Oh Brother!: Where Will Lawsons Rank Among Standout Sets of Siblings?

There appears to be a need to establish some Law(sons) and Order via a historical perspective. Many in the mainstream media are portraying the transfer of brothers Dedric and K.J. Lawson from Memphis to Kansas as the MOAB story thus far in the off-season. Actually, if Michael and Marcus Weathers continue to improve, the twins who attended high school in Kansas could very well be the top set of brothers to transfer this year after their sterling freshman campaign for Miami (Ohio).

The Lawson duo collaborated for 31.5 ppg, 18 rpg and 6.1 apg with the underachieving Tigers this campaign prior to the scholars departing by giving coach Tubby Smith a vulgar half-a-peace sign. However, their scoring average pales in comparison to the brother output by Tom and Sam Stith as standouts on St. Bonaventure teams participating in the NIT the two years they played together in 1958-59 and 1959-60, compiling a 41-8 record. The Stiths combined to average 52 ppg in 1959-60, an NCAA single-season mark for brothers on the same team. Tom (46) and Sam (22) collaborated for 68 points in a 93-80 triumph over Marshall. Each of them ranked among the national leaders in field-goal percentage their two years together.

The Stith siblings are among about 20 different sets of brothers averaging more points in a single season for the same school than the Lawsons. A chronological list in this category includes GWU's Joe and John Holup (combined for 33.2 ppg in 1952-53), Seattle's Johnny and Eddie O'Brien (45.1 in 1952-53), St. Louis' Bob and Bill Nordmann (32 in 1959-60), Stiths (52 in 1959-60), Delaware's Nate and Pete Cloud (32.8 in 1962-63), Indiana's Tom and Dick Van Arsdale (43.5 in 1963-64 and 35.6 in 1964-65), St. John's Bob and Ken McIntyre (34 in 1964-65), SMU's Gene and Lynn Phillips (36.8 in 1968-69), GWU's Bob and Mike Tallent (46.7 in 1968-69), Villanova's Larry and Keith Herron (34.5 in 1976-77), Northeast Louisiana's Calvin and Kenny Natt (35.2 in 1976-77), ORU's Mark and Jeff Acres (35.8 in 1983-84), LIU's Carey and Paul Scurry (32.1 in 1984-85), Howard's John and Howard Spencer (39 in 1986-87), VMI's Damon and Ramon Williams (36.9 in 1988-89 and 39.3 in 1989-90), UCLA's Ed and Charles O'Bannon (34 in 1994-95), Wright State's Cain and Seth Doliboa (33 in 2001-02), VMI's Travis and Chavis Holmes (34.2 in 2006-07 and 34 in 2007-08) plus Rider's Jason and Ryan Thompson (35.4 in 2007-08).

Depending upon your view, the most efficient brothers in Memphis history probably were Forest and Orby Arnold in 1955-56 when they helped take the Tigers to the 25-team NCAA playoffs. But the Lawson tandem still has time to mature and possibly join a couple of KU brothers acts (Kelley and Morris) among the following additional 40-plus sets of standout brother combinations on same team in NCAA history (listed alphabetically):

• Mark and Jeff Acres combined to average 29.9 ppg and 8 rpg for Oral Roberts in three seasons (1981-82, 1983-84 and 1984-85). The Titans participated in the 1982 NIT and 1984 NCAA playoffs.
• Forest (senior/21.2) and Orby (freshman/7.9) Arnold combined to average 29.1 ppg for Memphis State's 20-7 NCAA playoff team in 1955-56. Forest was the school's all-time leading scorer (1,854 points) until Larry Finch broke his mark in 1973. Orby finished his career in 1958-59 with 1,245 points.
• Nate and Pete Cloud, two of the top scorers and rebounders in Delaware history, played together on Blue Hens teams compiling a 32-13 record in 1961-62 and 1962-63. Pete (28) and Nate (18) combined for 46 points in a 100-66 victory over Muhlenberg on February 16, 1963.
• Stanford twins Jarron and Jason Collins combined for 19.3 ppg and 12.6 rpg in 1999-00 before powering the Cardinal to a 31-3 record in 2000-01 with 27.3 ppg and 14.5 rpg.
• Penn State's Joe (31) and Jon (career-high 26) Crispin combined for 57 points and 13 of 21 treys in a 73-68 win at Kentucky in perhaps the biggest road victory in the Nittany Lions' history. They pooled their resources for 27.8 ppg and 7 apg in 1999-00 and 26.7 ppg and 5 apg in 2000-01. Jon transferred to UCLA after Joe graduated.
• Al and Mel Daniel combined for 29.5 ppg with Furman's 20-9 team in 1978-79. They teamed for 42 points in a 91-73 victory over UNC Charlotte and 39 in an 83-70 win over eventual NCAA No. 1 seed North Carolina in the North-South Doubleheader. Al, a two-time All-Southern Conference choice, was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth round later that year while Mel became a three-time All-SC selection.
• Forwards Cain and Seth Doliboa transferred to Wright State from Dayton and Bowling Green, respectively. Cain (Sr.) and Seth (Soph.) were All-Horizon League second-team selections in 2001-02 when they combined for 33 ppg and 12 rpg.
• Kral and Shann Ferch combined for 27.6 ppg and 8.4 apg with Montana State's 21-8 Big Sky Conference regular-season champion and NIT squad in 1986-87. They teamed for 23.4 ppg the previous season, including a total of 45 (Kral 30 and Shann 15) in a double-overtime contest at Weber State.
• Twins Joey and Stevie Graham combined for 25.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg as sophomores with Central Florida in 2001-02 before they transferred to Oklahoma State. The transfers collaborated for 15.2 ppg and 6.6 rpg in 2003-04 and 24.2 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 2004-05 for two OSU NCAA playoff teams.
• Twin guards Aaron and Andrew Harrison combined for 24.6 ppg as freshmen in 2013-14 and 20.3 ppg as sophomores for a pair of Kentucky Final Four squads.
• Twins Jarvis and Jonas Hayes combined for 25.1 ppg as freshmen with Western Carolina in 1999-00. They transferred to Georgia after Jarvis led the Southern Conference in scoring with 17.1 ppg. With the Bulldogs, the twins teamed for 25.8 ppg and 10.3 rpg in 2001-02 and 25 ppg and 8.8 rpg in 2002-03.
• Villanova's Larry and Keith Herron combined for more than 30 ppg from 1974-75 through 1976-77. Another brother, Reggie, played with them in 1976-77.
• Twins Travis and Chavis Holmes combined for 18.7 ppg with VMI in 2005-06, 34.2 ppg in 2006-07 and 34 ppg in 2007-08. They colloborated for 57 points in a 156-95 victory over Virginia Intermont in 2006-07 when they each ranked among the nation's top five in steals (placed 1-2 in the Big South Conference). Finished 1-2 nationally in thefts their senior season.
• Joe and John Holup were the top two players for George Washington's first NCAA Tournament team in 1954. Joe, the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, paced the nation in field-goal percentage in 1954 and 1956. He also led the nation in rebounding in 1956. John was the team's leading scorer in 1952 before giving way to Joe the next season. John was a co-captain in 1954 when GWU secured the Southern Conference championship.
• In 1974, seniors Kim and Kerry Hughes carried Wisconsin to its only winning record in Big Ten Conference competition (8-6; 16-8 overall) in a 34-year span from 1963 through 1996. Kim was the Badgers' top rebounder as a sophomore. The 6-11 identical twins combined for 27 ppg and 22 rpg in their junior season and 26 ppg and 20.3 rpg in their final year. Kerry had 21 points and Kim contributed 20 in a home game versus Northwestern their senior year.
• Kansas guards Allen and Dean Kelley are the only set of brothers to play together in two NCAA Tournament title games (1952 and 1953). The Jayhawks posted a 47-9 record during those two years. Dean was selected by Fort Wayne in the 1953 NBA draft before Allen was picked by Milwaukee in the 1954 NBA draft.
• Identical twins Lloyd and Floyd Kerr were swingmen who combined to average 25.3 ppg and 10.7 rpg for Colorado State from 1966-67 through 1968-69. Brothers Kerr each scored more than 10 points in all three NCAA playoff games when the Rams reached the Midwest Regional final their senior season (17-7 record) before becoming NBA third-round draft choices.
• Mike (Sr.) and Jimmy (Soph.) Lee combined for 25.9 ppg for Syracuse's 24-5 team that participated in the 1973 NCAA Tournament East Regional. Jimmy (25) and Mike (20) collaborated for 45 points in a game against La Salle.
• Twin centers Brook and Robin Lopez combined for 20.2 ppg, 11.5 rpg and 4.1 bpg with Stanford as freshmen in 2006-07 and 29.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg and 4.4 bpg as sophomores in 2007-08 before they both left school early and became NBA first-round draft choices.
• Senior center-forward Randy Mahaffey, an All-ACC first-team selection, and sophomore forward Richie Mahaffey combined for 27 ppg and 16.8 rpg for Clemson's ACC first-division team in 1966-67 (17-8 record). Randy (34) and Richie (28) collaborated for 62 points in a 102-88 overtime victory at Virginia.
• Frank and John Mandic were all-league selections for Oregon State's 1940 PCC champion (27-11 record). John was the Beavers' leading scorer after Frank paced the squad the previous season.
• Rodney and Scooter McCray were instrumental in helping Louisville reach the Final Four in 1982 and 1983 before they played in the NBA.
• Bob and Ken McIntyre, two of the top 25 scorers in St. John's history, were the top two point producers for the Redmen in 1963-64 (combined for 31 ppg) and 1964-65 (34 ppg) in Joe Lapchick's final two seasons as coach. The McIntyres collaborated for 34 points in a 55-51 victory over Villanova in the 1965 NIT championship game.
• Dick and Bernie Mehen were All-SEC forwards for Tennessee's second-place team in 1941-42.
• George and Ed Mikan powered DePaul to a 40-8 record in 1945 (NIT champion) and 1946 before they both played at least six seasons in the NBA. George was a first-team All-American both years.
• Twins Markieff and Marcus Morris from Philadelphia combined for 12 ppg and 9.2 rpg with Kansas in 2008-09, 19.5 ppg and 11.4 rpg in 2009-10 and 30.8 ppg and 15.9 rpg as All-Big 12 Conference selections in 2010-11 before they both left school early and became NBA first-round draft choices.
• Calvin (All-American) and Kenny Natt, combining for 29.3 ppg and 12.6 rpg, sparked Northeast Louisiana (23-6 record) to its first national postseason tournament (1979 NIT) as a major college before commencing their NBA careers. They combined for 26.6 ppg and 15.2 rpg in 1977-78 after collaborating for 35.2 ppg and 14.9 rpg in 1976-77.
• Bob and Bill Nordmann combined for 32 ppg for St. Louis' 19-9 NIT team in 1959-60. Bob, nicknamed Bevo, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection. He went on to play four seasons in the NBA after missing the 1960-61 campaign because of a severe knee injury.
• Ed and Charles O'Bannon of UCLA combined for 29.8 ppg and 15.6 rpg in 1993-94 and 34 ppg and 14.4 rpg for the Bruins' NCAA titlist in 1994-95. Ed (37) and Charles (13) collaborated for 50 points in a 100-77 triumph against Duke in late February 1995.
• Bantam-sized twins Johnny and Eddie O'Brien were the top two scorers for Seattle (26-3 record) when it reached the 1953 NCAA Tournament in the Chieftains' first season at the major-college level. They also were infielders for the Pittsburgh Pirates the same year. Johnny O'Brien, a 5-8 unanimous first-team All-American who played center on offense and remains the school's all-time scoring leader, is the only player to score more than 40 points in his first NCAA Tournament game (42 in an 88-77 victory against Idaho State). Eddie contributed 21 in the same playoff contest.
• Forwards Bud and Ralph Ogden combined with center Dennis Awtrey to lead Santa Clara to 50 victories in 56 contests and West Regional finals against UCLA in 1968 and 1969. The Ogdens teamed for 27.9 ppg and 12.4 rpg in 1967-68 and 31.5 ppg and 15.5 rpg in 1968-69.
• Forwards Gene (21.3) and Lynn (15.5) Phillips combined for 36.8 ppg with SMU in 1968-69.
• Clifton and Roscoe Pondexter were All-PCAA first-team selections in 1973-74 when Long Beach State's top two scorers combined for 31.2 ppg and 15.5 rpg in powering the 49ers to a 24-2 record. Clifton (23) and Roscoe (18) combined for 41 points in a 98-89 victory over Oral Roberts. They both left college with eligibility remaining after the season.
• Dave and Dick Ricketts were starters for Duquesne's 1955 NIT champion (22-4 record). Dick, who remains the school's all-time leading scorer, had three 30-point games for the Dukes before playing three seasons in the NBA. Both brothers played major league baseball.
• Carey and Paul Scurry combined for 32.1 ppg and 20.7 rpg for LIU in 1984-85 (15-13 record). Carey was ECAC Metro player of the year that season by leading the league in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots (2.8 bpg).
• Eventual NBA draft choices Dwight and Greg Smith were standouts for Western Kentucky's NCAA playoff teams in 1965-66 and 1966-67 combining for a 48-6 record.
• Army's backcourt of Chris and J.P. Spatola combined for 26.3 ppg and 6.2 apg in 2000-01. Chris was an All-Patriot League second-team selection that season when he led the conference in scoring with 18.5 ppg. The next year, they combined for 25.6 ppg and 7 apg.
• Howard University's John and Howard Spencer combined for 39 ppg and 17 rpg in 1986-87 when the Bison posted its best record (24-4) in school Division I history. Howard, a transfer from Auburn, was an All-MEAC first-team selection that season and John was an All-MEAC second-team choice the next year.
• George Washington's Bob and Mike Tallent combined for 46.7 ppg in 1968-69 (14-11 record). Bob, a transfer from Kentucky, still holds four school offensive records, including a 28.9-point average that led the Southern Conference in his senior year. Mike paced the league the next season with a 21.3-point mark.
• Rider's Jason and Ryan Thompson combined for 28.4 ppg and 15.3 rpg in 2006-07 and 35.4 ppg, 18.3 rpg, 3.3 bpg and 2.7 spg in 2007-08.
• Twins Tom (17.4 ppg) and Dick (17.2 ppg) Van Arsdale ranked sixth and seventh on Indiana's list of all-time leading scorers when they graduated in 1965. They were among the nation's top 60 point producers as juniors in 1963-64 and combined for 76 points in a 108-102 neutral court victory over Notre Dame. The Hoosiers went 19-5 their senior campaign. Each of them played 12 seasons in the NBA, where they both scored more than 14,200 points.
• Twins Damon and Ramon Williams combined for 28.9 ppg in their four-year VMI careers from 1986-87 through 1989-90. They were All-Southern Conference Tournament first-team selections as sophomores in 1988. Ramon was an all-league first-team pick as a junior and Damon achieved the feat as a senior. They rank among the school's top scorers in history.