Rutgers, loser in 32 consecutive contests against Big Ten Conference opponents until defeating Minnesota in regular-season finale, might need to visit school archives and bring ulcer-causing Dick Vitale back as a recruiter. The Scarlet Knights, losing by a staggering 50 points at home against Purdue, couldn't do any worse upon falling on hard times as the nation's only NCAA Division I school failing to have an all-conference choice in the previous nine seasons. Vitale helped lure coach Eddie Jordan to Piscataway before the Scarlet Knights reached the 1976 Final Four. Jordan was an All-Atlantic 10 Conference second-team choice as a senior in 1976-77 before leaving college without a diploma.

Rutgers, failing to secure an all-league choice since Quincy Douby in 2005-06, has been blanked in three different alliances during the dry spell. The Knights' arrival gave the Big Ten Conference additional Nebraska/Northwestern/Penn State mediocrity - a famine-relief trio combining for three NCAA playoff victories in the previous 60 years (all by Nittany Lions), making their hoop fans believe in the power of positive drinkin'.

Five struggling schools - Louisiana-Monroe (Sun Belt), Pepperdine (WCC), Sacramento State (Big Sky), Southern Illinois (Missouri Valley) and Texas Tech (Big 12) - left this dubious category in 2013-14. Rutgers, eliminated by Louisville by 61 points in the AAC Tournament two seasons ago, is joined by DePaul and Samford on the following list of schools enduring honor droughts having no all-league picks at least the previous seven seasons:

School	Conference(s)	Last All-League Selection
DePaul	Big East	Sr. G Draelon Burns in 2007-08 (2nd team)
Rutgers	Big East/American Athletic/Big Ten	Jr. G Quincy Douby in 2005-06 (1st team)
Samford	Ohio Valley	Sr. C Travis Peterson in 2007-08 (2nd team)

"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, if he wins, knows the triumphs of high achievement; and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt

For those who eat, sleep and breathe the NCAA Tournament although it came after Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, the sensory overload of the playoffs is a banquet and every year is a feast. Nourishing your appetite for assessing postseason play, the following questions linger before the 78th event commences this year: Who were the most pristine postseason players in the nation's premier multiple-week sports spectacle? Who always seemed hot and who was not? Who was a stud instead of a dud?

It's a cop-out to simply accept the instant visibility of one-name icons such as Magic, Bird and Michael and cite them among the greatest players in tourney history. The prolific pro careers of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, a trio combining to win nine consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player awards from 1983-84 through 1991-92 (three apiece), somewhat distorts their impact in college postseason play. Notwithstanding the TV appeal of the Bird/Magic championship game match-up in 1979 and Jordan's game-winning basket as a freshman in the 1982 national final against Georgetown, a closer examination of the facts than what was exhibited in 75th-anniversary polls two years ago by ESPN, Sports Illustrated and Sporting News shows that other collegians were more efficient more often in the NCAA Tournament. Consider the following tourney trauma for Johnson (ESPN 5/SN 7/SI 8), Bird (SI 5/ESPN 15/SN 24) and Jordan (SN 32/ESPN 57/SI 70) before accepting as gospel they were among the premier performers in NCAA playoff play:

• Johnson shot a meager 27.8% from the floor (10 of 36) in three 1978 tourney games as a freshman for Michigan State before leading the Spartans to the NCAA title the next year. He had more turnovers (six) than assists (five) in the over-hyped 1979 final, a mediocre contest paling in comparison to the last eight finals of the 1980s when seven of them were decided by an average of two points. Johnson outscored and outrebounded teammate Greg Kelser in just one of eight playoff games they played together. Kelser simply contributed more than Magic to the Spartans' cause in NCAA competition.

• Bird boosted Indiana State to the 1979 final in his lone NCAA tourney, but put the 'oops' in hoops by committing a Final Four-record 17 turnovers. He hit just 7 of 21 field-goal attempts and had three times as many turnovers (six) as assists (two) against Michigan State in the championship game, which was essentially the equivalent of a boring Super Bowl failing to live up to hype.

• Jordan's NBA playoff scoring average with the Chicago Bulls more than doubled the NCAA Tournament scoring average he compiled for North Carolina. Jordan averaged 16.5 points per NCAA playoff game with the Tar Heels, scoring 20 or more in just two of 10 postseason games from 1982 through 1984. His Airness scored fewer than 18 points in two of the four playoff contests he led Carolina in scoring. Most people don't remember his inauspicious playoff debut when he collected six points, one rebound, no assists and no steals in 37 minutes of a 52-50 opening-round victory against James Madison in the East Regional. And Jordan's final NCAA Tournament appearance before he left school early for the NBA was nothing to write home about, either. The college player of the year was restricted to six points in the first 35 minutes of his collegiate swan song in the East Regional semifinals against Indiana, finishing with 13 points, one rebound, one assist and one steal in 26 foul-plagued minutes when the top-ranked Tar Heels were eliminated (72-68).

Generally, sizzling scorers have learned it's not a day at the beach in postseason play. For instance, former NBA sensation Clyde Drexler averaged more than 17 points per game each of his last 13 NBA seasons, but he scored more than 17 points in just one of 11 NCAA Tournament games for the University of Houston from 1981 through 1983. Premier playmaker Steve Nash managed only one field goal in three of five playoff contests in the mid-1990s, shooting a paltry 29.2% from the floor. Two-time NBA slam-dunk champion Jason Richardson (5th pick overall in 2001) was grounded by the NCAA playoffs, going scoreless in three consecutive contests as a Michigan State freshman in 2000. All-Americans Thomas Robinson (Kansas) and Tyler Zeller (North Carolina) each went scoreless in two NCAA playoff games. Eventual All-Americans Marcus Denmon (Missouri), Danny Ferry (Duke), Ben Gordon (Connecticut), Marcus Morris (Kansas) and Terrence Williams (Louisville) also went scoreless in a tourney game. Ferry scored fewer than 10 points in six straight tourney tilts before averaging 20 ppg in his last 11 playoff outings and Syracuse All-American Kris Joseph never scored more than 12 points in 11 NCAA playoff contests from 2009 through 2012.

Duke's Christian Laettner, the all-time playoff scoring leader with 407 points from 1989 through 1992, tallied fewer than 15 points in six of his first seven tournament games. Just four of the top 20 in career scoring in the NCAA playoffs accumulated more than 10 points in every tourney game they participated - UCLA's Lew Alcindor (1967-68-69), Princeton's Bill Bradley (1963-64-65), Arizona's Sean Elliott (1986-87-88-89) and Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (1958-59-60).

Is an Amber Alert necessary for Len Chappell, Adrian Dantley, Tom Gola, Alex Groza, David "Big Daddy" Lattin, Jim McDaniels, Jeff Mullins, Cazzie Russell, Dennis Scott, Rony Seikaly, etc., etc., etc.? How could anyone forget the footprint (size-22) Bob Lanier left on postseason play? The NCAA, exhibiting all the expertise of voters claiming they can't provide identification, unveiled a stunning error-prone list several years ago of foremost NCAA Tournament players over the first 75 years. Were relatives of guards Shelvin Mack and Keith Smart on the nominating panel for such amateurish choices? Do backcourters B.J. Armstrong, Terry Dehere, Allen Iverson, Wally Jones, Brevin Knight, Bo Lamar, Mark Macon, Lawrence Moten, Anthony Peeler and Mitch Richmond mean anything to the misinformed? The NCAA, apparently incapable of discerning what comprises a "moment" rather than numerous playoff-pressure games or putting too much stock in input from self-serving media, probably needs to go back to focusing on vital task of shedding Indian nicknames from as many schools as possible.

In his State of the Union address, basketball buff POTUS probably should have focused on mental inequality in hoopdom rather than income inequality in his "I-have-a-phone-and-pen" kingdom. An NCAA probe similar to IRS targeting needs to be conducted stemming from the most glaring omission among impact players failing to be acknowledged. Incredibly, the shunned included Bob Pettit, who averaged 30.5 points in six outings with LSU in 1953 and 1954. Pettit is perhaps the most consistent big scorer in NCAA playoff annals with a single-digit differential between his high game (36 points) and low contest (27).

The Chris Webber Award for playoff competition brain lock goes to SN for fanciful assertion citing Tom Thacker, a nice versatile player for Cincinnati teams participating in three consecutive NCAA championship contests, as #15 on its all-time list. Thacker committed a toxic total of 13 turnovers (with only four assists) in two Final Four games in 1963 after scoring only two points in 1962 national semifinals and shooting a paltry 8-of-28 from the floor at 1961 Final Four. UCLA by itself has had at least 15 more influential tourney players than Thacker, who was unranked by ESPN and SI. The only logical answer for this absurdity is a Cincinnati connection of some sort among the voting delegation or the fishy selection is a byproduct for why SN's print edition went belly up.

Michigan State All-American Draymond Green posted back-to-back triple doubles in 2011 and 2012 but still doesn't rank among the all-time best 78 players in tourney history as the event enters its 78th year. If some of these historical facts aroused your curiosity, here is additional tournament insight that should fuel debates concerning who should be on college basketball's Mount Rushmore after excelling the most as NCAA playoff performers (minimum of six tourney games):

1. Lew Alcindor, C, UCLA
The only individual selected the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player three times averaged 25.7 points and 18.8 rebounds and shot 64.1% from the floor in six Final Four games from 1967 through 1969. Alcindor, who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is the only player to couple three unanimous first-team All-American seasons with three NCAA titles. Of the 10 different individuals to average more than 23 points per game for a national champion a total of 12 times, Alcindor achieved the feat all three of his seasons with the Bruins. He is also the only player to hit better than 70% of his field-goal attempts in two NCAA title games. UCLA '67, the first varsity season for Alcindor, set the record for largest average margin of victory for a champion when the Bruins started a dazzling streak of 10 consecutive Final Four appearances. They won their 12 NCAA playoff games with Alcindor manning the middle by an average margin of 21.5 points. The three Alcindor-led UCLA teams rank among the seven NCAA champions with average margins of victory in a tournament of more than 19 points per game. He led the Bruins in scoring in 10 of 12 playoff contests. It's no wonder a perceptive scribe wrote that the acronym NCAA took on a new meaning during the Alcindor Era - "No Chance Against Alcindor."
2. Bill Walton, C, UCLA
Averaged 28.8 points and 17.8 rebounds per game at the Final Four in 1972 and 1973. His championship game-record 44 points against Memphis State in 1973 when he hit 21-of-22 field-goal attempts will probably never be duplicated. On the other hand, he had one playoff game of fewer than 10 points each of the three seasons he was national player of the year.
3. Jerry West, G-F, West Virginia
He is the only player to score at least 25 points in eight consecutive tournament games (all of which he led in scoring). West is also the only player to rank among the top five in scoring average in both the NCAA Tournament (30.6 points per game) and NBA playoffs (29.1 ppg). He was denied a championship ring with West Virginia in his only Final Four appearance in 1959 when Cal center Darral Imhoff, a player who would become an Olympic and NBA teammate, tipped in a decisive basket in the closing seconds.
4. Elvin Hayes, F, Houston
He is the only player to lead a tournament in scoring by more than 60 points. Lew Alcindor and his UCLA teammates helped hold Hayes to 10 points in 1968 national semifinals, but the Big E finished with 167 points in five games with Houston that year in finishing with the highest-ever scoring average for a Final Four player (36.8 ppg). Alcindor was runner-up with 103 points in four contests. Hayes became the only player in tournament history to collect more than 40 points and 25 rebounds in the same game when he amassed 49 points and 27 rebounds in a 94-76 decision over Loyola of Chicago in first round of 1968 Midwest Regional. He holds the records for most rebounds in a playoff series (97 in five games as a senior in 1968) and career (222 in 13 games). Hayes had five games with at least 24 rebounds, including the first three playoff games in 1968, before being held to five in a 101-69 national semifinal loss against UCLA. He also holds the record for most playoff field goals in a career with 152.
5. Gail Goodrich, G, UCLA
Despite standing at least three inches shorter than both standout opponents, the 6-1 lefthander outscored consensus second-team All-American Jeff Mullins of Duke, 27-22, in 1964 final and unanimous first-team All-American Cazzie Russell of Michigan, 42-28, in 1965 final. Goodrich, the only guard to score more than 35 points in an NCAA final, averaged 35 points per game for UCLA in 1965 tourney. He was also the Bruins' leading scorer the previous year (21.5-point average as a junior) when he became the shortest undergraduate to average more than 20 points per game for an NCAA titlist. Goodrich and Walt Hazzard (18.6 ppg) represent the only backcourt duo to be the top two scorers on the season for an NCAA championship team. Of the eight times a school successfully defended its major college championship, Goodrich is the only guard to be the team's leading scorer in back-to-back years. The Bruins won 58 of 60 games in those two championship seasons although they didn't have a regular taller than 6-7.
6. Bill Bradley, F, Princeton
The former U.S. Senator (D-N.J.) and 2000 presidential candidate holds the record for most points in a single Final Four game (58 against Wichita State in 1965 national third-place game). He scored 39 points in the second half of the consolation game. The Rhodes Scholar was the only player to have a double-digit season scoring average (30.5 points per game) for Princeton's Final Four team. Bradley also holds the career playoff record for highest free-throw percentage (minimum of 50 attempts). He was 89 of 96 from the foul line (90.6%) from 1963 through 1965. In five of his nine playoff games, Bradley made at least 10 free throws while missing no more than one attempt from the charity stripe. He made 16 of 16 free throws against St. Joseph's in first round of 1963 East Regional and 13 of 13 foul shots against Providence in 1965 East Regional final to become the only player to twice convert more than 12 free throws without a miss in playoff games. He was the game-high scorer in eight of nine tourney contests.
7. Bill Russell, C, San Francisco
Grabbed an incredible 50 rebounds for USF at 1956 Final Four (23 against SMU in semifinals and 27 against Iowa in championship game). No other player has retrieved more than 41 missed shots in two Final Four games or more than 21 in the final. Averaged 23.2 points in winning all nine NCAA tourney contests.
8. Oscar Robertson, G-F, Cincinnati
Averaged at least 29 points and 10 rebounds per game each of his three years in the tourney with the Bearcats. The Big O isn't picked higher because California restricted him to a total of 37 points in two Final Four games (1959 and 1960). He hit just nine of 32 from the floor against the Bears. Robertson, the nation's leading scorer all three of his varsity seasons with averages of more than 32 points per game, is the only team-leading scorer to twice go more than 10 points below his season scoring average when his school lost in the national semifinals or final. He is the only Final Four participant to twice register a season scoring average in excess of 30 ppg (32.6 in 1958-59 and 33.7 in 1959-60).
9. Sean Elliott, F, Arizona
Of the more than 60 different players to score at least 2,500 points and/or rank among the top 25 in career scoring average, Elliott is the only one to have a winning NCAA playoff record in his career plus post higher scoring, rebounding and field-goal shooting playoff averages than he compiled in the regular season. Elliott scored at least 17 points in all 10 of his NCAA playoff games with the Wildcats from 1986 through 1989.
10. Christian Laettner, F, Duke
Only player to start in four Final Fours became the tourney's all-time leading scorer (407 points) in helping the Blue Devils compile a 21-2 playoff mark in his career. Laettner's highest-scoring game was 31 against Kentucky in a 104-103 victory in 1992 East Regional final. Laettner capped a flawless offensive performance, hitting all 10 of his field-goal attempts and all 10 of his free throws against the Wildcats, by scoring Duke's last eight points in overtime, including a stunning 18-foot turnaround jumper at the buzzer after catching a pass from the baseline on the opposite end of the court. He also hit what probably was an even more difficult off-balance, last-second shot to give Duke a 79-78 win against Connecticut in 1990 East Regional final. Tallied fewer than 15 points in six of his first seven playoff contests.
11. Bob Pettit, F-C, Louisiana State
Of the more than 40 different players to score more than 225 points in the NCAA playoffs and/or average over 25 points per tournament game (minimum of six games), he is the only one to score more than 22 points in every postseason contest (six games with LSU in 1953 and 1954). He was perhaps the most consistent big scorer in NCAA Tournament history with a single-digit differential between his high game (36 points) and his low game (27). Pettit wasn't named to the 1953 All-Tournament team despite leading the Tigers to the Final Four and averaging 30.5 points per game in four NCAA playoff contests. He averaged the same number of points in two tourney games the next year.
12. Bobby Hurley, G, Duke
The 6-0 guard was selected Most Outstanding Player at the 1992 Final Four. He was the shortest player to earn the award since 5-11 Hal Lear helped Temple to a national third-place finish in 1956. The only Final Four Most Outstanding Player shorter than Hurley from a championship team was 5-11 Kenny Sailors of Wyoming in 1943. Hurley shot a mediocre 41% from the floor in his college career, but he was the Blue Devils' linchpin with his playmaking and intangible contributions. He holds the career record for most playoff assists (145) and three-pointers (42) although his bid to become the first player to start four consecutive NCAA finals was thwarted when California upset Duke in the second round of 1993 Midwest Regional despite Hurley's career-high 32 points. After averaging just 5.4 points per game in his first eight NCAA Tournament contests, he averaged 22.8 in his last five playoff outings.
13. Steve Alford, G, Indiana
Averaged 21.3 points in 10 NCAA Tournament games in 1984, 1986 and 1987 (8-2 record). He led the Hoosiers in scoring in seven of the contests.
14. Larry Johnson, F, UNLV
Juco jewel averaged 20.2 points and 11.5 rebounds in 11 games in 1990 and 1991 (10-1 record).
15. Miles Simon, G, Arizona
Averaged 18.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 14 games from 1995 through 1998 (11-3 record). He was game-high scorer in his last three playoff contests.
16. Patrick Ewing, C, Georgetown
The Hoyas compiled a glittering 15-3 playoff record from 1982 through 1985 during his four-year reign of terror although he never scored as many as 25 points in a tournament game.
17. David "Big Daddy" Lattin, C, Texas Western
Averaged 19.4 ppg and 10.6 rpg in eight games in 1966 and 1967 (7-1 record). He averaged 21 points and 13 rebounds in first three games of 1966 playoffs, powering champion-to-be Miners to Final Four. Playoff scoring average was five points higher than his regular-season mark.
18. Clyde Lovellette, C, Kansas
The only individual to lead the nation in scoring average in the same season he played for a team reaching the NCAA Tournament championship game. Averaging 35.3 points per game in the 1952 tourney, he was the first player to score more than 30 points in a Final Four contest and the only player to crack the 30-point plateau in the national semifinals and final in the same season.
19. Dennis Scott, G-F, Georgia Tech
Averaged 25.9 ppg and 5.9 rpg in eight playoff games from 1988 through 1990 (5-3 record). He was game-high scorer in four of five contests in 1990 when the Yellow Jackets reached the Final Four.
20. David Thompson, F, North Carolina State
The last player to score the most points in a single game of a tournament and play for a championship team (40 against Providence in 1974 East Regional semifinals). He is the only undergraduate non-center to average more than 23 ppg for a national champion.
21. Austin Carr, G, Notre Dame
After scoring only six points in his first tournament game as a sophomore (re-injured against Miami of Ohio in 1969), Carr averaged 47.2 points in his last six playoff contests to finish with a tourney record 41.3-point mark. However, the Irish won only two of the seven games.
22. David Robinson, C, Navy
Averaged 28.6 points and 12.3 rebounds in seven games from 1985 through 1987 (4-3 record). He was game-high scorer in four playoff contests, including a school-record 50 points against Michigan in his final appearance.
23. Bob Kurland, C, Oklahoma A&M
Only player to score more than half of a championship team's points in a single NCAA Tournament (total of 72 accounted for 51.8% of the Aggies' output in three playoff games in 1946).
24. Jerry Lucas, C, Ohio State
Two-time NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player averaged 22.8 ppg and 12 rpg at the Final Four in 1960 and 1961. But he was limited to nine points in both of his tourney openers when earning national player of the year awards in 1961 and 1962.
25. Sean May, F-C, North Carolina
Final Four Most Outstanding Player for 2005 champion averaged 19.9 points and 9.9 rebounds in eight NCAA Tournament games in 2004 and 2005 (7-1 record).
26. Alex Groza, C, Kentucky
Two-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player is only individual appearing at a minimum of two Final Fours (1948 and 1949) and be the game-high scorer in every Final Four contest he participated.
27. Len Chappell, F-C, Wake Forest
Averaged 27.6 ppg and 17.1 rpg in eight games in 1961 and 1962 (6-2 record). He was the Demon Deacons' leading scorer in all eight contests.
28. Bob Lanier, C, St. Bonaventure
Averaged 25.2 points and 14.2 rebounds in six games in 1968 and 1970 (4-2 record; missed 1970 Final Four after tearing a knee ligament in East Regional final).
29. Corliss Williamson, F, Arkansas
Two-time All-NCAA Tournament selection averaged 20.2 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 59.4% from the floor in 15 games from 1993 through 1995 (13-2 record).
30. Al Wood, F, North Carolina
Averaged 20.1 points and 8.3 rebounds in eight games from 1978 through 1981 (4-4 record). He was the Tar Heels' leading scorer in six of those playoff contests.
31. Tim Duncan, C, Wake Forest
Averaged 17.6 points, 15 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots in 11 games from 1994 through 1997 (7-4 record).
32. Glen Rice, F, Michigan
Averaged 23.7 points and 6.3 rebounds in 13 games from 1986 through 1989 (10-3 record). As a senior, he was the Wolverines' leading scorer in all six contests during their championship run when setting a single-tourney record with 184 points.
33. Danny Manning, F, Kansas
The only player to score more than 62% of his team's points in an NCAA Tournament game (42 in the Jayhawks' 67-63 victory against Southwest Missouri State in second round of 1987 Southeast Regional). He was the game-high scorer in all six of their contests en route to the 1988 national title as a senior. Averaged 20.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 16 playoff games (13-3 record).
34. Bob Houbregs, F-C, Washington
Averaged 27.4 ppg in seven games in 1951 and 1953 (5-2 record). He averaged nearly nine more points per contest in postseason play than during the regular season.
35. Tom Gola, F, La Salle
The only individual to earn NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player and NIT Most Valuable Player awards in his career. He averaged 22 ppg in 10 NCAA playoff games in 1954 and 1955 (9-1 record).
36. Rumeal Robinson, G, Michigan
Averaged 17.5 points and 8.5 assists in 11 games from 1988 through 1990 (9-2 record).
37. Lawrence Moten, G, Syracuse
Averaged 23.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in seven games in 1992, 1994 and 1995 (4-3 record).
38. Ray Allen, G, Connecticut
Averaged 19.5 points and 7 rebounds in 10 playoff games from 1994 through 1996 (7-3 record).
39. Isiah Thomas, G, Indiana
Averaged 19.7 points and 7.9 assists in seven games in 1980 and 1981 (6-1 record).
40. Greg "Bo" Kimble, F-G, Loyola Marymount
Averaged 29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals in seven games from 1988 through 1990 (4-3 record). Scored at least 37 points for LMU in three of his last four playoff outings.
41. Randy Foye, G, Villanova
Averaged 22.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in seven games in 2005 and 2006 (5-2 record). He scored at least 24 points in four contests en route to posting 7.5 ppg more in tourney competition than regular-season play.
42. B.J. Armstrong, G, Iowa
Averaged 19.8 points and 4.9 assists in nine games from 1987 through 1989 (6-3 record; did not play in 1986 playoffs). He averaged seven more points per contest in postseason than during the regular season.
43. Jim McDaniels, C, Western Kentucky
Averaged 29.3 points and 12.2 rebounds in six games in 1970 and 1971 (4-2 record). He was WKU's leading scorer in five of the six playoff contests.
44. Brevin Knight, G, Stanford
Averaged 20 points, 4.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists in seven games from 1995 through 1997 (4-3 record).
45. Rony Seikaly, C, Syracuse
Averaged 18.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 2.8 bpg in 12 games from 1985 through 1988 (8-4 record). He averaged nearly seven more points per contest in postseason play than during the regular season.
46. Jeff Mullins, F, Duke
Averaged 25 ppg and 7.9 rpg in the playoffs for two Final Four teams in 1963 and 1964 (6-2 record). He scored more than 20 points in seven of eight tourney contests.
47. Mark Macon, G, Temple
Averaged 23.3 points and 5.1 rebounds in nine games in 1988, 1990 and 1991 (6-3 record.)
48. Mike Maloy, C, Davidson
Averaged 22.3 ppg and 12.4 rpg in seven games from 1968 through 1970 (4-3 record).
49. Adrian Dantley, F, Notre Dame
Averaged 25.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in eight games from 1974 through 1976 (4-4 record). Averaged 29.8 points in his last six playoff contests.
50. Dan Issel, C, Kentucky
Averaged 29.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg in splitting six contests from 1968 through 1970. He had at least 36 points in half of the tourney games.
51. Allen Iverson, G, Georgetown
Averaged 23.9 points and 4 rebounds in seven games in 1995 and 1996 (5-2 record). He was the Hoyas' leading scorer in all seven contests.
52. Ollie Johnson, C, San Francisco
Averaged 25.8 points and 16.2 rebounds in six games from 1963 through 1965 (3-3 record). Averaged six points per game higher in playoffs than regular season.
53. Paul Hogue, C, Cincinnati
Averaged 19 points and 16 rebounds in six Final Four games from 1960 through 1962. Posted higher averages (18.4 ppg and 13.3 rpg) in 12 NCAA Tournament contests (11-1 record) than his respective career marks.
54. Jameer Nelson, G, St. Joseph's
Averaged 22.4 points, 6 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 2.3 steals in seven games in 2001, 2003 and 2004 (4-3 record). He scored at least 24 points in four of his last five playoff contests.
55. Richard Hamilton, G-F, Connecticut
Averaged 23.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 10 games in 1998 and 1999 (9-1 record). He led UConn in scoring in nine of the 10 contests.
56. Chuck Person, F, Auburn
Averaged 20.3 points and 9 rebounds in eight games from 1984 through 1986 (5-3 record). Scored at least 20 points in six of his last seven playoff contests.
57. Don Schlundt, C, Indiana
Averaged 27 points in six games in 1953 and 1954 (5-1 record). He was the Hoosiers' leading scorer in five of the playoff contests.
58. Cazzie Russell, G, Michigan
Averaged at least 24 ppg each of his three years in the tourney (5-3 record). Leading scorer for third-place team in 1964 NCAA playoffs and 1965 national runner-up.
59. Jamal Mashburn, F, Kentucky
Averaged 21.4 points and 8 rebounds in nine games in 1992 and 1993 (7-2 record). He was the Wildcats' leading scorer in five consecutive playoff contests.
60. Les Hunter, C, Loyola of Chicago
Averaged 18.9 points and 13.3 rebounds in eight games in 1963 and 1964 (7-1 record).
61. Henry Finkel, C, Dayton
Averaged 27.8 points and 13.8 rebounds in six games in 1965 and 1966 (3-3 record). He was game-high scorer in five of the six contests.
62. Johnny Green, F-C, Michigan State
Averaged 16.2 points and 19.7 rebounds in six games in 1957 and 1959 (3-3 record). He was the leading rebounder in all four contests as a sophomore in 1957 when the Spartans reached the Final Four.
63. Anthony Peeler, G, Missouri
Averaged 24.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists in six games in 1989, 1990 and 1992 (3-3 record). His scoring average was almost eight points higher in the postseason than regular season.
64. Dwight "Bo" Lamar, G, Southwestern Louisiana
Averaged 29.2 points in six Division I Tournament games in 1972 and 1973 (3-3 record). Supplied game-high point total in all six contests, including 35 plus a tourney-high 11 assists in a 112-101 victory against Marshall as the Ragin' Cajuns scored the most points in tourney history for a school in its playoff debut.
65. Greg Kelser, F, Michigan State
Leading scorer and rebounder as a senior for 1979 NCAA titlist averaged 24 ppg and 11.3 rpg in eight playoff contests (7-1 record). His scoring average was almost seven points higher in the postseason than regular season. Celebrated teammate Magic Johnson outscored and outrebounded Kelser only once in their eight postseason outings together.
66. Barry Kramer, F, New York University
Averaged 25.2 points and 9.3 rebounds in six games in 1962 and 1963 (3-3 record).
67. Nick Collison, F, Kansas
Leading scorer and rebounder as senior for 2003 NCAA Tournament runner-up (30-8 record) and second-leading scorer and rebounder for 2002 Final Four team (33-4). Averaged 16.7 points and 11.3 rebounds in 16 games (12-4 record).
68. Juan Dixon, G, Maryland
After struggling as a redshirt freshman, Dixon averaged 21.2 points in his last 13 games from 2000 through 2002. The Terrapins won 10 of the last 11 of those playoff contests when he was the leading scorer for back-to-back Final Four teams.
69. Mitch Richmond, G-F, Kansas State
J.C. recruit averaged 23.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists in six games in 1987 and 1988 (4-2 record).
70. George Thompson, F, Marquette
Averaged 23.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in six games in 1968 and 1969 (4-2 record). He was the Warriors' leading scorer in five of the six playoff contests.
71. John Wallace, F, Syracuse
Averaged 20.3 points and 8.8 rebounds in 11 games from 1994 through 1996 (8-3 record). Leading scorer and rebounder for Syracuse's national runner-up as a senior was the top point producer for the Orangemen in his last eight playoff contests.
72. Jimmy Collins, G, New Mexico State
Averaged 19.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 11 games from 1968 through 1970 (7-4 record). He at least shared the Aggies' team-high scoring output in all 11 contests.
73. Tony Price, F, Penn
Averaged 21.9 ppg and 9 rpg in eight games in 1978 and 1979 (5-3 record). He was the Quakers' leading scorer in all six contests when they finished fourth in the nation in 1979. Price's playoff scoring average was 6.5 points higher than his regular-season mark.
74. Wally Jones, G, Villanova
Two-time All-East Regional selection averaged 22.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg in six games in 1962 and 1964 (4-2 record). He scored a game-high 25 points as a sophomore in a regional final loss against Wake Forest and a game-high 34 points as a senior in a 74-62 victory over Bill Bradley-led Princeton in a third-place contest. It was the only time in Bradley's nine playoff games that he wasn't the leading scorer. Jones outscored All-American Len Chappell in the Wake Forest contest.
75. Mel Counts, C, Oregon State
Averaged 23.2 points and 14.1 rebounds in nine games from 1962 through 1964 (5-4 record), averaging 25 points and 15 rebounds in two West Regional finals.
76. Terry Dehere, G, Seton Hall
Averaged 23.2 points in nine games from 1991 through 1993 (6-3 record). He paced the Pirates in scoring in all nine outings.
77. Kenny Anderson, G, Georgia Tech
The only freshman to score more than 20 points in four playoff games averaged 27 ppg in his first four outings. Averaged 25.7 points and 5 assists in seven NCAA tourney games in 1990 and 1991 (5-2 record).
78. Acie Earl, C, Iowa
Averaged 19.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots in six games from 1991 through 1993 (3-3 record). Eight of his rejections came against NCAA champion-to-be Duke in 1992. He averaged more than four ppg in the playoffs than the regular season.

"Stepping onto a brand new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation which is not nurturing." - Maya Angelou

Whether schools are simply filling out a roster with a backup or chasing a pot of gold at the end of a Larry Bird rainbow, they seem to be looking around every corner and under every rock for a transfer. Bird left a potential powerhouse at Indiana but never played for the Hoosiers before becoming national player of the year with Indiana State. The majority of All-American transfers depart from universities that currently are power-league members.

How many All-Americans actually played varsity basketball for two different four-year schools? The average is about one every two years. Duke and Kansas, two of the five schools with the most All-Americans in history, had their first transfer in that category three seasons ago - Duke guard Seth Curry (Liberty) and KU center Jeff Withey (Arizona). If voters are paying attention and not buffoons-at-large, guard Nic Moore (Illinois State to Southern Methodist) is a shoo-in for A-A status this season although the Mustangs are ineligible to appear in postseason competition.

Mississippi State lost a transfer All-American several seasons ago when Ben Hansbrough departed for Notre Dame but the Bulldogs had their own player in this category earlier this century after Lawrence Roberts left Baylor. In an era when transfers have almost become an obsession for various reasons, there was a modest uptick in the ratio with seven All-Americans in this category in a six-year span from 2000 through 2005 before Louisville's Luke Hancock (George Mason) became Final Four Most Outstanding Player two years ago. SMU's Moore should join Iowa's Jarrod Uthoff (from Wisconsin) and Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (Kentucky) on the following alphabetical list of All-Americans who began their collegiate career at another four-year school:

*Attended junior college between four-year school stints.
NOTE: Burgess was an Air Force veteran.

"Some kids need those two years to prepare them to come to a four-year school. We should not look down on those kids." - Western Kentucky/Minnesota coach Clem Haskins, an All-American for WKU

It wasn't long ago when only a splinter group of maverick coaches were sufficiently bold to liberally dot their rosters with junior college players stereotyped as discipline problems, academic risks or simply unsuitable to go directly from high school to major college programs. "Jucoland" was labeled by misguided observers as little more than basketball rehabilitation where free-lance players enjoyed free rein to make Great Plains arenas their own personal H-O-R-S-E stables.

But a glance at NBA rosters over the years and the backgrounds of many of the nation's prominent Division I coaches suggests there probably never should have been a stigma attached to the J.C. ranks. Observers seldom hear college or NBA commentators credit a J.C. beginning, but many premier NBA players competed for a two-year school at some point in their college careers - Tiny Archibald, Mookie Blaylock, Ron Boone, Ron Brewer, Fred Brown, Jimmy Butler, Mack Calvin, Sam Cassell, Michael Cooper, Mel Daniels, Steve Francis, Artis Gilmore, Harvey Grant, Spencer Haywood, Lionel Hollins, Avery Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson, Larry Johnson, Vinnie Johnson, Freddie Lewis, Jim Loscutoff, Shawn Marion, Bob McAdoo, Nate McMillan, Ricky Pierce, Mitch Richmond, Dennis Rodman, Latrell Sprewell, John Starks, Jamaal Tinsley, Nick Van Exel, Ben Wallace and Gerald Wilkins.

Denny Crum, Lute Olson, Nolan Richardson and Jerry Tarkanian are former juco coaches who eventually guided teams to NCAA Tournament titles. More than 90 individuals have been named MVP/Player of the Year in an NCAA Division I conference. Ole Miss' Stephan Moody (Kilgore TX), scoring more than 20 points in 12 consecutive contests for the Rebels, and Oregon State's Gary Payton II (Salt Lake UT) could join the following list of such honorees from a power league:

A significant number of schools turn sheepish at the mention of recent NCAA Tournament success. Among Division I institutions making at least 10 NCAA playoff appearances, eight former Final Four participants - Holy Cross, Houston, New Mexico State, Oregon State, Princeton, San Francisco, Southern Methodist and Texas-El Paso - combined to go winless in the previous 17 years.

DePaul, Oregon State and San Francisco each have won more than 20 NCAA tourney games but collaborated for only one win in the previous 26 years (DePaul over Dayton in double overtime in 2004). Wayne Tinkle-coached Oregon State is showing signs this season that the Beavers' playoff drought could be reaching an end unless a tripping-a-referee brain-fart by Jarmal Reid, a player recruited by previous mentor Craig Robinson, costs them an at-large invitation. With B.B. King "The Thrill is Gone" lyrics in the background, Clemson and Iowa could be joining OSU in leaving the following alphabetical list of schools with at least 10 NCAA playoff appearances for which Sweet 16 is a distant memory:

School (Playoff Appearances)	Recent NCAA Tournament Travails
Boston College (18)	winless previous eight years with only one appearance
Charlotte (11)	no appearance previous 10 years; winless previous 14 years
Clemson (11)	one victory previous 18 years
DePaul (22)	appeared once previous 15 years; one victory previous 26 years
George Washington (11)	one victory previous 21 years
Georgia (12)	one victory previous 19 years
Holy Cross (12)	winless since 1953
Houston (19)	winless previous 31 years
Idaho State (11)	winless previous 38 years
Iowa (24)	two victories previous 16 years
Minnesota (12)	one victory previous 18 years
New Mexico State (20)	winless previous 22 years
Old Dominion (11)	one victory previous 20 years
Oregon State (16)	winless previous 33 years
Penn (23)	one victory previous 35 years
Pepperdine (13)	one victory previous 33 years
Princeton (24)	winless previous 17 years
San Francisco (16)	appeared once previous 33 years
Santa Clara (11)	no appearance previous 19 years
Seattle (11)	winless since 1964
Southern Methodist (11)	winless previous 27 years
Texas-El Paso (17)	winless previous 23 years
Utah State (20)	one victory previous 45 years
Weber State (14)	winless previous 16 years
Wyoming (15)	one victory previous 28 years

In the throes of returning from suspension stemming from off-the-court conflict, the most illuminating item about Jim Boeheim ranking among the nation's all-time winningest coaches is the bespectacled "Baron of Upstate New York" has a stunning streak of nothing but winning records in his first 39 seasons with Syracuse. Boeheim's worst worksheet was 16-13 in 1981-82 when the NIT-bound Orange dropped four of its last five outings.

Adolph Rupp never had a losing record in 41 campaigns but did post one breakeven mark with Kentucky (13-13 in 1966-67). When assessing this topic, keep in mind the following mentors among the all-time biggest winners each had multiple non-winning seasons: Phog Allen (four non-winning records), Jim Calhoun (six), Lefty Driesell (four), Lou Henson (eight), Hank Iba (eight), Bob Knight (two), Mike Krzyzewski (four), Lute Olson (three), Dean Smith (two) and Eddie Sutton (two).

Boeheim boasts the best record among active coaches in close contests, winning more than 60% of games decided by fewer than six points. He is atop the list of five major-college coaches in history with winning marks every year in college careers spanning more than 20 years.

Coach	Seasons	Campaign Closest to Non-Winning Record
Jim Boeheim	39	16-13 (Syracuse in sixth season in 1981-82)
*Jerry Tarkanian	31	16-12 (UNLV in eighth of 19 seasons with Rebels in 1980-81) and 19-15 (Fresno State in seventh of seven seasons with Bulldogs in 2001-02)
John Wooden	29	14-12 (UCLA in 12th of 27 seasons with Bruins in 1959-60)
Lou Carnesecca	24	17-12 (St. John's in 20th season in 1987-88)
Peck Hickman	23	13-12 (Louisville in 14th season in 1957-58)

*Tarkanian also compiled seven more winning records in as many seasons for two community colleges in California, where he won five consecutive state championships after notching a 14-13 mark in 1961-62 at Riverside City College to begin his coaching odyssey.

If you need more unassailable evidence proving who are the best team-sport athletes in the world, check out some of the premier tight ends in NFL history (past and present). A striking number of the elite players at that rigorous position are former college basketball players although ESPN (Engineering Social Priorities Network) probably is more interested in positioning Michael Sam for another destination after he was "kissed" adrift by multiple professional squads. In the past, what kind of "picks" do you think imposing Mike Ditka (Pittsburgh) and John Mackey (Syracuse) set back in the day before the Big East Conference was formed? Wouldn't you love to see LeBron James maneuver down the field like Charles Atlas the same way he does when driving down the lane?

Although ex-California hoopster Tony Gonzalez failed to reach the 2013 postseason with the Atlanta Falcons in his quest to finally win a playoff game before he retired, succeeding in the NFL remains a "Battle of the Titans" at the TE position. Former hoopsters Antonio Gates (Kent State) and Jimmy Graham (Miami FL) spark the San Diego Chargers and Seattle Seahawks, respectively. Coming on strong at the same position is fellow ex-college hoopster Julius Thomas, the most sought-after free agent last year after originally being a relatively obscure player for the Denver Broncos until exploding on the scene two seasons ago as their runner-up in touchdowns with 12 and contributing a team-high eight pass receptions in an AFC title-game victory against the New England Patriots.

Thomas, an All-Big Sky Conference hoopster with Portland State, flashed potential as the next game-changing tight end when he caught nine touchdown passes in the Broncos' first five games two seasons ago en route to signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A 74-yard TD strike to "It's So Easy" at San Diego in mid-season two years ago illustrated how QB Peyton Manning capitalized on Thomas' athleticism the same way he did ex-hoopster Marcus Pollard (Bradley) with the Indianapolis Colts. Pollard, a J.C. transfer who was the Braves' leading rebounder in 1992-93, caught at least three touchdown passes each of Manning's first seven NFL seasons from 1998 through 2004.

Ditka has a quality successor as an ex-hoopster tight end with the Bears in Martellus Bennett (Texas A&M). A superior athlete to keep an eye on in the future is Texas Southern dual-sport player Derrick Griffin, who originally committed to A&M before aligning with Miami FL and subsequently sitting out and remaining in home state for academic reasons. Griffin, averaging almost 14 ppg and 10 rpg as a redshirt freshman under Tigers coach Mike Davis, boasts the physical credentials to become the latest SWAC multi-sport standout in the mold of Harold Carmichael (Southern), Andrew Glover (Grambling) and Otis Taylor (Prairie View A&M) if he avoids future incidents such as being ejected after punching an Alcorn State hooper. Griffin, 6-7, led TSU with 36 pass receptions, 709 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns before seamlessly swapping uniforms and collecting 19 points and 12 rebounds against Mississippi State plus 20 points and nine boards against Syracuse. Thomas, Bennett and Jordan Cameron of the Miami Dolphins plus ex-UCI hooper Darren Fells of the Arizona Cardinals should keep moving up the following list of Top 25 NFL tight ends who were former college basketball players:

Where are the profuse apologies from so-called recruiting experts for failing to include Oklahoma's Buddy Hield among the consensus top 100 high school recruits in 2012? He is the fourth consecutive national player of the year overlooked by the recruiting wizards who can't seem to comprehend upside potential or room for growth.

When Hield tallied 46 points at Kansas, the eruption triggered research regarding which individual opponent has the highest single-game scoring outburst against each major university. But Hield going wild fell two points shy of matching the individual record against KU (48 by Jackson State's Lindsey Hunter in 1992-93 before his 17-year NBA career).

Furman's Darrell Floyd and Frank Selvy collaborated for a total of nine scoring records in this category that have stood since the mid-1950s. Such scorched-earth outputs have been difficult to come by thus far in the 21st Century (unofficially seven uprisings). Many schools don't keep track of a standard perhaps reflecting a mite negatively upon them but following is what CollegeHoopedia.com unearthed on the topic:

*Unofficial.

Due to voter deficiencies condescendingly looking down upon mid-major standouts, Georgia State's R.J. Hunter failed to become an All-American last season; let alone national player of the year such as (Creighton's Doug McDermott) two campaigns ago. But coupled with his coach/father Ron, the Hunters buttressed their case as one of the all-time top 10 father-son, coach-player combinations in NCAA history.

The top three father-son duos in 2015-16 appear to be at Oregon State (coach Wayne Tinkle and son Tres), Southern LA (coach Roman Banks and son Tre'len) and UCLA (coach Steve Alford and son Bryce). If the Tinkles help eventually boost the Beavers back to national prominence, they stand the best chance of cracking the following all-time Top 10 of sons playing under their dad at the same school:

Last year, Northern Iowa's Seth Tuttle became the latest All-American from an obscure hometown (Sheffield, IA) with small population (1,168 according to 2013 census). Perhaps the most overlooked budding star attending a power-conference school from this season's freshman class is Kansas State center Dean Wade (St. John, KS; 1,250). St. John is half the size of Kimball, Neb., the hometown for South Dakota State's Mike Daum, the Summit League's MVP as a redshirt freshman.

But Tuttle and Wade aren't exactly from virgin territory. There have been a striking number of major-college All-Americans who came from even smaller outposts. Flyover-country hamlets offering little more than a part-time post office and gas station supplied the following standouts from municipalities with populations fewer than 1,000 (including a total of 10 "small-timers" in four-year span from 1955-56 through 1958-59):

With Auld Lang Syne chords playing in the background, the final day of the calendar year offered another time to say goodbye by acknowledging the passing away in 2015 of a striking number of major-college basketball movers and shakers. The NCAA Division I deceased list in 2015 included All-Americans George BonSalle (Illinois), Bill Bridges (Kansas), Ticky Burden (Utah), Mel Daniels (New Mexico), Bevo Francis (Rio Grande IN), Chet Giermak (William & Mary), Hot Rod Hundley (West Virginia), Ron Johnson (Minnesota), Bob Kauffman (Guilford NC), Dave Meyers (UCLA), Jack Parr (Kansas State), John Rudometkin (USC), Dave Scholz (Illinois), Bill Stauffer (Missouri), Roy Tarpley (Michigan), Dick Triptow (DePaul), Neal Walk (Florida) and Michael Wright (Arizona).

Members of legendary UCLA coach John Wooden's first and final NCAA tourney teams - John Matulich in 1950 and Meyers in 1975 - are among the following alphabetical list of 2015 deceased players and coaches who didn't drop the ball on the court at midnight or any other time:

• Jack Adams, 81, averaged 20.6 ppg for Eastern Kentucky from 1953-54 through 1955-56. Three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection scored a school-record 49 points in single game as senior.
• Sam Alaimo, 93, played for Santa Clara in the mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• John Albrinck, 80, averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Xavier from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Ned Wulk.
• Bill Altman, 75, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Indiana from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Branch McCracken.
• Keith Ancell, 76, averaged 3 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Utah from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Jack Gardner. Ancell participated in NCAA playoffs each of his last two seasons.
• Stacey Arceneaux (a/k/a Bob Stacey), 79, came with John Crawford from New York City as Iowa State's first African-American players in the mid-1950s but promptly returned home.
• Doug Atkins, 85, averaged 9.9 ppg for Tennessee's 1950-51 basketball squad before concentrating on football as a defensive end and becoming an eight-time Pro Bowl participant. The eventual Pro Football Hall of Famer was selected in the first round of 1953 NFL draft.
• Bob Badeer, 76, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Princeton in 1957-58 under coach Cappy Cappon.
• Rick Barrett, 75, averaged 7.2 ppg for Denver in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
• Jim Barry, 71, averaged 17.3 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Georgetown in the mid-1960s. Cousin of Miami All-American Rick Barry was senior captain in 1965-66 after twice leading the Hoyas in scoring average.
• Joe Barry, 78, averaged 9.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg for St. Mary's from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was an All-WCAC second-team selection as a senior when the Gaels' first-ever NCAA tourney team was eliminated in regional final by eventual champion California.
• John Bates, 77, coached a total of 15 seasons in MEAC for Maryland-Eastern Shore (72-14 record from 1971-72 through 1973-74) and Coppin State (222-121 from 1974-75 through 1985-86). His 26-1 UMES squad in 1973-74 became the first HBCU to be invited to the NIT.
• Mike Battle, 56, was a juco recruit who averaged 7.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Baylor in 1979-80 and 1980-81.
• Lionel "Larry" Baxter, 93, played for St. John's in the mid-1940s under coach Joe Lapchick before abruptly quitting school to get married. His college career was interrupted by WWII.
• Chester "Chet" Beam, 82, averaged 6.2 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Louisville's three NIT participants from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Peck Hickman.
• Charles Beasley, 69, was an All-SWC first-team selection for SMU his final two seasons in 1965-66 and 1966-67 under coach Doc Hayes. Beasley averaged 15.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg during his three-year college career.
• Bob Bedell, 70, averaged 14.9 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Stanford from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Howie Dallmar. Team-leading scorer each of last two seasons as an All-AAWU selection when finishing among league's top six point producers.
• Dave Benedict, 75, averaged 2.4 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Lehigh in 1958-59 and 1960-61.
• Jim Benka, 78, averaged 1.3 ppg for Marquette in 1955-56 and 1956-57.
• Tom Besmer, 81, played for Santa Clara in 1957-58.
• Ron Bissett, 83, averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Seattle in 1952-53 and 1953-54. He was a member of Canada's 1956 Olympic squad.
• Keith Blair, 76, averaged 11.6 ppg and 2.9 rpg for West Texas State from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He was an All-Border Conference second-team selection as a junior before leading West Texas State in scoring as a senior with 13.4 ppg while pacing league in free-throw marksmanship.
• Don Blanchard Sr., 88, played in two basketball games for Mississippi in 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. Offensive end and placekicker with the Rebels in 1949 also tied for fifth in the high jump competition at the 1950 SEC Men's Outdoor Track and Field meet.
• John Blankenship, 67, was runner-up to Illinois prep teammate Larry Ward in scoring with 14.3 ppg as Centenary sophomores in 1966-67.
• Carl Boldt, 82, was a J.C. recruit teammate of All-American Bill Russell for San Francisco's 1956 Phil Woolpert-coached undefeated team (averaging 8.6 ppg and 5 rpg).
• George BonSalle, 80, averaged 17.3 ppg for Illinois from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Harry Combes, earning All-American acclaim as All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in junior season. Seventh pick overall in NBA draft.
• Dr. James "Don" Bostic, 60, averaged 4.4 ppg for Florida from 1973-74 through 1976-77. He was a senior tri-captain.
• Wayne Bowles, 90, scored a total of 166 points for Texas Tech in 1947-48 and 1948-49. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army Air Corps in Burma-India Theater during WWII.
• Bob Boyd, 84, coached Seattle (41-13 record in two seasons in 1963-64 and 1964-65), Southern California (216-131 in 13 seasons from 1966-67 through 1978-79) and Mississippi State (55-87 in five seasons from 1981-82 through 1985-86). His 24-2 USC squad finished the 1970-71 campaign ranked fifth in the final national polls. He averaged 10.7 ppg for USC in 1950-51 and 1951-52, leading the Trojans in scoring both seasons. All-PCC South Division first-team selection as a senior.
• Jonathan Boyd, 26, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Alcorn State in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
• John Brady, 78, averaged 14.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Fordham from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach John Bach. Leading scorer as senior for an NIT participant.
• Bill Braselton, 86, was a multi-year letterman for Hardin-Simmons TX in the late 1940s, averaging 3.3 ppg in 1948-49.
• George Bray, 92, was a Southern Oregon College transfer who became a three-year letterman for Oregon in the mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII.
• Chuck "Bobo" Brayton, 89, averaged 7 ppg for Washington State in 1943-44 before serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He coached his alma mater's baseball squad for 33 years from 1962 through 1994, compiling a 1,162-523-8 record (winning 21 conference titles and reaching CWS in 1965 and 1976).
• Dick Brennan Sr., 83, averaged 7.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Tulane from 1951-52 through 1954-55 under coach Clifford Wells. Brennan was co-founder of one of New Orleans' most-loved Mardi Gras organizations and was instrumental in turning Commander's Palace restaurant into a world-famous destination for Creole cuisine while starting tradition of the Sunday jazz brunch.
• Bill Bridges, 76, averaged 13.2 ppg and 13.9 rpg for Kansas from 1958-59 through 1960-61, leading the Jayhawks in rebounding all three seasons. All-American as senior ranked among nation's top 25 in rebounding percentage each of his final two campaigns.
• Lamar "Spo" Bridges Sr., 88, averaged 4.8 ppg for Florida in 1947-48.
• Stan Brinker, 71, averaged 10 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Mississippi State from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Babe McCarthy. As a junior, Brinker grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds in the Bulldogs' first-ever NCAA playoff victory (Mideast Regional against Bowling Green State).
• Rod Brookin, 47, averaged 11.1 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 40.9% from beyond the three-point arc for Pittsburgh from 1986-87 through 1989-90 under coach Paul Evans.
• Ronnie Brooks, 82, averaged 3.5 ppg for Maryland from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
• Bill Brophy Sr., 82, averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Texas A&M in 1954-55 and 1955-56. He led the Aggies in scoring and rebounding his first season before becoming an All-SWC second-team selection as captain the next year.
• Gaylord "Gay" Bryan, 87, scored a total of 42 points for Stanford in 1948-49 and 1949-50 under coach Everett Dean. Four-time national champion in the triple jump won a gold medal in the 1951 Pan American Games in Argentina but failed to qualify for the Summer Olympics in 1948 and 1952. He also captured the 1949 national crown in the long jump.
• Luther "Ticky" Burden, 62, was an NCAA consensus second-team All-American as a junior guard for Utah in 1974-75. Two-time All-WAC first-team selection ranked fourth in the nation in scoring that season with 28.7 ppg after finishing 16th the previous year with 23.7 ppg.
• John "Jake" Burrows, 97, was an All-Southern Conference second-team selection for The Citadel as a senior in 1939-40.
• Ed Byhre, 70, compiled a 69-63 coaching record with Eastern Kentucky in five seasons from 1976-77 through 1980-81. The Colonels participated in the 1979 NCAA Tournament.
• Gerry Calabrese Sr., 90, averaged 10.2 ppg for St. John's from 1946-47 through 1949-50 after serving three years in U.S. Navy during WWII. Runner-up in scoring for back-to-back NIT teams under coach Frank McGuire was the 24th pick overall in 1950 NBA draft. He became mayor of Cliffside Park, N.J., for more than 50 years. His son, Tom, was assists leader for his alma mater's NCAA playoff team in 1977 and succeeded him as mayor of Cliffside Park.
• Roy "Wayne" Calvert, 71, averaged 6.1 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Roy Skinner.
• Alexander "Whitey" Campbell, 89, was first 1,000-point career scorer in Miami FL history (1946-47 through 1949-50).
• Lionel "Junie" Carbonneau Jr., 88, played for New Hampshire in 1950-51.
• Robert Carlson, 88, averaged 9.9 ppg for Penn in 1947-48 and 1948-49 after averaging 8.8 ppg in 1944-45 (All-EIBL selection as freshman).
• Milroy "Bud" Carnahan, 85, played for Pittsburgh in the early 1950s under coach Doc Carlson.
• Bobby "Soupbean" Carter, 75, averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Tennessee from 1958-59 through 1960-61, leading the Volunteers in scoring as a senior with 14.4 ppg.
• Jim Cathcart, 88, averaged 8 ppg for Arkansas from 1947-48 through 1949-50. He participated in NCAA tourney as a junior.
• John "Jack" Cawood, 92, led Michigan State in scoring in 1942-43 before serving in U.S. Navy Air Corps during WWII. He lettered with Western Michigan from 1943-44 through 1945-46 under coach Buck Read before returning to MSU in 1946-47.
• Jack Chapman Jr., 61, averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg for South Alabama from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
• James "Buck" Cheek, 88, was a starting forward who scored 109 points during the season for Duke's 1946 Southern Conference Tournament titlist.
• James "Tom" Chester Jr., 73, averaged 14.5 ppg and 9.9 rpg for Canisius from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Bob MacKinnon. Chester finished among the team's top two in scoring and rebounding all three seasons (including NIT runner-up his senior year).
• Ralph Childs, 78, played for Vanderbilt in 1955-56 under coach Bob Polk before transferring to Arkansas State in Childs' hometown.
• Mike Christian, 62, averaged 11.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg and 2.6 apg for Auburn from 1971-72 through 1973-74. He was runner-up in scoring for the Tigers each of his last two seasons.
• Ron Chumbley, 80, was a juco recruit who played for Akron in 1955-56.
• George "Winston" Churchill, 90, was a multi-year letterman for Texas Tech in the mid-1940s.
• Jim Clancy, 70, played for Lehigh in 1963-64 under coach Tony Packer, the father of Billy Packer.
• Lou Coaston, 79, averaged 2 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Washington from 1956-57 through 1958-59.
• Jim Cochrane, 92, was an All-Mid-American Conference second-team selection as a junior in 1948-49 when leading Case Western Reserve OH in scoring with 15 ppg. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and Korean Conflict.
• Arnold Coleman, 60, played in 1977 NCAA playoffs against Digger Phelps-coached Notre Dame when leading Hofstra in assists with 4.9 per game. Versatile athlete was Flying Dutchmen's top football wide receiver in 1975 and 1976.
• Loverd Coleman, 65, was a juco recruit who averaged 6.3 ppg and 6 rpg for UNLV in 1971-72.
• Jim Cox, 70, averaged 3.3 ppg for Denver in 1965-66.
• Tommy "Lefty" Crook, 89, played for Memphis State in the late 1940s after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Herschal Crow Jr., 80, played for Oklahoma State in 1955-56 under coach Hank Iba.
• John Cummings, 88, played for Lehigh in the late 1940s.
• Ken Cunningham, 71, was backup guard for Cincinnati's 1963 NCAA Tournament runner-up before coaching Akron (43-60 record in four seasons from 1976-77 through 1979-80).
• Charles Curtis III, 66, played for Loyola Marymount from 1968-69 through 1970-71.
• Joseph "Levy" Dabadie Jr., 88, lettered for Louisiana State in 1942-43 and 1943-44 before his career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during WWII. He went on to become a National Guard Brigadier General.
• Jim Dailey, 76, averaged 5.3 ppg and 2.4 rpg for St. Louis from 1957-58 through 1959-60.
• Don Dale, 83, averaged 1.3 ppg for Minnesota in 1951-52 under coach Ozzie Cowles.
• Ralph D'Altilia, 72, registered team highs of 20 ppg and 14.2 rpg in 1964-65 as Vermont captain and an All-Yankee Conference second-team selection.
• John "Jack" Dalton, 89, served in U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII before becoming Vanderbilt letterman in 1945-46 prior to averaging 3.6 ppg for St. John's from 1946-47 through 1949-50 under coaches Joe Lapchick and Frank McGuire.
• Mel Daniels, 71, was an NCAA consensus second-team All-American as a senior center for New Mexico in 1966-67. He led the Lobos in scoring and rebounding three straight seasons, finishing his career with 20 ppg and 11.1 rpg.
• Dave Darby, 74, averaged 3.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Western Michigan in 1961-62.
• Dick Davidson, 69, played for Nebraska in 1965-66 before serving in U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
• John Davidson, 73, played for Iowa State from 1960-61 through 1962-63.
• Bob Davis, 82, averaged 1.3 ppg for Louisville in 1951-52 and 1952-53.
• Dr. Pete Demir, 84, averaged 1.4 ppg for Connecticut's 1950-51 NCAA playoff team under coach Hugh Greer before transferring to Penn, where he averaged 2.7 ppg in 1953-54 under coach Howie Dallmar.
• Mike DeNoia, 87, averaged a team-high 11.7 ppg for Scranton PA in 1947-48. He was a quarterback selected in fourth round of both the AAFC (San Francisco 49ers) and NFL (Washington Redskins) 1949 drafts.
• Daryl Devero, 55, averaged 13 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.4 spg for Seton Hall from 1979-80 (Pirates runner-up in scoring and rebounding as sophomore) to 1981-82 under coach Bill Raftery. Devero participated in 1979 NJCAA Tournament final.
• John DeWitt, 86, was a three-year letterman who averaged 6.8 ppg as a senior for Texas A&M's first NCAA playoff team in 1950-51 before becoming the school's first NBA draft choice. All-SWC second-team selection as a junior (9.1 ppg) and team-leading scorer as sophomore (10.3 ppg). He also was an all-league OF with the Aggies' 1951 College World Series participant and SWC track champion.
• Bobby Dews, 76, was a starting guard averaging 8.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Georgia Tech's 22-6 squad in 1959-60 before becoming a MLB coach mostly under Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox with the Atlanta Braves.
• Don Dickerson, 72, averaged 3 ppg for Tennessee Tech in 1962-63 and 1963-64.
• Wayne Dobbs, 75, compiled a 69-87 major-college coaching record in six seasons (31-45 with George Washington from 1967-68 through 1969-70 and 38-42 with Vanderbilt from 1976-77 through 1978-79).
• Dr. Donald Dobler, 88, was a three-time All-Skyline Six Conference selection who averaged 8.3 ppg for Colorado A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. He twice led the Rams in single-season scoring.
• John Dohner, 85, averaged 12 ppg as a 5-8 guard for Virginia from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
• Dick Doughty, 76, averaged 4.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg for California from 1957-58 through 1959-60. Regular for the Bears his last two seasons when they reached back-to-back NCAA tourney championship games.
• Bill Downey, 91, was a letterman for Marquette in 1942-43 and 1943-44.
• Danny Drinon, 77, was a juco recruit who averaged 3 ppg and 1.1 rpg for San Francisco in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
• Norm Drucker, 94, played for CCNY in the early 1940s before becoming a long-time referee in the NBA and ABA.
• Dave Druliner, 68, averaged 1.1 ppg for Stanford from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Howie Dallmar.
• Hank Dudek, 90, was one of St. Joseph's top three scorers in 1947-48 (7.5 ppg) and 1948-49 (11.9 ppg) under coach Bill Ferguson after having his college career interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Gordon Dunker, 84, played for Iowa State in the early 1950s.
• Robert Echols, 77, averaged 1.8 ppg for Texas Tech in 1957-58 and 1959-60.
• Fred Eisele, 80, averaged 1.3 ppg for Penn State from 1958-59 through 1960-61. Served in U.S. Army until retiring as a Colonel in 1987.
• Wilson "Jake" Eison Jr., 78, averaged 14.7 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Purdue from 1956-57 through 1958-59, leading the Boilermakers in rebounding each of his last two seasons. Team MVP as junior before becoming All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection as senior. He was 28th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Norm Ellenberger, 83, coached New Mexico (134-62 record from 1972-73 through 1978-79), guiding the Lobos to a 24-4 mark in 1977-78 when they finished fourth in the final UPI national poll. He averaged 6.1 ppg for Butler in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Tony Hinkle.
• Bob Elliott Sr., 88, was Washington State's third-leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49 under coach Jack Friel.
• Otmer "Gay" Elmore Jr., 73, played for West Virginia in the early 1960s under coach George King.
• Dan Englehardt, 81, averaged 7 ppg and 2.1 rpg for North Carolina State from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Everett Case.
• Paul Espel Jr., 68, played for Villanova in 1966-67 under coach Jack Kraft before serving in U.S. Army during Vietnam War.
• Bill Evans, 90, was named to Drake's All-Decade Team despite having career interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection in 1942-43 and 1946-47 before moving up to first-team acclaim in 1947-48 and 1948-49.
• Orlando Febres, 51, averaged 3.9 ppg, 3 rpg and 1.7 apg for New Mexico State from 1982-83 through 1985-86.
• Bobby Finley, 82, averaged 3.2 ppg for West Texas State from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
• Dick "Sonnie" Fisher, 95, was an All-Big Nine Conference first-team selection as Ohio State forward in 1940-41. Halfback was an all-league second-team choice in 1941 in first OSU campaign under coach Paul Brown before becoming a 17th-round pick by the Detroit Lions in 1942 NFL draft.
• Ken Fitzner, 72, averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Tennessee Tech in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Gary Floan, 74, averaged 6 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Idaho from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
• John "Jack" Flynn, 90, was a top scorer for Maryland in the mid-1940s, earning All-Southern Conference Tournament second-team acclaim in 1944-45.
• Wes Flynn, 74, averaged 9.4 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Arizona from 1960-61 through 1962-63 as one of the Wildcats' top three scorers all three seasons. He was their captain when named Outstanding Senior and Most Inspirational Player in school's first season as member of WAC.
• Dave Forsythe Jr., 71, averaged 1.7 ppg for Rhode Island in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Bill C. Foster, 79, coached UNC Charlotte (87-39 record from 1970-71 through 1974-75), Clemson (156-106 from 1975-76 through 1983-84), Miami FL (78-71 from 1985-86 through 1989-90) and Virginia Tech (101-78 from 1991-92 through 1996-97). He directed Clemson to a runner-up spot in the 1980 West Regional before capturing the 1995 NIT title with Virginia Tech.
• Clarence "Bevo" Francis, 82, was an All-American center for Rio Grande (Ohio) in 1952-53 and 1953-54 when he averaged 49.2 ppg. Francis scored an NCAA record 113 points against Hillsdale on February 2, 1954.
• Waldene "Wally" Frank, 76, averaged 12 ppg and 6.7 rpg for Kansas State from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Tex Winter. As a sophomore, Frank was third-leading scorer for national fourth-place team in NCAA playoffs. Two-time All-Big Eight Conference selection led K-State in scoring and rebounding as senior before becoming 26th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Ed Freedman, 85, averaged 1.7 ppg for Connecticut in 1948-49 under coach Hugh Greer.
• H. "Gene" Frymoyer, 89, averaged 6.2 ppg for Lehigh from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
• Herbert Fuller Jr., 88, played for Auburn in 1944-45.
• Walt Funk, 92, was a Penn State letterman in 1943-44 under coach John Lawther. Funk served in U.S. military during WWII.
• Ross Furry, 66, played for Memphis State in 1968-69.
• Ed Garrity Jr., 83, averaged a team-high 16.1 ppg for St. Joseph's in 1952-53. He set a school record for most points in home game at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse by scoring 40 against Rhode Island.
• Fred Geraci, 90, played for Xavier in 1945-46 after serving in U.S. military during WWII.
• Bob Gibson Jr., 88, played hoops for Youngstown State in the late 1940s. He compiled a 19-9 football coaching record with Bowling Green State in three years from 1965 through 1967.
• Sterling Gibson, 84, averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Texas Christian in 1955-56 and 1956-57 under coach Buster Brannon.
• Chester "Chet" Giermak, 87, was an All-American center as a William & Mary senior in 1949-50 when he ranked seventh in the nation in scoring (20.8 ppg) after finishing third the previous year (21.8 ppg). He was the Tribe's all-time leading scorer for 65 years with 2,032 points until Marcus Thornton surpassed him in 2014-15.
• Merlin "Boody" Gilbertson, 92, was a member of Washington's first NCAA playoff team in 1943. After serving in the U.S. military (Army) during WWII, he was co-captain of the final Huskies team coached by Hec Edmundson in 1947.
• Gordon Gillespie, 85, averaged 6.6 ppg for DePaul in 1947-48 and 1948-49 under coach Ray Meyer after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. Gillespie, a hooper with Illinois in 1943-44, went on to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 as a coach.
• Bob "Geef" Gilmore, 81, averaged 1.3 ppg for Lehigh in 1952-53 and 1953-54.
• Roger Godfrey, 82, played for Wisconsin from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bud Foster.
• Brad Goodhart, 68, averaged 4.9 ppg and 4 rpg for St. Mary's in 1965-66 and 1966-67.
• George Gorman, 87, played for Gettysburg from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
• Bob Graham, 91, was an All-PCC South Division selection for Southern California in 1944-45 as the Trojans' captain and team MVP.
• Tommy Green, 59, averaged 11.2 ppg for Southern (La.) in the late 1970s before coaching the Jaguars (74-64 record from 1996-97 through 2000-01).
• Herbert Greene, 71, played for Auburn in the mid-1960s before becoming an assistant coach with his alma mater.
• Larry Greene, 78, averaged 1.2 ppg for Tulane in 1956-57 before transferring to Centenary, where he averaged 9.1 ppg in 1959-60.
• Ralph "Clark" Greenhalgh, 90, was a three-year letterman for Brigham Young in the late 1940s. His college career was interrupted serving with U.S. Army occupation forces in Japan following WWII.
• Jerry Greer, 79, averaged 1.3 ppg and 2 rpg for Northwestern from 1957-58 through 1959-60 after serving in U.S. Marine Corps.
• Bill Gregory III, 79, averaged 3.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Auburn from 1955-56 through 1958-59 (redshirt in 1956-57) under coach Joel Eaves.
• Dennis Griffin Jr., 72, averaged 4.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Western Michigan in 1962-63 and 1963-64.
• Lawrence Gualtieri, 81, was member of NCAA Tournament team for Wayne State MI in 1956.
• Anton Guitano, 65, averaged 6 ppg and 2.2 rpg for St. Peter's from 1968-69 through 1970-71.
• Gerald "Shorty" Gunnels, 88, played for Idaho in the late 1940s before transferring to Western New Mexico.
• Bill Guthridge, 77, was national coach of the year in 1997-98 when he became winningest first-year mentor in NCAA history (34-4 mark with North Carolina). Coached the Tar Heels two more seasons, finishing with an 80-28 record. Guthridge played for Kansas State under coach Tex Winter.
• Richard Gwinn, 87, lettered for Missouri in 1945-46.
• Jack Haley, 51, was a backup center for UCLA from 1984-85 through 1986-87 after attending junior college.
• Steve Hall, 44, averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Ohio State from 1988-89 through 1991-92. As a senior, he appeared in the NCAA Tournament for the Southeast Regional #1-seed Buckeyes.
• Mark Haller, 99, was a starting center with Syracuse for two seasons in the late 1930s before serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.
• Tom Hamilton, 75, averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Morehead State from 1958-59 through 1961-62. He was a younger brother of former MLB pitcher Steve Hamilton, who remains the Eagles' all-time leading rebounder.
• Reggie Hannah, 56, averaged 14.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for Florida from 1977-78 through 1979-80 before transferring to South Alabama, where he averaged 14.3 ppg and 6.6 rpg in 1981-82 under coach Cliff Ellis. All-SEC third-team selection as a junior was leader in rebounding average all four seasons with the two schools.
• Kyp Hardaway, 52, played for Oral Roberts in 1981-82.
• Milo "Gene" Harmon, 63, averaged 16.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Creighton from 1971-72 through 1973-74, leading the Bluejays in scoring each season under coach Eddie Sutton.
• Welton "Bill" Harper, 89, averaged 4.4 ppg for Oregon State from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Slats Gill. Harper, who participated in the Final Four his sophomore season as an All-PCC North Division second-team selection, spent more than four decades as a scout with the Philadelphia Phillies; best known for signing Hall of Fame 2B Ryne Sandberg.
• Jim Harris, 66, played for Kentucky in 1968-69 under coach Adolph Rupp.
• Larry Hayes, 88, was a member of Oklahoma A&M teams reaching NCAA tourney title games in 1946 and 1949 under coach Hank Iba. Hayes served in U.S. Air Corps Pilot Training Program during WWII.
• Harry Hayward Jr., 66, averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Michigan in 1969-70 and 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr.
• August "Bud" Heineman, 85, averaged 8.5 ppg for Missouri from 1948-49 through 1950-51. He was the Tigers' top scorer with 11.8 ppg as senior co-captain.
• Leo Helmuth, 79, was a walk-on for Purdue in the late 1950s.
• Bob Hendricks, 88, was a two-year starter for Texas Christian in the late 1940s.
• Ken Hensley, 74, played for Kansas in 1959-60.
• Jim Herbig Sr., 90, played for Dayton in 1945-46 after serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Gunner was only survivor when B-17 bomber "Stardust" was shot down over Germany. POW walked 600 miles in "The Black Death March" for three months in middle of winter.
• John "Babe" Higgins, 90, was an All-PCC South Division selection for both California in 1943-44 under coach Nibs Price and Stanford in 1946-47 and 1947-48 under coach Everett Dean. Higgins also lettered in football for each Bay Area institution. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Tom Hilbish, 96, played for Miami (Fla.) in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
• George Hill, 85, played for Auburn in the late 1940s and early 1950s. He was the Tigers' second-leading rebounder as a senior with 7.9 rpg under coach Joel Eaves.
• Tim Hill averaged 15.5 ppg for Siena from 1952-53 through 1955-56.
• Harold "Bud" Hjelm II averaged 10.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg for San Jose State from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He was an All-CBA second-team selection as a junior and senior.
• Chris Hobbs, 33, was named to the ACC All-Rookie Team in 2000-01 when he led Clemson in field-goal shooting (56.6%) and rebounding (6.3 rpg). Hobbs, the Tigers' runner-up in rebounding each of his last three seasons, posted career averages of 8.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg.
• Dick Hoffman, 88, averaged 7.6 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Miami (Fla.) from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
• Leslie Holbrook, 70, played for Xavier in the mid-1960s.
• Eddie Hole, 84, averaged 6.1 ppg for Rhode Island from 1949-50 through 1951-52.
• John "Jack" Holland Jr., 86, played for Villanova in the late 1940s under coach Alex Severance.
• Bruce Holzschuh, 80, averaged 7.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Clemson from 1953-54 through 1955-56.
• Dick Honingford, 83, played for Notre Dame in the mid-1950s.
• Bob Hopkins, 80, remains Grambling's all-time scoring leader (3,756 points) and coached his alma mater (44-45 record in three seasons from 1986-87 through 1988-89). He also coached four other HBCU institutions - Prairie View A&M (10-14 in 1964-65), Alcorn State (70-12 in three seasons from 1966-67 through 1968-69), Southern (38-19 in two seasons in 1984-85 and 1985-86) plus Maryland-Eastern Shore (8-47 in two seasons in 1990-91 and 1991-92). Hopkins directed Southern to the NCAA playoffs in 1985.
• Whitney "Cowboy" Howard, 93, played for Mississippi State in 1942-43 before serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Charles "Bambi" Howland, 72, averaged 4.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Alabama in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Guy Huestis, 64, played for Washington State in the early 1970s. He passed away following ALS diagnosis.
• Nate Huffman, 40, was the first seven-footer in Central Michigan history and led the MAC in rebounding in 1996-97.
• Don Hughes, 84, averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Cornell in the mid-1950s.
• Hot Rod Hundley, 80, was a two-time NCAA consensus All-American who averaged 24.5 ppg and 10.6 rpg for West Virginia from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
• William "Tat" Hunter Sr., 48, averaged 7.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Florida State from 1985-86 through 1988-89. He led the Seminoles in rebounding each of last two seasons with NCAA tourney teams.
• Bob Hutchinson, 79, averaged 1.6 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Penn State in 1960-61 and 1961-62.
• Tony Iacovino, 88, was a three-year letterman for St. Bonaventure in the late 1940s and roommate of Eddie Donovan after serving in U.S. Navy in the Philippines during WWII. Iacovino averaged 2.7 ppg his last two seasons.
• John Irving, 61, averaged 13.2 ppg and 15.4 rpg with Hofstra from 1974-75 through 1976-77, finishing among nation's top four rebounders and earning All-ECC honors all three seasons. He averaged 4.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg as Arizona freshman in 1972-73 before transferring.
• Ron Jacobs, 72, coached Loyola Marymount for one season (14-14 record in 1979-80).
• Theodore "Ted" Jacobs, 89, averaged 4.9 ppg for Ohio State from 1947-48 through 1949-50 under coach Tippy Dye after serving in U.S. military during WWII. As a senior, Jacobs scored 16 points in 27 minutes in two NCAA playoff games.
• Dr. Mike Jaekels, 86, played for Notre Dame in 1949-50 under coach Moose Krause.
• Charlie James, 71, averaged 3.6 ppg for San Francisco's 1965 NCAA playoff team that lost to UCLA in West Regional final.
• Dr. Robert "Joe" Jameson, 72, averaged 2.2 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Purdue from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
• Royce Jeffries, 46, became one of Oklahoma State's all-time leaders in FG% in the late 1980s. He was shot in the back multiple times while working as a bouncer at Kansas City bar.
• Lionel Jenkins, 80, averaged 4.8 ppg for Providence from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Joe Mullaney.
• Thornton Jenkins, 91, was a four-year letterman for Missouri, leading the Tigers in scoring in 1942-43, 1946-47 and 1947-48 as a three-time All-Big Six Conference selection. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.
• Jim Jochems, 80, averaged 3.3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Colorado from 1955-56 through 1957-58.
• Doyle Johnson, 89, was a juco recruit who played for Oklahoma A&M in the mid-1940s under coach Hank Iba.
• Howard Johnson, 82, averaged 7.9 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Iowa State in 1953-54.
• Ralph Johnson, 84, averaged 10.3 ppg for Baylor from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Bill Henderson. Johnson participated in Final Four his sophomore season before becoming an All-SWC first-team selection as the Bears' top scorer each of final two years.
• Ron Johnson, 76, was a two-time All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection who averaged 19.6 ppg and 12.1 rpg for Minnesota from 1957-58 through 1959-60. He led the Gophers in rebounding all three seasons.
• Johnny Jones, 68, averaged 19.6 ppg and 8.7 rpg for Villanova from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Jack Kraft. Leading scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats each of first two seasons before All-American Howard Porter and fellow Floridian joined roster.
• Bob Jorgenson, 88, averaged team-high 11.3 ppg for Washington as freshman All-PCC North Division selection in 1944-45 before becoming one of the Huskies' top five scorers for their 1948 NCAA playoff squad. He served in U.S. Air Corps during WWII.
• Dr. Bernard Kaminski, 82, averaged 10.9 ppg for Massachusetts in 1951-52 before leaving school to serve in U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
• Bob Kauffman, 69, was an All-American for Guilford NC in 1967-68 before becoming third pick overall in NBA draft. He averaged 22.7 ppg and 15.9 rpg during four-year college career.
• Ralph Kauffman, 81, averaged 4.2 ppg for Michigan in 1951-52 and 1952-53.
• Bill Kelley, 89, lettered for Texas Tech in 1944-45 and 1945-46. Tight end played with the Green Bay Packers in 1949.
• Harold "Hardwood" Kelly, 91, was Mississippi's leading scorer with 9.4 ppg in 1946-47 after serving in U.S. military during WWII. He was runner-up in total points for the Rebels with 241 in 1947-48.
• Joe Kennelly, 78, sandwiched NIT appearances with Dayton in 1958 (runner-up) and 1960 around leading the Flyers in rebounding as a junior with 11.7 rpg.
• Frank Kerns, 82, coached Georgia Southern (243-132 record from 1981-82 through 1993-94), guiding the Eagles to three NCAA playoff appearances (1983-87-92).
• Tom Ketchum, 86, played for Loyola New Orleans in early 1950s. He served as a medic in U.S. Army.
• Sammie Key, 76, averaged 13.4 ppg and 5 rpg for Western Michigan from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He was an All-MAC second-team selection as sophomore when WMU's runner-up in scoring.
• Bill Kidd, 87, averaged 1.1 ppg for Louisville from 1947-48 to 1952-53 under coach Peck Hickman. Kidd's career was interrupted (missed 1950-51 and 1951-52 seasons) by serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Tom King, 91, averaged 11.5 ppg for Michigan in 1943-44 as teammate of Dave Strack, who subsequently guided the Wolverines to back-to-back Final Fours in mid-1960s. King served in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII and later in Korean Conflict.
• Billy Kirkpatrick, 82, averaged 11.1 ppg and 2 rpg for Auburn from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coach Joel Eaves after serving in U.S. Army and Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. He was an All-SEC second-team selection as senior captain when leading the Tigers in scoring with 18.7 ppg.
• Gerald "Jerry" Kittredge, 84, averaged 6.2 ppg for Temple in 1950-51 and 1952-53. In his first season, he was runner-up with the Owls in rebounding (12.1 rpg) to NCAA unanimous first-team All-American Bill Mlkvy.
• Ralph Klaerich, 87, averaged 10.1 ppg for Loyola of Chicago in 1948-49 and 1949-50 (led Ramblers in points scored).
• Grover Klemmer, 94, played for California in 1942-43. He set the world record in 400 meters with a time of 46.0 seconds in 1941. He won national AAU/TAC 440 titles in 1940 and 1941 and was a member of the Bears' world record-setting relay team in 1941.
• Frank Klonoski III, 83, played for Tulane in 1951-52 under coach Clifford Wells.
• Bob Klostermeyer, 83, averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for St. Louis from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Eddie Hickey. As a sophomore, he was member of the Billikens' first NCAA tourney team.
• Ed Knight Jr., 93, played for Georgia in 1947-48.
• Lamont "Monty" Knight, 54, averaged 13.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Virginia Commonwealth from 1978-79 through 1981-82. He participated in the NCAA playoffs as a sophomore and junior.
• Bill Knipp, 75, averaged 5.5 ppg for Air Force from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Senior captain played for the Falcons' first two NCAA tourney teams.
• Jim Konstanty, 73, played for Cornell from 1961-62 through 1963-64.
• Barry Koval, 68, averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg and team-high 4.8 apg for Virginia in 1967-68.
• Fred Kovar, 85, averaged 6.8 ppg for St. Louis from 1949-50 through 1951-52. As a senior, All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection played in both the NCAA playoffs and NIT.
• Paul Krieger, 73, averaged 8.7 ppg and 9.3 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was the Panthers' leading rebounder for national postseason tourney teams as a junior (NCAA) and senior (NIT).
• Brian Kulas, 77, led Wisconsin in scoring average with 15.8 ppg in 1958-59 under coach Bud Foster.
• Alan Kyber, 81, averaged 3.1 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Furman from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Lyles Alley. Kyber played in historic game on 2-13-54 when teammate Frank Selvy scored major-college record 100 points against Newberry SC. Kyber coached American University to a 34-39 record from 1966-67 through 1968-69 in school's first three seasons at major-college level.
• Paul LaBrue, 72, averaged 3.5 ppg for Oklahoma State from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Hank Iba. LaBrue was sixth man as senior for NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional runner-up.
• Jack Landon Sr., 89, played for Oklahoma from 1943-44 through 1946-47, earning All-Big Six Conference second-team honors as a junior before averaging 5.3 ppg with the Sooners' NCAA Tournament runner-up as a senior.
• Edmond Lawrence, 62, was a four-time All-Southland Conference selection who averaged 19.5 ppg and 11.9 rpg for McNeese State from 1972-73 through 1975-76 when the Cowboys made their transition to NCAA Division I status.
• Bob Lawson, 84, averaged 1.8 ppg for Colorado from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
• Gary Lechman, 75, averaged 20.7 ppg and 13 rpg for Gonzaga from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Led the Zags in scoring and rebounding average all three seasons as an All-Big Sky Conference first-team selection. Ranked among the nation's top six in FG% in each of his last two campaigns.
• Gennaro "Jerry" Lembo, 87, averaged 2.5 ppg for Providence from 1949-50 through 1951-52. He served as a Sergeant First Class in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Bobby Lesley, 74, was a juco recruit who averaged 11.3 ppg and 2.4 rpg in 1961-62 and 1962-63 for coach Don Haskins' first two Texas-El Paso squads.
• Guy Lewis, 93, was a two-time national coach of the year who directed Houston to five Final Fours during his 30-year coaching career with the Cougars (592-279 record from 1956-57 through 1985-86). He averaged 20.3 ppg for UH in the mid-1940s before nine different All-Americans featuring Otis Birdsong, Clyde Drexler, Elvin Hayes and Hakeem Olajuwon helped him become his alma mater's all-time winningest coach.
• Bob Light, 88, remains Appalachian State's all-time winningest coach (211-178 from 1957-58 through 1971-72) after helping the Mountaineers make the transition to the NCAA Division I level in his final campaign.
• Jim Lindsey, 84, played for Louisiana State in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
• Ed Liptak, 86, averaged 3.7 ppg for Connecticut in 1949-50 and 1950-51.
• Jack Little, 84, was on Texas Tech's roster in 1949-50.
• Larry Little, 75, coached Centenary (100-33 record from 1971-72 through 1975-76) and Hawaii (103-143 from 1976-77 through 1984-85). His most famous pupil was center Robert Parish with Centenary.
• Bob Lockley Sr., 85, was a Philadelphia native who played for Kansas in 1955-56 under coach Phog Allen.
• Ron Logback, 75, played three seasons for New Mexico State in early 1960s, appearing in 1960 NCAA playoffs. Successor to QB Charley Johnson for school's football squad.
• Jim Loscutoff, 85, was a juco recruit who averaged 14.4 ppg and 14.8 rpg for Oregon in 1950-51 and 1954-55 (career interrupted by stint in U.S. Army).
• Ernie Lotano, 74, averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Syracuse in 1960-61 before transferring to Albany.
• Dick Lotts, 83, averaged 2.5 ppg for Virginia in the Cavaliers' first two seasons as member of ACC in 1953-54 and 1954-55.
• Danny Lotz, 78, averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.1 rpg for North Carolina from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Frank McGuire. Member of the Tar Heels' 1957 undefeated club as sophomore and captain as senior was a son-in-law of evangelist Billy Graham.
• Bobby Lowther, 91, was an All-SEC first-team selection for Louisiana State in 1945-46. He won four SEC titles in the javelin and pole vault and was triple jump winner at the 1946 AAU championships.
• John "Jack" Luhring, 87, averaged 3.8 ppg for Iowa State from 1949-50 through 1951-52.
• Ray Lumpp, 91, tied for NYU high-scoring output in 1948 NIT title tilt setback against St. Louis University.
• Tom Lunceford, 65, averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Santa Clara from 1969-70 through 1971-72. He appeared in NCAA playoffs as a sophomore.
• Baldo Lutich, 84, was a member of Arizona's first NCAA playoff team in 1951 under coach Fred Enke.
• Walt Lysaght, 86, averaged 13 ppg for Richmond from 1952-53 through 1955-56 after serving in U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. All-Southern Conference second-team selection as a senior finished among UR's top four scorers all four seasons and top two rebounders each of last three years.
• Bob MacKinnon, 87, played for Canisius before coaching his alma mater (142-163 record in 14 seasons from 1958-59 through 1971-72).
• Owen Mahorn Jr., 61, averaged 11 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Fairfield in 1973-74 and 1974-75.
• Roy Marble, 48, became Iowa's all-time leading scorer (2,116 points) by averaging 15.8 ppg from 1985-86 through 1988-89. He was an All-Big Ten Conference selection his last three seasons.
• Marc Marotta, 52, was Marquette's leading rebounder his final two campaigns in 1982-83 and 1983-84. He averaged 8.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg in his four-year college career.
• Ronnie Marra, 83, was member of Seton Hall's NIT titlist in 1953 as teammate of All-American Walter Dukes.
• Dwight "Bud" Marsee, 86, played for Purdue in 1947-48 before incurring a spinal injury in an automobile accident en route to the NCAA golf championship at Stanford.
• Jack Martin, 93, compiled a 375-323 coaching record with Hardin-Simmons TX (41-35 in three seasons from 1948-49 through 1950-51) and Lamar (334-283 in 25 seasons from 1951-52 through 1975-76). He was predecessor to Billy Tubbs when Lamar made transition to NCAA Division I level. Martin served in U.S. Army Air Corps in Pacific Theatre during WWII before becoming an All-Border Conference second-team selection for Hardin-Simmons in 1947-48.
• Maurice Martin, 89, averaged 3 ppg for Kansas from 1945-46 through 1949-50. His college career was interrupted by serving as Fireman Second Class in U.S. Navy.
• Anthony Mason, 48, averaged 18.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Tennessee State from 1984-85 through 1987-88, leading the Tigers in scoring and rebounding his last three seasons.
• Randy Mateling, 66, averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Georgia in 1969-70 and 1970-71.
• Fred Mattlin, 64, played for Yale in 1970-71 under coach Joe Vancisin.
• John Matulich, 84, averaged 2.1 ppg for UCLA's first NCAA tourney team in 1949-50 under coach John Wooden.
• Ken McCally, 82, averaged 7.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Navy from 1951-52 through 1954-55 under coach Ben Carnevale. McCally made decisive basket in closing moments of 69-67 win against Cornell in 1954 NCAA Tournament East Regional semifinals.
• Lucius "William" McClellan, 93, played for Miami (Fla.) in 1948-49 after gunner in B-24 Liberator was shot down in February 1944 during WWII and became POW at Stalag XVII in Austria.
• Ryan McDermott, 37, averaged 1.1 ppg and 1.7 rpg for New Mexico State in 1999-00 and 2000-01 under coach Lou Henson after compiling a 6-17 record and 6.27 ERA as RHP in Cleveland Indians' farm system from 1996 through 1998.
• Darrell McGee, 47, averaged 7.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5 apg and 1.2 spg for New Mexico from 1986-87 through 1989-90. The Lobos' all-time assists leader paced WAC in that category as a junior with 7.4 apg.
• Dick McGee, 91, averaged 10.6 ppg for Muhlenberg PA from 1946-47 through 1949-50, finishing team runner-up in scoring in three of those seasons.
• Bob McGoff, 67, played for Hofstra in 1968-69.
• Eddie McHugh, 86, averaged 11.6 ppg for Yale from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Howard Hobson. McHugh, a two-year captain, was an All-EIBL (forerunner of Ivy League) second-team selection as a junior when leading Bulldogs in scoring. He hit .261 as a 2B in the Boston/Milwaukee Braves' farm system in three years (1952-56-57).
• Phil McHugh, 80, averaged 5.8 ppg as a three-year hoops starter for Oregon from 1954-55 through 1956-57. He was also a three-year letterman in football, leading the Ducks in pass receptions as senior captain with 11.
• Paul "George" McLaughlin, 83, averaged 10.3 ppg for St. Mary's from 1950-51 through 1952-53. McLaughlin was an All-CBA (predecessor to WCC) selection as a senior. He served in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Russell McLaughlin, 88, played for Drake in 1948-49 and 1949-50 after college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy in Guam during WWII. He was a football letterman with Iowa in 1944.
• Charles McNeil, 77, averaged 14.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Maryland from 1957-58 through 1959-60, leading the Terrapins in scoring as a sophomore and junior. All-ACC second-team selection as a junior after helping the Terrapins make their first NCAA tourney appearance the previous season.
• Phil McNiff, 88, averaged 7.3 ppg for George Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Matt Meiners, 37, played for Wisconsin in 1996-97 under coach Dick Bennett.
• Dave Meyers, 62, was an NCAA unanimous first-team All-American in 1974-75 when leading UCLA's NCAA Tournament champion in scoring and rebounding in John Wooden's final season as coach of the Bruins.
• Edward "Ned" Milde, 93, played for Villanova in 1941-42 and 1942-43 under coach Alex Severance before serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Frank Mixon was a juco recruit who averaged 18.6 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Denver in 1963-64 and 1964-65, leading the Pioneers in scoring both seasons.
• Roger Mockford, 90, played for Oregon in late 1940s after serving in U.S. Army during WWII and fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
• Samuel "John" Moffatt Jr., 88, averaged 9.9 ppg for George Washington from 1947-48 through 1949-50. He was GWU's top scorer as a senior when earning All-Southern Conference second-team honors.
• Andy Mogish, 95, had his three-year career (4.5 ppg) with Syracuse in mid-1940s interrupted by stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII in European Theatre.
• Jim Mooney, 85, was a three-year starter for Villanova from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Alex Severance before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps near end of Korean Conflict. He led the Wildcats in rebounding as a sophomore with 14.7 rpg.
• Frank Moore, 89, averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1950-51 after serving in U.S. military with Occupation Army in Germany.
• Martice Moore, 40, averaged 10.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Georgia Tech in 1992-93 and 1993-94 before averaging 12.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Colorado in 1995-96 and 1996-97. Moore participated in NCAA tourney with both schools.
• Zach Moritz, 27, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2 rpg for Boise State from 2007-08 through 2010-11. He died from Lyme disease.
• Edwin Morris, 92, was a North Carolina State letterman in 1945-46 after serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Dr. John Murphy, 68, averaged 10.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Bucknell from 1965-66 through 1967-68. He was senior captain.
• Dr. Ken Nanson, 78, averaged 11.3 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Oregon State from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Slats Gill. He was runner-up in points scored to All-American Dave Gambee all three seasons with the Beavers.
• Paul Naponick, 67, was a football player who averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1967-68. His older brother, John, was a football/basketball player at Virginia.
• Ernie Neal, 91, played for Oregon State in the late 1940s after serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII.
• Jim Nebergall, 92, averaged 7 ppg for Wichita in 1948-49. He had been recruited by coach Jack Gardner to play for Kansas State before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• John Neeley, 87, averaged 3.4 ppg for Oregon from 1948-49 through 1950-51.
• Nick Nicholas, 81, played for Cincinnati in mid-1950s under coach George Smith.
• Bob "Bevo" Nordmann, 75, averaged 11 ppg and shot 55.7% from the floor with St. Louis University from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection as a junior.
• Mike Norris, 70, averaged 10.5 ppg for DePaul from 1964-65 through 1966-67, leading the Blue Demons in scoring as senior with 17.3 ppg under coach Ray Meyer.
• Dan Nyimicz, 90, was North Carolina's captain in 1948-49 when he averaged 7.5 ppg. Nyimicz served as a Sergeant in U.S. Marine Corps in the South Pacific during WWII.
• Tommy O'Keefe, 87, averaged 10.5 ppg for Georgetown from 1946-47 through 1949-50 to become the school's first 1,000-point career scorer. Notre Dame transfer led the Hoyas in scoring each of his last three campaigns and was senior captain. He coached the Hoyas to an 82-60 record in six seasons from 1960-61 through 1965-66.
• Joe Ossola, 86, averaged 8.6 ppg for St. Louis from 1946-47 through 1949-50. He was a teammate of All-American Ed Macauley on 1948 NIT titlist before becoming an All-Missouri Valley Conference selection the next two seasons. Ossola hit .265 as a C in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system in four years from 1950 through 1953. His son, Ken, was an eighth-round pick by the New York Mets in 1969 MLB draft.
• Mac Otten, 90, averaged 9.3 ppg for Bowling Green State's NIT teams in 1947-48 and 1948-49 as teammate of eventual All-American Charles Share. Otten's brother, Don, was an A-A for BGSU in 1945-46.
• Roger Paluska, 73, averaged 3.1 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Denver in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
• Dai-Jon Parker, 22, averaged 7.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Vanderbilt in 2012-13 and 2013-14.
• Rev. John Parker, 73, was a teammate of All-American Dave DeBusschere on Detroit's NIT teams in 1960 and 1961.
• Jack Parr, 78, was a two-time All-American center who averaged 16.9 ppg and 12.7 rpg for Kansas State from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Tex Winter. As a senior, Parr was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for the Wildcats' Final Four squad.
• Jesse Pate, 41, was a J.C. recruit who posted a team-high scoring average (13.4 ppg) for Arkansas' NCAA Tournament team in 1995-96.
• Jim Paul, 81, played for St. Louis in 1953-54 under coach Eddie Hickey.
• Joe Pehanick Sr., 86, was leading scorer (20.5 ppg) and rebounder (10 rpg) for Seattle's NCAA tourney team in 1953-54. He was 55th pick overall in NBA draft that year.
• Albert "Pat" Peppler, 93, played three seasons for Michigan State in mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted while serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He went on to earn four Super Bowl rings after becoming Green Bay Packers director of player personnel under Vince Lombardi before accepting Don Shula's offer as director of pro scouting with the Miami Dolphins. Peppler compiled a 3-6 record as interim coach of the Atlanta Falcons in 1976.
• Ed Petrie, 82, averaged 12.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Seton Hall from 1953-54 through 1955-56, finishing runner-up in scoring with the Pirates as junior and senior.
• Mike Phillips, 59, was the starting center for Kentucky's NCAA Tournament champion as a senior. He averaged 11.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 1974-75 through 1977-78.
• David Pike Jr., 67, averaged 12 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Missouri in 1968-69 and 1969-70 under coach Norm Stewart. Juco recruit was among the Tigers' top three scorers both seasons, earning All-Big Eight Conference second-team acclaim as a junior.
• L.J. Pipkin, 58, averaged 11.1 ppg and 7 rpg for North Carolina A&T from 1975-76 through 1978-79. Two-time All-MEAC second-team selection led Aggies in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore.
• Ernie Plank, 89, was a member of Ohio State's NCAA playoff team in 1944 before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. He was a rookie area scout for the San Francisco 49ers in 1979 when encouraging Bill Walsh to draft Notre Dame's Joe Montana after competing against the quarterback while on Northwestern's coaching staff.
• Art Powell, 78, averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in partial season in 1956-57. Wide receiver led the AFL in pass reception yards in 1962 and 1963 and in touchdowns on pass receptions in 1960 and 1963 before playing in four AFL All-Star Games.
• Duriel Price, 32, played for West Virginia from 2002-03 through 2004-05 under coach John Beilein.
• Phil Provo III, 68, averaged 3.7 ppg for Toledo from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Bob Nichols.
• John Quillen Sr., 79, averaged 7.8 ppg for Virginia Tech from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
• Harold Rahn Jr., 88, played for Penn State in late 1940s. He served in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Ronnie Register, 70, averaged 3.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Louisiana State in 1964-65.
• George Reid, 48, averaged 2.8 ppg and 2 rpg for Ohio University from 1985-86 through 1988-89.
• C.G. "Perk" Reitemeier Jr., 86, played for Kansas State in 1950-51 under coach Jack Gardner before serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Minister Ezelle Rivers, 52, averaged 3.1 ppg and 2.7 rpg for UALR from 1981-82 through 1984-85.
• Karl Roesler, 74, averaged 6.7 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Notre Dame from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was the Fighting Irish's second-leading rebounder as a senior.
• Gordon Rogers, 79, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Michigan in 1957-58 and 1958-59 after transferring from Western Michigan.
• Ken Rohloff, 76, averaged 12.4 ppg and 3 rpg for North Carolina State from 1960-61 through 1962-63, finishing among the Wolfpack's top three in scoring average each season under coach Everett Case. Two-time All-ACC second-team selection was co-captain as senior.
• Daryl Ross, 60, averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Montana State from 1973-74 through 1975-76. All-Big Sky Conference second-team selection as a senior when he was the Bobcats' leading scorer with 16 ppg.
• Bill Roth, 91, played for Northwestern in late 1940s after juco recruit served as a lieutenant flying 25 bombing missions over enemy territory during WWII.
• John Rowland, 89, played for Southern Methodist in 1945-46.
• Alan Rubenstein, 86, averaged 2.6 ppg for Rutgers in 1948-49 after averaging 3.3 ppg in 1947-48.
• Adolph "Abe" Rubin, 86, averaged 1.7 ppg for Missouri from 1948-49 through 1950-51.
• Bill Rucks, 61, was a seven-footer who averaged 2.9 ppg and 3 rpg for Illinois from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
• John Rudometkin, 75, was a two-time All-American and All-AAWU first-team selection who averaged 18.8 ppg and 10.5 rpg for Southern California from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He averaged 25 ppg and 12.8 rpg in the Trojans' four NCAA playoff games in 1960 and 1961.
• Raymond Farley "Fish" Salmon Jr., 88, earned basketball letters for Mississippi in 1945 and 1946. SEC's first split-T formation QB succeeded Charlie Conerly at Ole Miss in 1948 for 8-1 team after previously being a halfback and serving in Army Air Corps during WWII.
• H. "Ken" Sanders, 74, played briefly for Virginia in 1959-60.
• Philip "Flip" Saunders, 77, averaged 8.2 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Minnesota from 1973-74 through 1976-77, pacing the Gophers in free-throw percentage three seasons in a row.
• Bernard "Ben" Schadler, 90, was three-year letterman for Northwestern in the mid-1940s. Captain of team as senior in 1946-47 after earning All-Big Nine Conference second-team honors in 1944-45. He was a 31st-round selection by the Detroit Lions as back in 1945 NFL draft.
• Dolph Schayes, 87, averaged 10.2 ppg for NYU from 1944-45 through 1947-48 under coach Howard Cann. Schayes was the third-leading scorer for the Violets' 1945 national runner-up.
• Marty Scheinkman, 95, played for CCNY in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
• Tom Schneider, 68, averaged 15.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Bucknell from 1966-67 through 1968-69, leading the Bison in scoring as a senior. Compiled a 97-150 coaching record in nine seasons with Lehigh (16-42 in 1983-84 and 1984-85), Penn (51-54 from 1985-86 through 1988-89) and Loyola MD (30-54 from 1989-90 through 1991-92).
• Roger Schnobrich, 85, averaged 4.2 ppg with Minnesota in 1950-51 after transferring from St. Thomas MN.
• Dave Scholz, 67, averaged 20.5 ppg and 9.7 rpg for Illinois from 1966-67 through 1968-69. Three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was All-American as senior.
• Milt Schoon, 92, starred for Valparaiso in the mid-1940s. Valpo defeated George Mikan-led DePaul in 1943-44.
• Giles Scofield Jr., 98, was an All-EIBL first-team selection for Princeton as senior captain in 1938-39.
• Ed Searcy, 75, averaged 3.5 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Illinois in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Harry Combes before transferring to DII Southern Illinois under coach Jack Hartman.
• Jim Senske averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Loyola Marymount in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
• Bob Shea Sr., 90, played for [Rhode Island State](schools/rhode-island0 in the mid-1940s under coach Frank Keaney. Shea was senior co-captain of 1946 NIT runner-up.
• Charles Shuffield, 70, averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Western Kentucky in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Allen "Bones" Simpson, 79, was a two-time All-Border Conference second-team selection for West Texas State. He averaged 12.9 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 1955-56 through 1957-58.
• Chris Slade, 41, played for Vanderbilt in 1995-96.
• Dean Smith, 83, coached North Carolina (879-254 record in 36 seasons from 1961-62 through 1996-97) to 11 Final Four appearances, capturing NCAA titles in 1982 and 1993. Two-time national coach of the year won 13 ACC Tournament championships, directed the Tar Heels to 28 final Top 20 rankings and had 22 All-Americans. He played for Kansas under legendary coach Phog Allen, averaging 1.6 ppg from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Member of 1952 NCAA titlist.
• Edward Spethman, 84, played for Creighton in 1949-50.
• John Stasio, 72, was Xavier's third-leading rebounder (5.9 rpg) as a senior in 1964-65 when averaging 8.4 ppg.
• Bill Stauffer, 85, averaged 11.5 ppg and school-record 13.6 rpg for Missouri from 1949-50 through 1951-52 when pacing the Tigers in rebounding each season. All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection his final two campaigns was 7th pick overall in 1952 NBA draft after earning All-American acclaim.
• Ron Stenhouse, 74, averaged 5 ppg for Rhode Island from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
• Joe Sterling Sr., 90, lettered multiple seasons with Auburn in the late 1940s.
• Wayne Stout, 61, played for California in 1972-73.
• Hugh Stringfield, 82, played for Utah in 1952-53 in Vadal Peterson's final season as coach before Stringfield served in U.S. Army.
• Chris Stucke, 50, played for Bowling Green State in the mid-1980s.
• Cleveland "Buster" Sullivan Jr. played for Rice in 1959-60 and 1960-61.
• Don Suman, 95, earned letter for 1944 SWC regular-season co-champion Rice before coaching his alma mater to a 132-105 record in 10 seasons from 1949-50 through 1958-59 (reaching 1954 NCAA playoff regional semifinals). General Manager of AFL charter member Houston Oilers, which won the first two league titles in 1960 and 1961.
• Bill "Shotgun" Sutton, 92, played for Davidson in 1942-43 before serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Van Sweet, 94, played for Baylor in early 1940s before coaching the Bears to an 8-29 record in 1943-44 and 1944-45. Spent three years in the U.S. Navy serving with amphibious forces in the Pacific theater. Coached Pacific to a 94-186 mark in 11 seasons from 1952-53 through 1962-63 when school made transition to major-college level.
• Dr. Rex Swett, 76, averaged 7.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Nebraska from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was runner-up in scoring with the Huskers as a junior.
• Karl Tarbell II, 89, averaged 5.2 ppg for South Carolina in 1945-46 before transferring to Connecticut, where he played in 1946-47 and 1947-48. Tarbell was in Naval officer training when WWII ended.
• Jerry Tarkanian, 84, coached Long Beach State (122-20 record in five seasons from 1968-69 through 1972-73), UNLV (509-105 in 19 seasons from 1973-74 through 1991-92) and Fresno State (153-80 in seven seasons from 1995-96 through 2001-02). UPI national coach of the year in 1983 guided UNLV to four Final Fours, including an NCAA title in 1990.
• Roy Tarpley, 50, was a two-time All-American who averaged 13.1 ppg and 7.8 rpg for Michigan from 1982-83 through 1985-86 under coach Bill Frieder. Tarpley led the Wolverines in scoring and rebounding his final three seasons.
• Jeremiah Tate, 19, was a Wofford guard who drowned after YMCA Camp counselor dove off bridge into lake for a swim at 2 a.m.
• Richard Tate, 71, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Utah in 1964-65 and 1965-66. Third-leading scorer for the Utes' 1966 Final Four team went on to earn All-WAC second-team honors as defensive back for the school's football squad the next year before becoming fifth-round selection of the Green Bay Packers in 1967 NFL draft.
• Robert Tatum, 50, was a two-time All-MAC selection who averaged 12 ppg, 2.7 apg and 1.3 spg for Ohio University from 1982-83 through 1985-86.
• Rodney Taylor, 48, averaged 7 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Villanova from 1986-87 through 1989-90 under coach Rollie Massimino. Taylor was among the Wildcats' top two rebounders as a sophomore and junior.
• Kyle Testerman, 80, played for Tennessee in the mid-1950s. Republican served two terms as Knoxville mayor (mid-1970s and mid-1980s).
• Freddie "Machine Gun" Thompson, 55, averaged 7 ppg and 2.8 rpg for UNLV in 1978-79 under coach Jerry Tarkanian.
• Ken Timmons, 86, averaged 5.2 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Detroit from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
• Don Tomlinson, 66, averaged 15.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Missouri from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Norm Stewart. Leading scorer last two seasons with the Tigers as an All-Big Eight Conference selection.
• Earl Tonet, 94, played for Massachusetts in the late 1940s.
• Eddie "Burt" Touchberry, 80, averaged 6.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg for Florida from 1953-54 through 1956-57, leading the Gators in rebounding as a senior with 10.2 rpg. All-SEC pitcher in 1957 when setting a still-existing single-season ERA record of 0.81. He compiled a 13-13 record in the Cincinnati Reds' farm system in four years from 1957 to 1961.
• Dick Triptow, 92, was an All-American for DePaul in 1943-44 under coach Ray Meyer after reaching the Final Four the previous with teammate George Mikan.
• Terry Truax, 70, coached Towson State (202-203 record in 14 seasons from 1983-84 through 1996-97).
• Lou Tsioropoulos, 84, averaged 7.6 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Kentucky from 1950-51 through 1953-54 under coach Adolph Rupp. Member of 1951 NCAA Tournament title team before becoming an All-SEC second-team selection as a senior.
• Ken Turner, 68, averaged 15.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg for Mississippi from 1966-67 through 1968-69, leading the Rebels in scoring each of Southern Illinois native's last two seasons.
• Ned Underwood, 81, averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Texas Tech from 1954-55 through 1956-57. He participated in 1956 NCAA Tournament.
• Jack Upchurch, 76, averaged 8.5 ppg for Eastern Kentucky from 1958-59 through 1960-61, appearing in NCAA playoffs as a sophomore against eventual Final Four participant Louisville.
• Byron Van Alstyne, 89, was a juco recruit who averaged 3.3 ppg for Southern California in 1949-50 and 1950-51.
• Benjamin "Coyte" Vance, 85, averaged 14.4 ppg for Mississippi State from 1949-50 through 1951-52. All-SEC second-team selection as a senior when he was the Bulldogs' leader in scoring average (20.5 ppg/third in SEC).
• Frank Vitetta, 83, averaged 1.6 ppg for Penn in 1952-53 as teammate of All-American Ernie Beck.
• Jackson Vroman, 34, averaged 13.2 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Iowa State in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
• Neal Walk, 67, was a two-time All-American who averaged 20.8 ppg and 15.3 rpg for Florida from 1966-67 through 1968-69. He led the nation in rebounding as a junior (19.8 rpg) before finishing fourth in that category the next year.
• Joe Walker Sr., 90, was a Mississippi letterman in 1945-46.
• Jim Wannemacher, 70, was a backup forward for Dayton in 1967 NCAA Tournament final and the Flyers' 1968 NIT titlist. He averaged 3.3 ppg and 2.3 rpg in Don Donoher's first few seasons as coach of the Flyers.
• Torrey Ward, 36, averaged 8.9 ppg and 5.5 rpg for UAB in 1998-99 and 1999-00.
• Dr. Charles Warren, 82, was a juco recruit who averaged 2.3 ppg for Texas in 1953-54.
• Jeff Warren, 44, set Missouri's single-season record for field-goal shooting (67.6%) as a sophomore in 1990-91 that stood for 21 years. He averaged 6.7 ppg and 4.4 rpg from 1989-90 through 1992-93 under coach Norm Stewart.
• Clarence Watts, 82, was a member of Penn State's 1954 Final Four team.
• James "Dave" Weatherby, 88, was a member of Kansas State's 1948 Final Four team after earning All-Big Six Conference second-team honors in 1945-46. He served in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Bob Weber, 82, was senior captain and third-leading rebounder for Wisconsin in 1953-54 under coach Bud Foster.
• Ralph Weiger, 90, played for Purdue in 1945-46. Weiger was also a football letterman as an end in 1946. He went on to become Chairman/CEO/President of five different organizations including Midas International Corporation and Jiffy Lube.
• Bill Weiman, 80, averaged 5.7 ppg for Notre Dame from 1953-54 through 1955-56. Member of the Irish's NCAA playoff regional runner-up squad as a sophomore.
• John Weinert, 83, compiled a 146-133 coaching record with Bowling Green State in 10 seasons from 1976-77 through 1985-86.
• Bob Wellman, 87, averaged 1.3 ppg for Louisville in 1950-51 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Christian Welp, 50, averaged 16.1 ppg and 7.7 rpg while shooting 56.9% from the floor for Washington from 1983-84 through 1986-87. He was a three-time All-Pacific-10 Conference selection.
• Merrill "Red" Wetherington, 83, averaged 12 ppg and 6.8 rpg for Florida in 1950-51 and 1951-52.
• Peter White, 49, was a two-time assists leader in the Ivy League while averaging 9.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.9 apg and 1.3 spg for Yale from 1984-85 through 1987-88.
• Davey Whitney, 85, coached Texas Southern (54-72 record from 1964-65 through 1968-69) before becoming Alcorn State's all-time winningest mentor (510-292 from 1969-70 through 1988-89 and 1996-97 through 2002-03).
• Doug Widtfeldt, 57, averaged 4.2 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Southern California from 1976-77 through 1979-80. As a senior, he was the Trojans' captain and second-leading rebounder (6.1 rpg).
• Gerrit Wierda Jr., 90, averaged 2.7 ppg for Michigan in 1946-47 and 1947-48 (school's first NCAA tourney team) after serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• D.C. "Dixie" Wilcutt, 92, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection as a senior on St. Louis University's NIT championship club in 1948, scoring 16 points in final against NYU. He averaged 7.3 ppg in three-season career interrupted by serving in U.S. military during WWII.
• Ernest "Zeke" Wilemon, 89, lettered for Texas in 1944-45. As an OF, he hit .292 in farm systems of the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates in four years from 1946 through 1949 (96 RBI and 97 runs scored at Class C level in 1947).
• Dr. Roger Wiley Sr., 90, was an All-PCC North Division selection in 1947-48 and 1948-49 when leading Oregon in scoring. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army helping build roads in Far East theatre during WWII.
• Clayton Wilkinson, 94, was an All-Big Nine Conference second-team selection for Iowa as a sophomore in 1944-45 when averaging 11.5 ppg.
• John "Hot Rod" Williams, 53, averaged 16 ppg and 7 rpg for Tulane from 1981-82 through 1984-85. He was a three-time All-Metro Conference first-team selection.
• Ray Wilson, 84, compiled a 5-48 coaching record with Massachusetts in 1979-80 and 1980-81. He was high school mentor for all-time great Julius Erving.
• Tony Worrell, 49, was Southland Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 1987-88 when averaging 20.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg for North Texas.
• Michael Wright, 35, was an All-American in 2000-01 when leading Arizona's NCAA Tournament runner-up in rebounding. Finished his three-year Wildcats career with 15.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg.
• Jim Young, 82, was leading scorer for Santa Clara's 1952 Final Four team. All-CBA (predecessor to West Coast Conference) first-team selection as a senior averaged 12.1 ppg from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
• Jack Zimmerman, 87, scored a total of 79 points for Dayton from 1947-48 through 1949-50 in Tom Blackburn's first three seasons as coach of the Flyers.
• Gene Zyzda, 74, averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Colorado from 1959-60 through 1961-62.