Real State of the Union: How Strong is Current Condition of College Hoops?
Stop the world from turning because I need to get off as the nanny state wants us to stay home when it actually snows in winter. Cold, hard reasons for the deterioration on and off the court also are debatable, but only a "fairness" fool believes the present state of college basketball is superior to previous generations when men were men. Let's consider for a second the remote possibility that college hoops is at its zenith. Okay, we're finished! Seriously, how many contemporary college players eventually will be mentioned in the same breath with All-Americans from 25 years ago (Derrick Coleman, Chris Jackson, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, Gary Payton and Dennis Scott in 1989-90), 30 years ago (Len Bias, Johnny Dawkins, Patrick Ewing, Xavier McDaniel, Chris Mullin, Mark Price and Wayman Tisdale in 1984-85), 40 years ago (Adrian Dantley, John Lucas Jr., Scott May and David Thompson in 1974-75), 50 years ago (Rick Barry, Bill Bradley, Gail Goodrich and Cazzie Russell in 1964-65) or 60 years ago (Tom Gola and Bill Russell in 1954-55)?
College basketball needs a Reformation as much as Islam. How could things change in the near future as long as shooting hasn't permanently gone into the witness-protection program? What about spending more quality time focusing on your shooting (or classwork for that matter) than designing tattoos? In regard to American sniping denigrated by demented Howard Dean, many "varsity" games these days replete with underclassmen resemble marksmanship in freshmen or JV contests from years gone by. No wonder, in a recent CBS Sports poll, half of the top 32 pro prospects playing for U.S. colleges were averaging fewer than 12 points per game. That seems to make as much sense as UCLA manning-the-middle mumbler Bill Walton eventually speaking eloquently enough to become a prominent TV commentator, providing ample "Grand Canyon" evidence for evolution of some sort.
Far too many coaches, remaining at schools too long and compromising any link to principles, are unaccountable to anyone on campus, resulting in bringing in "exemption" recruits far below the academic acumen of the average student. Over-hyped coaches, players and teams by today's lame-stream media, not under-inflated balls, are the principal culprits why this is nothing remotely close to the golden era of college basketball. Long-time coach Jeff Jones' following assessment not all that long ago matches Collegehoopedia.com's view regarding the state of the (college hoops) union: "You've got all these fake superstars. They're superstars because of perceptions, soundbites. They aren't (superstars) because they've won championships. They aren't (superstars) because of performance. Everything is spectacular because that's what shows up in the highlights. But they don't show the sloppy plays and standing around. That's why there aren't as many all-around good players, because people can attain star status without having earned it."
Matter of Time: Isn't It Inevitable Brown Out Eventually Will Occur at SMU?
What can Brown do for SMU or what will Brown do to SMU? That remains the question! Hiring a coaching fossil such as Larry Brown generated more national publicity than Southern Methodist basketball enjoyed collectively since 1988, which was Brown's last year as a college coach before returning to SMU in 2012-13 and the Mustangs' last year to post an NCAA playoff victory.
Next Town Brown was probably comfortable with nomadic SMU because the Mustangs were joining their third different league since the SWC disbanded in 1996. If Brown can guide SMU to the NCAA playoffs in the next few years for the first time since 1993, it will be the equivalent of him directing UCLA to an NCAA runner-up finish in his debut season with the Bruins in 1980. If he can win an NCAA Tournament game with the Mustangs, it will be the equivalent of him capturing a national title in his swan song with Kansas in 1988.
SMU, a total of 55 games under .500 over the 24 seasons prior to Brown's arrival, is already vastly overpaying for an antique bench boss nearly a quarter century removed from the day-to-day college grind, a coach-in-waiting who has never had an NCAA playoff appearance in nine years and suspect recruiters hired from former powerhouses that have fallen on hard times. But is an even more critical cost in academic integrity looming? There was a shaky track record to worry about inasmuch as UCLA and Kansas each were on probation the season following Brown's departure.
After checking the national registry for truck drivers with standout sons/players (remember Danny Manning), Brown's first significant act with SMU was a down-and-dirty deed discarding several players at this late stage because they "weren't good enough to play for him." We're taking for granted that Brown's "good" refers to on-the-court performance rather than off-the-hardwood decorum. He apparently was more fond of trying to bring in a troubled transfer such as Josiah Turner from Arizona (before he abandoned ship for the pros during the summer) rather than retaining Jeremiah Samarrippas, who was SMU's captain as a sophomore. Perhaps Dean Smith should have treated a similar undersized guard the same shabby way when the Hall of Famer became North Carolina's head coach in 1961-62 after Brown averaged a modest 4.5 ppg as a sophomore the previous season.
Only a splendid tactician can be the lone individual ever to win NCAA and NBA titles. And Brown, who coached nearly half of the franchises in this year's NBA playoffs, turned things around quickly for the Mustangs primarily because the conference the school joined was a shell of its former self after Pittsburgh, Syracuse and West Virginia departed for other leagues. But isn't there something more important than selling your soul seeking nirvana?
Youth Movement: Where Will Okafor Rank Among All-Time Premier Freshmen?
Where will Duke's Jahlil Okafor rank among the all-time top big men in college basketball history? A championship ring in 2011-12 certainly propelled Kentucky's Anthony Davis into the discussion for acknowledging the best freshman center of all-time along with Patrick Ewing, Keith Lee, Greg Oden, Robert Parish, Jeff Ruland, Ralph Sampson, Joe Smith and Wayman Tisdale. The NCAA title is a credential making it easier to possibly place Davis atop the list of premium frosh pivotmen although Ohio State's Oden reached the NCAA final with comparable statistics a mere seven years ago.
In any credible assessment involving Okafor or any freshman flash, an observer shouldn't get too caught up in the moment. Actually, it's probably stretching credulity to proclaim Davis as the best freshman in SEC history, let alone the greatest yearling in NCAA annals. That's because the most fantastic frosh probably was Tennessee forward Bernard King, who averaged 26.4 ppg and 12.3 rpg while shooting 62.2% from the floor in 1974-75.
A huge difference between Davis and King was the quality of the competition. By any measure, the SEC's top players two seasons ago didn't come anywhere close to comparing to all-league choices King opposed such as Leon Douglas, Kevin Grevey, Eddie Johnson, Mike Mitchell and Rick Robey - all of whom played at least seven NBA seasons. Another SEC first-year sensation was Louisiana State guard Chris Jackson. Granted, Jackson didn't have the dynamic defensive presence of Davis but you simply can't ignore the fact Jackson averaged more than twice as many points in 1988-89.
UK fans could build a case that John Wall's freshman campaign only five years ago was more significant. After all, the Wildcats improved their record from the previous season with Wall in coach John Calipari's debut by a stunning 12 games, which was 50% higher than what they improved with Davis manning the middle.
Frankly, it's disconcerting how much many pundits either have memory loss or possess little more than an amateurish knowledge of hoops history outside the region where they work. Last year, Jabari Parker (Duke) and Andrew Wiggins (Kansas) were proclaimed as God's gifts to basketball. But they aren't included among the following CollegeHoopedia.com's national perspective of the all-time freshman squads:
FIRST TEAM
Carmelo Anthony, Syracuse (2002-03: 22.2 ppg, 10 rpg)
Leading scorer and rebounder for 2003 NCAA Tournament champion was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Posted a remarkable 22 double-doubles in 35 games.
Kevin Durant, Texas (2006-07: 25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 40.4 3FG%)
Forced by the NBA's new rule requiring draftees to attend college at least one year, he became national player of the year. Finished fourth in the nation in scoring and rebounding. Led the Big 12 Conference in scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and double-doubles (20).
Chris Jackson, Louisiana State (1988-89: 30.2 ppg, 4.1 apg, 81.5 FT%)
Exploded for 53 points vs. Florida and 55 vs. Ole Miss en route to setting NCAA freshman scoring records with 965 points and 30.2 average. Consensus SEC player of the year was an AP and USBWA first-team All-American.
Bernard King, Tennessee (1974-75: 26.4 ppg, 12.3 rpg, 62.2 FG%)
No freshman has matched his overall statistical figures. The Volunteers improved their overall record by only one game from the previous season, however.
Robert Parish, Centenary (1972-73: 23 ppg, 18.7 rpg, 57.9 FG%)
Scored school-record 50 points at Lamar in a game he also grabbed 30 rebounds. Collected 31 points and 33 rebounds vs. Southern Mississippi and 38 points and 29 rebounds vs. Texas-Arlington. Contributed 14 contests with at least 20 rebounds as a frosh, averaging 21.3 rpg in a 14-game, mid-season stretch.
SECOND TEAM
Mark Aguirre, DePaul (1978-79: 24 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 52.0 FG%)
Top freshman scorer in the nation broke the Blue Demons' scoring record with 767 points. He had a 29-point, eight-rebound performance vs. UCLA in his college debut and finished the season by being named to the All-Final Four team.
Anthony Davis, Kentucky ( 2011-12: 14.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 4.7 bpg, 62.3 FG%)
Lowest-ever scoring average for a national POY, but he set an NCAA record for most blocked shots by a freshman en route to becoming Final Four Most Outstanding Player despite scoring only six points on 1-of-10 field-goal shooting in NCAA championship contest.
Magic Johnson, Michigan State (1977-78: 17 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 7.4 apg)
Led the Big Ten Conference in league play in assists (6.8 apg), tied for third in scoring (19.8 ppg) and finished sixth in rebounding (8.2 rpg) to help the Spartans go from a 10-17 record the previous year to 25-5 and capture the Big Ten title.
Keith Lee, Memphis State (1981-82: 18.3 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.5 bpg, 53.8 FG%)
Led the Tigers in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots as they improved their record from 13-14 the previous season to 24-5. Set Metro Conference record with 11.5 rebounds per game in league competition.
Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma (1982-83: 24.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 58.0 FG%)
NCAA consensus first-team All-American. Big Eight Conference player of the year broke Wilt Chamberlain's league scoring record with 810 points, including 46 vs. Iowa State.
THIRD TEAM
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, California (1995-96: 21.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 51.8 FG%)
The first freshman ever to be named Pacific-10 Conference player of the year led the Bears in steals with 52. His best game overall was a 32-point, 18-rebound performance at Washington State.
Adrian Dantley, Notre Dame (1973-74: 18.3 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 55.8 FG%)
Led the Irish in free-throw shooting (82.6%) and was second on the team in scoring and rebounding. He had a 41-point outing vs. West Virginia. Notre Dame improved its record from 18-12 the previous season to 26-3.
Mark Macon, Temple (1987-88: 20.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.9 apg)
Scored in double figures in 33 of 34 games. Led the 32-2 Owls in scoring and was second in assists. He was the first freshman ever to be the leading scorer for a team ranking No. 1 in a final AP national poll.
Mark Price, Georgia Tech (1982-83: 20.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 87.7 FT%)
First freshman ever to lead the vaunted Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring. He also paced the ACC in free-throw percentage and three-point field goals.
Ralph Sampson, Virginia (1979-80: 14.9 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 4.6 bpg, 54.7 FG%)
Led the Cavaliers to the NIT championship. He was the headliner of perhaps the greatest single crop of freshman recruits in NCAA history.
FOURTH TEAM
Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech (1989-90: 20.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 8.1 apg)
Only freshman ever to score more than 20 points in four straight NCAA playoff games. He led the ACC in assists.
Michael Beasley, Kansas State (2007-08: 26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 53.2 FG%)
He had a total of 13 30-point games en route to 28 double-doubles.
Greg Oden, Ohio State (2006-07: 15.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 3.3 bpg, 61.6 FG%)
Powered the Buckeyes to the NCAA playoff championship game where they lost to two-time champion Florida.
Quentin Richardson, DePaul (1998-99: 18.9 ppg, 10.5 rpg)
Conference USA player of the year when he led the league in rebounding and was second in scoring, seventh in field-goal percentage and ninth in free-throw percentage, making him the only player in the C-USA to rank in the top 10 in each of those categories. He led the Blue Demons in scoring 21 times and in rebounding on 23 occasions.
Joe Smith, Maryland (1993-94: 19.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 3.1 bpg)
One of only two players in ACC history to be an all-league first-team selection in both his freshman and sophomore seasons.
FIFTH TEAM
Kevin Love, UCLA ( 2007-08: 17.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 55.9 FG%)
Led the Bruins' Final Four squad in scoring and rebounding, contributing 23 double-doubles.
Derrick Rose, Memphis (2007-08: 14.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.7 apg)
Ringleader of team that should have won NCAA title but shoddy free-throw shooting enabled Kansas to frustrate the Tigers in overtime in the championship game.
Lionel Simmons, La Salle (1986-87: 20.3 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 52.6 FG%)
Set the stage for becoming three-time MAAC MVP and one of only four major-college players ever to score more than 600 points in each of four seasons. La Salle's Tom Gola is the only individual to finish his college career with a higher total of points and rebounds (4,663 from 1952-55).
Jared Sullinger, Ohio State (2010-11: 17.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 54.1 FG%)
Helped the Buckeyes spend the entire season ranked among the nation's top four teams.
John Wall, Kentucky (2009-10: 16.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.8 spg)
He was SEC MVP but how impactful was his season when teammate DeMarcus Cousins earned the SEC Freshman of the Year award?
TEN MOST OVERLOOKED FRESHMAN SEASONS
Freshman, School (Season: Statistical Achievements)
Jason Conley, Virginia Military (2001-02: 29.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 81.8 FT%)
Stephen Curry, Davidson (2006-07: 21.5 ppg, 85.5 FT%, 40.8 3FG%)
Jacky Dorsey, Georgia (1974-75: 25.8 ppg, 11.8 rpg)
Larry Hughes, Saint Louis (1997-98: 20.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.2 spg)
Harry Kelly, Texas Southern (1979-80: 29 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
Karl Malone, Louisiana Tech (1982-83: 20.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 58.2 FG%)
CJ McCollum, Lehigh (2009-10: 19.1 ppg, 5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 42.1 3FG%)
Jeff Ruland, Iona ( 1977-78: 22.3 ppg, 12.8 rpg, 59.4 FG%)
Rodney Stuckey, Eastern Washington (2005-06: 24.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.1 apg, 2.2 spg)
Gary Trent, Ohio University (1992-93: 19 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 65.1 FG%)
Retirement Timetable: Weep On It/Think On It/Sleep On It/Drink On It
When is the proper time to leave via retirement for a competent coach such as Utah State's Stew Morrill? There are no hard-and-fast rules and discerning the right sequence to step aside is more elusive than one might think. But Morrill, perhaps the nation's most underrated coach thus far in the 21st Century, seems to have timed his departure at the end of this season just about right. After averaging nearly 26 victories annually in a 12-year span from 1999-00 through 2010-11, the Aggies had their streak of campaigns with more than 20 wins snapped at 14 last season.
It's patently clear not every coach can depart with pomp-and-circumstance style like luminaries John Wooden, Al McGuire, Ray Meyer and Dean Smith when they bowed out. From 1964 to 1975 with Wooden at the helm, UCLA won an NCAA-record 10 national titles, including seven straight from 1967 through 1973. McGuire's goodbye in 1977 with an NCAA title marked Marquette's eighth straight season finishing among the Top 10 in a final wire-service poll. Meyer directed DePaul to a Top 6 finish in a final wire-service poll six times in his final seven seasons from 1978 through 1984. Smith won at least 28 games with North Carolina in four of his final five seasons from 1992-93 through 1996-97.
But those fond farewells are the exception, not the rule, in trying to cope with Father Time. How many school all-time winningest mentors rode off into the sunset donning at least a partial black rather than white hat? How much they may have tarnished their legacy is debatable but hanging around too long probably caused a few of the following celebrated coaches to lose some of their luster:
Dale Brown, Louisiana State - 23 games below .500 with four straight losing campaigns after 10 consecutive NCAA playoff appearances from 1984 through 1993
Howard Cann, NYU - 12 games below .500 in last six seasons after six national postseason tournament appearances from 1943 through 1952
Ben Carnevale, Navy - four non-winning seasons after three national postseason tournament appearances in a four- year span from 1959 through 1962
Everett Case, North Carolina State - only four games above .500 in final five full seasons after averaging 24.6 victories annually his first 13 campaigns from 1946-47 through 1958-59
Gale Catlett, West Virginia - 11 games below .500 in last four seasons after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in an 18-year span from 1981 to 1998
John Chaney, Temple - only 11 games above .500 in final five seasons after 17 NCAA playoff appearances in an 18- year span from 1984 through 2001
Charlie Coles, Miami (OH) - 12 games below .500 in last five seasons after appearing in 2007 NCAA playoffs
Denny Crum, Louisville - breakeven mark last four seasons while winless in national postseason play after missing national postseason competition only twice in his first 26 campaigns from 1972 through 1997
Ed Diddle, Western Kentucky - 5-16 mark each of his final two seasons after only one losing record in his previous 32 campaigns from 1930-31 through 1961-62
Don Donoher, Dayton - 12 games below .500 with three straight losing campaigns after 15 national postseason tournament appearances in first 22 seasons from 1965 through 1986
Fred Enke, Arizona - only four games above .500 in final five seasons after averaging more than 20 victories annually in nine campaigns from 1942-43 through 1950-51
Jack Friel, Washington State - 71 games below .500 in final six seasons after averaging 19 victories annually with only one losing record in 23-year span from 1929-30 through 1951-52
Taps Gallagher, Niagara - 17 games below .500 in final two seasons after only two losing records in first 29 campaigns from 1931-32 through 1962-63
Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson - 30 games below .500 in final three seasons after appearing in NCAA playoffs and NIT in 2005 and 2006
Jack Hartman, Kansas State - minimum of 14 defeats each of his last four seasons after 11 consecutive first- division finishes in the Big Eight Conference from 1971-72 through 1981-82
Don Haskins, Texas-El Paso - three games below .500 in final four years after 16 consecutive winning campaigns (including 12 20-win seasons) from 1979-80 through 1994-95
Nat Holman, CCNY - losing records each of final five seasons after incurring only two losing marks in first 32 campaigns from 1919-20 through 1950-51
Hank Iba, Oklahoma State - 33 games below .500 his final five campaigns after last NCAA playoff appearance of 36 -year tenure with the school in 1965
George Ireland, Loyola (il) - 32 games below .500 his final seven campaigns after third NCAA playoff appearance in five years following 1963 NCAA title
Doggie Julian, Dartmouth - seven straight losing campaigns with fewer than eight victories after five consecutive first- or second-place finishes in the Ivy League with three NCAA playoff appearances from 1955-56 through 1959- 60
Gene Keady, Purdue - eight games below .500 his final four seasons after 12 consecutive national postseason tournament appearances from 1990 through 2001
Piggy Lambert, Purdue - three games below .500 his final four seasons after 23 consecutive winning records from 1920 through 1942
Speedy Morris, La Salle - 47 games below .500 his final six campaigns from 1995-96 through 2000-01 after appearing in national postseason competition each of his first six seasons from 1987 through 1992
Jim Phelan, Mount St. Mary's - 50 games below .500 his final four campaigns after reaching the 800-win plateau with an NCAA Division I Tournament appearance in 1999
Digger Phelps, Notre Dame - five games below .500 his final two campaigns after averaging 21 victories annually in a 17-year span from 1972-73 through 1988-89
Harry Rabenhorst, Louisiana State - 35 games below .500 in final three seasons after going undefeated in SEC competition in back-to-back years in 1952-53 and 1953-54
Rick Samuels, Eastern Illinois - 21 games below .500 in final four seasons after appearing in 2001 NCAA playoffs
Fred Taylor, Ohio State - 20 games below .500 in final three seasons after 11 top three finishes in Big Ten Conference standings in a 14-year span from 1959-60 through 1972-73
M.K. Turk, Southern Mississippi - nine games below .500 in final five seasons after back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 1990 and 1991
Ralph Underhill, Wright State - nine games below .500 in final three seasons after NCAA playoff appearance in 1993
Mike Vining, Louisiana-Monroe - 22 games below .500 in final three seasons after sixth 20-win campaign in 2001-02
Sox Walseth, Colorado - 40 games below .500 in final seven seasons after Big Eight Conference championship in 1969
Clifford Wells, Tulane - 12 games below .500 in final six seasons after 12 non-losing campaigns from 1945-46 through 1956-57
Carroll Williams, Santa Clara - eight games below .500 in final three seasons after five 20-win campaigns in seven years from 1982-83 through 1988-89
History 101: Will Kentucky Fail to Teach Big Blue Scholars Vital Hoop Lesson?
"History is philosophy teaching by examples." - Thucydides, the History of the Peloponnesian War
John Calipari has time to mingle with Jay Z, spitefully remind us platoon-dissenter Dick Vitale got the ziggy (albeit just like him in NBA), develop a first-round philosophy regarding "Succeed and Proceed" scholars (not "One and Done") and create plausible denials (including settling lawsuit by disgruntled season-ticket holders). Of course, sycophants believe he bears zero responsibility for two of his previous outposts (Massachusetts and Memphis) vacating Final Four participation (unless the NCAA performs a Joe Paterno-like reinstatement). But Coach Cal doesn't seem to have time to teach his Kentucky charges a firsthand lesson about honoring history. If he isn't going to capitalize on an opportunity to significantly enhance their learning experience, just let them attend free community college.
UK, exhibiting all of the diplomatic dignity of reporting-for-duty John Kerry in a French sing-along with James Taylor, reportedly backed out of a proposed game next season with the UTEP Miners slated for Cole Field House at the University of Maryland. The rematch would have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the historic NCAA Tournament championship game between the Wildcats and the school previously known as Texas Western. In 1966, Don Haskins-coached Texas Western, starting five black players (three of them 6-1 or shorter), won the national title, 72-65, in College Park, Md., against an all-white UK lineup directed by Adolph Rupp.
In the aftermath of UTEP's defining-moment on-court performance, major Southern schools started modifying their unwritten bigoted directives by recruiting more African-American players. Center Tom Payne broke the color barrier at UK five seasons later in 1970-71 when he was an All-SEC first-team selection in his only varsity season with the Wildcats.
The '66 title tilt inspired the film Glory Road. A significant history lesson is shunned while Big Blue Nation continues to glory in overdosing on cupcakes in pre-conference competition at home. Since Calipari became UK bench boss in 2009-10, the Wildcats have picked on the following alphabetical list of 35 patsies (several of them more than once) combining to go winless in the NCAA playoffs thus far in the 21st Century: Austin Peay, Belmont, Boise State, Boston University, Buffalo, Chattanooga, Columbia, Coppin State, Drexel, East Tennessee State, Eastern Michigan, Grand Canyon, Hartford, Lafayette, Lamar, Lipscomb, Long Beach State, Long Island, Loyola (Md.), Marist, Marshall, Miami (Ohio), Mississippi Valley State, Montana State, Morehead State, Northern Kentucky, Penn, Portland, Radford, Rider, Robert Morris, Sam Houston State, Samford, Texas-Arlington and UALR. Still, there's no room for a trip down memory lane with a neutral-court contest against Texas-El Paso, which hasn't won an NCAA tourney game since 1992.
Kentucky could end up with a trip close to Maryland at the White House again to be honored as NCAA titlist. At least smug UK's snubbing of UTEP makes more sense than POTUS exhibiting an absence of priorities repeatedly meeting behind closed doors with Al "Not So" Sharpton (hopefully tutoring him on H&R Block tax bracket rather than community organizing NCAA bracket for ESPN) plus granting a forum to YouTube goofball Glozell Green rather than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Calipari has several books with his name as author - Refuse to Lose, Bouncing Back and Players First. Perhaps he can provide several more volumes - Refuse to Play, Bouncing Back (Except to 1966) and Me-Myself-and-I Always Come First.
Junior Achievement: J.C. Recruit Delon Wright of Utah Could Be Pac-12 MVP
"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. Versatile guard Delon Wright (Utah/Pac-12) could become the latest J.C. recruit (City College of San Francisco) to join the following alphabetical list of more than 90 individuals who were MVP/Player of the Year in an NCAA Division I conference:
Player of Year | Pos. | School | Conference | Season(s) | Junior College(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Richie Adams | C | UNLV | PCAA | 1983-84 & 1984-85 | Massachusetts Bay |
Tony Allen | G | Oklahoma State | Big 12 | 2003-04 | Butler County (KS) & Wabash Valley (IL) |
Delvon Anderson | F | Montana | Big Sky | 1991-92 | City College of San Francisco |
Karvel Anderson | G | Robert Morris | Northeast | 2013-14 | Butler County (KS), Lake Michigan & Glen Oaks (MI) |
Harold Arceneaux | F | Weber State | Big Sky | 1998-99 & 1999-00 | Eastern Utah & Midland (TX) |
Mike Bell | F | Florida Atlantic | Atlantic Sun | 2004-05 | Palm Beach (FL) |
Walter Berry | F-C | St. John's | Big East | 1985-86 | San Jacinto (TX) |
Terry Boyd | G | Western Carolina | Southern | 1991-92 | Southern Union State (AL) |
Odell Bradley | F | IUPUI | Mid-Continent | 2003-04 | Aquinas (TN) |
Ron Brewer | G | Arkansas | SWC | 1977-78 | Westark (AR) |
Brandon Brooks | G | Alabama State | SWAC | 2008-09 | North Lake (TX) |
Tim Brooks | G | UT-Chattanooga | Southern | 1992-93 | Sullivan (KY) |
Antonio Burks | G | Memphis | Conference USA | 2003-04 | Hiwassee (TN) |
David Burns | G | St. Louis | Metro | 1980-81 | Navarro (TX) |
Lawrence Butler | G | Idaho State | Big Sky | 1978-79 | Western Texas |
Gilberto Clavell | F | Sam Houston State | Southland | 2010-11 | Collin County (TX) |
Donald Cole | F | Sam Houston State | Southland | 2002-03 | Navarro (TX) |
Derwin "Tank" Collins | F | New Orleans | American South | 1990-91 | Southern Idaho & Salt Lake (UT) |
Lester Conner | G | Oregon State | Pacific-10 | 1981-82 | Los Medanos (CA) & Chabot (CA) |
Paul Crosby | F-C | Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 2011-12 | Navarro (TX) |
Jae Crowder | F | Marquette | Big East | 2011-12 | South Georgia Tech & Howard County (TX) |
Greg Davis | G | Troy State | Atlantic Sun | 2003-04 | Bossier Parish (LA) |
Miah Davis | G | Pacific | Big West | 2003-04 | Modesto (CA) |
LaRon Dendy | F | Middle Tennessee State | Sun Belt | 2011-12 | Indian Hills (IA) |
Ledell Eackles | F | New Orleans | American South | 1987-88 | San Jacinto (TX) |
Blue Edwards | F | East Carolina | Colonial Athletic | 1988-89 | Louisburg (NC) |
Muhammad El-Amin | G | Stony Brook | America East | 2009-10 | Lansing (MI) |
Rosell Ellis | F | McNeese State | Southland | 1996-97 | Eastern Utah |
James Ennis | G | Long Beach State | Big West | 2012-13 | Oxnard (CA) & Ventura (CA) |
Al Fisher | G | Kent State | Mid-American | 2007-08 | Redlands (CA) |
Darrell Floyd | G-F | Furman | Southern | 1954-55 & 1955-56 | Wingate (NC) |
Carlos Funchess | G-F | Northeast Louisiana | Southland | 1990-91 | Copiah-Lincoln (MS) |
Winston Garland | G | Southwest Missouri State | Mid-Continent | 1986-87 | Southeastern (IA) |
Armon Gilliam | F-C | UNLV | Big West | 1986-87 | Independence (KS) |
Detric Golden | G | Troy State | Trans America | 1999-00 | Northwest Mississippi |
Ed Gray | G | California | Pacific-10 | 1996-97 | Southern Idaho |
Faron Hand | F | Nevada | Big West | 1996-97 | Dixie (UT) |
Tony Harris | G-F | New Orleans | American South | 1989-90 | Johnson County (KS) |
Darington Hobson | G-F | New Mexico | Mountain West | 2009-10 | Eastern Utah |
Lester Hudson | G | Tennessee-Martin | Ohio Valley | 2007-08 & 2008-09 | Southwest Tennessee |
Bobby Jackson | G | Minnesota | Big Ten | 1996-97 | Western Nebraska |
DeWayne Jefferson | G | Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 2000-01 | East Mississippi |
Avery Johnson | G | Southern | SWAC | 1987-88 | New Mexico |
Larry Johnson | F | UNLV | Big West | 1989-90 & 1990-91 | Odessa (TX) |
Vinnie Johnson | G | Baylor | SWC | 1977-78 & 1978-79 | McLennan (TX) |
Arnell Jones | F | Boise State | Big Sky | 1987-88 | San Jose |
Travele Jones | F | Texas Southern | SWAC | 2010-11 | Cerritos (CA) |
Kevin Kearney | F | Montana | Big Sky | 1990-91 | State Fair (MO) |
Eugene "Goo" Kennedy | F-C | Texas Christian | SWC | 1970-71 | Fort Worth (TX) |
Larry Kenon | F | Memphis State | Missouri Valley | 1972-73 | Amarillo (TX) |
Frankie King | G | Western Carolina | Southern | 1993-94 & 1994-95 | Brunswick (GA) |
Orlando Lightfoot | F | Idaho | Big Sky | 1992-93 & 1993-94 | Hiwassee (TN) |
Lewis Lloyd | F | Drake | Missouri Valley | 1979-80 & 1980-81 | New Mexico Military Institute |
Quadre Lollis | F-C | Montana State | Big Sky | 1995-96 | Northland Pioneer (AZ) |
Kevin Magee | F | UC Irvine | Big West | 1980-81 & 1981-82 | Saddleback (CA) |
Marcus Mann | F-C | Mississippi Valley State | SWAC | 1995-96 | East Central (MS) |
Andrew Mavis | F | Northern Arizona | Big Sky | 1997-98 | Snow (UT) |
De'Teri Mayes | G | Murray State | Ohio Valley | 1997-98 | Wallace-Hanceville (AL) |
Ed McCants | G | Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Horizon League | 2004-05 | Paris (TX) |
Kellen McCoy | G | Weber State | Big Sky | 2008-09 | Northern Oklahoma |
Cliff Meely | F-C | Colorado | Big Eight | 1970-71 | Northeastern (CO) |
Mate Milisa | C | Long Beach State | Big West | 1999-00 | Pensacola (FL) |
Lee Nailon | F-C | Texas Christian | Western Athletic | 1997-98 | Southeastern (IA) & Butler County (KS) |
Ruben Nembhard | G | Weber State | Big Sky | 1994-95 | Paris (TX) |
Charles "Bo" Outlaw | F-C | Houston | SWC | 1992-93 | South Plains (TX) |
Ken Owens | G | Idaho | Big Sky | 1981-82 | Treasure Valley (CA) |
Artsiom Parakhouski | C-F | Radford | Big South | 2008-09 & 2009-10 | Southern Idaho |
Sonny Parker | G-F | Texas A&M | SWC | 1974-75 and 1975-76 | Mineral Area (MO) |
Ricky Pierce | F | Rice | SWC | 1981-82 | Walla Walla (WA) |
Chris Porter | F | Auburn | Southeastern | 1998-99 | Chipola (FL) |
Isaiah "J.R." Rider | F | UNLV | Big West | 1992-93 | Allen County (KS) & Antelope Valley (CA) |
Hector Romero | F | New Orleans | Sun Belt | 2001-02 | Independence (KS) |
Tom Sewell | G | Lamar | Southland | 1983-84 | Amarillo (TX) |
Curt Smith | G | Drake | Missouri Valley | 1992-93 | Compton (CA) |
Mike Smith | G-F | Louisiana-Monroe | Southland | 1999-00 | Bossier Parish (LA) |
Riley Smith | C-F | Idaho | Big Sky | 1989-90 | Odessa (TX) |
Taylor Smith | F | Stephen F. Austin | Southland | 2012-13 | McLennan (TX) |
Willie Smith | G | Missouri | Big Eight | 1975-76 | Seminole (OK) |
Adarrial Smylie | C-F | Southern | SWAC | 1998-99 & 1999-00 | Pearl River (MS) |
Omar Strong | G | Texas Southern | SWAC | 2012-13 | Cecil (MD) |
Ryan Stuart | F | Northeast Louisiana | Southland | 1991-92 & 1992-93 | Lon Morris (TX) |
Johnny Taylor | F | UT-Chattanooga | Southern | 1996-97 | Indian Hills (IA) |
Thomas Terrell | F-C | Georgia State | Atlantic Sun | 2001-02 | Copiah-Lincoln (MS) |
Martin Terry | G | Arkansas | SWC | 1972-73 | Hutchinson (KS) |
Charles Thomas | G | Northern Arizona | Big Sky | 1996-97 | Cuesta (CA) |
Joe Thompson | F | Sam Houston State | Southland | 2004-05 | Lee (TX) |
Marcus Thornton | G | Louisiana State | Southeastern | 2008-09 | Kilgore (TX) |
Jamaal Tinsley | G | Iowa State | Big 12 | 2000-01 | Mount San Jacinto (CA) |
George Trapp | F-C | Long Beach State | PCAA | 1969-70 & 1970-71 | Pasadena City (CA) |
Darrell Walker | G | Arkansas | SWC | 1982-83 | Westark (AR) |
David Wesley | G | Baylor | SWC | 1991-92 | Temple (TX) |
Gary Wilkinson | F | Utah State | WAC | 2008-09 | Salt Lake (UT) |
Isiah Williams | G | Utah Valley | Great West | 2010-11 | Eastern Utah |
Sam Williams | F | Iowa | Big Ten | 1967-68 | Burlington (IA) |
Tony Windless | F | Georgia Southern | Trans America | 1991-92 | Cowley County (KS) |
Ricky Woods | F | Southeastern Louisiana | Southland | 2005-06 | Paris (TX) |
Instant Success: Freshman Phenoms Can Live Up to Very High Expectations
Fresh men. As in fresh blood or brand spanking new. Comparable to an excess of one thousand male teenagers who attempt each season to survive in the dog-eat-dog world of major-college basketball less than one year after being a top dog at the high school level. For many of the yearlings, it is a risk-filled voyage where "rookies" are thrown in the Division I ocean and asked to sink or swim. Some of the can't-miss prospects become studs such as Duke center Jahlil Okafor and Ohio State guard D'Angelo Russell this year while others turn into duds. And some are somewhere inbetween such as North Carolina's Harrison Barnes, the first freshman ever named a preseason All-American by the AP.
Complicating the high-expectations transition are misguided rush-to-judgment comments from experts such as Dick Vitale who hype recruits beyond reason during their senior season in high school. According to the effervescent ESPN analyst, Delray Brooks (Indiana/Providence) was going to be the next Oscar Robertson, Tito Horford (Louisiana State/Miami FL) was going to be the next Hakeem Olajuwon, Jeff Lebo (North Carolina) was going to be the next Jerry West, ad nauseam. Brooks, Horford and Lebo went on to become fine college players, but the only historical basketball byproduct they had in common with the Big O, the Dream and Mr. Clutch was they played in the same half century.
Freshmen played varsity college basketball in wartime years during the 1940s and early '50s because of manpower shortages, and at earlier times when eligibility requirements were lax. But for the most part prior to the 1972-73 campaign, colleges fielded freshman teams requiring extra scholarships and operating expenses. Consequently, the introduction of freshman eligibility trimmed costs and, of course, gave eager coaches instant access to high school phenoms who are immediately placed under the glare of the spotlight to help keep elite programs on a pedestal or possibly give struggling teams a chance to climb the ladder of success.
Former Marquette coach Al McGuire coined the phrase: "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores." But a striking number of sudden impact freshmen combined sufficient physical maturity with quick adjustments to the speed and complexity of the college game. Where will Okafor rank among the all-time best freshmen? Celebrating the first 40 years of freshman eligibility, following is a ranking of the top 40 freshman seasons nationally including games improved by their school from the previous season:
Two Transfers Tagging Along With Coach Mihalich Fuel Hofstra's Program
Hofstra is showing signs of becoming a postseason participant after its top two scorers - Juan'ya Green and Ameen Tanksley - tagged along with coach Joe Mihalich when he moved from Niagara. Following is an alphabetical list of prominent players who transferred from one major college to another with the same head coach although he wasn't his father:
Player Pos. Head Coach First School Second School Mike Aaman F Dan Hurley Wagner Rhode Island 13 Brent Arrington G Sean Woods Mississippi Valley State 12 Morehead State 14 Pasha Bains G Larry Shyatt Wyoming 99 Clemson 00 Bill Brigham F Mike Jarvis Boston University 89-90 George Washington 92-93 Anthony Buford G Bob Huggins Akron 88-90 Cincinnati 92 Adrian Crawford G Steve Robinson Tulsa 97 Florida State 99-01 Greg Davis F Dave Bliss New Mexico 98-99 Baylor 01-02 *Nate Erdmann G Kelvin Sampson Washington State 94 Oklahoma 96-97 Josh Fisher G Lorenzo Romar Pepperdine Saint Louis 01-04 Prince Fowler G Billy Tubbs Oklahoma 95 Texas Christian 97-99 John David Gardner G Brad Brownell UNC Wilmington 05 Wright State 08-10 Juan'ya Green G Joe Mihalich Niagara 12-13 Hofstra 15 R.T. Guinn C Dave Bliss New Mexico 00 Baylor 02 Kevin Henry G Dave Bliss New Mexico 98-00 Baylor 02 Denard Holmes F Abe Lemons Texas 82 Oklahoma City 85 Gary Hooker F Ron Greene Mississippi State 76-78 Murray State 80 Shawn James C Ron Everhart Northeastern 05-06 Duquesne 08 LeDarion Jones F Larry Shyatt Clemson 96-97 Wyoming 99-00 Thomas Kilgore G Ben Braun Eastern Michigan California 98-99 Mark Lyons G Sean Miller Xavier 09 Arizona 13 Mike Mitchell F Boyd Grant Fresno State 86-88 Colorado State 90 Nic Moore G Tim Jankovich Illinois State 12 Southern Methodist 14 Anthony Pendleton G George Raveling Iowa Southern California 88-89 Scoonie Penn G Jim O'Brien Boston College 96-97 Ohio State 99-00 Merle Rousey G Hank Iba Colorado 34 Oklahoma A&M 36-37 Malik Smith G Richard Pitino Florida International 13 Minnesota 14 Ameen Tanksley G-F Joe Mihalich Niagara 12-13 Hofstra 15 Robert Vaden G-F Mike Davis Indiana 05-06 UAB 08 Ross Varner F Lorenzo Romar Pepperdine Saint Louis 02 Pax Whitehead G-F Jan van Breda Kolff Cornell 93 Vanderbilt 95-97 Sean Wightman F Bob Donewald Illinois State 89 Western Michigan 91-93 Jason Williams G Billy Donovan Marshall 95-96 Florida 98 Dedric Willoughby G Tim Floyd New Orleans 93-94 Iowa State 96-97 Jack Worthington G Abe Lemons Texas 82-83 Oklahoma City 85-86
*Erdmann played for a junior college between four-year school stints.
NOTES: Aaman committed to Wagner before choosing to enroll with Hurley at Rhode Island, Fisher signed with Pepperdine but never played there before choosing to follow Romar to SLU, Kilgore never played for EMU after transferring there from Central Michigan, Lyons was an academic partial qualifier in 2008-09 and Pendleton signed with Iowa but never played for the Hawkeyes because of scholastic shortcomings. . . . Mitchell played two seasons at Fresno State under Grant's successor (Ron Adams). . . . Varner went on an LDS Mormon mission for two years between stints at Pepperdine and Saint Louis.
Randy Johnson Tall Enough But Not Among Ex-College Hoopster Hall of Famers
The Baseball Hall of Fame is hallowed ground. Lefthanded pitcher Randy Johnson, among the four players elected to the Hall this year, was certainly tall enough but isn't among the versatile athletes who went from the basketball court to holding court by achieving stardom in baseball's HOF. The following individuals among the more than 300 MLB Hall of Famers were college hoopsters:
WALTER ALSTON, Miami (Ohio)
Managed the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for 23 seasons (1954 through 1976), winning seven National League pennants and three World Series. In eight All-Star Game assignments, Alston was the winning manager a record seven times. He struck out in his only major league at-bat with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936. . . . The 6-2, 195-pound Alston, a charter member of his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame, lettered in basketball in 1932-33, 1933-34 and 1934-35. He scored 10 of Miami's 15 points in a 32-15 defeat against Indiana in his senior season.
LOU BOUDREAU, Illinois
Infielder hit .295 in 15 seasons (1938 through 1952) with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Managed Indians, Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics and Chicago Cubs, starting his managerial career at the age of 24 in 1942. As player-manager in 1948, the shortstop led Cleveland to the A.L. title and earned MVP honors by hitting .355 with 116 RBI. He hit a modest .273 in the World Series. The seven-time All-Star led the A.L. with 45 doubles on three occasions (1941, 1944 and 1947) and paced the league in batting average in 1944 (.327). . . . Played two varsity basketball seasons for Illinois (1936-37 and 1937-38) under coach Doug Mills. As a sophomore, Boudreau led the Illini in scoring with an 8.7-point average as the team shared the Big Ten Conference title. Compiled an 8.8 average the next year. After helping the Illini upset St. John's in a game at Madison Square Garden, the New York Daily News described him as "positively brilliant" and said he "set up countless plays in breathtaking fashion." Averaged 8.2 points per game for Hammond (Ind.) in the National Basketball League in 1938-39.
ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER, Transylvania (Ky.)
Twice governor of Kentucky (1935-39 and 1955-59), U.S. senator (1939-45) and commissioner of baseball (1945-51). He oversaw the initial steps toward integration of the major leagues. Democrat embraced the "Dixiecrats" in the late 1940s. . . . Captain of Transylvania's basketball team as a senior in 1920-21.
GORDON "MICKEY" COCHRANE, Boston University
Hall of Famer hit .320 (highest career mark ever for a catcher) with the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit
Tigers in 13 seasons from 1925 through 1937. Swatted three homers in a single game as a rookie. Lefthanded swinger was A.L. MVP in 1928 and 1934. Led the A.L. in on-base percentage in 1933 (.459) and ranked among the league top nine in batting average five times (1927-30-31-33-35). Participated in five World Series (1929-30-31-34-35). . . . Five-sport athlete with BU, including basketball (class of '24).
EARLE COMBS, Eastern Kentucky
Hall of Fame outfielder hit .325 with the New York Yankees in 12 seasons from 1924 through 1935. Lefthanded swinger led the A.L. in hits with 231 in 1927 when he also paced the the league in singles and triples. Also led the A.L. in triples in 1928 and 1930. Assembled a 29-game hitting streak in 1931. Leadoff hitter and "table-setter" for the Yankees' potent "Murderer's Row" offense ranked among the A.L. top six in runs eight straight years when he became the first player in modern major league history to score at least 100 runs in his first eight full seasons. Posted a .350 batting average in four World Series (1926-27-28-32) before a pair of serious collisons shortened his productive career. Served as coach with the Yankees (1936-44), St. Louis Browns (1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-54) and Philadelphia Phillies (1955). . . . Captain of his alma mater's basketball squad for three years when EKU was known as Eastern State Normal.
LARRY DOBY, Virginia Union
Outfielder hit .283 with 253 home runs and 969 RBI in a 13-year career from 1947 through 1959 with the Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. The first black player in the American League twice led the A.L. in homers (32 in 1952 and 1954). He was the first African-American to lead a league in homers (1952 and 1954) and the first to participate in the World Series (1948). Hit 20 or more round-trippers eight consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1956 while finishing among the A.L. top nine in slugging percentage each year. The seven-time All-Star drove in 100 or more runs five times, leading the A.L. with 126 in 1954 when the Indians won 111 games before being swept by the New York Giants in the World Series. Appeared in 1948 and 1954 World Series with the Indians, winning Game 4 in '48 with a homer off Braves star Johnny Sain. Doby managed the White Sox for most of 1978 (37-50 record). . . . The 6-1, 180-pounder attended LIU on a basketball scholarship but transferred to Virginia Union prior to the start of the season after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Doby was told Virginia Union had a ROTC program and he could complete his freshman season before being drafted. He became eligible the second semester of the 1942-43 season and was a reserve guard on a team that won the CIAA title.
RICK FERRELL, Guilford (N.C.)
Catcher hit over .300 five times en route to a .281 career batting average with the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators in 18 years from 1929 through 1947. He set an A.L. record with 1,805 games behind the plate. Traded with his brother (pitcher Wes Ferrell) from Boston to Washington during the 1937 campaign. . . . The 5-10, 160-pounder was a basketball forward before graduating in 1928.
FRANKIE FRISCH, Fordham
Registered a run of 11 consecutive .300 seasons and set fielding records for chances and assists with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1927. As player-manager with the Cards, he instilled the rollicking all-out style of hardnosed play that prompted a team nickname of "The Gashouse Gang." His season strikeout total topped 20 only twice en route to a .316 average in his 19-year career, which also included a stint with the New York Giants. . . . According to his bio in Total Baseball, "The Fordham Flash" captained the Rams' basketball squad. In 1925, Frisch officiated the first-ever game played in the Rose Hill Gym (the oldest NCAA Division I facility in the nation).
BOB GIBSON, Creighton
Compiled a 251-174 pitching record with 3,117 strikeouts and 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons (1959 through 1975) with the St. Louis Cardinals. In 1968, he pitched 13 shutouts en route to a 1.12 ERA, the second-lowest since 1893 in 300 innings. Gibson notched a 7-2 mark and 1.89 ERA in nine games in the 1964, 1967 and 1968 World Series (92 strikeouts in 81 innings). He set a World Series record with 17 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers on October 2, 1968. . . . First Creighton player to average 20 points per game for his career (20.2). Led the school in scoring in 1955-56 (40th in the country with 22 ppg) and 1956-57 and was second-leading scorer in 1954-55 before playing one season with the Harlem Globetrotters. Sketch from school brochure: "Possesses outstanding jump shot and for height (6-1) is a terrific rebounder."
TONY GWYNN, San Diego State
Padres outfielder hit .338 in 20 seasons (1982 through 2001), winning eight N.L. batting titles--1984, 1987,
1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Played in 15th All-Star Game in 1999 before topping the 3,000-hit plateau later in the year. Holds N.L. record for most years leading league in singles (six). Won a Gold Glove five times (1986-87-89-90-91). He hit .368 in the 1984 N.L. Championship Series to help San Diego reach the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Also participated in the 1998 World Series against the New York Yankees. Became baseball coach at his alma mater after retiring from the major leagues. . . . Averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg in 107 games with the Aztecs in four seasons (1977-78 through 1980-81). The 5-11, 170-pound guard was named second-team All-Western Athletic Conference as both a junior and senior. Led the WAC in assists as both a sophomore and junior and was third as a senior. Paced San Diego State in steals each of his last three seasons. Selected in the 10th round of 1981 NBA draft by the San Diego Clippers.
MONTE IRVIN, Lincoln (Pa.)
Outfielder-first baseman hit .293 with 99 home runs and 443 RBI in eight major league years (1949 through 1956) with the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Irvin led the N.L. in RBI with 121 in 1951, the same year he led the World Series in hitting (.458 vs. crosstown Yankees) after collecting seven hits in the first two contests of the six-game set. He was a member of the Giants' squad that swept the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series. The 6-1, 195-pounder was one of the first black players signed after baseball's color line was broken in 1947. Among the brightest stars in the Negro Leagues, he registered league highs of .422 in 1940 and .396 in 1941 before spending three years in the Army. . . . His athletic career was nearly prematurely ended when an infection from a scratched hand in a basketball game kept him close to death for seven weeks. Irvin participated in basketball for 1 1/2 years in the late 1930s for Lincoln, an all-black university in Oxford, Pa., before dropping out of school.
SANDY KOUFAX, Cincinnati
Compiled a 165-87 record and 2.76 ERA in 12 seasons as a lefthanded pitcher with the Brooklyn (1955 through 1957) and Los Angeles (1958 through 1966) Dodgers. Led the N.L. in ERA in each of his last five seasons, going 25-5 in 1963 (MVP), 26-8 in 1965 and 27-9 in 1966 (Cy Young Award). Pitched four no-hitters and had 98 games with at least 20 strikeouts. Notched a 4-3 record and 0.95 ERA in eight World Series games in 1959, 1963 (MVP), 1965 (MVP) and 1966. . . . The Brooklyn native attended Cincinnati one year on a combination baseball/basketball scholarship before signing a pro baseball contract for a reported $20,000 bonus. He was the third-leading scorer with a 9.7-point average as a 6-2, 195-pound forward for the Bearcats' 12-2 freshman team in 1953-54. Koufax compiled a 3-1 pitching record in his lone college baseball campaign, averaging 14.3 strikeouts and 8.4 bases on balls per game when his statistics are converted to a nine-inning game ratio. Ed Jucker, coach of Cincinnati's NCAA titlists in 1961 and 1962, coached the Bearcats' baseball squad and freshman basketball team in 1953-54. Jucker said of Koufax's basketball ability: "He could jump extremely well, was a strong kid and a good driver. He would have made a fine varsity player. We certainly could have used him." If viewers pay attention to CBS acknowledging celebrities in the stands during telecasts with crowd shots, they've probably noticed that Koufax regularly attends the Final Four.
TED LYONS, Baylor
Spent his entire 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox (1923 through 1942 and 1946) after never playing in the minors. Managed the White Sox from 1946 through 1948. Three-time 20-game winner compiled a 260-230 record and 3.67 ERA in 594 games. He pitched a no-hitter against the Boston Red Sox in 1926. In 1939, Lyons hurled 42 consecutive innings without issuing a walk. . . . Earned four basketball letters with Baylor from 1919-20 through 1922-23. Consensus first-team selection on All-Southwest Conference squad as a sophomore and senior.
CHRISTY MATHEWSON, Bucknell
Often regarded as baseball's greatest pitcher, the righthander compiled a 372-188 record and 2.13 ERA with 79 shutouts for the New York Giants in 17 years from 1900 to 1916 before winning his lone start with Cincinnati in 1916. Led the N.L. in ERA five times (1905-08-09-11-13). Hall of Famer ranked among the N.L. top five in victories 12 years in a row from 1903 through 1914. Paced the N.L. in strikeouts on five occasions in a six-year span from 1903 through 1908. Won 30 games or more in three consecutive seasons, leading the Giants in their 1905 World Series victory over the Philadelphia Athletics by hurling three shutouts in six days. Also appeared in three straight World Series from 1911 through 1913. . . . The 6-2 Mathewson also played football and basketball at the turn of the 20th Century for Bucknell (class of '02).
CUM POSEY, Penn State/Duquesne
Founder and co-owner of the Homestead Greys professional baseball team that won eight consecutive National Negro League titles. . . . Posey was the first African American to complete in intercollegiate athletics for Penn State in 1910-11. He later attended Duquesne. A legend in Pittsburgh sports history was owner/player for the famed Leondi Club, an independent basketball team that was the National Negro Championship team for many years.
EPPA RIXEY JR., Virginia
Compiled a 266-251 record with 3.15 ERA in 21 seasons (1912 through 1917 and 1919 through 1933) with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds. He never played a minor league game and appeared in the 1915 World Series with the Phillies. Missed the 1918 campaign while serving overseas with an Army chemical-warfare division. Rixey won 19 or more games six years, including 1922 when he led the N.L. with 25 victories with the Reds. In his next to last season, he pitched a string of 27 consecutive scoreless innings at age 42. The N.L.'s winningest lefthanded pitcher until Warren Spahn broke his record was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. . . . The 6-5, 210-pound Rixey, who also played golf at Virginia, earned basketball letters in 1911-12 and 1913-14.
ROBIN ROBERTS, Michigan State
Compiled a 286-245 record in 19 seasons (1948 through 1966) with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs. He was a twenty-game winner for six consecutive seasons with the Phillies (1950 through 1955), leading the N.L. in victories the last four years in that span. The seven-time All-Star lost his only World Series start in 1950, 2-1, when the Yankees' Joe DiMaggio homered off him in the 10th inning. . . . Roberts played three seasons of basketball with the Spartans (1944-45 through 1946-47). He averaged 10.6 points per game as a freshman (team's third-leading scorer as he was eligible because of WWII), 9.8 as a sophomore (second-leading scorer) and 9.0 as a junior (second-leading scorer). The 6-0, 190-pound forward led the team in field-goal percentage as a junior captain. Sketch from MSU's guide: "Regarded by newsmen as one of the greatest players today in college basketball. A poll by Detroit Free Press named him the 'most valuable' collegiate player in Michigan. He is not especially fast, but he's extremely well-coordinated, passes exceptionally well, and is a beautiful one-hand shot artist."
JACKIE ROBINSON, UCLA
Infielder hit .311 with 137 homers as a regular on six N.L. pennant winners with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 10
seasons (1947 through 1956). After becoming Rookie of the Year in 1947, Robinson was named MVP in 1949 when he led the N.L. with a .342 batting average and 37 stolen bases. The six-time All-Star homered in the 1952 All-Star Game. He had two homers and seven doubles in World Series competition. . . . Football, basketball and track standout at Pasadena City College in 1937-38 and 1938-39. Named to All-Southern California Junior College Conference Western Division all-star basketball team both years, a span in which UCLA was winless in league competition. First athlete in UCLA history to letter in football, basketball, baseball and track. Forward compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons at UCLA (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 as an all-league second-team selection and 11.1 in 1940-41). In his last UCLA athletic contest, he accounted for more than half of the Bruins' output with 20 points in a 52-37 loss to Southern California.
DAVE WINFIELD, Minnesota
Outfielder hit .283 with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and 3,110 hits in 22 seasons (1973 through 1988 and 1990 through 1995) with the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Appeared in 12 All-Star Games after never playing in the minors. Participated in the World Series with the Yankees (1981) and Blue Jays (1992). . . . Played two seasons of varsity basketball as a 6-6, 220-pound forward with the Gophers, averaging 6.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg as a junior in 1971-72 and 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior in 1972-73. He played the entire game in Minnesota's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1972 under coach Bill Musselman. Selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the fifth round of the 1973 NBA draft and the Utah Stars in the sixth round of the 1973 ABA draft. Didn't play college football, but was chosen in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings. Excerpt from school guide: "Recruited out of intramural ranks to lend depth, became a starter and was a giant in the stretch drive. Amazing athlete leaps like a man catapulted. Soft touch from medium range."
Let's Make a Deal: Anderson Joins Brey With Security Into Next Decade
Mike Brey has come a long way in college basketball since commencing his playing career by averaging 5 points per game with Northwestern State (Natchitoches, La.) in 1977-78 and 1978-79 when the then NCAA Division I newcomer Demons compiled a 19-34 two-season record while losing to Louisiana College three times and East Texas Baptist once.
It might not duplicate the lifetime contract of Brey's former mentor, Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, or agreements for Rick Pitino with Louisville (through 2025-26) and Ben Jacobson with Northern Iowa, but his deal with Notre Dame through 2021-22 is among the longest defined coaching contracts. Only West Virginia's Bob Huggins, Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon, Akron's Keith Dambrot, Valparaiso's Bryce Drew and Virginia Commonwealth's Shaka Smart surpass them by one year.
The length of Brey's pact certainly can be justified if he eventually directs the Irish to its initial NCAA Tournament championship game, but he first needs to guide them to first Sweet 16 appearance since 2003. A shaky economy is not deterring universities from dishing out long-term agreements as Arkansas' Mike Anderson joined the following alphabetical list of coaches boasting contracts extending at least five additional seasons into the next decade:
Deans of Coaches: Only Three Leagues Boast Longest Tenure > 20 Seasons
"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Extensive coaching turnover and league realigning left Duke's Mike Krzyzewski as one of a mere three coaches to be in the same alliance more than the last 20 years. Coach K moved atop the dean-of-coaches list last season after Syracuse and Jim Boeheim switched to the Atlantic Coast Conference after 34 years in the Big East.
As league play shifts into gear, following are the longest-tenured active coaches in their present Division I conference (including 2014-15 campaign):
NOTE: Alexander's first 16 seasons in MEAC were with South Carolina State, Dambrot's first two seasons in MAC were with Central Michigan and Hinson's first nine seasons in MVC were with Missouri State.
Familiar Territory: Ernie Kent Returns to Pac-12 With Washington State
Former Oregon coach Ernie Kent returned to the Pac-12 Conference in a similar capacity at Washington State. After retirements and realignments, Kent joins the following alphabetical list of active coaches who were bench bosses of two different schools in the same DI conference:
Glory Days: Thornton On Pace to Break Longest-Running School Scoring Mark
If guard Marcus Thornton avoids injury and keeps averaging 19 points per game the remainder of his senior season, he will become William & Mary's all-time leading scorer just before the start of the 2015 CAA Tournament.
Thornton is on a pace to snap the longest-running career scoring mark for universities that have always competed at the NCAA Division I level. Chester "Chet" Giermak has been the Tribe's foremost point producer since finishing among the nation's top 13 scorers each of his final three seasons from 1947-48 through 1949-50. Following are the 10 longest-running individual career scoring records for schools classified as major colleges as early as the late 1940s (including years streak has remained intact):
All-Time Scoring Leader | Pos. | DI School | Years Intact | Points | College Career |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chester "Chet" Giermak | C | William & Mary | 64 | 2,032 | 1946-47 through 1949-50 |
Ernie Beck | F | Penn | 61 | 1,827 | 1950-51 through 1952-53 |
Frank Selvy | F | Furman | 60 | 2,538 | 1951-52 through 1953-54 |
Dick Ricketts | F-C | Duquesne | 59 | 1,963 | 1951-52 through 1954-55 |
Ed Conlin | C | Fordham | 59 | 1,886 | 1951-52 through 1954-55 |
Jesse Arnelle | C | Penn State | 59 | 2,138 | 1951-52 through 1954-55 |
Ned "Dickie" Hemric | F-C | Wake Forest | 59 | 2,587 | 1951-52 through 1954-55 |
Cleo Littleton | F | Wichita State | 59 | 2,164 | 1951-52 through 1954-55 |
Joe Holup | C | George Washington | 58 | 2,226 | 1952-53 through 1955-56 |
Phillip "Red" Murrell* | F | Drake | 56 | 1,657 | 1955-56 through 1957-58 |
*Murrell played one junior college season for Moberly (Mo.) Area in 1954-55.
Transfer Talent: Will Wiltjer Be Latest All-American After Switching Schools?
"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.
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 two seasons ago - Duke guard Seth Curry (Liberty) and KU center Jeff Withey (Arizona). If voters are paying attention, there could be an all-time high of transfer All-Americans this season as guards Sterling Gibbs (Texas to Seton Hall), Angel Rodriguez (Kansas State to Miami FL), Juwan Staten (Dayton to West Virginia) and Dez Wells (Xavier to Maryland) guided their respective schools to a Top 25 ranking.
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. After departing Kentucky, forward Kyle Wiltjer of Gonzaga, averaging 17 points in only 26 minutes per game, is a prime candidate to join 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.
Home Sweet Home: School-Record Homecourt Winning Streaks of > 30 Games
Did you know power-conference members Arizona State, Baylor, Butler, California, Clemson, Colorado, Creighton, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami FL, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oregon, Oregon State, Rutgers, Southern California, Stanford, Texas, TCU, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Washington State never have won as many as 30 consecutive home contests?
Which opponents broke school-record home-court winning streaks of at least 30 games? Oddly, more than half of the aforementioned power-league schools are in this category, including Texas on three occasions (ended school-record HC streaks for Arkansas, Kansas and Texas A&M). Following is an alphabetical list after Miami ended Florida's 33-game home-court winning streak earlier this season:
School | Record Streak | Date Started | Date Ended | Opponent Ending School-Record Streak | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 54 | 1929 | 1934 | Vanderbilt | 44-33 |
Arizona | 81 | 12-14-45 | 12-8-51 | Kansas State | 76-57 |
Arkansas | 32 | 1-17-76 | 1-12-79 | Texas | 66-63 |
Auburn | 36 | 1-26-57 | 1-7-61 | Mississippi State | 56-48 |
Austin Peay | 31 | 1-25-75 | 3-5-77 | Middle Tennessee State | 77-65 in OVC Tournament final |
Bradley | 46 | 1-23-58 | 2-6-61 | Drake | 86-76 |
Brigham Young | 53 | 11-26-05 | 1-3-09 | Wake Forest | 94-87 |
Charlotte | 60 | 2-28-74 | 12-5-77 | Appalachian State | 71-64 |
Cincinnati | 86 | 12-6-57 | 12-7-63 | Kansas | 51-47 |
College of Charleston | 38 | 1-9-95 | 12-28-97 | Rider | 65-58 |
Columbia | 34 | 1949 | 1-16-52 | Penn | 66-64 |
Connecticut | 31 | 2-21-05 | 1-10-07 | Marquette | 73-69 |
Coppin State | 42 | 12-19-92 | 1-15-97 | North Carolina A&T | 76-70 |
Dartmouth | 38 | 2-3-37 | 2-17-40 | Army | 44-36 |
Davidson | 57 | 2-12-62 | 12-11-72 | Furman | 93-86 |
Dayton | 30 | 3-8-08 | 1-26-10 | Rhode Island | 65-64 |
DePaul | 36 | 1-21-83 | 1-21-85 | Dayton | 67-63 |
Detroit | 39 | 1-28-99 | 2-10-02 | Wisconsin-Green Bay | 65-61 |
Duke | 46 | 1-13-97 | 2-9-00 | Maryland | 98-87 |
Florida | 33 | 11-11-12 | 11-17-14 | Miami FL | 69-67 |
Gonzaga | 50 | 11-21-03 | 2-12-07 | Santa Clara | 84-73 |
Houston | 59 | 1-13-64 | 12-21-68 | Illinois | 97-84 |
Idaho | 43 | 1-17-80 | 2-12-83 | Montana | 80-61 |
Illinois | 33 | 1-17-04 | 2-4-06 | Penn State | 66-65 |
Illinois State | 31 | 1-25-77 | 1-27-79 | DePaul | 87-69 |
Indiana | 35 | 11-23-73 | 12-6-76 | Kentucky | 66-51 |
Iowa State | 39 | 2-16-99 | 1-12-02 | Oklahoma State | 69-66 |
Jacksonville | 35 | 1-13-69 | 12-7-71 | Florida State | 90-83 |
Kansas | 69 | 2-7-07 | 1-22-11 | Texas | 74-63 |
Kentucky | 129 | 1-4-43 | 1-8-55 | Georgia Tech | 59-58 |
Lamar | 80 | 2-18-78 | 3-10-84 | Louisiana Tech | 68-65 in SLC Tournament |
Long Beach State | 75 | 11-20-68 | 12-4-74 | San Francisco | 94-84 in OT |
Louisiana State | 42 | 2-??-16 | 2-18-21 | Mississippi | 23-22 |
Louisiana Tech | 39 | 12-6-82 | 11-25-85 | Stephen F. Austin | 67-58 |
Loyola of Chicago | 41 | 2-25-61 | 12-31-64 | St. Louis | 90-57 |
Marquette | 81 | 12-17-66 | 1-13-73 | Notre Dame | 71-69 |
Massachusetts | 33 | 1-16-93 | 2-14-95 | George Washington | 80-78 |
Memphis | 47 | 1-4-06 | 2-22-08 | Tennessee | 66-62 |
Michigan State | 53 | 11-13-98 | 1-12-02 | Wisconsin | 64-63 |
Middle Tennessee State | 33 | 12-11-73 | 1-7-76 | UT Chattanooga | 83-72 |
Minnesota | 40 | 2-9-01 | 1-20-05 | Nebraska | 22-21 |
Mississippi State | 35 | 1-14-57 | 1-2-60 | Auburn | 64-48 |
Missouri | 34 | 3-3-88 | 12-8-90 | Arkansas | 95-82 |
Murray State | 47 | 11-23-96 | 1-15-00 | Southeast Missouri State | 84-78 |
New Mexico | 41 | 2-10-96 | 2-26-98 | Brigham Young | 83-62 |
New Mexico State | 34 | 12-16-68 | 12-1-71 | Angelo State TX | 77-71 |
New Orleans | 38 | 12-12-69 | 2-28-72 | Louisiana Tech | 80-73 |
Niagara | 51 | 1943 | 2-8-50 | Syracuse | 60-55 |
North Carolina A&T | 37 | 1985-86 | 11-30-88 | North Carolina Central | 66-54 |
North Carolina State | 38 | 2-19-72 | 2-1-75 | Maryland | 98-97 |
Notre Dame | 45 | 3-4-06 | 1-24-09 | Connecticut | 69-61 |
Ohio State | 50 | 12-1-59 | 12-11-63 | Davidson | 95-73 |
Oklahoma | 51 | 11-28-87 | 12-22-90 | Duke | 90-85 |
Oklahoma State | 49 | 1-9-36 | 12-21-40 | Southern California | 28-25 |
Oral Roberts | 52 | 2-17-69 | 2-10-73 | Marshall | 106-103 |
Pacific | 45 | 3-8-69 | 1-7-73 | Long Beach State | 91-85 |
Penn | 34 | 2-7-69 | 12-18-71 | Temple | 57-52 |
Penn State | 45 | 1-20-51 | 3-2-55 | Penn | 85-79 |
Pepperdine | 30 | 11-27-84 | 12-11-86 | Long Beach State | 86-77 |
Pittsburgh | 40 | 1-19-02 | 2-29-04 | Syracuse | 49-46 in OT |
Providence | 55 | 2-13-71 | 12-28-74 | St. John's | 91-79 |
Purdue | 30 | 12-22-67 | 2-28-70 | Iowa | 108-107 |
St. Bonaventure | 99 | 1948 | 2-25-61 | Niagara | 87-77 |
St. John's | 30 | 11-30-84 | 2-14-87 | Providence | 79-78 |
Saint Joseph's | 34 | 1956-57 | 12-16-66 | Fairfield | 82-68 |
Seton Hall | 46 | 1-10-51 | 1-1-54 | William & Mary | 57-55 |
Siena | 38 | 2-29-08 | 11-13-10 | Vermont | 80-76 |
South Carolina | 34 | 1-12-72 | 2-16-74 | Notre Dame | 72-68 |
Southern Illinois | 33 | 1-11-04 | 2-1-06 | Indiana State | 63-54 |
Southern Methodist | 44 | 2-??-54 | 3-1-58 | Texas A&M | 43-42 |
Stephen F. Austin | 34 | 2-18-12 | 11-18-14 | Northern Iowa | 79-77 in OT |
Syracuse | 57 | 3-5-76 | 2-13-80 | Georgetown | 52-50 |
Temple | 33 | 1-21-84 | 2-24-87 | West Virginia | 64-61 |
Tennessee | 37 | 11-10-06 | 1-7-09 | Gonzaga | 89-79 in OT |
Tennessee Tech | 33 | 12-2-00 | 1-4-03 | Morehead State | 72-70 |
Texas A&M | 30 | 1959 | 2-5-63 | Texas | 70-59 |
Texas-El Paso | 31 | 1-23-88 | 12-16-89 | Indiana | 69-66 |
Texas Tech | 35 | 2-9-94 | 1-11-97 | Colorado | 80-78 |
Tulane | 42 | 2-20-46 | 12-10-49 | Arkansas | 42-41 |
Tulsa | 36 | 2-23-80 | 12-7-82 | Oklahoma State | 93-75 |
UCLA | 98 | 12-4-70 | 2-21-76 | Oregon | 65-45 |
UNLV | 72 | 2-8-74 | 1-7-78 | New Mexico | 102-98 |
Utah | 54 | 1-4-97 | 12-9-00 | Weber State | 79-77 |
Utah State | 37 | 11-9-07 | 12-5-09 | Saint Mary's | 68-63 |
Villanova | 72 | 12-6-47 | 3-4-58 | Saint Francis PA | 70-64 |
Virginia | 34 | 2-6-80 | 1-15-83 | North Carolina | 101-95 |
Virginia Commonwealth | 33 | 12-18-76 | 2-10-78 | Virginia Tech | 71-63 |
Virginia Military | 35 | 2-5-76 | 1-17-79 | Appalachian State | 73-58 |
Washington | 32 | 1-29-04 | 12-31-05 | Arizona | 96-95 in 2OT |
Weber State | 44 | 2-8-63 | 2-11-67 | Idaho | 68-67 |
Western Kentucky | 67 | 2-5-49 | 1-10-55 | Xavier | 82-80 in OT |
West Virginia | 39 | 12-10-80 | 1-20-83 | St. Bonaventure | 64-63 |
Wisconsin | 38 | 12-7-02 | 1-25-05 | Illinois | 75-65 |
Xavier | 30 | 12-31-08 | 12-31-10 | Florida | 71-67 |
On This Date: January Calendar for Notable Games in College Hoops History
Louisiana State's Pete Maravich, the NCAA's career scoring leader, still holds the all-time single-game scoring mark by an individual opponent against eight universities (Alabama, Auburn, Duquesne, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tulane and Vanderbilt). Do you know who holds the mark for highest output against the Tigers? It was achieved this month by Ole Miss' Johnny Neumann, who fired in a school-record 63 points at LSU the season after Maravich's eligibility expired.
This month also features UCLA's single-game rebounding record and the mark wasn't established by Lew Alcindor or Bill Walton. Speaking of rebounding, existing single-game standards against a Division I opponent for Lamar and Oral Roberts were set in the same contest in 1972 and USC's single-game mark against a DI foe came from two different players on the same day 22 years apart. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in January college basketball history:
JANUARY
1 - Hank Luisetti (50 points vs. Duquesne at Cleveland in 1938) set Stanford's single-game scoring record. . . . Seton Hall's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by William & Mary (57-55 in 1954). . . . Penn opposed Yale in 1927 in debut game at the legendary Palestra in Philadelphia. . . . Bailey Howell (34 vs. Louisiana State in 1957) set Mississippi State's single-game rebounding record.
2 - Georgia State's Chris Collier (49 points vs. Butler in 1991), Quinnipiac's Rob Monroe (41 vs. Longwood in double overtime in 2005) and Wofford's Ian Chadwick (40 at Georgia Southern in 2001) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Mississippi State's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Auburn (64-48 in 1960). . . . Steve Hamilton (38 vs. Florida State in 1957) set Morehead State's single-game rebounding record.
3 - Jamal Barney (41 points at Canisius in 2009) set Division I single-game scoring record for Loyola (Md.). . . . Wake Forest snapped North Carolina State's school-record 36-game winning streak (83-78 in 1975). . . . Brigham Young's school-record 53-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wake Forest (94-87 in 2009). . . . DePaul's Ken Warzynski (28 vs. Harvard in 1970), Long Beach State's Michael Zeno (22 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1983) and Wisconsin's Paul Morrow (30 vs. Purdue in 1953) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
4 - Ball State's Chris Williams (48 points at Akron in overtime in 2003), Jacksonville State's Trenton Marshall (37 at Southeast Missouri State in 2010), Lamar's Mike James (52 vs. Louisiana College in 2011), Loyola Marymount's Bo Kimble (54 at St. Joseph's in 1990) and Texas-El Paso's Jim Barnes (51 vs. Western New Mexico in 1964) set school single-game scoring records. . . . In 2003, Butler's Darnell Archey established an NCAA Division I standard by converting his 74th of 85 consecutive free throws. . . . Illinois' school-record 31-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Iowa (60-59 in 1986). . . . Delaware's Jack Waddington (31 vs. Rutgers in 1956), Middle Tennessee State's Mike Milholland (32 vs. Austin Peay State in 1965), Nebraska's Bill Johnson (26 vs. Iowa State in 1954), Nevada's Pete Padgett (30 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1973) and Valparaiso's Chris Ensminger (24 vs. Northeastern Illinois in 1996) set school single-game rebounding records.
5 - Eastern Washington's Rodney Stuckey (45 points at Northern Arizona in 2006), Michigan State's Terry Furlow (50 vs. Iowa in 1976), Stephen F. Austin State's Scott Dimak (40 at Texas Southern in 1989) and West Virginia's Hot Rod Hundley (54 vs. Furman in 1957) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . In 1991, Loyola Marymount's 186-point output is the highest in NCAA history by a team in a single game and Kevin Bradshaw's 72-point outburst for U.S. International CA is the most ever for a player against a major-college opponent. . . . Fairfield's Darren Phillip (25 vs. Marist in 2000), Texas-San Antonio's Lennell Moore (25 vs. Centenary in 1987) and Tulane's Mel Payton (31 vs. Mississippi State in 1951) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
6 - Drexel's John Rankin (44 points vs. Rider in 1988), Pepperdine's William "Bird" Averitt (57 vs. Nevada-Reno in 1973) and Xavier's Steve Thomas (50 vs. Detroit in 1964) set school single-game scoring records. Averitt's output is also a West Coast Conference record in league competition. . . . Ernie Losch (41 vs. Utah State in 1973) set Tulane's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Bob Mortell (24 vs. Virginia Military in 1960) set Virginia's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
7 - UC Riverside's Rickey Porter (40 points at Pacific in 2006), Campbell's Clarence Grier (39 vs. Virginia Wesleyan in 1987), Michigan's Rudy Tomjanovich (48 vs. Indiana in overtime in 1969) and Southwest Texas State's Lynwood Wade (42 vs. Sam Houston State in double overtime in 1993) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Odell Johnson (40 vs. Pepperdine in 1956) set Saint Mary's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . North Carolina hit an NCAA-record 94.1% of its second-half field-goal attempts (16 of 17 vs. Virginia in 1978). . . . Niagara's Gary Bossert set an NCAA single-game record by hitting 11 consecutive three-point field-goal attempts against Siena in 1987. . . . Long Beach State ended UNLV's Big West Conference-record 40-game winning streak (101-94 in 1993), Pacific's school-record 45-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Long Beach State (91-85 in 1973), Tennessee's school-record 37-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Gonzaga (89-79 in overtime) and UNLV's school-record 72-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by New Mexico (102-98 in 1978). . . . Alex "Boo" Ellis (31 vs. Kent State in 1957) set Niagara's single-game rebounding record.
8 - Arizona State's Eddie House (61 points at California in double overtime in 2000) set the school and tied the Pac-12 Conference single-game scoring record. . . . Michael Hicks (47 points at Cal Poly in overtime in 2001) set Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's single-game scoring record. . . . Georgia Tech snapped Kentucky's NCAA-record 129-game homecourt winning streak and SEC-record 51-game winning streak in 1955. . . . Nelson Richardson (26 vs. Manhattan in 1977) set Siena's single-game rebounding record.
9 - Cincinnati sophomore Oscar Robertson (56 points) personally outscored Seton Hall in a 118-54 rout of the Pirates at Madison Square Garden in 1958. . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Mississippi State in 1956), Texas-Arlington's Albert Culton (24 vs. Northeastern in 1981), Villanova's Howard Porter (30 vs. St. Peter's in 1971) and Virginia Tech's Chris Smith (36 vs. Washington & Lee VA in 1959) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
10 - Connecticut's Bill Corley (51 points vs. New Hampshire in 1968), John Conforti of St. Francis NY (45 vs. Wagner in 1970), Washington's Bob Houbregs (49 vs. Idaho in 1953) and Winthrop's Melvin Branham (45 at Charleston Southern in 1994) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Navy's David Robinson (45 at James Madison in 1987) set CAA scoring record in league competition. . . . Saint Joseph's and Xavier combined to have an NCAA-record eight players foul out in 1976. . . . Connecticut's school-record 31-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Marquette (73-69 in 2007) and Western Kentucky's school-record 67-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Xavier (82-80 in overtime in 1955). . . . Ed Diddle made his Western Kentucky head coaching debut in 1923 with a 103-7 decision over the Adairville Independents en route to a school-record 759 victories. . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 500 victories the fastest with a 92-59 win over DePaul in 1955 (584 games in 23rd season). . . . Louisiana-Lafayette's Roy Ebron (28 vs. Northwestern State in 1972) and Vanderbilt's Clyde Lee (28 vs. Mississippi in 1966) set school single-game rebounding records.
11 - Don Scaife (43 points at Samford in 1975) set Arkansas State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Texas Tech's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Colorado (80-78 in 1997). . . . Alcorn State's Larry Smith (21 vs. Mississippi Valley State in 1979), UC Santa Barbara's Eric McArthur (28 vs. New Mexico State in 1990) and Dartmouth's Rudy LaRusso (32 vs. Columbia in 1958) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
12 - Bucknell's Al Leslie (45 points vs. American in 1980) set the East Coast Conference single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Olliver (50 at Portland State in 1980) set Lamar's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Iowa State's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Oklahoma State (69-66 in 2002) and Michigan State's school-record 53-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wisconsin (64-63 in 2002). . . . Monmouth's Karl Towns (23 vs. Morgan State in 1985) and Robert Morris' Mike Morton (20 vs. Baltimore in 1980) set school single-game rebounding records.
13 - Bowling Green's Jim Darrow (52 points vs. Toledo in overtime in 1960), Cal Poly's Shanta Cotright (43 vs. George Mason in 1996), Charleston Southern's Dwyane Jackson (43 at Virginia Military in 2007), Kentucky's Jodie Meeks (54 at Tennessee in 2009), Sacramento State's Loren Leath (41 at Northern Colorado in 2009), Southeastern Louisiana's Sam Bowie (39 at Central Florida in 1996), Southeast Missouri State's Daimon Gonner (37 at Tennessee State in double overtime in 2005) and UAB's Andy Kennedy (41 vs. Saint Louis in 1991) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Marquette's school-record 81-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Notre Dame (71-69 in 1973). . . . Doug Hess (27 vs. Marshall in 1971) set Toledo's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
14 - Syracuse's Bill Smith (47 points vs. Lafayette in 1971) and Virginia Commonwealth's Chris Cheeks (42 vs. Old Dominion in overtime in 1989) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Arizona's Damon Stoudamire (45 at Stanford in 1995) and Louisville's Butch Beard (41 at Bradley in 1967) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent.
15 - Coppin State's school-record 42-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by North Carolina A&T (76-70 in 1997), Murray State's school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Southeast Missouri State (84-78 in 2000) and Virginia's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by North Carolina (101-95 in 1983). . . . Bob Reiter (27 vs. Kansas State in 1955) set Missouri's single-game rebounding record.
16 - Columbia's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Penn (66-64 in 1952).
17 - New Mexico State's John Williamson (48 points at California in 1972) and UNC Wilmington's Brian Rowsom (39 at East Carolina in 1987) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Virginia Military's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Appalachian State (73-58 in 1979). . . . Steve Stiepler (22 vs. Charleston Southern in 1977) set James Madison's single-game rebounding record.
18 - Stan Mayhew (45 points vs. Utah State in 1977) set Weber State's single-game scoring record. . . . A weekly ritual began when the Associated Press announced results of its first weekly basketball poll in 1949 (SLU was initial #1). . . . Indiana State's Jim Cruse (25 vs. Drake in 1997) and North Texas' Ken Williams (29 vs. Lamar in 1978) set school single-game rebounding records.
19 - UC Davis' Corey Hawkins (40 points at Hawaii in 2013), Charleston Southern's Ben Hinson (43 vs. Edward Waters FL in 1985) and New Hampshire's Brad Cirino (39 at Maine in four overtimes in 1996) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Jim Ashmore (45 vs. Mississippi in 1957) set Mississippi State's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Notre Dame came from behind in the closing minutes to end visiting UCLA's NCAA-record 88-game winning streak in 1974. . . . George Mason's Andre Smith set an NCAA single-game record by sinking all 10 of his shots from beyond the three-point arc against James Madison in 2008. . . . Ron deVries (24 vs. Pacific in 1974) set Illinois State's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Chris Street, Iowa's top rebounder with 9.5 per game, died instantly in 1993 in a collision between the car he was driving and a county dumptruck/snowplow.
20 - Austin Peay's James "Fly" Williams (51 points vs. Tennessee Tech in 1973), Fordham's Ken Charles (46 vs. St. Peter's in 1973), Memphis State's Larry Finch (48 vs. St. Joseph's IN in 1973) and Oklahoma City's Gary Gray (55 at West Texas State in 1967) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Houston ended UCLA's 47-game winning streak (71-69 in Astrodome in 1968), Minnesota's school-record 40-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Nebraska (22-21 in 1905) and West Virginia's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by St. Bonaventure (64-63 in 1983). . . . Visiting Texas-El Paso snapped Memphis' NCAA-record 52-game winning streak in regular-season conference competition (C-USA/72-67 in 2010). . . . Cliff Robinson (28 vs. Portland State in 1978) and David Bluthenthal (28 vs. Arizona State in 2000) set and tied Southern California's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
21 - Howard's Ron Williamson (52 points vs. North Carolina A&T in 2003) and Saint Joseph's Jack Egan (47 at Gettysburg PA in 1961) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Kansas' school-record 69-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Texas (74-63 in 2011) and DePaul's school-record 36-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Dayton (67-63 in 1985). . . . Terry Rutherford (21 vs. Marshall in 1978) set Western Carolina's single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent.
22 - Lee Campbell (20 vs. Cleveland State in 1990) tied his own Missouri State single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent.
23 - Eastern Illinois' Jay Taylor (47 points vs. Chicago State in 1989), East Tennessee State's Mike Milholland (44 vs. Austin Peay in 1965), Nicholls State's Anatoly Bose (46 at Northwestern State in double overtime in 2010), South Florida's Dominique Jones (46 at Providence in overtime in 2010) and Tennessee State's Anthony Mason (44 at Eastern Kentucky in 1988) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Jacksonville's James Ray (45 vs. South Florida in 1980) set Sun Belt Conference single-game scoring record in league competition. . . . Northeastern's Steve Carney (23 vs. Hartford in 1988) and Ohio University's Howard Joliff (28 vs. Kent State in 1960) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
24 - Appalachian State's Stan Davis (56 points at Carson-Newman TN in 1974), Chattanooga's Oliver Morton (50 vs. Pikeville KY in 2001), IUPUI's Odell Bradley (41 vs. Oral Roberts in triple overtime in 2004), Loyola of New Orleans' Ty Marioneaux (53 vs. Virginia Commonwealth in 1970), Oakland's Travis Bader (47 vs. IUPUI in 2013) and Texas-Arlington's Steven Barber (43 at Texas-San Antonio in 2002) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . San Diego State's Ben Wardrop set an NCAA record for shortest playing time before being disqualified by fouling out in only 1:11 at Colorado State in 2004. . . . Notre Dame's school-record 45-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Connecticut (69-61 in 2009).
25 - Connell "C.J." Wilkerson (41 points at North Carolina A&T in 2011) set North Carolina Central's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Southern's Avery Johnson tied an NCAA single-game record with 22 assists against Texas Southern in 1988. . . . Brigham Young's school-record 44-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Utah (79-75 in 2003). . . . East Carolina's Erroyl Bing (24 vs. South Florida in 2003), Kansas State's David Hall (27 vs. Oklahoma in 1971), Lamar's Steve Wade (27 vs. Oral Roberts in 1972), Oral Roberts' Eddie Woods (30 vs. Lamar in 1972) and Seton Hall's Nick Werkman (32 vs. Boston College in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . The final 36 seconds of Ohio State's 50-44 win at Minnesota in 1972 were not played after a melee ensued following a flagrant foul on Buckeyes center Luke Witte as he attempted a layup. The Gophers, despite a pair of remainder-of-season suspensions, went on to capture the Big Ten Conference championship while OSU finished runner-up.
26 - Gonzaga's Frank Burgess (52 points vs. UC Davis in 1961) and Youngstown State's Tilman Bevely (55 vs. Tennessee Tech in 1987) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Bevely's output also tied Ohio Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Arizona and Northern Arizona combined for an NCAA-record 130 free-throw attempts in 1953. . . . Herb Neff (36 vs. Georgia Tech in 1952) set Tennessee's single-game rebounding record.
27 - Georgia Southern's Johnny Mills (44 points vs. Samford in 1973), Indiana's Jimmy Rayl (56 vs. Minnesota in 1962), James Madison's Steve Stiepler (51 vs. Robert Morris in 1979), UNC Greensboro's Trevis Simpson (41 vs. Chattanooga in 2013) and West Texas State's Simmie Hill (42 at Texas Western in 1968) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Visiting New Mexico State overcame a 28-0 deficit to defeat Bradley in 1977. . . . Perennial cellar dweller Northwestern upset Magic Johnson and NCAA champion-to-be Michigan State by 18 points in 1979. . . . Centenary's Robert Parish (33 vs. Southern Mississippi in 1973) and Florida's Neal Walk (31 vs. Alabama in 1968) set school single-game rebounding records.
28 - Syracuse's Sherman Douglas tied an NCAA single-game record with 22 assists against Providence in 1989. . . . Jim Loscutoff of Oregon (32 vs. Brigham Young in 1955), Maurice Stokes of Saint Francis PA (39 vs. John Carroll OH in 1955) and Willie Naulls of UCLA (28 vs. Arizona State in 1956) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Barney Cable (28 vs. Marquette in 1956) set Bradley's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
29 - Arkansas State's Jeff Clifton (43 points vs. Arkansas-Little Rock in 1994), Jacksonville's Ernie Fleming (59 vs. St. Peter's in 1972), Seton Hall's Nick Werkman (52 vs. Scranton PA in 1964), Utah Valley's Ryan Toolson (63 at Chicago State in quadruple overtime in 2009), Vermont's Eddie Benton (54 vs. Drexel in 1994) and Wagner's Terrance Bailey (49 vs. Brooklyn in triple overtime in 1986) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Benton's output is also an America East Conference record in league competition. . . . Columbia's Jacob "Jack" Molinas (31 vs. Brown in 1953), North Carolina State's Ronnie Shavlik (35 vs. Villanova in 1955) and Penn State's Jesse Arnelle (27 vs. Temple in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records.
30 - Maryland-Eastern Shore's Tee Trotter (42 points at Howard in overtime in 2003), Mississippi's Johnny Neumann (63 at Louisiana State in 1971), New Orleans' Ledell Eackles (45 at Florida International in 1988), Seattle's Elgin Baylor (60 vs. Portland in 1958), Tennessee Tech's Kevin Murphy (50 vs. SIU-Edwardsville in 2012) and Western Kentucky's Clem Haskins (55 vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1965) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Haskins' output is also an Ohio Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Rick Barry (51 vs. Oklahoma City in 1965) set Miami's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . William & Mary ended West Virginia's Southern Conference-record 44-game winning streak in 1960. . . . Detroit's Dave DeBusschere (39 vs. Central Michigan in 1960), UC Irvine's Kevin Magee (25 vs. Long Beach State in 1982), Miami's Rick Barry (29 vs. Oklahoma City in 1965) and Oklahoma State's Andy Hopson (27 vs. Missouri in 1973) set school single-game rebounding records.
31 - LSU's Pete Maravich, despite having 13 regular-season games remaining in 1970, passed Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson with 4:43 left against Mississippi to become the NCAA's career scoring leader. . . . Gerhard "Jerry" Varn (51 points vs. Piedmont GA in 1953) set The Citadel's single-game scoring record. . . . Holy Cross' Jim McCaffrey (46 vs. Iona in 1985) set MAAC scoring record in league competition. . . . Loyola Marymount outgunned U.S. International CA (181-150 in 1989) in the highest-scoring game in major-college history. . . . Manhattan's Bruce Seals established an NCAA single-game record with 27 three-point field-goal attempts (making nine vs. Canisius in 2000). . . . Canisius' Darren Fenn (22 vs. Manhattan in 2000), George Mason's Kenny Sanders (22 vs. American in 1989), Loyola Marymount's Hank Gathers (29 vs. U.S. International CA in 1989), Princeton's Carl Belz (29 vs. Rutgers in 1959) and St. Bonaventure's Bob Lanier (23 vs. Niagara in 1970) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
In Memoriam: RIP Look at 2014 Deceased Who Impacted College Basketball
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 2014 of a striking number of major-college basketball movers and shakers. The 2014 deceased list included All-Americans Marvin Barnes (Providence), A.W. Davis (Tennessee), Robin Freeman (Ohio State), Tom Gola (La Salle), Don Grate (Ohio State), Bob Houbregs (Washington), Lou Hudson (Minnesota), Wah Wah Jones (Kentucky), Ed Koffenberger (Duke), Billy McGill (Utah), George Munroe (Dartmouth), Eddie O'Brien (Seattle), Terry Rand (Marquette), Arnold Short (Oklahoma City) and Ernie Vandeweghe (Colgate). MLB Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn Sr. (San Diego State), two St. Joseph's players with last name of Carney and Tarzan (UCLA's Denny Miller) are among the following alphabetical list of deceased major-college basketball players and coaches who didn't drop the ball on the court at midnight or any other time:
- Bob Adams - All-league first-team selection in Mid-American Conference for Western Michigan each season from 1949-50 through 1951-52 while averaging 15.3 ppg. Adams, who led WMU in scoring in two of those years, was 86.
- John Adcock - Juco recruit averaged 9.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Alabama in 1961-62 after having his college career interrupted by four-year stint serving in U.S. Army. He was 80.
- Terry Akins - Averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1966-67 through 1968-69.
- Oscar Ammer - Member of 1957 NIT squad averaged 3.1 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Memphis State in 1958-59. He was 77.
- Richard "Karl" Anderson - Averaged 8 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Oregon State from 1958-59 through 1960-61 under coach Slats Gill. Anderson led the Beavers in rebounding as sophomore and junior before pacing them in scoring as senior. He was 75.
- Art Andreoli - Averaged 11.8 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Holy Cross from 1955-56 through 1957-58, averaging 18.1 ppg as a junior in 1956-57. He was 78.
- Brian Anselmino - Duquesne's leading rebounder as a junior and senior was 45 when another vehicle lost control, crossed the median and hit his car head-on. Anselmino averaged 7.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 1986-87 through 1989-90.
- L.V. Arnett - Player for Baylor in early 1940s was 92. U.S. Marine Corps veteran participated in Iwo Jima invasion.
- Larry Arrington - Member of Syracuse's 1975 national fourth-place team died at the age of 59 from cancer.
- Richard Atzen - Played for Missouri in 1972-73 and 1973-74 under coach Norm Stewart. He was 62.
- Ernie Austin - Averaged 13.6 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Syracuse from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Team leader in scoring with 19.3 ppg as senior was 67.
- Ted Bacalis - Served in U.S. military during WWII before becoming Old Dominion's captain in 1947-48 before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he averaged 5.9 ppg in 1948-49 and 1949-50. He was 90.
- Glenn Bahler - Averaged 5.4 ppg for Purdue from 1948-49 through 1950-51. Senior captain was 86.
- Dennis Bankey - Averaged 4.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Michigan from 1964-65 through 1966-67 under coach Dave Strack. As a sophomore, Bankey was a member of NCAA Tournament runner-up. Co-captain when starting every game his senior season was 69.
- Marvin Barnes - Providence All-American in 1973-74 when pacing the nation in rebounding died at 62 after succumbing to drug addiction again. NCAA runner-up in rebounding in 1972-73 when the Friars reached the Final Four.
- Hal Bartch - Player for Vanderbilt in 1967-68 and 1968-69 under coach Roy Skinner was 67.
- Bill Batey Sr. - Texas A&M's leading scorer with 10.4 ppg in 1947-48 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII was 90.
- Barry Behn - Averaged 3.8 ppg and 2 rpg for Brown from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Stanley Ward. Behn was 74.
- Hank Belber II - Averaged 10.1 ppg for Gettysburg PA from 1948-49 through 1950-51. He was 88.
- Tom Bender - Seven-footer averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg with Tulsa from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Played for Australia in 1972 Olympics. He was 69.
- Byron Bennett - Played hoops for Colorado in 1953-54. Football letterman as halfback in 1955 was 81.
- Kerry Benson - Walk-on letterman for Kentucky in 2007-08 under coach Billy Gillispie died at 24 when vehicle he was driving struck a utility pole upon reportedly hitting a patch of ice.
- Bill Berner - Player for Virginia in the late 1940s was 87.
- Johnnie Betts - Runner-up in scoring (8.7 ppg) and rebounding (9.3 rpg) for Texas Christian in 1955-56 under coach Buster Brannon. Betts was 78.
- Don Biggs - Averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Florida State in 1965-66. He was 68.
- Dick Billings Jr. - Averaged 1.5 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Maine in 1964-65. He was 68.
- Bob "Bucky" Bockrath - Player for Dayton during second half of 1940s was 86.
- Bill Boedeker Jr. - Played with DePaul All-American George Mikan in the mid-1940s under coach Ray Meyer before serving in U.S. Army Infantry during WWII. Boedeker, who was 90, competed in five years of professional football from 1946 through 1950.
- Charlie Bollinger - Regular for Holy Cross' 1947 NCAA titlist and national third-place team the next year. High school hooper under legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi was 86.
- Kerry Bolton - Averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Kansas from 1962-63 through 1964-65. He was 70.
- Harold "Bob" Borah - Averaged 1.5 ppg for Louisville from 1947-48 through 1949-50 under coach Peck Hickman. Borah, who served in U.S. Navy during WWII, was 87.
- Tom Bornhorst - Averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Notre Dame from 1963-64 through 1965-66. He was 70.
- Costic "Ike" Borsavage - After serving in U.S. Army during WWII, three-year letterman was Temple's leading scorer as senior in 1949-50 with 16.6 ppg. He was 89.
- Dr. Fred Bosilevac Sr. - Played for Kansas in 1936-37 under coach Phog Allen. Bosilevac was 97. His son was a member of the Jayhawks in early 1970s.
- Ora Lee Boss - Collected a total of 73 points and 64 rebounds for Arkansas from 1957-58 through 1959-60. He was 75.
- Michael Bossard - Washington, D.C., native was a Kansas transfer who averaged 7.4 ppg for Louisiana Tech in 1971-72 and 1972-73 under eventual NBA coach Scotty Robertson in last two seasons before school moved up to major-college level.
- Joe Bossert - Averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Canisius from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He had a couple of sons play with Niagara.
- John "Jack" Boyd Jr. - Averaged 3.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Duke in 1957-58 and 1958-59 under coach Harold Bradley.
- Dick Brady - Averaged 7.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1952-53 and 1953-54. He was 81.
- Elmo Branch - Averaged 8.2 ppg for Mississippi State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was 83.
- Jim Brasco - Leading scorer for Howard Cann-coached NYU NIT team in 1951-52 (14.9 ppg) before becoming 17th pick in NBA draft was 83. Brasco averaged 14.3 ppg in three-year varsity career.
- John "Jerry" Breen - Averaged 2.1 ppg for Yale in 1947-48 and 1948-49. Member of 1948 CWS runner-up captained by George Bush was 87.
- Robert "Terry" Brennan - Averaged 2.2 ppg for Saint Francis (Pa.) from 1971-72 through 1973-74. He was 62.
- John Brodsky - Averaged 14.2 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Gonzaga in 1964-65 and 1965-66, leading the Big Sky Conference in free-throw accuracy both seasons. He was 70.
- Bill Brooks - Averaged 5.5 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Seton Hall from 1958-59 through 1960-61. Co-captain as senior was 77.
- Charlie Brown - First African-American player for Texas Western and 1957 Border Conference MVP was 83. Initial black player in Southern Confederacy led league in scoring as sophomore with 23.4 ppg.
- Jack Brown - Alabama hooper in late 1940s was 87. He was also a QB on Bama's football squad.
- John "Jack" Buick Jr. - Played for Saint Mary's second half of 1940s.
- Robert Bunnell - Averaged from 1.8 ppg to 4.7 rpg for Rutgers from 1938-39 through 1941-42 (DNP in 1940-41). He was 95.
- Charlie Butler - Notre Dame senior captain in 1942-43 before serving in U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during WWII. He was 94.
- Dr. Tony Byles - Averaged 1.9 ppg for Arkansas in 1947-48. He was 88.
- Rick Callahan - Averaged 6.4 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Denver from 1965-66 through 1967-68. He was 67.
- Tom Carline - Played for Denver in 1952-53. He was 81.
- Leif Carlson - Averaged 3.9 ppg for Michigan State in 1950-51 and 1951-52 in Pete Newell's first two seasons as coach of the Spartans. Carlson was 83.
- Dan Carmichael - All-EIBL first-team selection for Princeton in 1939-40 and 1940-41. He was 95.
- Ed Carney Sr. - Played for St. Joseph's in 1956-57 under coach Jack Ramsay. Carney was 79.
- John "Jack" Carney Sr. - Averaged 2.5 ppg for St. Joseph's in 1945-46 under coach Bill Ferguson. Carney was 89.
- Goethe "George" Chambers - Member of Indiana's NCAA titlist in 1953 was 80.
- David Chapman - Reserve for Houston in the mid-1970s under coach Guy Lewis was 63.
- Walter "Frank" Christopher - Averaged 1.5 ppg for Pittsburgh in 1950-51 under coach Doc Carlson. Christopher was 82.
- Dale Ciciora - Averaged 3.5 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Valparaiso in 1953-54. He was 79.
- John Cinicola Jr. - Duquesne coach for four seasons in the mid-1970s (52-56 record) was 85. He directed the Norm Nixon-led Dukes to the 1977 NCAA playoffs.
- Ken Morgan Clark - Juco recruit led Wyoming in rebounding average (9.2 rpg) in 1972-73. He was 63.
- Kenny Clark Jr. - Played for Penn in 1954-55. He was 78.
- Clint Clausen - Reserve forward who was member of coach Jerry Tarkanian's final UNLV squad in 1992 and remained with the Rebels another season when Rollie Massimino arrived died of a heart attack at 44. Clausen's father, Monte, played for Arizona in the early 1960s.
- Bob Clousson - Center for West Virginia's 1959 NCAA playoff runner-up as a teammate of All-American Jerry West died at 77 while in open-heart surgery. Clousson averaged 5.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Fred Schaus.
- Jim Colagreco - Played for Muhlenberg PA in 1951-52. He was 84.
- James "Chippy" Coleman - All-EIBL selection for Dartmouth in 1945-46 and 1946-47 after serving in U.S. Army Air Corps in Italy during WWII. He was 90.
- DeLyle Condie - Averaged 8.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Utah in 1954-55, 1957-58 and 1958-59 under coach Jack Gardner. Condie was an All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection as a senior after leading the Utes in scoring and rebounding the previous season. Participant in two NCAA tourneys was 79.
- Fred Congleton - Averaged 15.8 ppg as Rhode Island's runner-up in scoring all three seasons from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Three-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection was 84.
- Chad Cooke - College of Charleston walk-on guard in 2012-13 and 2013-14 was 20.
- David Copeland - Grambling State's leader with 3.2 apg as a sophomore in 2012-13 was 23.
- Fred Corpus - Averaged 13.3 ppg and 10.8 rpg for Western Michigan from 1953-54 through 1955-56. All-Mid-American Conference second-team selection as a senior. The Broncos' leader in rebounding the previous season was 80.
- William Cosgrove - Letterman for Xavier the second half of 1940s after serving in U.S. Army during WWII when he was a POW. Cosgrove was 89.
- Eric Crake - Averaged 7.4 ppg for Georgia Tech from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Standing a mere 5-10, he averaged 6.4 rpg as a senior. He was 83.
- John Crawford - Iowa State's first African-American player averaged 13.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Two-time All-Big Seven Conference selection was the Cyclones' rebounding leader all three seasons was 77.
- Charles "Billy" Crews - Averaged 4.4 ppg for Alabama from 1951-52 through 1954-55. He was 81.
- Dillard Crocker - U.S. Army veteran was slated to play for Western Michigan in 1948-49 but dropped out of college to turn professional. He was 89.
- Bobby Croft - All-SEC second-team selection as senior averaged 13.6 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Tennessee from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Leading rebounder last two seasons with the Volunteers was 68.
- Lloyd Crone - Member of Kansas State's first Final Four team in 1948 was 88.
- Hillard "Moose" Crum Jr. - All-Border Conference second-team selection in 1946-47 and 1948-49 for Arizona originally enrolled in college at Southern California before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. He was 91.
- Tom "Tex" Cummins - Player for St. Francis (N.Y.) in 1966-67 was 66.
- Chuck Currinder II - Played for St. Louis in 1953-54 under coach Eddie Hickey.
- Tom Dakich - Averaged 2.9 ppg for Idaho State in 1952-53 before transferring to Bowling Green State, where he averaged 5.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg in 1954-55 and 1955-56. Father of former DI player and coach Dan Dakich was 81.
- Hal Damiano - Averaged 7 ppg for Idaho from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was 77.
- John Dampier - Juco recruit averaged 18.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Miami (Fla.) in 1963-64 and 1964-65. Runner-up in scoring to All-American Rick Barry for 1964 NIT team was 73. Dampier had 18 field goals in a single game against Army.
- Al Dark - Louisiana State basketball letterman in 1942-43 before entering military service during WWII and becoming five-sport letterman with Southwestern Louisiana in 1943-44 was 92. He became a three-time MLB All-Star as a SS for 14 years with five different franchises before managing four different teams for 13 seasons.
- A.W. Davis - Tennessee All-American forward in 1964-65 was 71. Career averages for two-time All-SEC selection included 16.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg.
- Herbert Dean - Played for Syracuse in 1938-39 before serving as Captain in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was 96.
- Don Dee - Averaged 7.6 ppg and 7.2 rpg for St. Louis' NIT team in 1963 before transferring to St. Mary of the Plains KS. U.S. Olympian in 1968 was 71.
- Norman "Lee" DeFore Jr. - Averaged 19.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Auburn from 1963-64 through 1965-66, leading the Tigers in scoring all three seasons. Two-time All-SEC selection was 71. He was the first player in school history to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
- Matt Derenbecker - Forward who averaged 6.3 ppg and 2.2 rpg for LSU, Dayton and New Orleans in three seasons (2010-11, 2012-13 and 2013-14) died of suicide from gunshot wound to the head at 22. Battling bipolar disorder, Derenbecker was found in the swimming pool at a friend's residence where he was house sitting.
- John Dermody - Averaged 7.3 ppg for Purdue from 1950-51 through 1952-53.
- Bill Detrick - Central Connecticut State's all-time winningest coach (468-266 record) was 87. He was bench boss when CCSU made the transition to Division I status in 1986-87.
- Major General Paul Dettmer - Player for Air Force in 1974-75 was 59. He was Director of Intelligence at Headquarters in Europe immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the U.S.
- John "Jack" Devine - One of Villanova's all-time leading rebounders was 82. He averaged 11.2 ppg and 10.5 rpg in the early 1950s.
- Bruce "Nick" Dietterick Jr. - Played for Temple in early 1940s before serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Upon his return, he was Penn State's fourth-leading scorer in 1946-47 under coach John Lawther after tallying 27 points in his final game against Colgate. Dietterick was 92.
- Joe DiOrio - Averaged 1.5 ppg for Rutgers in 1945-46. He was 92.
- John "Jack" Dittmer - Scored 15 points in eight basketball games for Iowa in 1949-50. Lefthanded-swinging 2B who hit .232 with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves and Detroit Tigers in six years from 1952 through 1957 was 86.
- Jerome "Jed" Dommeyer - Averaged 13.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Minnesota from 1952-53 through 1956-57 under coach Ozzie Cowles (DNP in 1953-54 and 1954-55 while serving in U.S. military). Dommeyer led the Golden Gophers in scoring in 1955-56 before becoming 25th pick in NBA draft as an All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection. He was 81.
- William Donovan - Loyola Marymount's all-time winningest coach (107-101 record in eight seasons from 1953-54 through 1960-61) was 86. Donovan was the school's first player to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
- Dick Doughty - Averaged 4.1 ppg and 3.1 rpg for three California NCAA Tournament teams from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Pete Newell, winning national title as a junior. Doughty was 76. He traveled to Indonesia as a member of the initial group of Peace Corps volunteers.
- Pete Dow Jr. - Averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Utah in 1953-54 in Jack Gardner's first season as coach of the Utes. Dow was 81.
- BJ "Bill" Dunn - Player for New Mexico A&M in the early 1950s was 83.
- Charles DuVall - Played for Memphis State's 1971-72 team coached by Gene Bartow. DuVall was 63.
- Fran Dyson - Averaged 1.9 ppg for Holy Cross in the early 1950s. Lefthander, a first baseman on the 1952 College World Series titlist, was 85.
- Dave Eakins - Kentucky transfer averaged 5.7 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was 75.
- Chuck Eaton - Averaged 14.3 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Virginia Tech from 1950-51 through 1952-53. The Hokies' leader in scoring as a junior and senior was 82.
- Roy Ebron - Center who teamed with All-American guard Bo Lamar to give Southwestern Louisiana one of the nation's premier inside/outside combinations was 63. Ebron averaged 21.2 ppg and 13.2 rpg in 1971-72 and 1972-73 during a span when national POY Bill Walton averaged 20.8 ppg and 16.2 rpg for UCLA.
- Grant Edwards Jr. - Played for Northern Colorado in early 1950s, averaging 1.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 1952-53 when school was known as Colorado State College. He was 81.
- Fred W. Enke - Three-year All-Border Conference first-team selection under his father (Arizona coach Fred A. Enke) was co-captain as a senior swingman in 1947-48. After leading the nation his senior year in total offense, the younger Enke passed for 4,169 yards and 31 touchdowns in seven NFL seasons (1948 through 1954) with the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Colts. The younger Enke was 89.
- Johnny Ethridge - Averaged 6 ppg for Texas Christian from 1949-50 through 1951-52. All-SWC first-team selection and team MVP as a senior when averaging 10.3 ppg as the Horned Frogs participated in NCAA tourney for first time. He was 84.
- Bob Everett - Averaged 9.5 ppg for Maryland from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He was runner-up in rebounding with the Terrapins as a senior with 10.4 rpg. Everett was 81.
- Christian "Chris" Ferguson - Averaged 2.7 ppg for Michigan State in 1960-61 under coach Forddy Anderson before serving in U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam War. Ferguson was 73.
- Don Ferguson - Averaged 4.9 ppg for Iowa State from 1947-48 through 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. Three-year letterman in football led the Cyclones in interceptions in 1947 and passing in 1948. He was 86.
- Hal Dean Ferraro - North Carolina player averaging 1.6 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 was 85.
- Dr. Tom Fetherston - Played for Marquette in 1955-56. He was 77.
- George Fickeissen - Averaged 3.3 ppg and 2 rpg for Columbia from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
- Bill Findley - Averaged 9.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Fresno State in 1955-56. He was 79.
- Jim Finke - Played for Dayton in mid-1940s before serving in U.S. Army during WWII. Came back to compete with the Flyers in 1947-48. He was 92.
- George Fisher - Austin Peay State coach compiled 90-125 record in nine seasons from 1962-63 through 1970-71 when Governors made transition to NCAA DI level. He was 90.
- Jack Fitch - All-Southern Conference second-team selection for North Carolina in 1943-44. Fitch, a 12th-round choice as a back by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1947 NFL draft, was 90.
- Bill Flanders - Averaged 3 ppg for Stanford from 1953-54 through 1955-56. He was 80.
- Edward "Jay" Force - Averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.1 rpg for Georgetown from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was 73.
- G. "Bruce" Fossum - Player for Wisconsin in late 1940s was 86. His playing career was interrupted by short stint in the Naval Reserves. Coached Michigan State to its first Big Ten Conference golf title in 1969.
- Nate Fox - Two-time All-America East Conference selection with Maine in 1998-99 and 1999-00 after transferring from Boston College was 37. He was fatally shot in his Chicago suburb driveway after getting home from work and getting out of his 2013 Jaguar XJ. Prosecutors claim he was ambushed by the CEO of an Internet company who stalked him with a pistol surreptitiously taken from relatives. The businessman was motivated by envy, mistakenly believing Fox was having an affair with an acquaintance.
- Ernest "E.W." Foy - Compiled a 52-26 coaching record with McNeese State from 1974-75 through 1976-77 as school made transition to NCAA Division I level. Bench boss for the Cowboys' first-ever Southland Conference crown in 1975 was 77.
- Frank "Fish" Frascella Jr. - Played for Villanova in 1942-43 and 1943-44 (as starter) under coach Alex Severance before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. Frascella subsequently averaged 8.4 ppg with St. John's in 1945-46 and 1946-47 under coach Joe Lapchick (runner-up in team scoring to All-American Harry Boykoff both seasons). Frascella was 92.
- Ron Fraser played for Dartmouth in 1956 NCAA Tournament.
- Robin Freeman - Ohio State All-American guard in 1954-55 and 1955-56 when he averaged more than 31 ppg both seasons (nine outings of at least 40 points). Three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was 80.
- Dr. John Froning - Averaged 1.1 ppg for Louisville in 1955-56 and 1957-58. He was 77.
- Bill Fry - Averaged 8.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Bucknell in 1961-62. He was 72.
- Joe Gallagher - Captained George Washington team that beat Duke for 1943 Southern Conference Tournament title before achieving rank of Captain in Marine Corps during WWII. Three-year letterman was 93.
- Ray "Gabby" Garcia - Averaged 7.6 ppg for Providence from 1948-49 through 1950-51. Senior tri-captain was 87.
- Bob Gaunt - Averaged 2.2 ppg for Ohio University from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Jim Snyder. As a senior, Gaunt was a member of the Bobcats' first NCAA playoff team.
- Lee "Al" Giles Jr. - Averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Seattle's NCAA playoff teams in 1954 and 1955 after serving in U.S. Navy during Korean Conflict. He was 84.
- Leslie "Curt" Gilstrap - Averaged 1 ppg and 1 rpg for Louisville in 1975-76 under coach Denny Crum before transferring to Oakland City IN. Gilstrap was 57.
- Raymond "Rip" Gish - Averaged 9.8 ppg for Western Kentucky from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Ed Diddle. Ohio Valley Conference's leading scorer and rebounder as a senior was 84.
- Alvis Glidewell - Averaged 4 ppg for Texas Western from 1953-54 through 1956-57. He was 78.
- Gerald Glur - Averaged 12.8 ppg and 14.7 rpg for Furman from 1960-61 through 1962-63, pacing the Paladins in rebounding all three seasons. Two-time All-Southern Conference selection who led league with 18.1 rpg as junior was 72.
- Andy Gobczynski - Center who averaged 3 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Eastern Illinois from 2001-02 through 2004-05 was 33.
- Tom Gola - Three-time All-American for La Salle, named national player of the year by UPI in 1955, was 81. Gola boasts the highest total of points and rebounds in major-college history (4,663).
- Al Gosnell - Averaged 5.2 ppg and more than 4 rpg with Illinois from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Harry Combes. Gosnell was 76.
- Bob Gottlieb - Compiled a 97-91 coaching record in seven seasons (35-21 mark with Jacksonville in 1973-74 and 1974-75 and 62-70 with Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 1975-76 through 1979-80). Father of former Notre Dame/Oklahoma State playmaker Doug Gottlieb was 74.
- Dr. Paul Gradoville - Averaged 7.7 ppg for Creighton in 1950-51 and 1951-52. He was 82.
- John "Jack" Graham - Player for Georgetown in 1946-47 was 86.
- Harold "Hal" Grant - Averaged 13.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg for Northwestern from 1951-52 through 1954-55. The Wildcats' leader in rebounding as a senior with 10.7 rpg was 81.
- Don Grate - NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 1944 and 1945 when placing among Ohio State's top two scorers both seasons for Final Four teams. Pitched briefly with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945 and 1946. He was 91.
- John Green - Averaged 5.8 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Toledo from 1980-81 through 1983-84 under coach Bob Nichols. Runner-up in scoring average as a junior for the Rockets with 12.7 ppg was 52.
- Leland "Lee" Green - Averaged 2.1 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Kansas from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Teammate of All-American Wilt Chamberlain with 1957 NCAA Tournament runner-up was 78.
- Dick Greene - Played for St. Louis in 1945-46 before transferring to Quincy College IL. He was 87.
- Jim Greer - Averaged 3.2 ppg and 2 rpg for Washington in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Tippy Dye before transferring to Western Washington. Greer was 76.
- Tom Gribben - Backup sophomore swingman for Houston's 1968 national fourth-place team died at 65 after a long battle with ALS. He averaged 7 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 2.9 apg through 1969-70 under coach Guy Lewis.
- Bob Groom - Averaged 7.2 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Hardin-Simmons from 1956-57 through 1958-59. Participant in NCAA playoffs as a sophomore was 76.
- Joe Gross - Played for Richmond in 1958-59. He was 77.
- Enrico "Henry" Gualtieri - Player for Michigan in 1956-57 and 1957-58 was 78.
- Tony Gwynn Sr. - Two-time All-WAC second-team selection averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg for San Diego State from 1977-78 through 1980-81. Distributed school-record 18 assists vs. UNLV en route to leading the league in scoring feeds as sophomore and junior before finishing third as senior. Paced the Aztecs in steals each of his last three seasons. Hall of Fame outfielder with the Padres who won eight N.L. batting titles was 54.
- Jerry Hale - Compiled a 61-21 coaching record for Oral Roberts in three seasons from 1974-75 through 1976-77 after averaging 7.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg with Oklahoma A&M under coach Hank Iba. Father of North Carolina guard Steve Hale was 78.
- Christopher Hall - Averaged 7.3 ppg for Xavier from 1967-68 through 1969-70. He was 66.
- Lenny Hall - Florida State's first African-American player started 1966-67 season opener under first-year coach Hugh Durham, scoring two quick baskets and grabbing two rebounds in four minutes before tearing ligaments in his left knee. Hall died at the age of 70. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery, ending his college career.
- Pete Hall - Averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Rutgers in 1959-60. He was 73. Third baseman hit .238 as New York Yankees and Washington Senators farmhand from 1962 through 1964.
- Fred Hamby - Played for Georgia in the mid-1940s. He was 87.
- Jack Hammett - Player for Ohio State in 1943-44 before serving in U.S. Army during WWII. He was 87.
- Dr. Warren Hamula - Averaged 8.5 ppg for Baldwin-Wallace from 1947-48 through 1949-50. He was 86.
- Billy Hance - Oklahoma A&M player under coach Hank Iba in mid-1940s was 90.
- John "Jack" Hanley II - Member of San Francisco's NIT titlist in 1949 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII was 88.
- Elder Robert Harbertson - Led Utah State in scoring with 15.4 ppg in 1953-54. LSD leader was 82.
- Fred Hare Sr. - Leading scorer and rebounder for Nebraska as a sophomore in 1964-65 under coach Joe Cipriano. Hare, 69, hit game-winning shot in upset over top-ranked Michigan.
- Herb Hargett - Juco recruit averaged 14.7 ppg for Mississippi State as captain in 1949-50 and 1950-51. All-SEC second-team selection as a senior when leading league in free-throw shooting (80.7%) and finishing runner-up in scoring (18.8 ppg) was 85.
- Donald Harnett - Canisius' team-leading scorer in 1950-51 with 12 ppg was 85.
- Billy Harrell - Siena's first African-American player was 85. He led team in scoring in 1949-50 and 1951-52 and in rebounding in 1949-50 and 1950-51. MLB infielder hit .231 in 173 American League games with the Cleveland Indians (1955-57-58) and Boston Red Sox (1961).
- Mark Harris - Played for Marquette in the mid-1990s under coaches Kevin O'Neill and Mike Deane. Harris was 40.
- Rico Harris - Averaged 11.7 ppg and team-high 6.6 rpg for Cal State Northridge in 1998-99 under coach Bobby Braswell after failing to secure academic eligibility at Arizona State under coach Bill Frieder. Juco recruit was 37 when he went missing after traveling from California to Seattle.
- Don Hearden - Averaged 9.7 ppg and 2 rpg for Wisconsin from 1961-62 through 1963-64, finishing among the Badgers' top four scorers each season. He was 72.
- Carl Heath - Three-year starter for Arizona State from 1946-47 through 1948-49 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII was 89.
- Herm Hedderick - Averaged 11.1 ppg for Canisius from 1949-50 through 1951-52. The Griffs' leading scorer (16.5 ppg) and rebounder (school-record 15.4 rpg) as senior was 84.
- Robert Heinsohn - Player for Missouri's 1944 NCAA tourney team after serving in U.S. Army during WWII was 93.
- Kenny Heitz - Member of regular rotation for three straight UCLA national title teams with Lew Alcindor in the late 1960s passed away at 65 following a long battle with cancer.
- Don Helm - Played for Brigham Young in 1957-58 under coach Stan Watts before transferring to Nevada Southern (eventually became UNLV). He was 77.
- Larry Hendrix - Abilene Christian transfer averaged 5.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Oklahoma in 1980-81 and 1981-82 under coach Billy Tubbs. Hendrix, who was 55, scored 31 points in a game against Purdue.
- Fred Hess - Averaged 1.4 ppg for Temple in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Harry Litwack. Hess was 82.
- Harry Hess Jr. - Member of Creighton's 1942 NIT third-place team coached by Eddie Hickey before serving in U.S. Army Air Corps in Pacific Theater during WWII. Hess was 92.
- Bill Higlin - Averaged 8.7 ppg for Seattle in 1951-52. He was 85.
- M.D. "Butch" Hill - Played for Murray State in the mid-1960s. He was 70.
- Don Hilt - Three-time All-MAC selection (twice first-teamer) averaged 16.3 ppg and 10.2 rpg for Ohio University from 1962-63 through 1964-65. Led the Bobcats in rebounding all three seasons and paced them in scoring as senior. Two-year participant in NCAA playoffs was 72.
- Paul Hines - Averaged 6 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Texas-El Paso in 1960-61 and 1961-62. Juco recruit was 75.
- Bill Hogue - Averaged 2.4 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Tulsa in 1956-57 and 1957-58. U.S. Air Force veteran was 82.
- Sgt. Clinton J. Holtz - Center who averaged 11.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg as a George Washington freshman in 1988-89 before transferring to Niagara died at 44 when he collapsed from an aneurysm while on duty as a U.S. Capitol Police officer.
- William Holroyd - Four-year player for Niagara in 1940s under coach Taps Gallagher was 91. Holroyd's college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.
- Jim Horton - Averaged 3.6 ppg for Memphis State from 1960-61 through 1962-63. He was 72.
- Bob Houbregs - Unanimous first-team All-American in 1952-53 for Washington's Final Four squad was 82. He had career averages of 19.5 ppg and 10.7 rpg, ranking 31st in the nation in scoring as a junior and 6th as senior.
- Hasan Houston - Averaged 4.4 ppg and 3.1 apg for Kansas in 1976-77 and 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens before transferring to Bradley, where he averaged 8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.2 apg in 1979-80 and 1980-81 under coach Dick Versace. Houston, a St. Louis native, was 55.
- John Houston - Player for Tennessee in 1959-60 was 75.
- Dr. Raymond Howard - Montana's top rebounder each of his last two seasons was 64. He averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg from 1969-70 through 1971-72.
- Jim Howell - Averaged 1.7 ppg for Washington State from 1949-50 through 1951-52. He was 84.
- George Hromanik - Averaged 7.1 ppg for Pittsburgh from 1948-49 through 1950-51 before serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict. He was 84.
- Emil Hudak - Averaged 8.5 ppg for Dartmouth from 1947-48 through 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
- Lou Hudson - Two-time All-American forward who averaged 20.4 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Minnesota from 1963-64 through 1965-66 died at 69 after a major stroke put him in hospice care.
- Keith Hughes Sr. - Member of Syracuse's 1987 national runner-up before transferring to Rutgers and becoming 1991 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year was 45.
- Thomas "Milton" Hughes - Player for Furman in the late 1940s under coach Lyles Alley was 87.
- Greg Hummel - Backup center for UC Santa Barbara in 1977-78 was 58. Outdoor legend known to fellow trekkers as "Strider" walked the entire 2,650-mile length of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) starting at Mexican border in early April before stepping into Canada in early September in summer of 1977. He passed away from ALS.
- Thornton Humphries Jr. - Seattle's third-leading rebounder with 8.2 rpg for 1957 NIT team before helping All-American Elgin Baylor power school to NCAA Tournament runner-up finish in 1958. U.S. Air Force veteran was 82.
- Steve Inbusch - Averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Colgate in 1968-69 and 1969-70. He was 65.
- Bobby Jack - Averaged 15 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Oklahoma from 1969-70 through 1971-72. All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection as senior was 63. After appearing in College World Series, he hit .280 with 19 homers and 104 RBI as 1B in the Atlanta Braves' farm system for two years in 1972 and 1973.
- Tim Jansen - Averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Siena in 1976-77 when school returned to major-college status. He was 62.
- Robert "Cob" Jarvis - Averaged 19.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg for Mississippi from 1951-52 through 1953-54. Two-time All-SEC first-team selection was 81. He coached his alma mater to an 87-117 record in eight seasons from 1968-69 through 1975-76.
- Bob Jeangerard - Second-leading scorer and rebounder as senior for Colorado's 1955 NCAA Tournament national third-place team was 81. All-Big Seven Conference first-team selection as a senior averaged 11.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg during four-year career.
- Ivan Jefferson - One of Wisconsin's first two African-American hoopers averaged 6.3 ppg and 5.2 rpg in his only varsity season with the Badgers in 1958-59 before transferring to Southern Illinois near his hometown of Herrin. He was 74.
- Jim Jennings - Leading scorer and rebounder for Murray State each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64 averaged 19.3 ppg and 16.2 rpg. Three-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection was 73. Finished among the nation's top 17 in rebounding each year.
- Cole Johansen - Averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Iowa State in 1966-67 and 1967-68. He was 67.
- Don Johnson - Leading scorer and rebounder as junior for Oklahoma A&M's 1951 Final Four squad was 83. Two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection averaged 10.6 ppg in three seasons under coach Hank Iba.
- Marshall Johnson - Averaged 4.4 ppg for Rutgers in 1949-50 and 1950-51 (when team runner-up in rebounding with 9.3 rpg). U.S. Air Force veteran who served during Korean Conflict was 85.
- Ray Johnson - Averaged 7.4 ppg for Montana State from 1948-49 through 1950-51. U.S. Army veteran who served during Korean Conflict was 86.
- Bob Johnston - Dartmouth player in 1961-62 under coach Doggie Julian was 72.
- Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones - Three-time Kentucky All-American who was the third-leading scorer for back-to-back NCAA Tournament champions in 1948 (36-3 record) and 1949 (32-2) was 88.
- Wil Jones - Compiled a 34-52 coaching record with Norfolk State in three seasons from 1999-00 through 2001-02. He was 75.
- Charlie Jordan - Gonzaga's top rebounder in 1958-59 and 1959-60 when he averaged 13.4 rpg over both seasons. Jordan was 76.
- Charlie Karach - Played for Seattle's defending NCAA tourney runner-up in 1958-59. U.S. Army veteran was 75.
- Dave Kardokus - Averaged 11 ppg for Vanderbilt from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Bob Polk. The Commodores' scoring and rebounding leader as senior All-SEC second-team selection was 84.
- Bob Kauffman - Averaged 9.4 ppg for Lafayette in 1959-60. He was 73.
- Tim Kehoe - St. Peter's 6-1 guard who led the nation in field-goal percentage in 1964-65 (66%) was 70.
- Bob Kelly - First Manhattan player to crack 1,000-point plateau in his career played for the Jaspers in the late 1940s. Senior captain was 88.
- Bob Kenney - Second-leading scorer for Kansas' 1952 NCAA titlist was 83. He was an All-Big Seven Conference first-team selection that season under coach Phog Allen.
- Weldon Kern - Juco recruit among Oklahoma A&M's top three scorers for NCAA title teams in 1945 and 1946 under coach Hank Iba was 90. Kern was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection as junior.
- Lari Ketner - One of Massachusetts' top three scorers and rebounders from 1996-97 through 1998-99 was 37. Ketner, who died from colon cancer, averaged 12.2 ppg and 7 rpg during his three-year career.
- Tom Kezar - Played for Minnesota in early 1960s.
- Bernard "Barney" Kilcullen Jr. - Member of Bradley's 1954 NCAA Tournament runner-up was 82. He averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.4 rpg the first half of 1950s under coach Forddy Anderson.
- Fred Kimble - Member of Ohio State's squad in 1962-63 under coach Fred Taylor was 73.
- Paul "Pete" Kitch - Averaged 1.7 ppg for Princeton from 1961-62 through 1963-64, appearing in NCAA playoffs as a senior. Teammate of All-American Bill Bradley was 71.
- Dr. Ray Kleykamp II - Averaged 4.1 ppg for Western Kentucky from 1970-71 through 1972-73. As a sophomore, he was member of WKU's national third-place finisher in NCAA Tournament. Kleykamp was 63.
- Louis "Red" Klotz - Starter for Villanova in 1941-42 was 93. He formed the Washington Generals, the Harlem Globetrotters' foil for many years.
- Bill Klucas, 72, compiled a 27-30 coaching record with Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973-74 and 1974-75 when the Panthers transitioned to major-college level for first time.
- Ed Koffenberger - Two-time All-American averaged 13.6 ppg for Duke in 1945-46 and 1946-47. All-Southern Conference second-team selection as sophomore in 1944-45 and first-team choice in 1945-46 was 88.
- Bill Kohn - Played for St. Louis in 1963-64 under coach John Benington before transferring back to state where he was born at Black Hills State College SD. Kohn was 69.
- Ken Koop - Colorado's third-leading rebounder with 6 rpg in 1951-52. He was 83.
- Charlie Kraak - Starting forward and leading rebounder for Indiana's 1953 NCAA Tournament titlist under coach Branch McCracken was 81. Army veteran worked on POW/MIA Task Force helping bring home captured U.S. military and civilian personnel from Vietnam.
- Jack Kraft - St. Joseph's letterman in early 1940s who compiled a 361-191 coaching record (.654) with Villanova and Rhode Island in 20 seasons from 1961-62 through 1980-81 was 93. National coach of the year in 1971 when he guided Nova to the NCAA tourney championship contest.
- Ralph Kreidel - Averaged 2.8 ppg and 3 rpg for Toledo from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was 71.
- Bob Kreilein - Averaged 4.3 ppg and 4 rpg for Mississippi from 1962-63 through 1964-65. He was 70.
- Bob Kriebel - Averaged 4.2 ppg and 3 rpg for Tulane from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He was 81.
- Joel Krog - Senior captain and All-SWC second-team selection for SMU's 1956 Doc Hayes-coached Final Four team was 79. Krog averaged 10.4 ppg in three-year career and was runner-up to Jim Krebs in rebounding as a senior (9.3 rpg).
- Lloyd Krone - Averaged 4.3 ppg for Kansas State from 1946-47 through 1949-50 under coach Jack Gardner. Participated in 1948 Final Four before becoming All-Big Seven Conference second-team selection as a senior. Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy in WWII and Korean Conflict was 88.
- Henry "Hank" Kuzma - Averaged 5.8 ppg for Duquesne from 1948-49 through 1950-51. Coach of Loyola (New Orleans) in 1958-59 was 86.
- Denny Labrum - Juco recruit averaged 2.5 ppg for Boise State in 1970-71. He was 63.
- Sam Lacey - Leading rebounder for New Mexico State's 1970 national third-place team was 65.
- Jim Lacy Jr. - First player in NCAA history to reach the 2,000-point plateau was 87. All-time leading scorer for Loyola (Md.) paced the country in scoring in 1946-47 with 20.8 ppg before finishing among the top 14 scorers with 17.5 ppg in both 1947-48 and 1948-49. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
- John "Jack" Lahey - Averaged 11.3 ppg for DePaul in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Ray Meyer. Lahey was 85.
- Roger Lanier - Averaged 3.6 ppg for Oklahoma City in 1970-71 and 1971-72 under coach Abe Lemons. Lanier was 63.
- Bob Lauriski - Averaged 16 ppg and 9.1 rpg for Utah State from 1970-71 through 1972-73. Led the Aggies in scoring as junior and finished among top two in rebounding all three seasons. Brother-in-law of former USU coach Rod Tueller - his high school mentor - was 63.
- Almer Lee - Arkansas' first African-American letterman was 63. The J.C. transfer was the Razorbacks' leading scorer in 1969-70 (17 ppg) and 1970-71 (19.2 ppg as All-SWC second-team selection).
- Bob Leisher - Hawaii transfer averaged 8.5 ppg for Penn State in 1955-56 and as senior captain in 1956-57 under coach John Egli. U.S. Navy veteran during Korean Conflict was 83.
- Leroy "Axle" Leslie Jr. - Senior captain averaged 13.5 ppg for Notre Dame from 1949-50 through 1951-52 before serving in Korean Conflict. Irish leader in scoring average each of his last two seasons was 84.
- Norb Lewinski - Averaged 11.2 ppg for Notre Dame from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Senior captain and runner-up in scoring for Fighting Irish's first NCAA tourney team was 84.
- William "Helm" Lillis - Averaged 2.3 ppg for St. Louis from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Eddie Hickey, playing with the Billikens' first NCAA tourney team as a sophomore before competing in NIT the next year. Lillis was 80.
- John Loftus - Played for Notre Dame in late 1940s after his career was interrupted while serving in U.S. Navy in the Pacific during WWII. He was 87.
- Ron Loneski - Teammate of Wilt Chamberlain for Kansas' 1957 NCAA title game team before becoming an All-Big Eight Conference choice the next two seasons was 77. Loneski averaged 14.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg during his KU career.
- Sam Long - Averaged 7.8 ppg for Iowa State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was 82.
- Glenn "Dean" Loucks - Played for Yale in 1956-57 under coach Joe Vancisin. Loucks was Yale's starting quarterback in 1956 and compiled a 14-14-1 football coaching record with Fordham in three seasons from 1972 through 1974. He was 79.
- Dale Lupton - Averaged 1.4 ppg for Georgia Tech in 1948-49. He was 86.
- George Mackaronis - Rutgers' scoring leader in 1945-46 with 15 ppg was 90. His career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during WWII including involvement in D-Day invasion.
- John Mackey - Collected 28 points and 28 rebounds in six games with Syracuse in 1960-61. NFL Hall of Fame tight end was 69.
- Bob Mader - Averaged 6.1 ppg for Wisconsin from 1947-48 through 1949-50. Senior captain was 85.
- George Manis - Averaged 3.2 ppg for Maryland from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was 85.
- Ted Martiniuk - Averaged 19.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 4.3 apg for St. Peter's from 1969-70 through 1971-72, finishing 10th in the nation in scoring as senior with 25.5 ppg. He was 63.
- Dr. Charlie Mason Jr. - Iowa's leader in points scored with 146 as a senior in 1948-49 was 86.
- Lew Massey - UNC Charlotte's runner-up in scoring and rebounding for 1977 national fourth-place squad was 57. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection averaged 19.4 ppg and 6.7 rpg from 1974-75 through 1977-78.
- Clif Mayne - Played for California in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coaches Nibs Price and Pete Newell. Winner of NCAA tennis doubles title in 1952 before finishing runner-up in 1953 was 80.
- Jack McCarthy - Averaged 7.7 ppg for Dayton from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Tom Blackburn. Leading scorer as senior with 14.6 ppg for NIT runner-up was 77.
- Wayne McClain - Averaged 1.1 ppg for Bradley in 1974-75. Father of Illinois player Sergio McClain (1997-98 through 2000-01) was 60.
- Bill "The Hill" McGill - Three-time All-American for Utah was 74. He averaged 27 ppg and 12.9 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Powered the Utes to the 1961 Final Four before pacing the nation in scoring the next season as a senior with 38.8 ppg.
- Jamel McGuire - Juco recruit played for Cal State Fullerton in 2009-10. He was 27 when shot to death in his apartment.
- Don McIntosh - Juco recruit averaged 7.4 ppg and 5.8 rpg for California from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Pete Newell. All-PCC first-team selection as senior when leading the Bears in scoring and rebounding. Player for back-to-back West Regional runners-up was 79.
- Bruce McKenna - Averaged 5.6 ppg for Yale in 1973-74 and 1975-76. He was 60.
- Donald "Kip" McLane Jr. - Averaged 12 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Duquesne from 1972-73 through 1974-75, finishing among the Dukes' top two rebounders all three seasons. Leading scorer and rebounder as senior was 61.
- Murvell McMurry - Played for Oral Roberts in 1969-70.
- Bob McNamara - Averaged 1.3 ppg for Minnesota in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Ozzie Cowles. Eventual CFL and AFL RB/DB was 82.
- Murray "Bud" Mendenhall Jr. - All-SWC first-team selection for Rice's league champion in 1945 before playing for Indiana in 1946-47 and 1947-48 under coach Branch McCracken. U.S. Navy veteran during WWII was 88.
- Leonard Meranus - Player for Rutgers in 1945-46 and 1946-47 was 86.
- Herbie Merritt - Averaged 13.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg for Tennessee Tech in mid-1950s. Team leader in scoring (18.8 ppg) and rebounding (12.7 rpg) in 1955-56 was 79. All-Ohio Valley Conference selection in 1957-58 when averaging team-high 13 rpg for the Golden Eagles' first NCAA playoff squad.
- Doug Meyer - Iowa State player in 1957-58 was 76.
- Denny Miller - Spent three years in the U.S. Army between averaging 4 ppg in 1953-54 and 7.4 ppg and 5.3 rpg in 1958-59 under UCLA coach John Wooden. Miller played lead in 1959 movie "Tarzan the Ape Man." He went on to play the role of Duke Shannon in "Wagon Train" and was featured prominently as the bearded fisherman donning yellow rain gear in a Gorton's Seafood commercial. Miller was 80.
- Dick Miller - Two-time All-MAC selection averaged 12.3 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Toledo from 1976-77 through 1979-80. Leader in rebounding all four seasons for the Rockets was 55.
- Eddie Miller - Averaged 11.7 ppg for Syracuse from 1949-50 through 1951-52, leading the Orange in scoring as a senior. Tenth pick overall in 1952 NBA draft after one territorial choice was 82.
- Lt. Col. Gordon Minner - Averaged 1.4 ppg for Louisville from 1965-66 through 1967-68. Participant in NCAA playoffs as a senior was 68.
- Charles "Cliff" Minx - Played for Missouri in 1943-44 before serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. He was 94.
- Gerald Mitchell Sr. - Starter for Minnesota in 1948-49 and 1951-52 under coach Ozzie Cowles. Mitchell, who was 84, had his college career interrupted by serving one year in the U.S. Army.
- Melvin Mochalski - Marquette letterman in 1945 was 87.
- Billy "Butch" Moffitt - Averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg for North Carolina State from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coaches Everett Case and Press Maravich, participating in NCAA tourney as a junior. Moffitt was 69.
- Ed "Britches" Montgomery - Averaged 10.8 ppg for Tennessee from 1947-48 through 1949-50. He was 88.
- Tony Morales - Averaged 1.6 ppg for Arizona from 1947-48 through 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII as radio man aboard troop transport ships operating in Asiatic-Pacific theatre. Hit .319 as 1B-OF in Organized Baseball at Class C level in three years from 1951 through 1954. He was 89.
- Jim Moran - Averaged 8.9 ppg for Niagara from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Taps Gallagher. Moran led nation in field-goal accuracy (53%) as a junior and finished runner-up in rebounding with the Purple Eagles as senior with 13.9 rpg. He was 85.
- Sam Morley - PCC leader in pass receptions as a Stanford senior before becoming 20th-round selection by Washington Redskins in 1954 NFL draft averaged 3.3 ppg and 1.7 rpg in seven basketball contests as junior in 1952-53. He was 81.
- Ray Moser - Juco recruit played for California in 1951-52 before serving in the U.S. Navy. He was 83.
- Henry Mosychuk - Averaged 8 ppg for Massachusetts in 1951-52 and 1952-53 (led team in FT%). UMass captain was 81.
- Thomas Motter - Averaged 1.1 ppg for Indiana from 1938-39 through 1940-41 in Branch McCracken's first three seasons as coach of the Hoosiers. Member of 1940 NCAA Tournament titlist was 96.
- Al Munn Jr. - Averaged 4.5 ppg for South Carolina in 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. He was 86.
- George Munroe - All-American who was Dartmouth's leading scorer for runner-up in 1942 NCAA Tournament was 92. He was an executive with Phelps Dodge Corp., a Fortune 500 company and the nation's leading copper producer.
- Cort Nagle - Averaged 4.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Georgia from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Nagle was runner-up in rebounding as a junior for the Bulldogs. He was 66.
- George Nattin Jr. - Two-time All-SEC selection averaged 14.4 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Louisiana State from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Member of first LSU team to defeat Kentucky was 74. He led the Tigers in scoring average all three seasons.
- Richard "T-Bone" Nielsen - Averaged 4.4 ppg for Weber State teams appearing in three straight NCAA playoffs from 1968 through 1970 under coaches Dick Motta and Phil Johnson.
- Bill Nigg - Averaged 4.1 ppg and 2 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was 72.
- Eddie O'Brien - Seattle All-American guard in 1952-53 when finishing his career with scoring average of 13 ppg was 83. Infielder-outfielder played five seasons (1953 and 1955 through 1958) with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting .236 in 231 games.
- John Ogburn - Played for Wake Forest in 1948-49. He was 85.
- Tony Olberding - Averaged 4.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg with Xavier from 1955-56 through 1957-58. Fourth-leading rebounder as senior for NIT champion was 77.
- Casey O'Neal - Averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Southern Utah in 1988-89 before transferring to BYU Hawaii. He was 46. O'Neal passed away as a result of complications following brain surgery to remove a tumor.
- Bob Ormsby - Southern California's scoring leader in 1940-41 and 1941-42 (team MVP and All-PCC selection). He was 93.
- Denny O'Shea - Member of Holy Cross' back-to-back Final Four teams in 1947 and 1948 was 88. He served under General Patton during WWII and survived the Battle of the Bulge.
- Joe Pangrazio Jr. - Averaged 7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.8 apg for Xavier in 1966-67 and 1967-68. Tennessee transfer was 72.
- Al Papesh Sr. - Player for DePaul in 1950-51 under coach Ray Meyer was 83.
- Edwin "Ted" Parke - Syracuse reserve in late 1950s was 77.
- Jim Paxson Sr. - Averaged 10.9 ppg and 7.6 rpg in three seasons for Dayton in mid-1950s including back-to-back NIT runners-up. Sons Jim Paxson Jr. (Dayton) and John Paxson (Notre Dame) became All-Americans and NBA draft first-round selections. Dad, the third pick overall in 1956 NBA draft following one territorial choice, was 81.
- Rich Peek - Seven-footer averaged 8 ppg and 7.5 rpg for Florida in 1963-64 under coach Norm Sloan before transferring to Louisiana Tech. Peek was 70.
- Percy Penn - Averaged 3.2 ppg for Southern Methodist in 1947-48. He was 87.
- Warren "Red" Perkins - All-SEC second-team selection for Tulane in 1946-47 and 1948-49 under coach Clifford Wells was 92.
- Dan Peters - Youngstown State's coach for six seasons from 1993-94 through 1998-99 (78-87 record) was 60.
- Dr. Alex Petersen Jr. - After serving in U.S. Army during WWII, he became a three-year Oregon State letterman who was second-leading scorer as senior for 1949 NCAA tourney fourth-place finisher. Petersen, who compiled an 8-14 football coaching record with Southern Oregon from 1952 through 1954, was 89.
- Ken Peterson - Averaged 2.2 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Murray State in 1959-60 and 1960-61. DePaul transfer was 76.
- Russ Peterson - Averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Brigham Young from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Stan Watts, appearing in the NCAA playoffs as a sophomore. Peterson was 78.
- Dale Phelps - Starting guard for Tennessee Tech's first NCAA tourney team in 1958 was 77.
- Jeff Piccone - Averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg for La Salle in 1969-70 under coach Tom Gola before playing briefly under Paul Westhead the next season. Piccone was 64.
- Robert Pietrucha - Averaged 1.5 ppg for Rutgers in 1962-63. Pietrucha was also a two-year baseball letterman with the Scarlet Knights as a pitcher. He was 72.
- Dr. Herb Poch - Four-year letterman for Columbia the second half of 1940s was 86. Participated in 1948 NCAA playoffs after serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
- Dr. George Porretta - Player for Michigan in 1947-48 was 85.
- Jimmy Powell - Averaged 14.8 ppg and 11.5 rpg for Denver in 1955-56 before transferring to Montana, where he averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.2 rpg in 1956-57 and 1957-58. All-Mountain States Conference second-team selection as a senior was 78.
- Jason Rabedeaux - UTEP coach for three seasons from 1999-00 through 2001-02 (46-46 record) died at 49 in Vietnam while coaching a professional team (Saigon Heat).
- Dr. Jack Ramsay - St. Joseph's coach who reached the Final Four in 1961, compiling a 234-72 record (.765) in 11 seasons with the Hawks from 1955-56 through 1965-66, was 89.
- Lynwood "Terry" Rand - Marquette All-American as a senior who averaged 17 ppg and 12.7 rpg from 1953-54 through 1955-56 was 79. He was 10th pick overall in NBA draft.
- Dick Razzetti - Averaged 1.2 ppg for Georgetown in 1957-58 and 1958-59. Known more for tennis prowess, he was 76.
- Doug Reedy - J.C. recruit averaged 6 ppg and 4.7 rpg for North Texas State in 1964-65 and 1965-66. He was 71.
- Fred Reinholdt - Member of Bradley's team in 1952-53 was 82.
- Phil Reynolds - Averaged 12 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Texas Christian from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Buster Brannon. Reynolds was an All-SWC second-team selection as a senior when leading the Horned Frogs in scoring with 18 ppg. Team captain as junior was 75.
- Gale Rhine - Averaged 6.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg for West Texas State in 1967-68 and 1968-69, appearing in NIT his final season. Brother of Rice's Kendall Rhine, a three-time All-SWC selection earlier in the 1960s, was 66.
- Lenny Rhodes - Letterman for Toledo from 1946-47 through 1949-50 was 87. He led the Rockets in scoring as a junior.
- Mike Rice - Pittsburgh's leading rebounder as a freshman in 1976-77 before becoming academically ineligible and transferring to San Francisco, where he averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg as teammate of Quintin Dailey in 1979-80. Rice, who finished his college career with Oregon Tech, was 56.
- Charlie Ries - Averaged 4.5 ppg for St. Louis from 1971-72 through 1973-74.
- Joseph "George" Rinaldi - Player for Loyola at New Orleans LA in 1955-56 was 78.
- Earl Robinson - Three-time All-PCC second-team selection who averaged at least 10 ppg each of three varsity campaigns under California coach Pete Newell from 1955-56 through 1957-58 was 77. Robinson, the Bears' first African-American varsity letterman, hit .268 in four seasons from 1958 to 1964 as an outfielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
- David Ross - Averaged 3.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg for Florida State in 1966-67 and 1967-68 in Hugh Durham's first two seasons as coach of the Seminoles. Ross was 68.
- Jim Russi - Averaged 11 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Santa Clara from 1957-58 through 1959-60. All-WCAC second-team selection, the game-high scorer with 20 points in 1960 NCAA tourney setback against eventual national runner-up California, was 76.
- Earl Sandstedt - Led Northern Colorado in scoring in 1952-53 with 10.7 ppg. He was 83.
- Glen Sanford - Averaged 4.2 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Utah from 1950-51 through 1952-53 in Vadal Peterson's last three seasons as coach. Sanford was 82.
- Mike Saylor - Backup player for Indiana State in early 1980s was 54.
- Andy Schafer - Averaged 2.4 ppg for Toledo in 1991-92. He was 42.
- Dale Schlueter - Averaged 6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Colorado State from 1964-65 through 1966-67. He was 68.
- Tom Schonauer - Averaged 3.4 ppg for Delaware from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was 73.
- Mort Schorr - Averaged 3.5 ppg for San Jose State's first NCAA playoff squad in 1951. He was 87.
- Albert Schwartz - Player for Texas in 1937-38 was 94.
- Marvin Scott - Player for Arizona in 1947-48 under coach Fred Enke was 85.
- Kenneth "Garland" Seigle - Player for Arizona in late 1930s under coach Fred Enke was 96.
- Ed Sheffey - Averaged 8.7 ppg and team-high 3.5 apg in 1996-97 as Allen Iverson's freshman replacement in Georgetown's starting backcourt for coach John Thompson Jr. Sheffey was 36.
- Hal Sherbeck - Averaged 7.9 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Montana in 1951-52 after serving in U.S. Air Force. He was 86.
- John "Jack" Sherry - Penn State senior captain for 1954 national third-place team was 81. Averaged 9.5 ppg in three-year career, finishing among the Nittany Lions' top three scorers each of his last two seasons. Led school's football squad with then school-record eight interceptions in 1952 and tied for team lead in pass receptions two years later.
- Arnold Short - Oklahoma City's first All-American in 1953-54 when finishing fourth in the nation in scoring (27.8 ppg as senior) died at 81. He led the country in free-throw accuracy as a sophomore (86.1%).
- Dick Shrider - Compiled a 126-96 coaching record with Miami of Ohio in nine seasons from 1957-58 through 1965-66, going to the NCAA playoffs in first and final campaign. Two-time All-MAC selection as Ohio University's leading scorer in 1946-47 and 1947-48 was 90. He played for Ohio State in 1942-43 before averaging 3.1 ppg with Michigan in 1943-44.
- Dave Shuck - Averaged 3.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg for West Virginia's three Southern Conference regular-season titlists from 1961 through 1963. Teammate of Rod Thorn and Gale Catlett was 74.
- John Shumate - All-Southern Conference second-team selection in 1942-43 for The Citadel before becoming officer with the 517th Parachute Infantry Regimental Combat Team during WWII. Shumate subsequently earned a letter with Maryland in 1946-47. He was 91.
- Cecil J. "Pete" Silas - Two-time All-SEC selection averaged 14.9 ppg for Georgia Tech from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Eventual Chairman and CEO of Phillips Petroleum Company was 82. He set school records at the time for points and rebounds in a single game (39 and 24 vs. Furman).
- Wilbert Skipper Jr. - Juco recruit averaged 14.3 ppg and 2.5 rpg for George Washington in 1980-81 and 1981-82. He was 54.
- Bob Slobodnik - Averaged 13.8 ppg and 13.1 rpg for Duquesne from 1958-59 through 1960-61. The Dukes' rebounding leader all three seasons was 75.
- David "Red" Smith - Averaged 3.5 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Mississippi from 1970-71 through 1972-73. He was 63.
- Carlene "Country" Solomon - Career with Mississippi State in the mid-1940s was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Senior captain in 1946-47 was 93.
- Rebel Roy Steiner Sr. - Three-year letterman for Alabama in the late 1940s. Two-year NFL defensive back with the Green Bay Packers was 87.
- Dave Strack Sr. - Michigan coach who compiled a 113-89 record (.559) in eight seasons from 1960-61 through 1967-68 was 90. After one campaign with Idaho (11-15 in 1959-60), he captured three consecutive Big Ten Conference crowns and guided the Cazzie Russell-led Wolverines to back-to-back Final Fours (1964 and 1965).
- Bob Strauss - Teammate of Duke All-American Dick Groat in 1950-51. Heir to Pep Boys national auto parts supply chain and husband of Zorro TV actress Eugenia Paul was 82.
- Gene Stump - Second DePaul player to eclipse the 1,000-point plateau (1,071 in mid-1940s under coach Ray Meyer). Senior captain in 1946-47 after scoring 15 points in 1945 NIT championship game victory against Bowling Green. Runner-up in team scoring twice behind All-American George Mikan was 89.
- Walter "Bud" Stumpf - Lettered with Marquette in 1939-40 before serving in U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He was 95.
- Bill Sturgill - Berea KY transfer who averaged 2.4 ppg in 1944-45 (NCAA playoff participant) and 1945-46 (NIT champion) under legendary Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp was 89.
- Steve Sullivan - Averaged 14.2 ppg and 9.3 rpg for Georgetown from 1964-65 through 1966-67, leading the Hoyas in scoring and rebounding each of his last two seasons. Team MVP as a senior and the 14th pick overall in 1967 NBA draft was 70.
- George "Swede" Sundstrom - Averaged 13.6 ppg and 17.1 rpg for Rutgers from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He was 80. Sundstrom finished 11th in the nation in rebounding as junior with 17.3 rpg and fourth as senior with 20.6 rpg.
- Fred Swartzberg - Played for North Carolina State in 1943-44 and North Carolina in 1947-48. He was 87.
- Les Sweitzer - Player for Georgetown in 1956-57 was 77.
- Dr. Jim Swink - Averaged 5.8 ppg for Texas Christian in 1955-56. He was 78. Unanimous All-American selection as a halfback in 1955 when leading nation's major-college players with an average of 8.2 yards per carry. College Football Hall of Famer finished second in Heisman Trophy voting while pacing nation in scoring with 125 points. Second-round choice by the Chicago Bears in 1957 NFL draft (25th pick overall) played in five games for the AFL's Dallas Texans in 1960.
- Alan Taylor - Two-time All-WAC center for Brigham Young was 55 when the Cougars' top rebounder his last three seasons died after a long battle with diabetes. He led the WAC in field-goal shooting as a sophomore in 1977-78 and rebounding as a senior in 1979-80.
- Mark Thompson - Averaged 4.1 ppg and 3 rpg for Florida from 1971-72 through 1973-74. Senior tri-captain was 63.
- Joe Tighe - Iona's leader in scoring, rebounding, field-goal shooting and free-throw shooting as a senior who averaged 6.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60 was 76.
- Bob Tobin - Averaged 3.3 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Santa Clara in 1968-69 and 1969-70 for two NCAA playoff teams. He was 65.
- Wilbur "Tree" Trosch - Averaged 18.6 ppg and 12 rpg for St. Francis (Pa.) from 1957-58 through 1959-60, leading the Red Flash in scoring all three seasons and rebounding his last two. Trosch was the 13th pick overall in 1960 NBA draft when Oscar Robertson and Jerry West went 1-2. He was 75.
- Frank Truitt - Press Maravich's predecessor at LSU compiled a 6-20 record in 1965-66 before returning to his home state of Ohio and posting a 74-121 mark with Kent State in eight seasons from 1966-67 through 1973-74. He was 89.
- Jack Turner - Averaged 10.7 ppg for Western Kentucky from 1948-49 through 1950-51 and 1953-54. All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as senior for an NIT participant. Eighth pick overall in 1954 NBA draft was 84.
- John Unger - Reserve for Syracuse in 1968-69, averaging 1.2 ppg, was 65.
- Charles Vachris - Reserve for Yale in 1959-60, collecting 16 points and 9 rebounds in 18 games, was 75.
- Paul Valenti - Oregon State player in early 1940s was 94. He coached his alma mater to a 91-82 record in seven seasons (half of 1959-60 and 1964-65 through 1969-70). The Beavers were West Regional runner-up in 1966.
- Al Vandeweghe - All-Southern Conference first-team selection for William & Mary in 1941-42 was 93. He played E with the AAFC's Buffalo Bisons in 1946.
- Ernie Vandeweghe - Colgate All-American as a senior in 1948-49 was 86. Two-time fifth-place finisher in nation in scoring with more than 20 ppg was the father of UCLA Academic All-American Kiki Vandeweghe.
- David VanWagenen - Averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg for Utah's 1959 NCAA tourney team coached by Jack Gardner. U.S. Army veteran was 76.
- Ray Vawter - Played briefly for Kansas State in 1949-50 under coach Jack Gardner. Vawter was 84.
- Nicholas Verbillo - Player for Connecticut in the early 1940s was 94.
- Paul "Lefty" Walther - Three-time All-SEC first-team selection for Tennessee during second half of 1940s was 87.
- Royce Waltman - Indiana State's coach for 10 seasons from 1997-98 through 2006-07 (134-164 record) was 72.
- Bob Warren - Forward who averaged 10 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1965-66 through 1967-68 was 68.
- Bob Wayand - Player for Duke in 1958-59 under coach Harold Bradley was 78.
- Jerry Lee Wells - Guard averaged 20.4 ppg and 6.2 rpg with Oklahoma City from 1963-64 through 1965-66 for three NCAA playoff teams under coach Abe Lemons. OCU's leading scorer his last two seasons (12th in nation as senior with 27.1 ppg) died at the age of 70.
- Bernard White - Georgetown's first African-American player in 1966-67 averaged 2 ppg while playing sparingly in three seasons. George Mason transfer was 67.
- Craig White - All-Patriot League second-team selection as a Lafayette senior in 1991-92 was 44. White averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg in his four-year college career.
- Rob Williams - Houston's leading scorer for 1982 Final Four squad passed away from congestive heart failure at 52 after suffering a stroke 15 years earlier that left him blind in his left eye and partially paralyzed on his left side.
- Shawn Wilson - Four-year participant for Virginia from 1990-91 through 1993-94 was 43.
- Irvin "Whiz" Wisniewski - Member of Michigan's 1947 undefeated football squad played hoops for the Wolverines in their inaugural NCAA Tournament in 1948. Averaged 1.6 ppg from 1947-48 through 1949-50. Compiled a 111-154 basketball coaching record with Delaware in 12 seasons from 1954-55 through 1965-66 during period when school made transition to NCAA DI level. He was 89.
- Ray Wolford Jr. - Three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection averaged 18.7 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Toledo from 1961-62 through 1963-64, leading the Rockets in rebounding all three seasons and in scoring each of final two years. He was 72.
- Eddie Woods - Oral Roberts' all-time leading rebounder averaged 12.8 rpg from 1970-71 through 1973-74.
- Clarence Yackey - Center who averaged 6.4 ppg for Bowling Green State in 1949-50 and 1953-54 was 85.
- Vin Yokabaskas - Three-time All-Yankee Conference first-team selection averaged 16.3 ppg with Connecticut from 1949-50 through 1951-52. He was 84.
- Rev. Robert Young - Two-year starter for Texas Christian in late 1940s was 87.
- Martin "George" Zaninovich - Averaged 4.6 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Stanford from 1950-51 through 1952-53. Senior captain was the team's third-leading scorer (8.3 ppg) and fourth-leading rebounder (6.2 rpg). He was 82.
- Thaddeus "Ted" Zimowicz - Letterman for Marquette in 1952-53 under coach Tex Winter was 83.
Holiday Wish List: College Hoops Christmas Gifts and Stocking Stuffers
Holiday festivities can go awry between Christmas and New Year's Eve. In ghosts of Christmas' past, just ask top-ranked Virginia, which lost at tiny Chaminade in 1982, and NCAA champion-to-be Michigan, which bowed to Alaska-Anchorage on a neutral court in 1988.
Amid the celebrations as Al Bore devotees finally shut up briefly about global warming when their vehicles don't start or they're stranded because of winter storms, a Christmas holiday week absolutely can not go by without the time-honored tradition of making a list and checking it twice. The wish list, a stocking stuffer focusing on the naughty and nice, doesn't change much from the previous month at Thanksgiving but does have a little different perspective. Some of them may fall in the Christmas Miracle category, but following is a healthy serving of food-for-thought wishes presented to college hoop observers:
Wish peace and comfort to family and friends of striking number of All-Americans who passed away this year - Marvin Barnes (Providence), A.W. Davis (Tennessee), Robin Freeman (Ohio State), Tom Gola (La Salle), Bob Houbregs (Washington), Lou Hudson (Minnesota), Wah Wah Jones (Kentucky), Billy McGill (Utah), George Munroe (Dartmouth), Eddie O'Brien (Seattle), Terry Rand (Marquette) and Ernie Vandeweghe (Colgate).
Wish deserving mid-major players earn All-American acclaim this season.
Wish Wisconsin's Bo Ryan and/or Florida's Billy Donovan would capture their first national coach of the year award.
Wish ex-college hoopsters continued success as prominent NFL tight ends.
Wish fans understand how good the Atlantic 10 Conference remains after numerous defections.
Wish special seasons for standout seniors because they didn't abandon college hoops early and give the sport at least some modicum of veteran leadership.
Wish the best for the Ivy League and Patriot League, which seem like the last bastions replete with textbook student-athletes. Five Ivy League institutions - Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard and Yale - can still hold their heads high despite each of them posting all-time losing records. The Ivy League deserves extra kudos for not conducting the money-grubbing gimmick otherwise known as a postseason conference tournament.
Wish proper acclaim for pristine playmakers who show again and again that "pass" is not a dirty four-letter word amid the obsession with individualistic one-on-one moves by self-absorbed one-and-done scholars.
Wish Gonzaga coach Mark Few, who has assembled a "mid-major" powerhouse, reaches his first Final Four.
Wish many highlights for entertaining little big men (players 5-10 or shorter) who inspire us with their self-confidence and mental toughness in the Land of the Giants.
Wish junior college players and foreigners could overcome perceptions in some misguided quarters that they are the rogues of recruiting.
Wish patience for the numerous promising first-year coaches assuming control of programs this season. They need to remember the fortitude exhibited by many of the biggest names in coaching who rebounded from embarrassing defeats in their first season as a head coach. An active luminary who lost multiple games to non-Division I colleges in his initial campaign before ascending to stardom as the all-time winningest coach is Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (lost to SUNY-Buffalo, Scranton and King's College in 1975-76 while coaching Army).
Wish Division I schools will soon find their bearings amid the chaotic restructuring of conferences forsaking tradition although the quest for mega-leagues could be delusional because they're vying for television revenue that might not exist.
Wish more accuracy for recruiting services incapable of discerning that Creighton's Doug McDermott, the unanimous national player of the year last season, should have been a Top 100 recruit coming out of high school in 2010. Ditto to announcers who infect the sport by spreading this virus without ever seeing any of the players enough to properly evaluate them.
Wish marquee coaches wouldn't serve up assistants as sacrificial lambs resembling Grinch when the heat of an investigation of their program intensifies.
Wish prominent programs would reduce, if not eliminate, academic exceptions. Of course, the quality of play will diminish by emphasizing textbook student-athletes but it's not as if half of the non-league games on TV aren't mismatches, anyway.
Wish wisdom for anyone who incessantly castigates the majority of undergraduates declaring early for the NBA draft. Before accepting the party line that many of the players are making monumental mistakes by forgoing their remaining college eligibility, remember that more than half of the NBA's All-Pro selections in the last quarter century or so left college early or never attended a university.
Wish a heart for any school not promptly granting a recruit seeking to enroll elsewhere a release from its letter-of-intent when he wants to attend another institution for legitimate reasons.
Wish jaws wired shut for "Me Generation" showmen who've failed to comprehend their respective teams don't benefit on the court from a trash-talking Harlem Globetrotter routine.
Wish self-absorbed players will finally see the light and spend less time getting tattoos and practicing macho dunks and more on team beneficial free throws. It all hinges on dedication. There is a reason they're supposed to be "free" throws instead of Shaq-like "foul" shots.
Wish high-profile coaches would show more allegiance rather than taking off for greener pastures despite having multiple years remaining on their contract. Also wish said pacts didn't include bonus for graduation ratio or GPA insofar as many coaches become Sgt. "I Know Nothing" Schultz whenever academic anemia issues surface.
Wish network analysts would refrain from serving as apologists for the coaching community. When their familiar spiels echo throughout hoopdom, they become nothing more than the big mouths that bore.
Wish marquee schools will vow to stop forsaking entertaining non-conference games with natural rivals while scheduling a half-dozen or more meaningless "rout-a-matics" at home. Aren't two or three gimmes enough?
Wish a generous dose of ethics to defrauding coaches who manipulate junior colleges and high schools into giving phony grades. Ditto coaches who steer prize high school prospects to third parties toying with standardized test results.
Wish authenticity for those "fatherly-advice" coaches who don't mandate that any player with pro potential take multiple financial literacy courses. Did they notice in recent years that products from Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse filed for bankruptcy after combining for more than half a billion dollars in salaries over their NBA careers? What kind of classes are taken in college anyway if a staggering 60% of NBA players file for bankruptcy five years after retirement? There's personal responsibility, but shouldn't the universities they attended feel some sort of culpability? And don't you wish most agents would become extinct if such a high percentage of pros end up with holes in their pockets?
Wish overzealous fans will stop flogging freshmen for not living up to their high school press clippings right away. The impatient onlookers need to get a grip on themselves.
Wish many of the excessive number of small schools thinking they can compete at the Division I level would return to DII or DIII. There are far too many examples of dreamy-eyed small schools that believe competing with the big boys will get them national recognition, make big bucks from the NCAA Tournament and put the institutions on the map. They don't know how unrealistic that goal is until most of the hyphenated and directional schools barnstorm the country during their non-conference schedules in college basketball versions of Bataan Death Marches.
Wish lapdog-lazy media would display more energy exhibiting enterprising analysis. Why do almost all of the principal college basketball websites "progressively" look and read virtually the same? It's a byproduct of predictably pathetic press needing a jolt of adversarial reporting.
Wish ESPN would cease giving forums to "experts" who either lie to NCAA investigators as a coach, drop their pants for locker-room motivation, get fired for intoxication, can't quite figure out that Dell Curry's sons could also be All-Americans or practice reprehensible race-baiting with the intellectually-bankrupt "Uncle Tom" bomb.
Chaminade Beat NCAA Playoff-Winning Team Three Consecutive Seasons
Today is the anniversary of a "David vs. Goliath" game hailed as one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history when national player of the year Ralph Sampson and Virginia got coal in their Christmas stocking by losing at Chaminade, 77-72, in Hawaii in 1982-83. The contest triggered one of the greatest achievements in small-college history as Chaminade went on to defeat an NCAA Division I school winning at least one NCAA playoff game in three consecutive campaigns. Following is a chronological list of victories by small schools over major universities going on to win at least one NCAA playoff game that season:
Small College NCAA Playoff Team (Record) Score Georgetown College (KY) Louisville (19-12 in 1958-59) 84-78 St. Mary's (TX) Houston (25-5 in 1969-70) 76-66 Chaminade (Hawaii) Virginia (29-5 in 1982-83) 77-72 Chaminade (Hawaii) Louisville (24-11 in 1983-84) 83-72 Chaminade (Hawaii) Southern Methodist (23-10 in 1984-85) 71-70 Alaska-Anchorage Michigan (30-7 in 1988-89) 70-66 UC Riverside Iowa (23-10 in 1988-89) 110-92 Alaska-Anchorage Wake Forest (21-12 in 1993-94) 70-68 American-Puerto Rico Arkansas (24-9 in 1997-98) 64-59 Bethel (IN) Valparaiso (23-10 in 1997-98) 85-75 Elizabeth City State (NC) Norfolk State (26-10 in 2011-12) 69-57
NOTES: Michigan '89 became NCAA champion and Louisville '59 reached the Final Four. . . . UC Riverside subsequently moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 2000-01.
Bowling for Hollers: Versatile Athletes Cheered on Gridiron and Hardwood
"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it." - George Bernard Shaw
Could a short ex-hoopster in college contribute in a big way in the first college football playoff? Oregon wideout/punt returner Johnathan Loyd, who caught a TD pass from Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota against Wyoming and returned a punt for 51 yards at Utah, is the winningest player in the Ducks' basketball history (97 victories). Loyd led them in assists last season when he supplied a game-high six scoring feeds in an NCAA tourney opening-round win against BYU and team-high five assists when they were eliminated by Wisconsin.
Loyd isn't the first such versatile athlete. South Carolina football wide receiver/basketball guard Bruce Ellington, after throwing a touchdown pass to the Gamecocks' quarterback on a reverse and catching a go-ahead TD pass in the second half of the Capital One Bowl against Wisconsin last year, is among the all-time Top 10 "Men For All Seasons." In an era of specialization, preliminary research reveals Ellington is the first major-college basketball regular to compete the same academic school year in three consecutive football bowl games. Living up to George Bernard Shaw's credo, he joined Terry Baker (Oregon State), Rick Casares (Florida), Ronald Curry (North Carolina), Charles Davis (Purdue), Pete "Bump" Elliott (Michigan), Fred Gibson (Georgia), Teyo Johnson (Stanford), Matt Jones (Arkansas), Terry Kirby (Virginia), Dave Logan (Colorado) and Tony "Zippy" Morocco (Georgia) as athletes who scored a touchdown in a bowl game shortly before or after switching uniforms and making significant contributions to the school's basketball squad. Ellington, after pacing USC in pass receptions, cut short both his college football and basketball career by declaring early for the NFL draft (started two of three early-season hoop contests).
In the ultimate one-and-only achievement, Baker is the lone football Heisman Trophy winner to play in the basketball Final Four (1963). Kirby, a running back, and Matt Blundin, a quarterback, were teammates who competed in back-to-back years for Virginia football squads in bowl games (Florida Citrus following 1989 season and Sugar following 1990) before becoming members of Cavaliers hoop teams participating in the NCAA playoffs.
A striking number of athletes did Loyd one better by playing both sports at the highest collegiate level in the same school year. Retiring from the NFL last season, all-time great tight end Tony Gonzalez (California) is among the following alphabetical list of versatile athletes since the end of World War II who played in at least one football bowl game the same school year they were a hoop regular (bowl year denotes when regular season was played):
Football-Basketball Player | College | FB Pos. | Bowl Game(s) | Two-Way Athlete Summary in Same Academic School Year |
---|---|---|---|---|
Doug Atkins | Tennessee | DE | 1950 Cotton | Eventual NFL first-round pick helped defeat Texas 20-14 before averaging 9.9 ppg for Volunteers' basketball squad. |
Terry Baker | Oregon State | QB | 1962 Liberty | MVP's 99-yard run from scrimmage accounted for only points in 6-0 victory against Villanova before becoming runner-up in scoring (13.4 ppg) with Beavers' NCAA Tournament fourth-place finisher. |
Connor Barwin | Cincinnati | TE | 2006 International | One solo tackle in 27-24 triumph against Western Michigan before averaging 1.2 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Bearcats' basketball team. |
Matt Blundin | Virginia | QB | 1989 Florida Citrus/1990 Sugar | Backup in two defeats (31-21 vs. Illinois and 23-22 vs. Tennessee) while averaging 3.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg with two NCAA playoff teams for Cavaliers. |
Larry Brown | Georgia | TE | 1997 Outback | Defeated Wisconsin 33-6 before averaging 6.3 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Bulldogs' NIT third-place team. |
Rick Casares | Florida | FB-PK | 1952 Gator | Rushed 21 times for 86 yards, scoring first TD in Gators' bowl history, and kicked both extra points in 14-13 nod over Tulsa before All-SEC second-team selection paced hoop squad in scoring (15.5 ppg) and rebounding (11.5 rpg). |
Ronald Curry | North Carolina | QB | 1998 Las Vegas | Curry's 48-yard TD scamper put Tar Heels in front to stay in 20-13 win over San Diego State before averaging 2.8 ppg and 1.7 apg for hoop squad upset in first round of NCAA playoiffs by Weber State. |
Charles Davis | Purdue | TE | 2004 Sun | His 6-yard TD reception from Kyle Orton put Boilermakers ahead with just over one minute remaining but Arizona State marched 80 yards in four plays to win 27-23 before Davis averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg in coach Gene Keady's swan song. |
Matt Davison | Nebraska | SE | 1999 Fiesta | Leading Husker receiver in three bowl games, including 31-21 nod over Tennessee, before starting two Big 12 Conference basketball contests. |
Rickey Dudley | Ohio State | TE | 1994 Florida Citrus | Caught two passes for 26 yards in 24-17 setback against Alabama before averaging team-high 7.5 rpg. |
Bruce Ellington | South Carolina | WR | 2011 Capital One/2012 Outback/2013 Capital One | Season-long 45-yard kickoff return in 30-13 win over Nebraska and caught game-winning TD pass with only seconds remaining in 33-28 victory against Michigan before averaging 10.5 ppg while finishing Gamecocks' leader in either assists or steals. |
Pete "Bump" Elliott | Michigan | B | 1947 Rose Bowl | Rushed seven times for 53 yards and caught 1-yard TD pass in 49-0 romp over Southern California before averaging 6 ppg for Wolverine hoopsters. |
Percy Ellsworth | Virginia | S | 1994 Independence | Integral part of defense leading nation in interceptions helped Cavaliers end four-game bowl losing streak with 20-10 verdict over TCU before appearing in all four contests with Midwest Regional runner-up in NCAA tourney. |
James Francis | Baylor | LB | 1986 Bluebonnet | Eventual NFL first-round pick helped Bears beat Colorado 21-9 before averaging 2.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg while shooting 52.2% from floor. |
Fred Gibson | Georgia | WR | 2001 Music City | Opened scoring with 15-yard TD reception but Boston College rallied to prevail 20-16 before Gibson averaged 4.9 ppg with Bulldogs' NCAA playoff team. |
Tony Gonzalez | California | TE | 1996 Aloha | Established Cal bowl record with nine receptions in 42-38 reversal against Navy before averaging 6.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg with Bears' squad losing against North Carolina in East Regional semifinals. |
Gregg Guenther | Southern California | TE | 2003 Rose | Part-time starter for national champion managed one reception for 19 yards from QB Matt Leinart in 28-14 win against Michigan before averaging 5.6 ppg and 4.7 rpg with Trojans' hoop squad. |
Ross Hales | Indiana | TE | 1993 Independence | Caught 34-yard pass in second quarter of 45-20 loss against Virginia Tech before making token appearance for Coach Bob Knight in Hoosiers' 67-58 win over Temple in NCAA playoffs. |
Cecil Hankins | Oklahoma A&M | B | 1945 Cotton | Two-way back and top pass receive for Aggies team that trounced TCU before playing forward and leading basketball squad in scoring in NCAA playoffs for 1945 national titlist. |
Joe Howard | Notre Dame | WR | 1983 Liberty | Caught one pass for 43 yards in 19-18 decision over Doug Flutie-led Boston College before averaging 5.5 ppg and 3.3 apg as part-time starter with Irish NIT runner-up. |
Teyo Johnson | Stanford | WR | 2001 Seattle | A 4-yard fourth-quarter TD reception closed gap prior to bowing against Georgia Tech 24-14 before averaging 5.8 ppg and 4 rpg with Cardinal NCAA playoff squad. |
Matt Jones | Arkansas | QB | 2003 Independence | Scored go-ahead TD, rushed 7 times for 74 yards and completed 6 of 14 passes in 27-14 verdict over Missouri before averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg as Hogs hoop freshman. |
Wallace "Wah Wah" Jones | Kentucky | SE | 1947 Great Lakes | Leader in pass receptions from QB George Blanda under legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant for squad beating Villanova 24-14. All-SEC first-team selection in basketball averaged 9.3 ppg for Adolph Rupp's 1948 NCAA titlist. |
Jeff King | Virginia Tech | TE | 2004 Sugar | Caught three passes for 12 yards in 16-13 setback against Auburn before collecting 18 points and 23 rebounds in 16 games as hoop freshman with Hokies. |
Terry Kirby | Virginia | RB | 1989 Florida Citrus/1990 Sugar | Rushed for 139 yards in 29 carries with one TD in losses against Illinois (31-21) and Tennessee (23-22) before averaging 2.8 ppg in two seasons with Cavaliers' hoops squad. |
Dave Logan | Colorado | WR | 1975 Bluebonnet | His 4-yard TD reception gave Buffaloes 14-0 lead prior to them succumbing against Texas 38-21 before becoming basketball team's runner-up in scoring (12.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). |
Leonard Mitchell | Houston | DE | 1978 Cotton | UH squandered 34-12 lead when Joe Montana-led Notre Dame scored 23 unanswered points in fourth quarter to win by one before Mitchell averaged 5.4 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Cougars' hoop squad. |
Tony "Zippy" Morocco | Georgia | HB | 1950 Presidential Cup | Scored two second-half touchdowns (30-yard run from scrimmage and 65-yard punt return) as Co-MVP in 40-20 setback against Texas A&M before averaging 9.7 ppg with Bulldogs' basketball team. |
Nate Robinson | Washington | CB | 2002 Sun | His QB sack helped Huskies get off to strong start before bowing against Purdue 34-24 prior to freshman pacing hoopsters in scoring (13 ppg). |
Reggie Rogers | Washington | DL | 1984 Orange | Eventual NFL first-round draft choice helped upend Oklahoma 28-17 before averaging 5.7 ppg and 3.9 rpg with Huskies' hoop squad. |
Bill Saul | Penn State | LB | 1959 Liberty | Defeated Alabama 7-0 before averaging 6.1 ppg and 4 rpg with Nittany Lions' hoopsters. |
Dick Schnittker | Ohio State | E | 1950 Rose | Rushed once for five yards in 17-14 victory against California before All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was game-high scorer in two 1950 NCAA playoff contests for Buckeyes. |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins | Washington | TE | 2011 Alamo | Caught five passes for 59 yards in highest-scoring regulation bowl game in history (67-56 loss to RGIII-led Baylor) before collecting seven points and nine rebounds in four NIT contests for Huskies' semifinalist. |
Dick Soergel | Oklahoma State | QB | 1958 Bluegrass | Completed 6 of 12 passes for 77 yards and 2-point conversion in 15-6 win against Florida State before averaging 8.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg for Pokes' basketball squad plus posting 8-1 pitching record and winning national championship baseball game. |
Wilson Thomas | Nebraska | WR | 2001 Rose | Huskers leading receiver caught three passes for 36 yards in 37-14 loss against Miami (Fla.) before averaging 4.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg. |
Willie Townsend | Notre Dame | WR | 1972 Orange | Irish's top pass catcher and teammates lost to Johnny Rodgers-led Nebraska 40-6 before averaging 2.1 ppg for Digger Phelps-coached hoop squad. |
Charlie Ward | Florida State | QB | 1992 Orange/1993 Orange | Completed 39-of-73 passes for 473 yards in back-to-back victories over Nebraska (27-14 and 18-16) while pacing FSU in assists and steals average his final two hoop campaigns. |
Ron Widby | Tennessee | P | 1965 Bluebonnet/1966 Gator | Nation's top punter for coach Doug Dickey's second of first two Vols football teams that both went to bowl games (wins over Tulsa 27-6 and Syracuse 18-12) while also being an All-SEC basketball selection (including 50-point outburst in final home game). |
Picture Perfect: Cards May Be Last Obstacle Keeping UK From Running Table
"We will either find a way or make one." - Hannibal, Carthaginian military commander
UCLA, in a stellar 10-year stretch from 1963-64 through 1972-73 ruling the scene much like Hannibal, accounted for four of only 12 squads to go undefeated since the start of national tournament postseason competition in the late 1930s. After Louisville failed to catch Kentucky with a post-Christmas hangover, the Wildcats could become #13 insofar as the SEC appears particularly mediocre.
UK was soundly whipped by undefeated LIU in 1938-39 before the Wildcats went unbeaten themselves 15 years later. The average number of defeats the previous year for the first 12 unbeaten teams was five. Thus the Wildcats will need to buck history because they dropped 11 games last season. The only time in major-college history that two undefeated major colleges met in a national postseason tournament was the 1939 NIT final between Loyola of Chicago and Long Island University. LIU (23-0) defeated Loyola (21-1), 44-32.
In a seven-year span, all-time greats Lew Alcindor (UCLA in 1966-67), Bill Walton (UCLA in 1971-72) and David Thompson (North Carolina State in 1972-73) weren't freshmen but they were in their first season of varsity eligibility when leading their unbeaten teams in scoring. Following are the schedules and team statistics for the 12 squads, including the last one to achieve the feat in 1975-76 (Indiana won five regular-season games by fewer than five points or in overtime), to go undefeated since the start of national tournament postseason competition:
Long Island (23-0 in 1938-39)
Coach: Clair Bee (eighth of 18 seasons with Blackbirds)
1938-39 LIU Opponents | Score | LIU's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Newark University (N.J.) | 64-14 | George Newman 14 |
Panzer College | 41-35 | Daniel Kaplowitz 15 |
Princeton/Seminary | 82-37 | John Bromberg/Irv Torgoff 10 |
McGill University (Quebec) | 77-39 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
Montclair Teachers College (N.J.) | 63-40 | Irv Torgoff 10 |
East Stroudsburg Teachers (Pa.) | 63-33 | John Bromberg 14 |
Southern California | 33-18 | Daniel Kaplowitz 12 |
Kentucky | 52-34 | John Bromberg 12 |
Marquette | 41-34 | Arthur Hillhouse 14 |
New York Athletic Club | 64-43 | Arthur Hillhouse 15 |
Toledo | 46-39 | Irv Torgoff 18 |
Geneva College (Pa.) | 48-39 | Irv Torgoff 15 |
Duquesne | 48-31 | John Bromberg 13 |
Scranton (Pa.) | 65-53 | Daniel Kaplowitz 16 |
Canisius | 62-50 | Myron Sewitch 15 |
St. Francis (N.Y.) | 61-20 | Ossie Schechtman 13 |
St. Bonaventure | 70-31 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
University of Baltimore | 52-34 | Daniel Kaplowitz 9 |
John Marshall College | 65-25 | Irv Torgoff 11 |
at La Salle | 28-21 | Daniel Kaplowitz 7 |
New Mexico State (NIT) | 52-45 | Irv Torgoff 14 |
Bradley (NIT) | 36-32 | John Bromberg 12 |
Loyola of Chicago (NIT) | 44-32 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
NOTES: La Salle game technically played on a neutral court (Philadelphia Convention Hall). . . . NIT games played at Madison Square Garden.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR LIU REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|
Irv Torgoff | F | Sr. | 23 | 9.5 |
Daniel Kaplowitz | F | Sr. | 23 | 8.1 |
*Arthur Hillhouse | C | Sr. | 12 | 7.1 |
John Bromberg | G | Sr. | 23 | 6.6 |
Oscar "Ossie" Schechtman | G | Soph. | 22 | 4.8 |
Seymour "Cy" Lobello | C | Soph. | 22 | 4.4 |
**Dolly King | C | Soph. | 10 | 4.0 |
Myron Sewitch | C | Sr. | 21 | 3.9 |
Solomon Schwartz | G | Soph. | 22 | 3.8 |
George Newman | G | Sr. | 23 | 3.5 |
Joseph Shelly | G | Soph. | 20 | 3.5 |
Irving Zeitlin | G | Soph. | 18 | 1.7 |
Maxwell Sharf | G-F | Soph. | 16 | 1.4 |
*Hillhouse completed eligibility at the end of the first semester.
**King became eligible at the start of the second semester.
Seton Hall (19-0 in 1939-40)
Coach: John "Honey" Russell (fourth of 18 seasons with Pirates)
1939-40 Seton Hall Opponents | Score | Pirates High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Alumni | 45-29 | Nick Parpan 12 |
Mount St. Mary's | 58-32 | Ed Sadowski 13 |
Tulane | 53-25 | Bob Davies 9 |
Florida | 43-41 | Bob Davies/Ed Sadowski 13 |
William & Mary | 51-35 | Ed Sadowski 17 |
at Scranton | 48-32 | Ed Sadowski 17 |
Becker | 69-29 | Ed Sadowski 14 |
at Kutztown (Pa.) | 42-34 | Ed Sadowski 15 |
Loyola (Md.) | 50-40 | Ed Sadowski 13 |
at St. Peter's | 55-27 | Bernie Coyle 13 |
at Brooklyn | 51-34 | Bob Fischer 13 |
Rider | 44-32 | Bob Davies/John Ruthenberg 8 |
St. Francis (Pa.) | 48-36 | Bob Davies 17 |
St. Bonaventure | 46-41 | Bob Davies 19 |
Kutztown (Pa.) | 53-33 | Bob Davies 15 |
Canisius | 52-46 | Bob Davies 17 |
Catholic (D.C.) | 53-27 | Edward Ryan 13 |
Brooklyn | 43-41 | Frank Delany 16 |
Scranton (Pa.) | 68-39 | Bob Davies 16 |
NOTE: Seton Hall played its home games at five different arenas - East Orange High School, Elizabeth Armory, Orange Armory, Orange High School and Dickinson High School (Jersey City).
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR SETON HALL REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ed Sadowski* | C | Sr. | 9 | 12.2 |
Bob Davies | F | Soph. | 18 | 11.8 |
Bob Fischer | F | Soph. | 18 | 4.9 |
John Ruthenberg | G-C | Soph. | 19 | 4.7 |
Bob Holm | G | Soph. | 17 | 4.2 |
Frank Delany | G-F | Sr. | 19 | 3.8 |
Bernie Coyle | G-F | Sr. | 18 | 3.7 |
Nick Parpan | G-F | Jr. | 14 | 3.4 |
Ken Pine | C | Soph. | 16 | 3.2 |
Ray Studwell | F-G | Soph. | 18 | 1.2 |
*Sadowski missed the second half of the season because of a broken kneecap.
Army/U.S. Military Academy (15-0 in winter of 1944)
Coach: Ed Kelleher (first of two seasons with Cadets)
1943-44 Army Opponents | Score | Army's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Swarthmore (Pa.) | 80-29 | Bob Faas 20 |
Colgate | 69-44 | Dale Hall 18 |
St. John's | 49-36 | Dale Hall 21 |
at Columbia | 55-37 | Dale Hall 17 |
Penn State | 49-38 | Dale Hall 14 |
Coast Guard | 55-37 | Doug Kenna 11 |
West Virginia | 58-31 | Dale Hall 18 |
at Rochester (N.Y.) | 57-43 | Dale Hall 23 |
Pittsburgh | 66-32 | Ed Christl 16 |
Hobart (N.Y.) | 69-36 | Dale Hall/Doug Kenna 20 |
Pennsylvania | 55-38 | Dale Hall 18 |
Villanova | 34-22 | Dale Hall 23 |
New York University | 46-36 | Dale Hall 18 |
Maryland | 85-22 | Dale Hall 32 |
Navy | 47-40 | Doug Kenna 17 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR ARMY REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dale Hall | F | Jr. | 15 | 18.2 |
Doug Kenna | G | Jr. | 15 | 10.1 |
Ed Christl | C | Sr. | 12 | 8.3 |
Bob Faas | F | Sr. | 15 | 7.1 |
Bill Ekberg | C | Jr. | 15 | 4.7 |
Jack Hennessey | G | Sr. | 15 | 1.7 |
Kentucky (25-0 in 1953-54)
Coach: Adolph Rupp (24th of 41 seasons with Wildcats)
1953-54 UK Opponents | Score | UK's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Temple | 86-59 | Cliff Hagan 51 |
at Xavier | 81-66 | Frank Ramsey 27 |
Wake Forest | 101-69 | Cliff Hagan 18 |
at St. Louis | 71-59 | Frank Ramsey 21 |
Duke | 85-69 | Cliff Hagan 27 |
La Salle | 73-60 | Cliff Hagan 28 |
Minnesota | 74-59 | Frank Ramsey 23 |
Xavier | 77-71 | Cliff Hagan 20 |
Georgia Tech | 105-53 | Cliff Hagan 34 |
DePaul | 81-63 | Cliff Hagan/Frank Ramsey 22 |
Tulane | 94-43 | Frank Ramsey 26 |
at Tennessee | 97-71 | Frank Ramsey 37 |
at Vanderbilt | 85-63 | Frank Ramsey 24 |
Georgia Tech* | 99-48 | Cliff Hagan 23 |
Georgia | 106-55 | Frank Ramsey 29 |
Georgia* | 100-68 | Cliff Hagan 29 |
at Florida | 97-55 | Cliff Hagan 22 |
Mississippi | 88-62 | Cliff Hagan 38 |
Mississippi State | 81-49 | Cliff Hagan 26 |
Tennessee | 90-63 | Cliff Hagan 24 |
at DePaul | 76-61 | Cliff Hagan 29 |
Vanderbilt | 100-64 | Cliff Hagan 22 |
Auburn* | 109-79 | Frank Ramsey 28 |
at Alabama | 68-43 | Cliff Hagan 24 |
Louisiana State* (SEC Playoff) | 63-56 | Frank Ramsey 30 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR KENTUCKY REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cliff Hagan | F-C | Sr. | 25 | .455 | .691 | 24.0 | 13.5 |
Frank Ramsey | G | Sr. | 25 | .416 | .729 | 19.6 | 8.8 |
Lou Tsioropoulos | F | Sr. | 25 | .351 | .690 | 14.5 | 9.6 |
Billy Evans | F-G | Jr. | 25 | .372 | .778 | 8.4 | 7.2 |
Gayle Rose | G | Jr. | 23 | .346 | .646 | 6.7 | 1.3 |
Phil Grawemeyer | F-C | Soph. | 25 | .372 | .543 | 5.9 | 6.1 |
Linville Puckett | G | Soph. | 24 | .295 | .673 | 5.1 | 2.2 |
Bill Bibb | F | Soph. | 16 | .313 | .583 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
TEAM TOTALS | 25 | .383 | .678 | 87.5 | 52.7 |
San Francisco (29-0 in 1955-56)
Coach: Phil Woolpert (fifth of nine seasons with Dons)
1955-56 USF Opponents | Score | USF's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Chico State (Calif.) | 70-39 | Bill Russell 15 |
Southern California | 58-42 | Bill Russell 24 |
San Francisco State | 72-47 | Bill Russell 20 |
Marquette* | 65-58 | Bill Russell 16 |
at DePaul | 82-59 | K.C. Jones 23 |
at Wichita | 75-65 | Bill Russell 17 |
at Loyola of New Orleans | 61-43 | Bill Russell 20 |
La Salle* | 79-62 | Bill Russell 26 |
Holy Cross* | 67-51 | Bill Russell 24 |
UCLA* | 70-53 | Bill Russell 17 |
Pepperdine | 62-51 | Bill Russell 20 |
Santa Clara | 74-56 | Mike Farmer 18 |
at Fresno State | 69-50 | Bill Russell 22 |
at California | 33-24 | K.C. Jones 15 |
San Jose State | 67-40 | Bill Russell 21 |
Loyola of Los Angeles | 68-46 | Carl Boldt 20 |
at Pacific | 77-60 | Bill Russell 24 |
Fresno State | 79-46 | Bill Russell 23 |
at San Jose State | 76-52 | Bill Russell 21 |
at St. Mary's | 76-63 | Bill Russell 28 |
at Santa Clara | 80-44 | Bill Russell 29 |
Pacific | 87-49 | Bill Russell 28 |
at Pepperdine | 68-40 | Carl Boldt 14 |
at Loyola of Los Angeles | 65-48 | Bill Russell 24 |
St. Mary's | 82-49 | Bill Russell 22 |
UCLA* (NCAA Tournament) | 72-61 | Gene Brown 23 |
Utah* (NCAA Tournament) | 92-77 | Bill Russell 27 |
Southern Methodist* (NCAA Tournament) | 86-68 | Mike Farmer 26 |
Iowa* (NCAA Tournament) | 83-71 | Bill Russell 26 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR USF REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Russell | C | Sr. | 29 | .513 | .495 | 20.6 | 21.0 |
K.C. Jones* | G | Sr. | 25 | .365 | .655 | 9.8 | 5.2 |
Hal Perry | G | Sr. | 29 | .365 | .729 | 9.1 | 2.0 |
Carl Boldt | F | Jr. | 28 | .326 | .783 | 8.6 | 5.0 |
Mike Farmer | F | Soph. | 28 | .371 | .548 | 8.4 | 7.8 |
Gene Brown | G | Soph. | 29 | .377 | .641 | 7.1 | 4.4 |
Mike Preaseau | F | Soph. | 29 | .366 | .609 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
Warren Baxter | G | Sr. | 26 | .301 | .667 | 2.2 | 0.7 |
Bill Bush | G | Sr. | 22 | .208 | .625 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
Jack King | F | Jr. | 22 | .162 | .462 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
TEAM TOTALS | 29 | .388 | .604 | 72.2 | 54.2 |
*Ineligible for NCAA Tournament as a fifth-year player.
North Carolina (32-0 in 1956-57)
Coach: Frank McGuire (fifth of nine seasons with Tar Heels)
1956-57 UNC Opponents | Score | Carolina's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Furman | 94-66 | Lennie Rosenbluth 47 |
Clemson* | 94-75 | Pete Brennan 28 |
George Washington | 82-55 | Lennie Rosenbluth 27 |
at South Carolina | 90-86 | Tommy Kearns 29 |
Maryland | 70-61 | Lennie Rosenbluth 26 |
at New York University | 64-59 | Bob Cunningham 16 |
Dartmouth* | 89-61 | Lennie Rosenbluth 30 |
Holy Cross* | 83-70 | Lennie Rosenbluth 23 |
Utah* | 97-76 | Lennie Rosenbluth 36 |
Duke* | 87-71 | Lennie Rosenbluth 32 |
Wake Forest* | 63-55 | Lennie Rosenbluth 18 |
at William & Mary | 71-61 | Pete Brennan 20 |
Clemson | 86-54 | Lennie Rosenbluth 34 |
Virginia | 102-90 | Lennie Rosenbluth 30 |
at North Carolina State | 83-57 | Lennie Rosenbluth 29 |
at Western Carolina | 77-59 | Lennie Rosenbluth 26 |
at Maryland | 65-61 (2OT) | Lennie Rosenbluth 25 |
Duke | 75-73 | Lennie Rosenbluth 35 |
at Virginia | 68-59 | Lennie Rosenbluth 23 |
Wake Forest | 72-69 | Lennie Rosenbluth 24 |
North Carolina State | 86-57 | Lennie Rosenbluth 28 |
South Carolina | 75-62 | Pete Brennan 26 |
at Wake Forest | 69-64 | Lennie Rosenbluth 30 |
at Duke | 86-72 | Lennie Rosenbluth 40 |
Clemson* (ACC Tournament) | 81-61 | Lennie Rosenbluth 45 |
Wake Forest* (ACC Tournament) | 61-59 | Lennie Rosenbluth 23 |
South Carolina* (ACC Tournament) | 95-75 | Lennie Rosenbluth 38 |
Yale* (NCAA Tournament) | 90-74 | Lennie Rosenbluth 29 |
Canisius* (NCAA Tournament) | 87-75 | Lennie Rosenbluth 39 |
Syracuse* (NCAA Tournament) | 67-58 | Lennie Rosenbluth 23 |
Michigan State* (NCAA Tournament) | 74-70 (3OT) | Lennie Rosenbluth 31 |
Kansas* (NCAA Tournament) | 54-53 (3OT) | Lennie Rosenbluth 20 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR NORTH CAROLINA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lennie Rosenbluth | F | Sr. | 32 | .483 | .758 | 28.0 | 8.8 |
Pete Brennan | F | Jr. | 32 | .394 | .706 | 14.7 | 10.4 |
Tommy Kearns | G | Jr. | 32 | .434 | .711 | 12.8 | 3.1 |
Joe Quigg | C | Jr. | 31 | .434 | .719 | 10.3 | 8.6 |
Bob Cunningham | G | Jr. | 32 | .393 | .598 | 7.2 | 6.7 |
Tony Radovich | G | Sr. | 16 | .525 | .769 | 3.9 | 1.8 |
Bill Hathaway | C | Soph. | 15 | .333 | .417 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
Stan Groll | G | Soph. | 12 | .370 | .556 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Bob Young | C | Sr. | 15 | .256 | .538 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
Ken Rosemond | G | Jr. | 15 | .400 | .556 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
Danny Lotz | F | Soph. | 24 | .350 | .391 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
TEAM TOTALS | 32 | .431 | .701 | 79.3 | 46.7 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1963-64)
Coach: John Wooden (16th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
1963-64 UCLA Opponents | Score | Bruins High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Brigham Young | 113-71 | Walt Hazzard 20 |
Butler | 80-65 | Walt Hazzard 21 |
Kansas State* | 78-75 | Gail Goodrich 21 |
Kansas* | 74-54 | Gail Goodrich 23 |
Baylor* | 112-61 | Walt Hazzard 23 |
Creighton* | 95-79 | Walt Hazzard 26 |
Yale | 95-65 | Gail Goodrich 25 |
Michigan | 98-80 | Gail Goodrich 30 |
Illinois | 83-79 | Gail Goodrich 21 |
at Washington State | 88-83 | Gail Goodrich 28 |
at Washington State | 121-77 | Gail Goodrich 21 |
Southern California | 79-59 | Walt Hazzard 21 |
Southern California | 78-71 | Gail Goodrich 23 |
Stanford | 84-71 | Gail Goodrich 23 |
Stanford* | 80-61 | Walt Hazzard 31 |
UC Santa Barbara | 107-76 | Gail Goodrich/Walt Hazzard 21 |
UC Santa Barbara* | 87-59 | Gail Goodrich 31 |
at California | 87-67 | Gail Goodrich 26 |
at California | 58-56 | Walt Hazzard 17 |
Washington | 73-58 | Walt Hazzard 17 |
Washington | 88-60 | Gail Goodrich 22 |
at Stanford | 100-88 | Walt Hazzard 27 |
at Washington | 78-64 | Keith Erickson/Walt Hazzard 21 |
Washington State | 93-56 | Walt Hazzard 19 |
California | 87-57 | Gail Goodrich 23 |
Southern California | 91-81 | Gail Goodrich 23 |
Seattle* (NCAA Tournament) | 95-90 | Walt Hazzard 26 |
San Francisco* (NCAA Tournament) | 76-72 | Walt Hazzard 23 |
Kansas State* (NCAA Tournament) | 90-84 | Keith Erickson 28 |
Duke* (NCAA Tournament) | 98-83 | Gail Goodrich 27 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gail Goodrich | G | Jr. | 30 | .458 | .711 | 21.5 | 5.2 |
Walt Hazzard | G | Sr. | 30 | .445 | .718 | 18.6 | 4.7 |
Jack Hirsch | F | Sr. | 30 | .528 | .664 | 14.0 | 7.6 |
Keith Erickson | F | Jr. | 30 | .403 | .623 | 10.7 | 9.1 |
Fred Slaughter | C | Sr. | 30 | .466 | .484 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
Kenny Washington | F-G | Soph. | 30 | .458 | .627 | 6.1 | 4.2 |
Doug McIntosh | C | Soph. | 30 | .519 | .500 | 3.6 | 4.4 |
Kim Stewart | F | Sr. | 23 | .393 | .467 | 2.2 | 2.0 |
Rich Levin | F | Jr. | 19 | .372 | .500 | 2.0 | 0.6 |
Mike Huggins | G | Sr. | 23 | .382 | .478 | 1.6 | 1.0 |
Chuck Darrow | G | Soph. | 23 | .379 | .583 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
Vaughn Hoffman | C | Soph. | 21 | .476 | .500 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .455 | .644 | 88.9 | 55.7 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1966-67)
Coach: John Wooden (19th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
1966-67 UCLA Opponents | Score | Bruins High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Southern California | 105-90 | Lew Alcindor 56 |
Duke | 88-54 | Lew Alcindor/Lucius Allen 19 |
Duke | 107-87 | Lew Alcindor 38 |
Colorado State | 84-74 | Lew Alcindor 34 |
Notre Dame | 96-67 | Lew Alcindor 25 |
Wisconsin | 100-56 | Lew Alcindor 24 |
Georgia Tech | 91-72 | Lew Alcindor 18 |
Southern California | 107-83 | Lew Alcindor 25 |
at Washington State | 76-67 | Lew Alcindor 28 |
at Washington | 83-68 | Lew Alcindor 28 |
California | 96-78 | Lew Alcindor 26 |
Stanford | 116-78 | Lew Alcindor 37 |
Portland | 122-57 | Lew Alcindor 27 |
UC Santa Barbara | 119-75 | Lew Alcindor 37 |
at Loyola of Chicago | 82-67 | Lew Alcindor 35 |
Illinois* | 120-82 | Lew Alcindor 45 |
at Southern California | 40-35 (OT) | Lew Alcindor 13 |
Oregon State | 76-44 | Lew Alcindor/Lucius Allen 22 |
Oregon | 100-66 | Lucius Allen 20 |
at Oregon | 34-25 | Lew Alcindor 12 |
at Oregon State | 72-50 | Lew Alcindor 28 |
Washington | 71-43 | Lew Alcindor 37 |
Washington State | 100-78 | Lew Alcindor 61 |
at Stanford | 75-47 | Lew Alcindor 20 |
at California | 103-66 | Lew Alcindor 30 |
Southern California | 83-55 | Lew Alcindor 26 |
Wyoming* (NCAA Tournament) | 109-60 | Lew Alcindor 29 |
Pacific* (NCAA Tournament) | 80-64 | Lew Alcindor 38 |
Houston* (NCAA Tournament) | 73-58 | Lynn Shackelford 22 |
Dayton* (NCAA Tournament) | 79-64 | Lew Alcindor 20 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lew Alcindor | C | Soph. | 30 | .667 | .650 | 29.0 | 15.5 |
Lucius Allen | G | Soph. | 30 | .479 | .713 | 15.5 | 5.8 |
Mike Warren | G | Jr. | 30 | .465 | .758 | 12.7 | 4.5 |
Lynn Shackelford | F | Soph. | 30 | .480 | .821 | 11.4 | 5.9 |
Ken Heitz | F-G | Soph. | 30 | .506 | .600 | 6.1 | 3.2 |
Bill Sweek | G | Soph. | 30 | .479 | .565 | 4.7 | 2.8 |
Jim Nielsen | F-C | Soph. | 27 | .519 | .455 | 4.6 | 3.4 |
Don Saffer | G | Jr. | 27 | .451 | .542 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
Gene Sutherland | G | Jr. | 20 | .455 | .583 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
Neville Saner | F-C | Jr. | 24 | .308 | .667 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
Joe Chrisman | F | Jr. | 19 | .320 | .364 | 1.1 | 1.5 |
TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .520 | .653 | 89.6 | 49.8 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1971-72)
Coach: John Wooden (24th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
1971-72 UCLA Opponents | Score | Bruins High Scorer |
---|---|---|
The Citadel | 105-49 | Henry Bibby 26 |
Iowa | 106-72 | Henry Bibby 32 |
Iowa State | 110-81 | Bill Walton 24 |
Texas A&M | 117-53 | Bill Walton 23 |
Notre Dame | 114-56 | Henry Bibby 28 |
Texas Christian | 119-81 | Bill Walton 31 |
Texas | 115-65 | Bill Walton 28 |
Ohio State | 79-53 | Bill Walton 14 |
at Oregon State | 78-72 | Henry Bibby 17 |
at Oregon | 93-68 | Bill Walton 30 |
Stanford | 118-79 | Bill Walton 32 |
California | 82-43 | Bill Walton 20 |
Santa Clara | 92-57 | Keith Wilkes 16 |
Denver | 108-61 | Henry Bibby/Larry Farmer 19 |
at Loyola of Chicago | 92-64 | Henry Bibby/Bill Walton 18 |
at Notre Dame | 57-32 | Henry Bibby 15 |
Southern California | 81-56 | Bill Walton 22 |
Washington State | 89-58 | Bill Walton 25 |
Washington | 109-70 | Bill Walton 27 |
at Washington | 100-83 | Bill Walton 31 |
at Washington State | 85-55 | Larry Hollyfield/Keith Wilkes 16 |
Oregon | 92-70 | Bill Walton 37 |
Oregon State | 92-72 | Bill Walton 26 |
at California | 91-71 | Bill Walton 24 |
at Stanford | 102-73 | Greg Lee 16 |
at Southern California | 79-66 | Bill Walton 20 |
Weber State* (NCAA Tournament) | 90-58 | Henry Bibby 16 |
Long Beach State* (NCAA Tournament) | 73-57 | Henry Bibby 23 |
Louisville* (NCAA Tournaqment) | 96-77 | Bill Walton 23 |
Florida State* (NCAA Tournament) | 81-76 | Bill Walton 24 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Walton | C | Soph. | 30 | .640 | .704 | 21.1 | 15.5 |
Henry Bibby | G | Sr. | 30 | .450 | .806 | 15.7 | 3.5 |
Keith Wilkes | F | Soph. | 30 | .531 | .696 | 13.5 | 8.2 |
Larry Farmer | F | Jr. | 30 | .456 | .549 | 10.7 | 5.5 |
Greg Lee | G | Soph. | 29 | .492 | .824 | 8.7 | 2.0 |
Larry Hollyfield | F | Jr. | 30 | .514 | .651 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
Swen Nater | C | Jr. | 29 | .535 | .609 | 6.7 | 4.8 |
Tommy Curtis | G | Soph. | 30 | .437 | .636 | 4.1 | 2.1 |
Andy Hill | G | Sr. | 26 | .356 | .709 | 2.7 | 0.8 |
Vince Carson | F | Soph. | 28 | .400 | .667 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
Jon Chapman | F | Sr. | 28 | .465 | .500 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
Gary Franklin | F | Soph. | 26 | .412 | .438 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .504 | .695 | 94.6 | 54.9 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1972-73)
Coach: John Wooden (25th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
1972-73 UCLA Opponents | Score | Bruins High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Wisconsin | 94-53 | Bill Walton 26 |
Bradley | 73-38 | Bill Walton 16 |
Pacific | 81-48 | Keith Wilkes 18 |
UC Santa Barbara | 98-67 | Bill Walton 30 |
Pittsburgh | 89-73 | Keith Wilkes 20 |
Notre Dame | 82-56 | Keith Wilkes 18 |
Drake* | 85-72 | Bill Walton 29 |
Illinois* | 71-64 | Bill Walton 22 |
Oregon | 64-38 | Larry Farmer/Keith Wilkes 14 |
Oregon State | 87-61 | Keith Wilkes 19 |
at Stanford | 82-67 | Larry Farmer/Larry Hollyfield/Bill Walton 18 |
at California | 69-50 | Larry Farmer/Keith Wilkes 18 |
San Francisco | 92-64 | Bill Walton 22 |
Providence | 101-77 | Larry Farmer 21 |
at Loyola of Chicago | 87-73 | Bill Walton 32 |
at Notre Dame | 82-63 | Keith Wilkes 20 |
at Southern California | 79-56 | Bill Walton 20 |
at Washington State | 88-50 | Bill Walton 17 |
at Washington | 76-67 | Bill Walton 29 |
Washington | 93-62 | Bill Walton 26 |
Washington State | 96-64 | Bill Walton 29 |
at Oregon | 72-61 | Keith Wilkes 18 |
at Oregon State | 73-67 | Bill Walton 21 |
California | 90-65 | Bill Walton/Keith Wilkes 15 |
Stanford | 51-45 | Bill Walton 23 |
Southern California | 76-56 | Bill Walton/Keith Wilkes 17 |
Arizona State (NCAA Tournament) | 98-81 | Bill Walton 28 |
San Francisco (NCAA Tournament) | 54-39 | Larry Farmer 13 |
Indiana* (NCAA Tournament) | 70-59 | Tommy Curtis 22 |
Memphis State* (NCAA Tournament) | 87-66 | Bill Walton 44 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bill Walton | C | Jr. | 30 | .650 | .569 | 20.4 | 16.9 |
Keith Wilkes | F | Jr. | 30 | .525 | .652 | 14.8 | 7.3 |
Larry Farmer | F | Sr. | 30 | .511 | .701 | 12.2 | 5.0 |
Larry Hollyfield | G | Sr. | 30 | .466 | .492 | 10.7 | 2.9 |
Tommy Curtis | G | Jr. | 24 | .512 | .667 | 6.4 | 1.7 |
Dave Meyers | F | Soph. | 28 | .477 | .756 | 4.9 | 2.9 |
Greg Lee | G | Jr. | 30 | .473 | .790 | 4.6 | 1.3 |
Swen Nater | C | Sr. | 29 | .459 | .652 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
Pete Trgovich | G-F | Soph. | 25 | .382 | .400 | 3.1 | 1.7 |
Vince Carson | F | Jr. | 26 | .514 | .471 | 1.7 | 2.2 |
Gary Franklin | F | Jr. | 24 | .485 | .500 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
Bob Webb | G | Jr. | 21 | .148 | .833 | 0.6 | 0.2 |
TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .519 | .632 | 81.3 | 49.0 |
Assists leader: Walton 168.
North Carolina State (27-0 in 1972-73)
Coach: Norman Sloan (seventh of 14 seasons with Wolfpack)
1972-73 N.C. State Opponents | Score | Wolfpack High Scorer |
---|---|---|
Appalachian State | 130-53 | David Thompson 33 |
Atlantic Christian | 110-40 | David Thompson 32 |
Georgia Southern | 144-100 | David Thompson 40 |
South Florida | 125-88 | David Thompson 30 |
Wake Forest* | 88-83 | David Thompson 29 |
North Carolina* | 68-61 | David Thompson 19 |
Davidson* | 103-90 | Joe Cafferky 25 |
at Georgia | 97-83 | David Thompson 26 |
at Virginia | 68-61 | Monte Towe 17 |
Duke | 94-87 | Monte Towe/Tom Burleson 20 |
Lehigh | 115-53 | Tom Burleson 30 |
at Maryland | 87-85 | David Thompson 37 |
at Clemson | 86-76 | David Thompson 24 |
at Furman | 98-73 | David Thompson 27 |
Maryland | 89-78 | David Thompson 24 |
Virginia | 64-59 | David Thompson 18 |
North Carolina | 76-73 | David Thompson 22 |
Clemson* | 68-61 | David Thompson 30 |
Georgia Tech* | 118-94 | David Thompson 36 |
East Carolina | 105-70 | David Thompson 33 |
at Wake Forest | 81-59 | David Thompson 21 |
at Duke | 74-50 | David Thompson 31 |
UNC Charlotte | 100-64 | Tom Burleson 26 |
at North Carolina | 82-78 | David Thompson 18 |
Wake Forest | 100-77 | Tom Burleson 27 |
Virginia* (ACC Tournament) | 63-51 | Tom Burleson/David Thompson 14 |
Maryland* (ACC Tournament) | 76-74 | Tom Burleson 14 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR N.C. STATE REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
David Thompson | F | Soph. | 27 | .569 | .825 | 24.7 | 8.1 |
Tom Burleson | C | Jr. | 27 | .512 | .730 | 17.9 | 12.0 |
Monte Towe | G | Soph. | 27 | .468 | .729 | 10.0 | 1.7 |
Rick Holdt | F | Sr. | 27 | .531 | .660 | 8.3 | 3.7 |
Tim Stoddard | F | Soph. | 27 | .482 | .569 | 7.9 | 5.3 |
Joe Cafferky | G | Sr. | 25 | .569 | .767 | 7.2 | 2.1 |
Greg Hawkins | F | Jr. | 25 | .448 | .706 | 5.6 | 3.3 |
Mark Moeller | G | Soph. | 27 | .579 | .516 | 4.7 | 1.6 |
Steve Nuce | F | Jr. | 26 | .474 | .571 | 4.4 | 2.1 |
Craig Kuszmaul | G | Soph. | 19 | .667 | .400 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
TEAM TOTALS | 27 | .520 | .715 | 92.9 | 46.5 |
INDIANA (32-0 in 1975-76)
Coach: Bob Knight (fifth of 29 seasons with Hoosiers)
1975-76 IU Opponents | Score | IU's High Scorer |
---|---|---|
UCLA* | 84-64 | Scott May 33 |
Florida State* | 83-59 | Scott May 24 |
Notre Dame | 63-60 | Scott May 25 |
Kentucky* | 77-68 (OT) | Kent Benson/Scott May 27 |
Georgia | 93-56 | Scott May 18 |
Virginia Tech | 101-74 | Scott May 27 |
Columbia* | 106-63 | Kent Benson 15 |
Manhattan* | 97-61 | Scott May 32 |
at St. John's | 76-69 | Scott May 29 |
at Ohio State | 66-64 | Scott May 24 |
Northwestern | 78-61 | Kent Benson 22 |
at Michigan | 80-74 | Kent Benson 33 |
at Michigan State | 69-57 | Kent Benson 23 |
at Illinois | 83-55 | Scott May 27 |
Purdue | 71-67 | Scott May 32 |
at Minnesota | 85-76 | Tom Abernethy 22 |
at Iowa | 88-73 | Scott May 32 |
Wisconsin | 114-61 | Scott May 30 |
Michigan | 72-67 (OT) | Scott May 27 |
Michigan State | 85-70 | Kent Benson 38 |
Illinois | 58-48 | Kent Benson 17 |
at Purdue | 74-71 | Scott May 26 |
Minnesota | 76-64 | Tom Abernethy 22 |
Iowa | 101-81 | Quinn Buckner 24 |
at Wisconsin | 96-67 | Scott May 41 |
at Northwestern | 76-63 | Scott May 24 |
Ohio State | 96-67 | Kent Benson/Scott May 21 |
St. John's* (NCAA Tournament) | 90-70 | Scott May 33 |
Alabama* (NCAA Tournament) | 74-69 | Scott May 25 |
Marquette* (NCAA Tournament) | 65-56 | Kent Benson 18 |
UCLA* (NCAA Tournament) | 65-51 | Kent Benson 16 |
Michigan* (NCAA Tournament) | 86-68 | Scott May 26 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR INDIANA REGULARS
Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scott May | F | Sr. | 32 | .527 | .782 | 23.5 | 7.7 |
Kent Benson | C | Jr. | 32 | .578 | .684 | 17.3 | 8.8 |
Tom Abernethy | F | Sr. | 32 | .561 | .743 | 10.0 | 5.3 |
Quinn Buckner | G | Sr. | 32 | .441 | .488 | 8.9 | 2.8 |
Bobby Wilkerson | G-F | Sr. | 32 | .493 | .630 | 7.8 | 4.9 |
Wayne Radford | G | Soph. | 30 | .563 | .712 | 4.7 | 2.1 |
Jim Crews | G | Sr. | 31 | .468 | .857 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
Jim Wisman | G | Soph. | 26 | .367 | .724 | 2.5 | 0.8 |
Rich Valavicius | F | Fr. | 28 | .483 | .625 | 2.4 | 1.8 |
TEAM TOTALS | 32 | .517 | .698 | 82.1 | 41.4 |
Assists leader: Wilkerson 171.
Blocked shots leader: Benson 39.
Steals leader: Buckner 65.
Illini Need to Pass Windy City and Concentrate On Small-Town America
John Groce inherited a gross situation three years ago after two fellow mid-major coaches rejected overtures from Illinois. The Illini are one of the 10 schools with the most Top 20 appearances and aspire to avoid the disarray of the 1970s when they failed to finish in the Top 20 of a final wire-service poll or appear in the NCAA playoffs the entire decade.
There is no question Gross' program is progressing but Illini Nation won't be all it can be unless he fends off Duke (lost Jahlil Okafor this year to Chicago native Mike Krzyzewski) and Kansas (Cliff "Hat Trick" Alexander) for elite in-state recruits. Illini fans are disheartened because close only counts in hand grenades and bombs, horseshoes plus drive-in movies; not recruiting. Former Illini coach Bill Self previously lured Chicago-area All-Americans Sherron Collins and Julian Wright to KU. Additional Windy City regal recruits shunning the Illini since they reached the NCAA title game in 2005 include Jalen Brunson (Villanova), Quinn Cook (Duke), Anthony Davis (Kentucky), Eric Gordon (Indiana) and Derrick Rose (Memphis).
After compiling a losing Big Ten Conference record over the last eight years, it boils down to in-state recruiting. Among the Illinois natives who earned All-American status during the '70s with other universities were DePaul's Mark Aguirre (from Chicago), Minnesota's Jim Brewer (Maywood), Indiana's Quinn Buckner (Dolton), Penn's Corky Calhoun (Waukegan), Illinois State's Doug Collins (Benton), DePaul's Dave Corzine (Arlington Heights), Marquette's Bo Ellis (Chicago), Michigan's Rickey Green (Chicago), Kentucky's Dan Issel (Batavia), Iowa's Ronnie Lester (Chicago), Colorado's Cliff Meely (Chicago), Bradley's Roger Phegley (East Peoria), Kansas' Dave Robisch (Springfield), Marquette's Lloyd Walton (Chicago) and Jerome Whitehead (Waukegan) plus Georgia Tech's Rich Yunkus (Benton). Four of these standouts were All-Americans in the same season - Buckner, Ellis, Green and Walton in 1975-76.
Kansas has been a thorn in the Illini's side for an extended period. Alexander, Collins, Wright, Robisch and current frontcourter Jamari Traylor were joined at KU by the following '70s recruits from Illinois:
- Roger Brown (Chicago) - Leading rebounder for KU's 1971 Final Four squad.
- Seven of top eight scorers for Jayhawks' 1974 Final Four team - Norm Cook (Lincoln/All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection), Dale Greenlee (Rockford), Tom Kivisto (Aurora/all-league first-team selection), Roger Morningstar (Dundee/two-time all-league second-team selection), Tommie Smith (Kewanee), Rick Suttle (East St. Louis/three-time all-league selection) and Dave Taynor (Bethalto).
- Donnie Von Moore (Chicago) - End-of-the-bench forward for 1974 Final Four squad averaged 8.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 1.6 bpg the next three seasons.
- Herb Nobles (East St. Louis) - Leading rebounder and second-leading scorer in 1976-77.
Comparable to several decades ago, focusing its recruiting on Chicago won't be a panacea for the Illini. The "audacity-of-hype" truth is that the Windy City might be delusional and won't always supply a Messiah providing the "hope and change" you're seeking. Groce's staff needs to take every back road in the state. After all, Issel and Yunkus were among 22 different major-college All-Americans in less than 30 years to come from Illinois high schools in towns with populations smaller than 20,000. Bigger isn't always better or worth your time and energy. The Illini can't let a player such as Fred VanVleet (Rockford) leave the state and become an All-American at Wichita State.
The Classics: IU/UK, KU/Mizzou and Memphis/Vols Need to Return ASAP
"Holy shadows of the dead, I am not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and brother people to fight one another. I do not feel happy for this victory of mine. On the contrary, I would be glad, brothers, if I had all of you standing here next to me, since we are united by the same language, the same blood and the same visions." - Alexander the Great
After 105 years steeped in history amid off-the-chart contempt, the rivalry between Kansas and Missouri expired for the foreseeable future when Mizzou departed the Big 12 Conference for the SEC. KU has a commanding edge in nearly every category (winning percentage, victories away from home and close games decided by single digits), but the Tigers have been enough of a tormentor to make the series as energetic and entertaining as you can find anywhere. Their border war stacked right up there with the more nationally-acclaimed "Clash of the Titans" between Duke and North Carolina.
Making about as much sense as Dennis Rodman becoming the de facto U.S. ambassador to North Korea, it was shortsighted of KU and Mizzou to let their rivalry end. They simply join top six conference members DePaul/Illinois, Maryland/Georgetown, Pittsburgh/West Virginia and Cincinnati/Ohio State as potentially great natural non-league match-ups that their fans can't enjoy.
If bruised egos heal in the near future, perhaps sounder minds will prevail with Mizzou annually opposing KU in Kansas City much like it does in St. Louis against Illinois. But Mizzou can't complain if the Jayhawks continue to act like a jilted lover because the self-centered Tigers fail to oppose competent in-state foes such as Missouri State and Saint Louis.
By almost any measure including Alexander the Great's perspective, KU has a superior program to Mizzou. But Jayhawks coach Bill Self should rein in his rhetoric as the divorce dialogue intensified or at least take a crash course in college basketball history. When comparing the significance of the Kentucky/Louisville rivalry to the termination of KU's home-and-home conference conflicts with the Tigers, Self said: "Well, they've always played every year (out of league). That's all they know."
Well, Self needs to "always know" that UK and Louisville went 61 years from 1923 through 1983 without a regular-season matchup before they came to their senses and saw the light. Speaking of light, KU and Mizzou simply have to shed one lightweight apiece to keep a good thing going for the sport in general and for their fans specifically like the entertaining Philly Big 5. KU shouldn't also deny hoop fans a Top 20 matchup with Wichita State.
By toning down picking on patsies, there is plenty of room on their respective non-league schedules to keep playing each other. Ditto for Indiana and Kentucky plus Memphis and Tennessee resuming their rivalries, which would definitely be among the top 10 such confrontations in the country. If the century-old KU/Mizzou spectacle returns, it could immediately surpass Kentucky/Louisville and go atop the following list of the nation's top 20 non-conference rivalries if only because of longevity:
- Kentucky/Louisville
- Illinois/Missouri
- Cincinnati/Xavier
- Indiana/Notre Dame
- Brigham Young/Utah
- Iowa/Iowa State
- St. Joseph's/Villanova
- Georgia/Georgia Tech
- Florida/Florida State
- Clemson/South Carolina
- Marquette/Wisconsin
- New Mexico/New Mexico State
- Utah/Utah State
- Temple/Villanova
- La Salle/Villanova
- Florida/Miami (FL)
- Iowa/Northern Iowa
- Colorado/Colorado State
- Drake/Iowa
T20. Penn/Villanova
T20. Providence/Rhode Island
T20. Creighton/Nebraska
Does Father Know Best?: Hunters Among Premier Father-Son Combinations
Due to voter deficiencies, Georgia State's R.J. Hunter will be fortunate to become an All-American; let alone national player of the year such as last season's recipient (Creighton's Doug McDermott). But coupled with his coach/father Ron, the Hunters already have buttressed their case as one of the all-time top 10 father-son, coach-player combinations. Can they crack the top five?
Consider how far Georgia State has come from a dry spell when the Panthers posted one winning record (12-11 in 1975-76) in a 27-year span from 1963-64 through 1989-90. Following are the all-time Top 10 of sons playing under their dad at the same school:
Rank | Coach/Father | School(s) | Record | Player/Son | Pos. | Son's Career Summary Under Father |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Greg McDermott | Creighton | 107-38 | Doug McDermott | F | Doug was three-time NCAA first-Team All-American from 2011-12 through 2013-14 after originally signing with old MVC rival Northern Iowa. As a sophomore and junior, he was MVC MVP before earning same award when BlueJays moved to the Big East Conference. |
2. | Press Maravich | Louisiana State | 49-35 | Pete Maravich | G | Pete, a three-time unanimous NCAA first-team All-American, became the NCAA's career record holder for total points (3,667 in three years from 1967-68 through 1969-70) and scoring average (44.2 ppg). In his senior season, the Tigers had their highest SEC finish (2nd) and only postseason tournament appearance (NIT) in a 24-year span from 1955 through 1978. |
3. | Wade Houston | Tennessee | 60-68 | Allan Houston | G | Allan, a four-time All-SEC first-team selection, averaged more than 20 ppg each of his four seasons en route to becoming the Volunteers' all-time leading scorer (2,801 points from 1989-90 through 1992-93). They participated in the NIT in his freshman and junior campaigns. |
4. | Bill Berry | San Jose State | 46-41 | Ricky Berry | G-F | Ricky, after playing his freshman season with Oregon State, averaged 21 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 3.2 apg for the Spartans from 1985-86 through 1987-88 en route to becoming their all-time leading scorer (1,767 points). He was a three-time All-Big West Conference first-team selection. |
5. | Dick Acres | Oral Roberts | 47-34 | Mark Acres | C | Dick coached his sons (including Jeff) from midway through the 1982-83 campaign through 1984-85. Mark, a three-time All-Midwestern City Conference first-team selection, averaged 18.5 ppg and 9.6 rpg and shot 56.4% from the floor. Mark was a two-time Midwestern City MVP who led the Titans in scoring and rebounding all four seasons. ORU participated in the 1984 NCAA Tournament. |
6. | Homer Drew | Valparaiso | 88-36 | Bryce Drew | G | Bryce, who averaged 17.7 ppg, 5.2 apg and 1.5 spg from 1994-95 through 1997-98 en route to becoming the school's all-time leader in scoring and assists, was the Mid-Continent Conference MVP his last two seasons. The Crusaders won the MCC regular-season and league tournament championships all four years. |
7. | Dick Bennett | Wisconsin-Green Bay | 87-34 | Tony Bennett | G | Tony, a three-time All-Mid-Continent Conference first-team selection, averaged 19.4 ppg and 5.1 apg from 1988-89 through 1991-92, finishing as UWGB's all-time leading scorer (2,285 points). He holds the NCAA career record for highest three-point field-goal percentage (.497/minimum of 200 made) and won the Frances Pomeroy Award his senior year as the nation's top player shorter than six feet tall. The Phoenix won the 1991 MCC Tournament and 1992 regular-season title. |
8. | Ron Hunter | Georgia State | TBD | R.J. Hunter | G | R.J. averaged 18.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg in first 2 1/2 seasons with Panthers from 2012-13 to 2014-15. |
9. | Sonny Allen | SMU/Nevada-Reno | 64-48 | Billy Allen | G | Billy averaged 13.1 ppg and 8.2 apg in 1981-82 and 1982-83 after transferring from SMU. The two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection set a UNR single-season record with 8.6 apg as a junior when he was a second-team choice before moving up to first-team status the next year. Billy led the SWC in assists as a freshman in 1978-79 (9 apg) and sophomore in 1979-80 (9.1 apg). He also paced the Mustangs in free-throw percentage both years. In his sophomore season, SMU tied its highest win total (16) in a 15-year span from 1967-68 through 1981-82. |
T10. | Jerry Tarkanian | UNLV | 77-19 | Danny Tarkanian | G | Danny led the Rebels in assists and steals each of his three seasons from 1981-82 through 1983-84 after transferring from Dixie Junior College (Utah). The All-Pacific Coast Athletic Association second-team selection finished second in the nation with 8.5 apg as a senior. UNLV participated in the NIT in 1982 and NCAA Tournament in 1983 and 1984. The Rebels captured the PCAA regular-season championship in 1983 and 1984. |
T10. | Fred A. Enke | Arizona | 60-18 | Fred W. Enke | G | Fred W., a future NFL quarterback, was a three-time All-Border Conference first-team selection from 1945-46 through 1947-48. The Wildcats participated in the 1946 NIT after their first of three consecutive league championships. |
Award Grant: List of Father-Son All-Americans Increases to Total of Nine
Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant, leading the ACC in scoring, became only the ninth son of an All-American to receive the same national recognition as his father (Oklahoma All-American forward Harvey Grant in 1987-88).
No father-son combination ever earned All-American status for the same university. Virginia Tech probably should have been the first school in this category but the Hokies didn't pursue the son (Stephen Curry) of their lone NCAA consensus All-American (Dell Curry) in a meaningful fashion, which is a principal reason why they never thrived during Seth Greenberg's coaching stint. Grant's Army joined the following alphabetical list of father-son tandems in this elite family tree:
Father | School | A-A Year(s) | Son | School | A-A Years(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Henry Bibby | UCLA | 1972 | Mike Bibby | Arizona | 1998 |
Dell Curry | Virginia Tech | 1986 | Stephen Curry | Davidson | 2008 and 2009 |
Bob Ferry | St. Louis | 1959 | Danny Ferry | Duke | 1988 and 1989 |
Harvey Grant | Oklahoma | 1988 | Jerian Grant | Notre Dame | 2015 |
Stan Love | Oregon | 1971 | Kevin Love | UCLA | 2008 |
John Lucas Jr. | Maryland | 1974 through 1976 | John Lucas III | Oklahoma State | 2004 |
Scott May | Indiana | 1975 and 1976 | Sean May | North Carolina | 2005 |
Doc Rivers | Marquette | 1982 and 1983 | Austin Rivers | Duke | 2012 |
Jimmy Walker | Providence | 1965 through 1967 | Jalen Rose | Michigan | 1994 |
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