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On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 22

April 22nd, 2024 - 9:21

Extra! Extra! Unless you're celebrating Earth Day from a zealous climate-change claptrap perspective or protesting on behalf of Hamas like some coddled Ivy Leaguer, you can instead read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles each went 4-for-4 in a MLB game on this date. Ex-hoopers from three Louisiana colleges - Zeke Bonura (Loyola New Orleans), Lyle Mouton (Louisiana State) and Cecil Upshaw (Centenary) - also made MLB news on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 22 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 22

  • Cincinnati Reds OF Ethan Allen (Cincinnati basketball letterman in 1924-25 and 1925-26) provided four hits in a 9-4 triumph against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1929.

  • Seattle Mariners 1B Bruce Bochte (starting forward for Santa Clara's NCAA playoff team in 1969-70) hit safely in first 14 games of 1979 campaign until his streak was snapped by the Minnesota Twins.

  • 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers and drove in all five runs for the Chicago White Sox in a 6-5 setback against the St. Louis Browns in 1935.

  • Chicago Cubs SS Leon Brinkopf (Southeast Missouri State basketball letterman in 1944-45) scored his lone MLB run in a 1952 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Oakland Athletics LF Glenn Burke (averaged 16.3 ppg in six basketball games with Nevada-Reno in 1974-75) scored three runs in a 7-6 win against the California Angels in 1979.

  • Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) clubbed two homers against the Cleveland Indians in a 1958 game.

  • Milwaukee Braves 2B Jack Dittmer (Iowa hooper in 1949-50) jacked a homer in his third consecutive contest in 1953.

  • New York Giants 2B Frankie Frisch (Fordham hoops captain) furnished four hits against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a 1923 outing.

  • Houston Astros RHP Dave Giusti (Syracuse hooper in 1959-60) went 3-for-3 at the plate while hurling a shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 1966. A little over seven weeks later, he also went 3-for-3 against the Chicago Cubs.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81 who twice led league in assists) went 4-for-4 against the San Francisco Giants in a 1991 game. It came on the third anniversary of milestone 1,000th of 3,141 MLB career hits (single off Hall of Fame Houston Astros RHP Nolan Ryan).

  • In 1953, New York Giants RHP Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech hoops letterman in 1941-42) posted his 12th consecutive win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to Minnesota Twins in 1988.

  • Kansas City Athletics SS Billy Hunter (multi-sport athlete for Indiana PA post-WWII) hammered a three-run homer for the second time in three games in 1958.

  • Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger (three-time All-SEC selection for Mississippi from 1961-62 through 1963-64 while finishing among nation's top 45 scorers each year) contributed three hits, including an inside-the-park homer, in a 7-5 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, snapping P Mike Torrez's 11-game winning streak dating back to previous season.

  • Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) scored four runs in a 16-12 triumph against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.

  • OF Lyle Mouton (starter in Louisiana State's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) shipped by the New York Yankees to the Chicago White Sox in 1995 to complete an earlier deal involving P Jack McDowell.

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) went 4-for-4 against the Texas Rangers in a 1979 contest.

  • Reliever Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Houston Astros in 1973.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers rookie 1B Preston Ward (second-leading scorer for Southwest Missouri State in 1946-47 and 1948-49) went 2-for-5 against the New York Giants in each of his first three MLB games in 1948.

  • Kansas City Royals C John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) went 4-for-4 with three RBI in 7-2 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 21

April 21st, 2024 - 9:14

Extra! Extra! As left-leaning online outlets and legacy #MessMedia careen into bankruptcy with all the dignity of IndyStar sports columnist Gregg Doyel interviewing Caitlan Clark, you can read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former hoops All-Americans Ernie Andres (Indiana) and Billy Werber (Duke) made news as infielders for the Boston Red Sox on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 21 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 21

  • Lone MLB RBI for 3B Ernie Andres (NCAA consensus first-team basketball All-American with Indiana in 1939) helped the Boston Red Sox outlast the Philadelphia Athletics, 12-11, in the opener of a 1946 doubleheader.

  • St. Louis Browns rookie RF Beau Bell (two-year hoops letterman for Texas A&M in early 1930s) contributed four hits and four RBI against the Chicago White Sox in a 1935 game.

  • Chicago White Sox RF Ken Berry (freshman hooper for Wichita in 1959-60) contributed multiple hits in his sixth straight game in 1967. He assembled a career-long 20-game hitting streak later in the campaign.

  • Chicago White Sox 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) banged out four hits against the St. Louis Browns in 1937 season opener.

  • Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) supplied four hits against the Boston Red Sox in a 1982 contest.

  • Washington Senators RHP Casey Cox (juco recruit averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Cal State Los Angeles in 1961-62) won his first three starts in 1970.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV hoops captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) pinch-hitting for Willie Stargell, delivered a decisive three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning for an 8-5 win against the Chicago Cubs in 1964.

  • In his MLB debut, Philadelphia Phillies RHP Bob Greenwood (St. Mary's hoops letterman second half of 1940s) tossed 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. His first strikeout victim was All-Star CF Duke Snider.

  • LHP Steve Hamilton (All-Ohio Valley Conference selection was Morehead State's leading scorer and rebounder in 1956-57 and 1957-58) traded by the Washington Senators to the New York Yankees for P Jim Coates in 1963.

  • New York Mets CF Jim Hickman (freshman hooper for Ole Miss in 1955-56) homered in both ends of a 1963 twinbill against the Milwaukee Braves. A grand slam helped him secure five RBI in the opener.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Howie Judson (Illinois' third-leading scorer with 8.5 ppg as sophomore in 1944-45) won his 1949 season debut (5-2 against Detroit Tigers) before dropping next 14 decisions through August.

  • California Angels C Art Kusnyer (led Kent State in field-goal percentage in 1965-66 as team's third-leading scorer and rebounder) contributed a career-high three hits against the Texas Rangers in a 1972 outing.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's hoops leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) collected three hits and three stolen bases against the Minnesota Twins in a 1994 contest.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) went 4-for-4 against the Chicago Cubs in the nightcap of a 1957 doubleheader.

  • Oakland Athletics CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) went 4-for-4 against the Detroit Tigers in a 1976 game.

  • Boston Red Sox SS Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) registered multiple extra-base hits in his third consecutive contest in 1934.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B Bill White (two-year hooper with Hiram OH in early 1950s) supplied multiple hits in five of his first seven games in 1962.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) opened the 1957 campaign with a 10-inning shutout against the Kansas City Athletics.

  • New York Yankees DH Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) smacked two homers against the Texas Rangers in a 1990 game.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 20

April 20th, 2024 - 9:49

Extra! Extra! As a new season shifts into high gear, you can shake your head in disgust regarding Plagiarist "Pedo Pete" Biledumb tinkering with Title IX or read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (Louisiana State), Dick Gernert (Temple) and Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD) belted multiple homers in MLB games on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 20 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 20

  • Cincinnati Reds LF Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) jacked two homers against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the nightcap of a 1952 twinbill.

  • Cincinnati Reds RF Frankie Baumholtz (MVP in 1941 NIT and first player in Ohio University history to score 1,000 career points) contributed four hits against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1948 game.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie 1B Ed Bouchee (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) went 4-for-4 with three runs scored in a 6-5 win against the New York Giants in 1957 contest. His seventh-inning homer provided decisive tally.

  • In his first appearance in 1956, Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman hoops team) fired a four-hit shutout against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Boston Red Sox 1B Dick Gernert (Temple hoops letterman in 1948-49) smashed three homers in a doubleheader sweep of the Washington Senators in 1953.

  • In his MLB debut in 1923, pinch-runner Hinky Haines (Penn State hoops letterman in 1919-20 and 1920-21) scored the tying tally on Babe Ruth's ninth-inning, game-winning two-run double in the New York Yankees' 4-3 win against the Boston Red Sox.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) went 4-for-4 and scored three runs in a 7-4 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982.

  • Washington Senators RF Chuck Hinton (played multiple sports for Shaw NC before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s) went 4-for-4 against the New York Yankees in a 1963 contest.

  • Philadelphia Phillies rookie RHP Harry Hoch (member of sophomore hoops squad for Dickinson PA in 1911) hurled his second of two complete-game victories in his first two MLB starts in 1908.

  • New York Giants RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) didn't allow an earned run in 8 1/3 innings en route to registering his first MLB victory (2-1 against the Boston Braves in 1924).

  • Chicago Cubs 3B Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS where he became an All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) went 5-for-5 and walked twice in a 17-inning game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1986.

  • A single by Kansas City Royals RF Jerry Martin (Furman's second-leading scorer in 1969-70 and third-leading scorer in 1970-71) was the only hit Detroit Tigers P Milt Wilcox surrendered in an 8-0 shutout in 1982.

  • In 1981, Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) provided his third two-double outing in a six-game span.

  • Chicago Cubs RF Bill Nicholson (Washington College MD hooper in mid-1930s) blasted two homers, including a grand slam, and supplied six RBI in a 7-4 win at St. Louis in 1947.

  • In 1961, 2B Mel Roach (averaged 9.3 ppg for Virginia in 1952-53) tied the score with the Philadelphia Phillies by ripping a two-out, three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Braves went on to prevail, 7-6, in 11 frames.

  • Minnesota Twins RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) won his first three starts in 1987.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie 2B Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) accounted for multiple hits in each of first six MLB outings in 1921.

  • RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. Two years earlier, Tekulve permitted his only earned run in first 17 relief appearances of the 1983 campaign.

  • 2B Wayne Terwilliger (two-year letterman for Western Michigan averaged 5.6 ppg in his final season in 1947-48) collected an eighth-inning single for the Washington Senators' lone safety in a 7-0 loss against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.

  • Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) stroked three doubles against the Washington Senators in the nightcap of a 1953 doubleheader.

  • New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) doubled in his fifth straight game in 1986.

  • Tampa Bay Devil Rays CF Randy Winn (Santa Clara backcourtmate of eventual two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Steve Nash in 1993-94) supplied an extra-base safety in his sixth consecutive contest in the midst of eight multiple-hit outings in a 10-game span in 2002.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 19

April 19th, 2024 - 9:37

Extra! Extra! As a new season shifts into high gear, you can chuckle at Congressional remarks ridiculing regular CNN Sucks/#MSDNC guest California Dimorat Eric Swalwell doing the dirty with Chinese spy "Fang Fang" or read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former hoops All-Americans Danny Ainge (Brigham Young) and Bosey Berger (Maryland) made MLB news on this date. Ditto ex-CA juco hoopers Steve Barber (Riverside City), Garth Iorg (Redwoods) and Jackie Robinson (Pasadena City) plus other J.C. hoopers Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military) and Carl Reynolds (Lon Morris TX). Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 19 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 19

  • Toronto Blue Jays LF Danny Ainge (three-time Brigham Young basketball All-American and national player of year as senior in 1980-81) went 3-for-3 in an 8-1 setback against the Cleveland Indians in 1980.

  • Only MLB decision for RHP Steve Barber (J.C. starter under coach Jerry Tarkanian before attending La Verne CA) was a 9-8 victory for the Minnesota Twins against the Kansas City Royals in 1971.

  • San Diego Padres RHP Andy Benes (joined Evansville's shorthanded basketball squad in 1985-86 under coach Jim Crews) allowed only one earned run in his first three starts in 1992 covering 23 1/3 innings.

  • 3B Bosey Berger (Maryland's first hoops All-American in 1931-32) awarded on waivers from the Cleveland Indians to the Chicago White Sox in 1937.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Donn Clendenon (four-sport letterman with Morehouse GA) provided four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1966 game.

  • Washington Senators RHP Mark Filley (Williams MA hooper in early 1930s) made his lone MLB appearance, hurling one-third of an inning in relief against the Boston Red Sox in 1934.

  • In 2017 in his third MLB start, Amir Garrett (averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg for St. John's under coach Steve Lavin in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before RS transfer year at Cal State Northridge) tied a Cincinnati Reds record for a rookie LHP by fanning 12 Baltimore Orioles batters.

  • Cincinnati Reds RHP Ken Hunt (freshman hooper for Brigham Young in 1957-58) won his first MLB start (4-2 against the San Francisco Giants in 1961), fanning Felipe Alou and Willie McCovey.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Walt Huntzinger (All-Ivy League forward with Penn in 1921-22) toiled 14 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Chicago Cubs in 1926. He was waived to the Cubbies two months later.

  • Toronto Blue Jays 3B Garth Iorg (juco hooper with College of the Redwoods CA in mid-1970s) went 4-for-4, including a game-winning triple in bottom of the ninth inning, in 2-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles in 1984.

  • New York Giants 1B Monte Irvin (Lincoln PA hooper 1 1/2 years in late 1930s) collected six RBI against the Boston Braves in the nightcap of a 1951 doubleheader.

  • St. Louis Cardinals 1B George Kernek (Oklahoma hoops letterman in 1959-60 and 1960-61) contributed three hits for the second time in four games in 1966.

  • Five hits by CF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) were in vain as the St. Louis Cardinals incurred a 17-inning, 4-3 loss against the New York Mets in 1976.

  • In a 1961 contest, Los Angeles Dodgers LF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) supplied two homers and five RBI against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).

  • In 1942, Chicago Cubs RHP Claude Passeau (Millsaps MS hooper in late 1920s and early 1930s) didn't yield a hit until there was one out in the eighth inning when CF Harry Craft (Mississippi College hooper first half of 1930s) singled for the Cincinnati Reds.

  • Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper from 1955-57) drilled two doubles good for four RBI in first three innings of a 1964 contest against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Oakland Athletics INF Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) banged out four hits in a 1986 game against the Seattle Mariners. The next day, he collected three safeties and scored three runs against Seattle.

  • Boston Red Sox CF Carl Reynolds (Southwestern TX hoops MVP and captain in mid-1920s) went 4-for-4 (including two triples) in the nightcap of a 1934 twinbill against the Washington Senators.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers LF Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) went 4-for-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1954.

  • RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox in a six-player swap in 1969.

Five New NCAA DI Mentors Coached Previously For School in Same State

April 19th, 2024 - 9:33

Fran Dunphy is bench boss for his third different school in Philadelphia at La Salle following long stints with Penn (1989-90 through 2005-06) and Temple (2006-07 through 2018-19). Billy Gillispie (Tarleton) is coaching his fourth different university in Texas. He previously was mentor at Texas-El Paso (2002-03 and 2003-04), Texas A&M (2004-05 through 2006-07) and Texas Tech (2011-12). But Dunphy and Gillispie aren't the only individuals in multiple-schools-in-same-state category. They are joined by the following alphabetical list of other active NCAA DI coaches presently serving as bench boss in same state (six in Texas) where they previously piloted another DI school:

Head Coach State Current DI School Previous DI School in Same State
Casey Alexander TN Belmont (since 2019-20) Lipscomb (2013-14 through 2018-19)
Tad Boyle CO Colorado (since 2010-11) Northern Colorado (2006-07 through 2009-10)
Alvin Brooks Jr. TX Lamar (since 2021-22) Houston (1993-94 through 1997-98)
Tim Craft NC Western Carolina (since 2024-25) Gardner-Webb (2013-14 through 2023-24)
Joe Golding TX Texas-El Paso (since 2021-22) Abilene Christian (2011-12 through 2020-21)
John Groce OH Akron (since 2017-18) Ohio University (2008-09 through 2011-12)
Leonard Hamilton FL Florida State (since 2002-03) Miami FL (1990-91 through 1999-00)
Shaheen Holloway NJ Seton Hall (since 2022-23) Saint Peter's (2018-19 through 2021-22)
Darrin Horn KY Northern Kentucky (since 2019-20) Western Kentucky (2003-04 through 2007-08)
Kevin Johnson LA Southern (since 2023-24) Centenary (1999-00 through 2004-05)
Donnie Jones FL Stetson (since 2019-20) UCF (2010-11 through 2015-16)
Johnny Jones TX Texas Southern (since 2018-19) North Texas (2001-02 through 2011-12)
Kevin Keatts NC North Carolina State (since 2017-18) UNC Wilmington (2014-15 through 2016-17)
Rob Lanier TX Rice (since 2024-25) Southern Methodist (2022-23 and 2023-24)
Steve Lavin CA San Diego (since 2022-23) UCLA (1996-97 through 2002-03)
Cuonzo Martin MO Missouri State (2008-09 through 2010-11 and since 2024-25) Missouri (2017-18 through 2021-22)
Grant McCasland TX Texas Tech (since 2023-24) North Texas (2017-18 through 2022-23)
Dan Monson WA Eastern Washington (since 2024-25) Gonzaga (1997-98 and 1998-99)
Rick Pitino NY St. John's (since 2023-24) Iona (2020-21 through 2022-23)
Keith Richard LA Louisiana-Monroe (since 2010-11) Louisiana Tech (1998-99 through 2006-07)
Joe Scott CO Air Force (2000-01 through 2003-04 and since 2020-21) Denver (2007-08 through 2015-16)
Marty Simmons IL Eastern Illinois (since 2021-22) SIU-Edwardsville (2002-03 through 2006-07)
Craig Smith UT Utah (since 2021-22) Utah State (2018-19 through 2020-21)
Kyle Smith CA Stanford (since 2024-25) San Francisco (2016-17 through 2018-19)
Travis Steele OH Miami of Ohio (since 2022-23) Xavier (2018-19 through 2021-22)
Rodney Terry TX Texas (since 2022-23) Texas-El Paso (2018-19 through 2020-21)
Will Wade LA McNeese State (since 2023-24) Louisiana State (2017-18 through 2021-22)

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 18

April 18th, 2024 - 9:25

Extra! Extra! As a new season shifts into high gear, you can listen to how self-absorbed New York City #Dimorat Mayor Eric Adams is more concerned about his plant-based diet and destination demographics for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant busing than encouraging attorneys Large Letitia and Bozo Bragg to fight excessive crime or read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Arizona, Cincinnati, Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Syracuse and UCLA - NCAA playoff kingpins at some point in their respective histories - had former hoopers make MLB news on this date. Ditto four ex-hoopers from Pennsylvania small colleges - Albright, Grove City, Mansfield and Wilkes - before they became MLB pitchers. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 18 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 18

  • Chicago White Sox rookie 1B Zeke Bonura (best basketball forward for Loyola LA in late 1920s and early 1930s) belted two homers against the Detroit Tigers in 1934 in his second MLB game. Four years later with the Washington Senators, Bonura contributed three hits and four RBI in a 12-8 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1938 season opener.

  • Philadelphia Phillies INF Gene Freese (West Liberty WV basketball captain of 1952 NAIA Tournament team) smacked a pinch grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1959 game.

  • Atlanta Braves RHP Kevin Gryboski (backup hooper for Wilkes PA in 1991-92 and 1992-93) surrendered his only run in first 17 relief appearances of 2004 campaign.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1993 contest.

  • Texas Rangers 1B Mike Hargrove (Northwestern Oklahoma State hoops letterman) collected four hits and five RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a 1976 doubleheader.

  • RHP Jim Konstanty (Syracuse hooper in late 1930s) traded by the Cincinnati Reds with cash to the Boston Braves in 1946.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops squad in 1953-54) threw the second of two immaculate innings in his career when he struck out the side on nine pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in third frame in 1964.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Frank Linzy (listed on Oklahoma State's freshman hoops roster in 1959-60) posted his third save in a week in 1971.

  • Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) provided a homer among his five hits in a 14-0 romp over the Colorado Rockies in 1997. Five years later with the Chicago White Sox, Lofton delivered multiple safeties seven times in a span of eight games while raising his batting average from .250 to .426 in 2002.

  • Davey Lopes (NAIA All-District 15 selection for Iowa Wesleyan averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach to Washburn KS and becoming All-CIC choice for 1968 NAIA Tournament team) fired as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2002.

  • San Francisco Giants CF Billy North (played hoops briefly for Central Washington in 1967-68) stole three bases against the Atlanta Braves in a 1981 contest.

  • Chicago White Sox LHP Gary Peters (Grove City PA hooper from 1955-57) knocked in four runs with a pair of doubles in 1964 game against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Montreal Expos RHP Steve Renko (averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.8 rpg as Kansas sophomore in 1963-64) won his first start of season against the New York Mets before dropping last 10 decisions of the 1972 campaign.

  • St. Louis Cardinals LF Rip Repulski (occasional hoops starter for St. Cloud State MN in 1946-47) went 4-for-4 in a 1955 outing against the Cincinnati Redlegs.

  • Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers each season from 1944-45 through 1946-47) surrendered the first hit on artificial turf in 1966 when Los Angeles Dodgers SS Maury Wills singled to center at Houston's Astrodome.

  • 1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) ripped his first homer for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 (against New York Giants). The blast was Robinson's lone round-tripper in his first 30 MLB games.

  • Cleveland Indians LHP Joe Shaute (hooper for Mansfield PA in early 1920s) allowed only one earned run in tossing complete-game victories in his first two appearances of 1928 campaign.

  • New York Yankees RHP Roy Sherid (Albright PA hoops center in 1926-27 and 1927-28) toiled 15 innings but lost, 5-4, against the Boston Red Sox in 1931.

  • Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) swatted two homers in 2007 game against the Texas Rangers.

  • RHP Cecil Upshaw (led Centenary in scoring as junior while averaging 13.7 ppg and 6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64) registered his fourth victory hurling at least three innings of relief in the Atlanta Braves' first 11 games of the 1971 season.

  • Philadelphia Athletics 3B Billy Werber (first Duke hoops All-American in 1929-30) provided four safeties in season opener en route to seven multiple-hit games in his first 11 outings of the 1938 campaign. Ellis also coached two DI schools in Alabama (South Alabama and Auburn).

Humble Backgrounds: Small-College Grads Piloting Power-League Members

April 18th, 2024 - 9:19

In a caste-like era separating the haves from the have-nots, imperial universities are seeking mega-conferences and, perhaps in the near future, a restrictive upper division. But the socially elite won't ever be able to exclude small schools from making a big impact among power-conference members.

Smaller colleges, many of them in the hinterlands, have supplied a striking number of the biggest names in coaching. From 1995 through 2000, five of the six NCAA Tournament championship coaches (Jim Calhoun, Jim Harrick, Tom Izzo, Lute Olson and Tubby Smith) graduated from obscure colleges with smaller enrollments. In fact, it is a rarity for a Final Four not to feature at least one coach who graduated from a non-NCAA Division I school.

New Arkansas bench boss Hog John Calipari, a graduate of Clarion (Pa.) State, guided Kentucky to the 2012 national championship before Michigan's John Beilein (Wheeling Jesuit NY) and Wichita State's Gregg Marshall (Randolph-Macon VA) directed teams to the Final Four the second half of the previous decade. After nine such bench bosses were hired in the last two years, following is an alphabetical list of fraternity of active power-league mentors working their way up the ladder after graduating from a small school:

Current Head Coach Power-League Member Small-College Alma Mater
Dana Altman Oregon Eastern New Mexico '80
Rick Barnes Tennessee Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) '76
Brad Brownell Clemson DePauw (Ind.) '91
John Calipari Arkansas Clarion (Pa.) State '82
Ed Cooley Georgetown Stonehill (Mass.) '94
Andy Enfield Southern Methodist Johns Hopkins (Md.) '91
Steve Forbes Wake Forest Southern Arkansas '88
Greg Gard Wisconsin Wisconsin-Platteville '95
Earl Grant Boston College Georgia College '00
Leonard Hamilton Florida State Tennessee-Martin '71
Chris Holtmann DePaul Taylor (Ind.) '94
Tom Izzo Michigan State Northern Michigan '77
Chris Jans Mississippi State Loras College (Iowa) '91
Kevin Keatts North Carolina State Ferrum (Va.) '95
Tommy Lloyd Arizona Whitman College (Wash.) '98
Steve Lutz Oklahoma State Texas Lutheran '95
Nate Oats Alabama Maranatha Baptist (Wis.) '97
T.J. Otzelberger Iowa State Wisconsin-Whitewater '01
Lamont Paris South Carolina College of Wooster (Ohio) '96
Mike Rhoades Penn State Lebanon Valley (Pa.) '95
Micah Shrewsberry Notre Dame Hanover College (Ind.) '99
Shaka Smart Marquette Kenyon (Ohio) '99
Craig Smith Utah North Dakota '96
Kyle Smith Stanford Hamilton (N.Y.) College '92
Jerome Tang Kansas State North Central Bible College (Minn.)
Rodney Terry Texas St. Edward's (Tex.) '90
Brent "Buzz" Williams Texas A&M Oklahoma City '94
Kevin Young Brigham Young Clayton State (Ga.) '04
Mike Young Virginia Tech Emory & Henry (Va.) '86

NOTE: North Dakota and Tennessee-Martin subsequently were classified as NCAA DI universities. OCU previously was designated as a major college.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 17

April 17th, 2024 - 9:21

Extra! Extra! As new season swings into high gear, you can curse political windbags immersed in lawfare, Plagiarist Biledumb fabricating story about Uncle Bosey devoured by cannibals and Hamas supporters protesting by blocking traffic or read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former college hoopers Joe Adcock (Louisiana State), Frank Bolling (Spring Hill AL) and Johnny Logan (Binghamton) supplied significant offensive performances for the Milwaukee Braves on this date while ex-Oklahoma hoopers Eddie Fisher and Elmer Ponder provided sterling pitching performances. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 17 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 17

  • Milwaukee Braves 1B Joe Adcock (Louisiana State's leading basketball scorer in 1945-46) contributed four hits against the Cincinnati Reds in the nightcap of a 1955 twinbill.

  • Philadelphia Phillies LF Harry Anderson (averaged 7.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg for West Chester PA in 1951-52) hammered two homers against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1960 game.

  • Milwaukee Braves 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) smacked two homers in a 5-2 win against the Houston Colt .45s in 1964.

  • Baltimore Orioles CF Al Bumbry (Virginia State's runner-up in scoring with 16.7 ppg as freshman in 1964-65) stroked four hits against the Kansas City Royals in 1981.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Tony Clark (San Diego State's leading scorer in Western Athletic Conference games in 1991-92) homered in his third consecutive contest in 1997.

  • Arizona Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (hooper for Mohawk Valley Community College NY in 2007-08) tossed a one-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants in 2018.

  • Cincinnati Reds CF Harry Craft (four-sport hoops letterman with Mississippi College in early 1930s) accumulated four hits and five RBI in a 7-6 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1941.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Eddie Fisher (hooper for Oklahoma's 1954-55 freshman squad) hurled his first complete game in 10 years. Fisher also won his next three starts by yielding only one earned run covering 18 innings.

  • Kansas City Royals RHP Dave Frost (averaged 10.5 ppg and 4 rpg for Stanford from 1971-72 through 1973-74) registered his third relief victory in four games early in 1982.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Joe Gibbon (two-time All-SEC forward for Ole Miss was the nation's second-leading scorer as a senior in 1956-57), making his MLB debut in the nightcap of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds in 1960, threw two scoreless innings of relief and emerged as the winner when the Bucs erupted for six runs in the ninth.

  • Utilityman Chuck Harmon (freshman starter was Toledo's second-leading scorer for 1943 NIT runner-up) became the second black player for the Cincinnati Reds when pinch-hitting against the Milwaukee Braves in a 1954 contest.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) won his MLB debut, yielding only five hits in eight innings of 9-2 triumph against the Washington Senators in 1952.

  • Baltimore Orioles 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) provided back-to-back four-hit games against the Boston Red Sox in 1969.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Bob Keegan (Bucknell hoops letterman in 1941-42 and 1942-43) toiled at least eight innings for the first of 10 straight starts in 1954, including a pair of shutouts.

  • Detroit Tigers SS Harvey Kuenn (played briefly for Wisconsin in 1951-52 after competing on JV hoops squad previous season) stroked three doubles among his four hits against the Kansas City Athletics in a 1955 game.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) jacked two homers in a 5-1 win against the Cincinnati Reds in 1954.

  • Chicago White Sox RHP Ted Lyons (two-time All-SWC first-team selection for Baylor in early 1920s) hurled a shutout against the Cleveland Indians in his season debut. The 41-year-old Lyons went the distance in all 20 starts during the 1942 campaign en route to posting an A.L.-best 2.10 ERA.

  • Philadelphia Phillies RF Bake McBride (averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games for Westminster MO in 1968-69 and 1969-70) collected two homers and five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 1979 contest.

  • California Angels 3B Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) smacked two homers in a 5-3 win against the Minnesota Twins in 1974.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Elmer Ponder (Oklahoma hoops letterman in 1913-14 and 1915-16) tossed a 13-inning shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1920.

  • New York Giants RF Dave Robertson (one of two reserves on North Carolina State's first basketball team in 1911) contributed three hits and five RBI in an 8-3 triumph against the Brooklyn Robins in 1917.

  • Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) secured his first safety with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. It was one of his 19 bunt hits as a rookie.

  • Cleveland Indians LHP Joe Shaute (hooper for Mansfield PA in early 1920s) twirled a four-hit shutout against the St. Louis Browns in 1925.

  • Chicago Cubs LF Riggs Stephenson (Alabama hoops letterman in 1920) supplied three extra-base hits, including a homer, in a six-inning, 3-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1930.

  • Detroit Tigers RF Champ Summers (led SIU-Edwardsville in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) collected four hits against the Boston Red Sox, igniting a career-high 17-game hitting streak in 1980.

  • In 1989, Cincinnati Reds RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper in mid-1960s for Marietta OH) passed Hoyt Wilhelm as MLB's all-time leader in relief appearances.

  • Kansas City Royals 1B John Wathan (averaged 3.7 ppg in 11 games for San Diego in 1968-69) hit safely in his first eight games of the 1983 campaign.

Burnout: Coaching NCAA Championship Club Took Toll On More Than Wright

April 17th, 2024 - 8:48

Much of media was abuzz about Jay Wright stepping down as Villanova's coach at the age of 60 a couple of years ago after capturing NCAA Tournament crowns with the Wildcats in 2016 and 2018. But a total of 13 title bench bosses bowed out of coaching when they were younger than Wright. Following is a list of NCAA DI championship coaches who departed profession as college head coach by the age of 60 (including five of the first six titlists from 1939 through 1944):

Championship Coach Age Title Team Year(s)
Pete Newell 44 California 1959
Jim Valvano 44 North Carolina State 1983
Kevin Ollie 47 Connecticut 2014
Al McGuire 48 Marquette 1977
Fred Taylor 51 Ohio State 1960
Harold "Bud" Foster 52 Wisconsin 1941
Howard Hobson 52 Oregon 1939
Everett Dean 53 Stanford 1942
Phil Woolpert 53 San Francisco 1955 and 1956
Ken Loeffler 54 La Salle 1954
Joe B. Hall 56 Kentucky 1978
E. "Branch" McCracken 56 Indiana 1940 and 1953
John Thompson Jr. 57 Georgetown 1984
Vadal Peterson 60 Utah 1944
Ed Jucker 60 Cincinnati 1961 and 1962
Nolan Richardson Jr. 60 Arkansas 1994
Jay Wright 60 Villanova 2016 and 2018

NOTE: Billy Donovan was 49 when he left Florida (2006 and 2007) for the NBA.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 16

April 16th, 2024 - 8:25

Extra! Extra! As a new season gains steam, you can listen to leftist lunatics on #MSLSD and CNN Sucks or learn something reading news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former San Diego State hoopers Tony Gwynn and Graig Nettles supplied significant National League hitting performances as lefthanded batters on this date. Several ex-hoopers from Illinois colleges - Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan), Wally Roettger (Illinois) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central) - also made N.L. news on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 16 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 16

  • Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL basketball team in 1950-51), en route to hitting .632 through first five games of the 1958 campaign, banged out four hits in a 5-4 win against the Chicago White Sox.

  • Kansas City Athletics LF Bob Cerv (ranked fourth on Nebraska's career scoring list in 1949-50 when finishing college career) collected three extra-base hits and five RBI in a 9-4 triumph against the Cleveland Indians in 1958.

  • Philadelphia Athletics starting LHP Chubby Dean (reserve guard for Duke in 1936) did not allow an earned run in 10 innings in a 2-1 win against the New York Yankees in 1940.

  • Detroit Tigers 1B Walt Dropo (first player in Connecticut history to average 20 ppg in single season with 21.7 in 1942-43) knocked in five runs with two extra-base hits in a 1953 game against the Cleveland Indians.

  • 1B Kerby Farrell (key hooper for couple of strong Freed-Hardeman TN squads in mid-1930s) purchased from the Boston Braves by the Chicago White Sox in 1945.

  • Houston Astros C Joe Ferguson (played in 1967 NCAA playoffs with Pacific) furnished three extra-base hits against the Atlanta Braves in a 1977 game.

  • Philadelphia Athletics RF Walt French (hoops letterman for Rutgers and Army) furnished four hits against the Washington Senators in a 1926 contest.

  • Debut with San Francisco Giants for RHP Rich Gale (led New Hampshire with 7.2 rpg in 1975-76) was a success, hurling a three-hit, 6-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds in 1982.

  • St. Louis Cardinals RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) and Philadelphia Phillies P Cal McLish both failed to finish first inning when each starter allowed six runs in the Cards' 12-6 win at Philly in 1962.

  • Chicago White Sox C Frank Grube (Lafayette starting hoops guard as senior in 1926-27) went 4-for-4 against the Cleveland Indians in a 1932 game.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-WAC second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) went 5-for-5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1987 contest en route to N.L.-high 218 hits.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) delivered three extra-base hits against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 1993 contest.

  • Milwaukee Braves SS Johnny Logan (Binghamton hooper in 1948-49) went 5-for-5 against the Cincinnati Reds in a 1955 game.

  • Rookie C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49) scored the Chicago Cubs' only run of 1957 season opener after notching his initial big-league hit (single to right-center off Warren Spahn in bottom of fifth inning of 4-1 setback).

  • Final blast of 390 MLB career homers by 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64) was a pinch-hit, game-tying round-tripper for the Montreal Expos against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1988.

  • RHP Roy Parmelee (hoops letterman for Eastern Michigan in 1924-25 and 1925-26) purchased from the Chicago Cubs by the Boston Red Sox in 1938.

  • In a 1931 contest, Cincinnati Reds RF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) went 5-for-5 against his original team (St. Louis Cardinals).

  • Texas Rangers RHP Mike Smithson (teammate of Tennessee All-American Ernie Grunfeld averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg under coach Ray Mears in 1974-75 and 1975-76) won his first three starts in 1984.

  • Philadelphia Phillies 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) went 4-for-4 in 2004 game against the Montreal Expos.

MLB Celebrates Jackie's Anniversary Emphasizing Uniform #42 of Ex-Hooper

April 15th, 2024 - 9:54

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson

The entirety of SportsNation accepts the cultural significance of Jackie Robinson Day, an annual event commemorating and honoring the groundbreaking day he made his debut 77 years ago on April 15 with the Brooklyn Dodgers as MLB's first African-American player. It doesn't appear as if BLM (Buy Large Mansions) hucksters claiming systemic racism and police brutality will diminish his justifiable accolades.

Observers might not know about Robinson also impacting basketball. UCLA's initial all-conference hooper in the 1940s was a forward who compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with the Bruins (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 and 11.1 ppg in 1940-41) after transferring from Pasadena (Calif.) City College. Continuing his scoring exploits, the six-time National League All-Star also materialized as the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Red Devils' barnstorming team in 1946-47. He certainly brought a massive load of more credibility to thought-provoking table than opportunistic steamy romance novelist Stacey Abrams (a/k/a Selena Montgomery).

In 1949, Jackie triggered a streak of eight different African-Americans winning a total of 11 N.L. MVPs in 14-year span through 1962. In deference to Robinson's uniform number, following is an alphabetical list of 42 more of the best African-American basketball players for four-year colleges who subsequently competed at the MLB level:

College Hooper Four-Year College Summary of College Basketball Career Summary of MLB Career
Ron Allen Youngstown State Averaged 14.7 ppg from 1961-62 through 1963-64, leading Penguins in scoring and rebounding as sophomore. Only hit in 11 MLB at-bats for 1B and brother of Dick Allen and Hank Allen was homer with St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego in 1972.
George Altman Tennessee State Four-year letterman was forward on teams compiling 88-17 record from 1951-52 through 1954-55 (including two NAIA Tournament appearances). Two-time All-Star 1B hit .269 with 102 home runs in nine seasons from 1959 through 1967 with Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets before playing eight years in Japan.
Jim Bibby Fayetteville State (N.C.) Backup hooper's brother, Fred, set Fayetteville State single-season record with 18.1 rpg in 1963-64. Their younger brother, Henry, was consensus first-team All-American guard with UCLA in 1971-72. RHP compiled 111-101 record and 3.76 ERA with St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates in 12 seasons from 1972 through 1984. Hurled first no-hitter in Rangers history in 1973 and started two games for victorious Pirates in 1979 World Series.
Dorian "Doe" Boyland Wisconsin-Oshkosh Averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.4 rpg in half a season in 1974-75. 1B had two hits in 19 at-bats with Pittsburgh Pirates in three years from 1978 to 1981. Traded to San Francisco Giants but never played for them.
Al Bumbry Virginia State Averaged 16.7 ppg (team runner-up) as freshman in 1964-65 and 12.4 ppg plus 4.6 rpg as junior in 1966-67. Lefthanded-swinging OF hit .281 with Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres in 14 years from 1972 through 1985. Hit .337 as A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1973 when tying MLB single-game record with three triples. Finished among top nine in stolen bases five times in first nine years. Participated in World Series in 1979 and 1983.
Ray Burris Southwestern Oklahoma State Two-sport standout is in school's Hall of Fame. RHP compiled 108-134 record and 4.17 ERA with Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Oakland A's, Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals in 15 years from 1973 through 1987. Started three postseason games for Expos in 1981 after averaging 227 innings pitched last four full seasons with Cubs.
Tony Clark Arizona/San Diego State Swingman averaged 11.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Aztecs as sophomore in 1991-92, leading them in scoring in WAC games. 1B averaged 31 HRs annually in four-year span from 1996 through 1999 with Detroit Tigers. Tallest switch-hitter (6-7) in MLB history hit .262 with 251 homers and 824 RBI in 15 seasons from 1995 through 2009 with Tigers, Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.
Donn Clendenon Morehouse (Ga.) Earned letters in four collegiate sports before leading Army base at Fort Jackson (Columbia, S.C.) to hoop title before discharge in time for spring training in 1959. 1B hit .274 with 159 home runs and 682 RBI with Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals in 12 years from 1961 through 1972. World Series MVP with "Miracle Mets" in 1969 when hitting three home runs (Games 2, 4 and 5).
Vince Colbert East Carolina ECU's first African-American hooper averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68. J.C. transfer led Pirates in rebounding as junior. RHP compiled 9-14 record and 4.57 ERA with Cleveland Indians in three years from 1970 through 1972. He was their only winning pitcher (7-6) with 10 or more starts in 1971.
George Crowe Indiana Central Four-year hoops letterman from 1939-40 through 1942-43 for college now known as University of Indianapolis after becoming first Indiana H.S. player named state's "Mr. Basketball." 1B hit .270 in nine years (1952, 1953 and 1955 through 1961) with Boston/Milwaukee Braves, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. One year after named All-Star, led N.L. in pinch-hits (17) in first season with Cards in 1959 before slugging MLB-record 11th pinch-hit HR in 1960.
Arthur "Bill" Davis Minnesota Averaged 6.4 ppg and 5 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach John Kundla. Forward contributed 12.5 ppg as senior for team including eventual NBA standouts Archie Clark and Lou Hudson. 1B hit .181 with Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres in three seasons (1965, 1966 and 1969).
Larry Doby Virginia Union Attended LIU on hoops scholarship but transferred to VU after Uncle Sam summoned him for World War II service. Reserve guard on team winning 1943 CIAA title. Seven-time All-Star OF hit .283 with 253 HRs and 969 RBI in 13 years from 1947 through 1959 with Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox. First black player in A.L. twice led league in homers (1952 and 1954). Smacked 20 or more HRs eight seasons in row from 1949 through 1956.
Don Eaddy Michigan One of first two African-Americans to play hoops for Wolverines averaged 11.4 ppg in four seasons from 1951-52 through 1954-55. Led team in scoring in Big Ten Conference competition as sophomore. INF played briefly with Chicago Cubs in 1959.
Amir Garrett St. John's Averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg in 2011-12 and 2012-13 under coach Steve Lavin prior to transferring to Northridge State, where he had RS year before focusing only on baseball. After representing Cincinnati Reds at 2016 All-Star Futures Game, LHP won his first two MLB decisions in April 2017 with six shutout innings in each start. In his third start, he tied Reds record for rookie LHP by fanning 12 Baltimore Orioles batters. In 2018, Garrett didn't allow a run in his first eight relief appearances and had a 1.35 ERA after 21 outings. Traded to the Kansas City Royals in spring of 2022.
Bob Gibson Creighton First Bluejays player to average 20 ppg for his career (20.2). Led school in scoring in 1955-56 (40th in country with 22 ppg) and 1956-57 after being second-leading scorer in 1954-55. Hall of Famer compiled 251-174 pitching record with 3,117 strikeouts and 2.91 ERA in 17 seasons from 1959 through 1975 with St. Louis Cardinals. In 1968, RHP tossed 13 shutouts en route to a 1.12 ERA. Ranked among N.L. top six in strikeouts 11 times from 1961 through 1972. He hit 24 home runs and won nine consecutive Gold Gloves (1965 through 1973). Notched 7-2 mark and 1.89 ERA in nine World Series games, including strikeout record of 17 Tigers in 1968 contest.
Tony Gwynn San Diego State Averaged 8.6 ppg and 5.5 apg from 1977-78 through 1980-81. Second-team All-WAC selection as junior and senior set school DI single-game mark with 18 assists vs. UNLV. San Diego Padres OF 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 3,000-hit plateau later in year.
Chuck Harmon Toledo Second-leading scorer as sophomore in 1946-47 (13.6 ppg) and as junior in 1947-48 (8.8). As freshman starter in 1942-43, swingman was second-leading scorer for 22-4 team finishing NIT runner-up. Utilityman hit .238 in four seasons from 1954 through 1957 with Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies.
Billy Harrell Siena When school's first African-American player finished career, he held school records for most points in season (396 in 1951-52), career and game (28 against Arizona State in 1951) plus most rebounds in season (387 in 1949-50). INF hit .231 in 173 games with Cleveland Indians (1955, 1957, 1958) and Boston Red Sox (1961).
Chuck Hinton Shaw (N.C.) Played multiple sports before serving two years in U.S. Army in mid-1950s. His brother, Checo, was lineman with him on football squad and power forward for hoops team. OF-INF played every defensive position while hitting .264 with Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and California Angels in 11 A.L. seasons from 1961 through 1971. In 1962, he was runner-up in stolen bases in A.L. and finished fourth in batting average. First expansion Senator to be named to All-Star team was final Senator to hit .300.
Monte Irvin Lincoln (Pa.) Athletic career was nearly prematurely ended when infection from scratched hand in hoops game kept him close to death for seven weeks. Hall of Fame OF-1B hit .293 with 99 HRs and 443 RBI in eight years from 1949 through 1956 with New York Giants and Chicago Cubs. Irvin led N.L. in RBI with 121 in 1951 (same year led World Series in hitting with .458 mark vs. crosstown Yankees).
Anthony "Tony" Johnson LeMoyne-Owen (Tenn.) J.C. transfer forward was All-VSAC selection in 1976-77 and 1979-80 as team's top scorer. LF hit .232 with Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays in two years in 1981 and 1982.
"Sweet" Lou Johnson Kentucky State Teammate of legendary Alcorn State coach Davey Whitney averaged 5.7 ppg and 2 rpg in 1951-52. OF hit .258 with Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles/California Angels, Milwaukee Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians in eight seasons from 1960 through 1969. Contributed two homers and two doubles for Dodgers in 1965 World Series against Minnesota Twins.
Lynn Jones Thiel (Pa.) Averaged 10.4 ppg from 1970-71 through 1973-74. OF hit .252 with Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals in eight seasons from 1979 through 1986. Doubled and tripled as pinch-hitter for Royals in 1985 World Series against St. Louis Cardinals.
David Justice Thomas More (Ky.) Led team in assists in 1984-85 while averaging 9.3 ppg and 3.5 rpg. Three-time All-Star OF hit .279 in 14 seasons from 1989 through 2002 with Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Oakland A's. Jacked 40 homers (N.L. runner-up) with 120 RBI (also runner-up) in 1993 with Braves and total of 41 homers (fourth in A.L.) with 118 RBI in 2000 with Indians and Yanks.
Kenny Lofton Arizona Averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.6 apg in four seasons from 1985-86 through 1988-89 under coach Lute Olson. Leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record. Lefthanded CF hit .299 and stole 622 bases in 17 seasons from 1991 through 2007 with Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers. Four-time Gold Glover led Indians with .325 batting mark (fourth in A.L.) and paced majors with 70 stolen bases in 1993. After trade to Cleveland, hit .285 for Indians in 1992 and led the A.L. in stolen bases with 66 (record for A.L. rookie). Six-time All-Star led A.L. in stolen bases five consecutive years from 1992 through 1996, hitting career-high .349 in 1994.
Davey Lopes Iowa Wesleyan/Washburn (Kan.) NAIA All-District 15 selection averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.4 rpg as All-IIAC first-team choice freshman in 1964-65 and 12.1 ppg as sophomore in 1965-66 before transferring with his coach. All-CIC selection in 1967-68 when averaging 7.6 ppg for NAIA Tournament team. Four-time All-Star 2B hit .263 with Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A's, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros in 16 seasons from 1972 through 1987. Led N.L. in stolen bases in back-to-back campaigns in 1975 (77) and 1976 (63) after finishing runner-up in 1974 (59). Swiped five bases in game in 1974, tying 70-year-old N.L. record before establishing since-broken N.L. mark with 38 consecutive successful thefts in 1975.
Terrell Lowery Loyola Marymount Two-time All-WCC first-team selection and league-leading scorer. Tallied career-high 48 points against Idaho State as junior in 1990-91 when finishing among top five nationally in scoring (28.5 ppg) and assists (9.1 apg). OF hit .282 with Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and San Francisco Giants from 1997 through 2000. Stroked five hits for Giants in single game against Milwaukee Brewers in 2000.
Arnold "Bake" McBride Westminster (Mo.) Averaged 12.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 21 games in 1968-69 and 1969-70. Lefthanded-swinging OF hit .299 with St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians in 11 seasons from 1973 through 1983. N.L. Rookie of the Year in 1974 when hitting .309 with Cardinals was named to N.L. All-Star team two years later.
Lyle Mouton Louisiana State Averaged 8.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg as sophomore in 1988-89 under coach Dale Brown. Started in backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson when Tigers lost to UTEP in West Regional of NCAA playoffs. OF hit .280 for Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers and Florida Marlins in seven years from 1995 through 2001.
Billy North Central Washington Collected two points and two rebounds in four games in 1967-68. Switch-hitting CF posted .261 batting average with Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants in 11 years from 1971 through 1981. Paced A.L. in stolen bases in 1974 (54) and 1976 (75).
Curtis Pride William & Mary Averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.1 apg from 1986-87 through 1989-90. Led team in steals three times and assists twice. Named to CAA All-Rookie team pick as freshman and All-Defensive team selection next two seasons. Born with 95% hearing disability, lefthanded-swinging OF hit .250 in 11 seasons from 1993 to 2006 with seven franchises (Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos, New York Yankees and Anaheim/California Angels).
Dave Ricketts Duquesne Three-year starter led Dukes in scoring as senior with 17.9-point average in 1956-57, finishing fourth in nation in free-throw percentage (86.2%). Converted school-record 42 FTAs in row. Catcher hit .249 in six seasons (1962, 1965 and 1967 through 1970) with St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Switch-hitter played with Cards in 1967 and 1968 World Series.
Dick Ricketts Duquesne Second-team consensus All-American choice as junior in 1953-54 and first five consensus All-American selection as senior in 1954-55. Converted all 19 FTAs in game against Dayton. School's all-time leading scorer averaged 17.7 ppg and 12.2 rpg in starting all 111 games during four-year career. Compiled 1-6 pitching record in only season with St. Louis Cardinals in 1959.
Earl Robinson California Three-time All-PCC second-team selection averaged at least 10 ppg each season from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Pete Newell. Averaged 15.5 points in four NCAA Tournament games his last two years, leading Bears in scoring in two of four playoff contests. OF hit .268 in four seasons from 1958 to 1964 with Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles.
Ted Savage Lincoln (Mo.) Led in scoring average with 13.5 ppg in 1955-56 before averaging 14.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 1956-57. OF hit .233 in nine seasons (1962, 1963 and 1965 through 1971) with Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals.
Ken Singleton Hofstra Freshman hooper in mid-1960s. Three-time All-Star OF hit .282 with 246 HRs and 1,065 RBI with New York Mets, Montreal Expos and Baltimore Orioles in 15 years from 1970 through 1984. Switch-hitter exceeded 20 HRs in five seasons, including high of 35 (fifth in A.L.) in 1979 with Orioles.
Lee Smith Northwestern State Forward averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 1976-77 as teammate of Billy Reynolds, the nation's ninth-leading scorer that season. Seven-time All-Star was all-time saves leader when he retired, notching 478 in 18 seasons from 1980 through 1997 with Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels, Cincinnati Reds and Montreal Expos until Trevor Hoffman broke his mark in 2006. Set N.L. record in 1991 (subsequently broken) for most saves in season with 47 for Cardinals. RHP led N.L. in saves three times (1983-91-92) and A.L. once (1994).
Nate Smith Tennessee State Letterman in 1953-54 and 1954-55. Catcher went 2 for 9 in five games with Baltimore Orioles in 1962.
Bob Veale Benedictine (Kan.) Scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 as center for school previously called St. Benedict's. LHP compiled 120-95 record and 3.08 ERA in 13 seasons from 1962 through 1974 with Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox. Led N.L. in strikeouts with 250 in 1964 (first of four consecutive years he won at least 16 games and ranked among top seven in strikeouts).
Will Venable Princeton All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05. Lefthanded OF hit .249 with San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers in nine seasons from 2008 through 2016. Finished among N.L. top 10 in triples (8th with 7) and stolen bases (9th with 29) in 2010.
Bill White Hiram (Ohio) Three-sport letterman played two years of hoops. Five-time All-Star 1B hit .286 with New York/San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies in 13 N.L. seasons in 1956 and from 1958 through 1969. Lefthander ranked among N.L. top 10 in RBI five times (1961-62-63-64-66). Placed among N.L. top eight in both doubles and triples three straight campaigns from 1959 through 1961. Gold Glover seven consecutive years from 1960 through 1966.
Desi Wilson Fairleigh Dickinson FDU's all-time leading scorer (1,902 points) was NEC player of year in 1989-90. Leading scorer (23.8 ppg) and rebounder (9.2 rpg) for 1990-91 league co-champion. Lefthanded-swinging 1B hit .271 with San Francisco Giants in 1996.
Dave Winfield Minnesota Averaged 6.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg as junior in 1971-72 and 10.5 ppg and 6.1 rpg as senior in 1972-73 under coach Bill Musselman. Played entire playoff game in 1972, collecting eight points and eight rebounds against eventual Final Four participant Florida State, in Gophers' first NCAA Tournament appearance. Hall of Fame OF hit .283 with 465 home runs, 1,833 RBI and 3,110 hits in 22 seasons (1973 through 1988 and 1990 through 1995) with San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians. Led N.L. in total bases in 1979 with 333 before ranking among A.L. top four in batting average in 1984 (.340) and 1988 (.322). Seven-time Gold Glover appeared in 12 All-Star Games after never playing in minors. Participated in World Series with Yankees (1981) and Blue Jays (1992).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 15

April 15th, 2024 - 9:48

Extra! Extra! As a new season gains traction with African-Americans comprising only 7% of current MLB rosters, you can read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. In a historical milestone, Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers as a first baseman in 1947, becoming the first black player to appear in a MLB game. Fellow Pasadena City CA juco hooper Darrell Evans smacked a milestone homer on this date. Robinson's historic appearance completely dwarfed four-year Army veteran Fuzz White serving as leadoff batter for crosstown rival (New York Giants), which was 14 years before fellow ex-Drury MO hooper Bill Virdon homered twice in another National League contest. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is a taxing April 15 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 15

  • New York Giants 2B Andy Cohen (Alabama basketball letterman in 1924 and 1925) went 3-for-4 for the second time in first three games of 1928 campaign.

  • LHP Chubby Dean (reserve guard for Duke in 1936) hurled a complete game in the Philadelphia Athletics' season opener to give them a 3-1 win against the New York Yankees in 1941.

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RF Ox Eckhart (Texas hoops letterman in 1923) smacked his lone MLB homer (against New York Giants in 1936).

  • Atlanta Braves 3B Darrell Evans (member of Jerry Tarkanian-coached Pasadena City CA club winning 1967 state community college crown) launched milestone 100th of his 414 MLB career homers.

  • New York Yankees 3B Mike Gazella (premier hooper for undefeated Mansfield PA hoops squad in 1918) contributed a pair of triples in 6-3 victory against the Philadelphia Athletics in 1927.

  • RHP Bob Gibson (Creighton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1955-56 and 1956-57) made his St. Louis Cardinals debut at Los Angeles in 1959, hurling the final two innings in a 5-0 setback against the Dodgers. He became the first future Hall of Famer to yield a homer to first batter he faced in the majors (3B Jim Baxes went downtown in seventh inning).

  • First appearance and start in 1961 for Philadelphia Phillies RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's second-leading scorer and rebounder in 1954-55) wound up becoming a five-hit shutout against the San Francisco Giants.

  • INF Gene Handley (Bradley hoops letterman in 1932-33 and 1933-34) purchased from the Pittsburgh Pirates by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1940.

  • Boston Red Sox LHP Bill Henry (hoops letterman for Houston's 1947 NAIA Tournament team featuring co-captain Guy Lewis) restricted the Washington Senators to three hits in a complete-game victory in 1954.

  • C Cal Neeman (Illinois Wesleyan's leading scorer in 1947-48 and 1948-49), not Ernie Banks, collected the Chicago Cubs' first homer of 1958 (at St. Louis in season opener).

  • Kansas City Royals RF Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) whacked a two-out, game-tying homer in the bottom of the ninth inning en route to an 11-inning, 2-1 win against the Chicago White Sox in 1972 season opener.

  • In 1952, Boston Braves 2B Billy Reed (Ripon WI hooper in 1942-43) banged out two singles in his MLB debut off Brooklyn Dodgers LHP Preacher Roe (Harding AR hooper in late 1930s).

  • 1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, becoming the first black player to appear in a MLB game. Before Robinson was replaced by Howie Schultz (Hamline MN hooper in early 1940s), he went hitless in three at-bats against the visiting Boston Braves a year before President Truman desegregated the military.

  • In 2000, Cleveland Indians DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) jacked the 200th of his 612 MLB career round-trippers.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) belted two homers in a 4-1 triumph against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961.

  • Washington Senators rookie RHP Monte Weaver (hoops center for Emory & Henry VA in mid-1920s) won his season debut in 1932 with a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox.

  • CF Fuzz White (Drury MO hoops letterman during second half of 1930s) was leadoff batter for the New York Giants in their 1947 season opener.

  • Boston Red Sox C Sammy White (All-PCC Northern Division first-five selection for Washington in 1947-48 and 1948-49) went 4-for-4 against the Washington Senators in a 1954 contest.

  • Philadelphia Phillies CF Cy Williams (Notre Dame forward in 1909-10) homered twice against the Boston Braves in a 1922 game.

  • San Diego Padres RHP Chris Young (All-Ivy League first-team selection as Princeton's leading scorer and rebounder in 1999-00) tied a MLB record with 25 straight starts on the road without a defeat before bowing at Los Angeles against the Dodgers in 2007.

Swallowing Your Pride: Mid-Major Pilots From Power-Conference Members

April 15th, 2024 - 9:44

Canisius' Jim Christian, College of Charleston's Chris Mack, Eastern Washington's Dan Monson and Missouri State's Cuonzo Martin are the latest head coaches aligning with mid-majors after previously piloting at least one power-conference member. Following is an alphabetical list of former power-league mentors - 10 of them at multiple power-conference members - swallowing their pride by currently toiling in more obscurity at mid-major level:

Active Head Coach Current Mid-Major School Previous Power League School(s)
Steve Alford Nevada (since 2019-20) Iowa (1999-00 through 2006-07) and UCLA (2013-14 to 2018-19)
Tommy Amaker Harvard (since 2007-08) Seton Hall (1997-98 through 2000-01) and Michigan (2001-02 through 2006-07)
Tony Barbee Central Michigan (since 2021-22) Auburn (2010-11 through 2013-14)
Rod Barnes Cal State Bakersfield (since 2011-12) Mississippi (1998-99 through 2005-06)
Pat Chambers Florida Gulf Coast (since 2022-23) Penn State (2011-12 through 2019-20)
Jim Christian Canisius (since 2024-25) Boston College (2014-15 through 2020-21)
Johnny Dawkins UCF (since 2016-17) Stanford (2008-09 through 2015-16)
Ed DeChellis Navy (since 2011-12) Penn State (2003-04 through 2010-11)
Steve Donahue Penn (since 2015-16) Boston College (2010-11 through 2013-14)
Bryce Drew Grand Canyon (since 2020-21) Vanderbilt (2016-17 through 2018-19)
Billy Gillispie Tarleton State (since 2020-21) Texas A&M (2004-05 through 2006-07), Kentucky (2007-08 and 2008-09) and Texas Tech (2011-12)
Anthony Grant Dayton (since 2017-18) Alabama (2009-10 through 2014-15)
John Groce Akron (since 2017-18) Illinois (2012-13 through 2016-17)
Stan Heath Eastern Michigan (since 2021-22) Arkansas (2002-03 through 2006-07) and South Florida (2007-08 through 2012-13)
Darrin Horn Northern Kentucky (since 2019-20) South Carolina (2008-09 through 2011-12)
Johnny Jones Texas Southern (since 2018-19) Louisiana State (2012-13 through 2016-17)
Andy Kennedy UAB (since 2020-21) Cincinnati (2005-06) and Mississippi (2006-07 to 2017-18)
Steve Lavine San Diego (since 2022-23) UCLA (1996-97 through 2002-03) and St. John's (2010-11 through 2014-15)
Todd Lickliter Evansville (since middle of 2019-20) Iowa (2007-08 through 2009-10)
Chris Mack College of Charleston (since 2024-25) Xavier (2009-10 through 2017-18) and Louisville (2018-29 to 2021-22)
Cuonzo Martin Missouri State (since 2024-25 after stint from 2008-09 through 2010-11) Tennessee (2011-12 through 2013-14), California (2014-15 through 2016-17) and Missouri (2017-18 through 2021-22)
Frank Martin Massachusetts (since 2022-23) Kansas State (2007-08 through 2011-12) and South Carolina (2012-13 through 2021-22)
Ritchie McKay Liberty (2007-08, 2008-09 and since 2015-16) Oregon State (2000-01 and 2001-02)
Tim Miles San Jose State (since 2021-22) Nebraska (2012-13 through 2018-19)
Ryan "Archie" Miller Rhode Island (since 2022-23) Indiana (2017-18 through 2020-21)
Dan Monson Eastern Washington (since 2024-25) Minnesota (1999-00 to 2006-07)
John Pelphrey Tennessee Tech (since 2019-20) Arkansas (2007-08 through 2010-11)
Steve Prohm Murray State (2011-12 through 2014-15 and since 2022-23) Iowa State (2015-16 through 2020-21)
Herb Sendek Santa Clara (since 2016-17) North Carolina State (1996-97 through 2005-06) and Arizona State (2006-07 through 2014-15)
Travis Steele Miami of Ohio (since 2022-23) Xavier (2018-19 through 2021-22)
Will Wade McNeese State (since 2023-24) Louisiana State (2017-18 to 2021-22)

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 14

April 14th, 2024 - 9:31

Extra! Extra! Rather than listening to leftist lunatics from Plagiarist Biledumb's Out House Administration or on MSLSD and CNN Sucks, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Former hoops All-American Frank Howard (Ohio State) hammered a couple of milestone homers on this date four years apart. Ex-college hoopers Denny Doyle, Sandy Koufax, Rick Leach, Kenny Lofton, Graig Nettles, Paul Splittorff, Jack Spring and Ed Wells made MLB news as lefthanded hitters or pitchers on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 14 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 14

  • Brooklyn Dodgers RHP Joe Black (Morgan State hooper in mid-1940s) won 1953 season opener with six innings of two-hit relief.

  • 2B Denny Doyle (averaged 2.7 ppg for Morehead State's basketball squad in 1962-63) stroked a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 6-5 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971.

  • OF Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding in 1956-57 and 1957-58) launched a pair of milestone homers four years apart - 100th of his career with Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964 and 200th with Washington Senators in 1968.

  • Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati's freshman hoops team in 1953-54) threw the ninth complete game without permitting a walk in his career by blanking the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0, in 1964 in his only Opening Day start.

  • A two-run pinch single by Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's JV squad in 1975-76) provided the margin of victory in the Texas Rangers' 4-2 verdict over the Detroit Tigers in 1989.

  • Atlanta Braves CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling a 35-3 record) contributed five hits and five runs scored in a 14-5 rout of the Cincinnati Reds in 1997.

  • New York Yankees 3B Graig Nettles (shot 87.8% from free-throw line for San Diego State in 1963-64), en route to tying a MLB record with 11 homers in the month of April, collected four round-trippers - two in each game - during a 1974 doubleheader split opposing his former team (Cleveland Indians).

  • LF Paul Schramka (JV hooper for San Francisco in late 1940s for coach Pete Newell's program) served as a pinch-runner with the Chicago Cubs in their 1953 season-opening victory. Schramka wore uniform #14 before Hall of Famer Ernie Banks inherited it late in the season.

  • Kansas City Royals LHP Paul Splittorff (runner-up in scoring and rebounding for Morningside IA in 1967-68) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox in 1973.

  • LHP Jack Spring (freshman hooper for Washington State in 1951-52) obtained from the Kansas City Athletics by Los Angeles Angels as part of a minor league working agreement.

  • LHP Ed Wells (multi-sport athlete graduated in 1924 from Bethany WV) purchased from the New York Yankees by the St. Louis Browns in 1933.

Looking Out For #1: Only Five of Last 41 Top-Ranked Teams Won NCAA Title

April 13th, 2024 - 8:24

Connecticut became only the fifth of past 41 schools atop the national rankings entering the NCAA playoffs since North Carolina '82 to capture the national championship. The previous team to achieve the feat was Kentucky '12. Usually, there is a clear and present danger for pole sitter such as Alabama, which lost as top-ranked team in 2023 regional semifinal.

In 2006, Duke became the ninth No. 1 team in 17 years to fail to advance to a regional final when the Blue Devils were eliminated by Louisiana State. In 1992, Duke defied a trend by becoming the first top-ranked team in 10 years entering the NCAA Tournament to win a national title. The five top-ranked teams prior to Duke failed to reach the championship game. UNLV lost twice in the national semifinals (1987 and 1991) and Temple '88, Arizona '89 and Oklahoma '90 failed to reach the Final Four.

Temple, a 63-53 loser against Duke in the 1988 East Regional final, and Kansas State, an 85-75 loser against Cincinnati in the 1959 Midwest Regional final, are the only teams ranked No. 1 by both AP and UPI entering the tourney to lose by a double-digit margin before the Final Four.

The school gaining the sweetest revenge against a top-ranked team was St. John's in 1952. Defending NCAA champion Kentucky humiliated the Redmen by 41 points (81-40) early in the season when the Catholic institution became the first to have a black player on the floor at Lexington, Ky. The African-American player, Solly Walker, played only a few minutes before he took a hit sidelining him for three weeks. But St. John's, sparked by center Bob Zawoluk's 32 points, avenged the rout by eliminating the Wildcats (64-57) in the East Regional, ending their 23-game winning streak. The Redmen, who subsequently defeated second-ranked Illinois in the national semifinals, lost against Kansas in the NCAA final.

In the 1982 championship game, North Carolina needed a basket with 16 seconds remaining from freshman Michael Jordan to nip Georgetown, 63-62, and become the only top-ranked team in 13 years from 1979 through 1991 to capture the NCAA title. It was a particularly bitter pill to swallow for seven of the 11 top-ranked teams to lose in the NCAA championship game in overtime or by two or three points in regulation.

It's win or go home! Less than one-third of the top-ranked squads captured the NCAA crown. Following is analysis sizing up how the No. 1 teams fared in the NCAA playoffs since the Associated Press introduced national rankings in 1949:

21 - Won national title (Kentucky '49; Kentucky '51; Indiana '53; San Francisco '56; North Carolina '57; UCLA '64; UCLA '67; UCLA '69; UCLA '71; UCLA '72; UCLA '73; North Carolina State '74; UCLA '75; Indiana '76; Kentucky '78; North Carolina '82; Duke '92; UCLA '95; Duke '01; Kentucky '12), and Connecticut '24.

14 - Finished national runner-up (Bradley '50/defeated by CCNY; Ohio State '61/Cincinnati; Ohio State '62/Cincinnati; Cincinnati '63/Loyola of Chicago; Michigan '65/UCLA; Kentucky '66/Texas Western; Indiana State '79/Michigan State; Houston '83/North Carolina State; Georgetown '85/Villanova; Duke '86/Louisville; Duke '99/Connecticut; Illinois '05/North Carolina; Ohio State '07/Florida), and Gonzaga '21/Baylor).

9 - Lost in national semifinals (Cincinnati '60/defeated by California; Houston '68/UCLA; UNLV '87/Indiana; UNLV '91/Duke; Massachusetts '96/Kentucky; North Carolina '98/Utah; North Carolina '08/Kansas; Florida '14/Connecticut, and Kentucky '15/Wisconsin).

10 - Lost in regional final (Kentucky '52/defeated by St. John's; Kansas State '59/Cincinnati; Kentucky '70/Jacksonville; Michigan '77/UNC Charlotte; Temple '88/Duke; Indiana '93/Kansas; Kentucky '03/Marquette; Louisville '09/Michigan State); Kansas '16/Villanova), and Duke '19/Michigan State).

9 - Lost in regional semifinals (North Carolina '84/defeated by Indiana; Arizona '89/UNLV; Kansas '97/Arizona; Duke '00/Florida; Duke '02/Indiana); Duke '06/Louisiana State; Ohio State '11/Kentucky); Gonzaga '22/Arkansas, and Alabama '23/San Diego State.

8 - Lost in second round (DePaul '80/defeated by UCLA; DePaul '81/St. Joseph's; Oklahoma '90/North Carolina; North Carolina '94/Boston College; Stanford '04/Alabama; Kansas '10/Northern Iowa), Gonzaga '13/Wichita State) and Villanova '17/Wisconsin).

2 - Lost in first round (West Virginia '58/defeated by Manhattan) and (Virginia '18/UMBC).

1 - Declined a berth (Kentucky '54).

NOTE: After United Press International started ranking teams in 1951, UPI had just three different No. 1 teams entering the national playoffs than AP - Indiana lost in 1954 East Regional semifinals against Notre Dame, California finished as 1960 national runner-up to Ohio State and Indiana lost in 1975 Mideast Regional final against Kentucky.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 13

April 13th, 2024 - 8:05

Extra! Extra! Rather than watching puppet Plagiarist Biledumb flail away trying to answer meaningful questions from the Out House press corps, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Ivy League hoopers Bill Almon (Brown) and Tony Lupien (Harvard) made MLB news on this date. Ex-college hoopers Tommy Herr (Delaware), Wally Moon (Texas A&M) and Lee Smith (Northwestern State) generated headlines for the St. Louis Cardinals on this date. Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 13 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 13

  • Montreal Expos SS Bill Almon (averaged 2.5 ppg in half season for Brown's 1972-73 basketball team ending school's streak of 12 straight losing records) stroked four hits in a 5-4 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980.

  • In his first MLB game in 1954, Detroit Tigers 2B Frank Bolling (averaged 7.3 ppg for Spring Hill AL in 1950-51) belted a homer off Baltimore Orioles P Don Larsen.

  • San Diego Padres RF Tony Gwynn (All-Western Athletic Conference second-team selection with San Diego State in 1979-80 and 1980-81) and two teammates establish a MLB record by each hitting a homer as the first three batters in the bottom of first inning of their 1987 home opener against San Francisco Giants RHP Roger Mason (multiple-year letterman in late 1970s for Saginaw Valley State MI).

  • St. Louis Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr (hooper with Delaware's freshman team in 1974-75) went 3-for-3 and scored three runs in a 1985 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • Boston Red Sox C Duane Josephson (led Northern Iowa in scoring in 1962-63 and 1963-64 under coach Norm Stewart) opened the scoring with a second-inning, two-run homer off Denny McLain in a 5-3 victory against the Washington Senators in 1971.

  • 1B Tony Lupien (Harvard hoops captain in 1938-39) awarded on waivers from the Boston Red Sox to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1944.

  • St. Louis Cardinals CF Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg with Texas A&M in 1948-49 and 1949-50) swatted a homer against the Chicago Cubs in his first at-bat en route to becoming 1954 N.L. Rookie of the Year.

  • Minnesota Twins RHP Jim Perry (averaged more than 20 ppg in late 1950s for former juco Campbell) fired a four-hit shutout against the New York Yankees in his first start of 1968 campaign.

  • INF-OF Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) traded by the Detroit Tigers to the California Angels in 1995.

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 hoops honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) hurled a four-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins in 1989.

  • St. Louis Cardinals closer Lee Smith (averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.9 rpg with Northwestern State in 1976-77) set MLB record for most career saves in 1993 (RHP's mark stood for 13 years).

  • Chicago White Sox DH Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) smacked a homer in his fourth consecutive contest in 2006.

  • RHP Jim Wilson (hoops letterman for San Diego State's 1942 NAIA Tournament participant) purchased from the Milwaukee Braves by the Baltimore Orioles in 1955.

  • California Angels RF Dave Winfield (starting forward with Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) collected 15 total bases and six RBI on three homers, a double and single in a 15-9 verdict over the Minnesota Twins in 1991.

National Review: NCAA Tourney History State-by-State Winners and Sinners

April 12th, 2024 - 11:59

No state is close to winning as much as two-thirds of its NCAA Tournament games and none has as many as five different schools with winning playoff records. The Michigan Wolverines reaching the 2018 NCAA final instead of the Kansas Jayhawks enabled Michigan (.6284) to nudge ahead of Kansas (.6279) as the state with highest all-time winning percentage before the Michigan State Spartans padded the state's advantage with a 2019 Final Four appearance. Kansas, one of 20 states represented by four or fewer members in the U.S. House of Representatives, is represented much more in the NCAA playoffs by ranking seventh with 175 victories from only three universities although Kansas posted the state's only triumph in 2024.

Three Southern states - Alabama, Florida and Kentucky - sustained three opening-round exits in 2024. Eight of the 13 states securing more than 100 all-time NCAA tourney triumphs - Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Oklahoma - combined to match champion Connecticut's six victories in 2024. Oklahoma didn't even have a participant this year while Texas had the most with six. With UK and Louisville struggling in postseason the past several years, California passed the Commonwealth in total NCAA playoff triumphs. Additional stately views of national winners and sinners you might want to review include:

  • Despite going winless in 2021 and notching only one victory in 2023, schools from the state of North Carolina have collected more NCAA Tournament triumphs (343 after high of nine this year) than a total of 22 states including those with power-conference members such as Georgia, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey and West Virginia.
  • All four ACC members in Carolina have more than 25 playoff triumphs. Each of them (Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Wake Forest) has more all-time wins than entire states such as Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina.
  • California is the only state with as many as 18 schools winning at least one NCAA Tournament game. Alas, fewer than 1/4 of them (four) have winning marks.
  • Other than Syracuse, Canisius is the only current New York Division I school to compile a winning NCAA playoff record (6-4) as the state went winless in 2023. CCNY, the NCAA's DI champion in 1950, assembled a 4-2 mark ledger before de-emphasizing its program.
  • Despite Villanova's two NCAA titles in the last seven tourneys, Pennsylvania is the only one of the five states with more than 190 tourney victories to compile an overall losing mark.
  • Villanova (plus 32 in PA; 71-39) and Syracuse (plus 29 in NY; 70-41) are the most games above .500 in states with overall losing playoff marks. On the flip side, Miami OH (minus 13; 6-19) and Murray State KY (minus 13; 5-18) are tied for most games below .500 in states with overall winning worksheets.
  • Abilene Christian enabled Texas earlier this decade to nudge ahead of California for most different schools participating in the tourney with 24 although Baylor and Houston are the only institutions from the Lone Star State posting a winning record. Texas has a total of 15 Final Four teams but is more games under .500 than any state (minus 35 including nine different participants never winning a playoff contest).
  • None of Louisiana's 13 schools appearing in the playoffs have notched a winning record. South Carolina has the most universities participate in the tourney (nine) without any of them posting a break-even or winning playoff record. Kansas has only three different colleges appear in the NCAA Tournament but boasts more than six times as many victories as entire state of South Carolina and in excess of four times as many triumphs as all of Louisiana.
  • All six Mid-American Conference members from Ohio have losing records, combining for a 19-55 mark (.257).
  • Tennessee, the winningest state in NCAA playoff history despite never having a national champion, is the only state with as many as six schools at least five games below .500 in NCAA tourney competition.
  • Virginia is the only one of 12 different schools from its state and Memphis is only one of 11 different Tennessee schools appearing in the tourney to post a winning record.
  • Memphis (35-28) is joined by Spokane, Wash.-based Gonzaga (46-26) as the only mid-major schools leading a state with total of more than 40 playoff wins.
  • The only two states with fewer than 50 tourney triumphs assembling overall winning records are Nevada (39-30 by 6-11 Nevada and 33-19 UNLV) plus New Hampshire (10-7 by Dartmouth).
  • Utah is the only state saddled with as many as three schools posting tourney marks more than 10 games below .500 - Brigham Young (15-34), Utah State (7-26) and Weber State (6-17).

Plagiarist Biledumb, despite big tech and much of #MessMedia hiding details about his soap-opera family, "showers" prospect of success telling truth about attending HBCU Delaware State a mite more than the NCAA Tournament win total of the state he served as Senator because Delaware is 0-7. At least four different schools from Texas posted a minimum of one NCAA tourney triumph for the third straight year as the Longhorn State matched California and Florida for most wins in 2023 (eight). Following are NCAA Division I playoff cumulative records listed by most state victories through 2024:

STATE (# of Tourney Schools) Overall Record Pct. School-By-School NCAA Playoff Marks (Listed Alphabetically)
NORTH CAROLINA (16) 343-207 .624 Appalachian State (0-3), Campbell (0-1), Charlotte (7-12), Davidson (8-16), Duke (122-41), East Carolina (0-2), Gardner-Webb (0-1), North Carolina (133-50), North Carolina A&T (1-10), North Carolina Central (0-4), North Carolina State (41-28), UNC Asheville (2-5), UNC Greensboro (0-4), UNC Wilmington (1-6), Wake Forest (28-23) and Western Carolina (0-1)
CALIFORNIA (23) 256-232 .525 California (20-19), UC Davis (0-1), UC Irvine (1-2), Cal Poly (1-1), UC Santa Barbara (1-7), Cal State Bakersfield (0-1), Cal State Fullerton (2-4), Cal State Los Angeles (0-1), Cal State Northridge (0-2), Fresno State (2-6), Long Beach State (7-11), Loyola Marymount (5-5), Pacific (4-10), Pepperdine (5-14), Saint Mary's (7-13), San Diego (1-4), San Diego State (13-16), San Francisco (21-15), San Jose State (0-3), Santa Clara (11-13), Southern California (17-23), Stanford (23-16) and UCLA (115-45)
KENTUCKY (seven) 238-164 .592 Eastern Kentucky (0-8), Kentucky (132-56), Louisville (76-44), Morehead State (6-10), Murray State (5-18), Northern Kentucky (0-3) and Western Kentucky (19-25)
PENNSYLVANIA (15) 198-214 .481 Bucknell (2-8), Drexel (1-5), Duquesne (5-6), Lafayette (0-5), La Salle (14-11), Lebanon Valley (1-2), Lehigh (1-5), Penn (13-26), Penn State (10-12), Pittsburgh (26-28), Robert Morris (2-8), Saint Francis (0-1), Saint Joseph's (19-25), Temple (33-33) and Villanova (71-39)
INDIANA (nine) 192-154 .555 Ball State (3-7), Butler (24-16), Evansville (1-5), Indiana (68-36), IUPUI (0-1), Indiana State (5-4), Notre Dame (40-41), Purdue (49-35) and Valparaiso (2-9)
TEXAS (24) 184-220 .455 Abilene Christian (1-2), Baylor (23-17), Hardin-Simmons (0-2), Houston (40-30), Houston Christian (0-1), Lamar (5-6), North Texas (1-4), Prairie View A&M (0-2), Rice (2-5), Sam Houston State (0-2), Southern Methodist (10-14), Stephen F. Austin (2-5), Texas (40-41), Texas A&M (14-17), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (1-3), Texas-Arlington (0-1), Texas Christian (7-11), Texas-El Paso (14-16), Texas-San Antonio (1-4), Texas Southern (3-11), Texas State (0-2), Texas Tech (19-21), Trinity (0-1) and West Texas A&M (0-1)
OHIO (12) 178-179 .499 Akron (0-6), Bowling Green (1-5), Cincinnati (46-32), Cleveland State (3-3), Dayton (20-21), Kent State (4-7), Miami (6-19), Ohio University (8-15), Ohio State (58-34), Toledo (1-4), Wright State (1-4) and Xavier (30-29)
KANSAS (three) 175-103 .629 Kansas (117-50), Kansas State (40-36 and Wichita State (18-17)
MICHIGAN (eight) 153-90 .630 Central Michigan (3-4), Detroit (3-6), Eastern Michigan (3-4), Michigan (66-30), Michigan State (73-36), Oakland (2-4), Wayne State (1-2) and Western Michigan (2-4)
NEW YORK (22) 143-180 .443 Albany (1-5), Binghamton (0-1), Buffalo (2-4), Canisius (6-4), CCNY (4-2), Colgate (0-7), Columbia (2-4), Cornell (2-6), Fordham (2-4), Hofstra (0-4), Iona (1-16), Long Island (0-7), Manhattan (3-9), Marist (0-2), NYU (9-9), Niagara (2-4), St. Bonaventure (7-10), St. John's (27-32), Siena (4-6), Stony Brook (0-1), Syracuse (70-41) and Wagner (1-2)
OKLAHOMA (five) 106-97 .522 Oklahoma (43-33), Oklahoma City (8-13), Oklahoma State (39-28), Oral Roberts (4-7) and Tulsa (12-16)
ILLINOIS (10) 104-103 .502 Bradley (11-9), DePaul (21-25), Eastern Illinois (0-2), Illinois (45-35), Illinois-Chicago (0-3), Illinois State (3-6), Loyola of Chicago (15-7), Northern Illinois (0-3), Northwestern (3-3) and Southern Illinois (6-10)
FLORIDA (12) 101-77 .567 Florida (48-22), Florida A&M (1-3), Florida Atlantic (4-3), Florida Gulf Coast (3-3), Florida International (0-1), Florida State (23-18), Jacksonville (4-5), Miami (15-12), North Florida (0-1), South Florida (2-3), Stetson (0-1) and UCF (1-5)
VIRGINIA (13) 88-113 .438 George Mason (5-6), Hampton (2-6), James Madison (5-6), Liberty (1-5), Longwood (0-2), Norfolk State (2-3), Old Dominion (3-12), Radford (1-3), Richmond (9-10), Virginia (35-25), Virginia Commonwealth (13-18), Virginia Military (3-3) and Virginia Tech (8-13)
WISCONSIN (four) 88-72 .550 Green Bay (1-5), Marquette (44-37), Milwaukee (3-4) and Wisconsin (40-26)
TENNESSEE (11) 85-124 .407 Austin Peay (2-8), Belmont (1-8), Chattanooga (3-12), East Tennessee State (2-11), Lipscomb (0-1), Memphis (35-28), Middle Tennessee State (4-9), Tennessee (28-27), Tennessee State (0-2), Tennessee Tech (0-2) and Vanderbilt (10-16)
WASHINGTON (five) 81-66 .551 Eastern Washington (0-3), Gonzaga (46-26), Seattle (10-13), Washington (19-18) and Washington State (6-6)
ARIZONA (four) 76-60 .559 Arizona (60-37), Arizona State (15-18), Grand Canyon (1-3) and Northern Arizona (0-2)
CONNECTICUT (five) 73-47 .608 Central Connecticut State (0-3), Connecticut (71-32), Fairfield (0-3), Hartford (0-1) and Yale (2-8)
UTAH (five) 66-111 .373 Brigham Young (15-34), Southern Utah (0-1), Utah (38-33), Utah State (7-26) and Weber State (6-17)
IOWA (four) 65-69 .485 Drake (6-7), Iowa (31-31), Iowa State (23-23) and Northern Iowa (5-8)
ALABAMA (nine) 59-75 .440 Alabama (29-25), Alabama A&M (0-1), Alabama State (0-4), Auburn (19-13), Jacksonville State (0-2), Samford (0-3), South Alabama (1-8), Troy (0-2) and UAB (10-17)
MARYLAND (eight) 56-59 .487 Coppin State (1-4), Loyola (0-2), Maryland (44-29), Maryland-Baltimore County (1-2), Morgan State (0-2), Mount St. Mary's (2-6), Navy (8-12) and Towson (0-2)
ARKANSAS (four) 53-42 .558 Arkansas (50-35), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1), Arkansas State (0-1) and UALR (2-5)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (five) 51-50 .505 American University (0-3), Catholic (0-2), George Washington (4-11), Georgetown (47-30) and Howard University (0-4)
MASSACHUSETTS (nine) 48-67 .417 Boston College (22-19), Boston University (2-7), Harvard (2-6), Holy Cross (8-13), Massachusetts (11-9), Northeastern (3-9), Springfield (0-1), Tufts (0-2) and Williams (0-1)
NEW JERSEY (seven) 44-72 .379 Fairleigh Dickinson (3-7), Monmouth (1-4), Princeton (15-30), Rider (0-3), Rutgers (6-9), Saint Peter's (3-5) and Seton Hall (16-14)
LOUISIANA (13) 43-81 .347 Grambling State (1-1), Louisiana-Lafayette (4-12), Louisiana-Monroe (0-7), Louisiana State (27-27), Louisiana Tech (4-5), Loyola of New Orleans (0-3), McNeese State (0-3), New Orleans (1-5), Nicholls State (0-2), Northwestern State (2-3), Southeastern Louisiana (0-1), Southern (1-9) and Tulane (3-3)
OREGON (four) 42-42 .500 Oregon (27-17), Oregon State (15-21), Portland (0-2) and Portland State (0-2)
NEVADA (two) 39-30 .565 Nevada (6-11) and UNLV (33-19)
GEORGIA (six) 33-42 .440 Georgia (7-12), Georgia Southern (0-3), Georgia State (2-6), Georgia Tech (23-17), Kennesaw State (0-1) and Mercer (1-3)
WEST VIRGINIA (two) 33-37 .471 Marshall (1-6) and West Virginia (32-31)
MISSOURI (four) 32-48 .400 Missouri (23-29), Missouri State (3-6), Saint Louis (6-11) and Southeast Missouri State (0-2)
SOUTH CAROLINA (nine) 27-66 .290 Charleston Southern (0-1), Clemson (14-14), Coastal Carolina (0-4), College of Charleston (1-7), Furman (2-8), South Carolina (8-11), South Carolina State (0-5), Winthrop (1-11) and Wofford (1-5)
RHODE ISLAND (four) 25-36 .410 Brown (0-2), Bryant (0-1), Providence (17-23) and Rhode Island (8-10)
NEBRASKA (two) 20-34 .370 Creighton (20-26) and Nebraska (0-8)
MISSISSIPPI (six) 19-39 .328 Alcorn State (3-6), Jackson State (0-3), Mississippi (5-9), Mississippi State (11-13), Mississippi Valley State (0-5) and Southern Mississippi (0-3)
NEW MEXICO (two) 19-45 .297 New Mexico (8-17) and New Mexico State (11-28)
COLORADO (four) 18-36 .333 Air Force (0-4), Colorado (13-18), Colorado State (5-13) and Northern Colorado (0-1)
MINNESOTA (one) 14-14 .500 Minnesota (14-14)
NEW HAMPSHIRE (one) 10-7 .588 Dartmouth (10-7)
WYOMING (one) 9-21 .300 Wyoming (9-21)
IDAHO (three) 9-27 .250 Boise State (0-10), Idaho (1-4) and Idaho State (8-13)
NORTH DAKOTA (two) 2-5 .286 North Dakota (0-1) and North Dakota State (2-4)
VERMONT (one) 2-8 .200 Vermont (2-8)
MONTANA (two) 2-19 .095 Montana (2-13) and Montana State (0-6)
HAWAII (one) 1-5 .167 Hawaii (1-5)
SOUTH DAKOTA (one) 0-7 .000 South Dakota State (0-7)
DELAWARE (two) 0-7 .000 Delaware (0-6) and Delaware State (0-1)

NOTE: Two states - Alaska and Maine - never had a school participate in the NCAA Division I Tournament.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 12

April 12th, 2024 - 10:08

Extra! Extra! Instead of listening to #MessMedia misfits on MSLSD and CNN Sucks transparently try to support Plagiarist Biledumb's Spit Show or listening to Cacklin' Kamala's history lesson on women's NCAA brackets, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Two former small-college hoopers from Pennsylvania - Dick Hall (Swarthmore) and Lynn Jones (Thiel) - made MLB news on this date. Joining Jones among small-college hoopers generating headlines for the Detroit Tigers on this date were Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military) and Jeff Robinson (Azusa Pacific CA). Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 12 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 12

  • RHP Rich Beck (listed on Gonzaga's basketball roster in 1961-62) was purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the New York Yankees in 1965.

  • In his initial MLB appearance in 1961, San Francisco Giants INF Ernie Bowman (East Tennessee State hoops letterman in 1954-55 and 1955-56) scored the game-winning tally as a pinch-runner in a 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

  • RHP Dick Hall (averaged 13.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51 for Swarthmore PA Middle Atlantic States Conference Southern Division champions) traded by the Kansas City Athletics to the Baltimore Orioles in 1961.

  • In 1961, San Francisco Giants C Tom Haller (backup forward for Illinois in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes) stroked his first MLB hit, a homer off Pittsburgh Pirates P Vern Law.

  • A pinch-hit homer by OF Lynn Jones (averaged 10.4 ppg for Thiel PA from 1970-71 through 1973-74) accounted for the Detroit Tigers' only runs in a 6-2 loss against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1981.

  • Cleveland Indians rookie CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) swiped four bases against the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a 1992 doubleheader.

  • Detroit Tigers 3B Tony Phillips (New Mexico Military juco hooper in 1977-78 as teammate of eventual Drake All-American Lewis Lloyd) went 4-for-4 in a 1990 game against the Boston Red Sox.

  • Seattle Mariners RF Leon Roberts (grabbed one rebound in four basketball games for Michigan in 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr) contributed a sacrifice fly and two solo homers, including game-winning blast in bottom of the 10th inning, in 3-2 win against the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980.

  • Detroit Tigers RHP Jeff Robinson (two-time NAIA All-District 3 hoops honoree in early 1980s left Azusa Pacific CA as school's No. 9 all-time scorer) won his MLB debut, allowing only one run in seven innings in a 7-1 victory against the Chicago White Sox in 1987.

  • After a pair of rainouts, 1B-OF Norm Siebern (member of Southwest Missouri State's back-to-back hoops NAIA Tournament titlists in 1952 and 1953) socked a decisive eighth-inning HR to give the New York Yankees a season-opening 3-2 win over the visiting Boston Red Sox in 1959.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates RHP Kent Tekulve (freshman hooper for Marietta OH in mid-1960s) commenced a streak of 12 relief appearances in a row without allowing an earned run in 1978.

  • Pittsburgh Pirates LHP Bob Veale (scored 1,160 points from 1955-56 through 1957-58 with Benedictine KS) outdueled San Francisco Giants P Juan Marichal, 1-0, in 1965.

  • San Diego Padres RF Will Venable (All-Ivy League first-team selection as junior and second-team choice as senior averaged 9.3 ppg under Princeton coach John Thompson III from 2001-02 through 2004-05) scored four runs against the Atlanta Braves in 2010.

Special K's Disciples: Krzyzewski's Aides Combine For Losing Playoff Record

April 11th, 2024 - 15:06

In aftermath of 24 consecutive appearances in tourney coming to a halt three seasons ago, one of the biggest questions bubbling up from time to time dealt with who was most likely to eventually succeed Mike Krzyzewski as coach at Duke if they hadn't promoted from within. If any of them had posted an inspiring mark in NCAA playoff competition, they might have secured job as his successor instead of Jon Scheyer. If Krzyzewski needs something to do in retirement, he can go on an extended road trip from coast to coast serving as a consultant to all of his proteges to try to help them experience more success in postseason play.

Coaching community shills frequently proclaim automatic success for Duke assistants when they become bench bosses. But the overall impact of Coach K's 13 disciples in the aftermath of serving under the all-time winningest major-college mentor has been anything but special. They've combined for a losing mark in the NCAA playoffs (65 fewer tourney triumphs than Coach K's all-time high of 101 and only four regional final appearances (Quin Snyder with Missouri in 2002, Mike Brey with Notre Dame in 2015 and 2016 and Scheyer this year). The following alphabetical list summarizes impact of Krzyzewski's assistants after they left his incubator and became a DI mentor on their own:

Coach K Assistant NCAA Tourney Mark Biggest Flaw of DI Head Coaching Career
Tommy Amaker 4-5 14 games below .500 in power conference competition in 10 years with Seton Hall and Michigan
Bob Bender 2-3 36 games below .500 in power conference competition in nine seasons with Washington
Mike Brey 15-15 impressive performance this year but no NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance with Notre Dame
Jeff Capel III 6-4 14 games below .500 in Big 12 Conference action his final two seasons with Sooners and 32 games below .500 in ACC competition with Pitt in first four seasons
Chris Collins 3-3 49 games below .500 in Big Ten Conference play in first 11 seasons with Northwestern
Johnny Dawkins 3-2 only one NCAA playoff appearance and 10 games below .500 in Pac-10/12 Conference play in eight seasons with Stanford before dismissal led him to UCF and entertaining NCAA playoff game in 2019
Mike Dement 0-1 losing conference mark in SWC and WAC in nine seasons with Southern Methodist
David Henderson DNP losing overall record in six seasons with Delaware
Nate James DNP losing overall record and in OVC competition in only two campaigns with Austin Peay in 2021-22 and 2022-23
Tim O'Toole DNP losing overall record in eight seasons with Fairfield
Quin Snyder 5-4 never finished among undisputed top five in Big 12 Conference and compiled cumulative losing mark in last three of seven seasons with Missouri
Chuck Swenson DNP lost more than 2/3 of his games in seven seasons with William & Mary
Steve Wojciechowski 0-2 losing Big East Conference record in seven seasons with Marquette before dismissal a year ago

NOTE: Duke All-American guard Bobby Hurley, who never served as an assistant coach under Krzyzewski, has compiled a 1-4 NCAA tourney record with Buffalo and Arizona State. Kenny Blakeney, a backup to Hurley in the early 1990s, is 15 games below .500 in five seasons coaching Howard University and lost both of his NCAA playoff contests. Playmaker Greg Paulus, a three-year teammate of Scheyer, posted non-winning records in four of his first five seasons as bench boss for Niagara.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 11

April 11th, 2024 - 9:51

Extra! Extra! As a new season gains momentum while Plagiarist Biledumb strives to shuffle out of first gear and OJ sympathizers attempt to impress you with their critical thinking, you can read news all about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players! Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Eventual MLB managers of at least eight seasons, generating news as players on this date after previously competing as college basketball hoopers, included Roger Craig (North Carolina State), Dallas Green (Delaware), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN/Oakland City IN), Davey Johnson (Texas A&M) and Bill Virdon (Drury MO). Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 11 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 11

  • RHP Roger Craig (forward with North Carolina State's 1949-50 freshman basketball team) released by the Cincinnati Reds and promptly signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1966.

  • RHP Dallas Green (Delaware's runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1954-55) purchased from the Philadelphia Phillies by the Washington Senators in 1965. Returned to the Phillies a month later.

  • In 1932, utilityman Harvey Hendrick (Vanderbilt hoops letterman in 1918) traded with P Benny Frey and cash by the Cincinnati Reds to the St. Louis Cardinals for holdout OF Chick Hafey, the previous year's N.L. batting champion.

  • 1B Gil Hodges (hooper for St. Joseph's IN in 1943 and Oakland City IN in 1947 and 1948) supplied the first homer in New York Mets history (at St. Louis in 1962).

  • Atlanta Braves 2B Davey Johnson (averaged 1.7 ppg with Texas A&M in 1961-62) went 4-for-4 against the San Diego Padres in a 1973 game.

  • In his second MLB game, Boston Red Sox RF Joe Lahoud (New Haven CT hoops letterman in mid-1960s) socked a homer off the Detroit Tigers' Denny McLain in 1968.

  • Toronto Blue Jays DH Rick Leach (averaged 15.5 ppg for Michigan's JV squad in 1975-76) registered four hits against the New York Yankees in 1988.

  • Cleveland Indians CF Kenny Lofton (Arizona's leader in steals for 1988 Final Four team compiling 35-3 record) notched at least one double or triple in each of first six games of 1999 campaign while hitting .467.

  • Chicago Cubs CF Jerry Martin (1971 Southern Conference MVP after he was Furman's runner-up in scoring the previous season) whacked two homers against the New York Mets in a 1980 contest.

  • Chicago White Sox RF Lyle Mouton (starter in LSU's backcourt with All-American Chris Jackson for 1989 NCAA playoff team) launched a game-winning, three-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Texas Rangers in 1996.

  • New York Giants RF Red Murray (played hoops for Lock Haven PA in early 1900s) collected four hits and four RBI in 1912 season opener against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

  • In 1961, Hall of Fame RHP Robin Roberts (one of Michigan State's top three scorers each season from 1944-45 through 1946-47) tied Grover Cleveland Alexander's N.L. record with a 12th straight Opening Day start for the Philadelphia Phillies.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie LF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) registered five RBI against the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1928 season opener.

  • CF Bill Virdon (Drury MO hooper in 1949) traded by the New York Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal involving OF Enos Slaughter in 1954. Seven years later, Virdon socked a two-out, three-run homer to give the Pittsburgh Pirates an 8-7 victory at San Francisco.

  • New York Yankees RF Dave Winfield (starting forward for Minnesota's first NCAA playoff team in 1972) went 4-for-4 against the Boston Red Sox in 1985.

  • 3B Eddie Yost (NYU freshman hooper in 1943-44 under coach Howard Cann) became the first-ever batter in Los Angeles Angels' history.

Boys Gone Wild: Zach Edey Final Was Highest-Scoring Game Against UConn

April 11th, 2024 - 9:16

Seven years ago, Kentucky freshman guard Malik Monk may have manufactured the highest single-game scoring output in history against an NCAA champion-to-be when he erupted for 47 points against North Carolina in a non-conference contest at Las Vegas. In 2019, Purdue's Carsen Edwards poured in 42 points against kingpin-to-be Virginia in the South Regional final, matching Bo Kimble's output for Loyola Marymount vs. UNLV in 1990 NCAA playoffs. Notre Dame senior guard Austin Carr poured in 46 against UCLA in 1970-71. Statistical research is sketchy in the 1940s and 1950s in trying to discern if anyone contributed a higher total than Monk or Carr.

This season, St. John's Daniss Jenkins had the highest-scoring game against Connecticut (27 points in Big East Conference Tournament) until Purdue center Zach Edey tallied 37 in NCAA championship contest against UConn. Edey's output was the highest in NCAA playoff history in championship contest for national runner-up and the most in final since Jack Givens' 41-point eruption for champion Kentucky in 1978. Since UCLA's first NCAA championship in 1964, Louisville guard Russ Smith has the lowest scoring average (11.5 ppg in 2011-12) for any player who posted the single-game high against an NCAA titlist.

Some of the names probably will be surprising insofar as none of them became an NBA All-Star since Ray Allen (Connecticut), but following is a look in reverse order at the individuals notching the season-high scoring total against the past 60 eventual NCAA kingpins:

Year Opposing High Scorer vs. NCAA Titlist Avg. Single-Game High
2024 Zach Edey, C, Sr., Purdue 25.2 37 points vs. Connecticut in NCAA final
2023 Bryce Hopkins, F, Soph., Providence 15.8 27 points vs. Connecticut
2022 Nijel Pack, G, Soph., Kansas State 17.4 35 vs. Kansas
2021 Cedric Russell, G, Sr., Louisiana-Lafayette 17.2 26 vs. Baylor at Las Vegas
2021 Taz Sherman, G, Sr., West Virginia 13.4 26 vs. Baylor
2019 Carsen Edwards, G, Jr., Purdue 24.3 42 vs. Virginia in South Regional final
2018 Shamorie Ponds, G, Soph., St. John's 21.6 37 vs. Villanova
2017 Malik Monk, G, Fr., Kentucky 19.8 47 vs. North Carolina at Las Vegas
2016 Ben Bentil, F, Soph., Providence 21.1 31 vs. Villanova
2016 L.J. Peak, G, Soph., Georgetown 12.3 31 vs. Villanova
2015 Michael Gbinije, F, Jr., Syracuse 12.7 27 vs. Duke
2014 Dustin Hogue, F, Jr., Iowa State 11.6 34 vs. Connecticut in NCAA playoffs
2013 Tyler Brown, G, Sr., Illinois State 18.1 25 at Louisville
2012 Russ Smith, G, Soph., Louisville 11.5 30 at Kentucky
2011 Dwight Hardy, G, Sr., St. John's 18.3 33 vs. Connecticut
2010 Trevon Hughes, G, Sr., Wisconsin 15.3 26 vs. Duke
2009 Kyle McAlarney, G, Sr., Notre Dame 15.0 39 vs. North Carolina at Maui
2008 Michael Beasley, F-C, Fr., Kansas State 26.2 39 at Kansas
2007 Al Thornton, F, Sr., Florida State 19.7 28 vs. Florida
2006 Chris Lofton, G, Soph., Tennessee 17.2 29 vs. Florida
2005 Will Bynum, G, Sr., Georgia Tech 12.5 35 vs. North Carolina in ACC Tournament
2004 Chris Thomas, G, Jr., Notre Dame 19.7 31 vs. Connecticut
2003 Chris Hill, G, Soph., Michigan State 13.7 34 vs. Syracuse
2002 Jason "Jay" Williams, G, Jr., Duke 21.3 34 vs. Maryland
2001 James "J.J." Miller, G, Sr., North Carolina A&T 16.0 34 at Duke
2000 A.J. Guyton, G, Sr., Indiana 19.7 34 vs. Michigan State
1999 Trajan Langdon, G, Sr., Duke 17.3 25 vs. Connecticut
1998 Brian Williams, G, Jr., Alabama 16.1 28 vs. Kentucky in SEC Tournament
1997 Isaac Fontaine, G, Sr., Washington State 21.9 32 vs. Arizona
1996 Marcus Camby, C, Jr., Massachusetts 20.5 32 vs. Kentucky at Great Eight
1995 Ray Allen, G, Soph., Connecticut 21.1 36 vs. UCLA in NCAA playoffs
1994 Gary Collier, F, Sr., Tulsa 22.9 35 vs. Arkansas in NCAA playoffs
1993 Chris Webber, F, Soph., Michigan 19.2 27 vs. North Carolina at Honolulu
1993 Randolph Childress, G, Soph., Wake Forest 19.7 27 vs. North Carolina
1993 James Forrest, F, Soph., Georgia Tech 19.5 27 vs. North Carolina in ACC Tournament
1993 Lester Lyons, G, Jr., East Carolina 15.4 27 vs. North Carolina in NCAA playoffs
1992 Malik Sealy, F, Sr., St. John's 22.6 37 vs. Duke at Greensboro
1991 Jeff Webster, F, Fr., Oklahoma 18.3 32 vs. Duke
1990 Greg "Bo" Kimble, F-G, Sr., Loyola Marymount 35.3 42 vs. UNLV in NCAA playoffs
1989 Roy Marble, F, Sr., Iowa 20.5 32 vs. Michigan
1988 Mitch Richmond, G-F, Sr., Kansas State 22.6 35 vs. Kansas
1987 Freddie Banks, G, Sr., UNLV 19.5 38 vs. Indiana in NCAA playoffs
1986 Ron Harper, F, Sr., Miami (oh) 24.4 36 vs. Louisville in Big Apple NIT at Cincinnati
1985 Len Bias, F, Jr., Maryland 18.9 30 vs. Villanova
1984 Chris Mullin, G-F, Jr., St. John's 22.9 29 vs. Georgetown in Big East Tournament
1983 Ralph Sampson, C, Sr., Virginia 19.1 33 vs. North Carolina State
1982 Ralph Sampson, C, Jr., Virginia 15.8 30 at North Carolina
1981 Mike McGee, F, Sr., Michigan 24.4 29 vs. Indiana
1980 Jeff Ruland, C, Jr., Iona 20.1 30 vs. Louisville
1979 Joe Barry Carroll, C, Jr., Purdue 22.8 27 vs. Michigan State
1979 Calvin Roberts, F-C, Jr., Cal State Fullerton 15.3 27 vs. Michigan State
1978 Freeman Williams, G, Sr., Portland State 35.9 39 at Kentucky
1977 Dave Corzine, C, Jr., DePaul 19.0 26 vs. Marquette
1976 Terry Furlow, F, Sr., Michigan State 29.4 40 vs. Indiana
1975 Kevin Grevey, F, Sr., Kentucky 23.5 34 vs. UCLA in NCAA final
1974 Billy Cook, G, Soph., Memphis State 16.2 33 vs. North Carolina State
1973 Billy Knight, F, Jr., Pittsburgh 23.7 37 vs. UCLA
1972 Fred Boyd, G, Sr., Oregon State 19.8 37 vs. UCLA
1971 Austin Carr, G, Sr., Notre Dame 38.0 46 vs. UCLA
1970 Pete Maravich, G, Sr., Louisiana State 44.5 38 vs. UCLA
1970 Rich Yunkus, C, Jr., Georgia Tech 30.1 38 vs. UCLA
1969 Vic Collucci, G, Soph., Providence 15.4 36 vs. UCLA
1968 Elvin Hayes, F-C, Sr., Houston 36.8 39 vs. UCLA
1967 Bill Hewitt, F, Jr., Southern California 19.5 39 vs. UCLA
1966 Jerry Chambers, F-C, Sr., Utah 28.8 38 vs. Texas Western in NCAA playoffs
1965 Ollie Johnson, C, Sr., San Francisco 21.6 37 vs. UCLA
1964 Tom Dose, C, Sr., Stanford 20.0 38 vs. UCLA

Fantasy World: Prime-Time Pilots Unable to Get Coaching Out of Their Blood

April 10th, 2024 - 9:06

It has been done before by prominent pilots. How many small colleges might be fantasizing about Mike Krzyzewski at their helm? What about a small-time or rural Krzyzewskiville? Coach K is unlikely to follow suit just for the love of the game after 42-year stint with Duke, including a total of 13 Final Fours, concluded earlier this decade. How about Jay Wright after downplaying possibility of reviving coaching career by entering pressurized atmosphere at Kentucky? Following is a summary of celebrated coaches who ended their careers guiding obscure small-college programs after directing a major university to the NCAA Division I Final Four:

Celebrated Coach School(s) Final Four(s) Small-School Concluding Career
Forddy Anderson Bradley/Michigan State 1950-54-57 Hiram Scott OH (1965-66 through 1969-70)
Jim Calhoun Connecticut 1999 and 2004-09-11 Saint Joseph CT (2018-19 to 2021-22)
Ed Jucker Cincinnati 1961-62-63 Rollins FL (1972-73 through 1976-77)
Rollie Massimino Villanova 1985 Northwood/Keiser FL (2006-07 through 2016-17)
Jim O'Brien Ohio State 1998 Emerson MA (2011-12 through 2013-14)
Phil Woolpert San Francisco 1955-56-57 San Diego* (1962-63 through 1968-69)

*The Toreros moved up to NCAA DI level in 1979-80.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Supplying MLB Headlines on April 10

April 10th, 2024 - 8:59

Extra! Extra! Instead of wondering whether CT Sen. Richard Blumenthal broke his leg again at NCAA title celebration or reenactment of Dimorat serving as "stolen-valor" soldier in Vietnam War, you can read news about memorable major league baseball achievements, moments and transactions involving former college basketball players. Numerous ex-college hoopers had front-row seats to many of the most notable games and dates in MLB history.

Baseball is portrayed as a thinking man's game but only 4% of active MLB players earned college diplomas. Jerry Adair (Oklahoma State) and Sonny Siebert (Missouri) - former Big Seven Conference opponents as top three scorers for their respective teams in 1956-57 - supplied significant MLB performances in season openers on this date. Ex-juco hoopers Bob Oliver (American River), Ken Retzer (Jefferson City MO), Jackie Robinson (Pasadena City CA) and Jim Thome (Illinois Central) also made MLB news on this date. Unless you habitually pore over the content at baseballlibrary.com, baseballreference.com and nationalpastime.com, following is an April 10 calendar focusing on such versatile MLB athletes:

APRIL 10

  • Baltimore Orioles 2B Jerry Adair (one of Oklahoma State's top three basketball scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58) went 3-for-3 on Opening Day against the New York Yankees in 1962.

  • Cincinnati Reds LHP Amir Garrett (averaged 7.4 ppg and 4 rpg for St. John's under coach Steve Lavin in 2011-12 and 2012-13 before RS transfer year at Cal State Northridge) posted a victory against the Miami Marlins en route to holding opponents scoreless in his first seven relief appearances of the 2019 season while fanning 10 of 25 batters he faced over 6 2/3 innings.

  • Washington Senators 1B Frank Howard (two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1956-57 and 1957-58 when leading Ohio State in scoring and rebounding) hammered two homers against the New York Yankees in 1969.

  • Utilityman Bob Oliver (All-Valley Conference basketball choice for American River Community College CA in 1962) purchased from the Chicago White Sox by Philadelphia Phillies in 1976.

  • C Ken Retzer (fourth-leading juco scorer with 184 points for Jefferson City MO in 1953-54) traded by the Minnesota Twins to Houston Astros in 1966.

  • In 1947, 1B Jackie Robinson (highest scoring average in Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with UCLA in 1939-40 and 1940-41) became the first black player of the 20th Century to sign a MLB contract (with Brooklyn Dodgers).

  • OF Wally Roettger (Illinois hoops letterman in 1921-22 and 1922-23) traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Giants in 1930.

  • In 1968 season opener, Cleveland Indians RHP Sonny Siebert (team-high 16.7 ppg for Missouri in 1957-58 as All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection) tossed a two-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox.

  • Atlanta Braves LHP George Stone (averaged 14.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Louisiana Tech in 1964-65 and 1965-66) tossed a six-hit shutout against the Houston Astros in his first start of the 1970 campaign.

  • A pinch-hit grand slam by OF-1B Champ Summers (led SIUE in scoring in 1969-70 after doing same with Nicholls State in 1964-65) propelled the San Diego Padres to a 7-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984. It was Summers' final MLB homer.

  • Cleveland Indians 1B Jim Thome (played junior-college hoops for Illinois Central in 1988-89) hammered a grand slam in 2002 game against the Minnesota Twins. Circuit clout was the first of four consecutive contests where he hit a round-tripper.

  • RHP Billy Wynne (one of prime hoopers in mid-1960s for Pfeiffer NC) returned by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets in 1967 after he was selected during the winter in Rule 5 draft.

Last Man Standing: Will MOP Tristen Newton Make Significant Impact in NBA?

April 10th, 2024 - 8:53

"I'm gonna make it to heaven, light up the sky like a flame. I'm gonna live forever. Baby, remember my name." - Theme from 1980s film and TV series Fame

East Carolina transfer Tristen Newton (Connecticut) joined George Mason transfer Luke Hancock (Louisville '13) as the only Final Four Most Outstanding Players who began their college careers at another four-year college. A year ago, UConn's Adama Sanogo became the 12th Most Outstanding Player in NCAA Tournament history who wasn't an All-American. Six years ago, Villanova sixth man Donte DiVincenzo became the fourth MOP in a row who wasn't an A-A, joining Kansas' B.H. Born (1953), Villanova's Ed Pinckney (1985), Indiana's Keith Smart (1987), UNLV's Anderson Hunt (1990), North Carolina's Donald Williams (1993), Kentucky's Jeff Sheppard (1998), Louisville's Hancock (2013), Duke's Tyus Jones (2015), Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono (2016) and North Carolina's Joel Berry II (2017).

Questions linger as to whether Newton and Sanogo will have any impact in the NBA. Perhaps that is why he should think about what happens when the ball stops bouncing. What did the brightest Final Four stars do in the real world after Father Time took its toll on their playing ability? The following individuals weren't always defined solely as basketball standouts after earning acclaim as the Final Four MOP:

Year(s) - NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Position, Class, School

1939 - Jimmy Hull, F, Sr., Ohio State*
Employed as a dentist.

1940 - Marv Huffman, G, Sr., Indiana
Played one season with Goodyear in the National Industrial League in 1940-41 (5.1 ppg) and four with the Akron Collegians. After he stopped playing basketball, he was a special assistant to the president of Goodyear. He died in 1984 of multiple sclerosis.

1941 - John Kotz, F, Soph., Wisconsin
Retired in 1980 after working his way up from shipping clerk to president and majority stockholder of Badger Sporting Goods Company.

1942 - Howie Dallmar, G, Soph., Stanford
Averaged 9.6 ppg with the Philadelphia Warriors in three NBA seasons from 1946-47 through 1948-49. Compiled a 105-51 coaching record (.673) for Penn in six seasons from 1948-49 through 1953-54 before posting a 264-264 record (.500) with Stanford in 21 seasons from 1954-55 through 1974-75. His best season as a mentor was 22-5 mark for NCAA tourney team in 1952-53.

1943 - Kenny Sailors, G, Jr., Wyoming
Averaged 12.6 ppg and 2.8 apg with seven different NBA teams in five seasons from 1946-47 through 1950-51. Lived in Gakona, Alaska, where he owned a guided big-game hunting business with his son. Had a winter home in Arizona.

1944 - Arnie Ferrin, F, Fr., Utah
Averaged 5.8 ppg with the Minneapolis Lakers in three NBA seasons from 1948-49 through 1950-51. General Manager of the ABA's Utah Stars, athletic director for his alma mater and chairman of the NCAA Tournament selection committee in 1988.

1945 and 1946 - Bob Kurland, C, Jr./Sr., Oklahoma A&M
Retired Phillips Petroleum executive had a retirement home in Florida.

1947 - George Kaftan, F-C, Soph., Holy Cross
Averaged 7.5 ppg with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets in five NBA seasons from 1948-49 through 1952-53. Graduated from Georgetown Dental School, coached C.W. Post for 17 seasons and maintained a dental practice.

1948 and 1949 - Alex Groza, C, Jr./Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 22.5 ppg with the Indianapolis Olympians in two NBA seasons in 1949-50 and 1950-51 before his pro career ended because of a college point-shaving scandal. Got a job at General Electric in Louisville before returning to his hometown (Martin's Ferry, Ohio) and running his mother's tavern. Compiled a 91-77 record (.542) as coach for Bellarmine College in seven seasons from 1959-60 through 1965-66. Executive with two ABA franchises (Kentucky Colonels and San Diego Conquistadors) before getting involved with professional volleyball. Joined Reynolds Metals in 1977 and traveled around the country as Pacific Coast manager of its chemical division.

1950 - Irwin Dambrot, F, Sr., CCNY
Became a dentist.

1951 - Bill Spivey, C, Sr., Kentucky
After 16 years in the bush leagues with assorted nondescript teams, he extended his nomadic existence with a series of jobs - salesman, insurance agent, real estate developer, government official (Kentucky's deputy insurance commissioner) and restaurant and bar owner - before relocating to Costa Rica.

1952 - Clyde Lovellette, C, Sr., Kansas
Averaged 17 ppg and 9.5 rpg with the Minneapolis Lakers, Cincinnati Royals, St. Louis Hawks and Boston Celtics in 11 NBA seasons from 1953-54 through 1963-64. Assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers in 1967 when they started their ABA franchise. Served as a sheriff in his native Indiana and taught and coached at White's Institute, a school for troubled youngsters in Wabash, before moving to Munising, Mich.

1953 - B.H. Born, C, Jr., Kansas*
Played AAU basketball until the late 1950s with the Peoria (Ill.) Caterpillars before going to work in the personnel office for Caterpillar Bulldozers. He spent his entire career working for Caterpillar until his retirement.

1954 - Tom Gola, C-F, Jr., La Salle
Averaged 11.3 ppg and 8 rpg with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks in 11 NBA seasons from 1955-56 through 1965-66. He invested in driving ranges, apartment complexes, recycling companies and residential sites. Gola owned his own insurance company and a skating rink. He was a spokesman for Texaco, Vitalis and the Army Reserve. In 1966, Gola began a two-term career as a state legislator while coaching his alma mater before becoming Philadelphia's city controller. He later became a vice president of the Valley Forge Investment Corporation and served on the board of the Philadelphia Convention Center.

1955 - Bill Russell, C, Jr., San Francisco
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 15.1 ppg, 22.5 rpg and 4.3 apg with the Boston Celtics in 13 NBA seasons from 1956-57 through 1968-69. Five-time MVP was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). Compiled a 341-290 record (.540) with the Celtics (1966-67 through 1968-69), Seattle SuperSonics (1973-74 through 1976-77) and Sacramento Kings (1987-88) in eight seasons. Network analyst dabbled with acting but retreated to the quiet life on Mercer Island in Washington, and has a clothing line company called Center Court.

1956 - Hal Lear, G, Sr., Temple*
Played in three games for the NBA's Philadelphia Warriors in 1956-57 before playing 10 seasons in the Eastern Basketball League, becoming MVP in 1956-57 and averaging 39.7 ppg for Easton in 1960-61. Also averaged 13.1 ppg for Los Angeles and Cleveland in the ABL in 1961-62.

1957 - Wilt Chamberlain, C, Soph., Kansas*
Averaged 30.1 ppg, 22.9 rpg and 4.4 apg with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers in 14 NBA seasons from 1959-60 through 1972-73. Made a fortune in the restaurant business, designed homes, owned racehorses and played professional volleyball. Also wrote four books: Wilt; A View From Above; Chamberlain House: The Possible Dream, and Who's Running the Asylum: The Insane World of Sports Today.

1958 - Elgin Baylor, C, Jr., Seattle*
Averaged 27.4 ppg, 13.5 rpg and 4.3 apg with the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers in 14 seasons from 1958-59 through 1971-72. Coached the New Orleans Jazz for four seasons in the late 1970s (86-135 record). Executive with the Los Angeles Clippers.

1959 - Jerry West, F-G, Jr., West Virginia*
Averaged 27 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 6.7 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 14 NBA seasons from 1960-61 through 1973-74. Long-time executive with the Lakers before accepting a similar position with the Memphis Grizzlies.

1960 and 1961 - Jerry Lucas, C, Soph./Jr.*, Ohio State
Seven-time All-Star averaged 17 ppg and 15.6 rpg with the Cincinnati Royals, San Francisco Warriors and New York Knicks in 11 NBA seasons from 1963-64 through 1973-74. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). Memory expert and motivational speaker lived in Templeton, Calif., while working on revolutionary educational programs. Taught his memory and learning technique to many Fortune 500 companies and countless churches. He authored more than 60 books on learning, including The Memory Book, which was on the New York Times' best-seller list for 50 weeks and reached the No. 2 position behind All the President's Men, the investigative story that uncovered the Watergate scandal.

1962 - Paul Hogue, C, Sr., Cincinnati
Averaged 6.3 ppg and 7.1 rpg with the New York Knicks and Baltimore Bullets in two NBA seasons in 1962-63 and 1963-64. Worked with the Tennessee juvenile program before moving back to Cincinnati to work at a milling machine firm. He served as a physical therapist at a state mental hospital, a counselor at a neighborhood youth center and as a counselor in a local school system before becoming the division supervisor for the Postal Services' Employee Assistance Program.

1963 - Art Heyman, F, Sr., Duke*
Averaged 10.3 ppg and 2.8 rpg with the New York Knicks, Cincinnati Royals and Philadelphia 76ers in three NBA seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66 before averaging 15.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg with the New Jersey Americans, Pittsburgh/Minnesota Pipers and Miami Floridians in three ABA seasons from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Owned and operated several restaurants.

1964 - Walt Hazzard, G, Sr., UCLA
Averaged 12.6 ppg, 3 rpg and 4.9 apg with five different NBA teams in 10 seasons from 1964-65 through 1973-74. Later named Mahdi Abdul-Rahmad, he worked in the Los Angeles Lakers' front office and coached his alma mater and Chapman College before suffering a stroke and undergoing open-heart surgery in 1996.

1965 - Bill Bradley, F, Sr., Princeton*
Rhodes Scholar averaged 12.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 3.4 apg with the New York Knicks in 10 NBA seasons from 1967-68 through 1976-77. Three-term U.S. Senator (Democrat-N.J.) until 1995 was a tax and trade expert with a strong voice on race issues and campaign finance reform. The presidential candidate against Al Gore in 2000 authored two basketball books (Life on the Run in 1976 and Values of the Game in 1998).

1966 - Jerry Chambers, F, Sr., Utah*
Averaged 8.3 ppg and 3.2 rpg with the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Buffalo Braves, San Diego Conquistadors and San Antonio Spurs in six NBA/ABA seasons from 1966-67 to 1973-74. Worked for the L.A. city parks and recreation department for many years.

1967, 1968 and 1969 - Lew Alcindor, C, Soph./Jr./Sr., UCLA
Six-time league MVP averaged 24.6 ppg and 11.2 rpg in 20 NBA seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers from 1969-70 through 1988-89. Nineteen-time All-Star later named Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). In 1999, he worked with a high school team at White Mountain Apache Reservation in Whiteriver, Ariz. He was an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2000 and then worked in training camp with the Indiana Pacers before becoming head coach of the USBL's Oklahoma Storm for one season. Hired by the New York Knicks as a scout in March, 2004 before serving as a Lakers aide helping develop center Andrew Bynum. In January 2012, he was appointed a Cultural Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State before becoming a TIME columnist.

1970 - Sidney Wicks, F, Jr., UCLA
Averaged 16.8 ppg and 8.7 rpg with the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics and San Diego Clippers in 10 NBA seasons from 1971-72 through 1980-81. Worked in property management. Served as an assistant coach at his alma mater under Walt Hazzard for four seasons in the mid-1980s. At the completion of his coaching stint with the Bruins, Wicks has been in private business.

1971 - Howard Porter, F, Sr., Villanova*
Averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and New Jersey Nets in seven NBA seasons from 1971-72 through 1977-78. Senior probation officer for Ramsey County (Minn.) after getting clean from drugs with the help of a colleague working with him loading furniture for a construction firm in Orlando. Earlier, Porter failed at running a club in Florida and a convenience store. He was trying to trade money and crack cocaine for sex with a prostitute in St. Paul in May, 2007, when the probation officer was beaten to death, according to murder charges filed several months later.

1972 and 1973 - Bill Walton, C, Soph./Jr., UCLA
Averaged 13.3 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 3.4 apg with the Portland Trail Blazers, San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics in 10 NBA seasons from 1974-75 to 1986-87. Network commentator for both the NBA and NCAA after and while working in a similar capacity for the Clippers.

1974 - David Thompson, F, Jr., North Carolina State
Averaged 22.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg with the Denver Nuggets and Seattle SuperSonics in nine ABA/NBA seasons from 1975-76 through 1983-84. Motivational speaker with Unlimited Sports Management was also community relations director for the Charlotte Hornets.

1975 - Richard Washington, C-F, Soph., UCLA
Averaged 9.8 ppg and 6.3 rpg with the Kansas City Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers in six NBA seasons from 1976-77 through 1981-82. Contractor in Portland.

1976 - Kent Benson, C, Jr., Indiana
Averaged 9.1 ppg and 5.7 rpg with four different NBA teams in 11 seasons from 1977-78 through 1987-88. Resided in Bloomington, where he worked with Diversified Benefit Services.

1977 - Butch Lee, G, Jr., Marquette
Averaged 8.1 ppg and 3.2 apg with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers in two NBA seasons in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Owned two restaurants, coached pro ball in Puerto Rico and had a sign business in San Juan.

1978 - Jack Givens, F, Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 6.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg with the Atlanta Hawks in two NBA seasons in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Announcer for the Orlando Magic did not have his contract renewed after he was found not guilty following an arrest during summer of 2004 on charges of sexual battery and lewd molestation of a 14-year-old girl.

1979 - Earvin "Magic" Johnson, G, Soph., Michigan State
Averaged 19.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 11.2 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 13 NBA seasons from 1979-80 through 1990-91 and 1995-96. Business entrepreneur emphasized attempting to revitalize a number of minority neighborhoods. He owned the Magic Theatres, an L.A. restaurant chain (Fatburgers), a TGI Friday's and some Starbucks coffee shops. Johnson was a principal in a local black-owned bank and delved into the entertainment business as a concert promoter and owner of the Magic Johnson Record label. Part of ownership group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers in the spring of 2012.

1980 - Darrell Griffith, G, Sr., Louisville
Averaged 16.2 ppg and 3.3 rpg with the Utah Jazz in 11 NBA seasons from 1980-81 through 1990-91. Resides in Louisville where he has several real estate investments and business interests. Father-in-law of former NBA standout Derek Anderson established a foundation in his hometown.

1981 - Isiah Thomas, G, Soph., Indiana
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 19.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 9.3 apg with the Detroit Pistons in 13 NBA seasons from 1981-82 through 1993-94. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996) served as president of the New York Knicks from 2003-04 through 2007-08. Executive and part owner of the Toronto Raptors, owner of the CBA and coach of the Indiana Pacers (131-115 record in three seasons from 2000-01 through 2002-03). Served as coach for Florida International three seasons. Named president and part-owner of the Knicks' WNBA sister team, the New York Liberty, subsequent to the re-hiring of Thomas' former Pistons teammate, Bill Laimbeer, as the team's coach.

1982 - James Worthy, F, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 17.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 3 apg with the Los Angeles Lakers in 12 NBA seasons from 1982-83 through 1993-94. Served as network TV analyst.

1983 - Hakeem Olajuwon, C, Soph., Houston*
Twelve-time All-Star averaged 21.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg and 3.1 bpg with the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors in 18 seasons from 1984-85 through 2001-02. Six-time All-NBA first-team selection was named as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996). NBA Most Valuable Player in 1993-94 was one of only eight players in league history to amass more than 20,000 points and 12,000 rebounds. Split time between his ranch near Houston (buying real estate in cash-only purchases) and Jordan, where he pursued Islamic studies.

1984 - Patrick Ewing, C, Jr., Georgetown
Eleven-time All-Star averaged 21 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 2.4 bpg with the New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics and Orlando Magic in 17 seasons from 1985-86 through 2001-02. One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996) became an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats before becoming head coach of his alma mater in 2017-18. Ewing managed only one winning record in six years as bench boss for the Hoyas.

1985 - Ed Pinckney, F, Sr., Villanova
Averaged 6.8 ppg and 5 rpg with seven different NBA teams in 12 seasons from 1985-86 through 1996-97. Miami Heat TV analyst while trying to cope with an overactive thyroid.

1986 - Pervis Ellison, C, Fr., Louisville
Averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg with the Sacramento Kings, Washington Bullets and Boston Celtics in 10 NBA seasons from 1989-90 through 1997-98 and 1999-00. Lived in Atlanta. Coached basketball for various teams throughout Southern New Jersey, including his son, Malik, at Life Center Academy.

1987 - Keith Smart, G, Jr., Indiana
Played in two games with the San Antonio Spurs in 1988-89 before basketball took him to the Philippines, Venezuela and France. After playing and coaching in the CBA with the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Fury, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as director of player development and assistant coach. Smart was named interim head coach of the Cavs midway through the 2002-03 campaign, replacing John Lucas. Also promoted from assistant to head coach with the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings before becoming an aide for the Miami Heat.

1988 - Danny Manning, F, Sr., Kansas
Two-time All-Star averaged 14 ppg and 5.2 rpg with seven different franchises in 15 NBA seasons from 1988-89 through 2002-03. Assistant coach at his alma mater for nine seasons before accepting head coaching position with Tulsa and subsequently accepting a similar position at Wake Forest.

1989 - Glen Rice, F, Sr., Michigan
Averaged 18.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg with six different NBA franchises in 15 seasons from 1989-90 through 2003-04. Three-time All-Star was the Heat's all-time leading scorer.

1990 - Anderson Hunt, G, Soph., UNLV
Photograph was published of him with a couple of teammates in a hot tub with known sports fixer Richard Perry before pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges in connection with marijuana found in his possession during a traffic stop in October 1993. Played overseas in France, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Venezuela. Worked in real estate market in Detroit following employment at Burger Palace inside the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

1991 - Christian Laettner, C-F, Jr., Duke
All-Star in 1996-97 averaged 12.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.6 apg with six different NBA franchises in 13 seasons from 1992-93 through 2004-05. He and Duke teammate Brian Davis faced huge financial and legal hurdles stemming from a loan their real estate company failed to repay nearly $700,000 to former Duke captain and current Stanford coach Johnny Dawkins. Court documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Laettner and Davis were defendants in several civil lawsuits seeking repayment of about $30 million.

1992 - Bobby Hurley, G, Jr., Duke
Averaged 3.8 ppg and 3.3 apg with the Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies in five NBA seasons from 1993-94 through 1997-98. Owned race horses and did TV commentary on the ACC for Fox Sports. Assistant coach under his brother, Danny, with Wagner and Rhode Island prior to becoming head coach with Buffalo and Arizona State.

1993 - Donald Williams, G, Soph., North Carolina
Played professional basketball overseas in Germany and Greece and with the Harlem Globetrotters.

1994 - Corliss Williamson, F, Soph., Arkansas
Averaged 11.1 ppg and 3.9 rpg with the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Philadelphia 76ers in 12 NBA seasons from 1995-96 through 2006-07. Scored a career-high 40 points against the Pistons on 3-4-98. Coached for Arkansas Baptist College and Central Arkansas before returning to the NBA as an assistant coach with the Kings.

1995 - Ed O'Bannon, F, Sr., UCLA
Averaged 5 ppg and 2.5 rpg with the New Jersey Nets and Dallas Mavericks in two NBA seasons in 1995-96 and 1996-97. After his brief NBA career, he played professionally in Europe (Italy, Spain, Greece and Poland) before becoming a Toyota salesman/marketing director in the Las Vegas area. Lead plaintiff in highly-publicized lawsuit against the NCAA, disputing the organization's use of the images of its former student-athletes for commercial purposes.

1996 - Tony Delk, G, Sr., Kentucky
Averaged 9.1 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 1.9 apg with eight different franchises in 10 NBA seasons from 1996-97 through 2005-06. Scored a career-high 53 points against the Kings on 1-2-01. Played overseas in Greece and Puerto Rico before serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater and New Mexico State.

1997 - Miles Simon, G, Jr., Arizona
Appeared in five games with the NBA's Orlando Magic in 1998-99. Played professionally in Israel in 2000 and Italy in 2001 before joining the Dakota Wizards of the CBA where he earned 2002 Newcomer of the Year and MVP honors. Also played in Venezuela and Turkey before joining his alma mater's staff as an assistant under Lute Olson in 2005. Served as a commentator for ESPN.

1998 - Jeff Sheppard, G, Sr., Kentucky
After playing the 1998-99 season with the Atlanta Hawks, he played professionally in Italy. Married former UK women's player Stacey Reed. They own an apparel company. His son, Reed, was a promising freshman player for his alma mater in 2023-24 before declaring early for the NBA draft.

1999 - Richard Hamilton, F-G, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 17.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 3.4 apg with the Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls in 14 seasons from 1999-00 to 2012-13.

2000 - Mateen Cleaves, G, Sr., Michigan State
Averaged 3.6 ppg and 1.9 apg with four different NBA franchises in six seasons from 2000-01 through 2005-06 before becoming a color commentator for Fox Sports Detroit and the CBS Sports Network prior to being investigated for a sexual assault charge.

2001 - Shane Battier, F, Sr., Duke
Averaged 8.6 ppg and 4.2 rpg with four different NBA franchises in 13 seasons from 2001-02 through 2013-14 before becoming an ESPN color commentator.

2002 - Juan Dixon, G, Sr., Maryland
Averaged 8.4 ppg with five different NBA franchises in seven seasons from 2002-03 through 2008-09 before playing overseas in Greece, Spain and Turkey and subsequently becoming an assistant coach for his alma mater and head coach of Coppin State.

2003 - Carmelo Anthony, F, Fr., Syracuse
Averaged 23.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 2.9 apg with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers in 17 seasons from 2003-04 through 2019-20.

2004 - Emeka Okafor, C, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 12 ppg, 9.7 rpg and 1.6 bpg with the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans in 10 seasons from 2004-05 to 2012-13 and 2017-18.

2005 - Sean May, C-F, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 6.9 ppg and 4 rpg with the Charlotte Hornets and Sacramento Kings in four injury-plagued seasons from 2005-06 through 2009-10 before playing overseas. Joined his alma mater's staff under Roy Williams as assistant to the director of player development.

2006 - Joakim Noah, C, Soph., Florida
Averaged 8.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.3 bpg with the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks in 11 seasons from 2007-08 to 2017-18.

2007 - Corey Brewer, F, Jr., Florida
Averaged 8.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder in 11 seasons from 2007-08 to 2017-18. He scored 51 points in a single game against the Houston Rockets.

2008 - Mario Chalmers, G, Jr., Kansas
Averaged 8.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.5 spg with the Miami Heat and Memphis Grizzlies in nine seasons from 2008-09 through 2015-16 and 2017-18.

2009 - Wayne Ellington, G, Jr., North Carolina
Averaged 8 ppg and 2.1 rpg with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks in 13 seasons from 2009-10 through 2021-22.

2010 - Kyle Singler, F, Jr., Duke
Second-round draft choice by the NBA's Detroit Pistons played overseas two seasons in Spain before averaging 6.5 ppg and 2.9 rpg in six seasons from 2012-13 to 2017-18 with the Pistons and Oklahoma Thunder.

2011 - Kemba Walker, G, Jr., Connecticut
Averaged 19.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 5.5 apg with the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets in eight seasons from 2011-12 through 2018-19. After signing as a free agent with the Boston Celtics, he averaged 19.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 4.8 apg in 2019-20 and 2020-21 prior to disappointing campaign for the New York Knicks in 2021-22 (11.6 ppg and 3.5 apg).

2012 - Anthony Davis, C, Fr., Kentucky
Averaged 23.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 2.4 bpg with the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans in seven seasons from 2012-13 through 2018-19, becoming an NBA All-Star in his second season and sparking the Pelicans to the playoffs in 2015. Following a trade, he averaged 24.7 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.2 spg and 2.2 bpg with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2019-20 through 2023-24.

2013 - Luke Hancock, G, Jr., Louisville
Averaged 12.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg and 2.2 apg for the Cardinals as a senior, helping defeat 2014 NCAA champion-to-be Connecticut a total of three times. Briefly played professionally in Greece before tearing a muscle in his calf and becoming financial adviser in Louisville.

2014 - Shabazz Napier, G, Sr., Connecticut
Averaged 7.1 ppg and 2.5 apg with six NBA franchises (Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers, Brooklyn Nets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Washington Wizards) in six seasons from 2014-15 through 2019-20. Played for professional team in Russia until its invasion of Ukraine. Subsequently played in Mexico, Italy and Serbia.

2015 - Tyus Jones, G, Fr., Duke
Averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.9 apg with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies in eight seasons from 2015-16 to 2022-23. After trade to the Washington Wizards, he posted career highs of 12 ppg and 7.3 apg in 2023-24.

2016 - Ryan Arcidiacono, G, Sr., Villanova
Played for the San Antonio Spurs' Development League team in Austin in 2016-17 before signing a similar developmental deal with the Chicago Bulls. Averaged 4.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2.3 apg for the Bulls from 2017-18 to 2020-21 before playing briefly with the New York Knicks in 2021-22.

2017 - Joel Berry II, G, Jr., North Carolina
Earned All-American status with the Tar Heels in 2017-18 before elimination in second round of NCAA playoffs by 21 points against Texas A&M. Undrafted by the NBA, he played in the G League for a couple different franchises before aligning with BSL (Basketball Super League). Played one season professionally in Turkey before retiring.

2018 - Donte DiVincenzo, G, Jr., Villanova
Missing most of season because of a foot injury, he averaged 4.9 ppg as NBA rookie with the Milwaukee Bucks. He doubled his rookie scoring average the next three years, averaging 9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.1 spg with the Bucks and Sacramento Kings, prior to signing as a free agent with the Golden State Warriors. Enjoyed a breakout season in 2023-24 with the New York Knicks after signing with them as a free agent (15.5 ppg/3.7 rpg/2.7 apg).

2019 - Kyle Guy, G, Jr., Virginia
Appeared in only two NBA games in 2019-20 with the Sacramento Kings prior to season being postponed. Averaged 3.1 ppg with the Kings and Miami Heat in three campaigns before going overseas.

2021 - Jared Butler, G, Jr., Baylor
Second-round draft choice averaged 5.1 ppg and 2.2 apg with the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder and Washington Wizards from 2021-22 through 2023-24.

2022 - Ochai Agbaji, G, Sr., Kansas
Averaged 6.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

2023 - Adama Sanogo, C, Jr., Connecticut
Undrafted after declaring for the NBA draft as an undergraduate. Played briefly with the Chicago Bulls after signing as a free agent.

2024 - Tristen Newton, G, Sr., Connecticut
Post-college career to be determined for East Carolina transfer.

*Schools that did not win NCAA Tournament championship year in question.

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