" Compassionate Communist into the Fox News lair for an authentic interview focusing on more than Hot Sauce in purse. At least shrewd Kelly, a former lawyer, knows a jury needs to be comprised of peers of the accused shrew. In this instance, it will be 12 liars, con artists and/or corrupt politicos resembling her shady staff and haughty hangers-on. Beyond driving her spouse crazy to where he can't define "is" and probably installed a bed rather than desk in his Harlem office, the only thing HRC has driven in the last 20-plus years is a broom. The First Felon's dignity bound together with duct tape after flaunting defense of man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl, Ms. Re-set Button also apparently hasn't done the wash enough like common folk to know how to tell "co-worker" to get stain off a dress. Between choleric coughing fits choking on her own Demonrat drivel, seems as if the Hag Been was too busy selecting Star Trek wardrobe while ignoring pleas from a soon-to-be murdered sacrificial-lamb ambassador seeking more security. Only gullible groupies grasp how he couldn't get through protective maze although someone as vital as virile actor Ben Affleck was anointed with Hillaryous' direct email amid her compromising shoddy handling of top-secret-plus communiques. Look for her to conduct brief news conference and tersely say: "I did not have inappropriate email with that server."

Anyone with a brain wave knew right off the bat "sleep-deprived" Hil-liar-y (thought she said "don't feel no ways tired") was fibbing about bogus Bosnia sniper-fire battle when Cacklin' Cankles claimed she "ran" rather than waddling over to pose for photographs with her iPhone and teenage daughter at the time. ISIS probably is using video of Hillary's escape artistry, comparable to her tale about Chelsea jogging around the World Trade Center on 9/11, to instruct recruits how to elude enemy gunfire. Excessive lying takes a lot out of an old geezer, leaving one with "very low energy" and bags under their eyes while protecting Wall Street speech transcripts more than national top secrets on private server. Apparently in dire need again of beauty sleep, she cut Z's instead of getting vital intelligence briefing just days after the Benghazi attack. No wonder Sleepy avoided family members of victims and was uninterested in viewing riveting movie "13 Hours" inasmuch as George-Soros-in-drag "already slept through it once." Ignoring more than 600 requests for security from "friend" she never talked with after hiring him, did the well-traveled Secretary of State, sporting a fake smile reeking of psychopath, savage the truth maneuvering more adroitly than "the guys out for a walk" who savaged four Americans in Libya? Donning a wig or not, perhaps she could have moved more adroitly if been able to join the Marines. Keg Legs' dressing-down actions such as server-wiping come out of the blue similar to wiping superior-server Monica's DNA-stained blue dress or hurling a blue vase.

In a rare moment of candor, former DNC Chairman Ed Rendell implied majority of the left's female supporters are ugly. Hitlery's hugely-hyphenated hatchet hags/goon girls/treacherous toadies, including Muslim Brotherhood-connected Ms. Huma Abedin-Weiner-Danger, left a permanent "stain" on credibility by discarding their Blackberry, which should earn each of them a "term" (four years behind bars) unless investigators are card-carrying Dimocraps or politically savvy as Charles Barkley. An above-the-law home-brew email account utilized on government time "transparently" describes orchestrating mindset of the frosty frequent-flyer faker forgetting to bring her pretty-and-pink outfit out of mothballs (rather than "drowned rat" look or pretty-in-prison-suit-orange) while explaining with grating voice if didn't-really-think-it-through Snapchat Queen had sufficient sleep after yoga workout when deleting more than 30,000 "personal" emails. Long before she accrued wrinkle filler by the barrel with her 4-H Fan Club President Andrea Mitchell (Hill's Haughty Hack Horde), you can go to HELLary for ethical lapses all the way back to her involvement in the Watergate probe.

In a best-case scenario, the ratio of Over-the-Hill's deleted emails from an apparently premeditated setup indicates she spent more than half of her arduous labor conducting personal business circling the sewer drain on government time despite her sordid spouse failing to use email. As Yoda Jr. lackey Cheryl Mills does her reset-button bidding, it takes a village idiot to fail to discern the litany of lies whenever the Margaret Sanger devotee's lips are moving; although comedy relief is welcomed when repulsive reprobate embraces black voice imitation mode. While the furor among cultist mouthpieces depended on what the meaning of classified is, a rendezvous in a dimly-lit parking garage wasn't even necessary for Hillary's email scandal to remind Washington Post Watergate sleuth Bob Woodward of the Nixon tapes. If accurate about her emails would have been safer on Ashley Madison's cheating website according to former NBC news reporter Fred Francis, the alleged world's smartest woman (despite failing to discern spouse was in adjacent room securing a Monica) is "Queen of the Bile" unqualified to even carry bed-pan urine in or around the nation's capitol. Always confusing to the unwashed exemplified by her stance on dealing with ISIS (whether upper or lower case, defining is-is defies description for her and sordid spouse), the Democratic Dominatrix's theme song at coronation ceremonies should emanate from a Leslie Gore tune with the following updated lyrics: "It's my Party and I can lie if I want to . . . ."

In the meantime, expect another Goiter Goddess tear-fest at a Cafe' Expresso so the serfs and plebeians (militant feminists, welfare magnets, victim-hood vultures, societal illegals, lazy leeches, retread hippies, Hollyweird selfie sluts, etc.) "feel" compelled to vote for the ultimate empty pants suit because the personality-deficit-disorder eyesore is "sad as Eeyore." How convenient the State Department attorney (Katherine Duval) in charge of document production in the classified information scandal had a stint at the IRS putting her at the center of another high-profile missing-email case. Upon a smoking gun emerging during a FBI probe, it should be relayed to the paw-some presidential candidate in the following "classified" way: "Say 'hello' to my little friend (ghost of John Dean or non-wiped server containing pertinent information)." After the wicked witch falls off national schoolmarm wannabee campaign broom, she shouldn't balk taking a "Balkan run" so a departure door doesn't hit prolific place where the Good Lord amply split her! But if Grandma the Great is dispatched to jail, who will be there to succeed the Secretary of Yoga in supporting all the forlorn females and children around the world? For crying out loud, how long will we be subjected to Curse Ratchet barking about needing to clarify on her classified statement regarding clarification of the statement she'd previously tried to clarify? Upon seeking a future headline if AG Loretta Lynch properly defines gross negligence, don't be stunned if Hillary's hell-on-earth cellmate sues for "cruel and unusual punishment" around the time Sean Penn conducts an El Chapo-like interview for Rolling Stone. If her side of the aisle succeed in ridding Gitmo of disgusting terrorists, it would be fitting if she was incarcerated there as their replacement symbolizing Central Committee corruption.

Are we required to stop constructing boxcars and reinforce at least one inquiry for which we're entitled a direct answer? Shrillary Rotten, as callous as probable supporters and depraved Josephine Mengele baby butchers from Planned Profithood flushing down an organic salad with red wine while the ghouls gleefully discussed "crunchy" dismembering of a "17-weeker" or Lamborghini dreaming, needs to undergo a polygraph test to gauge her truth telling. If not a veracity quiz, then how about a driving test since she is so fond of mingling with commoners evidenced by her rope-around-a-dope during a holiday parade? The Dimorat dilemma stemming from Benghazi bungling, IRS mess and self-serving server are textbook examples of cheesy corruption. Weep for our nation because thumb(drive) suckers/bed wetters among the mess media and political players needing brain bleach are in positions of power rather than rooms with padded walls. Memo to nanny-state speech-control puppeteers: What does the "I" in ISIS/ISIL stand for? Amid the Out House whining and dining excessively with Planned Murderhood, the cultural hope and change among the intellectually and morally bankrupt is on steroids. How else can one explain vanity of Bruce Jenner evolving nearly 40 years after Wheaties Box appearance to secure a social-engineering courage award from ESPN (Extra Sensitive Pious Network)? Actually, it takes infinitely more fortitude these days to say you are white, religious and conservative man proud of your heritage and unashamed to voice your life matters, too. But if in need of some grins amid hags and thugs striving to suppress your voice, real men can console themselves that, if Bruce gives another Olympian effort and focuses on Hill's Chairman Mao outfits and $600 haircuts to try to match number of security requests from an ambassador, he can almost end up looking like Hellary, who probably needed to spend $6,000. Cosmetically, it's comparable to slim odds of viewing a video featuring an attractive female employee from PP's plundering Hag Haven Holocaust hem-hawing over whether to sell body parts or send them to a landfill. You'd have more success locating Sasquatch among the visual birth control or, for that matter, an authentic racist soiling the ranks of Tea Party patriots.

Amid Clinton joking with all the warmth of a slug about breaking the law while using her supporters like yesterday's trash, the general public can't possibly have any faith in a pathetic press monitoring these contemptible characters protecting bugs more than babies. A parade of progressive puke running their mouths on outrageous cable sibling MSNBC (Moronville rather than Nerdland), in dire need of mental health checks to "pilot" their valueless programs where "All Truth Matters" is a hateful remark, clearly has contaminated the vanishing credibility of the network's news division. Between stints virtually serving as Shrillary campaign managers, insufferable Krystal "Punked I" Ball and aging Andrea "Punked II" Mitchell probably passed up Williams in their internal on-air personality rankings before execs triggered an internal fact-finding mission. At some crooked juncture, Lyin' Brian probably told "Kibble Bits" Mitchell he was there when Sick Willie dealt with Juanita Broaddrick and never saw a rape occur. When Yoda's mother Andrea, separated at birth from ET twin James Carville, subsequently fell out of the unethical tree, she struck every ranch on the way down dodging "sniper" comments similar to "discredited" Shrillary.

But isn't "fact" a dirty four-letter word to the steady stream of imbeciles deemed "talent" on this deplorable "Lien Forward" network shackled by hypocritical flock of tax cheats? Despite shifting around human-waste time slots like plunger in a commode, MSLSD's principal audience remains comprised of its control room, about half of a haughty host's immediate family plus far-left lunatics attempting to get a glimpse of their relatives on Lockup. After serving a six-month suspension, Williams was consigned to a sinking ship as (fabricating) face of an egregious enterprise. Williams said his undefined number of stretched stories "came from a bad place" and then got to return to the stench of a bad place (MessLSD), which is to journalism what the National Enquirer is to literature and what Mika the Mannequin is to regal reporting. Despite his excessive baggage, Williams is an improvement over MessLSD's low-grade lineup and witless panels unless he also failed to attend a H&R Block tax seminar. Mingling amid this cesspool of flooded-out fools fond of fake squaw Elizabeth Warren (a/k/a "Pow Wow Chow" contributor Lie-awatha), the paleface press potentate at least won't have to fib about seeing (brain)dead bodies, tingling or not, pass him in the halls of his esteemed workplace where falsehoods come as naturally as breathing.

As laughable as Trumping Univision antagonist, courageous NBC executives avoided interviews on their own networks about the Jimmy Carter intern who never graduated from college. In other words, NBC's brass knew for an extended period about the truth decay as Williams frequently was fond of fables but they allowed the storytelling go on and on and on. Sounds similar to the way the wink-and-nod enablers and their piss-poor press counterparts such as Today's Matt Liar treat 50-troop "man" Obama by persistently kissing the ring in No Drama's back pocket plus coddling delusional Dims claiming climate change will force women into prostitution. Meanwhile, the BBC's chatty Katty Kay can't quite comprehend between her going-to-pot MSNBC appearances whether Mainstream Media Midget George tilts left or right - which is equivalent to discerning if the Earth is flat or round. Ditto the gall of Judy Woodruff claiming she is a fair-and-balanced news reader while NPR virtually ignored the Planned Murderhood videos scandal. Do you have any doubt these media mavens give hemorrhoid-causing Hillary a pass when she seamlessly revises and extends remarks to their limits as much as stretching seams of her pants suits? The leftist butt-kisser's club members will also do the same for clean-and-articulate Vice Plagiarist Joe Biden in regard to his anemic charitable donations. Shouldn't MSNBC's misguided Mike Barnicle be a Biden booster solely because they're both profound plagiarists or have they already been admonished as JV by POTUS because "You Didn't Write That"?

Helicopter hallucinator Williams, the (bald) face (liar) of NBC News with a five-year, $50 million contract, slapped veterans in the face with his distortion about being "under fire" during the Iraq War. The Chinook Crooks, including Williams' NBC crew, are so delusional they must have exchanged war stories with corkscrew-flying Shrillary Rotten. Mr. Misremember apologized for the longstanding blatant falsehood but it was chock full of weasel words and deceptive in making it seem as if he witnessed the attack despite being about 30 minutes behind the actual incident. If the lunatic Lohans can sue Fox, then the nation's viewers seeking truth, especially veterans, should be able to file a class-action suit against the $10 million/year valor thief. Williams' lame excuse for the principal chopper whopper was his celebrity-driven "memory evolved," giving critical thinkers added-value insight into how evolution really works for tree-hugging/tin-foil-saving leftists. Demoncrat media celebrities from Dan Blather to perky Katie Couric's gun-rights film deception, displaying all of the analytical ability of a chipmunk, are fond of portraying themselves as righteous although Liberal Lyin' associate Mary Joe Kopechne can not be reached for comment.

This type of do-gooder logic insists a record-snow natural phenomenon in New England is directly attributable to man-caused global warming. As intense as the lovely faces and inspiring brains on The View, the pressure to conform even has the pope seeking to become a climate change-fighting superhero rivaling Al Bore and globe-trotting Barry Obama. Meanwhile, staff-sleeping genius David "No Kidding" Letterman looked like the king of dolts by accepting BSW's series of tall tales hook, line and sinker although an all-wet majority of bed-wetting media misfits curled up in their safe places wet-kissed him and fellow leftist Jon Stewart upon their retirements. Defying common sense, a striking number of progressive nut-jobs claimed they couldn't discern Letterman's politics. Ditto for slanted Stewart, a wannabee journalist hiding behind comedian mask when a topic thrown out for consumption by Anthony Weiner's beach-house buddy doesn't strike public's funny bone.

Come on folks! Don't you "trust" your memory if a dog bit you drawing blood way back in grade school or receiving stitches in an accident "playing Army" (like Williams) with your childhood buddy down the street? When will NBC's complicit colleagues chime in with firsthand accounts of Blustery Brian's brave crusades or are they just classic "yes-people" cowards reveling in street-cred infotainment limelight of "Black Hawk Down Meets Saving Private Ryan"? Call it 50 shades of say(ing) nothing from a network worthy of sponsorship from Burger King (Home of the Whoppers). Did the hangers-on also secure special-ops gifts (throat-cutter, knife and piece of helicopter fuselage destroyed in Abbottabad compound raid) from acclaimed Navy SEAL Team Six? Geez! It has reached the point where we're surprised their embedded boss didn't manage to edit events where he actually shot and killed UBL rather than Robert O'Neill to try to thwart Fox News' ratings-grabber two-part interview. Running the risk of NBC cancelling Collegehoopedia's beauty pageant, it's time to assert: "A liar is a liar is a liar." A single screed secures more money for Shrillary than the average annual salary of a CEO. If hideous Hillary drops out of the presidential race, she could have a "little-hard-to-take" show on MSLSD known as "The Anchor Lady." Resembling tongue-tied colleagues, her intro limerick should be "I'm a little teapot, old and stout; open my mouth and lies come out" before signature sign-off citing Sir Walter Scott's quote: "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive."

None of the stench stemming from Williams' preposterous assertions passed the smell test. The egomaniac ex-member of the Board of Directors of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation must want for himself an award (Yellow Heart from yellow-streak POTUS by toeing the line and refraining from saying Islamic terrorist) or at least an action figure with his likeness. Beset by a bizarre super-hero addiction, Williams asserted he saved puppies as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey, endured mugging while selling Christmas trees, witnessed history at the Brandenburg Gate the night the Berlin Wall came down and braved rocket fire just under him in Israel (another hectic helicopter trip) before performing marvelous deeds in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina - "I see dead people" floating by hotel window in French Quarter, coping with gangs invading his five-star lodging (staging area for law enforcement), insisting he contracted dysentery from ingesting flood-waters and craving Slim Jims due to a far-fetched absence of nourishment. But let's face the "facts": If the "more you know (or concoct)" every-man can survive being hit by a R.P.G. (although likely just harrowing sand), the habitual "news-faker" can survive anything (including genuinely being shot down via a six-month suspension without pay). The Tonight Show host wannabe, apparently taking acting lessons from his risque-scene daughter (Allison on HBO series "Girls") based on half-baked apology still alienating the military, must moonlight as a mortician because he claims to "have seen thousands of dead people," including a suicide in the Superdome. The trauma has sure impaired his judgment after he focused on how climate-change conference slated for Paris would be impacted before anyone knew much about carnage stemming from Islamic terrorist attacks.

In aftermath of serial-embellisher Williams' return, it's only a question of when before parent company Comcast overhauls or pulls the plug on moronic MSNBC where, if evolution is so authentic, a possible Planet of the Apes descendant or stand-in (apparently his evolutionary view) feels compelled to dwell on Happy Darwin Day? Facing a dossier of fantasy fibs, a tearful mea culpa co-hosted by Oprah and Baba Wawa is probably the only way to salvage his career by admitting celebrity was more vital to him than journalism. Speaking of apologies, when will Al Jazeera reject Ayman Mohyeldin, a miscreant Middle East reporter for NBC (No Basic Credibility), seek forgiveness for his repulsive claim that sniper hero Chris Kyle was a "racist" on "killing sprees" while protecting troops in Iraq? It's all as perverted as 60 Minutes' Steve Kroft over at CBS although another broadcast network puff-piece yields insight to the convenient love-fest arrangement regarding Kroft's menage-a-trois interview with Obama and Clinton and Williams successor Lester Holt's psychiatric question about feelings. By any fair-minded definition (including University of Michigan's offensive word-free campus and Shrillary volunteers censuring adjectives), Kroft's claptrap, Holt's hard-hitting question and ABC's Stephanopoulos selling his Dear George soul to the Clintons were textbook examples of the ultimate man-made disaster - press and government working together for the common good of the people.

What difference does it make? Frequently amused by pathetic press coverage of elusive definition of radical Islam, unprotected national borders featuring an illegal immigrant disease-dump invasion coming to your community soon, short-term soccer virus knock-out of real football as the nation's top concussion-causing or flopping sport, computer "recycling" by the environmentally-sensitive/magical-way IRS, myopic Michelle's talking shopping carts and a ballet-loving Coast Guard washout worth five Taliban human debris, there are ample reasons why the majority of Americans fail to have confidence in a biased mass media to report the news fully, accurately and fairly. The major TV networks and two principal liberal rags (New York Slimes and Washington Compost) devoted to "seeking the whole truth" refused to give coverage to a Fox News report acknowledging the dictionary-less Obama Administration denied aid multiple times to Americans attacked and murdered by "random-acting" terrorists in Benghazi on September 11 of all days. A self-righteous stonewalling White House failed to supply requested information to Congress for its hearing oversight, but Judicial Watch obtained declassified emails showing White House Deputy Strategic Communications Adviser Ben Rhodes and other "rogue" (likely from Cincinnati plus probably Phoenix) West Wing p.r. officials/demented dudes/"shadowy characters" orchestrating a "spontaneous" false-narrative prep memo/campaign, especially via cozy chit-chat with AP, to "reinforce" POTUS and to portray the Benghazi consulate terrorist attack as being "rooted in an Internet video, and not a failure of policy." The knuckleheads likely will try to portray the closing of the U.S. embassy in Yemen as a victory in the "War Against Whatever." Meanwhile, IRS airhead Lois Lerner (a/k/a Toby Miles), DNC chair Debbie Blabbermouth-Schultz, leftist Congressmen supporting Iranian nuclear deal and Dimorat benefactor George Soros will be among the few Jews in the world for whom Barry Insane Obummer's Administration will defend their backs.

If the group-think pretentious press, spearheaded by certifiable close-minded "Journolist" lib-nuts, withheld evidence (such as emails from the National Security Advisor's office telling a counter-terrorism unit to stand down), they're as corrupt in a cover-up as the amateurish administration's self-righteous Siskel & Ebert wannabees more concerned with monitoring content of "Bible-clinger" prayers, doctoring talking points, collective salvation outreach, making faces for Buzzfeed video promoting ObamaCare and muzzling Benghazi survivors plus front-line troops who served with a deserter (forced to sign non-disclosure agreements) rather than transparency with the public. Amid the high-horse chaos, we pay for State Department tutors (to get their stories straight) and have the prospect of the incompetent lost-all-pertinent emails IRS enforcing Obamacare if its $1 billion investment enrolling "millions" ever functions properly. Incredibly, there are IRS dogs receiving bonuses despite being delinquent on their own taxes as a VA scandal became a precursor of Obowwowcare. Does the medical coverage for Conservatives include throwing up in their mouths listening to "Dim" politicians, pathetic political pundits and "The View" vixens?

The CCCP (Colossal Collection of Condescending Politicians) fails to comprehend they work for "We the People"; not the other way around. How else do you explain the moral compass of former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen See-Soul-less, too busy to testify before Congress but not to attend a gala, failing to help a young girl secure a lung transplant years after the "human servant" prolonged her political life by accepting significant donations in Kansas from an abortion doctor known as Tiller the Baby Killer? Perhaps bloodthirsty Demorats, capable of labeling political opponents as such but not genuine terrorists, would have a little compassion for innocent human babies if they were furry fetuses. Have these petty "public servants" any shame as their leader jokes about a pastry chef lacing pies with crack cocaine? This is supposed to be a nation of laws; not of self-absorbed men and women. Why wasn't there even one honorable IRS employee step forward as a whistle-blower about the keep-your-faith-to-yourself agency's targeting of outstanding organizations such as Billy Graham's "mean-spirited" ministries or auditing conservative donors at 10 times the rate of the average citizen?

Why doesn't the lapdog media do its watchdog job and pursue the Benghazi issue providing accountable answers to the many questions accumulating about what precisely occurred in the Celebrity-in-Chief's chamber? The Last Half-rican Standing needs to rise to occasion and become genuine leader or get the hell out of the way. Even setting aside "fast-and-furious" race-card reveling DOJ activity, disgusting IRS transgressions, offensive lecturing of Christians at a prayer breakfast and VA Hospital waiting-list death counts, why do the vast majority of the message-massaged media remain so disinterested in pursuing the litany of "jaw-dropping" misstatements and dissembling regarding what was known before and after the Benghazi horror? It wasn't because the misfit media was too busy in Philly prepping for coverage of the chilling capital case carnage in serial killer Dr. Kermit Gosnell's late-term abortion trial or delving into the abuses of an arrogant in-over-his-head AG and party-animal IRS targeting conservative groups plus a network (Fox) more conservative (conspiratorial to loony leftists) than its counterparts. General Motors is alive, but truth from crass White House, Democratic legislators and State Department officials plus an inept press corps is dead. Meanwhile, POTUS (a/k/a "Basketball Bones") is too busy going to the rack at a ceremony with UConn's male and female NCAA hoop champions rather than assembling a coherent response to a full-court press siege in Iraq or take the time to attend Justice Scalia's funeral. After feeding the hungry Huskies his rehearsed lines, a do-our-part plan for the Saul Alinsky devotee in the immediate aftermath included glamour golfing in Palm Springs, where he also went to celebrate Father's Day weekend while his vacation-junkie family ran up another hefty tab separately in Italy.

What difference does it make amid NBC's honey beer-drinking summit Super Bowl interview of Obama Been Lyin' by a network honey? Al Jazeera becomes more objective in its coverage of U.S. politics than incestuous AP (Administration's Press), ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC (More Socialist Nonsense By Commentators) and CNN (Contemptible News Network when moderator Candy Crony became a shameless shill as a virtual member of presidential debate team). In addition to taxpayers underwriting a welfare-receiving terrorist clan in Boston to the tune of more than $100,000 and paying in excess of $300,000 to merciless Major Nidal Hasan while waiting for trial since the felonious Fort Hood shooting, we finance fastidious NPR (should be NWR for National Welfare Radio), which is such a gigantic joke that "All Things Considered" aired no Benghazi features the weekend after compelling Congressional testimony but did allot time to "consider" riveting rhino horns trading. It doesn't seem as if the "All Things" mindset has changed much since a former co-host's husband worked for the presidential campaigns of Obama and ready-to-serve-spit John Kerry (the self-proclaimed Vietnam War hero before heaving his medals and dignity over a fence comparable to Israel's security in a deal with Iran).

Everywhere you turn unless you negotiate a bike with all the expertise of Kerry, there is an immeasurable mess stemming from this presidency similar to the former IRS chief's wife toiling for a leftist campaign finance reform group. Devoid of any media credentials, First Daughter Chelsea Clinton was given a political favor via an annual salary of $600,000 when she joined NBC News as a rock-solid "special correspondent" for Williams' Rock Center (in excess of $25,000 for each minute she displayed her hard-working brilliance on-air to make certain she wasn't dead-broke after leaving the White House and academic pursuits). If Webb Hubbell-lipped Chelsea was worth $600,000 to NBC, the network should have paid Ivanka Trump $6 million. Let's hope Chelsea's "Get Going" book geared toward kids is 180 degrees removed from Bubba's get-going targeting of younger crowd. Who in their right mind other than perhaps Clinton leg humper Dear George would pay $75,000 for a nepotism-laced one-percenter Chelsea chat (down to $7,500/minute for her precious "work")? How much are speeches from Natasha and Malia worth; especially if they remember any of Rev. Wrong's spellbinding sermons unlike their parents, admit hiding Oreo snacks under beds after enduring organic-garden goodies all day or served as experimental youngsters using same restroom as troubled transgenders in father's administration?

Presidents of ABC and NBC News have siblings working at the White House with cozy ties to Benghazi, CNN's deputy bureau chief is married to a former aide for (brain)dead-broke Hillary and her cocksure campaign manager (Robby Mook) interned for Stephanopoulos. NBC News senior political editor Mark Murray is married to an Obama official and new Meet the Depressed moderator UpChuck Todd's spouse worked on 2006 Senate campaign for Jim Webb (D-VA). Todd, exhibiting behavior of a buffoon when saying he was proud of NBC for its handling of Williams' integrity scandal, secured his start in politics toiling in 1992 presidential campaign for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), who wound up nearby for the Howard Dean exorcism and endorsed the Clinton Charade. All "Rhodes" at CBS lead to the network's prez being the brother of Mr. Accountability's "mind-melding" speechwriter and escape-artist extraordinaire going to great lengths to avoid divulging potentially-damaging information on a "Jason Bourne" deserter. It's the best place for this Out House operation using a Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing to "combat" Islamic terrorism.

CBS hired former Obama chief of staff Bill Daley as a contributor while respected investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson maneuvered out of her contract amid the network's depraved indifference. A prime example of the seamless transition for in-the-tank media was Linda Douglass, who became communications director for the Oval Office's Health Reform Office after serving as ABC's chief congressional correspondent. Such BS shouldn't have been surprising insofar as her lawyer/husband was a big fundraiser for BO. Similarly, Washington Post political reporter Shailagh Murray fit like a glove working under Biden and Obama before wild-eyed communicator Rachel Racusen sandwiched a stint with MSLSD between West Wing flings and daughter of Univision "baby" anchor Jorge Ramos joined Shrillary's campaign. Any legal immigrant knows Whore-hey is the equivalent of Ted Baxter for White America. At CBS, a bozo producer mocked Sen. Rand Paul about "being a doctor" while clueless that he indeed is a physician. Elsewhere, you can always count on Tingles Matthews, the tedious tapeworm of TV tales on MessLSD's "Dumbball," to pee on himself non-stop offering alternate-universe commentary for which you should promptly believe just the opposite.

You can't possibly make up all of this conflict-of-interest journalistic junk unless you're fond of the chummy White House Correspondents Dinner. The "Let's Move" (in together) extends into the kitchen where WH chef Sam Kass is married to dim-bulb former host-ette Alex Wagner from "Fall Backward" network MSLSD. Does she get talking points along with organic-food leftovers from Michelle's gorgeous garden? Departed White House Press Secretary/Carnival Barker Jay Carney's wife is Claire Shipman, a senior national correspondent for ABC. Blatant bias stemming from the bozo version of a "Band of Brothers (and Sisters)" also includes the Washington Post's justice department reporter married to the general counsel of the Department of Human Services, ABC News producer married to National Security Advisor/military micro-manager Susan Rice, CNN's deputy Washington bureau chief married to an ex-deputy secretary of state under Clinton, Huffington Post political editor and ex-Newsweek flack Sam Stein's spouse working for White House and NPR's WH correspondent married to a lawyer in the White House counsel's office. The symbolic evacuation from the White House press room because of smoke must have stemmed from deep-background Carney trying to blow smoke up the media's sorry butt with an off-the-record briefing for selected stenographers. Obstructing justice he was sworn to uphold, the ill-tempered AG was the next nefarious nabob to deploy a farcical off-the-record stench-fest pussyfooting around behind closed doors prior to giving illegal immigrants welfare attorneys.

Are reports any surprise about Clinton operatives privately sanitizing potentially-damaging State Department documents to protect "7th floor" personnel? Oh, the Huma-nitwit-he-he! In Hill's wacky world where she looks more into Yoda than yoga, only four people were killed and she didn't know three of them, anyway. But from their graves, the deceased cry out: "In lieu of flowers, please don't elect Hitlery." In an effort to help the buffoonish media shine the light of truth on the Benghazi bungling and scrubbed-a-dozen-times talking points, following are basic "who/what/when/why/where" questions for which the public deserves answers via the president's acolytes:
* Long before throwing intel community under the bus, who changed the original talking points and concocted "the (fanciful) spontaneous reaction" to a YouTube video explanation for the attack (framed before the final two deaths) and did the same individual help orchestrate a coordinated response at various venues in the days and weeks immediately following said attack?
* What portion of the entire 7 1/2 hours of the attack did POTUS himself spend in the Situation Room with fellow "mom-jean dudes" and was he directly involved with multiple "stand-down" orders while the attacks were in place? Perhaps he was too busy with debate prep, playing Spades again or some other "game" with body man/ex-Duke hoopster Reggie Love rather than spending 13 seconds overseeing mobilization of rescue troops enduring 13 hours of hell. Let's hope Love, charged with driving while impaired in college, didn't take Barry out on the town to a frat party.
* When precisely did increasingly imperial POTUS and/or his national security staff first become aware that an attack was underway at the Benghazi compound and did Hillary Clinton and Leon Panetta compare notes before Clinton's proclamation emphasizing a video as the culprit?
* Why was the no-drama Obama Administration's response so lax - failing to issue a CBA (Cross Border Authority) - despite an unmanned drone providing real-time live video feed of the scene? Who atop the chain-of-command was so insensitive they let Americans die during a "demonstration" (not an attack) akin to butchering innocent babies?
* Where is evidence of the "Betray Us" administration's responses to repeated pleas to strengthen security for Americans in Libya, not only from the State Department security chief and man on the ground in charge of security, but from the ambassador? Or were progressive normalization goals with Libya more important than traditional sense of duty? Did the "Deleter of the Free World" aspirant encourage Stevens to go to Benghazi or not to set up a diplomatic outpost?

Trying to find someone "on Koch" more revolting amid the myriad of political con artists than Senate Dimorat "leader" Harry Reid (Nevada), how do you distinguish "Dingy" (who also chimed in with "What Difference Does It Make?" before wowing the nation threatening not to attend a Redskins game) from Dumb from Dumber from Dumbest as the government goofballs and goons reveal they would rather focus their energy on invoking the 5th Amendment by grifters, coddling illegal immigrants, supporting same-sex unions, attending line-dancing conferences at taxpayers' expense, underwriting Sandra Flukey's birth control, sanctioning gays in professional sports and the Boy Scouts, funding transgender operation for military misfit Bradley Manning, monitoring everyone's phone calls including the Pope, bullying insurance companies to keep them quiet, ordering federal workers to spy on each other and giving Miranda rights to terrorists while profiling patriot, pro-life plus Tea Party affiliates? How about giving a craving nation one huge "happiness" conference by dismantling the IRS? In a sick version of Obama "care," the media dimwits such as Eleanor Off-the-Cliff seem as careless and clueless in unearthing authentic autopsy results for a virtually defenseless Ambassador Stevens as the administration is in resolutely rendering justice to the incorrigible Islamic perpetrators. They reach out a kumbaya hand to Islamic scum seeking to slice off our hands (if not more). It's foreign to civility, but it spurs one to drag All the President's "Men" (political parasites) through the caught-by-surprise mud similar to the ambassador's body dragged through foreign streets.

Whether or not they are yucking it up about a significant delay in apprehending a terrorist leader or looking under every rock for a Christian extremist group, this is no witch-hunt because the witches in and out of government are already easy to discern. A classic example is shabby State Department spokesperson MakeMe Barf trashing brave front-line soldiers from her thousands-of-miles-away ivory tower while the haughty hag permanently stained from serving on Obama's debate prep team described torturing towel-heads as "gentlemen", deemed job-training for ISIS as the cure for halting Middle East conflict and doesn't think it's pertinent to know if Hillary's emails contained classified material. While the world went to hell around her, equally dense State Department amateur-hour colleague Gem SockItToMe tweeted about fashion before displaying her utter ignorance being unaware Jews were killed in a terrorist attack on a kosher deli in Paris prior to a timid correction tweet. Can't wait for explanation from intellectual heavyweight rejoining White House communications staff after the State Department reportedly ordered Marines to destroy their weapons upon a humiliating abandonment of the U.S. embassy in Yemen, which was Obama's textbook example of success only months earlier. Regrettably, we pay the salaries of charming charlatans who threw their political weight behind declining to put Boko Haram thugs on the terrorist list before the Islamic militants in Nigeria burned 29 students alive, massacred 59 schoolboys at a boarding school and kidnapped nearly 300 school girls (threatening to sell them into slavery).

Roped-off reporters are so far up Hillary's butt during her cow(ard) roundup they can detail what she consumed doing lunch with double-dipping scrawny surrogate Huma after running down their Scoobie Doo SUV. Has the idolatry-practicing media, with fawning NBC planning a mini-series on Clinton before backing off on the project, contrasted "equal-protection-under-the-law" security measures for Ambassador Stevens compared to her when she went overseas? Did Eleanor Roosevelt give Her Thighness seance insight on baking cookies, covering up a sex and prostitution probe on her watch, lessons on transporting herself on a broom or how mostly unseen movie trailers incite Muslims? Seemingly, it's always the fault of someone else with this contemptible crowd, looking as phony as actress Diane Lane playing the role of Shrillary - which is akin to George Clooney playing the role of Dick Vitale. It takes-a-village idiot such as truth deflector Victoria "F**k the EU!" Nuland to believe her crutch, but perhaps the Democrap ditz potty mouth is simply adding to the vast right-wing conspiracy featuring a seemingly never-ending gateway list from Whitewater to Wipeserver including Filegate, Sandy Burglar "lifting" National Archives classified documents, Buddhist Templegate, Sick Willie's intern cigar, Travelgate, Vince Foster's suicide, Lippogate, Marc Rich's pardon, Lootergate, wagging the dog, Vandalgate, Orgy Island, etc., etc., etc. Now, gaffe-tastic Hillary "misses the bigger picture" sounding "is-is" similar to hubby: "I did not have decision-making responsibilities for that compound - Benghazi." Meanwhile, Billy Boy will stay above the email fray by claiming: "I did not have texts with that woman - who lied about name origin." When Hillary implodes from a Secret Service expose or FBI indictment recommendation, lunatic Oven Stuffer Sugardaddy Soros will have underwritten a leftist Holocaust similar to when the Democratic Party hijacker posed as a Christian teenager watching numerous fellow Hungarian Jews shipped off to death camps.

The "buck" can't find any place to stop at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, where "time-is-of-the-essence" POTUS chimes in on earthshaking cultural topics involving dumbbell Donald Sterling, Undocumented Democrats-to-be and documentarian Michael Sam but doesn't supply his itinerary the evening when Americans were killed in Libya. Neither the self-enamored emperor nor his underwhelming underlings have any clothes or complete candor as the IRS commissioner only remembers one Easter Egg roll among his excessive 157 White House visits. Amid trying to discern State Department protocol during an attack, there was a preposterous assertion from Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that "assets couldn't get there (Benghazi) in time." Is patronizing Panetta also commiserating with an omniscient Eleanor regarding upper-brass orders to save Americans? How did he know with such authority the length of "time" the siege would take as they fought for their lives? Maybe he was too busy on other travel-time matters planning his next cross-country commute home to California at tax-payer expense on military jets. Panetta isn't as principled as the press likes to portray him after Monica "I'm No. 44 (or so)" Lewinsky "worked" in the Chief of Staff's office during the government shutdown. Did this leech-filled leadership just cut their losses and "run" (let them die) rather than risk additional casualties before making the rounds, including hard-hitting media moguls Letterman (there he is again) and Barbara Walters, with their video fairytale?

What difference does it make? Don't you wish there was a single stooge from the out-of-control whining White House who would serve with honor and distinction as they boast fewer jobs created than babies aborted? They should focus more on closing their collective mouths than closing Gitmo. If they were candid, they would be promoting their effeminate boss as cover boy on the new $10 bill. The second term of a president, resembling life, is like a roll of toilet paper when you're ill. The closer you get to the end, the faster the _ _ _ _ goes resembling his brother-in-law cast adrift as Oregon State's coach. Held hostage by an Ariel Castro-like media as manipulative as Jodi Arias, the general public suffers from gullible glorification syndrome. Whatever political position you're in when the _ _ _ _ hits the fan, you just hope the grandstanding leader of the free world letting the entire Middle East turn into Alqaedaistan exhibits more "Barry" backbone (equivalent of a slinky according to Fox News funnyman Greg Gutfeld) than a best-and-the-brightest Boy King raised by an Indonesian nanny who subsequently joined a group of transvestites called the Dancing Dolls.

Unwilling to be a doll and dance around the topic, a problem ("phony scandal") persists that the overwhelming majority of slanted reporters chronicling events big and small, including the toy department (sports), write through a liberal "Jayson Blair" prism insulting our common sense and intelligence. Many are as embarrassingly attentive to what is going on as Supreme Judge Ruth at the state-of-the-union speech. Thus, the toughest question Obama, the executive with excessive excuses and 72% approval among Muslims, faced in a given year from the press "rat pack" probably was an ESPN bracket racket inquiry concerning whether his alma mater (Harvard) was going to advance to the second round in NCAA basketball playoff competition. How often did ESPN saps such as golfing partner Michael Wilbon indulge themselves with "Audacity of Hype" presidential picks promoting the NCAA tourney while failing to exactly provide "fair share" equal time from the opposing party? At least ESPN, which likes to think it knows as much about everything as Edward Snowden (including driving social issues down our just-want-to-watch-sports throats), didn't also portray Sir Remake America as a baseball expert following the bleeding-heart leftist's feeble ceremonial first pitch worthy of donning mom jeans while attending a MLB All-Star Game. Unquestionably, social engineering ESPN, gutting Grantland while trying to launch Undefeated website, seeks to provide fib-lib ideals such as obsession with "Redskins" more of a forum than conservative commentators such as Mike Ditka and Curt Schilling.

Let me be clear: Don't you wish the agenda-driven media would have "encouraged" leave-no-deserter-behind to develop priorities putting as much effort into meeting a budget deadline or getting the FBI to investigate Benghazi sooner than a month later instead of swooning over the Rev. Wrong disciple while providing a bracket, accepting mulligan lessons from Tiger, hosting parties at Club Obama, helping fill out H&R Block tax forms for Al "Not So" Sharpton or releasing illegal immigrant criminals from prison? If not relevant items, couldn't they at least ask him: "What's the deal with the First Lady taking separate planes at taxpayer expense on your vacation junkets?" or "Why are Gitmo detainees receiving better health care than American veterans?" or "Did global warming cause Godzilla to return?" or "Do you want to be known as Traitor Jack after an incentive-for-kidnapping swap of five gold-star throat-slitting savages for one lily-white deserter?" or "Do you accept the laughable line that the IRS, which demands Charles Citizen keep his financial records for seven years, can't supply pertinent emails over a critical seven-month span for the gang-of-seven?" or "How many lone wolves does it take to make a pack of Islamic terrorists?" or "Are the three branches of the federal government called Me, Myself and I?"

But then most of the honorable and distinctive media elite such as former CNN Misfire moron/shameless shrew Stephanie "Lying is a Virtue" Cutter are in the same fast-tracking cartel with chronic fabricator Tokyo Rice, who said the meandering misfit served with "honor and distinction" after a repulsive victory-lap Rose Garden publicity-stunt production where Allah was praised by Papa Taliban but not a word of gratitude directed toward the numerous shut-up-and-salute authentic soldiers killed and injured striving to rescue Mr. AWOL for Afghans. Is an extremist rules-for-radicals administration gone awry already cooperating with a Hollyweird producer for a movie ("Saving Private Bergdahl"), available in Pashto, focusing on an ultimate warrior gone bad probably because of another YouTube video failing to generate four stars from Shrillary's shady State Department? Only the smartest man in the world could interrupt his ideological executive orders and negotiate a deal to save someone ashamed to be an American. Bowe Knows Islam apparently was fading fast with an illness that could only be promptly treated at a VA hospital. If you boast a triple-digit IQ and believe anything from the West Wing spin machine including Christiane Amanpour and Valerie Jarrett with their Iranian backgrounds, then God (not Allah) help us all. Who has the most credibility and represents the best of us - selfless soldiers daily putting their lives on the line or self-centered White House/State Department shills or self-important genuinely raggedy reprehensible press?

What difference does it make? Well, when the lame-stream sports media is as incompetent as the general newsroom and editorial department, they foist make-believe heroes upon us such as Lance Armstrong, Ryan Braun, Aaron Hernandez, Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, Johnny Manziel, Slick Rick Pitino, Ray Rice, A-Roid, Josh Shaw, O.J. Simpson, Manti Te'o, Michael Vick, Jameis Winston, "The Carolina Way" (Afro-Studies academic fraud) and the Jackie Robinson West All-Stars. Do you really believe brand-protecting ESPN knew absolutely nothing about stretching the Chicago boundaries of Little League Baseball? A majority of the cesspool press pool cheered Sam Who I Am's social-engineering progressive values amid sizing up his shower habits after jeering Tim Tebow's religious "The Great I Am" standards. In basketball specifically, hoop media sycophants canonize tattooed Louisville coach Pitino not long after his brazen bistro-closing porn-star tryout and Jimmy V is hailed endlessly in history rewrites despite coach Valvano having two different schools - Iona and North Carolina State - vacate NCAA playoff participation. As if enthralled with Pitino getting a title tattoo, catching an enormous marlin, being featured on Maker's Mark bourbon bottles and donning Kanye West adidas shoes isn't enough, the inept media's touchy-feely attempts in social engineering included trying to elevate Jason Collins to Jackie Robinson-like status.

At the time, Collins was cited as a "star" by sports know-nothing ABC anchor-ette Diane Sawyer, the wife of a Hollyweird director. Was Collins embellished as celestial because he averaged 1.1 points and 0.9 rebounds per game last season, 1.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg over the last two seasons, 1.2 ppg and 1.4 rpg over the previous three seasons, 1.4 ppg and 1.6 rpg the previous four seasons, 1.3 ppg and 1.5 rpg the previous five NBA seasons or because he fits nicely into smug Sawyer's social world view the past five years as Charles Gibson's truth-telling successor before she herself stepped aside in mid-2014? At least sanctimonious Sawyer showed her expertise in softball(s) with hot-air inquiries to Syrian dictator Bashar Assad about iPods and video games.

The misguided media, responding like the NSA in the "least untruthful manner," is so focused on accuracy that much of it offered a one-sided depiction of troubled teen Trayvon Martin as a Skittles-loving (not weed-smoking) model citizen who must have innocently been kicked out of his home and school perhaps because he was fond of hanging around full-fledged liars who can't read cursive (eloquent to MSNBC smear merchants) coupled with his flaws including prejudiced thinking that Hispanics (White-Hispanic to appease race hustlers) could become "creepy-ass crackers." Fueled by hoodie-donning intellectual heavyweights such as the Miami Heat, a reported $1 million-plus wrongful death settlement with a homeowners association was a "justice" byproduct of the demise of the parents' son apparently enthralled with a "Gangsta" culture. It didn't take long for Baltimore bozos to exhibit their political prowess in a similar $6.4 million settlement regarding an individual with nearly two dozen drug-related offenses while failing to turn over exculpatory evidence to defense attorneys for their own police officers.

Of course, it's all about just one side of the political spectrum getting along with the other to the Amen progressive "pew" from politically-correct pundits plus gaily being who you are in a permissive society. What a stunner Collins was promptly slated to join the First Lady at a high-fiving Democrapic fundraiser. But this fundraiser was a genuine political spontaneous reaction! Will Collins courageously dwell on the No. 98, which is about the number of months he fraudulently strung his fiancée along (see Cosmopolitan feature on fellow Stanford product Carolyn Moos)? The brave Brooklyn Nets should have signed Moos to a contract as the first women's player in the NBA since Collins didn't help inspire his teammates any more than coach Jason Kidd. At least it would have taken some attention away from nut-job Donald Less-Than-Sterling, who should have remembered the old adage: "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than opening your mouth and removing all doubt!"

What difference does it make? The full-confidence Soviets with Pravda boast a more objective and truthful media slant than the ABC pap provided from Stephanopoulos, who received a masters in (liberal) theology utilized in a bimbo-eruption Clinton War Room before "earning" a seven-year, $105 million contract. By any measure, the puff-piece enemies of illumination failed vetting Obama and his leftist fantasies before he became POTUS other than perhaps focusing on an alleged hoop prowess. But as former NBA Commissioner David Stern, a stereotypical liberal-leaning lawyer, said in jest about Obama's basketball background: "He thinks he's better than he really is." Although probably not intentional, Stern's dispassionate assessment also summarizes Obama's outlandish high-horse presidency running up the national debt as fast as he runs away from using the phrase "Islamic terrorist." At the risk of being the next U.S. citizen subject to a drone strike, it should be emphasized, when failing to toe the fictional party line of the high-and-mighty real sideshow, you become a demoted diplomat, face intimidation tactics having your phone records seized or are targeted by going on the abuse-of-power IRS enemies list (a/k/a "horrible customer service"). Obummer is so delusional he theorizes Republicans/conservatives are to blame for Loser Lois' widespread targeting.

Astonishingly, the staging-question IRS is "used" as a springboard by West Wing wackos to drive Obamacare down our throats via the same wily _itch with no integrity but plenty of bonus money despite showing her disdain for conservatives by calling them A-holes as part of her "serving" the public's interest in a non-partisan fashion. While the disgraced I-R-ME$$ official is feeding at the public servant trough (six-figure retirement) after previously harassing the Christian Coalition while with the FEC, someone needs to slow "learn her" by forcing miscreant Ms. 5th to take a remedial ethics class commencing with the Golden Rule while waiting for fallout from being held in contempt of Congress and a convenient catastrophic computer crash. Meanwhile, the nauseous networks yawned and "confidentially" looked the other way when e-mails showed computer-recycler Loser, amid distributing feelers to hook on with a pro-Obama group, sent a database of tax-exempt organizations to the FBI right before the 2010 midterm elections.

Portraying a murderous attack in Benghazi, Libya, as if it occurred in the same war as the Battle of the Bulge, it might be old news to former "stylistic" Left Wing spokesperson/current CNN spin-meister Jay Blarney while the ex-Time magazine Washington chief did his zero-credibility imitation of propagandist Joseph Goebbels with a "hope and change (the topic)" routine before getting out of Dodge (The Truth). Seems as if jaundiced Jay, who implied the IRS apologized for "not" doing something wrong, and his unprincipled ilk such as equally truth-allergic successor Josh "Anything But" Earnest proclaim a memo emphasizing Benghazi has nothing to do with Benghazi and Baghdad Bergdahl served honorably. In regard to sizing up real men, Blarney, Earnest and their misleading minions aren't a pimple on the butt of any of the genuine patriots the Out House slimed as swift-boating someone the soldiers knew firsthand. Previously, a classic example of the blame game and absence of accountability from the meek media was when the feds were more concerned with detaining some obscure producer of an anti-Islamic film making light of the prophet Mohammed. At least the dereliction-of-duty dunderheads such as CIA taxpayer-paid liar Mike More-ill(ness) didn't pull out the workplace-violence or man-made disaster card again during this convenient-truth process.

What difference does it make? Well, the excuse-ridden Obama Administration - either grossly incompetent or purposefully in "crude and disgusting" fraud - dealt with a terrorist assault on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi by shamelessly standing in front of caskets at an airport hangar (plus the White House press corps, the U.N. and national politically-oriented shows such as Meet the Depressed) offering an orchestrated al-Qaeda on-the-run narrative claiming the nondescript video was responsible for the murder of the American ambassador and three other Americans. Their most despicable act was regurgitating the same outrageous ruse face-to-face to grieving family members while focusing more on securing "second" non-disclosure agreements from survivors. How authentic or outright evil were those narcissistic embraces from Big Balls Biden and fellow fatal finaglers? Any miserable individual who emphasized a movie lie in one-on-one conversations with mourners doesn't possess the dignity worthy of setting foot on White House grounds except solely to use a pooper scooper while donning rubber gloves. Ingrained into their psyche, they consider lying normal behavior. If the Clinton Crime Syndicate Foundation would only pay a dollar to U.S. Treasury for every fabrication emanating from them, the deficit could be paid off in short order.

Incredibly, a Navy SEAL among the deceased violated stand-down orders to help save numerous individuals at the death-trap embassy and then fought the terrorists for 7 1/2 hours while his pleas for backup at a nearby annex were ignored by government officials real-time watching events unfold. Weeks later, the evasive apologist-in-chief and cowardly cronies were still striving to supply a cogent response to their deflect-and-deny sacrificial-lamb inaction all for the sake of propping up progressive policies. Where's a photo of the vaunted Obama Team deliberating at least 7 1/2 minutes, or even 7 1/2 seconds, during the Benghazi attack? Was Mr. Teleprompter even there at all to provide any input possibly "sending in the cavalry" or were his charges more concerned about contacting YouTube about a manufactured vile video? Bracing for a cross-country campaign trip, did malingerer "That's Not What We Do" go to bed while brave Americans were savaged or is it indeed "an irrelevant fact" less important than raising funds in Las Vegas? If not, then be transparent enough to at least conduct a stand-up, man-up press conference detailing what you did do during the "acting stupidly" stand-down. The Sgt. Schultz "I know nothing!" ploy isn't very becoming for an infallible commander-in-chief as it spills over to the FBI and all of the terribly-flawed feet-of-clay mental-midget mercenaries surrounding a conceited community organizer with their evolving web of deceit. Wasn't fist-bumping Obama back on the golf course about 7 1/2 minutes after announcing an American was beheaded?

Infected by pop culture, reality shows, Al Bore's global-warming hoax and thrills going up noxious newscasters legs, the average shallow American dwells on Angelina Jolie's discarded mammary glands, forlorn Amanda Knox's knife collection, Donald's luck dealing with 50-year younger model/archivist and Gitmo hunger strikers but can't spell Benghazi or even know which continent it's located. When not exploiting children as human shields for an assortment of altruistic motives, POTUS didn't mind hiding behind Hildebeast via a film fabrication as her State Department lawyer told witnesses not to speak to House investigators. If elected POTUS after "Debbie Does (Debate) Delay," Hillary's "tough choices" judgment is so grandiose she would probably appoint a pervert (either Sick Willie or Huma's half-witted husband "Carlos") to be in charge of the White House's intern program and cigar room. Bubba would probably secure the seeds-to-sow "job" since her success was achieved solely from riding his coattails. When pushing for crackdown on "epidemic" of campus sexual assault, she could have gotten off to good start regarding topic in general by neutering her chasing-tails spouse. Perhaps the womanizing enabler should be reminded about her personal "War on Women" cherishing so-called bimbo eruptions.

If you had a family member in dire straits pleading for help, would you rather summon support from blameless Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary the Hypocrite's hubris or heroic Tyrone Woods? You don't need a lie-detector to even contemplate thinking about debating who is more Benghazi believable - Woods' father or Hillary Rotten? Hitting closer to home in raw terms, who would you rather have as a "sacrificial" neighbor because of comparable integrity and moral values? Period! The U.S. "isn't a Christian nation" according to our fearless leader, but the answer is clear among God-fearing folks in flyover country who always seem to know a mite more about vital issues than our country's CEO (Creative Explanation Opportunist) until hearing after-the-fact media reports. Shackled by a warped sense of tone-deaf priorities, how hard did ethically-bankrupt Obama and Clinton negotiate a deal with Iran's Revolutionary Guard to release an American Christian pastor detained for years after entering the country on a humanitarian mission?

What difference does it make? Before making a repugnant remark that the Taliban 5 senior leadership isn't a threat to America, hoodwinking @Hillary's principal documented achievement as Secretary of State may have been putting an excessive amount of emphasis on that specific difference-making phrase/question. On the other hand, it could be facial pain every night after all the fake Joker-grin smiling Hill the Hun (husband's description of her) does all day on her Area 51 campaign trail more concerned about aliens from outer space than those strutting across unchecked along our Southern border. Easily recognized as Old Yeller to aging sexists fond of affixing Disney-movie titles as nicknames, her corrosive comments are reminiscent of disgraced Dan Rather at CBS frequently ending with an inane Robert Redford-worthy reference to "courage." Her tenacity, the genesis of which is captured in her senior thesis at Wellesley on Saul Alinsky, consisted of roaming the globe comparable to the ghost of Jacob Marley dragging money trunks behind her on a chain. Rather's blather was a lamentable trait exhibited by CBS when it concealed footage for an extended period from a 60 Minutes interview with Obama where he clearly refused to categorize the Benghazi attack as an act of terror. Of course, curious George is deemed a journalistic giant by ABC and eye candy for opposite-sex viewers after earning his spurs as a political hack for the petulant Clintons disparaging one female after another in the midst of Sick Willie's debauchery and hiding $75,000 in donations to their suspect enterprise. Did Little Georgie, not only vertically challenged but integrity challenged, know interns (especially blue-dress donning female) were not supposed to be in the West Wing without an escort or did the butt boy for the Clinton Crime Family simply look the other way? Perhaps Lyin' Williams was there and can give us the straight libido scoop about "Crooked" Bill relieving job pressure doing the dirty on the presidential seal rather than the self-styled chick magnet focusing on sealing the fate of OBL. Eschewing ethics and honor, are these condescending guttersnipes the best and most honest our country can produce in the newsrooms, Oval Office and State Department as they stretch the truth as much as excuse-ridden Nanny Pathetic does her sparkling-and-dazzling face while supporting get-out-of-jail-free cards to savages and denial of the total truth to family members of savaged Americans?

A collection of contemptible characters and ethical-escapee excrement, telling the truth as often as cicadas return, could fill their own "worst wing" of the aptly-named Clinton Correctional Facility by telling pasty Shrillary she looks stunning in a bikini. Surrounded by army of apoplectic aliens sucking up to her like a Kardashian can, no wonder she is so fond of UFOs. Old vacuum cleaners don't suck as much as Step-child George, fellow creepy Clintonista phonies such as Paul Begala, Sandy Burglar, Sidney Blumenthal, David Brock, "Trailer Trash" Carville, Lanny Davis, Rahm Emanuel, David Gergen, Harold Ickes, David Kendall, Terry McAuliffe, Bernie Nussbaum, Panetta, John Podesta plus Bill Richardson and many media mavens defending the Clinton Foundation erstwhile slush fund. If Snuff-out-the-truth-to-us wasn't a hollow shell of a journalist, Georgie would help orchestrate an illuminating expose on allocation of charitable donations comparing the Clinton ruse of 10% to 15% directly aiding charity work to organizations such as Feeding America (98%), Feed the Children (92%), Red Cross (91%), World Vision (85%) and Salvation Army (82%). Shouldn't the Clinton Global Initiative already have ample resources stemming from hefty speaking-engagement fees and program for safe-drinking water in third-world locales such as Haiti and Flint? Need any more rehab input, Gorgeous, to help with your self-inflicted credibility crisis leaving you "All Too (Partisan) Human"?

Gorgeous never had credibility, anyway, after his handling of Sick Willie's draft induction notice. Whether or not Williams was there, perhaps Step-child thought Mitchell was going to get to the entire truth for once in her biased career. Odds are Little George was in the vicinity in moonlighting role as a Jiminy Cricket conscience when his boss turned the White House into a brothel. Does this truth teller "titan" know how Monica became the "Blue Pass Princess" as a paid staffer? Rather than accepting Rhodes' fiction verbatim, should Step-on-the-truth-to-us give an authentic author - thriller novelist Brad Thor - insider information and a forum to create a solution to the Clinton corruption?

Offsetting Hillary For Prisoner 2016, the clever dwarf perhaps can help her concoct a new campaign slogan: "Hurry up and elect me so I can pardon myself before I'm incarcerated." Meanwhile, she sounded like a Maxine Smart(ass) with half-baked server apology: "Sorry about that, fief!" But at least right-thinking Americans are "Get(ting) Smart" by tuning out the Clintons' aging act/stale show. They have emerged as Exhibit A for fecal formula forging what a liberal education and law degree can do for an individual - provide license to be dishonest, insincere and unaccountable. All right, in Albright lingo there is a special place in hell for anyone who supports the Clinton corruption. Anything they say is reminiscent of floating a bad check. Albright probably thinks Shrillary's following comments are supportive of Bubba's victims: "Who is going to find out? These women are trash. Nobody's going to believe them." Just like believing her spiel about equal pay for women except on her staff. Bottles of Trump wine should be put on distinguishing characteristic ice all across the country waiting to celebrate an indictment of HRC (Hillary Really Corrupt). Last unqualified human out of Over-the-Hill(ary) campaign HQ needs to turn off the lights and customized server. Eventually, there will be no vetting by God for HildaBeast and her Clinton cronies; simply a chute straight to see Satan.

The biggest loser over the last couple of election cycles is the mangy "never-seen-you-lose" media serving as little more than the Praetorian Guard for liberal lunacy praising Planned Murderhood and its accompanying neck-snipping murders of innocent babies while smearing whistle-blowers crestfallen over the "abandoned" murders of innocent colleagues. Meanwhile, has an enterprising sports reporter ever evaluated how many abortions have been sanctioned by college basketball coaches so female players could remain on the court and male players wouldn't be hampered by becoming deadbeat dads (see Duke All-American J.J. Redick's abortion contract with a model)? No, the media can't be too concerned about the cavalier blood-thirsty hobby to lobby for ditching unwanted little ones when a men's championship coach has an extortion trial, end-of-the-pack Kentucky Derby horse, limited-edition bourbon bottle, meaningful marlin, favorite son, Lexus dealership and testimonial tattoo to cover. And by the way, will computer whiz Dickie V charge a premium for his next speech on hacking after he was sacked from covering Duke/North Carolina?

Americans deserve an honest government covered by a media doing more than just being PRESStitutes for POTUS or extension of a university's public-relations department. Although his publication seemed to always go out of its way to support the Obama Administration, it's a mite unnerving how former Princeton hoopster Richard Stengel seems to make a smooth transition from managing editor of Time magazine to under secretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs at the State Department. Stengel subsequently supported a one-sided deal with Iran where the U.S. doesn't exercise leverage and multiple journalists remain in jail. As shamelessly one-sided as conservatives have asserted for years, excessive media malpractice finally discarded the pretense of objectivity. Once and for all after spouse for NPR's White House correspondent joined counsel's office for her beat, they have been unmasked as aggressive advocates; not adversarial journalists. According to a Gallup poll, fewer than 1/4 of American adults have "a great deal" of confidence in newspapers and television news as meaningless red lines behind widespread yellow streaks. In a classic case of bias, CNN has countless instances of fabrications to investigate (Liar! Liar! Pantsuit on Fire!) but spent an inordinate amount of effort trying to find a modest misstatement or two in stories from Dr. Ben Carson's childhood.

Running in parallel with a decrease in quality of play on the court is a reduction in competence of the pom-pom press covering them. How many sports news outlets based in the states of North Carolina and Kentucky regularly follow Duke and Louisville basketball in the ACC? How could the "Worst Little Whorehouse in KY" go on for years unnoticed? But a student newspaper and aging hooker needed to exhibit sufficient spine to do down-and-dirty jobs. Why didn't a single enterprising reporter from the professional local press and national media rise to the occasion; especially in Carolina on the heels of UNC's scholastic shenanigans? A worthwhile story stared them right smack in their mugs (faces and beers) regarding why Rasheed Sulaimon became the first in-season dismissed player during Mike Krzyzewski's long Durham Dynasty tenure. Methinks the see-no-(d)evil/hear-no-(d)evil/speak-no-(d)evil journalistic jewels were an Olympian distance up King K's 1,000-win can. When the legal laryngitis fades away, will ESPN conduct a spectacle with Shane Battier, Jay Bilas and Jay Williams interviewing K about a potential colossal cover-up while other former Blue Devil standouts and chronic coaching apologist Duke Vitale serve as a support backdrop? In an effort to help separate fact from fiction, inquire whether athletic department personnel aware of sexual assault allegations reported the cases to the Office of Student Conduct per their Title-IX obligation.

Blind chimps chucking darts connect more often with accuracy than the weekday evening/Sunday morning intellectually-superior ruling class/political pundits/Strategists (a/k/a snake oil salespeople). In the aftermath of Brian's lyin' and CNN Senior Media Correspondent Brian Stelter, great-and-glorious Geraldo, PolitiFact refusing to rate Williams' Iraq fable plus USATODAY hacks going out of their way to try to defend a fellow fib-lib, the good news is that the influence-peddling gig for the reprehensible broadcast networks, major daily newspapers and newsweeklies is nearly expired because the less-than-honest brokers are gutless wonders shackled by a business model in free-fall. Just ask tarnished leftist know-it-all Tina "Bitter Brit" Brown after losing $100 million in editorial endeavors and commentary totally devoid of neutrality. Whether it's Newsweek, New York magazine, Pro Football Weekly, Spin, The Sporting News, Talk magazine, 30 AOL brands after The Huffington Post "gold-digger" merger or debt-ridden dailies offering employee buyouts all across the country, good riddance to the fourth-rate estate and don't let death's door hit you in your contemptible can on the way out! To put it bluntly, may you rot in hell!

Huffin'-and-Puffin'-a-ton, paying its contributors in the neighborhood of 15 cents an hour, knows as much about the difference between entertainment and politics as Airhead-ianna physically contributes to keep her husband from crossing over to a more stimulating gender. When the putrid press as we know it is put out to pasture (including many suspect sports sandboxes and eventually the worthless White House press corps), what difference does it make as the disgraced relinquish the fight like quitter Roberto Duran (No Mas! No Mas!)? Actually, comedian Ron White has blossomed over the years into the smartest man in the world; especially with his "you-can't-fix-stupid" routine accurately depicting the vast majority of entitled mess media and political pundit personalities summed up by Williams, Stephanopoulos and ESPN rant-babe Britt "Just Another Petty Face" McHenry. In the meantime while seeking a free-speech safe place on the fringe, we'll simply conduct a "Countdown Circumcision" for when caustic commentator Keith "Worst Person in the World" Olbermann inevitably will return to or depart from BSPN or Mess-LSD again as he keeps coming back to his flunky followers like herpes infection.

World Series-ious Athletes: Impact of Ex-College Hoopsters in Fall Classic

October 25th, 2015 - 16:48

It might seem like it, but Kansas City Royals righthanded pitcher Chris Young - the winner of the 2015 World Series opener - isn't a rarity as a former college hoopster appearing in the Fall Classic. Numerous universities have had versatile athletes who played college basketball before going on to major league baseball careers.

While many single-minded basketball fans are assessing polls and rankings in preseason hoop magazines and websites, following is an incisive "Who Am I?" quiz for well-rounded basketball/baseball enthusiasts taking a toll on their memories as they try to recall World Series participants - including former members of the Royals (Rich Gale) and New York Mets (Cal Koonce and George Stone) - who played varsity basketball for a current NCAA Division I college. Keep your chin up if you need relief answering the following questions because they're almost as difficult as both teams will find scoring off first-rate bullpens:

I was a 13-year major league second baseman who set several fielding records and played in the 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox after ranking among the nation's top 12 free-throw shooters both of my college basketball seasons with Oklahoma State.
Who am I? Jerry Adair

I was a 17-year first baseman who hit four homers and a double in a single game and played in back-to-back World Series with the Milwaukee Braves after being LSU's leading scorer (18.6 points per game) for the Tigers' 1945-46 team compiling an 18-3 record and losing against Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament final.
Who am I? Joe Adcock

I was a 10-year pitcher who led the A.L. in winning percentage in 1935 with an 18-7 record (.720) for the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers after I was named to the first five on an all-conference basketball team in my final season at Kansas State. I was a submariner who hurled a complete game victory in a 10-4 verdict over the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 of the '34 Series before losing Game 7 to Dizzy Dean.
Who am I? Eldon Auker

I was a shortstop who participated in five World Series, four with the champion, in a six-year span from 1910 through 1915 after earning a basketball letter for Holy Cross in 1908.
Who am I? John "Jack" Barry

I was a rookie pitcher in 1978 with the New York Yankees who went the distance for the first time in my major league career in a Game 5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. I was a 6-5 forward who averaged 14.3 points and a team-high 8.9 rebounds per game for Dartmouth in 1974-75 when I was selected team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League.
Who am I? Jim Beattie

I was a catcher who appeared in back-to-back World Series with the New York Yankees (1927 and 1928) after being a basketball letterman for Niagara from 1916-17 through 1918-19.
Who am I? Bernard "Benny" Bengough

I was an outfielder who, during my 11-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a double in the 1925 World Series to help them become the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a seven-game series. I played with my brother on Oregon's basketball squad before we briefly played alongside each other with the Pirates.
Who am I? Carson "Skeeter" Bigbee

I was a player-manager who earned American League MVP honors in leading the Cleveland Indians to the 1948 World Series after being the top scorer for an Illinois team sharing a Big Ten Conference basketball title.
Who am I? Lou Boudreau

I was a pitcher who appeared in the 1947 and 1949 World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers after notching 21-12 and 13-5 won-loss marks, respectively, following a basketball career at NYU, where I was the Violets' sixth-leading scorer in 1943-44 with an average of 3.8 points per game. Major league player and manager Bobby Valentine is my son-in-law.
Who am I? Ralph Branca

I was a 12-year outfielder who played in three World Series with the New York Yankees and hit 38 home runs in one season with Kansas City after finishing my college basketball career ranking fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list.
Who am I? Bob Cerv

I am a Hall of Fame catcher who participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers after playing basketball for Boston University.
Who am I? Mickey Cochrane

I posted a 1.88 ERA in 14 1/3 innings for the Boston Red Sox against the New York Giants in the 1912 World Series after being a two-year basketball letterman with Vermont.
Who am I? Ray Collins

I am a Hall of Fame outfielder for the New York Yankees who compiled a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) after being captain with Eastern Kentucky's basketball squad.
Who am I? Earle Combs

I am a three-time All-Star Game performer who pitched in the 1957 World Series for the Milwaukee Braves after being an All-Pacific Coast Conference first-team selection in 1949-50 when the 6-7 sophomore center led Washington State and the PCC North Division in scoring (13.3 points per game).
Who am I? Gene Conley

I hit .323 in three World Series (1948 with Boston Braves; 1951 and 1954 with New York Giants). Member of LSU's 1942-43 basketball squad before entering military service (Marine Corps V-12 program) during World War II. Known as the "Swamp Fox," I was a five-sport letterman with Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now Louisiana-Lafayette) during 1943-44.
Who am I? Alvin Dark

I led N.L. outfielders in putouts three years and hit near or over .300 for three St. Louis Cardinal pennant winners (1926, 1928 and 1930) after earning letters three seasons in basketball for California.
Who am I? Taylor Douthit

I was a 10-year utility infielder who saw action in two World Series games in 1959 with the Chicago White Sox after averaging seven points per contest as a 5-9 starting guard for Indiana in 1951-52.
Who am I? Sammy Esposito

I was a catcher who appeared in two World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1974 and 1978). Pacific teammate of All-American Keith Swagerty averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Dick Edwards, scoring two points against eventual NCAA champion UCLA in the 1967 West Regional final.
Who am I? Joe Ferguson

I led the A.L. in won-loss percentage in 1946 with a 25-6 mark before pitching a shutout in Game 3 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1940-41.
Who am I? Boo Ferriss

I was a lefthanded hitting backup outfielder who participated in the 1929 World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics after being a basketball letterman for Army's 18-5 team in 1921 following two campaigns with Rutgers.
Who am I? Walter French

I wasa righthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals after leading New Hampshire with 7.2 rebounds per game in 1975-76.
Who am I? Rich Gale

I was a first baseman-outfielder who hit 103 major league homers and pinch hit four times for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1961 World Series after earning a letter with Temple's basketball team in 1948-49 when I averaged 2.7 points per game.
Who am I? Dick Gernert

I was a lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1960 World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates after finishing my four-year college career as Mississippi's leader in career scoring and rebounds following a senior season when my scoring average was higher than first-team All-Americans Elgin Baylor (Seattle) and Wilt Chamberlain (Kansas).
Who am I? Joe Gibbon

I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who set a record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers in my third World Series in five years after becoming the first basketball player in Creighton history to average at least 20 points per game in a career.
Who am I? Bob Gibson

I am a palm-ball specialist who blanked the Baltimore Orioles in 5 1/3 innings in three relief appearances for the champion Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1971 World Series after becoming the first N.L. pitcher to appear in each contest of a four-game LCS. I connected on 6 of 10 field-goal attempts in two games for Syracuse in 1959-60.
Who am I? Dave Giusti

I am a Hall of Fame first baseman-left fielder who had 14 extra-base hits in four World Series with the Detroit Tigers after attending NYU briefly on a basketball scholarship in 1929.
Who am I? Hank Greenberg

I am an eight-time All-Star Game shortstop who started for World Series championship teams with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1964 after twice ranking among the top four scorers in the country with Duke.
Who am I? Dick Groat

I was a perennial All-Star outfielder with multiple Gold Gloves and N.L. batting titles who sparked the San Diego Padres to two World Series (1984 and 1998) after being a two-time All-WAC second-team selection as a San Diego State guard who led the league in assists as a sophomore and junior.
Who am I? Tony Gwynn

I was a three-time All-Star catcher who played in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants (swatted a two-run homer off Hall of Famer Whitey Ford of the Yankees in Game Four) after playing as a backup forward for Illinois' basketball squad as a sophomore (1956-57) and junior (1957-58).
Who am I? Tom Haller

I was a 12-year lefthanded reliever who appeared in back-to-back World Series (1963 and 1964) with the New York Yankees after the 6-7 Morehead State forward-center ranked 15th in the country in scoring as a junior (24.2 ppg in 1956-57) and among the nation's top 10 rebounders as a senior (19.1 rpg in 1957-58).
Who am I? Steve Hamilton

I was a 12-year lefthanded pitcher who appeared in the 1989 World Series with the San Francisco Giants after being a 6-2 guard who averaged 5.3 points per game as a freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as a sophomore in 1977-78 for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Atlee Hammaker

I was a first baseman-outfielder who participated in the 1942 World Series with the New York Yankees after playing for Manhattan basketball teams winning a school-record 17 consecutive games in 1930 and 1931.
Who am I? John "Buddy" Hassett

I was a lefthanded hitting utilityman who participated as a rookie with the New York Yankees in the 1923 World Series against the New York Giants after being a basketball letterman for Vanderbilt in 1918.
Who am I? Harvey Hendrick

I was a 10-year pitcher who hurled four shutout innings as the fourth-game starter for the New York Yankees in the 1939 World Series after being a basketball All-American for Butler. I was named to the first A.L. All-Star team in 1933.
Who am I? Oral Hildebrand

I was a 16-year first baseman/outfielder who homered in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series to help the Los Angeles Dodgers sweep the New York Yankees and twice led the A.L. in homers after leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior.
Who am I? Frank Howard

I was a 13-year infielder who slugged 43 of my 136 career homers for the Atlanta Braves in 1973 after appearing in four World Series with the Baltimore Orioles (1966, 1969, 1970 and 1971). I averaged 1.7 points per game as a sophomore in my only varsity basketball season (1961-62) with Texas A&M before signing a pro baseball contract.
Who am I? Davey Johnson

I was a 13-year outfielder who hit .306 for the New York Yankees in 19 World Series games after being a three-year basketball letterman for Maryland.
Who am I? Charlie Keller

I was a Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher who became N.L. MVP but lost the 1950 World Series opener to the New York Yankees as a starter, 1-0, after playing two seasons for Syracuse basketball teams.
Who am I? Jim Konstanty

I began rookie year with the Chicago Cubs by winning nine of my first 10 decisions before becoming a reliever for the 1969 Amazin' Mets World Series champion. I was a standout basketball player for Campbell in 1960 and 1961 when the North Carolina-based school was a junior college.
Who am I? Cal Koonce

I was an infielder-outfielder who hit .303 in my 15-year career. When I was with the Detroit Tigers, I led the A.L. in batting average once (.353 in 1959), hits four times (209 in 1953 when he was rookie of the year, 201 in 1954, 196 in 1956 and 198 in 1959) and doubles on three occasions (38 in 1955, 39 in 1958 and 42 in 1959) before appearing in the 1962 World Series with the San Francisco Giants. I managed the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1982 World Series. I played in five games for Wisconsin's basketball team in the 1951-52 season.
Who am I? Harvey Kuenn

I was a three-time All-Star outfielder who posted a .331 average with 22 HRs and 107 RBI in my first full season with the New York Giants in 1935 before appearing in the World Series in 1936 and 1937. I had two hits in a six-run second inning of Game Four in the Giants' lone victory against the New York Yankees in 1937 after scoring 16 points in nine basketball games for Arizona in 1931.
Who am I? Hank Leiber

I am an outfielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases, a record for an A.L. rookie, and appeared in the World Series with three different teams (Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants) after setting Arizona basketball records for steals in a season and career.
Who am I? Kenny Lofton

I was a 12-year infielder who played in the 1957 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees after being a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won 1952 and 1953 NAIA Tournament titles.
Who am I? Jerry Lumpe

I was a lefthanded outfielder who appeared in 1943 World Series for the New York Yankees against the St. Louis Cardinals after being a basketball letterman with William & Mary from 1935-36 through 1937-38.
Who am I? Arthur "Bud" Metheny

I was a Gold Glove left fielder in 1960 between participating in two World Series with the Dodgers (1959 and 1965) after averaging 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50.
Who am I? Wally Moon

I was a righthander who appeared in 1934 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals' Gas House Gang against the Detroit Tigers. I was an all-around athlete for East Tennessee State.
Who am I? Jim Mooney

I was an infielder who hit .303 with the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox in 17 A.L. seasons from 1925 through 1941, participating in two World Series (1925 and 1933). I was a basketball letterman for Mississippi State in 1923-24.
Who am I? Charles "Buddy" Myer

I was a five-time All-Star who holds the A.L. record for most homers by a third baseman (319), but was homerless in five World Series (four with the New York Yankees and one with the San Diego Padres). The highlight of my career was four dazzling stops in Game 3 of the 1978 World Series to help the Yankees win their first of four consecutive games. I averaged 5.3 points per game while earning basketball letters in my hometown for San Diego State in 1963-64 and 1964-65, shooting 87.8% from the free-throw line (36 of 41) as a sophomore.
Who am I? Graig Nettles

I was a 19-year MLB pitcher who appeared in two World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies after averaging 18.9 points and 14.3 rebounds in three varsity basketball seasons with Notre Dame.
Who am I? Ron Reed

I was a catcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 World Series. I led Duquesne in scoring in my senior season with a 17.9 average in 1956-57 when I finished fourth in the nation in free-throw percentage (86.2). As a sophomore, I was a starter for an NIT championship team that compiled a 22-4 record and finished sixth in the final AP poll.
Who am I? Dave Ricketts

I appeared in 1915 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies en route to becoming the N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke my record. I earned basketball letters with Virginia in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
Who am I? Eppa Rixey Jr.

I am a Hall of Fame pitcher who was a 20-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies after leading Michigan State in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. In 1950, I lost my only World Series start, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off me in the 10th inning.
Who am I? Robin Roberts

I am a Hall of Fame infielder who was a regular for six National League pennant winners after compiling league-high scoring averages in both of my seasons with UCLA. I collected two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who am I? Jackie Robinson

I was a four-time All-Star third baseman with the New York Yankees who appeared in six of the seven World Series from 1936 through 1942. I managed the Detroit Tigers after being a head basketball coach with Yale and with the Toronto Huskies of the Basketball Association of America. I played in a handful of basketball games for Dartmouth.
Who am I? Robert "Red" Rolfe

I was a New York Yankees lefthander who registered a pair of 2-1 World Series victories (over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941 and St. Louis Cardinals in 1943) after playing for two of the premier teams in college basketball history when LIU went 24-2 in 1934-35 and 26-0 in 1935-36. I was named to the first five on the Metropolitan New York Basketball Writers Association All-Star Team after the undefeated season.
Who am I? Marius Russo

I pitched in two World Series games for the New York Yankees in 1964 after being a 6-4 sophomore forward who averaged 13.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Connecticut's NCAA Tournament team in 1959-60.
Who am I? Rollie Sheldon

I was a three-time All-Star first baseman-outfielder who played in the 1956 and 1958 World Series with the New York Yankees and 1967 World Series with the Boston Red Sox. I was a member of Southwest Missouri State squads that won back-to-back NAIA Tournament titles in 1952 and 1953.
Who am I? Norm Siebern

I was an infielder-outfielder who batted .319 or better in 12 of 14 major league seasons with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs from 1921 through 1934. In 1927, my first full season with the Cubs, I led the N.L. with 46 doubles. In the Cubs' 1929 pennant-winning season, I combined with Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Hack Wilson to become the first outfield in N.L. history to have each starter finish with more than 100 RBI. I hit .378 in nine World Series games with the Cubs in 1929 and 1932 after being a guard who earned a basketball letter with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 1920.
Who am I? Riggs Stephenson

I was a 10-year switch-hitting utilityman who played in the 1970 World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. I was an all-conference selection both years when I finished third in scoring for Austin Peay State teams in 1959-60 (11.5 points per game) and 1960-61 (10.4 ppg) that participated in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Who am I? Jimmy Stewart

I was a 13-year veteran who appeared in 485 major league games, all as a reliever, and won a 1979 World Series game with the Baltimore Orioles after being a starting forward opposite national player of the year David Thompson of North Carolina State for an NCAA basketball champion.
Who am I? Tim Stoddard

I was a lefthander who led the N.L. in won-loss percentage in 1973 (12-3 mark with the New York Mets) before appearing in the World Series and notching a save in Game 2 against the Oakland A's. Basketball letterman for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66 (averaged 14.7 ppg as teammate of noted women's coach Leon Barmore).
Who am I? George Stone

I was an 11-year infielder who led the A.L. in stolen bases three times and hit .326 in the World Series for back-to-back N.L. pennant winners with the Cincinnati Reds after becoming the first Duke player to earn All-American honors in basketball. I was the initial player to bat in a televised major league game (Reds vs. Brooklyn on August 26, 1939) and the only player ever to hit four consecutive doubles in a game in both leagues.
Who am I? Billy Werber

I was an outfielder who played in 12 All-Star Games and had over 3,000 career hits after playing the entire game for Minnesota in the Gophers' first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972. I participated in the World Series with the New York Yankees (1981) and Toronto Blue Jays (1992).
Who am I? Dave Winfield

In the longest opener in World Series history (5-4 decision over the New York Mets in 14 innings), I fanned the side in the top of the 12th for the Kansas City Royals in 2015 en route to three hitless frames of relief in my 11th MLB season after the 6-10 center was an All-Ivy League first-team selection for Princeton in 1999-00 (13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.9 bpg).
Who am I? Chris Young

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