The Godfather: Patrick Sways He-Man Simmons to LSU Via Australian Link
LSU was a major disappointment last season with an underachieving roster. But the Tigers were expected to be a highly-ranked team in 2015-16 with the addition of the nation's consensus #1 recruit (Ben Simmons) via an Australian connection. Simmons' godfather is Bayou Bengal assistant coach David Patrick, who recruited gifted guard Patty Mills from their native Australia when he was an assistant with Saint Mary's. Patrick averaged a modest 3.2 points per game for Louisiana-Lafayette from 1997-98 through 1999-00 after transferring from Syracuse.
The Bayou Bengals remained a disappointment by failing to participate in national postseason competition in 2016. Simmons immediately left for the pros and Patrick departed to become chief assistant at TCU under new coach Jamie Dixon.
Ethical questions linger when hiring the coach or relative of a prize high school prospect but "The Godfather" sequel represents nothing new when it comes to high school or family reunions. Package deals have been a relatively common practice over the years, including LSU all through the 1980s under coach Dale Brown. In 1989, Michigan was the 10th different school in a 20-year span to reach the Final Four with the help of a "coattail" franchise (assistant coach Perry Watson/starting guard Jalen Rose). There also were 10 first- and second-team consensus All-Americans in that stretch stemming from such high school reunions.
Unique recruiting cases are commonplace over the years. For instance, consensus first-team All-American Danny Manning was recruited by Kansas' Larry Brown, who brought in Manning's father as an assistant in the mid-1980s although Ed Manning had been working as a truck driver. Similarly, standout guard Dajuan Wagner went from New Jersey to Memphis, where his father, former NBA guard Milt Wagner, was working under Tigers coach John Calipari. Elsewhere, Daniel Hackett played for USC under Tim Floyd when his former Syracuse All-American father Rudy Hackett was hired as strength and conditioning manager.
Stephen Thompson Jr. is headed to Oregon State after the Beavers hired his father, a former Syracuse star, to their staff. Prior to AAU posses, high school reunions were routine recruiting ploys. There are usually more than a dozen active Division I head coaches who got their start as a college assistant by tagging along directly or being reunited with one of their prize high school prospects. Following is an alphabetical list of NCAA Division I schools featuring star players whose high school coach was reunited with that standout as a college assistant:
AKRON: Lannis Timmons joined Dan Hipsher's staff directly with Darryl Peterson in 2001. Peterson was the Zips' second-leading scorer (13.1 ppg) and rebounder (5 rpg) as a freshman and third-leading scorer (13.8 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (4.4 rpg) as a sophomore. . . . Former Central Michigan coach Keith Dambrot joined Hipsher's staff one year before high-scoring junior college recruit Derrick Tarver arrived in 2002 and two years before Dru Joyce III and Romeo Travis. Tarver led the Mid-American Conference in scoring in 2003-04. Travis and Joyce paced the Zips in scoring and assists, respectively, in 2005-06. Dambrot, who succeeded Hipsher as Akron's head coach in March 2004, coached Tarver, Joyce, Travis and acclaimed NBA prospect LeBron James locally at St. Vincent-St. Mary.
ARIZONA STATE: Scott Pera joined Herb Sendek's staff directly with point guard Derek Glasser in 2006 and one year before James Harden in 2007. Glasser paced ASU in assists each of his first two seasons while averaging more than six points per game. Harden led the Sun Devils in scoring (17.8 ppg) and steals (2.1 spg) as a freshman in 2007-08.
BAYLOR: Harry Miller joined Darrel Johnson's staff directly with his son, Roddrick, and teammate Brian Skinner in 1994. Miller became interim head coach shortly before the start of the season and then was given a five-year contract two months later. Roddrick Miller averaged 10.2 ppg in his career and was the Bears' third-leading scorer as a senior with 11.9 ppg. Skinner finished his career as their all-time leading rebounder and No. 3 scorer before becoming a first-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Clippers. . . . Brian O'Neill joined Dave Bliss' staff at New Mexico one year before center R.T. Guinn enrolled in 1999. They both subsequently moved with Bliss to Baylor where Guinn was the Bears' third-leading rebounder (4.3 rpg) as a sophomore in 2001-02 and second-leading rebounder 5.6 rpg) as a junior in 2002-03. . . . Jerome Tang joined Scott Drew's staff one year before forward Richard Hurd enrolled in 2004. Hurd averaged 4 ppg and 2 rpg as a freshman in 2004-05 before playing sparingly tghe next three seasons.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN: Owen Harris, Kevin Bradshaw's high school assistant coach, joined Cy McClairen's staff with Bradshaw in 1984. Bradshaw was the Wildcats' second-leading scorer with a 19-point average as a sophomore. He subsequently enrolled at U.S. International after a hitch in the Navy and led the nation in scoring in 1990-91 with 37.6 points per game.
BOSTON COLLEGE: Kevin Mackey joined Tom Davis' staff directly with Joe Beaulieu in 1977, which was one year before former high school teammate Dwan Chandler enrolled. Beaulieu, a transfer from Harvard, led the Eagles in rebounding in 1979 and 1980 and has the third-highest career field-goal shooting (57.1 percent) in school history. Chandler, a two-year starter, was runner-up to John Bagley in assists in 1980-81 and held the school record for most games played when his eligibility expired. Mackey went on to coach Cleveland State for seven seasons from 1983-84 through 1989-90, guiding the Vikings to the 1986 East Regional semifinals.
CAL STATE FULLERTON: Phil Mathews joined George McQuarn's staff directly with Tony Neal in 1981. Neal, the Titans' all-time leader in rebounding and steals, was their No. 3 career scorer in Division I when his eligibility expired. He was a sixth-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1985. Mathews eventually became coach at San Francisco.
CAL STATE LOS ANGELES: Caldwell Black, Raymond Lewis' high school assistant coach, joined Bob Miller's staff with him in 1971. After finishing runner-up in the nation in scoring as a sophomore with 32.9 ppg, Lewis became a first-round draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers in the initial NBA draft where players could claim hardship status.
CANISIUS: Phil Seymore joined Marty Marbach's staff with Damone James, who averaged 10.3 points per game as a sophomore and was a key member for the Golden Griffins' NIT teams his last two years in 1994 and 1995.
CENTENARY: Ron Kestenbaum joined Riley Wallace's staff directly with Kevin Starke in 1976, which was the same year former high school teammate George Lett transferred from Hawaii. Lett, the Gents' No. 2 all-time leading rebounder (behind Robert Parish) and No. 3 scorer (behind Parish and former NBA player Tom Kerwin) when his eligibility expired, was a fifth-round draft choice of the Warriors in 1979. Starke led the Gents in assists as a freshman before transferring back home to St. Francis (N.Y.). Kestenbaum coached Arkansas-Little Rock for five seasons from 1979-80 through 1983-84, including a 23-6 record in 1982-83.
CINCINNATI: Mick Cronin, Damon Flint's high school assistant coach, joined Bob Huggins' staff two seasons after Flint started playing for the Bearcats in 1994-95. Flint was co-captain as a senior in 1996-97 after averaging 12.8 points and 3.5 assists per game as a junior. Cronin went on to become Murray State's head coach before accepting a similar position with the Bearcats in 2006.
COLORADO STATE: Ronald Coleman joined Tim Miles' staff only months before Chicago product Jermaine Morgan signed in the fall of 2011. Miles and Coleman subsequently departed at the end of the season for Nebraska.
DAYTON: Larry Miller joined Jim O'Brien's staff one year before Chip Jones and Derrick Dukes enrolled in 1990. Jones, a junior college transfer, was Midwestern Collegiate Conference Newcomer of the Year in 1991 (20.2 ppg and 5.6 rpg) but he didn't play as a senior because of academic problems. Dukes, the Flyers' principal playmaker during his career, was their second-leading scorer as a junior in 1992-93 (12.8 ppg). Dukes had 13 assists in a game against Southern.
DELAWARE: Larry Davis joined Steve Steinwedel's staff one year before Elsworth Bowers enrolled in 1986. Bowers was the Blue Hens' leading scorer and rebounder in his senior season. Davis went on to become Furman's coach for nine seasons from 1997-98 through 2005-06.
DETROIT: Charlie Coles joined Don Sicko's staff directly with Kevin McAdoo in 1982, which was one year before former high school teammate Brian Humes enrolled. McAdoo is the Titans' all-time assists leader. Humes was the Titans' 11th all-time leading scorer when his eligibility expired in 1987. Coles went on to become coach at Central Michigan and Miami (Ohio). . . . Jim Boyce joined Dick Vitale's staff with Terry Tyler, who averaged 15 points and 10.5 rebounds per game for the Titans from 1974-75 through 1977-78 before playing 11 seasons in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks. Boyce eventually coached Eastern Michigan for seven seasons from 1979-80 through 1985-86.
DUKE: Notre Dame coach Mike Brey, Danny Ferry's high school assistant coach, joined Mike Krzyzewski's staff two years after Ferry enrolled in 1985. Ferry, a first-team consensus All-American in 1988-89 after being a second-teamer the previous year, was the Blue Devils' No. 4 all-time leading scorer and No. 5 rebounder when he graduated. Ferry, the second pick overall in the 1989 NBA draft, played 13 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs after spending one year in Italy.
DUQUESNE: Barry Brodzinski joined Mike Satalin's staff one year before Clayton Adams enrolled in 1987, which was one year before former high school teammate Mark Stevenson transferred from Notre Dame. Adams passed Norm Nixon to become the Dukes' all-time assists leader. Stevenson set an Atlantic 10 Conference record for scoring average in 1989-90 (27.2 ppg). . . . Mike Rice Sr. joined John Cinicola's staff directly with Baron "B.B." Flenory in 1976. Flenory was the Dukes' No. 5 all-time leading scorer and No. 2 in assists when his eligibility expired in 1980. Rice was promoted to head coach in 1978 and directed the Dukes for four seasons before coaching Youngstown State for five years.
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL: Junior college recruit Marshod Fairweather rejoined coach Shakey Rodriguez in 1997, averaging 10.7 points per game in two seasons.
ILLINOIS: Wayne McClain joined Bill Self's staff three years after All-American guard Frank Williams enrolled in 1999. Williams averaged 14.3 ppg and 4.3 apg in three seasons with the Illini before entering the 2002 NBA draft as an undergraduate and becoming a first-round draft choice. McClain's son, Sergio, and J.C. recruit Marcus Griffin, a former high school teammate, were regulars for the Illini under Lon Kruger and Self in the seasons immediately before Wayne arrived.
ILLINOIS STATE: Ron Ferguson joined Will Robinson's staff three years after Mike Bonczyk enrolled in 1972. Bonczyk was the Redbirds' all-time leader in assists when his eligibililty expired in 1976.
INDIANA: Ron Felling joined Bob Knight's staff after Illinois "Mr. Basketball" Marty Simmons enrolled in 1983. Simmons transferred to Evansville following the 1984-85 campaign and was the Purple Aces' leading scorer two seasons before eventually becoming their head coach in 2007-08. Knight paid $25,000 to Felling, fired in December 1999, after signing an agreement in which he admitted to shoving him in anger into a television. Felling claims Knight assaulted him after eavesdropping on a private conversation with a former colleague in which he discussed Knight's propensity to "rant and rage." IU settled with Felling for $35,000.
INDIANA STATE: James Martin joined Tates Locke's staff directly with Darrin Hancock in 1993 when the forward transferred from Kansas. But Hancock, who played for Martin in Griffin, Ga., before attending junior college, dropped out of school to play professionally in Europe.
IOWA: Rick Moss joined Tom Davis' staff directly with Ray Thompson in 1988. Thompson scored more points than any freshman in Hawkeyes' history except for Roy Marble and was their leading scorer the next season when he was suspended. Thompson subsequently enrolled at Oral Roberts, where he averaged 24.6 ppg and 9.6 rpg.
JAMES MADISON: Ernie Nestor joined Lou Campanelli's staff three years after Sherman Dillard enrolled in 1973. Dillard, the Dukes' No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 2,065 points, was a sixth-round draft choice of the Indiana Pacers in 1978. Nestor eventually coached George Mason for five seasons from 1988-89 through 1992-93 before becoming head coach at Elon.
KANSAS: Duncan Reid joined Ted Owens' staff directly with Norm Cook in 1973. Cook, who declared early for the NBA draft after leading the Jayhawks in scoring in his junior season, still ranks among the top rebounders in school history. Cook, a first-round draft choice of the Celtics in 1976, also played briefly with the Nuggets. . . . Lafayette Norwood joined Owens' staff directly with Darnell Valentine in 1977. Valentine, the Jayhawks' all-time No. 4 scorer and third-leading assists man, was a first-round draft choice of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1981. He played nine seasons in the NBA with four different teams. . . . Ronnie Chalmers joined Bill Self's staff directly with his son, Mario, in 2005. Mario, a 6-1 guard, was a three-time Alaska 4A Player of the Year. He left college early for the NBA after being named Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 Final Four, finishing his Jayhawks career with 12.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.8 apg and 2.6 spg.
KANSAS STATE: Mark Reiner joined Jack Hartman's staff directly with Curtis Redding and Tyrone Ladson in 1976. Redding was the Wildcats' No. 2 scorer (behind eventual pro guard Mike Evans) in 1976-77 and 1977-78 before transferring to St. John's. Redding was an eighth-round draft choice of the Denver Nuggets in 1981. Ladson received one letter at K-State before transferring to Texas A&M. Reiner later coached Brooklyn College for 10 seasons from 1980-81 through 1989-90.
KENTUCKY: Bob Chambers joined Joe B. Hall's staff one year after Derrick Hord enrolled in 1979. Hord, the Wildcats' leading scorer as a junior, was a third-round draft choice of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1983. . . . Simeon Mars joined Rick Pitino's staff as an administrative assistant directly with center Jamaal Magloire in 1996. Magloire, UK's all-time leader in blocked shots, paced the team in scoring, rebounding and field-goal shooting in 1999-00. Mars remained on Tubby Smith's staff after Pitino departed.
LONG BEACH STATE: Bobby Braswell joined Joe Harrington's staff directly with Lucious Harris in 1989, which was one year after Tyrone Mitchell transferred from Arizona. Harris became the Big West Conference's all-time leading scorer. Mitchell led Long Beach State in assists in 1989-90 and 1990-91. Braswell coached Cal State Northridge, his alma mater, for 17 seasons from 1996-97 through 2012-13.
LOUISIANA-MONROE: Mike Vining joined Lenny Fant's staff three years after Calvin Natt and Jamie Mayo enrolled in 1975, which was one year before high school teammates Kenny Natt and Eugene Robinson arrived on campus at what was then called Northeast Louisiana. Calvin Natt, a second-team consensus All-American as a senior, is the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. He was a first-round draft choice of the Nets in 1979 and played 10 seasons in the NBA with four different teams. Mayo is one of the school's all-time leaders in assists. Kenny Natt, who led NLU in scoring in his senior season, was a second-round draft choice of the Pacers in 1980 and played briefly in three seasons with three different NBA teams. Robinson is the school's all-time leader in field-goal percentage and led the team in rebounding his senior season. Vining went on to become the school's all-time winningest head coach, compiling a 401-303 record (.570) in 24 seasons from 1981-82 through 2004-05.
LOUISIANA STATE: Ron Abernathy joined Dale Brown's staff directly with Rudy Macklin in 1976. Macklin, a second-team consensus All-American in 1981, is the Tigers' all-time leading rebounder and second in career scoring (behind NCAA all-time leader Pete Maravich). Macklin, a third-round draft choice of the Atlanta Hawks in 1981, also played briefly for the New York Knicks in his three-year NBA career. Abernathy became coach at Tennessee State for two seasons in the early 1990s. . . . Rick Huckabay joined Brown's staff directly with Howard Carter in 1979. Carter, the Tigers' No. 3 all-time scorer, was a first-round draft choice of the Denver Nuggets in 1983. He also played briefly with the Dallas Mavericks in his two-year NBA career. Huckabay went on to become Marshall's coach for six seasons, directing the Thundering Herd to the NCAA Tournament three times in the mid-1980s. . . . Gary Duhe joined Brown's staff two years after Derrick Taylor enrolled in 1981. Taylor, who ranks among the Tigers' top 10 in career scoring and assists, was a fourth-round draft choice of the Indiana Pacers in 1986. . . . Mike Mallett joined LSU's athletic department as an aide directly with Nikita Wilson in 1983. Wilson, who ranks 10th in career scoring for the Tigers, was a second-round draft choice of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1987. . . . Jim Childers joined Brown's staff directly with Stanley Roberts in 1989. Roberts was the Tigers' No. 2 scorer and rebounder (behind Shaquille O'Neal) in his only season with them before turning pro. Roberts was a longtime backup center in the NBA after spending one year in Spain.
LOUISIANA TECH: Johnny Simmons joined Keith Richard's staff directly with Antonio "Tiger" Meeking in 1999. Meeking was the Bulldogs' leading rebounder and No. 3 scorer en route to becoming Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year. He was an All-WAC first-team selection as a senior in 2002-03 when he averaged 17.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg, finishing his career with 13.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg while shooting 52.1% from the floor.
LOUISVILLE: Wade Houston joined Denny Crum's staff directly with Darrell Griffith and Bobby Turner in 1976. Griffith, a first-team consensus All-American as a senior, is the Cardinals' all-time leading scorer. Griffith played 10 seasons with the Utah Jazz after being its first-round draft choice in 1980. Turner was a two-year starter before succumbing to scholastic shortcomings. Houston eventually coached Tennessee for five seasons from 1989-90 through 1993-94 where his son, Allan, became the Volunteers' all-time leading scorer. . . . Scott Davenport joined Crum's staff in guard DeJuan Wheat's senior season (All-American in 1996-97). Wheat, a second-round draft choice of the Los Angeles Lakers, finished runner-up to Griffith in career scoring at UL with 2,183 points (16.1 ppg). . . . Kevin Keatts joined Rick Pitino's staff shortly before guard Luke Hancock transferred from George Mason and redshirted during the 2011-12 campaign before becoming Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 2013. Hancock had played for Keatts at Hargrave Military Academy (Va.). The next season, forward Montrezl Harrell aligned with the Cardinals after the Hargrave product de-committed from Virginia Tech following coach Seth Greenberg's firing.
MASSACHUSETTS: Ray Wilson joined Jack Leaman's staff one year after Julius Erving enrolled in 1968. Erving, the Minutemen's all-time leading scorer when he left college as an undergraduate in 1971, became MVP in both the ABA and NBA. Nine-time first-team All-Pro played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers after five years in the ABA with the Virginia Squires and New York Nets. Wilson succeeded Leaman as UMass' head coach for two seasons in the early 1980s.
MEMPHIS: Lamont Peterson, Tyreke Evans' personal trainer was hired by John Calipari as an administrative assistant prior to Evans' lone season in 2008-09, spurring the NCAA to prohibit schools from hiring "associates" of recruits for non-coaching positions. . . . Keelon Lawson joined Josh Pastner's staff one year before son K.J. for 2015-16 campaign.
MICHIGAN: Bill Frieder joined Johnny Orr's staff one year after Wayman Britt enrolled in 1972. Britt, the Wolverines' all-time leader in assists when his eligibility expired, was the Los Angeles Lakers' fourth-round draft choice in 1976. Frieder succeeded Orr in 1980 and coached Michigan for nine seasons before accepting a similar position at Arizona State. . . . Perry Watson joined Steve Fisher's staff in 1991 directly with Jalen Rose, the leading scorer for the Wolverines' Fab Five Final Four team in 1992. Rose left for the NBA as an undergraduate while Watson coached the University of Detroit for 15 seasons from 1993-94 through 2007-08.
MINNESOTA: Jessie Evans joined Jim Dutcher's staff two years before swingman Trent Tucker enrolled in 1978. Tucker averaged 12.6 points per game in his career with the Golden Gophers before becoming a first-round draft choice of the New York Knicks in 1982 (sixth pick overall). Evans went on to coach Southwestern Louisiana, which is now known as Louisiana-Lafayette, and San Francisco.
MISSISSIPPI: Wayne Brent joined Rod Barnes' staff two years before his Provine Posse - academic redshirt Aaron Harper, freshman Justin Reed and J.C. transfer David Sanders - accounted for three of the Rebels' top six scorers in powering them to their first Sweet 16 appearance in school history and all-time winningest season (27-8 in 2000-01 as Barnes was named national coach of year). Reed became an All-SEC selection the next three seasons and Brent went on to become coach for Jackson State.
MISSOURI: Rich Grawer joined Norm Stewart's staff two years after Mark Dressler enrolled in 1978, which was one year before former high school teammate Steve Stipanovich arrived on campus. Dressler was the "super sub" for three Big Eight Conference championship teams. Stipanovich, a second-team consensus All-American as a senior, ranks No. 2 among the Tigers' all-time leading rebounders and is No. 4 in scoring. Stipanovich, the second pick overall in the 1983 draft, played five seasons with the Indiana Pacers before his pro career was curtailed by a knee ailment. Grawer went on to coach Saint Louis for 10 seasons from 1982-83 through 1991-92. . . . Rob Fulford joined Kim Anderson's staff in 2014 directly with wing Montaque "Teki" Gill-Caesar.
NEBRASKA: Arden Reid joined Danny Nee's staff in 1987 directly with his son, Beau, a forward who was the Huskers' top scorer as a sophomore before suffering a severe knee injury prior to the next season. . . . Cleo Hill Jr., the son of a former St. Louis Hawks guard, joined Nee's staff one year before forward Kenny Booker and junior college center George Mazyck, who started his college career with Missouri. Hill was an assistant at Mt. Zion Academy in Durham, N.C.
NEW MEXICO: Ron Garcia, Kenny Thomas' high school assistant coach in Albuquerque, joined Dave Bliss' staff one year after Thomas enrolled in 1995. Thomas, a third-team All-American as a junior, is the Lobos' all-time leading rebounder and No. 2 scorer. He was a first-round NBA draft choice of the Houston Rockets. . . . Brian O'Neill joined Bliss' staff one year before center R.T. Guinn enrolled in 1999. Guinn was the Lobos' third-leading rebounder (4.8 rpg) as a freshman. O'Neill and Guinn subsequently moved with Bliss to Baylor. . . . Indiana-based prep coach Alan Huss joined Craig Neal's staff two years after Sudanese center Obji Aget enrolled and directly with Sam Logwood in 2014 after the wing was granted a release from his grant-in-aid by Auburn following a coaching change.
NEW ORLEANS: Joey Stiebing joined Tim Floyd's staff directly with Melvin Simon in 1990, which was one year after high school teammate Darren Laiche enrolled and two years before high school teammates Gerald Williams and Dedric Willoughby arrived on campus. Simon, hailed as the top freshman prospect in the country who didn't attend a school in a high-profile conference that year, finished his career as the Privateers' No. 2 rebounder and No. 4 scorer. Laiche was a spot starter as a swingman. Williams was a starter after playing for Tyler (Tex.) Junior College. Willoughby became a star for Iowa State after transferring there with Floyd before playing for Floyd with the Chicago Bulls. Stiebing was promoted to head coach at UNO and guided the Privateers for four seasons from 1997-98 through 2000-01.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE: Mark Phelps joined Herb Sendek's staff directly with Damon Thornton in 1996, which was one year before former high school teammate Kenny Inge arrived on campus. Thornton and Inge were the top two rebounders for the Wolfpack for two seasons. Phelps went on to coach Drake for five seasons from 2008-09 through 2012-13.
NORTH TEXAS: Jimmy Gales joined Bill Blakeley's staff one year after Kenneth Williams enrolled in 1974. Williams, the Eagles' all-time leading rebounder, led the nation in rebounding as a senior (14.7 rpg in 1977-78). Gales eventually coached North Texas for seven seasons from 1986-87 through 1992-93.
OKLAHOMA: Mike Mims joined Billy Tubbs' staff one year before Wayman Tisdale enrolled in 1983. Tisdale, a first-team consensus All-American three straight seasons from 1982-83 through 1984-85, is the Sooners' all-time leader in scoring (2,661 points), rebounding (1,048) and field-goal shooting (57.8%) despite leaving school a year early. Tisdale, the second pick overall in 1985 draft, played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
OKLAHOMA STATE: Steve Henson joined Leonard Hamilton's staff directly with Royce Jeffries in 1986. In his senior season, Jeffries was the Cowboys' No. 2 scorer and rebounder (behind Byron Houston).
OLD DOMINION: James Johnson, who went on to become Virginia Tech's coach, joined the staff of Jeff Capel Jr. directly with guard Michael Williams in 1997 from Hargrave Military Institute. Williams averaged 7 points per game in his four-year career and was the Monarchs' runner-up in assists as a sophomore.
PROVIDENCE: Nick Macarchuk joined Dave Gavitt's staff three years after Ernie DiGregorio enrolled in 1969. DiGregorio, a first-team consensus All-American as a senior, is the Friars' all-time assists leader (7.7 per game) and among Top 10 in scoring (1,760 points). DiGregorio, the third pick overall in 1973 draft, played five seasons in the NBA with three different teams. Macarchuk went on to coach Canisius for 10 seasons and Fordham for 12 seasons before accepting a similar position at Stony Brook. . . . Jimmy Adams joined Gavitt's staff two years after Marvin Barnes enrolled in 1970. Barnes, a first-team consensus All-American as a senior when he led the nation in rebounding, is the Friars' all-time leading rebounder (1,592) and is fourth in scoring (1,839 points). Barnes, the second pick overall in the 1974 NBA draft, played four seasons in the NBA with four different teams after spending two years with the ABA's Spirits of St. Louis.
RHODE ISLAND: Jerry DeGregorio, who coached Lamar Odom at St. Thomas Aquinas H.S. in New Britain, Conn., was on Jim Harrick's staff. Odom left the Rams after only one season to become the fourth pick overall in the 1999 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. DeGregorio was promoted to head coach after Harrick departed for Georgia.
RICHMOND: Gary DeCesare joined Jerry Wainwright's staff directly with point guard Daon Merritt in 2003. Merritt was a part-time starter as a freshman for the Spiders despite missing all of his high school senior season because of a broken foot. He averaged 11.1 ppg and 4.3 apg as a sophomore with the Spiders in 2004-05 before transferring to South Alabama.
ROBERT MORRIS: Jim Elias joined Matt Furjanic's staff two years after Chipper Harris enrolled in 1980. Harris is the Colonials' No. 2 all-time leading scorer (1,942 points) and ranks among the top five in career assists.
ST. JOHN'S: Darren Savino, a local assistant high school coach, joined Fran Fraschilla's staff in 1996 one year before celebrated center James Felton enrolled. Embattled Felton was booted off the squad for repeated violations before his freshman semester was over. . . . Dermon Player, an assistant high school coach in the Bronx, joined Mike Jarvis' staff in 1998 directly with Anthony Glover and two years after Chudney Gray enrolled. Player also coached in the Riverside Church program, where many New York standouts play, including Red Storm playmaker Erick Barkley, who became an NBA first-round draft choice in 2000 after his sophomore season. In 1999-00, Gray averaged 8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg and 1.3 spg as a senior while Glover contributed 10.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 1.5 spg as a sophomore. Glover was the school's leading rebounder and second-leading rebounder as a junior and senior.
SAINT LOUIS: Dick Versace joined Bob Polk's staff directly with Leartha Scott in 1973. Scott was the Billikens' No. 2 scorer as a freshman with 12.4 ppg before encountering academic problems and transferring to Wisconsin-Parkside. Scott was a fourth-round pick of the Golden State Warriors in the 1977 NBA draft. Versace eventually coached Bradley for eight seasons from 1978-79 through 1985-86 before heading to the NBA and coaching the Indiana Pacers a couple of years. . . . Mitch Haskins joined Ron Coleman's staff directly with Ricky Frazier in 1977. Frazier, the Billikens' leading scorer as a freshman before transferring to Missouri, was a second-round draft choice of the Chicago Bulls in 1982. . . . Lee Winfield, Darryl Anderson's high school assistant coach, joined Rich Grawer's staff two years after Anderson enrolled in 1980 when Ron Ekker was coach. Anderson averaged 7.2 ppg in his four seasons. Winfield went on become an assistant with Missouri when his versatile son, Julian, led the Tigers in a variety of categories (rebounding and field-goal percentage in 1994-95 and assists in 1995-96). . . . Larry Hughes, the Bills' standout who was C-USA Freshman of the Year in 1997-98 (20.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.2 spg) for coach Charlie Spoonhour, rejoined SLU assistant Derek Thomas, who had coached Hughes early in his career at a local high school. Prep teammate Justin Tatum joined SLU's roster the next season after sitting out a year because of academic deficiencies. Tatum finished his career with 8.2 ppg and 5.3 rpg. Thomas subsequently accepted similar assistant positions at Minnesota and UNLV before becoming head coach at Western Illinois for five seasons from 2003-04 through 2007-08.
SAN DIEGO STATE: Jim Tomey joined Steve Fisher's staff one year before Chris Walton enrolled for his freshman campaign in 2000-01. Chris, one of four sons of former national player of the year Bill Walton (UCLA) to play Division I basketball, averaged 5.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg in his four-year career with the Aztecs.
SAN FRANCISCO: Don Risley joined Bob Gaillard's staff directly with Bill Cartwright in 1975. Cartwright, a second-team consensus All-American as a sophomore and senior, is the Dons' all-time leading scorer (2,116 points) and is third in rebounding (1,137). Cartwright, the third overall pick in the 1979 draft, played 15 seasons with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Rudy Washington joined Bob Boyd's staff one year before Leonel Marquetti and Maurice Williams enrolled in 1978. Marquetti, who transferred to Hampton (Va.) Institute after two seasons with the Trojans, was a ninth-round draft choice as an undergraduate by the Spurs in 1981. Williams, whose last-second basket beat UCLA in Pauley Pavilion in 1981, was a two-year All-Pacific-10 first-team forward. Washington went on to coach Drake for six seasons from 1990-91 through 1995-96 before becoming executive director of the Black Coaches Association.
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI: Former New Mexico/San Francisco player Billy Reid joined Larry Eustachy's staff directly with guard Sai'Quon Stone from Laurinburg Prep in 2006. Stone was the No. 2 scoring freshman in Conference USA in 2006-07 with 10.2 ppg before leading the Eagles in rebounding as a sophomore with 5.8 rpg.
SOUTH FLORIDA: Terrelle Woody, an aide/personal trainer at the private Maryland prep school home schooler Augustus Gilchrist played for as a senior, joined Stan Heath's staff directly with Gilchrist in 2008 when the 6-10 center transferred from Maryland. Gilchrist averaged 10.2 ppg and 4.4 rpg in 2008-09 and 13.4 ppg and 5.9 rpg in 2009-10.
TENNESSEE: Ray Grant joined Jerry Green's staff directly with Vincent Yarbrough in 1998. Yarbrough's brother, backup guard Del Baker, aligned with the Volunteers the previous year. Yarbrough, a three-time All-SEC selection, finished his career with 13.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg.
TEXAS A&M: John Reese joined Billy Kennedy's staff in 2011 one year before his son, J-Mychal, arrived and averaged 6.2 ppg as a freshman. Father left the Aggies' program midway through the 2013-14 campaign after his sophomore son was booted from the squad reportedly for multiple violations of team rules involving drug use.
TOWSON: Kenny Johnson joined Pat Skerry's staff directly with Deon Jones in 2011 although Jones had transferred from Johnson's high school in Virginia to one in Delaware his final two prep seasons. Jones started every game as a freshman, averaging 7 ppg and 4.5 rpg, before Johnson departed for a similar position at Indiana.
TULANE: Brock Kantrow joined Perry Clark's staff one year before Nick Sinville enrolled in 2000 as a transfer from Minnesota. With the Green Wave, Sinville averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg as a junior in 2001-02 and 8.4 ppg and 4.7 rpg as a senior in 2002-03.
UAB: Joe Evans joined Gene Bartow's staff three years after Eddie Collins enrolled in 1984, which was two years before former high school teammate Larry Rembert arrived on campus. Collins, a two-year starter, was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference Tournament team in his junior season. Rembert, a three-year starter, led the Blazers in rebounding in his sophomore and senior seasons. . . . Jim Armstrong helped monitor UAB's strength and fitness program for Bartow when Alan Ogg enrolled. Ogg, who set school and Sun Belt single-season and career blocked shot records and led the Blazers in rebounding in 1989-90, was on the Miami Heat's roster a couple of seasons. . . . Robert Scott joined Murry Bartow's staff one year before LeAndrew Bass and Myron Ransom enrolled in 1997. Scott subsequently moved on to a similar position at his alma mater (Alabama). Bass and Ransom combined for 20.3 ppg and 9.4 rpg as juniors in 1999-00.
UNLV: George McQuarn joined Jerry Tarkanian's staff three years after Lewis Brown enrolled in 1973. Brown, who ranks second in school history in rebounding (behind Sidney Green), was a fourth-round draft choice of the Milwaukee Bucks in 1977. Brown played briefly with the Washington Bullets in the 1980-81 campaign. McQuarn eventually coached Cal State Fullerton for eight seasons from 1980-81 through 1987-88.
UTAH: Kerry Rupp joined Rick Majerus' staff one year after center-forward Lance Allred enrolled in 1999. Allred started six games in 2001-02 for the Utes. Rupp, who compiled a 24-9 record as the Utes' interim coach in 2003-04 when Majerus was sidelined for health reasons, eventually coached Louisiana Tech for four seasons from 2007-08 through 2010-11.
UTAH STATE: Jim Harrick joined Dutch Belnap's staff one year before Mike Santos and high school teammate Oscar Williams enrolled in 1974. Santos, the Aggies' fourth-leading all-time scorer when his eligibility expired, was a third-round draft choice of the Buffalo Braves in 1978. Williams still holds school assists records for a game, season and career. Harrick went on to direct four different schools to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances (Pepperdine, UCLA, Rhode Island and Georgia).
VILLANOVA: Jimmy Salmon joined Steve Lappas' staff directly with star forward Tim Thomas, who averaged 16.9 ppg and 6 rpg in 1996-97 as a freshman before turning pro early and becoming the seventh pick overall in the NBA draft.
VIRGINIA: Richard Schmidt joined Terry Holland's staff directly with Jeff Lamp and Lee Raker in 1977. Lamp, a consensus second-team All-American as a senior, is the Cavaliers' all-time No. 2 scorer (behind Bryant Stith). Lamp, a first-round draft choice of the Portland Trail Blazers in 1981, played six years in the NBA with four different teams. Raker, the seventh-leading scorer in school history when his eligibility expired, was a fourth-round draft pick of San Diego. Schmidt was head coach with Tampa for 25 seasons after the school resurrected its basketball program in 1983-84.
VIRGINIA TECH: Bob Schneider joined Charlie Moir's staff directly with his son, Jeff Schneider, in 1978. Jeff was the 11th-leading scorer in the Hokies' history when his eligibility expired. Jeff Schneider went on to coach Cal Poly for six seasons from 1995-96 to 2000-01.
WESTERN CAROLINA: Terry Rogers joined Phil Hopkins' staff directly with his son, Casey Rogers, and prep teammate Cory Largent in 1998. They both started in their initial seasons. Casey was named Southern Conference Freshman of the Year after leading all league freshmen in scoring and finishing second in the entire conference in assists. Casey averaged 10.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 5.7 apg while Largent contributed 12 ppg and 4.3 rpg in their four-year careers with the Catamounts.
WYOMING: Alumnus Tom Asbury joined Don DeVoe's staff one year after Joe Fazekas in 1976-77. After lettering one year with the Cowboys, Fazekas transferred to Idaho State, where he led the Bengals in scoring, rebounding, both shooting categories and blocked shots in 1979-80. He is the father of eventual Nevada All-American Nick Fazekas. Asbury went on to coach Pepperdine and Kansas State.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 26 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 26 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 26
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) collected two homers and five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in 1957.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1959 twinbill.
Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau (leading scorer for Illinois' 1937 Big Ten Conference co-champion) banged out five hits, including a pair of doubles and pair of triples, in a 12-11, 14-inning victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1948.
Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) cracked two homers for the second time in an eight-game span in 2007.
Pittsburgh Pirates SS Dick Groat (two-time All-American with Duke in 1950-51 and 1951-52 when finishing among nation's top five scorers each season) amassed four hits and five RBI in a 9-2 triumph against the Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a 1959 doubleheader.
Cleveland Indians rookie RHP Wynn Hawkins (Little All-American was all-time leading scorer for Baldwin-Wallace OH upon graduation in 1957) toiled 11 innings in outdueling Jim Bunning in a 2-1 win against the Detroit Tigers in 1960.
Cleveland Indians RHP Oral Hildebrand (Butler All-American in 1928-29 and 1929-30) fired a one-hitter against the St. Louis Browns in 1933, giving him back-to-back shutouts.
Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Gil Hodges (played for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) contributed five RBI against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1959.
Detroit Tigers CF Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) collected four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in 1959.
Chicago Cubs LF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD guard for two years in mid-1930s) provided five RBI against the Cincinnati Reds in 1940. Two years later, Nicholson amassed two triples and five RBI against the Reds in 1942.
First appearance of the 1933 campaign for New York Giants RHP Roy Parmelee (Eastern Michigan letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) resulted in a one-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies.
OF Curtis Pride (led William & Mary in steals three times and assists twice from 1986-87 through 1989-90) shipped by the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox as part of a conditional deal in 2000.
Montreal Expos 2B Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1969.
RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Yankees in 1974.
Evans Gives Hurley Big Assist By Tagging Along With Him to Arizona State
If anyone knows the value of team chemistry and distributing the ball, it's NCAA all-time assists leader Bobby Hurley (1,076 scoring feeds with Duke from 1989-90 through 1992-93). One of his first significant moves as coach at Arizona State to help the Sun Devils possibly return to the NCAA playoffs was having Shannon Evans tag along with him from Buffalo. Evans sparked the Bulls to the NCAA tourney by averaging a team-high 4.6 apg in addition to contributing 15.4 ppg and 3.2 rpg.
Following is an alphabetical list of prominent players who transferred from one major college to another with the same head coach although he wasn't his father:
Player Pos. Head Coach First School Second School Mike Aaman F Dan Hurley Wagner Rhode Island 13-14 Brent Arrington G Sean Woods Mississippi Valley State 12 Morehead State 14-15 Pasha Bains G Larry Shyatt Wyoming 99 Clemson 00 Bill Brigham F Mike Jarvis Boston University 89-90 George Washington 92-93 Anthony Buford G Bob Huggins Akron 88-90 Cincinnati 92 Adrian Crawford G Steve Robinson Tulsa 97 Florida State 99-01 Greg Davis F Dave Bliss New Mexico 98-99 Baylor 01-02 *Nate Erdmann G Kelvin Sampson Washington State 94 Oklahoma 96-97 Shannon Evans G Bobby Hurley Buffalo 14-15 Arizona State 17 Josh Fisher G Lorenzo Romar Pepperdine Saint Louis 01-04 Prince Fowler G Billy Tubbs Oklahoma 95 Texas Christian 97-99 John David Gardner G Brad Brownell UNC Wilmington 05 Wright State 08-10 Juan'ya Green G Joe Mihalich Niagara 12-13 Hofstra 15 R.T. Guinn C Dave Bliss New Mexico 00 Baylor 02 Kevin Henry G Dave Bliss New Mexico 98-00 Baylor 02 Denard Holmes F Abe Lemons Texas 82 Oklahoma City 85 Gary Hooker F Ron Greene Mississippi State 76-78 Murray State 80 Shawn James C Ron Everhart Northeastern 05-06 Duquesne 08 LeDarion Jones F Larry Shyatt Clemson 96-97 Wyoming 99-00 Thomas Kilgore G Ben Braun Eastern Michigan California 98-99 Mark Lyons G Sean Miller Xavier 09 Arizona 13 Daquein McNeil G Richard Pitino Florida International Minnesota 14-15 Mike Mitchell F Boyd Grant Fresno State 86-88 Colorado State 90 Nic Moore G Tim Jankovich Illinois State 12 Southern Methodist 14-15 Anthony Pendleton G George Raveling Iowa Southern California 88-89 Scoonie Penn G Jim O'Brien Boston College 96-97 Ohio State 99-00 Merle Rousey G Hank Iba Colorado 34 Oklahoma A&M 36-37 Malik Smith G Richard Pitino Florida International 13 Minnesota 14 Ameen Tanksley G-F Joe Mihalich Niagara 12-13 Hofstra 15 Robert Vaden G-F Mike Davis Indiana 05-06 UAB 08 Ross Varner F Lorenzo Romar Pepperdine Saint Louis 02 Pax Whitehead G-F Jan van Breda Kolff Cornell 93 Vanderbilt 95-97 Sean Wightman F Bob Donewald Illinois State 89 Western Michigan 91-93 Jason Williams G Billy Donovan Marshall 95-96 Florida 98 Dedric Willoughby G Tim Floyd New Orleans 93-94 Iowa State 96-97 Jack Worthington G Abe Lemons Texas 82-83 Oklahoma City 85-86
*Erdmann played for a junior college between four-year school stints.
NOTES: Aaman committed to Wagner before choosing to enroll with Hurley at Rhode Island, Fisher signed with Pepperdine but never played there before choosing to follow Romar to SLU, Kilgore never played for EMU after transferring there from Central Michigan, Lyons was an academic partial qualifier in 2008-09 and Pendleton signed with Iowa but never played for the Hawkeyes because of scholastic shortcomings. . . . Mitchell played two seasons at Fresno State under Grant's successor (Ron Adams). . . . Varner went on an LDS Mormon mission for two years between stints at Pepperdine and Saint Louis. . . . Jankovich is coach-in-waiting at SMU under Larry Brown.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 25 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 25 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 25
New York Yankees P Jim Beattie (Dartmouth's top rebounder in 1974-75 when selected basketball team MVP and honorable mention All-Ivy League) won his MLB debut in 1978 (4-3 against the Baltimore Orioles).
Chicago Cubs 2B Glenn Beckert (three-year letterman for Allegheny PA) banged out four hits against the Houston Astros in 1970.
Texas Rangers RHP Jim Bibby (Fayetteville State NC backup player and brother of UCLA All-American Henry Bibby) tossed a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in 1974.
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) collected four hits and four RBI against the Cleveland Indians in 1954.
In 1969, Montreal Expos 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) contributed four hits against his original team (the Pittsburgh Pirates).
Two weeks after helping the Boston Celtics capture the 1961 NBA title, RHP Gene Conley (All-PCC first-team selection led North Division in scoring in 1949-50 as Washington State sophomore) earned his first A.L. victory (6-1 for the Boston Red Sox over the Washington Senators).
Cleveland Indians RF Larry Doby (reserve guard for Virginia Union team winning 1943 CIAA title) tied MLB record by striking out five times in a single game (at Detroit in 1948).
LF David Justice (led Thomas More KY in assists in 1984-85) went deep twice for the Cleveland Indians as they hit a team-record eight homers in an 11-4 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers in 1997.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Fred Kipp (two-time all-league selection as four-year letterman for Emporia State KS from 1950 through 1953) won his first MLB start (5-3 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1958).
New York Giants CF Hank Leiber (played for Arizona in 1931) supplied five RBI against the Boston Braves in 1936.
Only 14 games into the 1982 season, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner fired manager Bob Lemon and replaced him with Gene Michael (Kent State's leading scorer with 14 ppg in 1957-58), the man Lemon succeeded the previous September.
3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) put the Minnesota Twins ahead with a three-run pinch homer in the eighth inning but they wound up losing at Chicago, 6-5, in 1969.
RHP Joe Niekro (averaged 8.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for West Liberty WV from 1963-64 through 1965-66) traded by the Chicago Cubs to the San Diego Padres in 1969.
En route to hitting safely in seven of his first nine pinch-hit appearances with the San Diego Padres, utilityman Gary Sutherland (averaged 7.4 ppg with USC in 1963-64) socked a homer against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1977.
Atlanta Braves RHP Cecil Upshaw (Centenary's leading scorer as junior in 1962-63) secured his fifth relief victory in the first month of the 1971 campaign.
North Carolina is Runner-Up to California as State With Most NCAA DI Titles
Duke's success enabled the state of North Carolina to break a tie with Kentucky and become runner-up to California for most NCAA Tournament titles. The only time two different schools from the same state captured three consecutive NCAA titles was from 1960 through 1962 when Ohio State and Cincinnati reigned supreme. North Carolina was twice involved in back-to-back crowns with an in-state counterpart - 1982 and 1983 (N.C. State) plus 2009 and 2010 (Duke).
California is the only state with as many as four different universities win an NCAA Division I Tournament championship. Eight different states have had more than one school capture the NCAA DI Tournament title.
California (15) - California (1959), San Francisco (1955 and 1956), Stanford (1942), UCLA (1964-65-67-68-69-70-71-72-73-75-95)
North Carolina (12) - Duke (1991-92-01-10-15), North Carolina (1957-82-93-05-09), North Carolina State (1974 and 1983)
Kentucky (11) - Kentucky (1948-49-51-58-78-96-98-12), Louisville (1980-86-13)
Michigan (3) - Michigan (1989), Michigan State (1979 and 2000)
Ohio (3) - Cincinnati (1961 and 1962), Ohio State (1960)
New York (2) - CCNY (1950), Syracuse (2003)
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 24 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 24 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 24
San Diego Padres SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) contributed four hits for the second time in four days in 1978.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Morrie Arnovich (played for Wisconsin-Superior in early 1930s) went 4-for-4, including three doubles, in a 7-3 win against Brooklyn in 1937.
Baltimore Orioles rookie 2B Marv Breeding (played for Samford in mid-1950s) went hitless for the only time in his first 12 MLB games.
Boston Braves SS Dick Culler (#9 jersey retired by High Point for Little All-American in 1935 and 1936) went 4-for-4 in an 8-6 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945.
Brooklyn Dodgers rookie SS Ben Geraghty (Villanova letterman from 1933-34 through 1935-36) supplied his fourth straight multiple-hit game in 1936.
Oakland Athletics rookie 3B Wayne Gross (led Cal Poly Pomona in assists in 1974-75) went 4-for-4 with four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 doubleheader.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) tied a MLB record by striking out 18 batters in a nine-inning game at Chicago in 1962.
Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dave Lemanczyk (averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Hartwick NY teams compiling 51-21 record from 1969-70 through 1971-72) tossed a one-hitter against the Texas Rangers. It was one of three shutouts for him in 1979.
LF Danny Litwhiler (member of JV team with Bloomsburg PA three years in mid-1930s) collected four of 22 hits by the Boston Braves and chipped in with four RBI in a 14-5 victory over the New York Giants in 1947. Johnny Mize, who later had a basketball arena named after him at Piedmont College GA, socked three successive homers for the Giants. Five years earlier with the Philadelphia Phillies, Litwhiler went 4-for-4 against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1942.
Kansas City Athletics 2B Jerry Lumpe (member of Southwest Missouri State's 1952 NAIA Tournament championship team) provided his fifth multiple-hit game in as many outings to start the 1960 campaign en route to compiling a .471 average while hitting safely in his first 13 contests of the season.
San Diego Padres RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI) didn't allow an earned run through his first nine relief appearances in 1993.
New York Yankees SS Gene Michael (led Kent State in scoring with 14 ppg in 1957-58) contributed a career-high four RBI against the Minnesota Twins in 1971.
Washington Senators rookie CF Irv Noren (player of year for California community college state champion Pasadena City in 1945) went hitless for the only time in his first 13 MLB starts in 1950.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Chicago White Sox in the nightcap of a 1977 twinbill.
RHP John Pyecha (led Appalachian State in scoring, rebounding and field-goal shooting in 1951-52 and 1954-55) lost his only MLB pitching appearance with the Chicago Cubs in 1954.
New York Yankees 3B Red Rolfe (played briefly with Dartmouth in 1927-28 and 1929-30) ripped two homers against the Philadelphia Athletics in a 1940 game.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) clubbed three doubles for the second time in a six-game span in 1932.
Chicago White Sox LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) yielded his only run in 12 relief appearances during the month in 2012.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 23 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 23 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 23
New York Giants LF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) went 4-for-4 in a 7-2 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1932.
Milwaukee Braves rookie LF Howie Bedell (averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for West Chester PA in 1955-56) banged out a career-high three safeties against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1962. Bedell hit safely in his first eight MLB games earlier in the month.
Seattle Mariners LF Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) went 4-for-4 against the Minnesota Twins in 1982.
In a celebrated fracas, New York Giants SS Alvin Dark (letterman for LSU and USL during World War II) confronted Jackie Robinson (Pacific Coast Conference leading scorer both seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) after the Brooklyn Dodgers' INF bowled over a Giants pitcher covering first base on a bunt in 1955. The previous year, Robinson swiped second, third and home in the sixth inning before doubling in the winning run in the 13th in a 6-5 decision over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Milwaukee Braves RF John DeMerit (Wisconsin letterman in 1956-57 when averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg) contributed a career-high three hits in a 3-1 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961.
A pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the 10th inning by Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49 when averaging 2.7 ppg) tied the score for the Detroit Tigers in an eventual 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels in 1961.
In 1960, Pittsburgh Pirates rookie LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was nation's second-leading scorer as senior in 1956-57) won his first two MLB appearances.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 and scored four runs against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1994.
In 1983, San Francisco Giants P Atlee Hammaker (averaged 5.3 ppg as freshman in 1976-77 and 4.9 ppg as sophomore in 1977-78 under East Tennessee State coach Sonny Smith) hurled his second of back-to-back shutouts en route to pacing the N.L. in ERA (2.25).
RHP Jay Hook (Northwestern's third-leading scorer as a sophomore with 10.7 ppg in 1955-56) posted the expansion New York Mets' first-ever victory (9-1 at Pittsburgh in 1962) after they dropped their initial nine contests.
Detroit Tigers rookie SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) supplied his fourth three-hit game in first nine outings of the 1953 campaign.
St. Louis Cardinals SS Doc Lavan (played for Hope MI from 1908 through 1910) delivered four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1922.
3B Vance Law (averaged 6.8 ppg for Brigham Young from 1974-75 through 1976-77) hit safely in his first 16 games with the Chicago Cubs in 1988.
St. Louis Cardinals rookie CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 5-for-5 but the Milwaukee Braves won, 7-5, in 14 innings in 1954 when Hank Aaron hammered his first of 755 MLB homers.
First MLB homer for C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49), a 10th-inning blast off the Milwaukee Braves' Lew Burdette, was the difference in a 3-2 win for the Chicago Cubs in 1957.
OF Ted Savage (led Lincoln MO in scoring average in 1955-56) involved in four-player swap going from the Chicago Cubs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1968.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) went 4-for-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1929.
LHP Matt Thornton (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Grand Valley State MI from 1995-96 through 1997-98) went scoreless in his first 25 relief appearances with the Washington Nationals until yielding a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015.
Calipari Became Only Coach to Win National COY Award With Three Schools
Eddie Sutton was the only coach in the 20th Century to earn national coach of the year acclaim for two schools (Arkansas and Kentucky). This season, John Calipari capitalized on a golden opportunity with UK to become the only individual to capture national coach of the year awards with three different universities. Meanwhile, he was joined by Virginia's Tony Bennett as one of the following five mentors with multiple schools to win national COY honor from one of the five major awards:
Coach Multiple Schools Winning National COY Award Tony Bennett Washington State (2007) and Virginia (2015) John Calipari Massachusetts (1996), Memphis (2008 and 2009) and Kentucky (2015) Bob Knight Indiana (1975, 1976, 1987 and 1989) and Texas Tech (2007) Eddie Sutton Arkansas (1977 and 1978) and Kentucky (1986) Roy Williams Kansas (1990, 1992 and 1997) and North Carolina (2006)
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 22 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 22
Cincinnati Reds OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 9-4 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929.
Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70 hit safely in first 14 games of 1979 campaign until his streak was snapped by the Minnesota Twins.
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) clubbed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in 1958.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (played for Iowa in 1949-50) jacked a homer in his third consecutive contest in 1953.
New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham captain) furnished four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1923.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in 1991.
In 1953, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech letterman in 1941-42) posted his 12th consecutive win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) contributed three hits, including an inside-the-park homer, in a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, snapping P Mike Torrez's 11-game winning streak dating back to previous season.
Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) scored four runs in a 16-12 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.
OF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) shipped by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1995 to complete an earlier deal involving P Jack McDowell.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Texas Rangers in 1979.
Reliever Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Houston Astros in 1973.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 21 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 21
Lone MLB RBI for 3B Ernie Andres (NCAA consensus first-team basketball All-American with Indiana in 1939) helped the Boston Red Sox outlast the Philadelphia Athletics, 12-11, in the opener of a 1946 doubleheader.
St. Louis Browns rookie RF Beau Bell (two-year letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) contributed four hits and four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in 1935.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in 1982.
Pittsburgh Pirates INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) pinch-hitting for Willie Stargell, delivered a decisive three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning for an 8-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1964.
LHP Steve Hamilton (All-OVC selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees for P Jim Coates in 1963.
Chicago White Sox RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer with 8.5 ppg as sophomore in 1944-45) won his 1949 season debut (5-2 against the Detroit Tigers) before dropping next 14 decisions through August.
California Angels C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 as team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) contributed a career-high three hits against the Texas Rangers in 1972.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three stolen bases against the Minnesota Twins in 1994.
St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.
Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in 1976.
Playing Race Card: Gonzaga Leads With Most White A-As in 21st Century
It might not rise to the level of aggressive African-American commentary on devout Tim Tebow possibly returning to the NFL or POTUS lecturing Christians rather than unprincipled marauders, but it could be time to proclaim white basketball players matter. Many white-privilege provocateurs care as much, however, as far-left zealots are outraged about Muslim terrorists murdering saints and believers.
A milestone didn't trigger White History Month a couple of seasons ago, but 2013 marked the first time in 34 years that at least half of the list of NCAA consensus first- and second-team All-Americans were white players. From 1980 through 2012, less than one-fifth of the NCAA consensus first- and second-team All-Americans were Caucasian.
Gonzaga (adding Kyle Wiltjer to Dan Dickau, Blake Stepp, Adam Morrison and Kelly Olynyk) boasts the most white consensus All-Americans thus far this century with five. The only other school boasting as many as four different white consensus All-Americans in the 21st Century is Duke.
Wiltjer likely will be a preseason favorite for national player of the year next season. If he wins the award, Rev Al and Jesse could bus in agitators for a discrimination protest rally in the wake of Wiltjer joining Doug McDermott (Creighton) and Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin) as the third different white player in as many years to become national POY for the first time since the first half of the 1960s.
Are we in the midst of a modest resurgence for the white player? After all, Duke was the nation's only school to supply a white first-team All-American in a nine-year span from 1987-88 through 1995-96 (Danny Ferry in 1989, Christian Laettner in 1992 and Bobby Hurley in 1993). For those keeping track of such demographics or who might be a dues-paying member of another NAACP (National Association for Advancement of Caucasian Players), following is a list of white NCAA consensus first- and second-team All-Americans since Indiana State's Larry Bird was unanimous national player of the year in 1979:
1979 (6 of 12) - Indiana State's Larry Bird (1st), Duke's Mike Gminski (1st), North Carolina's Mike O'Koren (2nd), Dayton's Jim Paxson (2nd), Duke's Jim Spanarkel (2nd) and Notre Dame's Kelly Tripucka (2nd)
1980 (3 of 10) - Duke's Mike Gminski (2nd), Kentucky's Kyle Macy (1st) and North Carolina's Mike O'Koren (2nd)
1981 (4 of 11) - Brigham Young's Danny Ainge (1st), Virginia's Jeff Lamp (2nd), Notre Dame's Kelly Tripucka (2nd) and Utah's Danny Vranes (2nd)
1982 (1 of 10) - Notre Dame's John Paxson (2nd)
1983 (4 of 14) - Notre Dame's John Paxson (2nd), Missouri's Steve Stipanovich (2nd), Missouri's Jon Sundvold (2nd) and Indiana's Randy Wittman (2nd)
1984 (2 of 11) - Brigham Young's Devin Durrant (2nd) and St. John's Chris Mullin (2nd)
1985 (3 of 11) - Southern Methodist's Jon Koncak (2nd), St. John's Chris Mullin (1st) and Georgia Tech's Mark Price (2nd)
1986 (2 of 11) - Indiana's Steve Alford (1st) and Michigan State's Scott Skiles (2nd)
1987 (1 of 10) - Indiana's Steve Alford (1st)
1988 (2 of 11) - Duke's Danny Ferry (2nd) and Brigham Young's Michael Smith (2nd)
1989 (2 of 11) - Duke's Danny Ferry (1st) and Stanford's Todd Lichti (2nd)
1990 (0 of 12)
1991 (1 of 10) - Duke's Christian Laettner (2nd)
1992 (2 of 10) - Duke's Christian Laettner (1st) and UCLA's Don MacLean (2nd)
1993 (3 of 12) - Duke's Bobby Hurley Jr. (1st), Vanderbilt's Billy McCaffrey (2nd) and North Carolina's Eric Montross (2nd)
1994 (1 of 11) - North Carolina's Eric Montross (2nd)
1995 (0 of 10)
1996 (1 of 11) - Utah's Keith Van Horn (2nd)
1997 (2 of 10) - Kansas' Raef LaFrentz (1st) and Utah's Keith Van Horn (1st)
1998 (2 of 10) - Notre Dame's Pat Garrity (2nd) and Kansas' Raef LaFrentz (1st)
1999 (2 of 10) - Northwestern's Evan Eschmeyer (2nd) and Miami of Ohio's Wally Szczerbiak (2nd)
2000 (2 of 12) - Texas' Chris Mihm (1st) and Notre Dame's Troy Murphy (1st)
2001 (3 of 10) - Villanova's Michael Bradley (2nd), Stanford's Casey Jacobsen (1st) and Notre Dame's Troy Murphy (1st)
2002 (3 of 10) - Gonzaga's Dan Dickau (1st), Duke's Mike Dunleavy (2nd) and Stanford's Casey Jacobsen (2nd)
2003 (2 of 10) - Kansas' Nick Collison (1st) and Creighton's Kyle Korver (2nd)
2004 (2 of 10) - Oregon's Luke Jackson (2nd) and Gonzaga's Blake Stepp (2nd)
2005 (2 of 11) - Utah's Andrew Bogut (1st) and Duke's J.J. Redick (1st)
2006 (3 of 12) - North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (2nd), Gonzaga's Adam Morrison (1st) and Duke's J.J. Redick (1st)
2007 (2 of 10) - Nevada's Nick Fazekas (2nd) and North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (1st)
2008 (3 of 11) - North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (1st), Notre Dame's Luke Harangody (2nd) and UCLA's Kevin Love (1st)
2009 (2 of 11) - North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough (1st) and Notre Dame's Luke Harangody (2nd)
2010 (3 of 11) - Kansas' Cole Aldrich (2nd), Notre Dame's Luke Harangody (2nd) and Duke's Jon Scheyer (2nd)
2011 (2 of 11) - Brigham Young's Jimmer Fredette (1st) and Notre Dame's Ben Hansbrough (2nd)
2012 (2 of 10) - Creighton's Doug McDermott (1st) and North Carolina's Tyler Zeller (2nd)
2013 (5 of 10) - Creighton's Doug McDermott (1st), Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk (1st), Duke's Mason Plumlee (2nd), Kansas' Jeff Withey (2nd) and Indiana's Cody Zeller (2nd)
2014 (2 of 11) - Creighton's Doug McDermott (1st) and Michigan's Nik Stauskas (2nd)
2015 (3 of 11) - Wisconsin's Frank Kaminsky (1st), Northern Iowa's Seth Tuttle (2nd) and Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (2nd)
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 20 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 20
Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.
Cincinnati Reds RF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) contributed four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1948.
In his first appearance in 1956, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman team) fired a four-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple letterman in 1948-49) smashed three homers in a doubleheader sweep of the Washington Senators in 1953.
Washington Senators RF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in 1963.
New York Giants RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) didn't allow an earned run in 8 1/3 innings en route to registering his first MLB victory (2-1 against the Boston Braves in 1924).
Chicago Cubs 3B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66) went 5-for-5 and walked twice in a 17-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986.
A single by Kansas City Royals RF Jerry Martin (Furman's second-leading scorer in 1969-70 and third-leading scorer in 1970-71) was the only hit Detroit Tigers P Milt Wilcox surrendered in an 8-0 shutout in 1982.
In 1981, Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third two-double outing in a six-game span.
Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (played for Washington College MD in mid-1930s) blasted two homers, including a grand slam, and supplied six RBI in a 7-4 win at St. Louis in 1947.
In 1961, 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) tied the score with the Philadelphia Phillies by ripping a two-out, three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Braves went on to prevail, 7-6, in 11 frames.
Cleveland Indians rookie 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) accounted for multiple hits in each of first six MLB outings in 1921.
RHP Kent Tekulve (played as freshman for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985.
2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in his final season in 1947-48) collected an eighth-inning single for the Washington Senators' lone safety in a 7-0 loss against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 19 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 19
Toronto Blue Jays LF Danny Ainge (three-time Brigham Young basketball All-American and national player of year as senior in 1980-81) went 3-for-3 in an 8-1 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1980.
Only MLB decision for RHP Steve Barber (J.C. starter under coach Jerry Tarkanian before attending La Verne CA) was a 9-8 victory for the Minnesota Twins against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.
3B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first basketball All-American in 1931-32) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1937.
Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in 1966.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) toiled 14 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Chicago Cubs in 1926. He was waived to the Cubbies two months later.
New York Giants 1B Monte Irvin (played for Lincoln PA 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) collected six RBI against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1951 doubleheader.
St. Louis Cardinals 1B George Kernek (Oklahoma letterman in 1959-60 and 1960-61) contributed three hits for the second time in four games in 1966.
Five hits by CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) were in vain as the St. Louis Cardinals incurred a 17-inning, 4-3 loss against the New York Mets in 1976.
In 1961, Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) supplied two homers and five RBI against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).
In 1942, Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (played for Millsaps MS in late 1920s and early 1930s) didn't yield a hit until there was one out in the eighth inning when CF Harry Craft (played for Mississippi College first half of 1930s) singled for the Cincinnati Reds.
Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1954.
RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox in a six-player swap in 1969.
Winners Despite Losing: John Paxson Last All-American With Losing Record
ACC standouts T.J. Warren of North Carolina State (22-14) and Rakeem Christmas of Syracuse (18-13) had the poorest records among All-Americans the past couple of seasons. But they weren't losers resembling Earth Day hypocrites leaving behind a mountain of trash at a public setting ceremony. It has been 33 years since a player from a team with a losing record (John Paxson of 10-17 Notre Dame in 1981-82) unceremoniously joined the following NCAA consensus All-American list including two Big Ten Conference players in 1954-55:
NCAA Consensus All-American Pos. School Season Record Player Statistics Frank Burgess G Gonzaga 1960-61 11-15 32.4 ppg 7.8 rpg Terry Dischinger C-F Purdue 1959-60 11-12 26.3 ppg, 14.3 rpg Darrell Floyd G-F Furman 1955-56 12-16 33.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg Robin Freeman G Ohio State 1954-55 10-12 31.5 ppg, 81 FT% Otto Graham F Northwestern 1942-43 8-9 13.9 ppg Don Hennon G Pittsburgh 1958-59 10-14 25.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg *Bill Mlkvy F Temple 1950-51 12-13 29.2 ppg, 18.9 rpg Max Morris F-C Northwestern 1944-45 7-12 15.4 ppg *Calvin Murphy G Niagara 1968-69 11-13 32.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg Johnny Neumann F-G Mississippi 1970-71 11-15 40.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg John Paxson G Notre Dame 1981-82 10-17 16.4 ppg, 53.5 FG% *Dave Schellhase F Purdue 1965-66 8-16 32.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg Don Schlundt C Indiana 1954-55 8-14 26 ppg, 9.8 rpg *NCAA consensus first-team All-American selection.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 18 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 18
Philadelphia Phillies INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV basketball captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) smacked a pinch grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds in 1959.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1993.
Texas Rangers 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State letterman) collected four hits and five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a 1976 doubleheader.
RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse player in late 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Boston Braves in 1946.
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman squad in 1953-54) threw the second of two immaculate innings in his career when he struck out the side on nine pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the third frame in 1964.
Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) provided a homer among his five hits in a 14-0 romp over the Colorado Rockies in 1997. Five years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lofton delivered multiple safeties seven times in a span of eight games while raising his batting average from .250 to .426 in 2002.
Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66) fired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.
San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Atlanta Braves in 1981.
Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) won his first start of season against the New York Mets before dropping last 10 decisions of the 1972 campaign.
Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers each season from 1944-45 through 1946-47) surrendered the first hit on artificial turf in 1966 when Los Angeles Dodgers SS Maury Wills singled to center at Houston's Astrodome.
1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped his first homer for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 (against the New York Giants). The blast was Robinson's lone round-tripper in his first 30 MLB games.
New York Yankees RHP Roy Sherid (Albright PA center in 1926-27 and 1927-28) toiled 15 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.
EWU's Tyler Harvey Posted Lowest NCAA-High Scoring Average in 66 Years
Need another example showing how scoring is down in college basketball beyond the freak set of circumstances in 2008-09 when eventual NBA MVP Stephen Curry went scoreless against Loyola (Md.)? Unsure if it is byproduct of doomed civilization stemming from eco-fascist climate change, Eastern Washington's Tyler Harvey (23.1 points per game this season) finished with the lowest average for the national scoring leader since Yale's Tony Lavelli posted 22.4 ppg in 1948-49. Harvey had his season high (42 points) and low (9) in back-to-back games in the first two rounds of the Big Sky Conference Tournament at Montana. As a means of comparison to an era when scorers flourished, an average of 36 players annually posted higher scoring marks than Harvey in a six-season span from 1967-68 through 1972-73, including a high of 44 in 1969-70 when LSU's Pete Maravich nearly doubled Harvey with 44.5 ppg despite the absence of the three-point field goal.
Glenn Robinson Jr. (30.3 ppg for Purdue in 1993-94) was the only player from a power six league to pace the country in scoring in a 41-year span from 1971-72 through 2011-12 (South Carolina was independent in 1980-81 and TCU was SWC member in 1994-95). Following is a look at the high and low games for players during the season when they led NCAA Division I in scoring average:
NOTE: Leaders are unofficial from 1935-36 through 1946-47.
Pick of Litter: Kentucky and North Carolina Maintain All-American Status
Kentucky and North Carolina continue to rank 1-2 for most All-American honorees over the years. Duke isn't far behind UK (total of 70) and UNC (69) although none of the Blue Devils' All-Americans came from the state of North Carolina (19 different states plus District of Columbia).
Illinois, Notre Dame and Purdue never have won an NCAA championship despite all three schools ranking among the top 10 in supplying the most All-Americans. Following is a list of the top 10 universities boasting the most All-Americans since 1928-29 (AP, Converse, NABC, UPI and USBWA).
Rank School (Different Individuals) Rank School (Total # of All-Americans) 1. Kentucky (44) 1. North Carolina (70) 2. North Carolina (41) 2. Kentucky (69) 3. Indiana (40) 3. Duke (60) 4. Duke (37) 4. Indiana (55) 5. Kansas (33) 5. Kansas (51) T6. Illinois (31) 6. UCLA (47) T6. UCLA (31) 7. Ohio State (46) 8. Ohio State (29) 8. Notre Dame (43) 9. Notre Dame (25) 9. Illinois (36) T10. Michigan (20) 10. Purdue (30) T10. Purdue (20) T10. Syracuse (20)
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 17 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 17
Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) contributed four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the nightcap of a 1955 twinbill.
Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) hammered two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in 1960.
Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) smacked two homers in a 5-2 win against the Houston Colt .45s in 1964.
Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Kansas City Royals in 1981.
Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in WAC games in 1991-92) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1997.
Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) accumulated four hits and five RBI in a 7-6 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1941.
Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (played for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) hurled his first complete game in 10 years. Fisher also won his next three starts by yielding only one earned run covering 18 innings.
Kansas City Royals RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) registered his third relief victory in four games early in 1982.
Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was the nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57), making his MLB debut in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds in 1960, threw two scoreless innings of relief and emerged as the winner when the Bucs erupted for six runs in the ninth.
Utilityman Chuck Harmon (freshman starter was Toledo's second-leading scorer for 1943 NIT runner-up) became the second black to play for the Cincinnati Reds when he pinch-hit against the Milwaukee Braves in 1954.
Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) provided back-to-back four-hit games against the Boston Red Sox in 1969.
Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) toiled at least eight innings for the first of 10 straight starts in 1954, including a pair of shutouts.
Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV squad previous season) stroked three doubles among his four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in 1955.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) jacked two homers in a 5-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1954.
Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled a shutout against the Cleveland Indians in his season debut. The 41-year-old Lyons went the distance in all 20 starts during the 1942 campaign en route to posting an A.L.-best 2.10 ERA.
Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) collected two homers and five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1979.
Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Elmer Ponder (Oklahoma letterman in 1913-14 and 1915-16) tossed a 13-inning shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1920.
Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) secured his first safety with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. It was one of his 19 bunt hits as a rookie.
Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama letterman in 1920) supplied three extra-base hits, including a homer, in a six-inning, 3-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.
Detroit Tigers RF Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) collected four hits against the Boston Red Sox, igniting a career-high 17-game hitting streak in 1980.
In 1989, Cincinnati Reds RHP Kent Tekulve (played as freshman in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) passed Hoyt Wilhelm as MLB's all-time leader in relief appearances.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 16 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 16
Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL basketball team in 1950-51), en route to hitting .632 through first five games of the 1958 campaign, banged out four hits in a 5-4 win against the Chicago White Sox.
Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) collected three extra-base hits and five RBI in a 9-4 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1958.
1B Kerby Farrell (key player for a couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) purchased from the Boston Braves by the Chicago White Sox in 1945.
Houston Astros C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) furnished three extra-base hits against the Atlanta Braves in 1977.
Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (letterman for Rutgers and Army) had four hits against the Washington Senators in 1926.
Debut with San Francisco Giants for RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) was a success, hurling a three-hit, 6-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1982.
St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) and Philadelphia Phillies P Cal McLish both fail to finish the first inning when each starter allowed six runs in the Cards' 12-6 win at Philly in 1962.
Chicago White Sox C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting guard as senior in 1926-27) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in 1932.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1987 en route to N.L.-high 218 hits.
Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) delivered three extra-base hits against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.
Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (played for Binghamton in 1948-49) went 5-for-5 against the Cincinnati Reds in 1955.
Final blast of 390 MLB career homers by 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) was a pinch-hit, game-tying round-tripper for the Montreal Expos against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988.
RHP Roy Parmelee (letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the Boston Red Sox in 1938.
In 1931, Cincinnati Reds RF Wally Roettger (Illinois letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) went 5-for-5 against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).
Last Man Standing: Jones Became Fifth Freshman Named Final Four MOP
"I'm gonna make it to heaven, light up the sky like a flame. I'm gonna live forever. Baby, remember my name." - Theme from 1980s film and TV series Fame
Duke guard Tyus Jones joined Utah's Arnie Ferrin (1944), Louisville center Pervis Ellison (1986), Syracuse forward Carmelo Anthony (2003) and Kentucky center Anthony Davis (2012) as freshmen who became Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Jones was a textbook rise-to-the-occasion playmaker, averaging 14.4 ppg in 18 games against NCAA playoff teams compared to 9.6 ppg in 21 contests against non-tourney opponents. He became the eighth MOP in tourney history who wasn't an All-American, joining Kansas' B.H. Born (1953), Villanova's Ed Pinckney (1985), Indiana's Keith Smart (1987), UNLV's Anderson Hunt (1990), North Carolina's Donald Williams (1993), Kentucky's Jeff Sheppard (1998) and Louisville's Luke Hancock (2013).
Due to Jones' modest size, there are questions regarding how much impact he'll have in the NBA after declaring early for the draft. Perhaps that is why he should also think about what happens when the ball stops bouncing? What did the brightest Final Four stars do in the real world after tolerating the self-righteous Bimbo "Baby Girl" McHenrys of the media world while Father Time took its toll? Did ESPN retain myopic McHenry rather than snarky Bill Simmons because she is more adept at covering the NBA Playoffs? Since Ms. Smug is an expert regarding education, appearance and jobs, perhaps she knows the following individuals weren't always defined solely as basketball standouts after earning acclaim as the Most Outstanding Player at a Final Four:
Year(s) - Most Outstanding Player, Position, Class, School
1939 - Jimmy Hull, F, Sr., Ohio State
Employed as a dentist.
1940 - Marv Huffman, G, Sr., Indiana
Played one season with Goodyear in the National Industrial League in 1940-41 (5.1 ppg) and four with the Akron Collegians. After he stopped playing basketball, he was a special assistant to the president of Goodyear. He died in 1984 of multiple sclerosis.
1941 - John Kotz, F, Soph., Wisconsin
Retired in 1980 after working his way up from shipping clerk to president and majority stockholder of Badger Sporting Goods Company.
1942 - Howie Dallmar, G, Soph., Stanford
Averaged 9.6 ppg with the Philadelphia Warriors in three NBA seasons from 1946-47 through 1948-49. Compiled a 105-51 record (.673) for Penn in six seasons from 1948-49 through 1953-54 before posting a 264-264 record (.500) for Stanford in 21 seasons from 1954-55 through 1974-75. His best season was a 22-5 mark in 1952-53.
1943 - Kenny Sailors, G, Jr., Wyoming
Averaged 12.6 ppg and 2.8 apg with seven different NBA teams in five seasons from 1946-47 through 1950-51. Lived in Gakona, Alaska, where he owned a guided big-game hunting business with his son. Had a winter home in Arizona.
1944 - Arnie Ferrin, F, Fr., Utah
Averaged 5.8 ppg with the Minneapolis Lakers in three NBA seasons from 1948-49 through 1950-51. General Manager of the ABA's Utah Stars, athletic director for his alma mater and chairman of the NCAA Tournament selection committee in 1988.
1945 and 1946 - Bob Kurland, C, Jr./Sr., Oklahoma A&M
Retired Phillips Petroleum executive had a retirement home in Florida.
1947 - George Kaftan, F-C, Soph., Holy Cross
Averaged 7.5 ppg with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets in five NBA seasons from 1948-49 through 1952-53. Graduated from Georgetown Dental School, coached C.W. Post for 17 seasons and maintained a dental practice.
1948 and 1949 - Alex Groza, C, Jr./Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 22.5 ppg with the Indianapolis Olympians in two NBA seasons in 1949-50 and 1950-51 before his pro career ended because of a college point-shaving scandal. Got a job at General Electric in Louisville before returning to his hometown (Martin's Ferry, Ohio) and running his mother's tavern. Compiled a 91-77 record (.542) as coach for Bellarmine College in seven seasons from 1959-60 through 1965-66. Executive with two ABA franchises (Kentucky Colonels and San Diego Conquistadors) before getting involved with professional volleyball. Joined Reynolds Metals in 1977 and traveled around the country as Pacific Coast manager of its chemical division.
1950 - Irwin Dambrot, F, Sr., CCNY
Became a dentist.
1951 - Bill Spivey, C, Sr., Kentucky
After 16 years in the bush leagues with assorted nondescript teams, he extended his nomadic existence with a series of jobs - salesman, insurance agent, real estate developer, government official (Kentucky's deputy insurance commissioner) and restaurant and bar owner - before relocating to Costa Rica.
1952 - Clyde Lovellette, C, Sr., Kansas
Averaged 17 ppg and 9.5 rpg with the Minneapolis Lakers, Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks and Boston Celtics in 11 NBA seasons from 1953-54 through 1963-64. Assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers in 1967 when they started their ABA franchise. Served as a sheriff in his native Indiana and taught and coached at White's Institute, a school for troubled youngsters in Wabash, before moving to Munising, Mich.
1953 - B.H. Born, C, Jr., Kansas
Played AAU basketball until the late 1950s with the Peoria (Ill.) Caterpillars before going to work in the personnel office for Caterpillar Bulldozers. He spent his entire career working for Caterpillar until his retirement.
1954 - Tom Gola, C-F, Jr., La Salle
Averaged 11.3 ppg and 8 rpg with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks in 11 NBA seasons from 1955-56 through 1965-66. He invested in driving ranges, apartment complexes, recycling companies and residential sites. Gola owned his own insurance company and a skating rink. He was a spokesman for Texaco, Vitalis and the Army Reserve. In 1966, Gola began a two-term career as a state legislator while coaching his alma mater before becoming Philadelphia's city controller. He later became a vice president of the Valley Forge Investment Corporation and served on the board of the Philadelphia Convention Center.
1955 - Bill Russell, C, Jr., San Francisco
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg and 4.3 apg with the Boston Celtics in 13 NBA seasons from 1956-57 through 1968-69. Five-time MVP was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). Compiled a 341-290 record (.540) with the Celtics (1966-67 through 1968-69), Seattle SuperSonics (1973-74 through 1976-77) and Sacramento Kings (1987-88) in eight seasons. Network analyst dabbled with acting but retreated to the quiet life on Mercer Island in Washington, and has a clothing line company called Center Court.
1956 - Hal Lear, G, Sr., Temple
Played in three games for the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors in 1956-57 before playing 10 seasons in the Eastern Basketball League, becoming MVP in 1956-57 and averaging 39.7 ppg for Easton in 1960-61. Also averaged 13.1 ppg for Los Angeles and Cleveland in the ABL in 1961-62.
1957 - Wilt Chamberlain, C, Soph., Kansas
Averaged 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rpg and 4.4 apg with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers in 14 NBA seasons from 1959-60 through 1972-73. Made a fortune in the restaurant business, designed homes, owned racehorses and played professional volleyball. Also wrote four books: Wilt; A View From Above; Chamberlain House: The Possible Dream, and Who's Running the Asylum: The Insane World of Sports Today.
1958 - Elgin Baylor, C, Jr., Seattle
Averaged 27.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg and 4.3 apg with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers in 14 seasons from 1958-59 through 1971-72. Coached the New Orleans Jazz for four seasons in the late 1970s (86-135 record). Executive with the Los Angeles Clippers.
1959 - Jerry West, F-G, Jr., West Virginia
Averaged 27 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 6.7 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 14 NBA seasons from 1960-61 through 1973-74. Long-time executive with the Lakers before accepting a similar position with the Memphis Grizzlies.
1960 and 1961 - Jerry Lucas, C, Soph./Jr., Ohio State
Seven-time All-Star averaged 17 ppg and 15.6 rpg with the Cincinnati Royals, San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks in 11 NBA seasons from 1963-64 through 1973-74. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). Memory expert and motivational speaker lived in Templeton, Calif., while working on revolutionary educational programs. Taught his memory and learning technique to many Fortune 500 companies and countless churches. He authored more than 60 books on learning, including The Memory Book, which was on the New York Times' best-seller list for 50 weeks and reached the No. 2 position behind All the President's Men, the investigative story that uncovered the Watergate scandal.
1962 - Paul Hogue, C, Sr., Cincinnati
Averaged 6.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg with the New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets in two NBA seasons in 1962-63 and 1963-64. Worked with the Tennessee juvenile program before moving back to Cincinnati to work at a milling machine firm. He served as a physical therapist at a state mental hospital, a counselor at a neighborhood youth center and as a counselor in a local school system before becoming the division supervisor for the Postal Services' Employee Assistance Program.
1963 - Art Heyman, F, Sr., Duke
Averaged 10.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg with the New York Knicks, Cincinnati Royals and Philadelphia 76ers in three NBA seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66 before averaging 15.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg with the New Jersey Americans, Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers and Miami Floridians in three ABA seasons from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Owned and operated several restaurants.
1964 - Walt Hazzard, G, Sr., UCLA
Averaged 12.6 ppg, 3 rpg and 4.9 apg with five different NBA teams in 10 seasons from 1964-65 through 1973-74. Later named Mahdi Abdul-Rahmad, he worked in the Los Angeles Lakers' front office and coached his alma mater and Chapman College before suffering a stroke and undergoing open-heart surgery in 1996.
1965 - Bill Bradley, F, Sr., Princeton
Rhodes Scholar averaged 12.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 3.4 apg with the New York Knicks in 10 NBA seasons from 1967-68 through 1976-77. Three-term U.S. Senator (Democrat-N.J.) until 1995 was a tax and trade expert with a strong voice on race issues and campaign finance reform. The presidential candidate against Al Gore in 2000 authored two basketball books (Life on the Run in 1976 and Values of the Game in 1998).
1966 - Jerry Chambers, F, Sr., Utah
Averaged 8.3 ppg and 3.2 rpg with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves, San Diego Conquistadors and San Antonio Spurs in six NBA/ABA seasons from 1966-67 to 1973-74. Worked for the L.A. city parks and recreation department for many years.
1967, 1968 and 1969 - Lew Alcindor, C, Soph./Jr./Sr., UCLA
Six-time league MVP averaged 24.6 ppg and 11.2 rpg in 20 NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969-70 through 1988-89. Nineteen-time All-Star later named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). In 1999, he worked with a high school team at White Mountain Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Ariz. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000 and then worked in training camp with the Indiana Pacers before becoming head coach of the USBL's Oklahoma Storm for one season. Hired by the New York Knicks as a scout in March, 2004 before serving as a Lakers aide helping develop center Andrew Bynum. In January 2012, he was appointed a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State.
1970 - Sidney Wicks, F, Jr., UCLA
Averaged 16.8 ppg and 8.7 rpg with the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers in 10 NBA seasons from 1971-72 through 1980-81. Worked in property management. Served as an assistant coach at his alma mater under Walt Hazzard for four seasons in the mid-1980s. At the completion of his coaching stint with the Bruins, Wicks has been in private business.
1971 - Howard Porter, F, Sr., Villanova
Averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and New Jersey Nets in seven NBA seasons from 1971-72 through 1977-78. Senior probation officer for Ramsey County (Minn.) after getting clean from drugs with the help of a colleague working with him loading furniture for a construction firm in Orlando. Earlier, Porter failed at running a club in Florida and a convenience store. He 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, according to murder charges filed several months later.
1972 and 1973 - Bill Walton, C, Soph./Jr., UCLA
Averaged 13.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 3.4 apg with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics in 10 NBA seasons from 1974-75 to 1986-87. Network commentator for both the NBA and NCAA after and while working in a similar capacity for the Clippers.
1974 - David Thompson, F, Jr., North Carolina State
Averaged 22.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg with the Denver Nuggets and Seattle SuperSonics in nine ABA/NBA seasons from 1975-76 through 1983-84. Motivational speaker with Unlimited Sports Management was also community relations director for the Charlotte Hornets.
1975 - Richard Washington, C-F, Soph., UCLA
Averaged 9.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg with the Kansas City Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers in six NBA seasons from 1976-77 through 1981-82. Contractor in Portland.
1976 - Kent Benson, C, Jr., Indiana
Averaged 9.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg with four different NBA teams in 11 seasons from 1977-78 through 1987-88. Resided in Bloomington, where he worked with Diversified Benefit Services.
1977 - Butch Lee, G, Jr., Marquette
Averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.2 apg with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers in two NBA seasons in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Owned two restaurants, coached pro ball in Puerto Rico and had a sign business in San Juan.
1978 - Jack Givens, F, Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 6.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg with the Atlanta Hawks in two NBA seasons in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Announcer for the Orlando Magic.
1979 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, G, Soph., Michigan State
Averaged 19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 11.2 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 13 NBA seasons from 1979-80 through 1990-91 and 1995-96. Business entrepreneur emphasized attempting to revitalize a number of minority neighborhoods. He owned the Magic Theatres, an L.A. restaurant chain (Fatburgers), a TGI Friday's and some Starbucks coffee shops. Johnson was a principal in a local black-owned bank and delved into the entertainment business as a concert promoter and owner of the Magic Johnson Record label. Part of ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in the spring of 2012.
1980 - Darrell Griffith, G, Sr., Louisville
Averaged 16.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg with the Utah Jazz in 11 NBA seasons from 1980-81 through 1990-91. Resides in Louisville where he has several real estate investments and business interests. Father-in-law of former NBA standout Derek Anderson established a foundation in his hometown.
1981 - Isiah Thomas, G, Soph., Indiana
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 19.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 9.3 apg with the Detroit Pistons in 13 NBA seasons from 1981-82 through 1993-94. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996) served as president of the New York Knicks from 2003-04 through 2007-08. Executive and part owner of the Toronto Raptors, owner of the CBA and coach of the Indiana Pacers (131-115 record in three seasons from 2000-01 through 2002-03). Served as coach for Florida International the last three seasons.
1982 - James Worthy, F, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 12 NBA seasons from 1982-83 through 1993-94. Served as network TV analyst.
1983 - Hakeem Olajuwon, C, Soph., Houston
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 21.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg and 3.1 bpg with the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors in 18 seasons from 1984-85 through 2001-02. Six-time All-NBA first-team selection was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). NBA Most Valuable Player in 1993-94 was one of only eight players in league history to amass more than 20,000 points and 12,000 rebounds. Split time between his ranch near Houston (buying real estate in cash-only purchases) and Jordan, where he pursued Islamic studies.
1984 - Patrick Ewing, C, Jr., Georgetown
Eleven-time All-Star averaged 21 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 2.4 bpg with the New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic in 17 seasons from 1985-86 through 2001-02. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996) became an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats.
1985 - Ed Pinckney, F, Sr., Villanova
Averaged 6.8 ppg and 5 rpg with seven different NBA teams in 12 seasons from 1985-86 through 1996-97. Miami Heat TV analyst while trying to cope with an overactive thyroid.
1986 - Pervis Ellison, C, Fr., Louisville
Averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg with the Sacramento Kings, Washington Bullets and Boston Celtics in 10 NBA seasons from 1989-90 through 1997-98 and 1999-00. Lived in Atlanta. Coached basketball for various teams throughout Southern New Jersey, including his son, Malik, at Life Center Academy.
1987 - Keith Smart, G, Jr., Indiana
Played in two games with the San Antonio Spurs in 1988-89 before basketball took him to the Philippines, Venezuela and France. After playing and coaching in the CBA with the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Fury, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as director of player development and assistant coach. Smart was named interim head coach of the Cavs midway through the 2002-03 campaign, replacing John Lucas. Also coached the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.
1988 - Danny Manning, F, Sr., Kansas
Two-time All-Star averaged 14 ppg and 5.2 rpg with seven different franchises in 15 NBA seasons from 1988-89 through 2002-03. Assistant coach at his alma mater for nine seasons before accepting head coaching position with Tulsa and subsequently accepting a similar position at Wake Forest.
1989 - Glen Rice, F, Sr., Michigan
Averaged 18.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg with six different NBA franchises in 15 seasons from 1989-90 through 2003-04. Three-time All-Star was the Heat's all-time leading scorer.
1990 - Anderson Hunt, G, Soph., UNLV
Pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in connection with marijuana found in his possession during a traffic stop in October 1993. Worked in real estate in Detroit.
1991 - Christian Laettner, C-F, Jr., Duke
All-Star in 1996-97 averaged 12.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.6 apg with six different NBA franchises in 13 seasons from 1992-93 through 2004-05. He and Duke teammate Brian Davis faced huge financial and legal hurdles stemming from a loan their real estate company failed to repay nearly $700,000 to former Duke captain and current Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins. Court documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Laettner and Davis were defendants in several civil lawsuits seeking repayment of about $30 million.
1992 - Bobby Hurley, G, Jr., Duke
Averaged 3.8 ppg and 3.3 apg with the Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies in five NBA seasons from 1993-94 through 1997-98. Owned race horses and did TV commentary on the ACC for Fox Sports. Assistant coach under his brother, Danny, with Wagner and Rhode Island prior to becoming head coach with Buffalo and Arizona State.
1993 - Donald Williams, G, Soph., North Carolina
Played professional basketball overseas in Germany and Greece and with the Harlem Globetrotters.
1994 - Corliss Williamson, F, Soph., Arkansas
Averaged 11.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg with the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers in 12 NBA seasons from 1995-96 through 2006-07. Scored a career-high 40 points against the Pistons on 3-4-98. Coached for Arkansas Baptist College and Central Arkansas before returning to the NBA as an assistant coach with the Kings.
1995 - Ed O'Bannon, F, Sr., UCLA
Averaged 5 ppg and 2.5 rpg with the New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks in two NBA seasons in 1995-96 and 1996-97. After his brief NBA career, he played professionally in Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland) before becoming a Toyota salesman/marketing director in the Las Vegas area. Lead plaintiff in highly-publicized lawsuit against the NCAA, disputing the organization's use of the images of its former student-athletes for commercial purposes.
1996 - Tony Delk, G, Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 9.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 1.9 apg with eight different franchises in 10 NBA seasons from 1996-97 through 2005-06. Scored a career-high 53 points against the Kings on 1-2-01. Played overseas in Greece and Puerto Rico before serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater and New Mexico State.
1997 - Miles Simon, G, Jr., Arizona
Appeared in five games with the NBA's Orlando Magic in 1998-99. Played professionally in Israel in 2000 and Italy in 2001 before joining the Dakota Wizards of the CBA where he earned 2002 Newcomer of the Year and MVP honors. Also played in Venezuela and Turkey before joining his alma mater's staff as an assistant under Lute Olson in 2005. Served as a commentator for ESPN.
1998 - Jeff Sheppard, G, Sr., Kentucky
After playing the 1998-99 season with the Atlanta Hawks, he played professionally in Italy. Married former UK women's player Stacey Reed. They own an apparel company.
1999 - Richard Hamilton, F-G, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 17.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 3.4 apg with the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in 14 seasons from 1999-00 to 2012-13.
2000 - Mateen Cleaves, G, Sr., Michigan State
Averaged 3.6 ppg and 1.9 apg with four different NBA franchises in six seasons from 2000-01 through 2005-06 before becoming a color commentator.
2001 - Shane Battier, F, Sr., Duke
Averaged 8.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg with four different NBA franchises in 13 seasons from 2001-02 through 2013-14 before becoming an ESPN color commentator.
2002 - Juan Dixon, G, Sr., Maryland
Averaged 8.4 ppg with five different NBA franchises in seven seasons from 2002-03 through 2008-09 before playing overseas in Greece, Spain and Turkey and subsequently becoming an assistant coach for his alma mater.
2003 - Carmelo Anthony, F, Fr., Syracuse
Averaged 25.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 3.1 apg with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks in 12 seasons from 2003-04 through 2014-15.
2004 - Emeka Okafor, C, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 12.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 1.7 bpg with the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets and Washington Wizards in nine seasons from 2004-05 to 2012-13.
2005 - Sean May, C-F, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 6.9 ppg and 4 rpg with the Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings in four injury-plagued seasons from 2005-06 through 2009-10 before playing overseas.
2006 - Joakim Noah, C, Soph., Florida
Averaged 9.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.4 bpg with the Chicago Bulls in eight seasons from 2007-08 through 2014-15.
2007 - Corey Brewer, F, Jr., Florida
Averaged 10.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets in eight seasons from 2007-08 through 2014-15. He scored 51 points in a single game against the Houston Rockets.
2008 - Mario Chalmers, G, Jr., Kansas
Averaged 8.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.5 spg with the Miami Heat in seven seasons from 2008-09 through 2014-15.
2009 - Wayne Ellington, G, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 7 ppg and 2.1 rpg with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers in six seasons from 2009-10 through 2014-15.
2010 - Kyle Singler, F, Jr., Duke
Second-round draft choice by the NBA's Detroit Pistons played overseas two seasons in Spain before averaging 11.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 2012-13 through 2014-15 with the Pistons and Oklahoma Thunder.
2011 - Kemba Walker, G, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 16.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 5.4 apg with the Charlotte Bobcats from 2011-12 through 2014-15.
2012 - Anthony Davis, C, Fr., Kentucky
Averaged 19.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg and 2.5 bpg with the New Orleans Pelicans from 2012-13 through 2014-15, becoming an NBA All-Star in his second season and sparking the Pelicans to the playoffs in 2015.
2013 - Luke Hancock, G, Jr., Louisville
Averaged 12.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 2.2 apg for the Cardinals as a senior, helping defeat 2014 NCAA champion-to-be Connecticut a total of three times. Played professionally in Greece.
2014 - Shabazz Napier, G, Sr., Connecticut
Averaged 5.1 ppg and 2.5 apg as a rookie with the Miami Heat in 2014-15.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 15 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a taxing April 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 15
New York Giants 2B Andy Cohen (Alabama basketball letterman in 1924 and 1925) went 3-for-4 for the second time in the first three games of the 1928 campaign.
RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) made his St. Louis Cardinals debut at Los Angeles in 1959, hurling the final two innings in a 5-0 setback against the Dodgers. He became the first future Hall of Famer to yield a homer to first batter he faced in the majors (3B Jim Baxes went downtown in seventh inning).
First appearance and start in 1961 for Philadelphia Phillies RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) wound up becoming a five-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants.
INF Gene Handley (Bradley letterman in 1932-33 and 1933-34) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1940.
1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first black player to appear in a MLB game. Before Robinson was replaced by Howie Schultz (played for Hamline MN in early 1940s), he went hitless in three at-bats against the Boston Braves a year before President Truman desegregated the military.
Washington Senators rookie RHP Monte Weaver (played center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) won his season debut in 1932 with a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox.
San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) tied a MLB record with 25 straight starts on the road without a defeat before bowing at Los Angeles against the Dodgers in 2007.
Been Around the Block: Baucom and Donahue Saw League From Another Chair
Former Cornell coach Steve Donahue returned to the Ivy League in a similar capacity at Penn. Donahue was also joined by Duggar Baucom (from VMI to The Citadel) on the following alphabetical list of active coaches who were bench bosses of two different schools in the same conference:
| Active Coach | Conference | First School | Second School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cy Alexander | Mid-Eastern Athletic | South Carolina State (1988-2003) | North Carolina A&T (since 2013) |
| Duggar Baucom | Southern | Virginia Military (2015) | The Citadel (since 2016) |
| Horace Broadnax | Mid-Eastern Athletic | Bethune-Cookman (1998-2002) | Savannah State (since 2006) |
| Keith Dambrot | Mid-American | Central Michigan (1992 & '93) | Akron (since 2005) |
| Steve Donahue | Ivy League | Cornell (2001-10) | Penn (since 2016) |
| Bill Herrion | North Atlantic/America East | Drexel (1992-99) | New Hampshire (since 2007) |
| Barry Hinson | Missouri Valley | Missouri State (2000-08) | Southern Illinois (since 2013) |
| Bob Huggins | Big 12 | Kansas State (2007) | West Virginia (since 2013) |
| Ernie Kent | Pacific-10/12 | Oregon (1998-2010) | Washington State (since 2015) |
| Kevin Nickelberry | Mid-Eastern Athletic | Hampton (2007-10) | Howard (since 2011) |
| Bruce Pearl | SEC | Tennessee (2006-11) | Auburn (since 2015) |
| Keith Richard | Sun Belt | Louisiana Tech (1999-2001) | Louisiana-Monroe (since 2011) |
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 14 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 14
Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman basketball squad in 1953-54) threw the ninth complete game without permitting a walk in his career by blanking the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, in 1964 in his only Opening Day start.
A two-run pinch single by Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's JV squad in 1975-76) provided the margin of victory in the Texas Rangers' 4-2 verdict over the Detroit Tigers in 1989.
Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) contributed five hits and five runs scored in a 14-5 rout of the Cincinnati Reds in 1997.
New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64), en route to tying a MLB record with 11 homers in the month of April, collected four round-trippers - two in each game - during a 1974 doubleheader split with his former team (the Cleveland Indians).
LHP Ed Wells (multi-sport athlete graduated in 1924 from Bethany WV) purchased from the New York Yankees by the St. Louis Browns in 1933.
We Marred the Champions: Irish Eyes Smile Most vs. NCAA Playoff Kingpins
Notre Dame, after defeating Duke twice this season, extended its significant lead in compiling the most all-time victories against teams in a season they went on to capture the NCAA championship. The Fighting Irish, boasting 14 such triumphs despite never winning a Final Four contest, are joined by Maryland (eight), Kentucky (seven), Louisville (seven), St. John's (seven) and Wake Forest (seven) as the only schools defeating more than six eventual NCAA playoff titlists. Louisville leveled Connecticut a total of five times in 2011 and 2014.
St. John's and Wake Forest (achieved feat twice) are among 16 different institutions to prevail in back-to-back seasons against eventual NCAA tourney kingpins. St. John's is the only school to upend three different NCAA-champions-to-be in as many consecutive years (Georgetown '84/Villanova '85/Louisville '86). Wake Forest knocked off four different North Carolina titlists in a 28-year span (1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009).
Michigan State, despite advancing to seven Final Fours under coach Tom Izzo, never has beaten an eventual NCAA champion. Other prominent universities with that dubious distinction include Arizona State, Baylor, Brigham Young, Butler, Colorado, Creighton, Dayton, Penn State, Saint Joseph's, San Francisco, Texas A&M, Texas Christian, Texas-El Paso, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and Xavier.
Surprisingly, Northwestern has notched three triumphs against NCAA titlists despite never participating in the national tourney. Additional schools with more wins against NCAA kingpins during the regular season than playoff victories include Bowling Green (one tourney triumph), Nebraska (winless), Niagara (two tourney wins), Texas-Pan American (never appeared) and Wright State (winless). DII Alaska-Anchorage is among the following alphabetical list of schools defeating NCAA DI champions-to-be:
| School (Total Wins vs. Eventual DI Titlists) | Pre-NCAA Tournament Victories Against National Champions-to-Be |
|---|---|
| Alabama (three) | Kentucky (won title in 1978), Arkansas (1994) and Florida (2006) |
| Alaska-Anchorage (one) | Michigan (1989) |
| Arizona (four) | Duke (1991), Kentucky (1998), Michigan State (2000) and Maryland (2002) |
| Arkansas (three) | Oklahoma A&M (1945), Duke (1991) and Florida (2006) |
| Auburn (one) | Kentucky (1958) |
| Boston College (two) | Villanova (1985) and North Carolina (2009) |
| Bowling Green (two) | Oklahoma A&M (1946) and Loyola of Chicago (1963) |
| Bradley (three) | Oregon (1939) and Cincinnati (1961 and 1962) |
| California (two) | UCLA (1995) and Arizona (1997) |
| UC Santa Barbara (one) | UNLV (1990) |
| Canisius (one) | CCNY (1950) |
| Cincinnati (three) | Marquette (1977), Louisville (1986) and Connecticut (2014) |
| City College of New York (one) | Oregon (1939) |
| Clemson (one) | Indiana (1981) |
| Connecticut (two) | Syracuse (twice in 2003) |
| DePaul (four) | Oklahoma A&M (1945 and 1946), Marquette (1977) and Georgetown (1984) |
| Detroit (one) | Marquette (1977) |
| Duke (five) | Kansas (1988), North Carolina (1993 and 2005), Maryland (2002) and Louisville (2013) |
| Duquesne (two) | Wyoming (1943) and Holy Cross (1947) |
| Florida (one) | Kentucky (1998) |
| Florida State (two) | Florida (2007) and North Carolina (2009) |
| Georgetown (five) | Villanova (twice in 1985), Duke (1991 and 2010) and Louisville (2013) |
| Georgia (one) | Villanova (1985) |
| Georgia Tech (five) | Kentucky (1958), North Carolina (1993 and 2005), Connecticut (2004) and Duke (2010) |
| Houston (two) | UCLA (1968) and Connecticut (2014) |
| Illinois (six) | UCLA (1965), Louisville (1980), Indiana (1987), Kansas (1988) and Michigan (twice in 1989) |
| Indiana (six) | Ohio State (1960), Michigan State (1979 and 2000), Michigan (twice in 1989) and Kentucky (2012) |
| Iona (one) | Louisville (1980) |
| Iowa (five) | UCLA (1965), Indiana (twice in 1981 and once in 1987) and Kansas (1988) |
| Iowa State (one) | Kansas (1988) |
| Kansas (four) | Louisville (twice in 1986), UNLV (1990) and Florida (2007) |
| Kansas State (six) | Kansas (1952, twice in 1988 and once in 2008), Indiana (1953) and California (1959) |
| Kentucky (seven) | Utah (1944), La Salle (1954), Ohio State (1960), Indiana (1981), Louisville (1986), Arkansas (1994) and Michigan State (2000) |
| Louisiana State (three) | Kentucky (1978), UNLV (1990) and Florida (2007) |
| Louisville (seven) | North Carolina State (1983), Kentucky (1998) and Connecticut (twice in 2011 and three times in 2014) |
| Loyola of Chicago (two) | Kentucky (1949 and 1958) |
| Marquette (two) | Wisconsin (1941) and Connecticut (2011) |
| Maryland (eight) | Kentucky (1958), Marquette (1977), North Carolina State (twice in 1983), Villanova (1985), Duke (2001 and 2010) and North Carolina (2009) |
| Massachusetts (one) | Kentucky (1996) |
| Memphis (three) | North Carolina State (1983), Louisville (1986) and Syracuse (2003) |
| Miami FL (two) | Connecticut (1999) and Duke (2015) |
| Michigan (five) | Marquette (1977), Michigan State (1979), Indiana (1981), North Carolina (1993) and Arizona (1997) |
| Minnesota (five) | Indiana (1940 and 1953), Wisconsin (1941), Marquette (1977) and Michigan (1989) |
| Mississippi (one) | Kentucky (1998) |
| Mississippi State (two) | Arkansas (1994) and Kentucky (1996) |
| Missouri (one) | North Carolina State (1983) |
| Nebraska (one) | Kansas (1988) |
| New Mexico (one) | Arizona (1997) |
| New Mexico State (one) | UNLV (1990) |
| Niagara (three) | CCNY (1950) and La Salle (twice in 1954) |
| North Carolina (six) | Indiana (1981), North Carolina State (1983), Duke (1991, 1992 and 2001) and Connecticut (2004) |
| North Carolina State (five) | Louisville (1986), Duke (1991, 2010 and 2015) and Maryland (2002) |
| Northwestern (three) | Indiana (1940), Holy Cross (1947) and Michigan State (1979) |
| Notre Dame (14) | Kentucky (1948), Indiana (1953), UCLA (1971 and 1975), Michigan State (1979), Indiana (1981), North Carolina State (1983), Kansas (1988), Connecticut (2004 and twice in 2011), Louisville (2013), Duke (twice in 2015) |
| Ohio State (two) | Indiana (1940) and Michigan State (2000) |
| Oklahoma (five) | CCNY (1950), Kansas (twice in 1988), UNLV (1990) and Maryland (2002) |
| Oklahoma State (two) | Kansas (1952 and 2008) |
| Oregon (four) | California (1959), UCLA (1970 and 1995) and Arizona (1997) |
| Oregon State (two) | Oregon (1939) and Stanford (1942) |
| Pittsburgh (five) | Wisconsin (1941), Villanova (1985), Syracuse (2003) and Connecticut (2004 and 2011) |
| Providence (one) | Connecticut (2004) |
| Purdue (four) | Michigan State (1979 and 2000) and Indiana (1981 and 1987) |
| Rutgers (one) | Syracuse (2003) |
| St. John's (seven) | Georgetown (1984), Villanova (three times in 1985), Louisville (1986), Kansas (1988) and Connecticut (2011) |
| Saint Louis (four) | Kentucky (1949 and 1951), California (1959) and Cincinnati (1961) |
| Santa Clara (two) | Stanford (1942) and North Carolina (2005) |
| Seattle (one) | Texas Western (1966) |
| Seton Hall (one) | Cincinnati (1961) |
| South Carolina (two) | Florida (twice in 2006) |
| Southern California (four) | Stanford (1942), UCLA (1969 and 1970) and Arizona (1997) |
| Southern Methodist (three) | Kentucky (1958) and Connecticut (twice in 2014) |
| Stanford (six) | Oregon (1939), California (1959), UCLA (1975), Arizona (1997), Duke (2001) and Connecticut (2014) |
| Syracuse (six) | CCNY (1950), Villanova (1985), Connecticut (1999, 2004 and 2011) and Louisville (2013) |
| Temple (three) | Oklahoma A&M (1945), Kentucky (1948) and La Salle (1954) |
| Tennessee (three) | Florida (twice in 2006 and once in 2007) |
| Texas (two) | Michigan State (2000) and Kansas (2008) |
| Texas-Pan American (one) | Indiana (1981) |
| UCLA (five) | CCNY (1950), San Francisco (1955), North Carolina State (1974) and Arizona (twice in 1997) |
| Utah (two) | Ohio State (1960) and Louisville (1980) |
| Vanderbilt (four) | Kentucky (1951 and 2012), Indiana (1987) and Florida (2007) |
| Villanova (two) | Georgetown (1984) and Louisville (2013) |
| Virginia (five) | North Carolina (1982), North Carolina State (twice in 1983) and Duke (1991 and 2001) |
| Wake Forest (seven) | North Carolina (1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009), North Carolina State (1983) and Duke (1991 and 1992) |
| Washington (two) | UCLA (1975) and Arizona (1997) |
| Washington State (one) | Oregon (1939) |
| West Virginia (two) | Kentucky (1958) and Connecticut (2011) |
| Wichita State (three) | Cincinnati (1962), Loyola of Chicago (1963) and Marquette (1977) |
| Wisconsin (three) | Michigan State (1979), Michigan (1989) and Duke (2010) |
| Wright State (one) | Michigan State (2000) |
| Wyoming (one) | Holy Cross (1947) |
NOTE: During World War II, NCAA champions Stanford lost to the Athens Club in 1942, Wyoming lost at Denver Legion in 1943, Utah lost to Ft. Warren, Salt Lake AB and Dow Chemical in 1944 and Oklahoma A&M lost to NATTS Skyjackets in 1945.
On This Date: Former College Hoopsters Make Mark on April 13 MLB Games
Extra! Extra! Read all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopsters had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.
Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:
APRIL 13
Montreal Expos SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half a season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) stroked four hits in a 5-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.
In his first MLB game in 1954, Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) belted a homer off Baltimore Orioles P Don Larsen.
San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) and two teammates establish a MLB record by each hitting a homer as the first three batters in the bottom of the first inning of their 1987 home opener against San Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI).
Boston Red Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) opened the scoring with a second-inning, two-run homer off Denny McLain in a 5-3 victory against the Washington Senators in 1971.
1B Tony Lupien (Harvard captain in 1938-39) awarded on waivers from the Boston Red Sox to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1944.
St. Louis Cardinals CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) swatted a homer against the Chicago Cubs in his first at-bat en route to becoming 1954 N.L. Rookie of the Year.
Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins in 1989.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) set MLB record for most career saves in 1993 (mark subsequently broken).
RHP Jim Wilson (letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) purchased from the Milwaukee Braves by the Baltimore Orioles in 1955.
California Angels RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected 15 total bases and six RBI on three homers, a double and single in a 15-9 verdict over the Minnesota Twins in 1991.
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