Christmas weekend is the most wonderful time of year despite leftist lunacy from Plagiarist Bidumb/Cacklin' Kamala administration and overpaid Dr. Fraudci infecting holiday season with their #Dimorat drivel. Yes, holiday festivities can go Grinch-inspired awry between Christmas and New Year's Eve akin to Pocahontas Warren (a/k/a Cherokee asset) mandating everyone use her "stolen" recipe in Pow Wow Chow. In ghosts of Christmas' past, just ask top-ranked Virginia, which lost at tiny Chaminade in 1982, and NCAA champion-to-be Michigan, which bowed to Alaska-Anchorage on a neutral court in 1988.

Amid some bone-chilling cold celebrations as liberals such as roof-top dancing bartender AOC with intellectual depth of a kiddie pool want us to cower in corner because of coal-bearing global warming while freezing our butts off, a Christmas holiday week absolutely can not go by without the time-honored tradition of making a list and checking it twice. For instance, many observers are thankful national health-care costs for eye and ear care were dramatically decreased for your years from looking at and listening to Melania and Ivanka rather than #ShrillaryRotten and self-righteous Chelsea despite occasional myopic musings from prayerful #NannyPathetic after regaining the House gavel. The college basketball wish list, a stocking stuffer distinguishing between the naughty and nice, doesn't change much from the previous month at Thanksgiving or next week among New Year Resolutions. Opting out from responding to apology demands, some of them may fall in the Christmas Miracle petition category but following is a healthy serving of food-for-thought wishes presented to college hoop observers:

• Wish peace and comfort to family and friends of striking number of former All-American players and prominent coaches who passed away this year.

• Wish deserving mid-major players earn All-American acclaim this season and majority of Final Four participants are mid-majors because power conferences have never encountered such widespread mediocrity.

• Wish ex-college hoopers continued success as prominent NFL tight ends.

• Wish fans understand how good the Big East Conference first division is after league upheaval several years ago. Despite what Bill Walton might spout about the conference of champions, the Big East cellar dwellers are superior to almost all teams in the Pac 12.

• Wish special seasons for standout seniors such as Iowa's Luka Garza because they didn't abandon college hoops early and give the sport at least some modicum of veteran leadership.

• Wish the best for the Ivy League and Patriot League, which seem like the last bastions replete with textbook student-athletes. Despite no competition this season stemming from COVID pandemic, four Ivy League institutions - Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth and Harvard - can still hold their heads high despite each of them posting all-time losing records.

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

• Wish many highlights for entertaining little big men (players 5-10 or shorter) who inspire us with their self-confidence and mental toughness in the Land of the Giants.

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

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

• Wish Division I schools will soon find their bearings amid the chaotic restructuring of conferences forsaking tradition although the quest for mega-leagues could be delusional because they're vying for nonexistent television revenue.

• Wish more accuracy for recruiting services incapable of discerning multiple recent national player of the year honorees should have been ranked higher. Ditto to announcers who infect the sport by spreading this virus without ever seeing any of the players enough to properly evaluate them.

• Wish marquee coaches wouldn't serve up assistants as sacrificial lambs resembling Grinch when the heat of an investigation of their program intensifies. This practice really got out of hand when the FBI was involved, leading to myopic mentors promoting postseason tournament bans to try to influence NCAA enforcement as sentencing got closer and closer.

• Wish prominent programs would reduce, if not eliminate, academic exceptions. Of course, the quality of play will diminish by emphasizing textbook student-athletes but it's not as if half of the non-league games on TV aren't mismatches, anyway.

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

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

• Wish jaws wired shut for "Me Generation" showmen and "trippers" who've failed to comprehend their respective teams don't benefit on the court from a trash-talking Harlem Globetrotter routine.

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

• Wish high-profile coaches would show more allegiance rather than taking off for greener pastures despite having multiple years remaining on their contract. Also wish said pacts didn't include bonus for graduation ratio or GPA insofar as many coaches become Sgt. "I Know Nothing" Schultz whenever academic anemia issues surface.

• Wish network analysts would refrain from serving as apologists for the coaching community. When their familiar spiels echo throughout hoopdom, they become nothing more than the big mouths that bore.

• Wish marquee schools will vow to stop forsaking entertaining non-conference games with natural rivals while scheduling a half-dozen or more meaningless "rout-a-matics" at home. Aren't two or three gimmes enough?

• Wish a generous dose of ethics to defrauding coaches who manipulate junior colleges and high schools into giving phony grades. Ditto coaches who steer prize high school prospects to third parties toying with standardized test results.

• Wish authenticity for those "fatherly-advice" coaches who don't mandate that any player with pro potential take multiple financial literacy courses. Did they notice in recent years that products from Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Kentucky and Syracuse filed for bankruptcy after combining for more than half a billion dollars in salaries over their NBA careers? What kind of classes are taken in college anyway if a staggering 60% of NBA players file for bankruptcy five years after retirement? There's personal responsibility, but shouldn't the universities they attended feel some sort of culpability? And don't you wish most agents would become extinct if such a high percentage of pros end up with holes in their pockets?

• Wish overzealous fans will stop flogging freshmen for not living up to their high school press clippings right away. The impatient onlookers need to get a grip on themselves.

• Wish many of the excessive number of small schools with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads, thinking they can compete at the Division I level, would return to DII, DIII or NAIA. There are far too many examples of dreamy-eyed small schools such as Chicago State believing that competing with the big boys will get them national recognition, make big bucks from the NCAA Tournament and put the institutions on the map. They don't know how unrealistic that goal is until most of the hyphenated and directional schools barnstorm the country during their non-conference schedules in college basketball versions of Bataan Death Marches.

• Wish lapdog-lazy media outhustled by Louisville Escort Queen, creepy porn lawyer #Avenaughty and Duke student newspaper would display more energy exhibiting enterprising analysis. Why do almost all of the principal college basketball websites "progressively" look and read virtually the same? It's a byproduct of predictably pathetic press needing a jolt of adversarial reporting in toy department (sports) as well as dimwits such as former CNN know-nothing nabob Fredo Cuomo, the most distrusted snake among #MessMedia at most distrusted name in news (including anal legal analyst and his pet snake colleagues can Zoom in on).

• Wish coaches would "shut up and sing" rather than weigh in with opinions on restroom access, let alone POTUS pap criticism offered principally to appease their player pipeline of 90%-plus leftists exhibiting actual discrimination by voting one way.

• Wish ESPN, failing to acknowledge significant reduction in subscribers stems from #KneelWithJemele liberalism being a mental disorder, would cease becoming BSPN by giving politically-correct forums to insufferable leftist lunatics such as Howard Bryant and "experts" who either lie to NCAA investigators as a coach, drop their pants for locker-room motivation, get fired for intoxication, participate as agent in funneling funds to regal recruit, can't quite figure out Dell Curry's sons could also be All-Americans (while instead recruiting multiple thugs) and practice reprehensible race-baiting with the intellectually-bankrupt "Uncle Tom" bomb. If not, Extra Sensitive Pious Network needs yet another new Skipper for sinking ship.

Two days before Christmas is the anniversary of a "David vs. Goliath" game hailed as one of biggest upsets in college basketball history when national player of the year Ralph Sampson and Virginia got coal in their stocking by losing at Chaminade, 77-72, in Hawaii in 1982-83. The contest triggered one of the greatest achievements in small-college history as Chaminade went on to defeat an NCAA Division I school winning at least one NCAA playoff game in three consecutive campaigns. Following is a chronological list of victories by small schools over major universities going on to win at least one NCAA playoff game that season:

NOTES: Michigan '89 became NCAA champion and Louisville '59 reached the Final Four. . . . UC Riverside subsequently moved up to the NCAA Division I level in 2000-01.

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

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

• Forrest "Phog" Allen - Lost to Emporia State (Kan.) in 1947-48 while coaching Kansas.
• Forrest "Forddy" Anderson - Lost to Emporia State (Kan.) in 1947-48 while coaching Drake. Lost to Northern Michigan in 1960-61 while coaching Michigan State.
• John Bach - Lost to Adelphi (N.Y.) in 1958-59 while coaching Fordham.
• Kevin Bannon - Lost to Grand Canyon (Ariz.) at Hawaii in 1991-92 while coaching Rider.
• Rick Barnes - Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1991-92 while coaching Providence and in 2012-13 while coaching Texas.
• J.D. Barnett - Lost to Louisiana Christian in 1995-96 while coaching Northwestern State (La.).
• Jim Baron - Lost to Walsh (Ohio) in 1992-93 while coaching St. Bonaventure. Lost to Lubbock Christian (Tex.) at Las Vegas in 2003-04 while coaching Rhode Island. Lost to Metro State (Colo.) in 2013-14 while coaching Canisius.
• Gene Bartow - Lost at American-Puerto Rico in 1994-95 while coaching UAB.
• Dick Bennett - Lost to Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1985-86 and 1986-87 while coaching Wisconsin-Green Bay.
• Eddie Biedenbach - Lost to Montreat (N.C.) in 2001-02 and Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) in 2005-06 while coaching UNC Asheville.
• Tom Blackburn - Lost to Anderson (Ind.) in 1947-48, Ohio Wesleyan in 1948-49, Muskingum (Ohio) in 1949-50 and Wittenberg (Ohio) in 1962-63 while coaching Dayton.
• Bill Blair - Lost to Morris Harvey (W. Va.) and twice to Roanoke (Va.) in 1972-73 and to West Virginia Tech and Shepherd (W. Va.) in 1973-74 while coaching VMI.
• George Blaney - Lost to Springfield (Mass.) in 1969-70 and 1971-72 while coaching Dartmouth. Lost to Assumption (Mass.) in 1973-74 and 1985-86 and at Florida Southern in 1979-80 while coaching Holy Cross.
• Dave Bliss - Lost to Rollins (Fla.) and Texas Wesleyan in 1980-81 and at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1984-85 while coaching SMU. Lost to Eastern New Mexico in 1991-92 while coaching New Mexico.
• Bob Boyd - Lost to Tennessee-Martin in 1981-82 and Delta State (Miss.) in 1985-86 while coaching Mississippi State.
• Jim Brandenburg - Lost to South Dakota in 1979-80 while coaching Wyoming.
• Byron "Buster" Brannon - Lost to Sam Houston State (Tex.) twice in 1938-39 and once in 1940-41 while coaching Rice. Lost to East Texas State, at Hamline (Minn.) and twice to Austin (Tex.) College in 1948-49, Midwestern State (Tex.) in 1953-54 and Kentucky Wesleyan in 1955-56 while coaching Texas Christian.
• Tom Brennan - Lost to Florida Southern in 1982-83, Clark (Mass.) in 1985-86 and Trinity (Conn.) in 1985-86 while coaching Yale. Lost to St. Michael's (Vt.) in 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1988-89 while coaching Vermont.
• John Bunn - Lost to Eastern New Mexico (six times from 1957-58 through 1962-63), Fort Hays (Kan.) State (five times from 1957-58 through 1962-63), New Mexico Highlands in 1960-61, twice to Panhandle State (Okla.) in 1957-58, St. Cloud State (Minn.) in 1962-63, Southwestern Oklahoma State in 1956-57, Wayne State (Neb.) in 1962-63 and Western New Mexico in 1961-62 while coaching Northern Colorado.
• Jim Calhoun - Lost to Assumption (Mass.) in 1972-73; to Tufts (Mass.), American International (Mass.), Bridgeport (Conn.) and at Assumption (Mass.) in 1973-74; Assumption (Mass.) and Brandeis (Mass.) in 1974-75; Merrimack (Mass.) in 1975-76; Bridgeport (Conn.), Merrimack (Mass.), St. Anselm (Vt.) and Stonehill (Mass.) in 1976-77; American International (Mass.) and Assumption (Mass.) in 1978-79 and Florida Southern in 1980-81 while coaching Northeastern.
• John Calipari - Lost at Florida Tech in 1988-89 and to Lowell (Mass.) in 1989-90 while coaching Massachusetts.
• Lou Campanelli - Lost to West Virginia Tech in 1980-81 while coaching James Madison. Lost to Alaska-Anchorage in 1990-91 on neutral court while coaching California.
• Howard Cann - Lost to Panzer in 1938-39 and Brandeis (Mass.) in 1956-57 while coaching NYU.
• P.J. Carlesimo - Lost at Bentley (Mass.), to Southern Connecticut on a neutral court, to C.W. Post (N.Y.), at Springfield (Mass.) and at Bridgeport (Conn.) in 1976-77; to New Haven (Conn.) and at C.W. Post (N.Y.) in 1977-78, and at Staten Island (N.Y.) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (N.Y.) in 1981-82 while coaching Wagner.
• Henry "Doc" Carlson - Lost to Bethany (W. Va.) in 1948-49, Geneva (Pa.) in 1941-42, 1950-51 and 1952-53 and Carnegie Tech (Pa.) three times in four seasons from 1938-39 through 1941-42 plus five times in six seasons from 1949-50 through 1954-55 while coaching Pittsburgh.
• Pete Carril - Lost to East Stroudsburg (Pa.) in 1966-67 while coaching Lehigh.
• Don Casey - Lost to Philadelphia Textile in 1975-76 while coaching Temple.
• Joe Cipriano - Lost at Hawaii-Hilo in 1976-77 while coaching Nebraska.
• Gary Colson - Lost to John Brown (Ark.) in 1972-73 and Moorhead (Minn.) State in 1973-74 while coaching Pepperdine. Lost to Alaska-Anchorage in 1983-84 while coaching New Mexico.
• Bobby Cremins - Lost to Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) in 1975-76 and twice in 1977-78 while coaching Appalachian State.
• Denny Crum - Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1983-84 and 1984-85 while coaching Louisville.
• Charles "Chick" Davies - Lost to Waynesburg (Pa.) in 1937-38 and 1938-39 and to Wooster (Ohio) in 1937-38 while coaching Duquesne.
• Tom Davis - Lost to Moravian (Pa.) in 1973-74 and at Albright (Pa.) in 1975-76 while coaching Lafayette. Lost to Chico State (Calif.) in 1982-83 while coaching Stanford. Lost to UC Riverside in 1988-89 while coaching Iowa.
• Johnny Dee - Lost to Jacksonville (Ala.) State in 1952-53 while coaching Alabama.
• Don DeVoe - Lost to Johns Hopkins (Md.) in 2002-03 while coaching Navy.
• Ed Diddle - Lost to Kentucky Wesleyan in 1955-56, David Lipscomb (Tenn.) in 1962-63 and LeMoyne (N.Y.) in 1963-64 while coaching Western Kentucky.
• Bob Donewald - Lost to Cal State Bakersfield in 1980-81 while coaching Illinois State.
• Homer Drew - Lost to Bethel (Ind.) in 1997-98 while coaching Valparaiso.
• Charles "Lefty" Driesell - Lost to Catawba (N.C.) twice in 1960-61 and to Carson-Newman (Tenn.) and Erskine (S.C.) in 1961-62 while coaching Davidson.
• Hugh Durham - Lost at Puerto Rico-Mayaguez in 2001-02 while coaching Jacksonville.
• Bobby Dye - Lost at Chapman (Calif.) in 1975-76 while coaching Cal State Fullerton. Lost to Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in 1985-86 while coaching Boise State.
• Norm Ellenberger - Lost at Hawaii-Hilo in 1976-77 while coaching New Mexico.
• Fred Enke - Lost to Regis (Colo.) in 1959-60 while coaching Arizona.
• Larry Eustachy - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1991-92 and to Elizabeth City State (N.C.) in 1992-93 while coaching Idaho.
• Paul Evans - Lost at Rollins (Fla.) in 1981-82 while coaching Navy.
• Bill C. Foster - Lost at University of the South (Tenn.) and Roanoke (Va.) in 1970-71 and to Valdosta (Ga.) State in 1971-72 while coaching UNC Charlotte. Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1987-88 while coaching Miami (Fla.).
• Bill E. Foster - Lost at Albright (Pa.) in 1964-65 while coaching Rutgers. Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1981-82 while coaching South Carolina. Lost to Rollins (Fla.) in 1986-87 and 1987-88 while coaching Northwestern.
• Harold "Bud" Foster - Lost to South Dakota in 1956-57 while coaching Wisconsin.
• Bill Frieder - Lost to Alaska-Anchorage on a neutral court in 1988-89 while coaching Michigan.
• Jack Friel - Lost at Centenary (La.) and to Spring Hill (Ala.) in 1955-56 and Whitworth (Wash.) five times from 1951-52 through 1956-57 while coaching Washington State.
• John "Taps" Gallagher - Lost to Wayne State (Mich.) in 1951-52 and Gannon (Pa.) and Rochester (N.Y.) in 1964-65 while coaching Niagara.
• Dave Gavitt - Lost at Springfield (Mass.) in 1967-68 while coaching Dartmouth.
• Boyd Grant - Lost to Wisconsin-Parkside in 1978-79 while coaching Fresno State.
• Murray Greason - Lost to Rio Grande (Ohio) in 1953-54 while coaching Wake Forest.
• Ron Greene - Lost to Spring Hill (Ala.) in 1966-67 while coaching Loyola of New Orleans. Lost to Tennessee Wesleyan and Mississippi College in 1978-79, Arkansas College in 1981-82, West Virginia Tech in 1982-83 and Lincoln Memorial (Tenn.) in 1984-85 while coaching Murray State. Lost to Rollins (Fla.) in 1986-87 while coaching Indiana State.
• Tim Grgurich - Lost to Morris Harvey (W. Va.) in 1977-78 while coaching Pittsburgh.
• Frank Haith - Lost to Southeastern Oklahoma State in 2014-15 while coaching Tulsa.
• Leonard Hamilton - Lost at BYU-Hawaii in 1987-88 while coaching Oklahoma State.
• Jim Harrick - Lost at Abilene (Tex.) Christian in 1984-85 while coaching Pepperdine.
• Dick Harter - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1978-79 while coaching Penn State.
• Jack Hartman - Lost to Kentucky Wesleyan four times in three years from 1967-68 through 1969-70 while coaching Southern Illinois.
• Don Haskins - Lost to Louisiana College in 1977-78 while coaching Texas-El Paso.
• George "Jud" Heathcote - Lost at Puget Sound (Wash.) in 1972-73, 1973-74 and 1975-76 and at Southern Colorado in 1972-73 while coaching Montana.
• Bill Henderson - Lost to Howard Payne (Tex.) in 1955-56 while coaching Baylor.
• Lou Henson - Lost to Howard Payne (Tex.) twice, Midwestern State (Tex.), Eastern New Mexico and Abilene Christian (Tex.) in 1962-63; Abilene Christian and Midwestern State in 1964-65, and Pittsburg State (Kan.) in 1965-66 while coaching Hardin-Simmons. Lost at Eastern New Mexico in 1966-67, to Angelo State (Tex.) in 1971-72, at Alaska-Fairbanks in 1998-99 and at BYU-Hawaii in 2001-02 while coaching New Mexico State.
• Eddie Hickey - Lost to South Dakota in 1938-39 and 1939-40 while coaching Creighton.
• Bernard "Peck" Hickman - Lost to Georgetown College (Ky.) in 1958-59 while coaching Louisville.
• Paul "Tony" Hinkle - Lost to Wabash (Ind.) in 1959-60, twice in 1960-61 and in 1966-67 while coaching Butler.
• Terry Holland - Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1982-83 while coaching Virginia.
• Ben Howland - Lost to Concordia (Calif.) in 1994-95 while coaching Northern Arizona.
• Henry "Hank" Iba - Lost to Westminster (Mo.) in 1934-35 and 1936-37 and Abilene (Tex.) Christian in 1965-66 while coaching Oklahoma A&M/Oklahoma State.
• Moe Iba - Lost to Union (Tenn.) in 1968-69 and 1969-70 while coaching Memphis State.
• George Ireland - Lost to Regis (Colo.) in 1954-55, North Dakota State in 1966-67, Illinois Wesleyan in 1970-71 and Missouri Western in 1972-73 while coaching Loyola of Chicago.
• Maurice "Maury" John - Lost to South Dakota State in 1958-59 and Washington (Mo.) in 1963-64 while coaching Drake.
• Alvin "Doggie" Julian - Lost to St. Michael's (Vt.), at St. Anselm (N.H.) and at Tampa (Fla.) in 1950-51; to Amherst (Mass.) in 1952-53; at St. Michael's (Vt.), to Williams (Mass.) and at Springfield (Mass.) in 1960-61; to Colby (Maine) in 1961-62, and to Williams (Mass.) in 1964-65 while coaching Dartmouth.
• Jim Killingsworth - Lost to Westmont (Calif.) in 1980-81 while coaching Texas Christian.
• Bob King - Lost at Washington (Mo.) in 1963-64 while coaching New Mexico.
• Dana Kirk - Lost to Wisconsin-Parkside in 1979-80 while coaching Memphis State.
• Jack Kraft - Lost to Assumption (Mass.) in 1974-75 while coaching Rhode Island.
• Mike Krzyzewski - Lost to SUNY-Buffalo, Scranton (Pa.) and King's College (Pa.) in 1975-76 while coaching Army.
• Steve Lappas - Lost to Springfield (Mass.) in 1988-89 while coaching Manhattan.
• Jim Larranaga - Lost to Findlay (Ohio) in 1991-92 while coaching Bowling Green.
• Frank Layden - Lost to Thomas More (Ky.) in 1970-71 while coaching Niagara.
• Jack Leaman - Lost to American International (Mass.) in 1966-67 and 1969-70, Springfield (Mass.) in 1970-71 and Bentley (Mass.) in 1978-79 while coaching Massachusetts.
• A.E. "Abe" Lemons - Lost to Centenary (La.) in 1958-59, McMurry (Tex.) in 1960-61 and Wayland Baptist (Tex.) in 1984-85 while coaching Oklahoma City. Lost to Texas A&I in 1973-74 while coaching Pan American.
• Jim Les - Lost to Lubbock (Tex.) Christian at Las Vegas in 2003-04 while coaching Bradley.
• Guy Lewis - Lost to St. Mary's (Tex.) in 1969-70 and 1974-75, Texas A&I in 1979-80 and Alaska-Anchorage and Biscayne (Fla.) in 1980-81 while coaching Houston.
• Harry Litwack - Lost to West Chester (Pa.) in 1969-70 while coaching Temple.
• Taylor "Tates" Locke - Lost to North Park (Ill.) in 1978-79 while coaching Jacksonville.
• Ken Loeffler - Lost to Centenary (La.) in 1956-57 while coaching Texas A&M.
• Jim Lynam - Lost to Saint Leo (Fla.) and at Assumption (Mass.) in 1968-69 and to Southern Connecticut in 1969-70 while coaching Fairfield. Lost at King's (Pa.) in 1975-76 while coaching American University. Lost at Rollins (Fla.) in 1979-80 while coaching St. Joseph's.
• Nick Macarchuk - Lost to Buffalo State in 1982-83 while coaching Canisius.
• John MacLeod - Lost to Samford (Ala.) in 1971-72 while coaching Oklahoma. Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1998-99 while coaching Notre Dame.
• John "Red" Manning - Lost to Carnegie-Mellon (Pa.) in 1959-60 while coaching Duquesne.
• Rollie Massimino - Lost at New Orleans in 1973-74 and to Philadelphia Textile in 1975-76 and 1976-77 while coaching Villanova.
• James "Babe" McCarthy - Lost to University of the South (Tenn.) in 1955-56 and Mississippi College in 1964-65 while coaching Mississippi State.
• Neil McCarthy - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1978-79 while coaching Weber State. Lost to Western New Mexico in 1986-87 while coaching New Mexico State.
• Al McGuire - Lost at Washington (Mo.) in 1964-65 and Evansville in 1965-66 while coaching Marquette.
• Frank McGuire - Lost at Florida Southern in 1979-80 while coaching South Carolina.
• Jack McKinney - Lost to Catholic (D.C.) in 1966-67 while coaching St. Joseph's.
• Eddie Melvin - Lost to Cortland (N.Y.) State in 1947-48 and Gannon (Pa.) in 1948-49 while coaching St. Bonaventure. Lost to Morris Harvey (W. Va.) in 1956-57 and Wittenberg (Ohio) in 1958-59 and 1959-60 while coaching Toledo.
• Shelby Metcalf - Lost at Eastern Montana in 1980-81 and to St. Mary's (Tex.) in 1984-85 while coaching Texas A&M.
• Ray Meyer - Lost to Beloit (Wis.) in 1950-51, Wayne State (Mich.) in 1955-56, at North Dakota in 1965-66 and to St. Joseph's (Ind.) in 1969-70 while coaching DePaul.
• Eldon Miller - Lost to Winona (Minn.) State and Wisconsin-Platteville in 1986-87 and at American-Puerto Rico and to Morningside (Iowa) in 1990-91 while coaching Northern Iowa.
• Ralph Miller - Lost at Beloit (Wis.) in 1951-52 while coaching Wichita.
• Charles Moir - Lost to Dillard (La.) in 1973-74 and 1974-75 and Xavier (La.) in 1973-74 while coaching Tulane.
• Mike Montgomery - Lost to Puget Sound (Wash.) in 1978-79 and 1980-81 while coaching Montana. Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 1992-93 while coaching Stanford.
• Stan Morrison - Lost to San Francisco State in 1974-75 and at North Dakota in 1978-79 while coaching Pacific.
• Joe Mullaney - Lost to Assumption (Mass.) in 1963-64 and 1984-85 while coaching Providence. Lost to Stonehill (Mass.) in 1979-80 while coaching Brown.
• Jeff Mullins - Lost at Florida Southern in 1987-88 while coaching UNC Charlotte.
• Gerald Myers - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1990-91 while coaching Texas Tech.
• Lynn Nance - Lost to Nebraska-Omaha in 1979-80 while coaching Iowa State.
• Danny Nee - Lost to Charleston (W. Va.) in 1980-81 while coaching Ohio University.
• Jim O'Brien - Lost at Florida Tech in 1988-89 while coaching Boston College.
• Dave Odom - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1993-94 while coaching Wake Forest.
• Johnny Orr - Lost at Washington (Mo.) in 1964-65 while coaching Massachusetts. Lost at Eastern Montana in 1981-82 while coaching Iowa State.
• Bobby Paschal - Lost to Tampa in 1986-87 and 1987-88 while coaching South Florida.
• Tom Penders - Lost at CCNY in 1974-75 and at San Francisco State in 1977-78 while coaching Columbia. Lost at Hawaii-Pacific in 1985-86 while coaching Fordham.
• Jerry Pimm - Lost to Midwestern State (Tex.) in 1979-80 while coaching Utah. Lost to San Francisco State in 1983-84 while coaching UC Santa Barbara.
• Rick Pitino - Lost to Adelphi (N.Y.) in 1978-79 while coaching Boston University.
• Harry Rabenhorst - Lost to Louisiana College in 1955-56 and at Centenary (La.) in 1956-57 while coaching Louisiana State.
• Bill Raftery - Lost to Siena (N.Y.) in 1972-73, at Rollins (Fla.) in 1973-74 and to King's College (Pa.) in 1975-76 while coaching Seton Hall.
• Jack Ramsay - Lost to Albright (Pa.) in 1957-58 and 1961-62 while coaching St. Joseph's.
• George Raveling - Lost to St. Martin's (Wash.) in 1980-81 and Eastern Montana in 1981-82 while coaching Washington State.
• Roger Reid - Lost to Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2007-08 while coaching Southern Utah.
• Nolan Richardson Jr. - Lost at American-Puerto Rico in 1997-98 while coaching Arkansas.
• Alfred "A.J." Robertson - Lost to South Dakota in 1947-48 while coaching Bradley.
• Les Robinson - Lost to Francis Marion (S.C.) in 1983-84 while coaching The Citadel.
• Lee Rose - Lost at Eastern Montana in 1977-78 while coaching UNC Charlotte.
• Lou Rossini - Lost to Scranton (Pa.) in 1975-76 and Bentley (Mass.) in 1978-79 while coaching St. Francis (N.Y.).
• John "Honey" Russell - Lost at Saint Thomas (Minn.) in 1937-38, to David & Elkins (W. Va.) in 1949-50 and to Albright (Pa.) in 1949-50 and 1957-58 while coaching Seton Hall.
• Herb Sendek - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 2017-18 while coaching Santa Clara.
• Alex Severance - Lost to Albright (Pa.) in 1941-42, Swarthmore (Pa.) in 1943-44 and 1944-45 and Scranton (Pa.) in 1957-58 while coaching Villanova.
• Norman Sloan - Lost at Presbyterian (S.C.) in 1956-57 while coaching The Citadel.
• Jim Snyder - Lost to Marietta (Ohio) four times in five years from 1949-50 through 1953-54 and in 1959-60, Mount Union (Ohio) in 1949-50, Muskingum (Ohio) in 1950-51, Beloit (Wis.) and Lake Forest (Ill.) in 1951-52, Ohio Wesleyan in 1952-53 and Otterbein (Ohio) in 1966-67 while coaching Ohio University.
• Norm Stewart - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1985-86 while coaching Missouri.
• John Thompson Jr. - Lost to Assumption (Mass.) in 1973-74; Gannon (Pa.) in 1975-76; Randolph-Macon (Va.) in 1974-75; Roanoke (Va.) in 1972-73, and at South Florida in 1972-73 while coaching Georgetown.
• Ken Trickey - Lost to Union (Tenn.) in 1965-66, Transylvania (Ky.) in 1966-67 and 1968-69 and Oglethorpe (Ga.) in 1967-68 while coaching Middle Tennessee State. Lost to Nebraska-Omaha and South Dakota in 1975-76 while coaching Iowa State. Lost to Cameron (Okla.) in 1980-81 while coaching Oral Roberts.
• Billy Tubbs - Lost to Ohio Northern in 1980-81 while coaching Oklahoma. Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1995-96 while coaching Texas Christian. Lost to Delta State (Miss.) in 2005-06 while coaching Lamar.
• M.K. Turk - Lost at Florida Southern in 1979-80 and to Fairmont State (W. Va.) in 1984-85 while coaching Southern Mississippi.
• Jim Valvano - Lost to Armstrong State (Ga.) and Gannon (Pa.) in 1972-73, Wilkes (Pa.) in 1973-74 and Bloomsburg (Pa.) in 1974-75 while coaching Bucknell. Lost at Tampa in 1986-87 while coaching North Carolina State.
• Bob Vanatta - Lost at Centenary (La.) in 1956-57 while coaching Memphis State.
• Willem "Butch" van Breda Kolff - Lost at Albright (Pa.) in 1951-52 while coaching Lafayette. Lost at Florida Southern in 1988-89 while coaching Hofstra.
• Perry Watson - Lost to Wayne State (Mich.) in 1993-94 while coaching Detroit.
• Stan Watts - Lost to Hamline (Minn.) in 1951-52 while coaching Brigham Young.
• Bruce Weber - Lost to Fort Hays State (Kan.) in 2020-21 while coaching Kansas State.
• Clifford Wells - Lost to Spring Hill (Ala.) in 1953-54 and Louisiana College in 1962-63 while coaching Tulane.
• Bob Weltlich - Lost at Alaska-Anchorage in 1986-87 while coaching Texas.
• Paul Westhead - Lost at Biscayne (Fla.) in 1971-72 and Florida Southern in 1978-79 while coaching La Salle.
• Davey Whitney - Lost to Delta State (Miss.) six times in five years from 1985-86 through 1989-90; Dillard (La.) in 1986-87; Miles (Ala.) in 1988-89 and 1990-91; Mississippi College in 1990-91, 1992-93 and 1993-94; Slippery Rock (Pa.) in 1993-94, and Tougaloo (Miss.) in 1996-97 while coaching Alcorn State.
• Ralph Willard - Lost to Williams (Mass.) in 2003-04 while coaching Holy Cross.
• Carroll Williams - Lost to San Francisco State in 1970-71 and at Alaska-Anchorage in 1991-92 while coaching Santa Clara.
• Charlie Woollum - Lost to Rochester (N.Y.) in 1975-76 and 1976-77, Upsala (N.J.) in 1977-78 and Messiah (Pa.) in 1981-82 while coaching Bucknell.
• Jay Wright - Lost at Chaminade (Hawaii) in 2003-04 while coaching Villanova.
• Ned Wulk - Lost to Lawrence Tech (Mich.) and twice to Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio) in 1952-53 while coaching Xavier. Lost to Cal Poly Pomona in 1969-70 while coaching Arizona State.

It's no secret Greek philosopher Rick Pitino directed both Kentucky and Louisville to NCAA Tournament championships. Although their much-anticipated matchup was cancelled this season due to COVID considerations, they can't cancel another fact in their respective histories. Here is a UK/UL connection hoop secret ESPN's best researcher doesn't know: Centre College in Danville, Ky., boasts a distinction possibly rendering effervescent Dickie V speechless insofar as the Colonels blew up both Death Stars - UK (87-17 in 1909-10) and UL (61-7 in 1919-20) - by more than 50 points, handing each perennial power the most lopsided defeat in their vaunted history. The Cardinals lost five consecutive contests against Centre from 1939 to 1941 after the Wildcats dropped six straight decisions against Centre from 1918 to 1921.

If you need bar-bet winning information, additional major universities succumbing by staggering record-setting margins in the Dinosaur Age against obscure opponents include Bradley (bowed to Millikin), Cincinnati (Circleville), Connecticut (Wesleyan), Duke (Washington & Lee), Massachusetts (Williams), Memphis (Elks Club), North Carolina (Lynchburg YMCA Elks), Oklahoma State (Southwestern KS), Pittsburgh (Westminster), Rhode Island (Amherst), USC (L.A. Athletic Club) and Wichita State (Ottawa).

The "Final Five" DI schools reaching the NCAA playoff national semifinals at some point in their careers to win at least 20 games in a major-college season when suffering their most-lopsided setback include Indiana (1993-94), Louisiana State (1969-70), St. John's (1951-52), Texas-El Paso (2000-01) and UCLA (1996-97). Kentucky was the opponent when Florida, Georgia, St. John's, Temple, Tennessee, Tennessee-Martin, Tulsa and Vanderbilt were saddled with their worst reversals.

IU's 106-56 loss against Minnesota in 1993-94 came only two years after the Big Ten Conference rivals reversed roles when the Hoosiers handed the Gophers their most-lopsided setback in history (96-50). In 1997-98, Missouri rebounded from the Tigers' most-lopsided reversal in school history (111-56 at Kansas State in Big 12 Conference opener) to defeat the Wildcats in their return engagement (89-59 at Mizzou in regular-season finale) for an incredible 85-point turnaround in margin.

Dr. James Naismith founded the game of basketball but he apparently didn't boast any "inside" information gaining a competitive edge. In fact, Naismith is the only one of Kansas' first nine full-season head coaches to compile a career losing record (55-60 in nine campaigns from 1898-99 through 1906-07). One of the defeats was by an all-time high 40 points against Nebraska.

Naismith is among the following coaches, including a striking number of luminaries (such as Harold Anderson, Gene Bartow, Ben Carnevale, Gale Catlett, Chick Davies, Bill Foster, Marv Harshman, Doggie Julian, Bob Knight, Guy Lewis, Rick Majerus, Phil Martelli, Frank McGuire, Shelby Metcalf, Lute Olson, Johnny Orr, Vadal Peterson, Digger Phelps, Honey Russell and Norm Stewart) wrestling with status incurring the most-lopsided smack-down in history for an NCAA Division I university (info unavailable for some DI schools listed alphabetically below):

In 2016-17, NCAA playoff runner-up Gonzaga became one of only five different Jesuit schools a total of seven times reaching the NCAA Tournament Final Four since 1990 (joining Georgetown 07/Marquette 03/Loyola of Chicago 18/Villanova 09-16-18). The Zags duplicated their second-place finish last season.

The first year both the NCAA Tournament and NIT finals had Jesuit school representation was 1943. In a 33-year span ending in 1975 (first season NCAA playoff field expanded to at least 32 entrants), only five years (1946-50-57-64-66) emerged when neither the NCAA nor NIT had a Jesuit institution participate in their championship contests.

The "Catholic League" dominated national postseason competition in 1955 when all four title-tilt participants were linked to the largest Christian church. Are we in midst of another "J-school" revival? Dayton, Gonzaga and Villanova were legitimate Final Four contenders the last several seasons. Following is a list of championship game appearances for Jesuit schools in aforementioned 33-year span from mid-1940s to mid-1970s:

Year	NCAA Tourney Final	NIT Final
1943	Georgetown	St. John's
1944		DePaul/St. John's
1945		DePaul
1946	No Jesuit school participants in NCAA or NIT final
1947	Holy Cross
1948		St. Louis
1949		Loyola of Chicago/San Francisco
1950	No Jesuit school participants in NCAA or NIT final
1951		Dayton
1952	St. John's	Dayton
1953		St. John's/Seton Hall
1954	La Salle	Duquesne/Holy Cross
1955	La Salle/San Francisco	Dayton/Duquesne
1956	San Francisco	Dayton
1957	No Jesuit school participants in NCAA or NIT final
1958	Seattle	Dayton/Xavier
1959		St. John's
1960		Providence
1961		Providence/St. Louis
1962		Dayton/St. John's
1963	Loyola of Chicago	Canisius/Providence
1964	No Jesuit school participants in NCAA or NIT final
1965		Villanova
1966	No Jesuit school participants in NCAA or NIT final
1967	Dayton	Marquette
1968		Dayton
1969		Boston College
1970		Marquette/St. John's
1971	Villanova
1972		Niagara
1973		Notre Dame
1974	Marquette
1975		Providence

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 19 in football at the professional level (especially in 2010):

DECEMBER 19

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) returned an interception 26 yards for touchdown in a 22-9 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1971.

• E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team pick for SMU in late 1930s) and E Mal Kutner (two-year Texas hoops letterman in early 1940s) each had one of the Chicago Cardinals' three pass receptions in a 7-0 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948 NFL championship game. Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) rushed for 67 yards on 16 carries.

• New Orleans Saints rookie TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Drew Brees in a 30-24 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2010.

• Kansas City Chiefs rookie WR Tony Hargain (averaged 2.3 ppg for Oregon from 1986-87 through 1988-89 under coach Don Monson) posted career highs of six pass receptions and 76 receiving yards in a 35-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1992.

• Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught nine passes - including two touchdowns - in a 48-3 win against the Green Bay Packers in 2005. Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a TD on 35-yard fumble recovery return.

• Oakland Raiders TE Teyo Johnson (part-time starting forward for Stanford averaged 4.9 ppg and 3 rpg in 2000-01 and 2001-02) opened the game's scoring with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Kerry Collins in 40-35 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2004.

• Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 145 yards on 20 carries in a 24-16 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2020.

• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Damon Jones (averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1995-96 under coach Rich Herrin) opened game's scoring with a touchdown reception from Mark Brunell in 24-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1999.

• Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 31-17 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2010.

• Miami Dolphins rookie RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) had nine pass receptions for 148 yards in a 47-34 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1993.

• Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 14-10 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1954.

• Green Bay Packers TE Rich McGeorge (all-league hooper for Elon averaged 13.7 ppg and 9.1 rpg while making 59% of his field-goal attempts) had a career-high five pass receptions in 27-6 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1971.

• Cleveland Browns rookie HB Ara Parseghian (Miami of Ohio hooper in 1946-47 and 1947-48) rushed for 14 yards on four carries in a 49-7 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1948 AAFC championship game.

• Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) rushed 13 times for 43 yards and caught six passes for 41 yards in a 14-12 playoff setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1976.

• Cleveland Browns TE Robert Royal (collected 10 points and six rebounds in five LSU basketball games in 2000-01) opened game's scoring with a 20-yard touchdown reception from Colt McCoy in 19-17 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010.

• Washington Redskins CB Lonnie Sanders (averaged 10.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg as Michigan State forward in 1961-62) closed out 1965 campaign with an interception in his second straight game.

• Philadelphia Eagles rookie WR Troy Smith (played four basketball games for East Carolina in 1996-97) tore ligament in his leg making only pro reception - 14 yards from QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) - in a 24-9 win against the New England Patriots in 1999.

• New York Jets DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) recorded a safety in 22-17 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010.

• Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught a touchdown pass in each of last three AFL games of his rookie season in 1965.

• E Will Walls (starting forward with Texas Christian for three years from 1935 through 1937) had one of the New York Giants' four pass receptions in a 28-0 setback against the Washington Redskins in 1943 NFL championship game.

• Minnesota Vikings CB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two Texas-El Paso games in 1967-68 under Don Haskins) had a league-high 89-yard interception return in 27-10 win against the Chicago Bears in 1971 regular-season finale.

• San Diego Chargers DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had two interceptions in a 24-14 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1965.

Detroit senior guard Antoine Davis has gotten off to a shaky start with a reduction in scoring average for the third straight season. But Davis is still well on his way to joining Tennessee's Allan Houston as the only players to average more than 20 points per game all four campaigns while playing under his father. Last year, Davis joined legendary Pete Maravich (Louisiana State) as the only players in NCAA history to average at least 24 ppg in three seasons playing under his coaching father. Maravich, the NCAA's all-time scoring leader, competed in an era when freshmen were ineligible. Ricky Berry (San Jose State), Allan Houston (Tennessee) and Tony Bennett (Wisconsin-Green Bay) each averaged more than 20 points per game in at least two seasons in six-year span from 1986-87 through 1991-92. Three seasons ago, Davis and Tres Tinkle (Oregon State) joined the following list of highest single-season scoring averages for a son playing under his father:

• Pete Maravich (44.5 ppg as Louisiana State senior in 1969-70/coach Press Maravich)
• Pete Maravich (44.2 ppg as Louisiana State junior in 1968-69/Press Maravich)
• Pete Maravich (43.8 ppg as Louisiana State sophomore in 1967-68/Press Maravich)
• Doug McDermott (26.7 ppg as Creighton senior in 2013-14/Greg McDermott)
• Greg Goorjian (26.1 ppg as Loyola Marymount senior in 1982-83/Ed Goorjian)
• Antoine Davis (26.1 ppg as Detroit freshman in 2018-19/Mike Davis)
• Antoine Davis (24.3 ppg as Detroit sophomore in 2019-20/Mike Davis)
• Ricky Berry (24.2 ppg as San Jose State senior in 1987-88/Bill Berry)
• Billy Baron (24.1 ppg as Canisius senior in 2013-14/Jim Baron)
• Antoine Davis (24 ppg as Detroit junior in 2020-21/Mike Davis)
• Allan Houston (23.7 ppg as Tennessee sophomore in 1990-91/Wade Houston)
• Doug McDermott (23.2 ppg as Creighton junior in 2012-13/Greg McDermott)
• Doug McDermott (22.9 ppg as Creighton sophomore in 2011-12/Greg McDermott)
• Allan Houston (22.3 ppg as Tennessee senior in 1992-93/Wade Houston)
• Tony Bennett (21.5 ppg as Wisconsin-Green Bay junior in 1990-91/Dick Bennett)
• Allan Houston (21.1 ppg as Tennessee junior in 1991-92/Wade Houston)
• Mark Acres (20.8 ppg as Oral Roberts junior in 1983-84/Dick Acres)
• Tres Tinkle (20.8 ppg as Oregon State junior in 2018-19/Wayne Tinkle)
• Tee Trotter (20.5 ppg as Maryland-Eastern Shore junior in 2002-03/Thomas Trotter)
• Allan Houston (20.3 ppg as Tennessee freshman in 1989-90/Wade Houston)
• Ricky Berry (20.2 ppg as San Jose State junior in 1986-87/Bill Berry)
• Tony Bennett (20.2 ppg as Wisconsin-Green Bay senior in 1991-92/Dick Bennett)

Has there ever been a coach with consistent track record for dramatic player development anywhere close to matching Gonzaga's Mark Few? The Zags, capturing outright or sharing 20 of the previous 21 WCC regular-season championships, catapulted to #1 in national polls each of the past two years due largely to significant increases in scoring average from previous season for their top point producers. Vastly-improved Julian Strawther is on the following alphabetical list of many Few pupils starting with All-American Dan Dickau at the turn of the century who blossomed under him after redshirt season or undistinguished freshman campaign:

• Joel Ayayi - freshman RS in 2017-18 and 1.7 ppg in 2018-19 to 10.6 ppg in 2019-20 and 12 ppg as All-WCC first-team selection in 2020-21
• Casey Calvary - 3.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg as freshman in 1997-98 (when Few was Zags assistant) to All-WCC selection with 19.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2000-01
• Dan Dickau - 4 ppg as Washington freshman/sophomore in 1997-98 and 1998-99 to transfer becoming NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 2001-02 with 21 ppg
• Sam Dower - freshman RS in 2009-10 to All-WCC selection with 14.4 ppg and 7.2 rpg in 2013-14
• Rui Hachimura - 2.6 ppg as freshman in 2016-17 to NCAA consensus first-team All-American with 19.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2018-19
• Josh Heytvelt - 3.4 ppg and 2 rpg as freshman in 2005-06 to All-WCC selection with 14.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2008-09
• Korey Kispert - 8 ppg as freshman in 2018-19 to All-WCC first-team selection with 13.9 ppg in 2019-20 and 18.6 as NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 2020-21
• Zach Norvell Jr. - freshman RS in 2016-17 to All-WCC selection with 14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 3.1 apg in 2018-19
• Kelly Olynyk - 3.8 ppg as freshman in 2009-10 and RS season in 2011-12 to NCAA unanimous first-team All-American with 17.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg as junior in 2012-13
• Jeremy Pargo - 2.7 ppg as freshman in 2005-06 to All-WCC selection with 12.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 4.6 apg in 2006-07
• Filip Petrusev - 6.5 ppg as freshman in 2018-19 to WCC Player of the Year with 17.5 ppg in 2019-20
• Derek Raivio - 3.1 ppg and 1 apg as freshman in 2003-04 to All-WCC selection with 13 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.6 spg in 2004-05
• Robert Sacre - 2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg as freshman in 2007-08 to All-WCC selection in 2010-11 with 12.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.9 bpg
• Julian Strawther - 3.4 ppg as freshman in 2020-21 to 14 ppg early in 2021-22
• Killian Tillie - 4.2 ppg as freshman in 2016-17 to All-WCC second-team selection with 12.9 ppg the next season
• Drew Timme - 9.8 ppg as freshman in 2019-20 to 19 ppg as NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 2020-21 and 18-plus early in 2021-22
• Kyle Wiltjer - 5 ppg and 1.8 rpg as Kentucky freshman in 2011-12 to transfer becoming NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 2015-16 with 20.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 15 in football at the professional level (especially in 1935 championship contest and 1963):

DECEMBER 15

• Miami Dolphins LB Larry Ball (played eight hoop games for Louisville as sophomore in 1968-69 before persuaded by coach Lee Corso to concentrate on football) had an interception in 34-7 win against the Detroit Lions in 1973. Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw four touchdown passes to Paul Warfield.

• Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught seven passes for 138 yards in a 23-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2002. Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks.

• Detroit Lions TB Dutch Clark (four-time All-Rocky Mountain Conference hoops choice for Colorado College in late 1920s) rushed seven times for a game-high 80 yards - including 40-yard touchdown - in 26-7 win against the New York Giants in 1935 NFL championship contest. TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw a 42-yard pass for the Giants' lone touchdown. Giants rookie E Tod Goodwin (West Virginia hoops letterman in 1933) had two pass receptions for 26 yards. Giants B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries and returned one kickoff for 30 yards.

• Chicago Bears QB Jack Concannon (grabbed one rebound in one Boston College basketball contest in 1961-62) threw two touchdown passes in a 28-27 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1968 season finale.

• Cincinnati Bengals LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor in 1986-87 and 1987-88) had two interceptions - returning one 42 yards for a touchdown - in 21-13 win against the Houston Texans in 1996.

• A fourth-quarter touchdown reception by rookie E Dale Gentry (averaged 5.3 ppg for Washington State's 1941 NCAA Tournament runner-up) propelled the Los Angeles Dons to 17-17 AAFC tie against the Chicago Rockets in 1946.

• New Orleans Saints WR Eugene Goodlow (scored 38 points in 19 games for Kansas State in 1977-78 and 1978-79) caught five passes for 135 yards - including 76-yard touchdown from Bobby Hebert - in a 31-19 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1985.

• Dallas Cowboys DB Manny Hendrix (All-WAC second-team selection for Utah as senior in 1985-86 averaged 12.1 ppg and team-high 5.1 apg as sophomore) recorded a safety in 25-13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1991.

• Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan hoops in 1944) caught two touchdown passes from Norm Van Brocklin in a 37-21 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1957.

• Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 10 pass receptions for 170 yards and two touchdowns from DeShaun Watson in a 29-22 win against the New York Jets in 2018.

• St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 299 yards - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 28-24 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1963.

• Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns in a 21-13 win against the Chicago Bears in 2019.

• New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 24-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1968 season finale.

• Frankfort Yellow Jackets B Ken Mercer (three-year letterman as Simpson IA forward) rushed for three touchdowns in a 19-0 win against the Chicago Bears in 1928.

• Baltimore Colts RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) had two pass reception touchdowns - including 61-yarder from Earl Morrall - in a 28-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1968 regular-season finale.

• New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) caught four passes for 40 yards in a 24-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946 NFL championship game.

• Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught two of his AFL-high 16 touchdown passes in a 35-31 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1963. Broncos TE Gene Prebola (Boston University hooper in 1957-58) had four pass receptions for 106 yards. Broncos SE Lionel Taylor (led New Mexico Highlands in scoring average with 13.6 ppg in 1955-56 and 20.3 in 1956-57) had 10 of his AFL-leading 78 pass receptions.

• New England Patriots TE-LB John Tanner (JC recruit averaged 3.5 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Tennessee Tech in 1968-69) played on offense, defense and special teams in a 34-27 setback against the Miami Dolphins in 1974 finale.

• Washington Redskins rookie QB Harry Theofiledes (averaged 9.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Waynesburg PA in 1964-65 and 1965-66) threw a 39-yard touchdown pass in 14-3 win against the Detroit Lions in 1968 season finale.

• Tennessee Titans WR Kendall Wright (Baylor hooper as freshman in 2008-09) caught 12 passes for 150 yards in a 37-34 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2013.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 13 in football at the professional level (especially in 1959 and 1964):

DECEMBER 13

• New York Giants TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) had a career-high seven pass receptions in 45-38 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009.

• Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) closed out 1952 campaign with his third consecutive contest contributing three pass receptions for touchdowns (including 77-yarder).

• In his lone NFL appearance, Detroit Lions E Gene Cook (averaged 5.1 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Toledo from 1955-56 through 1957-58) caught one pass for 43 yards in a 25-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1959.

• Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes in a 49-6 AFL win against the San Diego Chargers in 1964.

• Chicago Bears rookie WR George Farmer (teammate of UCLA legend Lew Alcindor in 1968-69) caught a career-high nine passes for 142 yards in 35-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1970. Bears QB Jack Concannon (grabbed one rebound in one Boston College basketball contest in 1961-62) threw four touchdown passes en route to a career-high 338 yards.

• Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) coached the Washington Redskins in 1942 when they registered a 14-6 win against the Chicago Bears in the NFL championship game. Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) rushed for 25 yards on eight carries, caught one pass for 11 yards, had one interception and returned a kickoff for 23 yards.

• Chicago Cardinals QB King Hill (Rice letterman in 1955-56 and 1956-57) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 35-20 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1959.

• Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for three touchdowns in a 36-14 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1959.

• St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 371 of a league-high 3,045 yards - including two third-quarter touchdowns - in 36-34 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1964.

• New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-27 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1970. The next year with the Washington Redskins, Kilmer threw three TD passes in a 38-24 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1971.

• Detroit Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 41-6 win against the Dallas Texans in 1952. The next year, Layne threw two first-half TD passes in a 27-16 win against the New York Giants in 1953. In 1959 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Layne threw four TD passes in a 35-20 win against the Chicago Cardinals.

• New York Giants DE George Martin (Oregon hoops teammate of freshman sensation Ron Lee in 1972-73) returned a fumble recovery 20 yards for touchdown in 20-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1981.

• Los Angeles Rams rookie WR Bucky Pope (two-time All-Carolinas Conference pick for Catawba NC averaged 19.4 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) opened game's scoring by catching a 95-yard touchdown pass from Bill Munson in 24-24 tie against the Green Bay Packers in 1964.

• New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) had two interceptions - returning one 35 yards for touchdown - in 30-10 win against the Washington Redskins in 1997.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) passed for 301 yards - including three second-quarter touchdowns - in a 36-34 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964.

• Atlanta Falcons LB Kenny Tippins (made one basket and grabbed six rebounds in three hoops games with Middle Tennessee State in 1989-90) had two sacks in a 35-7 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1992.

• Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection for Tennessee averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted seven times for 324 yards (46.3 average) in a 27-10 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1969.

• San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught a touchdown pass in last four games to finish with league-high 10 TD catches in 1953.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 12 in football at the professional level (especially in 1937 championship game):

DECEMBER 12

• Washington Redskins RB Cliff Battles (four seasons of varsity hoops for West Virginia Wesleyan) opened game's scoring with a seven-yard rushing touchdown and LB Eddie Kawal (Illinois hoops letterman in 1930) returned an interception 19 yards in 28-21 win against the Chicago Bears in 1937 NFL Championship. Ray Flaherty (four-sport Gonzaga athlete including hoops) coached the Redskins. Bears E Eggs Manske (point guard led Northwestern to share of 1933 Big Ten Conference crown) had a four-yard pass reception touchdown plus 51-yard catch, Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries, Bears B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) returned an interception 16 yards and Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) completed a pass for 35 yards to rookie E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five). Plasman also had two sacks.

• Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-21 win against the New York Giants in 1948. Redskins E Hugh Taylor (OCU leading scorer with 11.4 ppg as senior in 1947) caught two second-half TD passes from Baugh. Six years later, Taylor had three first-half TD receptions in a 37-20 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1954.

• Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) completed 23-of-37 passes for 355 yards in a 34-25 AFL setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1965.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Al Dixon (Iowa State hooper in 1975-76 and 1976-77) had a career-high 102 receiving yards (on six catches) in 21-16 setback against the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982.

• B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) supplied all of the Chicago Bears' scoring with a field goal and 30-yard rushing touchdown in 9-7 win against the Pottsville Maroons in 1926.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 31-28 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1999.

• Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two touchdown passes in a 37-14 win against the New York Giants in 2004.

• Los Angeles Rams E Red Hickey (three-time All-SWC selection and member of Arkansas' 1941 Final Four team) opened a game's scoring with touchdown reception of more than 20 yards for third time in less than a month in 1948.

• Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) scored five touchdowns - including two via pass receptions (50 and 65 yards from Bart Starr) - in a 42-27 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1965. Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) had an 87-yard interception return.

• Washington Redskins QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-3 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 1999.

• Phoenix Cardinals RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 19-0 win against the New York Giants in 1992.

• Chicago Bears rookie QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 24-21 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1948.

• Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) scored two touchdowns in a 42-35 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1977. Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) completed 14-of-19 passes for three TDs. Six years earlier, Staubach threw three first-half TD passes in a 42-14 win against the New York Giants in 1971.

• Buffalo Bills QB George Ratterman (third-leading scorer with 11.7 ppg for Notre Dame in 1944-45) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1948 AAFC playoffs.

• Cincinnati Bengals rookie WR Patrick Robinson (starting guard for Tennessee State in 1990-91 when averaging 6.7 ppg and 2.9 apg) had a career-high three pass receptions in a 7-2 setback against the New England Patriots in 1993.

• Philadelphia Eagles LB George Tarasovic (led NLU forerunner Northeast Junior College LA with 21 ppg in 1950-51) returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in a 47-13 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1965.

• New York Giants E Will Walls (starting forward with TCU for three years from 1935 through 1937) caught a 33-yard touchdown pass in regular-season ending 31-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 1943.

• Philadelphia Eagles DE Norm Willey (Marshall hoops center in late 1940s) opened game's scoring by recovering a fumble for touchdown in 29-14 win against the New York Giants in 1954.

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and league funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.

Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 11 in football at the professional level (especially in 1938 championship contest, 1949 and 1960):

DECEMBER 11

• Philadelphia Eagles E Neill Armstrong (played one game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) caught a touchdown pass in his fourth consecutive contest in 1949.

• Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw three touchdown passes in a 53-27 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1949. Rams E Bob Shaw (Ohio State hoops starter in 1942 and 1943) had four TD pass receptions.

• New York Giants B Len Barnum (West Virginia Wesleyan hoper) had a nine-yard run from scrimmage and 20-yard pass reception in 23-17 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1938 NFL championship game. Packers E Wayland Becker (Marquette hoops letterman in mid-1930s) had a game-high 78 receiving yards. Giants TB Ed Danowski (Fordham hoops letterman in 1932-33) threw two touchdown passes, including a 21-yarder to rookie E Hap Barnard (four-year hoops letterman for Central Oklahoma played in 1938 NAIA Tournament as senior). C-LB Mel Hein (Washington State hoops letterman in 1930), the only offensive lineman earning NFL MVP award, recovered a fumble near midfield to help set up a Giants TD. Giants E Jim Lee Howell (All-SWC first-five selection as Arkansas senior in 1935-36) had two pass receptions. Giants TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) had a six-yard rushing TD.

• Philadelphia Eagles CB Jimmy Carr (three-year hoops letterman for Morris Harvey WV appeared in NAIA Tournament in 1953 and 1954) had an interception in his second consecutive contest in 1960. Pittsburgh Steelers RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) scored two first-half touchdowns - including an 87-yard run from scrimmage - in 27-21 win against the Eagles.

• Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes in a 23-21 win against the San Diego Chargers in 2005. Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught 13 passes for 123 yards. Six years later, Gates caught two TD passes from Philip Rivers in a 37-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2011.

• Chicago Bears B-PK John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916) threw a touchdown pass, rushed for TD and kicked three extra points in 27-14 win against the Duluth Eskimos in 1927 season finale.

• New Orleans Saints rookie WR Eugene Goodlow (scored 38 points in 19 games for Kansas State in 1977-78 and 1978-79) caught a career-high seven passes in 20-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1983.

• Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-24 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1955.

• New York Giants TB Hinkey Haines (Lebanon Valley PA transfer earned hoops letter for Penn State in 1920 and 1921) rushed for a 60-yard touchdown in 13-0 win against the New York Yankees in 1927.

• Dallas Cowboys DB Manny Hendrix (All-WAC second-team selection for Utah as senior in 1985-86 averaged 12.1 ppg and team-high 5.1 apg as sophomore) had an interception in 24-17 win against the Washington Redskins in 1988.

• New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 155 yards in a 3-0 win against the Washington Redskins in 1993.

• San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 23-10 win against the Buffalo Bills in 1983.

• Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) threw six of his league-high 23 touchdown passes in a 52-21 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1949.

• New York Titans WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) had 10 catches for 179 yards - including two touchdowns (one for 72 yards) - in a 31-28 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1960. Six years later with the Raiders, Powell caught two TD passes from Tom Flores (46 and 45 yards) in a 28-10 win against the Denver Broncos in 1966. In his lone professional game, Raiders QB Charlie Green (averaged 3.7 ppg and 2 rpg for Wittenberg OH runner-up in 1963 NCAA Division II Tournament) completed both pass attempts for a total of 17 yards against the Broncos.

• Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had two of his league-high 15 touchdown receptions in a 27-24 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1993.

• Atlanta Falcons LB Marion Rushing (Southern Illinois hooper from 1954-55 through 1956-57) had an interception in 16-10 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1966.

• New York Giants LB Tom Scott (hoops letterman as Virginia forward in 1951) returned an interception 14 yards for touchdown in 17-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 1960.