It doesn't seem right to honor Coach K without at least acknowledging Winning Harry. Harry Statham of Lebanon, Ill.-based McKendree College is the winningest coach in history at the four-year college level, passing North Carolina's Dean Smith during the 2004-05 season. Going beyond 1,000 NAIA victories in 2009-10, Statham compiled only one losing campaign (18-19 in 1983-84) in his first 46 seasons as a head coach until incurring sub-.500 marks each of the last two years. It also didn't seem right that he had a five-game losing streak when Duke's Mike Krzyzewski registered career win No. 1,000.

"No, I never dreamed about (so many triumphs). I never dreamed about 100 wins," said Statham, who boasts an average annual record of 22-9. "It's a good job and a good opportunity and I love what I do. I just try to do things right and everything will take care of itself."

It was not as if it was instant success for Statham, who didn't reach the NAIA Tournament until his 22nd campaign. After his first three seasons with McKendree, Statham tried out the author of this missive for a spot on his roster. Statham never would have reached 100 victories three years later if he didn't look elsewhere and attract better players over the decades en route to assembling the following record-breaking resume:

Season	Record	NAIA Tourney
1966-67	13-10	DNP
1967-68	20-7	DNP
1968-69	21-6	DNP
1969-70	19-6	DNP
1970-71	15-12	DNP
1971-72	21-7	DNP
1972-73	23-6	DNP
1973-74	24-8	DNP
1974-75	17-9	DNP
1975-76	17-9	DNP
1976-77	21-5	DNP
1977-78	15-11	DNP
1978-79	20-11	DNP
1979-80	22-9	DNP
1980-81	27-7	DNP
1981-82	18-12	DNP
1982-83	20-9	DNP
1983-84	18-19	DNP
1984-85	22-11	DNP
1985-86	22-14	DNP
1986-87	30-5	DNP
1987-88	35-1	1-1 record
1988-89	17-15	DNP
1989-90	20-14	DNP
1990-91	23-9	DNP
1991-92	31-6	0-1 record
1992-93	27-9	0-1 record
1993-94	26-8	DNP
1994-95	27-6	DNP
1995-96	25-9	1-1 record
1996-97	28-9	2-1 record
1997-98	26-8	DNP
1998-99	21-11	DNP
1999-00	25-8	0-1 record
2000-01	27-9	0-1 record
2001-02	30-5	1-1 record
2002-03	34-4	3-1 record
2003-04	24-10	0-1 record
2004-05	25-8	DNP
2005-06	19-14	DNP
2006-07	22-12	1-1 record
2007-08	27-7	1-1 record
2008-09	30-6	2-1 record
2009-10	27-7	0-1 record
2010-11	21-13	1-1 record
2011-12	18-12	DNP
2012-13	7-21	DNP
2013-14	9-17	DNP
2014-15	8-9	TBD
49 years	1,085-460	13-15 record

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

For those who eat, sleep and breathe the NCAA Tournament although it came after Teddy Roosevelt's presidency, the sensory overload of the playoffs is a banquet and every year is a feast. Nourishing your appetite for assessing postseason play, the following questions linger before the 77th event commences this year: Who were the most pristine postseason players in the nation's premier multiple-week sports spectacle? Who always seemed hot and who was not? Who was a stud instead of a dud?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michigan State All-American Draymond Green posted back-to-back triple doubles in 2011 and 2012 but still doesn't rank among the all-time best 77 players in tourney history as the event enters its 77th year. If some of these historical facts aroused your curiosity, here is additional tournament insight that should fuel debates concerning who should be on college basketball's Mount Rushmore after excelling the most as NCAA playoff performers (minimum of six tourney games):

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

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."

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%)

"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.

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:

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."

"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):

Coach	School	Years	NCAA Division I Conference
Mike Krzyzewski	Duke	35	Atlantic Coast
Billy Donovan	Florida	23	SEC
Dave Loos	Austin Peay	23	Ohio Valley
Phil Martelli	Saint Joseph's	20	Atlantic 10
Mike McConathy	Northwestern State	20	Southland
Cy Alexander	North Carolina A&T	19	Mid-Eastern Athletic
Tom Izzo	Michigan State	19	Big Ten
Fran O'Hanlon	Lafayette	19	Patriot League
Howie Dickenman	Central Connecticut State	18	Northeast
Lorenzo Romar	Washington	17	Pac-12
Bob Williams	UC Santa Barbara	17	Big West
Rick Barnes	Texas	16	Big 12
James Jones	Yale	16	Ivy League
Mark Few	Gonzaga	15	West Coast
Steve Fisher	San Diego State	15	Mountain West
Will Brown	Albany	14	America East
James "Bruiser" Flint	Drexel	14	CAA
Jay Wright	Villanova	14	Big East
Keith Dambrot	Akron	13	Mid-American
Kermit Davis	Middle Tennessee	13	Sun Belt
Mike Young	Wofford	13	Southern
Barry Hinson	Southern Illinois	11	Missouri Valley
Duggar Baucom	Virginia Military	10	Big South
Lewis Jackson	Alabama State	10	SWAC
Rob Jeter	Milwaukee	10	Horizon League
Barclay Radebaugh	Charleston Southern	10	Big South
John Dunne	Saint Peter's	9	Metro Atlantic Athletic
Brad Huse	Montana State	9	Big Sky
Randy Rahe	Weber State	9	Big Sky
Marvin Menzies	New Mexico State	8	Western Athletic
Scott Nagy	South Dakota State	8	Summit League
Eddie Payne	USC Upstate	8	Atlantic Sun
Tim Floyd	Texas-El Paso	5	Conference USA

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.

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):

*Murrell played one junior college season for Moberly (Mo.) Area in 1954-55.

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:

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. Senior co-captain 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.
• Harold "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 under coach Buster Brannon. 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. Ethridge 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.
• John Hooper - Three-year letterman for Washington State in the early 1940s was 94.
• 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 under coach Jack Friel. Howell 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. He also played baseball a couple of years.
• 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.
• Dr. Bob Schaeffer - Player for Washington in 1939-40 under coach Hec Edmundson was 92.
• 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.
• Dr. Emil "Dewey" Thomas - Player for Vanderbilt in 1952-53 under coach Bob Polk was 79.
• 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. Truitt 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.