On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 29 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 29 in football at the professional level (especially in 1957 and 1963 championship contests):

DECEMBER 29

  • Baltimore Colts DE Ordell Braase (first-team All-NCC pick for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) had three sacks in a 34-0 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1968 NFL championship game.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) contributed a game-high 92 receiving yards - capping off contest's scoring with 37-yard touchdown reception - in 24-17 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1979 NFC divisional-round play.

  • George Halas (starting guard for Illinois' Big Ten Conference hoops titlist in 1916-17) coached the Chicago Bears to a 14-10 win against the New York Giants in 1963 NFL championship contest. Bears rookie PK Bob Jencks (collected 3 points and 12 rebounds in five basketball games for Miami of Ohio in 1960-61) kicked both extra points. Giants starting SS Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) recovered a fumble.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had four sacks and five tackles in a 21-20 victory against the Atlanta Falcons in 2013 regular-season finale.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught seven passes for 146 yards in a 34-31 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002 season finale.

  • Philadelphia Eagles TE Jimmie Johnson (averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Howard University in 1988-89) caught three passes for 37 yards in a 14-0 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1996 NFC wild-card playoff game.

  • Detroit Lions RB John Henry Johnson (made 5-of-8 FGAs in five games for Saint Mary's in 1950-51) rushed for 34 yards on seven carries and caught one pass for 16 yards in a 59-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1957 NFL championship game. Lions QB Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) threw a 16-yard touchdown pass.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 38 yards in 21-10 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the New York Giants in 1984.

  • Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (Brigham Young swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) threw a go-ahead 47-yard touchdown pass to Mike Renfro in 17-14 AFC divisional playoff win against the San Diego Chargers in 1979.

  • TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) caught an 11-yard touchdown pass from Peyton Manning with 2:26 remaining in fourth quarter to give the Indianapolis Colts a 20-13 win against Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002 regular-season finale.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 28 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 28 in football at the professional level (especially in 1947 and 1952 championship contests plus two of Hall of Famer Dan Marino's receivers in 1997 AFC wild-card game):

DECEMBER 28

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-28 playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1975.

  • Philadelphia Eagles E Neill Armstrong (played one game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) caught two passes for 16 yards, E Dick Humbert (three-year starter captained Richmond as senior in 1940-41 when averaging 7.4 ppg) caught two passes for 30 yards and HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) caught three passes for 37 yards in a 28-21 setback against the Chicago Cardinals in 1947 NFL championship game. Cardinals E Billy Dewell (three-time All-SWC first-team pick for Southern Methodist in late 1930s) caught a team-long 38-yard pass from Paul Christman.

  • Cleveland Browns rookie E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) had a game-high 53 receiving yards in 17-7 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1952 NFL championship contest. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) opened game's scoring with a two-yard rushing touchdown. Lions HB Doak Walker (Southern Methodist hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) had a team-high 97 rushing yards featuring 67-yard TD.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught nine passes for 153 yards in a 23-21 win against the New York Jets in 2003 season finale.

  • Buffalo Bills FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) caught a 93-yard touchdown pass from Daryle Lamonica in 26-8 setback against the Boston Patriots in 1963 AFL Eastern Division playoff contest.

  • Weeb Ewbank (hoops letterman for Miami OH in 1926-27 and 1927-28) coached the Baltimore Colts to a 23-17 overtime victory against the New York Giants in 1958 NFL championship game.

  • Tennessee Titans TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) recovered a fumble for touchdown in 33-13 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2003 season finale. He scored a TD in each of the team's last three outings.

  • Oakland Raiders DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 35 yards in 10-6 wild-card playoff setback against the Kansas City Chiefs following 1991 season.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 44-6 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 season finale.

  • Miami Dolphins RB Jerris McPhail (starting point guard for Mount Olive NC with 11 ppg in early 1990s) had game-high five pass receptions from Dan Marino in a 17-3 setback against the New England Patriots in 1997 AFC wild-card playoff contest. Teammate WR Lamar Thomas (collected 16 points and 4 rebounds in four games for Miami FL in 1990-91 under coach Leonard Hamilton) contributed game-high 62 receiving yards on three catches and Dolphins RDE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) chipped in with two solo tackles.

  • WR Nate Poole (sank all four free-throw attempts in two basketball games for Marshall in 1997-98) caught 28-yard touchdown pass from QB Josh McCown with no time remaining to give the Arizona Cardinals an 18-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2003 regular-season finale.

  • Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) got the Atlanta Falcons on scoreboard with a 24-yard touchdown reception in 27-20 NFC wild-card playoff win against the New Orleans Saints in 1991.

In Memoriam: RIP List of 2024 Deceased Impacting World of NCAA DI Hoops

"The time for my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race: I have kept the faith." - II Timothy 4:6-7

"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln

With Auld Lang Syne chords playing in background, the final week of calendar year offered another time to say goodbye by acknowledging the passing away in 2024 of a striking number of major-college basketball movers and shakers. A couple of the Top Ten players in NCAA history (UCLA's Bill Walton and West Virginia's Jerry West) passed away this year along with Hall of Fame coaches Lou Carnesecca, Don Donoher and Lefty Driesell.

Western Kentucky, New Mexico and a couple of Philly Big Five schools were hit particularly hard in the obituary column. WKU lost All-Americans Tom Marshall and Bobby Rascoe, UNM lost conference players of the year Greg Brown and Ruben Douglas and a pair of 1950-51 A-As from Philly schools perished (Penn's Ernie Beck and Temple's Bill Mlkvy). A-As in necrology category with Beck, Mlkvy, Walton, West and WKU duo included Carl Cain (Iowa), Larry Cannon (La Salle), Ken Charlton (Colorado), Duane Klueh (Indiana State), Don Ohl (Illinois), Hub Reed (Oklahoma City), Dick Rosenthal (Notre Dame), Frank Selvy (Furman), Dick Van Arsdale (Indiana), Chet Walker (Bradley), Walt Wesley (Kansas) and Tony Windis (Wyoming). Another OCU top 10 national scorer like Reed who perished after averaging more than 25 ppg in a single season was Rich Travis. Multiple ex-players under 30 years of age and in triple figures are among the following alphabetical list of deceased who usually didn't "drop the ball" at end of year in Times Square or on a court anywhere else:

  • Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, compiled a 25-8 coaching record with South Florida in 2023-24 after going 45-74 with Kennesaw State in four seasons from 2019-20 through 2022-23 (guided Owls to their best DI record of 26-9 and first NCAA playoff appearance). Juco recruit was a three-time All-Southland Conference selection who averaged 15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.4 spg for Southeastern Louisiana from 2001-02 through 2003-04 while finishing among the league's top eight in scoring average all three seasons.
  • Gus Alfieri, 87, averaged 10.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg for St. John's from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Joe Lapchick. Alfieri was among the team's top three scorers for NIT quarterfinalist and champion his last two seasons.
  • Robert "Barney" Alleman, 90, averaged 3.7 ppg for Iowa State from 1951-52 through 1954-55.
  • John Allen, 89, averaged 9.3 ppg as an Arizona State starter in 1952-53 before going on a Mormon mission. He caught 12 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown as a WR with the Sun Devils in 1956.
  • Lenny Allen averaged 7.6 ppg for Washington State from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Marv Harshman.
  • Jim Anderson, 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 5.9 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Oregon State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Slats Gill. Anderson compiled a 79-90 coaching record with his alma mater in six seasons from 1989-90 through 1994-95.
  • Harold "Ray" Apple, 85, was on roster of Ohio State's 1961 NCAA Tournament runner-up under coach Fred Taylor. RHP compiled a 19-32 minor-league pitching record in farm systems of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Washington Senators in four years from 1961 through 1964. Taylor was a 1B with the Senators in the early 1950s.
  • Frank Arnold, 89, compiled a 148-139 coaching record in 10 DI seasons with Brigham Young (137-94 in eight years from 1975-76 through 1982-83) and Hawaii (11-45 in 1985-86 and 1986-87). Arnold guided BYU to three consecutive NCAA playoff appearances with All-American Danny Ainge from 1979 through 1981. Arnold played for Idaho State's 1955 NCAA tourney team.
  • Jack Ayer, 53, averaged 9.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.7 apg while shooting 81% from free-throw line and 36.9% from beyond three-point arc for Hartford from 1990-91 through 1993-94. He was an All-North Atlantic Conference second-team selection as a senior when finishing runner-up in league in FT%.
  • Mike Babul, 47, averaged 3.7 ppg, 3 rpg and 1.6 apg for Massachusetts from 1996-97 through 1999-00 under coach Bruiser Flint. Babul was named to All-Defensive Team in Atlantic 10 Conference each of his last three seasons.
  • Charlie Bagby, 81, averaged 9.6 ppg and 4 rpg for Georgia from 1961-62 through 1963-64. Senior captain was the Bulldogs' third-leading scorer each of his last two campaigns. He also led the Bulldogs' baseball squad in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts in 1962 and IP in 1964. Son of two-time Cleveland Indians A.L. All-Star pitcher Jim Bagby Jr., who ended Joe DiMaggio's MLB-record 56-game hitting streak on 7-17-41, and grandson of Jim "Sarge" Bagby Sr., the first hurler to hit a homer in modern World Series competition (three-run blast with Cleveland Indians off Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes in Game 5 in 1920 after posting 31-12 record during regular season). Charlie's Jim Sr. and Jr. ancestors comprised the first father-and-son combination to pitch in WS when Jr. appeared in Game 4 in 1946 with the Boston Red Sox. Grandpa's 31 triumphs are tied with Lefty Grove (1931) and Denny McLain (1968) for most in a single season since Grover Alexander notched same number of victories in 1915. Cy Young registered 32 wins in 1902 before ex-college hoopers Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) and Jack Coombs (Colby ME) secured 31 in 1905 and 1910, respectively.
  • Arthur "Buddy" Ball, 88, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Texas Christian in 1955-56 under coach Buster Brannon.
  • Jarvis Basnight, 59, was a juco recruit who averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg while shooting 60.8% from the floor for UNLV from 1985-86 through 1987-88 under coach Jerry Tarkanian. Basnight was runner-up in rebounding and blocked shots for the Rebels' 1987 Final Four team before becoming an All-PCAA first-team selection the next season when pacing league in field-goal shooting (64.8%) and finishing fourth in blocked shots per game (1.2 bpg).
  • Ron Baukol, 86, averaged 7.5 ppg for Iowa State from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was the Cyclones' runner-up in scoring as a senior.
  • Ted Beach, 94, averaged 6.4 ppg for Illinois from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Harry Combes. As a senior, Beach was runner-up in scoring with the Illini's national third-place team in NCAA playoffs.
  • Ernie Beck, 93, averaged 22.3 ppg and 19 rpg for Penn from 1950-51 through 1952-53, pacing the Quakers in scoring and rebounding each season. Led nation in rebounding as a sophomore before finishing third in 1951-52 and 12th in 1952-53. Ranked among nation's top 17 scorers all three campaigns. Two-time All-American before becoming territorial pick by the Philadelphia Warriors in NBA draft.
  • Walter "Bud" Becker, 80, played for Brown in 1963-64.
  • Greg Beckwith, 60, averaged 4.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 4.9 apg for Richmond from 1982-83 through 1985-86 under coach Dick Tarrant. All-Colonial Athletic Association second-team selection as a senior when he ranked 18th in the nation in steals per game for second time in three years.
  • Dr. Herm Belz, 86, averaged 7 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Princeton from 1956-57 through 1958-59. Twin brother of three-time All-Ivy League selection Carl Belz. Herm's son, Aaron, averaged 3.3 ppg for the Tigers from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
  • Chester "Larry" Berger, 81, played for Kansas State in 1963-64 and 1964-65 under coach Tex Winter.
  • Greg Berry, 77, averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Bradley from 1965-66 through 1967-68. As a senior, he participated in NIT.
  • Jared "Jerry" Billings, 92, played for Florida in 1950-51.
  • Charlie Boardman, 88, averaged 2.8 ppg for Tennessee Tech in 1954-55 and 1955-56 when school moved up to NCAA major-college level.
  • Bill Booth, 87, averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Georgia in 1960-61.
  • Rhoslyn "Skip" Bouldin III, 80, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Bucknell in 1962-63 and 1963-64.
  • Gary Bowen, 74, averaged 6.7 ppg and 5 rpg for Fairfield in 1970-71 and 1971-72 under coach Fred Barakat.
  • Herb Bowen, 76, averaged 1.6 ppg for New Mexico State's 1969 NCAA tourney team coached by Lou Henson before transferring to Walsh College OH. Bowen appeared in the national playoffs against UCLA's eventual champion led by Lew Alcindor.
  • Lee Bowen, 86, averaged 4.3 ppg and 3.2 rpg for New Mexico State's NCAA tourney teams in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
  • David Boyd, 69, averaged 1.3 ppg in Georgia State's first two seasons at NCAA Division I level (1973-74 and 1974-75).
  • Pete Boyle Jr., 65, averaged 1.3 ppg for Jacksonville's 1979 NCAA playoff team coached by Tates Locke.
  • Dave Bradfield, 92, averaged 6.1 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Cornell from 1951-52 through 1953-54. Senior co-captain led the Big Red's first NCAA playoff team in field-goal shooting (48.6%).
  • Maurice Bradford was a juco transfer who averaged 7.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Georgia Tech in 1981-82 and 1982-83 in Bobby Cremins' first two seasons as coach of the Yellow Jackets.
  • Robert "Bunky" Bradford, 93, averaged 8.7 ppg for Houston as a starting forward in 1951-52 when the Cougars were transitioning to major-college status.
  • Dr. William Brainard, 89, averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Kansas from 1953-54 through 1955-56 in Phog Allen's last three seasons as coach of the Jayhawks.
  • Jim "Bucky" Brandenburg, 93, averaged 1.7 ppg for New Mexico in 1949-50 before serving in U.S. Air Force.
  • W. "Barry" Brautigan, 89, averaged 2.6 ppg and 2 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
  • Dr. Lenny Breda III, 66, averaged 1.1 ppg for Louisiana State in 1976-77 under coach Dale Brown.
  • Jim Bresnahan, 75, averaged 9.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Gonzaga from 1968-69 through 1970-71.
  • Mike Brinkley, 84, played for Louisiana State in the late 1950s before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana.
  • Earl Brown, 81, averaged 6.2 ppg for Purdue in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
  • Greg Brown, 51, was a juco recruit who averaged 14.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 3.7 apg for New Mexico's NCAA tourney teams in 1992-93 and 1993-94 under coach Dave Bliss. As a senior, the 5-7 Brown was Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year while leading league in three-point field-goal shooting (41.7%) and finishing third in free-throw shooting, fourth in assists per game and sixth in scoring average.
  • Harvey "Whiff" Brown, 96, played for Ohio State in the late 1940s. He was also a baseball letterman.
  • Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, 69, averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.1 rpg for La Salle in 1973-74 and 1974-75 before declaring early for NBA draft as hardship case and becoming 14th pick overall. Father of 18-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in early 2020 at the age of 41.
  • Leon Bryant III, 57, averaged 10.9 ppg, 3 rpg and 3.3 apg for The Citadel from 1985-86 through 1988-89, leading the Bulldogs in assists each of his last three seasons.
  • Dave Buss, 86, was an NCAA Division I coach for two seasons (14-13 record with Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1981-82 and 9-19 with Long Beach State in 1983-84).
  • Carl Cain, 89, averaged 14.2 ppg for Iowa from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Bucky O'Connor. Second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1955 national fourth-place team and 1956 NCAA runner-up. All-American as a senior before becoming member of U.S. Olympic team.
  • Larry Cannon, 77, averaged 19.1 ppg and 9 rpg for La Salle from 1966-67 through 1968-69 before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft. As a junior, he was Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Year when leading the Explorers' NCAA tourney team in scoring.
  • Luigi "Lou" Carnesecca, 99, compiled a 526-200 coaching record with St. John's in 24 seasons from 1965-66 through 1969-70 and 1973-74 through 1991-92, reaching 1985 NCAA Final Four and winning 1989 NIT. Two-time national coach of year was at least five games above .500 every year.
  • Henry Carr, 59, averaged 7 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Wichita State from 1983-84 through 1986-87. As a senior, the younger brother of 16-year NBA veteran Antoine Carr led the Shockers' NCAA tourney team in scoring and rebounding.
  • Louis "Bimbo" Cecconi, 95, scored a total of 390 points for Pittsburgh from 1946-47 through 1949-50. He was also a four-year, two-way starter in football with the Panthers.
  • James "Bob" Chaney Sr., 88, averaged 2.1 ppg for Georgia from 1956-57 through 1958-59. As a senior, he also lettered in baseball.
  • Bob Chapman, 77, averaged 4.4 ppg and 1 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1967-68 through 1969-70.
  • Ron Charles, 65, averaged 8.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Michigan State from 1976-77 through 1979-80 under coach Jud Heathcote. Fourth-leading scorer and rebounder with Magic Johnson-led 1979 NCAA champion before pacing the Spartans in rebounding as a senior.
  • Ken Charlton, 83, averaged 17.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg for Colorado from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Sox Walseth, pacing NCAA tourney teams in scoring each of his last two seasons as an All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection. All-American as a senior when finishing 52nd in nation in scoring average.
  • Bruce Chase, 70, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Penn State in 1972-73 and 1973-74 under coach John Bach.
  • John Cherry, 93, averaged 2.2 ppg for Alabama in 1950-51 before transferring back to home state and attending Southern Illinois.
  • Bob Chlupsa, 78, averaged 14.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Manhattan from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Senior captain contributed a team-high 10.1 rpg for the Jaspers the previous season when they compiled undisputed best mark in Metropolitan Collegiate Conference. The 6-7 reliever compiled an 0-2 record in 15 games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and 1971.
  • Bennie Coffman, 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Kentucky in 1958-59 (third-leading scorer for NCAA tourney team) and 1959-60 under coach Adolph Rupp.
  • Dan Connaughton, 81, averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Loyola of Chicago from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach George Ireland. As a sophomore, Connaughton was a member of NCAA Tournament titlist.
  • Hunter "Chip" Conner, 81, averaged 17 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Virginia from 1961-62 through 1963-64. All-ACC first-team selection as a senior finished among the Cavaliers' top two in scoring and rebounding all three years while ranking among the league's top 10 scorers each season. He compiled a 59-62 coaching record with South Florida in five campaigns from 1975-76 through 1979-80.
  • Jim Coshow, 89, averaged 9 ppg and 8.2 rpg for Washington from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Tippy Dye. As a senior, Coshow was the Huskies' leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.
  • Dennis Couch, 82, was a Grand View IA transfer who averaged 7.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Utah in 1963-64 under coach Jack Gardner.
  • Wesley Cox, 69, averaged 14 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 2.4 apg for Louisville from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Denny Crum. Cox, the third-leading scorer and rebounder with the Cardinals' 1975 Final Four team, was an All-Metro Conference first-team selection as a senior when pacing them in scoring (fourth in league). Both of his legs had been amputated because of complications from diabetes.
  • Roger Craft, 90, averaged 7.5 ppg for Kansas State from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He compiled a 92-83 coaching record with Montana State in seven seasons from 1962-63 through 1968-69.
  • Randy Crews, 75, averaged 8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Illinois from 1967-68 through 1969-70. As a sophomore, he was the Illini's runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer. 1B hit .296 with 37 homers and 166 RBI in the Chicago Cubs' farm system in four years from 1970 to 1973.
  • Jim Crisco, 87, was a juco recruit who averaged 10 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Louisiana State from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He led the Tigers in scoring as a senior and in rebounding each of his last two seasons.
  • Gordon Crofts, 94, averaged 4.5 ppg for Utah in 1949-50 under coach Vadal Peterson.
  • Rodney Culver Jr., 26, averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Ohio University in 2016-17 before transferring to a junior college (Vincennes IN). He suffered from a blood clot disorder.
  • Earl Cureton, 66, averaged team highs of 17.2 ppg and 10.5 rpg for juco-transitioning Robert Morris in 1976-77 before transferring to Detroit, where he averaged 15.7 ppg and 9 rpg in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Cureton led UD in rebounding both seasons and in scoring as a senior (19.9 ppg).
  • Eric Curry, 66, was a juco recruit who averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Indiana State in 1978-79 (teammate of national Player of Year Larry Bird with NCAA Tournament runner-up) and 1980-81.
  • Andy Czuchry, 83, averaged 7.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Connecticut from 1960-61 through 1962-63. He appeared in NCAA tourney as a senior.
  • Otis Davis, 92, was a juco recruit who collected 18 points and 13 rebounds in 15 games for Oregon in 1957-58. Double gold medal winner in track and field in the 1960 Olympic Games. Won the 400 meters with a world record time of 44.9 seconds and anchored the 1600-meter relay team as it set world record of 3.02.2.
  • Carroll Dawson, 86, was a juco recruit who led Baylor in scoring and rebounding in 1958-59 and 1959-60 (All-SWC second-team selection) by averaging 14.9 ppg and 8 rpg under coach Bill Henderson. Dawson finished among the top five in the league in scoring and rebounding averages both seasons. Coached his alma mater to a 44-51 record in four seasons from 1973-74 through 1976-77.
  • Bill Decker, 81, averaged 5.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Arizona in 1961-62.
  • Joe Dombrosky Jr., 93, played for Notre Dame in 1950-51 under coach Moose Krause.
  • Don Donoher, 92, is Dayton's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 437-275 record in 25 seasons from 1964-65 through 1988-89. He directed the Flyers to a runner-finish in 1967 NCAA Tournament before winning NIT the next year. Donoher averaged 7.6 ppg and 5 rpg for UD from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
  • Chester Dorsey, 68, averaged 6.4 points and 2.2 rpg for Washington from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Marv Harshman. As senior co-captain, Dorsey led the Huskies in steals (1.8 spg) and was runner-up in assists (3.6 apg).
  • Ruben Douglas, 44, averaged 8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2 apg for Arizona in 1998-99 under coach Lute Olson before transferring to New Mexico, where he averaged 20.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.6 apg from 2000-01 through 2002-03. Three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection led the nation in scoring as a senior when league Player of Year contributed 28 ppg.
  • Charles "Lefty" Driesell, 92, compiled a 786-394 coaching record in 41 years with Davidson (176-65 in nine seasons from 1960-61 through 1968-69), Maryland (348-159 in 17 seasons from 1969-70 through 1985-86), James Madison (159-111 in nine seasons from 1988-89 through 1996-97) and Georgia State (103-59 in six seasons from 1997-98 to 2002-03). He averaged 4 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Duke in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Harold Bradley. His son, Chuck, coached The Ctadel for five seasons from 2010-11 through 2014-15.
  • Ricky Duckett, 66, compiled a 6-23 coaching record with Grambling State in 2008-09.
  • Wayne Duncan, 89, averaged 9 ppg for Mississippi State from 1952-53 through 1955-56. Duncan, senior captain in Babe McCarthy's inaugural season as coach of the Bulldogs, was team runner-up in scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.3 rpg).
  • Dick Dutrisac, 85, averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Wisconsin from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He was the Badgers' third-leading scorer as a senior with 8.1 ppg.
  • Vaughn Dyer, 92, played for Georgia Tech in 1951-52. Lefthanded 1B hit .293 in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system in three years from 1953 through 1955 before hitting .203 in one season as Washington Senators' farmhand in 1958.
  • Rev. James Edwards Sr., 83, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Mississippi State in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Babe McCarthy.
  • Thomas "Sid" Elliott, 81, averaged 8.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Tennessee from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He led the Volunteers in rebounding as a sophomore.
  • Crystal "Boo" Ellis, 91, averaged 9.4 ppg for Bowling Green State in four-year career interrupted by serving in U.S. Army. Team MVP as a junior in 1955-56 when he led the Falcons in rebounding (8.6 rpg) and was runner-up in scoring (14.3 ppg). First African-American varsity player with BGSU became senior captain.
  • Bill Fash, 95, averaged 3.5 ppg for Syracuse from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
  • Lou Ferrario, 88, averaged 3 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Saint Mary's from 1955-56 through 1957-58.
  • James Ferrell, 87, played for Ohio State in 1958-59.
  • Dan Fife, 74, averaged 12.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg as Michigan's third-leading scorer each season from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr. Fife, the father of Big Ten Conference guards Dugan Fife (Michigan) and Dane Fife (Indiana), compiled an 82-97 coaching record with IPFW in six seasons from 2005-06 through 2010-11. RHP pitcher posted a 3-2 record with the Minnesota Twins in 1973 and 1974, hurling a complete game for his third victory (against 16-year MLB veteran Rudy May).
  • Tom Foley, 90, averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Villanova in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coach Alex Severance.
  • Barry Fordham, 58, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Michigan State from 1983-84 through 1986-87 under coach Jud Heathcote. Fordham was a starter with the Spartans' 1986 NCAA tourney team.
  • Rich Fox, 78, averaged 2.2 ppg for Dayton's 1967 NCAA Tournament runner-up coached by Don Donoher.
  • Curtis "LeRoy" Frazier, 81, played for Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Fred Taylor.
  • James "J.D." Gammel Jr., 84, played for Mississippi State in 1960-61 under coach Babe McCarthy.
  • Ken Gardner, 74, was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection who averaged 16.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Utah from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Jack Gardner. Senior captain, one of WAC's top four in rebounding average each season, underwent a heart transplant in 2013.
  • Joe Gavin, 95, played for Temple in 1950-51 under coach Harry Litwack after serving in U.S. Navy.
  • Jo "Hobby" Gibbs, 88, averaged 8.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1953-54 through 1956-57 under coach Bob Polk. Gibbs led the Commodores in rebounding as a senior with 12.5 rpg.
  • Loyd "Mickey" Gibson, 81, averaged 5.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Kentucky in 1963-64 under coach Adolph Rupp before transferring to UNC Asheville.
  • Chris Giles, 65, averaged 7.1 ppg and 4 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1977-78 before transferring home to UAB, where he averaged 8.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg from 1979-80 through 1981-82 under coach Gene Bartow. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference second-team selection finished fourth in the league in rebounds per game each of his last two seasons.
  • John Glaser, 87, averaged 13.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg for Marquette from 1955-56 through 1957-58. He tied for team scoring leadership as senior captain after pacing club in rebounding as a junior (14 rpg).
  • Jim Goddard, 94, compiled a 25-52 coaching record with Idaho in three seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
  • Max Gonzenbach, 88, averaged 2 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Michigan State in 1955-56 and 1957-58 under coach Forddy Anderson.
  • Drew Gordon, 33, averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg for UCLA in 2008-09 and 2009-10 under coach Ben Howland before transferring to New Mexico, where he averaged 13.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg in 2010-11 and 2011-12 under coach Steve Alford. Gordon was an All-Mountain West Conference selection both years with the Lobos, pacing the league in rebounding average his final season (fourth in nation).
  • Dr. Russ Grieger II, 82, played for St. Louis in 1961-62 under coach John Benington before transferring home to Evansville and averaging 7.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg as teammate of Jerry Sloan with the Aces' College Division national champions in 1964 and 1965.
  • Dave Gunther, 86, averaged 18 ppg and 10.5 rpg for Iowa from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was an All-Big Ten Conference selection each of his last two seasons when leading the Hawkeyes in scoring (league runner-up both years).
  • William Halley, 81, played for Ohio State in 1963-64 under coach Fred Taylor.
  • Kevin Hardy, 78, averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Notre Dame in 1964-65 in Johnny Dee's first season as coach of the Fighting Irish. DE/DT, a first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1968 NFL draft (7th pick overall), played with three different teams (San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers) in four seasons through 1972.
  • Bob Harrison, 96, averaged 9.9 ppg for Michigan from 1945-46 through 1948-49 before becoming 11th pick overall in 1949 BAA draft. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection led the Wolverines' first-ever NCAA tourney team in points scored in 1948 under coach Ozzie Cowles. Harrison compiled a 59-70 coaching record with Harvard in five seasons from 1968-69 through 1972-73.
  • Tom Hatton, 85, averaged 10.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Dayton from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Tom Blackburn. As a senior, Hatton was fourth-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder with the Flyers' first NIT titlist.
  • Tim Hayes, 78, was a juco recruit who played for Michigan in 1966-67 under coach Dave Strack.
  • Tynes Hildebrand, 93, was Northwestern State's coach during its first four seasons at the NCAA Division I level from 1976-77 through 1979-80 (41-63 record at DI level; 191-199 overall in 15 years). Eventual Notre Dame's all-time winningest coach Mike Brey played under him the final three of those campaigns before Brey transferred back to home area for senior year with George Washington.
  • Joe Hindelang, 78, averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Temple in 1964-65 under coach Harry Litwack. RHP compiled a 7-6 record and 4.46 ERA in the New York Yankees' farm system in 1967. As a college baseball coach, Hindelang posted a 158-152-1 mark with Lafayette in eight seasons from 1983 through 1990 and 389-355-2 worksheet with Penn State in 13 years from 1991 through 2004.
  • Jim Hockaday Sr., 88, averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg for Memphis State from 1955-56 through 1958-59. He was a member of the Tigers' 1956 NCAA tourney team, appeared in 1957 NIT and led them in scoring and rebounder as senior.
  • Paul Hoffman, 74, averaged 14 ppg and 5 rpg for St. Bonaventure from 1969-70 through 1971-72. As a sophomore, he was the fourth-leading scorer and rebounder with the Bonnies' Final Four team. As a junior, Hoffman was runner-up in scoring for third-place finisher in NIT.
  • Rob Holbrook, 63, was on three consecutive Oregon State NCAA playoff teams while averaging 5.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg from 1978-79 through 1981-82 under coach Ralph Miller. Holbrook, 6-8, compiled a 15-22 pitching record and 5.07 ERA in the Toronto Blue Jays' farm system from 1983 through 1985.
  • Henry "Bob" Holder, 88, played for Georgia in 1958-59.
  • Bobby Hooper, 77, averaged 12.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Dayton from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Don Donoher. As a senior, Hooper was runner-up in scoring with NIT titlist.
  • Howard Hovde, 96, averaged 3.1 ppg for Baylor from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Bill Henderson. As a sophomore, Hovde was a member of the Bears' Final Four squad.
  • Jamie Howell Sr., 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 5.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Mississippi in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
  • John Isenbarger, 76, made 1-of-6 field-goal attempts for Indiana in 1967-68. Brother of Phil Isenbarger, a backup forward for IU's 1981 NCAA titlist, was starting tailback with the Hoosiers' only Rose Bowl team before becoming the San Francisco 49ers' second-round selection in 1970 NFL draft.
  • Chuck Jarnagin, 91, averaged 5.9 ppg for Iowa from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bucky O'Connor.
  • Ray Johnson, 76, averaged 9.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Providence from 1968-69 through 1970-71. He led the Friars in rebounding as a sophomore and junior.
  • Zach Johnson, 43, averaged 6.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg while shooting 59.3% from the floor for Louisiana Tech from 2000-01 through 2002-03. He finished among the Bulldogs' top three rebounders all three seasons.
  • Clarence Jones, 70, averaged 7.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Memphis State from 1972-73 through 1975-76. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tigers' NCAA Tournament runner-up coached by Gene Bartow.
  • Dr. Dan Jordan Jr., 85, played hoops for Mississippi in 1957-58 and 1958-59 under coach Country Graham. Jordan, a pitcher for back-to-back SEC champions (1959 and 1960), was a historian who presided over Monticello for 23 years, serving as executive director and then president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
  • Jim Jordy, 87, averaged 2.5 ppg for Penn State in 1955-56 under coach John Egli.
  • Ronnie Joyner, 64, was a juco recruit who averaged 6.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Washington State in 1980-81 and 1981-82 under coach George Raveling.
  • Coleman "Pres" Judy Jr., 80, averaged 13.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1964-65 through 1966-67. He was the Yellow Jackets' runner-up in scoring as a senior.
  • Tim Jumper, 55, averaged 12.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.1 spg while shooting 36.8% beyond the three-point arc for Mississippi from 1987-88 through 1990-91. As an All-SEC Freshman selection, he finished among the league's top 20 in scoring, steals and three-point field goals.
  • Richard "Dicky" Keffer Jr., 67, averaged 7.2 ppg and 3.5 apg for Vanderbilt from 1974-75 through 1976-77, leading the Commodores in assists each of his first two seasons under coach Roy Skinner.
  • Michael "Mickey" Kelly, 86, averaged 2.2 ppg and 1 rpg for Louisville in 1957-58 under coach Peck Hickman.
  • Frank Kendrick, 74, averaged 16.3 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue from 1971-72 through 1973-74. All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as a senior when he paced NIT titlist in rebounding. He led the Boilermakers in scoring as a junior. In Kendrick's last two seasons, he finished among among the league's top nine in scoring average and top 15 in rebounding average.
  • Clint Keown, 44, averaged 7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.2 spg for Evansville from 1998-99 through 2000-01 under coach Jim Crews.
  • Duane Klueh, 98, averaged 15.7 ppg for Indiana State from 1946-47 through 1948-49. He was an All-American as a junior.
  • Arthur Laib III, 76, was a juco recruit who played for Kentucky from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Adolph Rupp.
  • Don Laketa, 91, was a juco recruit who averaged 7.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Wichita from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coach Ralph Miller. The Shockers participated in 1954 NIT.
  • Arthur "Butch" Lambiotte, 85, averaged 13 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Richmond from 1956-57 through 1959-60 (redshirt in 1957-58). He led the Spiders in scoring as a senior.
  • Dr. Gerry Lawrence, 90, averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for St. John's from 1953-54 through 1955-56.
  • Floyd Layne, 95, averaged 6.9 ppg in 1949-50 for CCNY, the only team ever to win both the NCAA and NIT titles in same season. Although later declared innocent, Layne was implicated in the point-shaving scandal in 1951 ending the golden era of college hoops in New York City.
  • Dick Lenholt, 90, averaged 8.3 ppg for Georgia Tech from 1952-53 through 1955-56. He was the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer as a sophomore (12.5 ppg) and top rebounder as junior (10.6 rpg).
  • Leary Lentz, 79, averaged 8.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Houston's three NCAA tourney teams from 1964-65 through 1966-67 under coach Guy Lewis. As a sophomore, Metro East IL native Lentz was the Cougars' top rebounder before All-American Elvin Hayes arrived on the scene the next two seasons.
  • Bob Leonard Sr., 79, averaged 20.5 ppg and 6.4 rpg for Wake Forest from 1963-64 through 1965-66. Two-time All-ACC first-team selection led the Demon Deacons in scoring as a junior and in rebounding as a senior. He finished among the league's top three in scoring average each of his last two seasons.
  • Lionel "Lee" Leonard Jr., 87, averaged 3.2 ppg and 2.5 for Stanford in 1956-57 under coach Howie Dallmar.
  • Alden Lewis, 92, averaged 7.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Utah from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coaches Vadal Peterson and Jack Gardner after serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict. Lewis participated in NCAA Tournament as a senior co-captain.
  • Bill Ligon, 72, averaged 11.7 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach Roy Skinner. As a sophomore, Ligon was runner-up in scoring and rebounding with the Commodores.
  • Taylor "Tates" Locke, 87, compiled a 255-254 coaching record in a total of 19 years with Army (40-15 in 1963-64 and 1964-65), Miami of Ohio (56-42 in four seasons from 1966-67 through 1969-70), Clemson (62-70 in five seasons from 1970-71 through 1974-75), Jacksonville (47-39 in three seasons from 1978-79 through 1980-81) and Indiana State (50-88 in five seasons from 1989-90 through 1993-94). Locke appeared in the NCAA playoffs with Miami in 1969 and JU in 1979.
  • Gene Lockyear, 78, averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Roy Skinner.
  • Rakim Lubin, 28, played his freshman season with Connecticut in 2014-15 before transferring to Cal State Northridge, where he averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 2016-17. Lubin finished his college career at LSU-Shreveport.
  • Larry Lucchino, 78, averaged 2.9 ppg for Princeton from 1964-65 through 1966-67 as a backup to eventual Tigers A.D. Gary Walters. Teammate of Bill Bradley when All-American scored a Final Four-record 58 points against Wichita in 1965 national third-place game. Lucchino scored 14 points in three NCAA Tournament games in 1967 against coaches Bucky Waters, Dean Smith and Lou Carnesecca. Key MLB executive with the Baltimore Orioles (1979 through 1993), San Diego Padres (1994 to 2001) and Boston Red Sox for more than 20 years. Driving force behind the construction of Camden Yards was part-owner of the Padres.
  • Jim Ludlow, 70, averaged 3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Denver from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
  • John "Whitey" Macknowsky, 101, played for Seton Hall in 1942-43 before his college career was interrupted by military service during WWII. He averaged 9.5 ppg with the Pirates while finishing among their top three scorers in 1946-47 and 1947-48. Changed his surname to Mackin in 1952.
  • Josh Maravich, 42, was a walk-on who scored four points in 13 games with Louisiana State from 2002-03 through 2004-05. He was a son of NCAA all-time leading scorer Pete Maravich.
  • John "Tom" Marshall, 93, averaged 19.1 ppg for Western Kentucky from 1950-51 through 1953-54. All-American as a senior when ranking eighth in nation in scoring average before becoming seventh pick overall in NBA draft. All-Ohio Valley Conference selection while leading league in scoring and rebounding average each of his last three seasons.
  • Steve Maslek, 58, averaged 1 ppg and 1 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1986-87 through 1988-89 under coach Paul Evans.
  • Brendan McCann, 89, averaged 12.9 ppg for St. Bonaventure from 1954-55 through 1956-57, leading the Bonnies in scoring as a junior with 16.3 ppg. Helped propel them to NIT semifinals as a senior before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
  • Jim McDonald, 90, averaged 12.2 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Bowling Green State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Harold Anderson after serving in the U.S. Army. McDonald went on to become Kent State's all-time winningest coach by compiling a 147-140 record in 10 seasons from 1982-83 through 1991-92.
  • Ed McGinn Sr., 93, averaged 1.1 ppg for Notre Dame from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He participated in the NCAA playoffs each of his last two seasons.
  • Kevin McLinton, 52, averaged 11.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.2 apg and 1.5 spg for Maryland from 1989-90 through 1992-93 in Gary Williams' first four years as coach of the Terrapins. McLinton ranked among the ACC's top seven in assists per game each of his last three seasons.
  • Seymour "Sy" Menchel, 92, averaged 3.3 ppg for Connecticut in 1951-52 and 1952-53 under coach Hugh Greer.
  • Brendon Merritt Sr., 43, was a juco recruit who averaged 11.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.5 spg for Eastern Washington in 2002-03 and 2003-04. All-conference selection was named 2004 Big Sky Tournament MVP when propelling the Eagles to their first NCAA playoff appearance.
  • Doug Mills, 84, averaged 3.3 ppg for Illinois from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Harry Combes.
  • Bill Mlkvy, 93, averaged 21.1 ppg for Temple from 1949-50 through 1951-52. All-American as a junior when he led the nation in scoring (29.2 ppg) and finished runner-up in rebounding (18.9 rpg) and assists (7 apg). Mlkvy was known as "The Owl Without a Vowel."
  • Ronnie Montgomery, 58, averaged 3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.1 spg for Florida from 1984-85 through 1987-88 under coach Norm Sloan. Montgomery appeared in the NCAA playoffs each of his last two seasons and led the Gators in assists as a sophomore and senior.
  • Curt Moody, 73, was a walk-on guard for Ohio State in the early 1970s under coach Fred Taylor.
  • Tony Moore, 69, averaged 2.3 ppg for Temple from 1973-74 through 1975-76.
  • Robert Moreland, 85, compiled a 350-356 coaching record with Texas Southern in 27 seasons from 1975-76 through 2000-01 and 2007-08. The Tigers' all-time winngest mentor directed them to three NCAA tourneys in a six-year span (1990-94-95) after they transitioned to NCAA DI level in 1977-78.
  • Darius Morris, 33, averaged 9.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 4.8 apg for Michigan in 2009-10 and 2010-11 (led Big Ten Conference with 6.7 apg/fifth in nation) before declaring early for NBA and becoming 41st pick overall in draft. Drug and alcohol use reportedly was a significant factor in Morris' death (ruled as coronary heart disease). His father and older brother were found guilty a couple of months earlier of conspiracy and three counts of bank fraud (accused of obtaining thousands of postal money orders worth up to $5.1 million and fraudulently depositing them in bank accounts before withdrawing cash).
  • Thomas Morris, 81, was a member of Villanova's 1962 NCAA tourney team in first season with Jack Kraft as coach of the Wildcats before Morris served in U.S. Army.
  • Paul Morton II, 83, averaged 6.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Florida from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Norm Sloan. Morton was runner-up in scoring with 9.1 ppg as senior co-captain.
  • Mario Mullen, 50, averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Old Dominion from 1992-93 through 1995-96 under coaches Oliver Purnell and Jeff Capel Jr. As a junior, Mullen was the third-leading scorer and rebounder with the Monarchs' NCAA tourney team.
  • Jon Musser, 85, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Penn State in 1958-59 and 1959-60 under coach John Egli.
  • Jerrod Mustaf, 55, averaged 16.6 ppg and 7.7 rpg for Maryland in 1988-89 and 1989-90 before All-ACC third-team selection became 17th pick overall in NBA draft. He finished fifth in the league in rebounding average both seasons. His pro career was derailed when characterized by police as "an investigative lead" in the murder of a pregnant woman who believed child was Mustaf's at the time of her demise after resisting demands she have an abortion. He was never formally charged in the case, but his cousin was eventually convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The woman's family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Mustaf before the two parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
  • Dikembe Mutombo, 58, averaged 9.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 3.7 bpg for Georgetown from 1988-89 through 1990-91 under coach John Thompson Jr. before becoming fourth pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the NCAA's top four in rejections each of his last two seasons as All-Big East Conference selection. Led the nation in field-goal percentage in 1989-90 (70.9%).
  • Gilbert Myles, 68, averaged 7.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Arizona from 1974-75 through 1977-78 under coach Fred Snowden.
  • William "Dudley" Nash, 92, averaged 3.9 ppg for Mississippi State from 1952-53 through 1955-56.
  • Sherman "Nemo" Nearman, 98, was North Carolina's captain in 1949-50 when All-Southern Conference second-team selection averaged team-high 13.2 ppg after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Mike Neill, 67, averaged 8.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Washington from 1975-76 through 1977-78 under coach Marv Harshman. Neill appeared in NCAA playoffs his first season.
  • Frank Nelson, 75, played for Iowa in 1968-69 under coach Ralph Miller.
  • Rolland "Brownie" Nelson, 91, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Auburn in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Joel Eaves.
  • Bill Nettles Jr., 101, played for Mississippi State in the mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
  • Henry "Hank" Nowak, 89, averaged 18.6 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Canisius from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Leading rebounder for the Golden Griffins' first three NCAA tourney teams. Democrat never received fewer than 75% of the general electorate vote while representing Buffalo area for nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975 to 1993).
  • Jeff Ockel, 77, averaged 8.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Utah from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Jack Gardner. As a sophomore, Ockel was fourth-leading rebounder with the Utes' Final Four team. He led the WAC in rebounding (11.2 rpg) as a senior before becoming 24th pick overall in NBA draft.
  • Don Ohl, 88, averaged 14 ppg for Illinois from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was an All-American as a senior when leading the Illini in scoring with 19.6 ppg (fourth in league).
  • Earl "Duane" Olson, 89, scored 27 points in 26 games for Michigan State in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coaches Pete Newell and Forddy Anderson.
  • Manny Papoula, 80, averaged 3.4 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Boston College in 1963-64 and 1964-65 in Bob Cousy's first two seasons as coach of the Eagles.
  • Wesley Paxson Sr., 100, was Georgia Tech's leading scorer in 1946-47 (13.7 ppg) after having his college career interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
  • Ronald S. Perry, 92, averaged 12 ppg for Holy Cross from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Buster Sheary. Perry was third-leading scorer with NIT titlist as a senior before 32nd pick overall in NBA draft served three-year stint in U.S. Marine Corps. He compiled a 7-0 pitching record and 2.44 ERA for the Crusaders' 1952 CWS champion (including two victories in Omaha).
  • Larry Petty Sr., 65, averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Wisconsin from 1977-78 through 1980-81, leading the Badgers in field-goal percentage in two seasons. As a senior, he was their runner-up in scoring (11th in Big Ten Conference) and rebounding average (fourth in league).
  • Edd Poore, 79, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2 rpg for Florida from 1963-64 through 1966-67 (redshirt in 1965-66).
  • Chad Posthumus, 33, was a juco transfer who averaged 8.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg for Morehead State in 2012-13 and 2013-14 (finished fifth in nation in rebounding with 10.9 rpg).
  • Keenan Preston, 70, averaged 4.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Penn State from 1972-73 through 1974-75 under coach John Bach.
  • Tom Rand, 87, averaged 4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Michigan State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Forddy Anderson. Rand was a senior starter with the Spartans' NCAA tourney team.
  • Bobby Rascoe, 84, averaged 20.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Western Kentucky from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Ed Diddle. All-American as a senior when finishing 12th in nation in scoring (25.7 ppg) before becoming 20th pick overall in NBA draft.
  • Hubert "Hub" Reed, 89, averaged 23.3 ppg and 13.7 rpg for Oklahoma City from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Abe Lemons. All-American as a senior when ranking 8th in nation in scoring average, 5th in free-throw percentage and 11th in rebound percentage.
  • Jim Reed, 90, averaged 17.8 ppg and 14 rpg for Texas Tech from 1952-53 through 1955-56. Three-time All-Border Conference first-team selection twice led the league in scoring and was Player of the Year as a senior. He remains the Red Raiders' all-time leading rebounder (1,333) and still holds the school's single-game carom mark with 27.
  • Larry Reynolds, 71, compiled a 63-83 coaching record with Long Beach State in five seasons from 2002-03 through 2006-07. He guided the 49ers to NCAA playoffs in his final campaign.
  • Chuck Richards, 82, averaged 15 ppg and team-high 9.4 rpg for Army in 1961-62 before transferring to Syracuse, where he averaged 18.4 ppg and 9 rpg while shooting 56.9% from the floor in 1963-64 and 1964-65. Teammate of All-American Dave Bing and eventual Orange coach Jim Boeheim led the Cuse in rebounding as a junior.
  • Mike Richmond, 60, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Texas-El Paso's NCAA tourney teams in 1985-86 and 1986-87 under coach Don Haskins.
  • Bob Ricks, 92, played for Brigham Young in 1956-57 under coach Stan Watts.
  • Steve Roake, 91, was a member of Washington's NCAA Tournament third-place game winner in 1953 as a sophomore under coach Tippy Dye. Roake was also an end and quarterback with the Huskies' football squad.
  • Melvin Robinson Sr., 54, averaged 9.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.7 bpg for St. Louis from 1989-90 to 1991-92 under coach Rich Grawer before leaving program.
  • Dick Roher, 87, played for Florida in 1957-58.
  • Mike Rolf, 78, averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Cincinnati from 1964-65 through 1966-67. As a senior, he was the Bearcats' runner-up in scoring with 13.3 ppg.
  • Dick Rosenthal, 94, averaged 16.4 ppg for Notre Dame from 1951-52 through 1953-54 before becoming a territorial choice in first round of NBA draft. The Irish's leading scorer for back-to-back NCAA tourney teams was an All-American as a senior when finishing 47th in nation in scoring.
  • Vinnie Roundtree, 73, averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Rutgers from 1971-72 through 1973-74. As a senior, he was runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer with the Scarlet Knights under coach Tom Young.
  • Ben Rowan II, 86, averaged 9.8 ppg and 9.7 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coaches Bob Polk and Roy Skinner. Rowan led the Commodores in rebounding each of his last two seasons.
  • Jim Rowinski, 63, averaged 8.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Purdue from 1980-81 through 1983-84. Big Ten Conference MVP as senior when averaging 15 ppg (7th in league) and 6.7 rpg (9th in league).
  • Alan Sallee Sr., 85, averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Villanova's 1964 NCAA tourney team coached by Jack Kraft after serving in U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Bill Salonen, 90, was Montana State's leading scorer in 1954-55 and 1955-56.
  • Norman Schaffer, 84, averaged 6.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Furman from 1962-63 through 1964-65.
  • Fred "Fritz" Schneider, 89, was a Marquette transfer who averaged 7.9 ppg and 5 rpg for Kansas State in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Tex Winter. In his final regular-season outing, Schneider scored 36 points at Kansas before participating in NCAA playoffs.
  • Frank Selvy, 91, was a three-time All-American who averaged 32.5 ppg for Furman from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He led the nation in scoring each of his last two seasons after finishing fifth as a sophomore. Established NCAA record for most points in a single game with 100 against Newberry SC in final campaign before becoming an NBA first-round draft selection. Coached his alma mater to a 44-59 record in four seasons from 1966-67 through 1969-70.
  • Mike "Mickey" Sermersheim Sr., 94, was a four-year starter for Georgia Tech from 1947-48 through 1950-51.
  • Fred Shepherd, 53, averaged 9.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg while shooting 61.1% from the floor for Arkansas State from 1989-90 through 1992-93. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection led school in rebounding as a sophomore and junior, finishing among the top eight in category in American South Conference and SBC each of his last three campaigns.
  • Bill Simmons, 84, averaged 7 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Oregon from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was runner-up in scoring and rebounding with the Ducks as a senior after playing in West Regional final as sophomore.
  • Kip Simons, 79, played for Temple in 1963-64 under coach Harry Litwack.
  • Sammy Sims, 76, averaged 7.4 ppg and 5 rpg for Villanova from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Jack Kraft. As a senior, Sims was the third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer for an East Regional finalist.
  • Wells Sloniger, 83, averaged 3.7 ppg for Southern California from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Forrest Twogood.
  • Don Smith, 97, averaged 7 ppg for Mississippi in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Country Graham after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. Jim Valvano's predecessor coached Bucknell to an 82-105 record in eight seasons from 1964-65 through 1971-72.
  • Jerry Smith, 81, compiled a 15-40 coaching record with Campbell in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
  • Juden Smith, 61, averaged 10.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.1 apg for Texas-El Paso from 1981-82 through 1985-86 under coach Don Haskins (redshirt in 1982-83). Two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection participated in the NCAA playoffs each of his last three seasons.
  • Terry Smith, 78, averaged 2.3 ppg for Louisiana State in 1965-66.
  • Norm Snead, 84, played in four basketball games as a senior for Wake Forest in 1960-61, averaging 7.8 ppg and 3 rpg while shooting 61.8% from the floor (13-of-21). Quarterback was first-round draft choice who played for five NFL franchises during 16-year career when three-time Pro Bowl selection completed 2,276-of-4,353 passes for 30,797 yards and 196 touchdowns.
  • Dave Somerville, 81, averaged 4 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Southern Methodist from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Doc Hayes.
  • Bill Stady, 88, averaged 5 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Washington from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Tippy Dye. Stady was senior captain.
  • Dr. John "Curly" Stahler, 85, played for Stanford from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Howie Dallmar.
  • Jim Stange, 93, averaged 9.3 ppg for Iowa State from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Senior captain when All-Big Seven Conference selection led the Cyclones in scoring with 14.2 ppg (sixth in league).
  • Stuart Starner, 81, compiled a 194-153 record in 12 years as coach of Montana State (110-95 in seven seasons from 1983-84 through 1989-90) and Texas-San Antonio (84-58 in five seasons from 1990-91 through 1994-95).
  • Fred Steiner, 78, averaged 1.8 ppg for Clemson in 1964-65.
  • Michael "Mick" Stenftenagel, 80, averaged 9.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
  • Jerry Stern, 90, averaged 4.8 ppg for Michigan from 1951-52 through 1955-56.
  • Andy Stoglin, 81, compiled a 229-242 record as SWAC coach with Southern (32-26 in 1982-83 and 1983-84) and Jackson State (197-216 in 14 seasons from 1989-90 through 2002-03). Stoglin twice guided JSU to NCAA playoffs (1997 and 2000). He averaged 8.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Texas-El Paso from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Don Haskins, finishing runner-up in rebounding with the Miners each of his last two campaigns.
  • Elam Stokes Sr., 92, averaged 3 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Florida in 1950-51 and 1953-54. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
  • Daryl Stovall, 64, averaged 10.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Creighton from 1978-79 through 1981-82, leading the Bluejays in scoring (fourth in league) as a senior when he was an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection. The 6-4 Stovall was a 1B-OF in the Chicago White Sox' farm system in 1982.
  • Guy Strong, 93, compiled a 113-135 NCAA DI coaching record in 10 major-college years with Eastern Kentucky (78-65 in six seasons from 1967-68 through 1972-73) and Oklahoma State (35-70 in four seasons from 1973-74 through 1976-77). Strong averaged 2.4 ppg for Kentucky in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Adolph Rupp before transferring to EKU, where he posted averages of 5.6 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1954-55.
  • Tom Sutton, 80, averaged 1.4 ppg for Arizona in 1964-65 and 1965-66.
  • Derrick "DT" Taylor Sr., 46, averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg for Oral Roberts from 1996-97 through 1999-00. Two-time all-conference second-team selection in Mid-Continent finished among the Titans' top three in scoring and rebounding average each of his final three seasons.
  • Dmitri Thompson, 27, averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Elon from 2014-15 through 2017-18.
  • Bennie Tidwell, 96, lettered for Texas Tech in 1945-46 before serving in U.S. Army in Korea.
  • SaBastian Townes, 27, averaged 9.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Bryant from 2016-17 through 2019-20. All-Northeast Conference third-team selection as a junior when he was the Bulldogs' runner-up in scoring and rebounding.
  • Rich Travis, 77, averaged 26.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Oklahoma City from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Abe Lemons, ranking among the nation's top nine scorers each of his last two seasons.
  • Joe Tulley, 43, averaged 5.4 ppg and 1.8 rpg for DePaul from 1999-00 through 2002-03. He twice made six three-pointers in a single game with the Blue Demons.
  • Terry Turlington, 84, averaged 2.6 ppg for Missouri from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
  • Herschell Turner, 86, averaged 14.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg for Nebraska from 1957-58 through 1959-60. All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection as senior when leading the Huskers in scoring and rebounding for the second straight season. He also paced them in caroms as a sophomore. Turner ranked among the league's top five in scoring and rebounding average each of his last two campaigns.
  • Dick Van Arsdale, 81, averaged 17.2 ppg and 10 rpg for Indiana from 1962-63 through 1964-65 during Branch McCracken's final three seasons as coach of the Hoosiers. All-American as a senior before becoming 18th pick overall in NBA draft. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection while finishing among league's top 15 scorers played in college with his twin brother (Tom).
  • John "Steamboat" Varoscak, 88, averaged 3.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Louisville in 1957-58 under coach Peck Hickman.
  • Carl Vernick, 80, averaged 10.3 ppg and 4 rpg for Syracuse from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was the Orange's leading scorer as a sophomore and junior before All-American Dave Bing arrived on the scene.
  • Dr. Jose Vidal, 99, was a Puerto Rican native who averaged 5 ppg for St. Louis in 1944-45.
  • Lou Vonderbrink, 90, averaged 9.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Xavier from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Ned Wulk. As a senior, Vonderbrink was team runner-up in assists (3.1 apg).
  • Mark Wagar, 72, averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Ohio State from 1970-71 through 1972-73. As a sophomore, he was the fifth-leading rebounder and sixth-leading scorer for the Buckeyes' last NCAA tourney team under coach Fred Taylor.
  • Chester "Chet" Walker, 84, was a three-time All-American who averaged 24.4 ppg and 12.8 rpg for Bradley from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Ranked among the nation's top 27 scorers and top 18 in field-goal percentage all three seasons. Led Missouri Valley Conference in scoring each of his last two campaigns. Member of 1960 NIT titlist was 14th pick overall in 1962 NBA draft.
  • Jermaine Walker, 47, averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Miami (Fla.) in 1996-97 under coach Leonard Hamilton.
  • Joe Wallace Jr., 73, was a juco recruit who averaged 20.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Denver in 1971-72 and 1972-73.
  • Bill Walton III, 71, was a three-time national Player of Year who averaged 20.3 ppg and 15.7 rpg while shooting 65.1% from the floor for UCLA from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach John Wooden before becoming first pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the nation's leaders in field-goal percentage in 1972 (4th), 1973 (2nd) and 1974 (2nd) and among nation's rebounding leaders in 1972 (9th), 1973 (6th) and 1974 (9th). Leading scorer and rebounder for undefeated NCAA Tournament champions in 1972 (30-0 record) and 1973 (30-0) plus national third-place team in 1974 (26-4). Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1972 and 1973 (made 21-of-22 field-goal attempts in title game against Memphis State).
  • Winfred "Wimp" Walton, 46, was a Syracuse transfer (academic redshirt) who averaged 11.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Fresno State in 1997-98 under coach Jerry Tarkanian.
  • Andrew "SpongeBob" Washington, 40, was a juco recruit who averaged 13 ppg, 4 rpg and 2.1 apg for Delaware in 2004-05 (team leader in steals and runner-up in scoring, rebounding and assists) and portion of 2005-06.
  • Dr. Carleton "Carl" Weisner, 98, was a Marquette transfer who averaged 4.3 ppg for St. Louis from 1944-45 through 1947-48.
  • Ron Weisner, 92, averaged 7.7 ppg for Wisconsin from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bud Foster. As a senior, Weisner was the Badgers' runner-up in scoring with 13 ppg.
  • Mike Werner, 80, averaged 1.5 ppg and 2 rpg for Washington State in 1966-67 under coach Marv Harshman.
  • Ted Werner, 80, averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg for Washington State from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Marv Harshman. Werner led the AAWU in rebounding average each of his last two seasons as an all-league second-team selection.
  • Dave Wesely, 67, averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Creighton from 1975-76 through 1978-79, leading the Bluejays in rebounding as a senior with 9.7 rpg (third in Missouri Valley Conference).
  • Walt Wesley, 79, was a two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection who averaged 19.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Kansas from 1963-64 through 1965-66 before becoming sixth pick overall in NBA draft. NCAA consensus second-team All-American as a senior when he led league in total points for the second straight season.
  • Jerry West, 86, was a three-time All-American who averaged 24.8 ppg and 13.3 rpg for West Virginia from 1957-58 through 1959-60 before becoming second pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the nation's top five scorers each of his last two seasons. Leading scorer and rebounder for 1959 NCAA Tournament runner-up when he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
  • Mitchell Wiggins, 64, averaged 5.5 ppg and 3 rpg for Clemson's 1980 West Regional finalist under coach Bill Foster before attending junior college and then transferring to Florida State, where Wiggins averaged 23.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 1.9 spg in 1981-82 and 1982-83 under coach Joe Williams. Wiggins, a two-time All-Metro Conference first-team selection when leading league in scoring both seasons, was an NBA first-round draft choice comparable to his son (Andrew/first overall pick in 2014).
  • Bill Wilks, 93, averaged 8.2 ppg for Ohio State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. QB with legendary coach Woody Hayes' first two OSU football squads in 1951 and 1952.
  • Corey "Homicide" Williams, 46, was a juco recruit who averaged 12.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.6 spg for Alabama State in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
  • Jimmy Williams, 77, compiled a 2-9 record as Minnesota's interim head coach in 1985-86.
  • Matt Williams, 54, averaged 9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.6 apg and 1.2 spg for Nevada from 1987-88 through 1990-91. He was named Big Sky Conference Rookie of the Year before becoming an all-league selection as a senior when ranking among the alliance's top three in rebounding average for the second straight season.
  • Tom Williams, 93, averaged 8.4 ppg for Ohio State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was senior captain.
  • A.B. Williamson, 79, compiled a 231-171 coaching record with Howard University in 15 seasons from 1975-76 through 1989-90. He guided the Bison to 1981 NCAA playoffs.
  • Sonny Willis, 74, averaged 4.2 ppg for Houston's three NCAA tourney teams from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach Guy Lewis.
  • Tony Windis, 91, averaged 21.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Wyoming from 1956-57 through 1958-59. All-American as a senior when finishing ninth in nation in scoring with 24.4 ppg.
  • Joe Wolf, 59, averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg for North Carolina's four NCAA Tournament teams from 1983-84 through 1986-87 under coach Dean Smith. All-ACC first-team selection as senior co-captain before becoming 13th pick overall in NBA draft.
  • Robert "Skip" Wolfe, 85, averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Memphis State from 1957-58 through 1960-61. He played in NIT each of his last two seasons.
  • Rodney Wulff, 76, played for Oregon in 1969-70 and 1970-71. Represented Australia in 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
  • Bobby Young, 83, averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.6 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1961-62 through 1963-64 in John Oldham's last three seasons as coach of the Golden Eagles. Runner-up in rebounding for 1963 NCAA tourney team before becoming an All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a senior when leading club in scoring (22.2 ppg/third in league) and rebounding (12 rpg/fifth in league).
  • Royce Youree, 88, averaged 13.4 ppg for Arizona State from 1955-56 through 1957-58, leading the Sun Devils in scoring as a sophomore. As a senior, Youree was a member of their first NCAA tourney team when earning All-Border Conference second-team acclaim for second straight season. UTL hit .243 in San Francisco Giants' farm system in three years from 1958 through 1960.
  • Gil Zaragoza, 93, averaged 6.1 ppg for Saint Mary's from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
  • Jay Ziznewski, 75, averaged 3.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Notre Dame from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Johnny Dee. As a senior, Ziznewski outrebounded All-American teammate Austin Carr, 26-24, in three NCAA playoff games when Carr erupted for a stunning total of 158 points (individual series scoring average record of 52.7 ppg). The 6-6 New Jersey native played football as a DT with the Fighting Irish in 1968 under coach Ara Parseghian, a former hooper with Miami (Ohio).

NECROLOGY AND NOTABLE OBIT ITEMS FROM PREVIOUS 12 YEARS
2023 - deceased ex-college hoopers included eventual vital NFL championship game/Super Bowl participants Jim Brown, Bud Grant and Joe Kapp; two prominent Penn State players from 1950s with last name of Edwards; Colorado State twins Floyd and Lloyd Kerr (both selected by Phoenix Suns in third round of 1969 NBA draft); former Big 12 Conference first-team selections Ryan Minor (Oklahoma) and Dedric Willoughby (Iowa State) at only 49 years of age, plus inordinate number of all-league selections from old Yankee Conference
2022 - deceased included striking number of African-Americans breaking color barrier at predominantly white major universities while Dayton was hit particularly hard in obituary column by losing five notable players who participated in national postseason tournament competition
2021 - former all-conference selections from five different Pac-12 members perished as did two former Murray State coaches registering more than 100 victories for the Racers (Ron Greene and Cal Luther) plus two backup frontcourters for UCLA's first NCAA titlist in 1964 (Doug McIntosh and Kim Stewart)
2020 - Connecticut had at least 15 former players bid adieu while Brigham Young was also particularly hard hit with four former all-conference players passing away; celebrated coaches who perished included Lou Henson (797 wins), Lute Olson (779), Eddie Sutton (802), John Thompson Jr. (596) and Billy Tubbs (609) - combining for 14 Final Four appearances and more than 3,600 Division I victories
2019 - brothers Jim and Leo Power - Boston College players in the mid-1950s - both passed away along with a pair of Ole Miss All-Americans (Joe Gibbon and Johnny Neumann)
2018 - Louisiana-Lafayette had three former hoopers 45 or younger perish while brothers Gary and Roy Stoll - Indiana products who combined to start for SEC member Tulane much of the 1950s - both passed away
2017 - striking number of deceased ex-college hoopers were versatile athletes who went on to play at least eight seasons at MLB level (Bob Cerv, Gene Conley, Dick Gernert, Jerry Kindall, Don Lock, Sam Mele and Gene Michael) plus brothers Roman Jones and Steve "Snapper" Jones - both of whom played for Oregon in first half of 1960s - died in same week
2016 - deceased included Iowa All-Americans John Johnson and Murray Wier, novelist Pat Conroy (The Citadel), heart surgeon Denton Cooley (Texas), New Orleans columnist Peter Finney Sr. (Loyola NO) plus Rear admiral Ned Hogan (Navy)
2015 - deceased included members of legendary UCLA coach John Wooden's first and final NCAA tourney teams - John Matulich in 1950 and Dave Meyers in 1975 - plus a pair of Illinois All-Americans (George BonSalle and Dave Scholz)
2014 - MLB Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn Sr. (San Diego State playmaker), two St. Joseph's players with last name of Carney and Tarzan actor (UCLA's Denny Miller) were among the deceased
2013 - two Vermont players among top 16 selections in 1947 BAA Draft died (Larry Killick and Bob Jake) while Ivy League brothers George Hauptfuhrer Jr. (Harvard after transferring from Louisville) and Bob Hauptfuhrer (Princeton) perished nine days apart during first half of August
2012 - Cincinnati All-American Jack Twyman and his brother (Duquesne's Ned Twyman) died within a two-month span and five former Kentucky regulars under legendary coach Adolph Rupp passed away

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 27 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 27 in football at the professional level (especially by three individuals from Texas universities for Detroit Lions in 1953 championship contest):

DECEMBER 27

  • Detroit Lions E Cloyce Box (combined with twin brother Boyce to help West Texas win Border Conference hoop championship in 1943) caught four passes for 54 yards in a 17-16 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1953 NFL championship contest. Lions QB Bobby Layne (Texas hooper in 1944-45) threw a 33-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Lions HB Doak Walker (Southern Methodist hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) opened game's scoring with a rushing TD.

  • Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) rushed for 114 yards on 27 carries in 1964 NFL championship game (27-0 against Baltimore Colts). It was Brown's lone playoff win.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) contributed a game-long 28-yard pass reception and 15-yard touchdown catch from Ron Jaworski in 27-21 setback against the New York Giants in 1981 NFC wild-card playoff contest.

  • Weeb Ewbank (hoops letterman for Miami OH in 1926-27 and 1927-28) coached the Baltimore Colts to a 31-16 victory against the New York Giants in 1959 NFL championship game. Colts DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had two interceptions - returning one 42 yards for a touchdown.

  • Chicago Bears TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes in 41-17 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two touchdown passes in a 21-14 divisional round playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1970.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two touchdown passes from Joe Flacco for second straight week in 2009.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Washington Redskins in 2003. Six years later, McNabb passed for 322 yards and three TDs in a 30-27 win against the Denver Broncos in 2009.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned a punt 72 yards for touchdown in 38-19 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1998 season finale.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) had four solo tackles and returned an interception 36 yards in 23-22 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1997 wild-card playoff game.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from John Elway in 42-17 AFC wild-card playoff win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1997. Jaguars rookie TE Damon Jones (averaged 3.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1995-96 under coach Rich Herrin) delivered a 37-yard pass reception from Mark Brunell. The next year, Smith had nine pass receptions for 158 yards in a 28-21 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1998 regular-season finale.

Finest Four: Larranaga May Be Top Player to Coach 2 Different Final 4 Teams

In all of the discussion regarding Jim Larranaga stepping down as coach at Miami (Fla.), it should be acknowledged he is perhaps the premier major-college player since WWII to go on and coach two different schools to the Final Four. Following is how Larranaga, a prominent player during the first half of the 1970s along with Lon Kruger, Bob Huggins and Rick Pitino, stacks up among the Finest Four including three different universities in Florida:

Coach Pair of Final Four Schools Summary of College Playing Career
Larry Brown UCLA 80/Kansas 88 11.8 ppg and 2.3 rpg with North Carolina from 1960-61 through 1962-63
Hugh Durham Florida State 72/Georgia 83 18.9 ppg and 4.1 rpg with Florida State from 1956-57 through 1958-59
Lon Kruger Florida 94/Oklahoma 16 13.3 ppg and 2.6 rpg with Kansas State from 1971-72 through 1973-74
Jim Larranaga George Mason 06/Miami (Fla.) 23 16.3 ppg, 6 rpg and 3.1 apg with Providence from 1968-69 through 1970-71

HONORABLE MENTION

Coach Multiple Final Four Schools Summary of College Playing Career
Lou Henson New Mexico State 70/Illinois 89 7.5 ppg with New Mexico State (class of '55)
Bob Huggins Cincinnati 92/West Virginia 10 2.3 ppg with Ohio University in 1972-73 and 9.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.7 apg with West Virginia from 1974-75 through 1976-77
Rick Pitino Providence 87/Kentucky 93-96-97/Louisville 05-13 4 ppg and 5.2 apg with Massachusetts from 1971-72 through 1973-74
Eddie Sutton Arkansas 78/Oklahoma State 95-04 6.6 ppg and 2.6 rpg with Oklahoma State from 1955-56 through 1957-58

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 26 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 26 in football at the professional level (especially in 1943 and 1954 championship games plus emphasis on ex-college hoopers with the Bears and Browns):

DECEMBER 26

  • Washington Redskins QB Sammy Baugh (Texas Christian three-year hoops letterman was All-SWC honorable mention selection as senior in 1936-37) threw two second-half touchdown passes in a 41-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1943 championship contest. Bears E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Sid Luckman. Luke Johnsos (Northwestern hoops letterman in 1927 and 1928) co-coached the Bears. Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) rushed for 30 yards on seven carries and returned two punts for 17 yards.

  • Rookie FB Bill Bowman (fouled out with four points in only basketball game with William & Mary in 1953-54) scored the Detroit Lions' only touchdown (five-yard rush) in a 56-10 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1954 NFL championship game. Bowman also had a 50-yard run from scrimmage in the contest. Browns DE Len Ford (center for Morgan State's CIAA hoops titlist in 1944) returned two interceptions a total of 45 yards. Browns E Pete Brewster (forward-center was Purdue's fourth-leading scorer as junior and senior) caught an eight-yard TD pass and 45-yard reception from Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43). Graham threw three first-half TD passes and rushed for three TDs. The next year, Graham threw two TD passes (50 and 35 yards) and rushed for two TDs while Ford had another INT in a 38-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1955 NFL title tilt.

  • A fourth-quarter touchdown reception by TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) carried the Kansas City Chiefs to a 31-24 win against the Oakland Raiders in 1998 season finale.

  • TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starting forward averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg with Miami FL from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under coach Frank Haith) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with one minute remaining to help lift the Chicago Bears to a 25-24 success against the Seattle Seahawks in 2021.

  • RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) opened the Green Bay Packers' scoring with a rushing touchdown in 13-10 conference championship playoff win against the Baltimore Colts in 1965.

  • QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 471 yards - including 33-yarder for touchdown in overtime - to propel the Washington Redskins to a 26-20 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1999.

  • New York Jets RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) totaled 175 yards in rushing (94 on 16 carries) and pass receiving (81 on eight catches) in a 16-14 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1993.

  • Houston Texans WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) had five pass receptions for 115 yards in a 24-23 setback against the Denver Broncos in 2010.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two touchdown passes in a 24-20 playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1971 playoff divisional round.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two touchdowns in a 29-28 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1999 season finale.

  • Chicago Bears TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) had two pass receptions for 25 yards in a 37-7 divisional round playoff setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1977.

  • San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 83 yards for fourth-quarter touchdown in 26-13 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1982.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) caught five passes for 73 yards in a 20-3 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1971 NFL playoff divisional round.

  • Houston Texans LB Antwan Peek (made one field goal and grabbed five rebounds in six basketball games for Cincinnati in 2000-01 under coach Bob Huggins) returned a recovered fumble 66 yards for touchdown in 21-0 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2004.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught 10 passes in a 42-14 setback against the New York Jets in 1982.

  • Cincinnati Bengals WR David Verser (played five basketball games for Kansas in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) in 24-10 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 1982.

  • San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a touchdown pass from John Brodie in 24-20 divisional round playoff win against the Washington Redskins in 1971.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 25 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players Tony Gonzalez and Brad Johnson who made a name for themselves on December 25 in football at the professional level:

DECEMBER 25

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 11 of his league-high 102 passes - including two second-quarter touchdowns - in a 31-30 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2004.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 30-23 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 2005.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 24 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 24 in football at the professional level (especially in 1950 NFL championship contest and 1961 AFL title tilt plus ex-college hoopers with the Chargers):

DECEMBER 24

  • Buffalo Bills WR Don Beebe (Aurora College IL junior varsity hooper in 1983-84) caught eight passes for 111 yards in a 10-9 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1994 regular-season finale.

  • Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg for Southern in 1969-70) caught five passes - opening game's scoring with 13-yard touchdown reception from Ron Jaworski - in 14-13 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978 NFC wild-card playoff contest.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-10 win against the Tennessee Titans in 2005.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Marcus Cotton (converted one free throw with Southern California in 1986-87 under coach George Raveling) contributed two sacks for the second time in last three games of 1989 season.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie RB Glenn Davis (Army hooper in 1944-45 and 1945-46) opened 1950 NFL championship game's scoring with an 82-yard touchdown pass from Bob Waterfield in 30-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns. Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) completed 22-of-33 passes for 298 yards and four TDs while chipping with 99 rushing yards.

  • Oakland Raiders TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught two touchdown passes from Rich Gannon in a 52-9 win against the Carolina Panthers in 2000.

  • Dallas Cowboys CB Cornell Green (Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder when career ended in 1961-62) returned an interception 60 yards for touchdown in a 50-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1967 Eastern Conference playoff game.

  • San Diego Chargers SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) intercepted two passes - returning one 63 yards for touchdown - in a 34-21 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000.

  • San Diego Chargers rookie WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 20-7 win against the Seattle Seahawks in 2006.

  • Chicago Bears DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) returned an interception 61 yards for touchdown in 23-20 win against the Detroit Lions in 2000.

  • Seattle Seahawks TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) had a five-yard touchdown reception in 31-7 wild-card playoff win against the Denver Broncos in 1983.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 24-20 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 2005.

  • Baltimore Colts WR Freddie Scott (averaged 5.3 ppg as sophomore forward for Amherst MA in 1971-72) had two pass receptions for 45 yards from Bert Jones in a 37-31 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1977 AFC divisional-round playoff game.

  • Houston Oilers RCB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) intercepted a pass in 17-9 win against the Miami Dolphins in 1978 AFC wild-card game.

  • New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho in 1987-88 under Tim Floyd) had an interception in 24-10 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1994 season finale.

  • San Diego Chargers rookie DB Bud Whitehead (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 15 games for Florida State in 1959-60) had two interceptions in a 10-3 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1961 AFL championship contest.

Holiday Wish List: Christmas Stocking Stuffers and Gifts For NCAA Hoopdom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 23 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 23 in football at the professional level (especially Wake Forest's Bill Hull going from Final Four to AFL championship game in same year in 1962 and ex-college hoopers with the Rams):

DECEMBER 23

  • Neill Armstrong (played one game under legendary Oklahoma A&M coach Hank Iba in 1944) coached the Chicago Bears to a 27-17 wild-card playoff game setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1979. Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) caught two touchdown passes from Ron Jaworski, finishing contest with game highs of six receptions and 111 receiving yards.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Ronald Curry (averaged 4.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 3 apg for North Carolina in 1998-99 and 2000-01) caught 11 passes in a 20-9 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006. It was Curry's third consecutive contest with at least eight receptions.

  • Washington Redskins LB London Fletcher (started two games for St. Francis PA as freshman in 1993-94 before transferring to John Carroll OH) had an interception for third consecutive contest and chipped in with 10 tackles in 27-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 10 passes for 137 yards in a 25-20 setback against the Detroit Lions in 2007.

  • Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw two touchdown passes in a 34-16 divisional playoff win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1973.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) had a game-saving tackle in a 24-17 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1951 NFL championship contest. Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting center for Michigan hoops in 1944) caught four passes for 66 yards.

  • Dallas Cowboys DB Manny Hendrix (All-WAC second-team selection for Utah as senior in 1985-86 averaged 12.1 ppg and team-high 5.1 apg as sophomore) had an interception in 17-3 setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1990.

  • Dallas Texans rookie DE Bill Hull (forward for Wake Forest squad finishing third in 1962 NCAA Tournament averaged 6.5 ppg and 7.3 rpg in two varsity seasons) returned an interception 23 yards to help set up game-winning field goal in overtime in 20-17 win against the Houston Oilers in 1962 AFL championship game.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw three touchdown passes in a 48-21 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2001.

  • Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for 154 yards and two second-half touchdowns (including 56-yarder) in 23-10 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.

  • Los Angeles Rams TE James McDonald (four-year Southern California letterman in early 1980s averaged 8.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg as senior forward) caught two passes for 18 yards in a 16-13 wild-card playoff game setback against the New York Giants in 1984.

  • New York Jets RB Elijah McGuire (collected 10 points and 13 rebounds in 16 basketball games for Louisiana-Lafayette in 2015-16) scored two touchdowns (rush to open game's scoring and third-quarter, 20-yard pass reception) in 44-38 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 2018.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-23 win against the New Orleans Saints in 2007.

  • Chicago Bears DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) had three sacks in a 28-13 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2012.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) returned a kickoff 38 yards for touchdown in 28-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2000 regular-season finale.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 30-28 divisional playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers in 1972. The next year, Staubach threw two TD passes - including 83-yarder to Drew Pearson - in a 27-16 divisional playoff win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1973.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) returned a punt 55 yards for touchdown in 24-21 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990.

Put Your Big Boy Pants On: Power-League Members Losing to In-State Foes

"Bullying builds character like nuclear waste creates superheroes. It's a rare occurrence and often does much more damage than endowment." - Zack W. Van

When big bullies are struck, they usually take their ball and go home similar to befuddled Plagiarist Biledumb fending off questions from #OutHouse reporters. Why do so few power conference members play at in-state mid-major schools or even oppose them on a neutral court during the regular season? Why can't more big-name universities hone their competitive edge for conference competition? It's disgraceful that Iowa and Iowa State aren't opposing Drake, one of the nation's last undefeated teams this season.

When a power-league member loses at home against an in-state major (such as Seton Hall against Monmouth and Stanford against Cal Poly), how much would the margin have been if venue was reversed? In-state games against natural rivals, wherever they're played, are more revealing than most of the incessant mismatches in pre-conference competition. The good news is that it doesn't appear as if fans of the power-league members are weeping as much as grief-stricken leftist loser #ShrillaryRotten about their "huge" defeats against "inferior" opponents. Can some sycophant give Queen of Denial a computer cloth to wipe away tears before they stain her Chairman Mao empty pants suit?

Non-league schedules would be significantly more entertaining and good for the game if skittish power-league members weren't so condescending and be willing to oppose competent in-state mid-majors away from friendly surroundings. Instead of meeting natural-rival Davids on the road to brace for conference play, they frequently tuck tail and run after checking out the following results thus far this century. The following results are sobering reminders for Goliaths venturing away from Philistine thus far this Century as to why haughty "big boys" frequently strive to only stay home and pick on out-of-state patsies to pad their records:

2024-25
Princeton 83, Rutgers 82 (neutral site/Newark)
Rhode Island 69, Providence 63
Saint Joseph's 83, Villanova 76
Wichita State 84, Kansas State 65

2023-24
Colorado State 88, Colorado 83
Penn 76, Villanova 72
South Florida 88, Florida State 72 (neutral site)

2022-23
Furman 79, South Carolina 60 (at Charleston)
Gonzaga 77, Washington 60
Temple 68, Villanova 64
UCF 68, Florida State 54

2021-22
Coastal Carolina 80, South Carolina 56
James Madison 52, Virginia 49
Santa Clara 88, Stanford 72
Western Kentucky 82, Louisville 72

2020-21
Brigham Young 82, Utah 64
Georgia State 123, Georgia Tech 120 (4OT)
Mercer 83, Georgia Tech 73
Pepperdine 74, California 62

2019-20
Charlotte 67, Wake Forest 65 (OT)
Rhode Island 75, Providence 61
San Francisco 76, California 64
Santa Clara 71, California 52

2018-19
Cincinnati 62, Xavier 47
Georgia State 91, Georgia 67 (Cayman Islands Classic)
Gonzaga 81, Washington 79
Penn 78, Villanova 75
Saint Mary's 84, California 71
San Francisco 74, Stanford 65
Santa Clara 102, Southern California 92 (2OT)
Seattle 78, Washington State 69
Tulsa 74, Oklahoma State 71

2017-18
Belmont 69, Vanderbilt 60
Colorado State 72, Colorado 63
Long Beach State 76, Stanford 68
Rhode Island 75, Providence 68

2016-17
Duquesne 64, Pittsburgh 55
Indiana State 72, Butler 71
IPFW 71, Indiana 68 (OT)
Long Island 74, St. John's 73 (at Barclays Center)
Middle Tennessee State 71, Vanderbilt 48
Portland 53, Oregon State 45
San Diego State 77, California 65 (at Sacramento)
Southern Methodist 74, Texas Christian 59

2015-16
Duquesne 78, Penn State 52
Fordham 73, St. John's 57
Gonzaga 80, Washington 64 (at Nassau, Bahamas)
Northern Iowa 81, Iowa State 79 (at Des Moines)
Saint Mary's 78, Stanford 61

2014-15
Gonzaga 81, Washington State 66
Massachusetts 71, Boston College 62 (at Boston)
Northern Iowa 56, Iowa 44

2013-14
UC Santa Barbara 72, California 65
George Washington 77, Maryland 75
Gonzaga 90, Washington State 74
Harvard 73, Boston College 58
Illinois State 69, DePaul 64
Long Beach State 72, Southern California 71
Southern Methodist 55, Texas A&M 52 (at Corpus Christi)
Southern Methodist 69, Texas Christian 61
Virginia Commonwealth 82, Virginia Tech 52

2012-13
Brown 69, Providence 68
Butler 88, Indiana 86 (OT)
Coastal Carolina 69, Clemson 46
Florida Gulf Coast 63, Miami (Fla.) 51
Green Bay 49, Marquette 47
La Salle 82, Penn State 57
La Salle 77, Villanova 74 (OT)
Middle Tennessee 56, Vanderbilt 52
Old Dominion 63, Virginia 61

2011-12
Cal Poly 42, Southern California 36
Colorado State 65, Colorado 64
Creighton 76, Nebraska 66
Drake 74, Iowa State 65
Holy Cross 86, Boston College 64
Northern Iowa 80, Iowa 60
Saint Joseph's 65, Penn State 47
Saint Joseph's 74, Villanova 58
Southern Mississippi 86, Mississippi 82
Temple 78, Villanova 67
Xavier 76, Cincinnati 53

2010-11
Central Florida 57, Florida 54
Central Florida 84, Miami (Fla.) 78
Central Florida 65, South Florida 59
Florida Atlantic 50, South Florida 42
Fordham 84, St. John's 81
Furman 91, South Carolina 75
Kennesaw State 80, Georgia Tech 63
Marshall 75, West Virginia 71
UNC Wilmington 81, Wake Forest 69
North Texas 92, Texas Tech 83 (OT)
Northern Iowa 60, Iowa State 54
Princeton 78, Rutgers 73 (OT)

2009-10
Colorado State 77, Colorado 62
Creighton 67, Nebraska 61
Green Bay 88, Wisconsin 84 (OT)
Long Beach State 79, UCLA 68
Northern Iowa 67, Iowa 50
Portland State 88, Oregon 81
Rhode Island 86, Providence 82
Temple 45, Penn State 42
Temple 75, Villanova 65
Tulsa 86, Oklahoma State 65
Wofford 68, South Carolina 61
Xavier 83, Cincinnati 79 (2OT)

2008-09
College of Charleston 82, South Carolina 80 (OT)
Davidson 72, North Carolina State 67
Drake 60, Iowa 43
Lamar 85, Texas Tech 79
Southern Mississippi 78, Mississippi 59
Texas-El Paso 96, Texas Tech 78
Western Kentucky 68, Louisville 54

2007-08
Charlotte 63, Wake Forest 59
Creighton 74, Nebraska 62
Drake 79, Iowa State 44
East Carolina 75, North Carolina State 69
Old Dominion 72, Virginia Tech 69
Rhode Island 77, Providence 60
Richmond 52, Virginia Tech 49
Saint Joseph's 79, Penn State 67
Sam Houston State 56, Texas Tech 54
Tulane 68, Louisiana State 63
Xavier 64, Cincinnati 59

2006-07
Bradley 78, DePaul 58
Butler 60, Indiana 55
Butler 71, Notre Dame 69
Drake 75, Iowa 59
Gonzaga 97, Washington 77
Indiana State 89, Purdue 70
Northern Iowa 70, Iowa State 57
Ohio University 79, Cincinnati 66

2005-06
UC Davis 64, Stanford 58
Colorado State 83, Colorado 82
Creighton 70, Nebraska 44
Evansville 75, Purdue 69
George Washington 78, Maryland 70
Gonzaga 67, Washington State 53
Indiana State 72, Indiana 67
Marshall 58, West Virginia 52
Northern Iowa 67, Iowa 63 (OT)
Old Dominion 58, Virginia Tech 55
Portland 80, Oregon 72
Rhode Island 77, Providence 69
Xavier 73, Cincinnati 71 (OT)

2004-05
Bradley 63, DePaul 53
George Washington 101, Maryland 92
Gonzaga 99, Washington 87
Marshall 59, West Virginia 55
Northern Iowa 99, Iowa State 82
Santa Clara 86, Stanford 76
Temple 53, Villanova 52
Virginia Military 72, Virginia Tech 68

2003-04
Creighton 61, Nebraska 54
Gonzaga 95, Washington State 58
Illinois-Chicago 90, Northwestern 71
Northern Iowa 77, Iowa 66
North Texas 73, Baylor 69
Rhode Island 89, Providence 79
Temple 67, Penn State 56
Xavier 71, Cincinnati 69

2002-03
Dayton 75, Cincinnati 69
Florida Atlantic 74, Miami (Fla.) 73
Gonzaga 95, Washington 89 (OT)
Holy Cross 71, Boston College 70
Penn 62, Penn State 37
Penn 72, Villanova 58
Saint Joseph's 92, Villanova 75
William & Mary 60, Virginia Tech 52

2001-02
Butler 66, Indiana 64
Creighton 76, Nebraska 70
Drake 72, Iowa State 58
Fresno State 65, Southern California 58
Georgia State 83, Georgia 78
Gonzaga 67, Washington State 44
Marshall 81, West Virginia 79 (OT)
Northern Iowa 78, Iowa 76
Old Dominion 55, Virginia Tech 46
Penn 75, Villanova 74
Pepperdine 78, Southern California 77
Portland 79, Oregon 78
Rice 75, Baylor 60
Temple 75, Penn State 63
Temple 63, Villanova 57
Texas-Pan American 72, Baylor 66

2000-01
UC Irvine 56, California 52
Duquesne 71, Pittsburgh 70
Fordham 68, St. John's 67
Gonzaga 86, Washington 74
Indiana State 59, Indiana 58
Oakland 97, Michigan 90
Wichita State 76, Kansas State 66

1999-00
Colorado State 79, Colorado 57
Creighton 89, Nebraska 72
Drake 48, Iowa State 44
George Washington 74, Maryland 69
Gonzaga 76, Washington 66
Gonzaga 73, Washington State 63
Long Beach State 76, Southern California 66
North Texas 91, Texas A&M 88
Saint Louis 75, Missouri 72
Temple 69, Villanova 66
Xavier 66, Cincinnati 64

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 22 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 22 in football at the professional level (especially in 1968 playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Colts plus multiple ex-college hoopers in playoff games with the Chiefs and 49ers):

DECEMBER 22

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw four touchdown passes - including 82-yarder to Frank Jackson - in a 48-0 AFL win against the New York Jets in 1963 season finale.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had three sacks in a 17-13 victory against the New Orleans Saints in 2013.

  • Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 24-14 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1968 NFL playoff divisional round. Vikings DT Gary Larsen (ex-Marine played multiple hoops seasons for Concordia MN in early 1960s) had a sack. Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught three passes for 92 yards - including a 49-yard TD from Earl Morrall - and Colts WR Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) opened game's scoring with a TD catch.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught a touchdown pass in his fourth consecutive contest in 2013.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers E Cy McClairen (two-time all-league selection scored 36 points for Bethune-Cookman in 1953 SIAC Tournament championship game) opened game's scoring with a 48-yard touchdown pass reception from Morrall in 27-2 win against the Chicago Cardinals in 1957 season finale.

  • San Francisco 49ers rookie E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) opened game's scoring by catching a 34-yard touchdown pass from Y.A. Tittle in 31-27 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1957 Western Conference playoff tiebreaker. 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) caught a 12-yard TD pass from Tittle.

  • New York Yankees TB Ace Parker (Duke hoops letterman in 1936) completed 8-of-18 passes in a 14-9 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1946 NFL championship game.

  • Oakland Raiders WR Art Powell (averaged 10.5 ppg and 8.2 rpg for San Jose State in 1956-57) caught 10 passes for 247 yards - including four touchdowns from Tom Flores - in a 52-49 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1963 season finale.

  • Kansas City Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M after school's glory years with Zelmo Beaty) had four pass receptions for 117 yards in a 41-6 setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1968 AFL Western Division playoffs.

  • Atlanta Falcons LB Kenny Tippins (made one basket and grabbed six rebounds in three hoops games with Middle Tennessee State in 1989-90) returned an interception 35 yards in 31-27 setback against the Dallas Cowboys in 1991 season finale.

  • Brad Van Pelt (averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Michigan State in 1970-71 and 1971-72) was starting LOLB for the Oakland Raiders in a 13-7 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in 1984 AFC wild-card game.

Chaminade Shocked Top-Ranked Virginia Cavaliers 2nd Day Before Christmas

Two days before Christmas marks the 41st anniversary of a "David vs. Goliath" game hailed as one of biggest upsets in college basketball history when national player of the year Ralph Sampson and Virginia got coal in their stocking by losing at Chaminade, 77-72, in Hawaii in 1982-83. The contest triggered one of the greatest achievements in small-college history as Chaminade went on to defeat an NCAA Division I school winning at least one NCAA playoff game in three consecutive campaigns. Following is a chronological list of victories by small schools over major universities going on to win at least one NCAA playoff game that season:

Small College NCAA Playoff Team (Record) Score
Georgetown College (KY) Louisville (19-12 in 1958-59) 84-78
St. Mary's (TX) Houston (25-5 in 1969-70) 76-66
Chaminade (Hawaii) Virginia (29-5 in 1982-83) 77-72
Chaminade (Hawaii) Louisville (24-11 in 1983-84) 83-72
Chaminade (Hawaii) Southern Methodist (23-10 in 1984-85) 71-70
Alaska-Anchorage Michigan (30-7 in 1988-89) 70-66
UC Riverside Iowa (23-10 in 1988-89) 110-92
Alaska-Anchorage Wake Forest (21-12 in 1993-94) 70-68
American-Puerto Rico Arkansas (24-9 in 1997-98) 64-59
Bethel (IN) Valparaiso (23-10 in 1997-98) 85-75
Elizabeth City State (NC) Norfolk State (26-10 in 2011-12) 69-57

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

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

Kansas' Bill Self lost 18 consecutive contests bridging the 1993-94 and 1994-95 seasons with Oral Roberts but at least he didn't lose a decision to a non-Division I institution. This season, new Green Bay coach Doug Gottlieb received a generous dose of humble pie by losing to Michigan Tech. If he learns how to coach and maintain radio gig concurrently, he may join the following alphabetical list "retracing steps" of prominent coaches losing games to non-Division I colleges during their major-college careers:

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 21 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 21 in football at the professional level (especially in 1941 championship contest with an emphasis on the Bears):

DECEMBER 21

  • Cleveland Browns DB Erich Barnes (played hoops briefly for Purdue as sophomore in 1955-56) had an interception in 31-20 Eastern Conference playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1968.

  • Chicago Bears QB Young Bussey (Louisiana State hoops letterman in late 1930s) completed his lone pass in 1941 NFL championship game for eight yards in a 37-9 win against the New York Giants. George Halas (starting guard for Illinois' Big Ten Conference titlist in 1916-17) coached the Bears. TB Tuffy Leemans (three-year hoops letterman for George Washington in mid-1930s) passed for 73 yards and chipped in with a Giants-high 52 rushing yards. Bears B Ray Nolting (Cincinnati hoops letterman in 1936) rushed for 13 yards on four carries. Bears E Dick Plasman (Vanderbilt two-year starting center named to 1936 All-SEC Tournament second five) had a game-high 48 receiving yards on two catches.

  • Los Angeles Rams rookie E Bob Carey (forward-center averaged 8.8 ppg in three-year Michigan State career in early 1950s) had three pass receptions for 30 yards in 31-21 setback against the Detroit Lions in 1952 tiebreaker playoff game. Rams S Norb Hecker (four-sport letterman including hoops with Baldwin-Wallace OH) returned an interception 20 yards. Lions HB Doak Walker (Southern Methodist hoops letterman as freshman in 1945-46) threw a 24-yard touchdown pass and had two receptions for 75 yards.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers TB Johnny Clement (Southern Methodist hoops letterman in 1940) had a team-high 59 rushing yards in a 21-0 divisional playoff setback against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1947. Steelers E Elbie Nickel (Cincinnati's second-leading scorer in 1942 also earned hoop letter in 1947) had team-high 32 receiving yards. Eagles HB Bosh Pritchard (four-sport letterman for VMI) returned a punt 79 yards for touchdown.

  • Dallas Cowboys PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted all four of his field-goal attempts in a 19-3 win against the New York Giants in 2003.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 41-24 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.

  • Dallas Cowboys rookie WR Percy Howard (All-Ohio Valley Conference selection averaged 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Austin Peay State from 1972-73 through 1974-75) returned two kickoffs for a total of 51 yards in 31-21 win against the New York Jets in 1975.

  • Chicago Bears rookie TE Greg Latta (two-year Morgan State letterman averaged 9.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg in 15 games in 1970-71) caught three touchdown passes in a 42-17 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1975 season finale.

  • Philadelphia Eagles DB Joe Lavender (averaged 13.4 ppg and 6.6 rpg for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown in 26-3 win against the Washington Redskins in 1975 season finale. Five years later as a member of the Redskins, Lavender had two interceptions in 31-7 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980 season finale.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Codey McElroy (walk-on played in four basketball games for Oklahoma State in 2015-16 under coach Travis Ford) caught a 30-yard pass from QB Jameis Winston in 23-20 setback against the Houston Texans in 2019.

  • Houston Oilers CB Zeke Moore (Lincoln MO hoops letterman in mid-1960s) had an interception in 56-7 AFL divisional playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders in 1969.

  • New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) returned a Drew Bledsoe interception for touchdown in 23-22 setback against the New England Patriots in 1996 regular-season finale. It was the fourth game of the last five of campaign where Sehorn registered an INT.

  • Minnesota Vikings rookie TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tommy Kramer in a 20-16 setback against the Houston Oilers in 1980 season finale.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught two second-quarter touchdown passes from John Elway in a 38-3 win against the San Diego Chargers in 1997.

  • Houston Oilers CB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) was credited with an interception in his third consecutive contest in 1980 season finale.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 20-3 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2003.

  • Miami Dolphins WR Lamar Thomas (collected 16 points and 4 rebounds in four games for Miami FL in 1990-91) had six pass receptions for 136 yards - including three touchdowns from QB Dan Marino - in a 31-21 win against the Denver Broncos in 1998. Thomas had multiple catches in all but one of 15 regular-season games.

  • Detroit Lions SS Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two Texas-El Paso games in 1967-68 under Don Haskins) returned two punts for 47 yards in a 24-13 setback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975 season finale.

  • TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from John Brodie in fourth quarter to power the San Francisco 49ers to 14-13 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969 season finale.

The Cage Crusades: Gonzaga Zags Labeled Latest Postseason Jesuit Jewel

In 2016-17, NCAA playoff runner-up Gonzaga became one of only five different Jesuit schools a total of seven times reaching the NCAA Tournament Final Four since 1990 (joining Georgetown 07/Marquette 03/Loyola of Chicago 18/Villanova 09-16-18). The Zags duplicated their second-place finish in 2021.

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

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

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

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 20 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 20 in football at the professional level (especially in 2009 plus Eagles QBs from current ACC members and Chargers receivers catching multiple touchdown passes):

DECEMBER 20

  • Carolina Panthers rookie TE Luther Broughton (forward scored five points in five games for Furman in 1994-95) scored go-ahead touchdown with a 68-yard reception in fourth quarter of 20-13 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1998.

  • Chicago Bears QB Jack Concannon (grabbed one rebound in one Boston College basketball contest in 1961-62) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-3 win against the New Orleans Saints in 1970 season finale.

  • QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw a 19-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Kansas City Chiefs a 13-6 AFL divisional playoff win against the New York Jets in 1969.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Bruce Ellington (South Carolina's leading scorer as freshman point guard with 12.8 ppg in 2010-11 before averaging 11.1 ppg as sophomore) scored two touchdowns - one receiving/one rushing - in a 38-35 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2014. Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught two second-half TD passes from Philip Rivers.

  • New York Giants DB Percy Ellsworth (appeared in all four of Virginia's NCAA tourney contests for 1995 Midwest Regional finalist) had two interceptions - including one for 43-yard touchdown - in a 28-7 win against the Kansas City Chiefs in 1998.

  • Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Vince Young in a 27-24 win against the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

  • Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught two touchdown passes from Randall Cunningham in a 50-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught two first-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Flacco in a 31-7 win against the Chicago Bears in 2009.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught two touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 27-24 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in 2009.

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) passed for 346 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-28 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2003.

  • Phoenix Cardinals RB Johnny Johnson (averaged 11.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.2 apg in 1988-89 after majority of hoop team members walked off San Jose State squad) rushed for 146 yards in a 16-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in 1992.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) passed for 306 yards in a 27-13 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2009.

  • Houston Oilers QB Gifford Nielsen (BYU swingman averaged 6.5 ppg and 2.7 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75) passed for a career-high 377 yards - including three touchdowns to Dave Casper - in 21-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981 season finale.

  • Kansas City Chiefs WR Stan Rome (All-ACC second-team choice as Clemson junior averaged from 10.4 to 15.3 ppg while hitting 53% of FGAs from 1974-75 through 1977-78) scored game's lone touchdown with a 15-yard pass reception in 10-6 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1981 season finale.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 30-20 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970 season finale.

  • Minnesota Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned a kickoff 66 yards in 37-7 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1970 regular-season finale.

Change in Midstream: Miami (Fla.) Latest School Switching Coach in Mid-Year

What usually happens to a team encountering a head coaching departure in mid-season such as Miami (Fla.), where Jim Larranaga stepped down with 4-8 mark two years following a Final Four appearance, and Louisiana, which dismissed Bob Marlin with 3-9 record in midst of his 15th season as bench boss of the Ragin' Cajuns? Maryland transitioned from Mark Turgeon three seasons ago despite ranking #4 in the country only five years ago. A total of 43 different schools in the past 28 seasons (including Charlotte twice in previous 10 years and Wisconsin twice this century) had a coach relieved of his duties, retire or pass away after the start of the season but before the second half of the campaign. Two years ago, Texas' Rodney Terry (22-8) became only the ninth "successor" coach piloting a club more than half of a campaign since the NCAA playoffs expanded to at least 64 entrants in 1985 to post a winning record the remainder of the season. Terry joined Jeff Dittman (10-8 with Sam Houston State in 1988-89), Dave Fehte (9-8 with Saint Mary's in 1990-91), Greg Gard (15-8 with Wisconsin in 2015-16), Max Good (13-9 with UNLV in 2000-01), Ray Harper (11-8 with Western Kentucky in 2011-12), Mike Perry (10-9 with Georgia State in 2002-03), Brad Soderberg (16-10 with Wisconsin in 2000-01) and Derek Waugh (14-8 with Stetson in 2000-01). Gard, Harper, Soderberg and Terry guided the squads they inherited to an NCAA playoff berth.

Last season marked the fifth time this decade a power-league member pulled the plug on a head coach by mid-January when DePaul, in the throes of missing NCAA playoffs for the 20th consecutive campaign, dismissed Tony Stubblefield. At the power-conference level, Beard joined Turgeon and Stubblefield along with John Brady (Louisiana State in 2007-08), Lou Campanelli (California in 1992-93), Gale Catlett (West Virginia in 2001-02), Jim Dutcher (Minnesota in 1985-86), Dennis Felton (Georgia in 2008-09), Larry Glass (Northwestern in 1968-69), Mark Gottfried (Alabama in 2008-09), Joe Harrington (Colorado in 1995-96), Bob Knight (Texas Tech in 2007-08), Ward "Piggy" Lambert (Purdue in 1945-46), Shelby Metcalf (Texas A&M in 1989-90), Kevin O'Neill (Southern California in 2012-13), Charlie Parker (Southern California in 1995-96), Steve Patterson (Arizona State in 1988-89) and Quin Snyder (Missouri in 2005-06) to comprise the list of coaches departed in mid-season when their tenures ended for one reason or another. There is no consensus as to whether the timing of their dismissals was fairer than "biased" jury fore-person amid numerous gutless wonders demonstrating self-righteous vindictiveness in Roger Stone trial.

It's a shame self-absorbed Sen. Mitt "Pierre Defecto" Romney, perhaps disoriented by Mormon underwear being on too tight, couldn't have received a "you're fired" notice from Utah patriots in mid-term instead of him wandering off at his pleasure. Following is an alphabetical list of universities in the pre-midseason coaching turnover category since the start of national postseason competition and the records of their coaches that season:

NCAA Division I School Season Successor/Interim (Mid-Year Record) Departing Coach (Record)
Appalachian State 1974-75 Russ Bergman (2-12) Peter "Press" Maravich (1-11)
Boise State 1972-73 Doran "Bus" Connor (6-7) Murray Satterfield (5-8)
Boston College 2020-21 Scott Spinelli (1-3) Jim Christian (3-13)
Brigham Young 1996-97 Tony Ingle (1-25) Roger Reid (1-6)
Buffalo 1999-00 Reggie Witherspoon (3-20) Tim Cohane (2-3)
Cal Poly 2000-01 Kevin Bromley (3-12) Jeff Schneider (5-7)
Centenary 1977-78 Tommy Canterbury (6-9) Riley Wallace (4-8)
Central Connecticut State 1987-88 C.J. Jones (8-15) Bill Detrick (2-3)
Charleston Southern 2023-24 Saah Nimley (8-15) Barclay Radebaugh (2-5)
Charlotte 2014-15 Ryan Odom (8-11) Alan Major (6-7)
Charlotte 2017-18 Houston Fancher (3-17) Mark Price (3-6)
Chicago State 1996-97 Phil Gary (4-17) Craig Hodges (0-6)
The Citadel 1939-40 Ben Parker (4-5) Absalon "Rock" Norman (4-4)
Coastal Carolina 2023-24 Benny Moss (6-17) Cliff Ellis (3-5)
Colgate 1997-98 Paul Aiello (10-12) Jack Bruen (0-6)
Connecticut 1946-47 Hugh Greer (12-0) Blair Gullion (4-2)
Connecticut 1962-63 George Wigton (11-4) Hugh Greer (7-3)
Dartmouth 1966-67 Dave Gavitt (2-15) Alvin "Doggie" Julian (5-2)
Dartmouth 2009-10 Mark Graupe (2-13) Terry Dunn (3-10)
Denver 1948-49 Hoyt Brawner (11-6) Ellison Ketchum (6-9)
DePaul 2009-10 Tracy Webster (1-15) Jerry Wainwright (7-8)
DePaul 2023-24 Matt Brady (0-14) Tony Stubblefield (3-15)
Detroit 1987-88 John Mulroy (7-20) Don Sicko (0-3)
Detroit 2007-08 Kevin Mondro (3-13) Perry Watson (4-10)
East Carolina 2017-18 Michael Perry (8-16) Jeff Lebo (2-4)
Eastern Kentucky 1961-62 Jim Baechtold (6-3) Paul McBrayer (4-3)
Eastern Michigan 1985-86 Ben Braun (5-10) Jim Boyce (4-8)
Fordham 2009-10 Jared Grasso (1-22) Dereck Whittenburg (1-4)
Fordham 2020-21 Mike DePaoli (1-5) Jeff Neubauer (1-7)
Georgetown 1998-99 Craig Esherick (8-10) John Thompson Jr. (7-6)
Georgia State 1984-85 Mark Slonaker (1-24) Tom Pugliese (1-2)
Georgia State 2002-03 Mike Perry (10-9) Charles "Lefty" Driesell (4-6)
Howard University 1999-00 Billy Coward (1-18) Kirk Saulny (0-9)
Idaho State 1967-68 Dan Miller (10-12) Claude Retherford (3-1)
Idaho State 2011-12 Deane Martin (7-13) Joe O'Brien (2-8)
Iowa 1949-50 Frank "Bucky" O'Connor (6-5) Lawrence "Pops" Harrison (9-2)
Jacksonville 1996-97 Buster Harvey (5-17) George Scholz (0-6)
Kent State 1977-78 Mike Boyd (5-11) Rex Hughes (1-10)
Long Island 2001-02 Ron Brown (5-13) Ray Martin (0-9)
Louisville 1970-71 Howard Stacey (12-8) John Dromo (8-1)
Louisville 2021-22 Mike Pegues (7-11) Chris Mack (6-8)
Maryland 2021-22 Danny Manning (10-14) Mark Turgeon (5-3)
Monmouth 1986-87 Ron Krayl (7-13) Ron Kornegay (1-6)
UNC Greensboro 2011-12 Wes Miller (11-11) Mike Dement (2-8)
North Carolina State 1964-65 Peter "Press" Maravich (20-4) Everett Case (1-1)
UNC Wilmington 2019-20 Rob Burke (5-8) C.B. McGrath (5-14)
Northern Illinois 2000-01 Andy Greer (4-16) Brian Hammel (1-6)
Oral Roberts 1982-83 Dick Acres (11-9) Ken Hayes (3-5)
Penn 2009-10 Jerome Allen (6-15) Glen Miller (0-7)
Portland 2020-21 Ben Johnson (0-4) Terry Porter (6-11)
Princeton 1944-45 Leonard Hattinger (5-8) William Logan (2-4)
Princeton 1960-61 Jake McCandless (9-6) Franklin "Cappy" Cappon (9-2)
St. John's 2003-04 Kevin Clark (4-17) Mike Jarvis (2-4)
Saint Mary's 1990-91 Dave Fehte (9-8) Paul Landreaux (4-9)
Sam Houston State 1988-89 Jeff Dittman (10-8) Gary Moss (2-8)
San Francisco 1970-71 Bob Gaillard (10-12) Phil Vukicevich (0-4)
San Francisco 2007-08 Eddie Sutton (6-13) Jessie Evans (4-8)
South Alabama 1994-95 Judas Prada (8-15) Ronnie Arrow (1-3)
South Carolina 1942-43 Rex Enright (10-6) Frank Johnson (2-0)
South Florida 1979-80 Gordon Gibbons (2-13) Hunter "Chip" Conner (4-8)
Southeast Missouri State 2008-09 Zac Roman (0-18) Scott Edgar (3-9)
Southeastern Louisiana 1987-88 Leo McClure (4-12) Newton Chelette (3-9)
Southern California 2004-05 Jim Saia (11-15) Henry Bibby (2-2)
Stetson 2000-01 Derek Waugh (14-8) Murray Arnold (4-4)
Tennessee State 1984-85 Ed Meyers (6-13) Ed Martin (3-6)
Tennessee State 2002-03 Hosea Lewis/Teresa Phillips (0-20) Nolan Richardson III (2-5)
Tennessee Tech 1988-89 Frank Harrell (8-17) Tom Deaton (2-3)
Texas 2022-23 Rodney Terry (22-8) Chris Beard (7-1)
Texas-El Paso 2017-18 Phil Johnson (10-15) Tim Floyd (1-5)
Tulsa 2004-05 Alvin "Pooh" Williamson (7-15) John Phillips (2-5)
UCLA 2018-19 Murry Bartow (10-10) Steve Alford (7-6)
UNLV 2000-01 Max Good (13-9) Bill Bayno (3-4)
Western Kentucky 2011-12 Ray Harper (11-8) Ken McDonald (5-11)
Wisconsin 2000-01 Brad Soderberg (16-10) Dick Bennett (2-1)
Wisconsin 2015-16 Greg Gard (15-8) William "Bo" Ryan (7-5)
Wofford 2022-23 Dwight Perry (12-12) Jay McAuley (5-4)

NOTE: UConn's Hugh Greer passed away.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 19 NFL Gridiron

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

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

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

DECEMBER 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Twin Peaks: Van Arsdales Rank as Best Set of Twin Brothers in NCAA History

When All-American Dick Van Arsdale recently passed away, it should have reminded fans he combined with brother Tom to comprise the foremost set of twins for same team in NCAA history. They finished their Indiana careers within 12 points of each other (1,252 and 1,240 from 1962-63 through 1964-65).

Six seasons ago, twins Caleb and Cody Martin propelled Nevada to a national ranking by combining for more than 33 ppg after transferring from North Carolina State. Caleb became Mountain West Conference player and newcomer of the year while Cody was named league defensive player of the year before making colossal contributions in Nevada setting an NCAA playoff-record comeback (erasing 22-point second-half deficit against Cincinnati).

The Martins are among following Top 15 most influential sets of twins at the same school: 1. Van Arsdale (Indiana); 2. O'Brien (Seattle); 3. Lopez (Stanford); 4. Morris (Kansas); 5. Collins (Stanford); 6. Graham (UCF/Oklahoma State); 7. Martin (North Carolina State/Nevada); 8. Hughes (Wisconsin); 9. Holmes (VMI); 10. Hayes (Western Carolina/Georgia); 11. Williams (VMI); 12. Kerr (Colorado State); 13. Stanley (Texas A&M); 14. Nelson (Duquesne); 15. Harrison (Kentucky).

Following is a chronological list of nation's 40-plus most outstanding sets of twins who played together at least one season on the same team:

  • George and Francis Coakley were members of Clemson's 1939 Southern Conference Tournament championship team. It is the Tigers' only league tourney title.
  • Howie and Lenny Rader competed for LIU in 1941-42. Howie was a starter but served in the U.S. Army the next year. Each of them went on to play multiple seasons in the NBL.
  • Clifford and Beauford Minx combined for 10.9 ppg for Missouri's 1944 NCAA Tournament team.
  • Forwards John and Rupe Ricksen combined to average 9.7 ppg for California in 1950-51, 15.9 ppg in 1951-52 and 18.4 ppg in 1952-53. The Bears won at least 16 games each of their seasons together. They were co-captains as seniors when Cal captured the PCC South Division title and John earned first-team all-conference status.
  • Bantam-sized 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, 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.
  • Bob (8.6 ppg in 63 games) and Bill (7.5 ppg in 40 games) Gaines played together for Furman from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Each of them averaged 10.3 ppg as a senior.
  • Don and Pat Stanley combined for 17.3 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1959-60 and 24.8 ppg and 11.7 rpg in 1960-61 for Texas A&M. They earlier played at Kilgore when it won a national J.C. title.
  • Don and Doug Clemetson combined for 9.5 ppg with Stanford in 1960-61 and 11 ppg in 1961-62. The 16-6 Cardinal finished AAWU runner-up to UCLA, which wound up at the 1962 Final Four.
  • El and Mel Edmonds combined for 17.3 ppg and 6.9 rpg with Ole Miss from 1960-61 through 1962-63.
  • Tom and Dick 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 against Notre Dame. The Hoosiers went 19-5 their senior campaign. They each played 12 seasons in the NBA, where they both scored more than 14,200 points.
  • 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.
  • Barry and Garry Nelson combined for 21.7 ppg and 16.9 rpg for Duquesne teams compiling a 59-16 record from 1968-69 through 1970-71. Garry led the team in field-goal percentage all three seasons and in rebounding as a sophomore and junior.
  • 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.
  • Billy and Bobby Martin excelled for UNC-Wilmington in 1976-77 and 1977-78 after transferring from junior college. Bobby and Billy still rank among the school's all-time leaders in assists.
  • Harvey and Horace Grant combined for 16.4 ppg and 11.1 rpg as sophomores for Clemson's 16-13 NIT team in 1984-85. Harvey transferred after the season to a junior college before enrolling at Oklahoma. Each of them had long NBA careers.
  • Wichita State's Dwayne and Dwight Praylow combined for 16.3 ppg in 1987-88 (20-10 record) and 20.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg in 1988-89 (19-11 record).
  • Victor and Vincent Lee played for Northeast Louisiana from 1986-87 through 1988-89. Their best season was 1988-89 when they were juniors (9.1 ppg and 4.7 rpg).
  • Terry and Perry Dozier combined for 9.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg with South Carolina from 1986-87 through 1988-89.
  • 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 all-time top scorers.
  • Carl and Charles Thomas were among the top 40 scorers in Eastern Michigan history when they finished their careers following the 1990-91 campaign. They combined to average 16.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg in college before making brief stints in the NBA.
  • Sean and Shawn Wightman played together with Western Michigan for three years (1990-91 through 1992-93) after transferring from Illinois State. They combined for 17.9 ppg as juniors. Sean was the nation's top three-point marksman as a junior and led the Mid-American Conference in free-throw shooting as a senior.
  • Joe and Jon Ross played together with Notre Dame from 1990-91 through 1993-94. They combined for more than eight rebounds per game their last two seasons.
  • Sammie and Simeon Haley combined for 12.5 ppg and 8.8 rpg with Missouri's NCAA Tournament team in 1994-95 (20-9 record) and 14.6 ppg and 9.2 rpg for an NIT team in 1995-96 (18-15 record) after transferring from junior college.
  • Jim and David Jackson combined for 7.7 ppg and 3.6 rpg with Virginia Tech's NCAA Tournament team in 1995-96 (23-6 record) and 13.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 1996-97 (15-16).
  • Bill and Bob Jenkins combined for 14.9 ppg and 12.5 rpg with Valparaiso's NCAA playoff Sweet 16 team in 1997-98 (23-10 record).
  • Stanford's Jarron and Jason Collins combined for 19.3 ppg and 12.6 rpg in 1999-2000 before powering the Cardinal to a 31-3 record in 2000-01 with 27.3 ppg and 14.5 rpg.
  • Jarvis and Jonas Hayes combined for 25.1 ppg as freshmen with Western Carolina in 1999-2000. 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.
  • Joey and Stevie Graham combined for 25.3 ppg and 9.5 rpg as sophomores with Central Florida in 2001-02 before transferring to Oklahoma State. They 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.
  • Errick and Derrick Craven combined for 17.6 ppg and 7.5 rpg with Southern California in 2002-03, 17.2 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 2003-04 and 10.4 ppg and 4.5 rpg in 2004-05.
  • Reginald and Richard Delk collaborated for 14.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg with Mississippi State in 2005-06 and 2006-07 before they each transferred to different Southern universities.
  • Yale swingmen Caleb and Nick Holmes combined for 12.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 3.2 apg from 2004-05 through 2007-08.
  • 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 against 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.
  • 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.
  • La Salle's Jerrell and Terrell Williams combined for 12.3 ppg and 8.5 rpg from 2007-08 to 2009-10.
  • Charles and Philip Tabet combined for 7.2 ppg and 3 rpg with South Alabama in 2008-09 before falling off to 2.8 ppg with 4.5 rpg in 2009-10.
  • Philadelphia natives Markieff and Marcus Morris 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. Marcus was KU's leading scorer (17.2) and Markieff its leading rebounder (8.3) for the Jayhawks' 2011 Big 12 champion.
  • David and Travis Wear combined for 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg as freshmen for North Carolina in 2009-10 before transferring to UCLA, where they collaborated for 18 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 2012-13 and 13.8 ppg and 7 rpg in 2013-14.
  • Charlie (freshman RS in 2009-10) and Colin Reddick combined for 7.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg with Furman in 2010-11, 14.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg in 2011-12 and 22.1 ppg and 11.5 rpg in 2012-13.
  • Aaron and Andrew Harrison combined for 24.6 ppg as freshmen in 2013-14 and 20.3 ppg as sophomores on a couple of Kentucky Final Four squads.
  • Marcus and Michael Weathers combined for 26.4 ppg and 10.2 rpg with Miami OH in 2016-17 before transferring to different schools.
  • Jacob and Kalob Ledoux combined for 19.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg for McNeese State in 2016-17 and 2017-18 before transferring.
  • Kalib and Keylan Boone combined for 12 ppg and 7 rpg for Oklahoma State from 2019-20 through 2021-22 before Keylan transferred to Pacific.
  • Keegan and Kris Murray combined for 23 ppg and 11 rpg for Iowa in 2020-21 and 2021-22 before Keegan declared early for the NBA draft.

NOTE: Triplets Kameron (Brown)/Kendall/Kyle Chones started college in 2003-04. Kendall and Kyle combined for 14.7 ppg and 8 rpg with Colgate in that initial season and from 2005-06 through 2007-08.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 18 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 18 in football at the professional level (including multiple ex-college hoopers in 1966, 2004 and 2016 with emphasis on Dolphins, Redskins and Steelers):

DECEMBER 18

  • St. Louis Cardinals DE Bubba Baker (averaged 4.1 ppg and 3.5 rpg as forward-center for Colorado State from 1974-75 through 1977-78) posted three sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1983 season finale.

  • Washington Redskins TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had four pass receptions for 61 yards in a 35-20 setback against the Minnesota Vikings in 1976 divisional round playoff game. Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) passed for 298 yards - including two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two first-half touchdown passes in a 35-19 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1999.

  • Cleveland Browns rookie WR Greg Little (collected five points and five rebounds in 10 basketball games for North Carolina in 2007-08 under coach Roy Williams) caught a career-long 76-yard touchdown pass in 20-17 setback against the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. Little finished game with five receptions for 131 yards.

  • Boston Patriots rookie SE Oscar Lofton (collected 31 points and 30 rebounds in 12 games for Southeastern Louisiana in 1958-59) caught two third-quarter touchdown passes (37 and 39 yards) in a 37-21 AFL setback against the Houston Oilers in 1960 season finale.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned a fumble recovery 60 yards for touchdown in 34-31 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had five pass receptions for 149 yards in a 33-30 win against the New York Giants in 2004.

  • Green Bay Packers CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) had a career-high eight tackles in 30-27 win against the Chicago Bears in 2016.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers LB Bill Saul (averaged 6.1 ppg for Penn State in 1959-60) returned an interception eight yards in 57-33 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1966 season finale.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie QB John Stofa (averaged 5.8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Buffalo in 1961-62) passed for 307 yards and four touchdowns in a 29-28 AFL win against the Houston Oilers in 1966 season finale.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Erik Swoope (averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Miami FL from 2010-11 through 2013-14) caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck in 34-6 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 2016.

  • Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) had three sacks in a 24-20 win against the New York Jets in 2005.

Lethal Lefthanded Fraternity: Most Prolific Southpaw Hoopers in NCAA History

As a polarized country careens out of control in municipalities leaning to the political left, will some college basketball clubs propel themselves in rankings via left-handed players? People write what they're going to write. Will big tech allow such an online question to generate incisive feedback if query originates from Trump supporter who believes prayerful #NannyPathetic really is bat-spit crazy (let alone vile and vindictive when not digesting deluxe ice cream similar to Plagiarist Biledumb or trying to discern which amount of money is "crumbs" whether or not secured via insider trading)? There are a slew of sterling southpaws again this season. In mid-December, the top three scorers for #1-ranked Auburn are lefties as are the leading three scorers in the nation plus perhaps the premier pro prospect (Rutgers' Dylan Harper) plus Marquette sensation Kam Jones.

Come on, man! In the scam-artist political arena sans self-awareness, Duke has had its share of "political leftist" graduates among the predictably pathetic press and pundits including "crazy commentators" David Brooks (conservative author my #NYSlimes fake-news a__), Seth Davis, David Gergen, Melissa Harris-Perry, Charlie Rose, Howard Wolfson and Judy Woodruff. In the basketball arena, Marvin Bagley III/R.J. Barrett/Vernon Carey Jr./Zion Williamson continued a recent run of regal left-handers entertaining Cameron Crazies including Rodney Hood, Justise Winslow and Luke Kennard. Studies show lefties may have an advantage in sports.

Unless nearsighted dolt covered fact from public with ISIS black burka or bomb vest like detonating dad/deceased demon Al-Baghdadi (austere religious scholar according to #WashingtonCompost), nearly 90% of humans are right-handed. In a quest to support an exempt-from-criticism minority, right thinkers need to discern where one-and-done players will eventually rank among southpaws in NCAA history driving-in-left-lane mix. At any rate, did you know four of five presidents from Reagan to Obama were left-handed? Using guerrilla or gorilla tactics, leftist lunatics will again claim imaginary racism because the #AudacityofHype isn't included but former Duke All-Americans Johnny Dawkins and Jack Marin are among the following alphabetical list of all-time top 250 or so hoop lefties (who should have been coached, of course, by Duke graduate Lefty Driesell):

Lefthanded Hooper, School (College Career Statistics)
Richie Adams, UNLV (12.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 52.9 FG% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Justin Anderson, Virginia (8.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 35.7 3FG% from 2012-13 through 2014-15)
Kenny Anderson, Georgia Tech (23 ppg and 7 apg in 1989-90 and 1990-91)
Mark Anglavar, Marquette (8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 81 FT% and 43.1 3FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Greg Anthony, Portland/UNLV (12.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 6.9 apg, 2.4 spg and 37.9 3FG% from 1986-87 through 1990-91)
Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Texas-El Paso (20 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 50.7 FG% from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
Brandon Armstrong, Pepperdine (18.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 spg, 82.4 FT% and 39.1 3FG% in 1999-00 and 2000-01)
Stacey Augmon, UNLV (13.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
James Augustine, Illinois (10.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 61.7 FG% from 2002-03 through 2005-06)
William "Bird" Averitt, Pepperdine (31.4 ppg and 4.9 rpg in 1971-72 and 1972-73)
Luke Babbitt, Nevada (19.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 89.3 FT% and 42.1 3FG% in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Marvin Bagley III, Duke (21 ppg, 11.1 rpg and 61.4 FG% in 2017-18)
Kamar Baldwin, Butler (14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.6 spg and 80.4 FT% from 2016-17 through 2018-19)
Mitch Ballock, Creighton (9.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.6 apg and 38.4 3FG% in 2017-18 and 2018-19)
Scott Barnes, Fresno State (11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.1 apg and 51.9 FG% in 1983-84 and 1984-85)
Dick Barnett, Tennessee State
R.J. Barrett, Duke (22.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 4.3 apg in 2018-19)
Jarvis Basnight, UNLV (8.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 60.8 FG% from 1985-86 through 1987-88)
Tim Bassett, Georgia (14.4 ppg, 13.6 rpg and 2.5 apg in 1971-72 and 1972-73)
Kenny Battle, Northern Illinois/Illinois (17.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.3 spg and 56.9 FG% from 1984-85 through 1988-89)
Frankie Baumholtz, Ohio University (16.4 ppg from 1938-39 through 1940-41)
Kent Bazemore, Old Dominion (10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg from 2008-09 from 2011-12)
Michael Beasley, Kansas State (26.2 ppg, 12.4 rpg and 53.2 FG% in 2007-08)
Carl Belz, Princeton (17 ppg and 14 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59)
Tony Bennett, Wisconsin-Green Bay (19.4 ppg, 5.1 apg, 52.8 FG% and 84% FT% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Grant Benzinger, Wright State (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 83.7 FT% and 39.8 3FG% from 2014-15 through 2017-18)
Walter Berry, St. John's (20.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg and 58.1 FG% in 1984-85 and 1985-86)
Travis Best, Georgia Tech (16.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 80.9 FT% and 39.3 3FG% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Glynn Blackwell, Illinois (8.8 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 spg and 50.5 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Nate Blackwell, Temple (13.2 ppg, 4.1 apg and 82.8 FT% from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Phillip Bond, Louisville (8.4 ppg, 4.6 apg and 81.7 FT% from 1972-73 through 1976-77)
Trevor Booker, Clemson (12.9 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.1 spg and 55.9 FG% from 2006-07 through 2009-10)
Calvin Booth, Penn State (11.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.8 bpg and 50.7 FG% from 1995-96 through 1998-99)
Chris Bosh, Georgia Tech (15.6 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.2 bpg and 56 FG% in 2002-03)
Freddie Boyd, Oregon State (15.3 ppg and 2.7 rpg from 1969-70 through 1971-72)
Charlie Bradley, South Florida (19.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 80.7 FT% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Matt Bradley, California/San Diego State (14.9 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 81.4 FT% and 39.1 3FG% from 2018-19 through 2022-23)
Adrian Branch, Maryland (16.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg and 2.4 apg from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Clyde Bradshaw, DePaul (9.3 ppg and 3.4 rpg from 1977-78 through 1980-81)
Ignas Brazdelkls, Michigan (14.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 39.2 3FG% in 2018-19)
J.R. Bremer, St. Bonaventure (15.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3 apg, 1.7 spg and 33.3 3FG% from 1998-99 through 2001-02)
Miles Bridges, Michigan State (17 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.4 apg and 37.5 3FG% in 2016-17 and 2017-18)
Allan Bristow, Virginia Tech (23.1 ppg and 12.7 rpg from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
De'Mon Brooks, Davidson (14.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 53.5 FG% from 2010-11 through 2013-14)
Derrick Brown, Xavier (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 57.3 FG% and 41.5 3FG% from 2006-07 through 2008-09)
Lewis Brown, UNLV (11.4 ppg and 9 rpg from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Wiley Brown, Louisville (5.7 ppg and 3.3 rpg from 1978-79 through 1981-82)
Jalen Brunson, Villanova (14.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 51 FG%, 82 FT% and 39.3 3FG% from 2015-16 through 2017-18)
Rick Brunson, Temple (12 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.8 apg and 2 spg from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Todd Burgan, Syracuse (12.5 ppg, 6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 35.9 3FG% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Pat Burke, Auburn (8.9 ppg and 6 rpg from 1993-94 through 1996-97)
Leland Byrd, West Virginia (11.5 ppg from 1944-45 through 1947-48)
Marty Byrnes, Syracuse (11 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 1974-75 through 1977-78)
Michael Cage, San Diego State (16.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg and 54.8 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Tim Cain, Manhattan (17.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 51.3 FG% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Adrian Caldwell, SMU/Lamar (8.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 55.6 FG% in 1986-87 and 1988-89)
Vernon Carey Jr., Duke (17.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.6 bpg and 57.7 FG% in 2019-20)
Matt Carlino, Brigham Young/Marquette (13.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.6 spg and 36 3FG% from 2011-12 through 2014-15)
Khadeen Carrington, Seton Hall (14 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg and 35.3 3FG% from 2014-15 through 2017-18)
Pat Carroll, St. Joseph's (12 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 44.5 3FG% from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
Maurice Carter, Louisiana State (12 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 35.4 3FG% from 1995-96 through 1998-99)
Siyani Chambers, Harvard (10.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.4 spg and 36.8 3FG% from 2012-13 through 2016-17)
Calbert Cheaney, Indiana (19.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 55.9 FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Pete Chudy, Syracuse (16.1 ppg and 7.2 rpg from 1958-59 through 1960-61)
Keon Clark, UNLV (14.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 3.5 bpg and 55.4 FG% in 1996-97 and 1997-98)
Jim Cleamons, Ohio State (18.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 54.2 FG% from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Keith Closs, Central Connecticut State (11.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 53.3 FG% in 1994-95 and 1995-96)
Amir Coffey, Minnesota (14.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 3.2 apg from 2016-17 through 2018-19)
Jerry Colangelo, Illinois (10.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 80.2 FT% from 1959-60 through 1961-62)
Derrick Coleman, Syracuse (15 ppg, 10.7 rpg and 56.8 FG% from 1986-87 through 1989-90)
Jason Collier, Indiana/Georgia Tech (13.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg and 36.9 3FG% from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
Mike Conley, Ohio State (11.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.1 apg, 2.2 spg and 51.8 FG% in 2006-07)
Steve Connor, Boise State (17.8 ppg from 1974-75 through 1977-78; finished among top five in Big Sky Conference in assists per game each of his last three seasons)
Jaraan Cornell, Purdue (12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.2 apg and 36.9 3FG% from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
James Cotton, Long Beach State (18.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 80 FT% and 36.9 3FG% from 1993-94 through 1996-97)
Dave Cowens, Florida State (19 ppg, 17.2 rpg and 51.9 FG% from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
John Crotty, Virginia (12.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.3 apg and 34.6 3FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Billy Cunningham, North Carolina (24.8 ppg and 15.4 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65)
Bill Curley, Boston College (16.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 56.5 FG% from 1990-91 through 1993-94)
Erik Daniels, Kentucky (8.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg and 55.9 FG% from 2000-01 through 2003-04)
Ed Davis, North Carolina (9.2 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.1 bpg and 54.8 FG% in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Josh Davis, North Carolina State/Tulane/San Diego State (10 ppg and 8.1 rpg from 2009-10 through 2013-14)
Johnny Dawkins, Duke (19.2 ppg, 4 rpg and 50.8 FG% from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
James Donaldson, Washington State (8.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 54.2 FG% from 1975-76 through 1978-79)
Sam Dower, Gonzaga (9.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 56.2 FG% from 2010-11 through 2013-14)
Ralph Drollinger, UCLA (7.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Jerry Eaves, Louisville (9.7 ppg, 2.6 apg and 50.5 FG% from 1978-79 through 1981-82)
Leroy "Cowboy" Edwards, Kentucky (16.3 ppg in 1934-35)
Nick Emery, Brigham Young (12.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 81.5 FT% and 37.5 3FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19)
Brian Evans, Indiana (13.7 ppg, 6 rpg and 80 FT% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
C.J. Fair, Syracuse (11.6 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 1.1 spg from 2011 through 2013-14)
Desmon Farmer, Southern California (13.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 33.8 3FG% from 2000-01 through 2003-04)
Kay Felder, Oakland (17.5 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 7.8 apg, 1.6 spg, 82.2 FT% and 34.5 3FG% from 2013-14 through 2015-16)
Henry "Hank" Finkel, Dayton (23.7 ppg, 13.3 rpg and 61.8 FG% from 1963-64 through 1965-66)
Matt Fish, UNC Wilmington (11.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 59.8 FG% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Derek Fisher, UALR (12.4 ppg and 4.2 apg from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Jerry Fleishman, NYU
Chico Fletcher, Arkansas State (12.9 ppg and 7.8 apg from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
Damon Flint, Cincinnati (10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.2 spg from 1993-94 through 1996-97)
Courtney Fortson, Arkansas (16 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.9 apg and 1.2 spg in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Jimmy Foster, Connecticut (16 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 3.6 apg in 1972-73 and 1973-74)
De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky (16.7 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.6 apg and 1.5 spg in 2016-17)
Trent Frazier, Illinois (13.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg and 37.8 3FG% in 2017-18 and 2018-19)
Todd Fuller, North Carolina State (13.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 80 FT% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Lawrence Funderburke, Indiana/Ohio State (14.5 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg and 53.8 FG% from 1989-90 through 1993-94)
Chris Gatling, Old Dominion (21.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 60.6 FG% from 1988-89 through 1990-91)
Joe Gibbon, Mississippi (18.9 ppg and 9.6 rpg from 1953-54 through 1956-57)
Artis Gilmore, Jacksonville (24.3 ppg, 22.7 rpg and 57.4 FG% in 1969-70 and 1970-71)
Thomas Gipson, Kansas State (9.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 53.3 FG% from 2011-12 through 2014-15)
Jack "Goose" Givens, Kentucky (16.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 51.5 FG% from 1974-75 through 1977-78)
Robert Godbolt, Louisiana Tech (11.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 57.4 FG% from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Gail Goodrich, UCLA (19 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65)
Ricky Grace, Oklahoma (13 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 6.5 apg, 2.5 spg and 38.5 3FG% in 1986-87 and 1987-88)
Devin Gray, Clemson (14.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 spg and 54.6 FG% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Johnny Green, Michigan State (16.9 ppg and 16.4 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59)
Lynn Greer, Temple (15.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 85.2 FT% and 39.8 3FG% from 1997-98 through 2001-02)
Kevin Grevey, Kentucky (21.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 51.7 FG% from 1972-73 through 1974-75)
Adrian Griffin, Seton Hall (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg and 50.6 FG% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Tony Gwynn, San Diego State (8.6 ppg, 2 rpg, 4.7 apg and 1.8 spg from 1977-78 through 1980-81)
Rudy Hackett, Syracuse (16.6 ppg, 11 rpg and 55.1 FG% from 1972-73 through 1974-75)
Steve Hale, North Carolina (7.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 52 FG% and 81.3 FT% from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
Shaler Halimon, Utah State (25.2 ppg and 10.2 rpg in 1966-67 and 1967-68)
Devon Hall, Virginia (6.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 80.7 FT% and 38.9 3FG% from 2014-15 through 2017-18)
Roy Hamilton, UCLA (12.5 ppg and 4.7 apg from 1975-76 through 1978-79)
Steve Hamilton, Morehead State (17.9 ppg and 16.4 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58)
Zendon Hamilton, St. John's (15.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Julian Hammond, Tulsa (12.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 62.7 FG% in 1964-65 and 1965-66)
James Harden, Arizona State (19 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 50.6 FG% in 2007-08 and 2008-09)
Jerrick Harding, Weber State (18.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 37.2 3FG% from 2016-17 through 2019-20)
Jerry Harkness, Loyola of Chicago (21.6 ppg and 8.2 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63)
Othella Harrington, Georgetown (13.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.5 bpg and 56.1 FG% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Donnell Harvey, Florida (10.1 ppg, 7 rpg and 50.7 FG% in 1999-00)
Juaquin Hawkins, Long Beach State (6.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2 apg and 1.7 spg from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Robert "Bubbles" Hawkins, Illinois State (14.9 ppg and 4.1 rpg from 1972-73 through 1974-75)
Desmond Haymon, Stephen F. Austin (10.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg from 2010-11 through 2013-14)
August "Bud" Heineman, Missouri (8.5 ppg from 1948-49 through 1950-51)
James "Skip" Henderson, Marshall (20.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 50.9 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Mark Hendrickson, Washington State (13.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 56.7 FG% and 37.4 3FG% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Al Henry, Wisconsin (11.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
Xavier Henry, Kansas (13.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.5 spg and 41.8 3FG% in 2009-10)
Mustapha Heron, Auburn/St. John's (15.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg from 2016-17 through 2018-19)
Bobby Joe Hill, Texas Western (10.9 ppg from 1964-65 to 1966-67)
Thomas Hill, Duke (11.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 51.9 FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Robert Hite, Miami FL (14.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 spg, 84.8 FT% and 38.4 3FG% from 2002-03 through 2005-06)
Darington Hobson, New Mexico (15.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg in 2009-10)
Blake Hoffarber, Minnesota (9.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2 apg, 80.2 FT% and 41 3FG% from 2007-08 through 2010-11)
Ronnie Hogue, Georgia (17.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
Randy Holcomb, Fresno State/San Diego State (12.5 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 1998-99 through 2001-02)
Wilbur Holland, New Orleans
Lionel Hollins, Arizona State (17 ppg and 3.3 rpg in 1973-74 and 1974-75)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Arizona (10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg in 2013-14 and 2014-15)
John Holloran, George Washington (13.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 51.2 FG% and 80.3 FT% from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Jason Holsinger, Evansville (12.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.3 apg, 83.6 FT% and 39 3FG% from 2005-06 through 2008-09)
Michael Holton, UCLA (7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 51.1 FG% from 1979-80 through 1982-83)
Rodney Hood, Mississippi State/Duke (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.1 apg and 39.6 3FG% in 2011-12 and 2013-14)
Stephen Howard, DePaul (13.4 ppg and 7 rpg from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Kim Hughes, Wisconsin (13.6 ppg and 11.2 rpg from 1971-72 through 1973-74)
Andre Hutson, Michigan State (10.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg and 60.9 FG% from 1997-98 through 2000-01)
Darrall Imhoff, California (10 ppg and 9.5 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60)
Luke Jackson, Oregon (15.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg and 84.9 FT% from 2000-01 through 2003-04)
Phil Jackson, North Dakota
Rick Jackson, Syracuse (8.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.8 bpg and 59.1 FG% from 2007-08 through 2010-11)
Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana (17.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.1 bpg and 56.5 FG% from 2019-20 through 2022-23)
Joe Jakubick, Akron (23.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 50.9 FG% and 81.2 FT% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Bernard James, Florida State (9.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 2.4 bpg and 62.7 FG% in 2010-11 and 2011-12)
Chris Jent, Ohio State (8.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 38.2 3FG% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Justinian Jessup, Boise State (12 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 81.5 FT% and 40.6 3FG% from 2016-17 to 2019-20)
Armon Johnson, Nevada (14.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 4.4 apg from 2007-08 through 2009-10)
Avery Johnson, Southern LA (9.2 ppg and 12 apg in 1986-87 and 1987-88)
B.J. Johnson, Syracuse/La Salle (13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 84.3 FT% from 2013-14 through 2017-18)
Chris Johnson, Dayton (10.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 82.6 FT% and 37.1 3FG% from 2008-09 through 2011-12)
Tyler Johnson, Fresno State (10.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg and 37.2 3FG% from 2010-11 through 2013-14)
Derrick Jones Jr., UNLV (11.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 58.9 FG% in 2015-16)
Terrence Jones, Kentucky (14 ppg, 8 rpg and 1.2 spg in 2010-11 and 2011-12)
DeAndre Jordan, Texas A&M (7.9 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.3 bpg and 61.7 FG% in 2007-08)
Marcus Jordan, UCF (12.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 2.7 apg from 2009-10 through 2011-12)
Reggie Jordan, New Mexico State (12.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.2 apg and 1.9 spg in 1989-90 and 1990-91)
Kerem Kanter, Green Bay/Xavier (7.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 53.1 FG% from 2014-15 through 2017-18)
Gary Keller, Florida (14.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67)
Ron Kellogg, Kansas (11.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 52.9 FG% and 82.8 FT% from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
Luke Kennard, Duke (15.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2 apg, 86.7 FT% and 38.3 3FG% in 2015-16 and 2016-17)
D.J. Kennedy, St. John's (11.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.4 spg and 35.8 3FG% from 2007-08 through 2010-11)
Stacey King, Oklahoma (17.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 51.6 FG% from 1985-86 through 1988-89)
Nick Kladis, Loyola of Chicago (12.8 ppg from 1949-50 through 1951-52)
Toby Knight, Notre Dame (9.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 51.1 FG% from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Tyler Kolek, George Mason/Marquette (11.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.2 apg, 1.5 spg and 81.9 FT% from 2020-21 through 2023-24)
Milo Komenich, Wyoming (14.7 ppg from 1941-42 through 1945-46)
Howard "Butch" Komives, Bowling Green (25.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg and 84.7 FT% from 1961-62 through 1963-64)
Cameron Krutweg, Loyola of Chicago (13.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.8 apg and 59 FG% from 2017-18 through 2020-21)
Raef LaFrentz, Kansas (15.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Walker Lambiotte, North Carolina State/Northwestern (10.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.2 spg and 50.9 FG% from 1985-86 through 1989-90)
Keith Langford, Kansas (13.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.4 apg from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
Bob Lanier, St. Bonaventure (27.6 ppg, 15.7 rpg and 57.6 FG% from 1967-68 through 1969-70)
Byron Larkin, Xavier (22.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Acie Law IV, Texas A&M (13.7 ppg and 4.5 apg from 2003-04 through 2006-07)
Dennis "Mo" Layton, Southern California (17.1 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 1969-70 and 1970-71)
Hal Lear, Temple (19 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
David Lee, Florida (11.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2 apg and 58.1 FG% from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
James Lee, Kentucky (8.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 53.7 FG% from 1974-75 through 1977-78)
Ron Lee, Oregon (18.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Leroy "Axle" Leslie, Notre Dame (13.5 ppg from 1949-50 through 1951-52)
Tommie Liddell III, Saint Louis (12.4 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg and 37.1 3FG% from 2005-06 through 2008-09)
Kevin Lisch, Saint Louis (13.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 81 FT% and 39.5 3FG% from 2005-06 through 2008-09)
Rahim Lockhart, Mississippi (9.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.1 bpg and 56.1 FG% from 1997-98 through 2000-01)
Kenneth Lofton Jr., Louisiana Tech (14.3 ppg, 9 rpg, 2.1 apg and 55 FG% in 2020-21 and 2021-22)
Brad Lohaus, Iowa (6.3 ppg and 4.6 rpg from 1982-83 through 1986-87)
Ryan Lorthridge, Jackson State (11.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg and 2.6 apg from 1991-92 through 1993-94)
John Lucas Jr., Maryland (18.3 ppg, 4.7 apg and 52.5 FG% from 1972-73 through 1975-76)
Ray Lumpp, NYU (14.1 ppg in 1947-48 after career interrupted by serving in U.S. military during WWII)
Durand "Rudy" Macklin, Louisiana State (16.9 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 59.5 FG% from 1976-77 through 1980-81)
Randy Mahaffey, Clemson (16 ppg and 9.7 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67)
Jack Marin, Duke (14.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 50 FG% from 1963-64 through 1965-66)
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina (7.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 8 apg, 1.1 spg and 36.6 3FG% in 2010-11 and 2011-12)
Darrick Martin, UCLA (9.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 4.9 apg and 1.4 spg from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Scott Martin, Purdue/Notre Dame (9 ppg and 4.9 rpg from 2007-08 through 2012-13)
Anthony Mason, Tennessee State (18.7 ppg and 8.1 rpg from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island (14.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg from 2013-14 through 2017-18)
Don May, Dayton (22 ppg and 14.5 rpg from 1965-66 through 1967-68)
Bob McCann, Morehead State (17.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg and 52.4 FG% from 1984-85 through 1986-87)
Dwayne McClain, Villanova (12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg and 57.5 FG% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Julius McCoy, Michigan State (20.9 ppg from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
Bob McCurdy, Virginia/Richmond (19.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 56 FG% from 1971-72 through 1974-75)
Greg McDougald, Oral Roberts (14.1 ppg and 9.3 rpg in 1972-73 and 1973-74)
Ken "Mouse" McFadden, Cleveland State (19.3 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4 apg, 2.1 spg and 39.6 3FG% from 1985-86 through 1988-89)
Mitch McGary, Michigan (7.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.2 spg and 58.8 FG% in 2012-13 and 2013-14)
Terrell McIntyre, Clemson (14.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg and 37.2 3FG% from 1995-96 through 1998-99)
Billy McKinney, Northwestern (18.6 ppg, 3 rpg and 2.3 apg from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Tom McMillen, Maryland (20.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg and 55.5 FG% from 1971-72 through 1973-74)
Mark McNamara, Santa Clara/California (16.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 63.4 FG% from 1977-78 through 1981-82)
Bob McNeill, St. Joseph's (17.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 81.9 FT% from 1957-58 through 1959-60)
Paul McPherson, DePaul (11.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.6 spg and 53 FG% in 1999-00)
Josh McRoberts, Duke (10.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.9 bpg and 54 FG% in 2005-06 and 2006-07)
Gary Melchionni, Duke (10.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg and 83.5 FT% from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
Leland "Lee" Melear, Virginia Tech (11.7 ppg and 4 rpg from 1960-61 through 1962-63)
Julius Michalik, Iowa State (14.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 53.4 FG% and 82.5 FT% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Pete Mickeal, Cincinnati (14.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 spg and 54.5 FG% in 1998-99 and 1999-00)
Bob Miller, Cincinnati (12.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 56.1 FG% from 1974-75 through 1977-78)
Larry Miller, North Carolina (21.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 51.5 FG% from 1965-66 through 1967-68)
Harold Miner, Southern California (23.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 81.4 FT% from 1989-90 through 1991-92)
Steve Mix, Toledo (23 ppg, 11.9 rpg and 53.3 FG% from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Cuttino Mobley, Rhode Island (14.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg, 82.1 FT% and 35.4 3FG% from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Jerome Moiso, UCLA (12 ppg and 6.8 rpg in 1998-99 and 1999-00)
Greg Monroe, Georgetown (14.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 54.3 FG% in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Mike Moran, Marquette (18.6 ppg and 9.2 rpg from 1956-57 through 1958-59)
Jackie Moreland, Louisiana Tech
Shabazz Muhammad, UCLA (17.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 37.7 3FG% in 2012-13)
Chris Mullin, St. John's (19.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 55 FG% and 84.8 FT% from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Troy Murphy, Notre Dame (21.4 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 1998-99 through 2000-01)
Kris Murray, Iowa (12.1 ppg and 5 rpg from 2020-21 through 2022-23)
Lee Nailon, Texas Christian (23.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 53.2 FG% in 1997-98 and 1998-99)
Drew Neitzel, Michigan State (11.1 ppg, 2 rpg, 4.2 apg, 86.6 FT% and 39.9 3FG% from 2004-05 through 2007-08)
Jack Nichols, Southern California/Washington (11.2 ppg from 1944-45 through 1947-48)
Carl Nicks, Indiana State (16.8 ppg, 3 rpg and 1.5 spg from 1976-77 through 1979-80
Martyn "Moochie" Norris, Auburn (12.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.8 spg and 35.4 3FG% in 1994-95)
Zach Norvell Jr., Gonzaga (13.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 83.6 FT% and 37 3FG% in 2017-18 and 2018-19)
Kendrick Nunn, Illinois/Oakland (14.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 82.1 FT% and 38.6 3FG% from 2013-14 through 2017-18)
Ed O'Bannon, UCLA (15.5 ppg, 7 rpg and 51.3 FG% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Lamar Odom, Rhode Island (17.6 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.5 bpg in 1998-99)
Carlos "Bud" Ogden, Santa Clara (18.2 ppg and 8.8 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Dean Oliver, Iowa (12.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg and 36.8 3FG% from 1997-98 through 2000-01)
Kelly Oubre Jr., Kansas (9.3 ppg, 5 rpg, 1.1 spg and 35.8 3FG% in 2014-15)
Carlton "Silk" Owens, Rhode Island (17.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.2 apg and 46.2 3FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Eddie Owens, UNLV (18.8 ppg, 5.1 rpg and 51.7 FG% from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Josh Pace, Syracuse (7.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.2 spg from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
Victor Page, Georgetown (17.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 1.9 spg in 1995-96 and 1996-97)
Marcus Paige, North Carolina (13.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 84.8 FT% and 37.4 3FG% from 2012-13 through 2015-16)
Andrew Parker, Iowa State (15 ppg and 4.4 rpg from 1975-76 through 1978-79)
Tom Parker, Kentucky (15.5 ppg and 8.3 rpg from 1969-70 through 1971-72)
Cameron Payne, Murray State (18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.7 apg and 1.8 spg in 2013-14 and 2014-15)
Gary Payton II, Oregon State (14.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 4.1 apg and 2.8 spg in 2014-15 and 2015-16)
Anthony Peeler, Missouri (16.8 ppg and 5.1 rpg from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
John "Jake" Pelkington, Manhattan
Sam Perkins, North Carolina (15.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 57.6 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Elliot Perry, Memphis (17.5 ppg, 4.3 apg and 34.5 3FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Morris Peterson, Michigan State (11.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 37.7 3FG% from 1995-96 through 1999-00)
Derrick Phelps, North Carolina (7.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.9 spg from 1990-91 through 1993-94)
Shamorie Ponds, St. John's (19.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.3 apg and 2.3 spg from 2016-17 through 2018-19)
Trevor Powell, Marquette (14 ppg, 6.8 rpg and 53.4 FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
J.P. Prince, Arizona/Tennessee (7.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.5 apg and 1.2 spg from 2005-06 through 2009-10)
Tayshaun Prince, Kentucky (13.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 32.9 3FG% from 1998-99 through 2001-02)
Darryl Prue, West Virginia (11.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.8 spg and 55.8 FG% from 1985-86 through 1988-89)
Julius Randle, Kentucky (15 ppg, 10.4 rpg and 50.1 FG% in 2013-14)
Anthony Randolph, Louisiana State (15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 2.3 bpg in 2007-08)
Zach Randolph, Michigan State (10.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 58.7 FG% in 2000-01)
Michael Redd, Ohio State (19.6 ppg and 6.2 rpg from 1997-98 through 1999-00)
Dexter Reed, Memphis State (16.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg from 1973-74 through 1976-77)
Willis Reed, Grambling (18.7 ppg, 15.2 rpg and 59.7 FG% from 1960-61 through 1963-64)
Don Rehfeldt, Wisconsin (14.4 ppg from 1944-45 through 1949-50)
Kareem Reid, Arkansas (11.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 5.7 apg and 1.9 spg from 1995-96 through 1998-99)
Robbie Reid, Brigham Young/Michigan (9.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.3 spg and 38.7 3FG% from 1993-94 through 1998-99)
Terrence Rencher, Texas (18.6 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.5 apg and 2.1 spg from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Johnny Rhodes, Maryland (14.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.8 spg and 33.4 3FG% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Lafester Rhodes, Iowa State (11.1 ppg and 4 rpg from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Tyrese Rice, Boston College (15.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.2 spg, 82.5 FT% and 35.3 3FG% from 2005-06 through 2008-09)
Tom Riker, South Carolina (15.8 ppg, 9.1 rpg and 51.7 FG% from 1969-70 through 1971-72)
Mike Riordan, Providence (11.2 ppg and 8.2 rpg from 1964-65 through 1966-67)
Terrence Roberts, Syracuse (7.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 54 FG% from 2003-04 through 2006-07)
Bernard Robinson, Michigan (12.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3 apg, 1.4 spg and 81.4 FT% from 2000-01 through 2003-04)
David Robinson, Navy (21 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 61.3 FG% from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Justin Robinson, Virginia Tech (11.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.5 apg and 38.5 3FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19)
Dave Robisch, Kansas (21.1 ppg and 9.8 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Guy Rodgers, Temple (19.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg from 1955-56 through 1957-58)
Rodney Rogers, Wake Forest (19.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg and 57.9 FG% from 1990-91 through 1992-93)
Garry Roggenburk, Dayton (16.1 ppg and 11.8 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62)
Jalen Rose, Michigan (17.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1991-92 through 1993-94)
Bob Rule, Colorado State (15.4 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 51.8 FG% in 1965-66 and 1966-67)
Kareem Rush, Missouri (18.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg and 42.2 3FG% from 1999-00 through 2001-02)
Bill Russell, San Francisco (20.7 ppg, 20.3 rpg and 51.6 FG% from 1953-54 through 1955-56)
D'Angelo Russell, Ohio State (19.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 5 apg, 1.6 spg and 41.1 3FG% in 2014-15)
Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga (13.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg and 63.2 FG% in 2014-15 and 2015-16)
Juan "Pepe" Sanchez, Temple (8.5 ppg and 5.9 apg from 1996-97 through 1999-00)
Chris Sandle, Arizona State/Texas-El Paso (13.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 50.1 FG% from 1984-85 through 1987-88)
Steve Scheffler, Purdue (10.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 68.5 FG% from 1986-87 through 1989-90)
Baylor Scheierman, South Dakota State/Creighton (13.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 3.6 apg, 82 FT% and 39 3FG% from 2019-20 through 2023-24)
Ronnie Schmitz, UMKC (17.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg and 39.9 3FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Ansu Sesay, Mississippi (13 ppg and 6.4 rpg from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Jaden Shackelford, Alabama (15.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg from 2019-20 through 2021-22)
Lynn Shackelford, UCLA (9.7 ppg and 5 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
Craig "Big Sky" Shelton, Georgetown (15.2 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 59.1 FG% from 1976-77 through 1979-80)
Aubrey Sherrod, Wichita State (14.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.3 apg and 1.3 spg from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Mike Silliman, Army (19.7 ppg and 11.5 rpg from 1963-64 through 1965-66)
Ben Simmons, Louisiana State (19.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2 spg and 56 FG% in 2015-16)
Willie Simmons, Louisiana Tech (10.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.4 bpg from 1981-82 through 1984-85)
Al Skinner, Massachusetts (15.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 4.1 apg and 55.7 FG% from 1971-72 through 1973-74)
Keith Smith, Loyola Marymount (18 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 5.4 apg and 1.3 spg from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
Lenzelle Smith Jr., Ohio State (7.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 35.2 3FG% from 2010-11 through 2013-14)
Michael Smith, Providence (11.8 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.1 bpg and 55.4 FG% from 1990-91 through 1993-94)
Willie Smith, Missouri (23.9 ppg and 5.6 rpg in 1974-75 and 1975-76)
Elmore Spencer, Georgia/UNLV (10.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 bpg and 60.3 FG% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
Larry Spriggs, Howard University (14.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 52.1 FG% from 1978-79 through 1980-81)
TJ Starks, Texas A&M (11 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2.8 apg in 2017-18 and 2018-19)
Terrell Stoglin, Maryland (16.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 80 FT% and 37.7 3FG% in 2010-11 and 2011-12)
Damon Stoudamire, Arizona (15 ppg, 5.4 apg and 80.4 FT% from 1991-92 through 1994-95)
Salim Stoudamire, Arizona (15.2 ppg, 87 FT% and 45.8 3FG% from 2001-02 through 2004-05)
Erick Strickland, Nebraska (12.5 ppg, 4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2 spg and 34.9 3FG% from 1992-93 through 1995-96)
Levern "Jelly" Tart, Bradley (14.4 ppg and 8.6 rpg from 1961-62 through 1963-64)
Deshaun Thomas, Ohio State (14.4 ppg, 5 rpg, 80.2 FT% and 34.2 3FG% from 2010-11 through 2012-13)
Elijah Thomas, Texas A&M/Clemson (10.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 bpg and 58.6 FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19)
Isaiah Thomas, Washington (16.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4 apg and 1.2 spg from 2008-09 through 2010-11)
Bernard Thompson, Fresno State (12 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.2 spg and 57.7 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Brooks Thompson, Texas A&M/Oklahoma State (13.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.2 spg and 40 3FG% from 1989-90 through 1993-94)
Stephen Thompson, Syracuse (13.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.3 spg and 56 FG% from 1986-87 through 1989-90)
Tres Tinkle, Oregon State (17.7 ppg, 7 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg from 2015-16 through 2019-20)
Wayman Tisdale, Oklahoma (25.6 ppg, 10.1 rpg and 57.8 FG% from 1982-83 through 1984-85)
Jeff Trepagnier, Southern California (10.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg and 1.9 spg from 1997-98 through 2000-01)
Kerry Trotter, Marquette (10.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.3 spg from 1982-83 through 1985-86)
Azuolas Tubelis, Arizona (15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 54.4 FG% from 2020-21 through 2022-23)
Jeff Turner, Vanderbilt (10.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 50.6 FG% from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Nick Van Exel, Cincinnati (15.2 ppg, 3.6 apg and 35.8 3FG% in 1991-92 and 1992-93)
Mark Wade, Oklahoma/UNLV (3.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 8.5 apg and 1.9 spg from 1983-84 through 1986-87)
Neal Walk, Florida (20.8 ppg and 15.3 rpg from 1966-67 through 1968-69)
CJ Walker, Florida State/Ohio State (6.5 ppg, 2 rpg and 1.9 apg in 2016-17 and 2017-18)
Rex Walters, Northwestern/Kansas (13.4 ppg, 3.6 apg, 83.7 FT% and 42.6 3FG% from 1988-89 through 1992-93)
Paul Walther, Tennessee (12.9 ppg from 1944-45 through 1948-49)
Nick Ward, Michigan State (13.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 60.5 FG% from 2016-17 through 2018-19)
Kyle Washington, North Carolina State/Cincinnati (9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.1 bpg and 37.2 3FG% from 2013-14 through 2017-18)
Thorpe Weber, Vanderbilt (15.5 ppg and 8.6 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Bob Weiss, Penn State (16.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg from 1962-63 through 1964-65)
Delonte West, Saint Joseph's (13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 83.1 FT% and 37.7 3FG% from 2001-02 through 2003-04)
Tyson Wheeler, Rhode Island (15.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.6 spg and 37.1 3FG% from 1994-95 through 1997-98)
Lenny Wilkens, Providence (14.9 ppg and 7.3 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60)
Aaron Williams, Xavier (9.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.7 bpg and 55.6 FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Brian Williams, Maryland/Arizona (12.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 59.4 FG% from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Elliot Williams, Duke/Memphis (11.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg and 34.5 3FG% in 2008-09 and 2009-10)
Harper Williams, Massachusetts (12.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.9 bpg and 51.3 FG% from 1989-90 through 1992-93)
Henry Williams, UNC Charlotte (20.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.5 spg, 82.2 FT% and 39.4 3FG% from 1988-89 through 1991-92)
JaCorey Williams, Arkansas/Middle Tennessee (7.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg from 2012-13 through 2016-17)
Johnathan Williams, Missouri/Gonzaga (10.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 51.1 FG% from 2013-14 through 2017-18)
Marcus Williams, Connecticut (9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 7.3 apg and 37.5 3FG% from 2003-04 through 2005-06)
Mike Williams, Cincinnati/Bradley (12.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg and 54.6 FG% from 1981-82 through 1985-86)
Reggie Williams, Virginia Military (22.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08)
Sylvester "Sly" Williams, Rhode Island (21.2 ppg and 8.4 rpg from 1976-77 through 1978-79)
Travis Williams, South Carolina State (17.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 50.5 FG% from 1988-89 through 1990-91)
Zion Williamson, Duke (22.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.1 spg, 1.8 bpg and 68 FG% in 2018-19)
Desi Wilson, Fairleigh Dickinson (21.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2 spg and 57.1 FG% from 1988-89 through 1990-91)
Dylan Windler, Belmont (13.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 54.1 FG% from 2015-16 through 2018-19)
Justise Winslow, Duke (12.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 1.3 spg in 2014-15)
Stevie Wise, Colorado (14.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.5 spg from 1987-88 through 1990-91)
Luke Witte, Ohio State (16.6 ppg, 11.2 rpg and 52.3 FG% from 1970-71 through 1972-73)
Dave Wohl, Penn (15.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 83.7 FT% from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Brandan Wright, North Carolina (14.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.8 bpg and 64.6 FG% in 2006-07)
Jerrell Wright, La Salle (11.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg and 56.1 FG% from 2011-12 through 2014-15)
Michael Wright, Arizona (15.1 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 57.5 FG% from 1998-99 through 2000-01)
Tony Wroten, Washington (16 ppg, 5 rpg, 3.7 apg and 1.9 spg in 2011-12)
Rich Yonakor, North Carolina (5.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 50.3 FG% from 1976-77 through 1979-80)
Ed Young, Dayton (11.7 ppg, 6 rpg and 52.1 FG% from 1982-83 through 1986-87)
Jahmir Young, Charlotte/Maryland (17.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 85 FT% and 34.1 3FG% from 2019-20 through 2023-24)
James Young, Kentucky (14.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 34.9 3FG% in 2013-14)
Michael Young, Houston (15.2 ppg and 5.9 rpg from 1980-81 through 1983-84)
Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech (14.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 41.9 3FG% in 2006-07)
Rich Yunkus, Georgia Tech (26.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg and 50.7 FG% from 1968-69 through 1970-71)
Mike Zagardo, George Washington (13.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg and 59 FG% from 1976-77 through 1979-80)
Martin Zeno, Texas Tech (14.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.3 spg from 2004-05 through 2007-08)
Bill Zopf, Duquesne (13.3 ppg and 4.7 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70)

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 17 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 17 in football at the professional level (especially in 1933 championship contest and 1967 emphasizing ex-college hoopers with the Bears and Giants):

DECEMBER 17

  • New York Giants E Red Badgro (first-five All-Pacific Coast Conference pick as forward in 1926-27 when named USC's MVP) had a 29-yard pass reception for a touchdown in a 23-21 setback against the Chicago Bears in the 1933 NFL championship game. Giants B Dale Burnett (two-time all-conference hooper for Emporia State KS) had game highs with five catches for 94 receiving yards. Bears B Keith Molesworth (three-year hoops letterman for Monmouth IL in late 1920s) completed 2-of-5 passes for 24 yards, rushed once for five yards, returned three punts for 33 yards and punted 10 times for a 39.8-yard average. Giants rookie B Kink Richards (Simpson IA hoops letterman) had a team-high 40 rushing yards and returned one kickoff 36 yards. Bears rookie B Gene Ronzani (among Marquette's top four scorers in 1931-32 and 1932-33) rushed for a game-high 73 yards.

  • Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw three first-half touchdown passes to Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) in a 38-24 AFL win against the Denver Broncos in 1967 season finale.

  • Chicago Bears rookie TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught eight passes for 102 yards - including two touchdowns - in a 52-35 win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1961 season finale. Vikings DB Dick Pesonen (two-year Minnesota-Duluth hoops letterman was starting guard in 1959-60) returned five kickoffs for 133 yards. Vikings WR Jerry Reichow (Iowa hooper in 1954-55) caught three TD passes from Fran Tarkenton. Reichow had a total of seven TD pass receptions in the last five games of season.

  • Denver Broncos TE Wesley Duke (averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Mercer from 2001-02 through 2004-05) caught a touchdown pass from Jake Plummer in 28-17 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2005. Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught 11 passes for 137 yards.

  • Los Angeles Rams TE Derrick Faison (collected 30 points and 30 rebounds in six basketball games for Howard University in 1989-90) caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from QB Jim Everett in 26-10 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in 1990.

  • Green Bay Packers FB Ted Fritsch Sr. (Wisconsin-Stevens Point hoops letterman in 1940-41 and 1941-42) scored two second-quarter touchdowns - one rushing and one receiving - in a 14-7 win against the New York Giants in 1944 NFL championship contest. Giants LB Mel Hein (Washington State hoops letterman in 1930) had an interception.

  • Miami Dolphins rookie QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) threw three first-half touchdown passes in a 41-32 AFL win against the Boston Patriots in 1967.

  • Houston Oilers WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught two touchdown passes from George Blanda in a 47-16 AFL win against the Oakland Raiders in 1961 season finale.

  • Minnesota Vikings LB Napoleon Harris (averaged 4.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Northwestern in 1997-98 and 1998-99 under coach Kevin O'Neill) nabbed his third interception in an eight-game span as active player in 2006.

  • New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five hoops games for Florida in 1989-90) had eight pass receptions for 156 yards in a 34-21 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2001.

  • Denver Broncos QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) threw three touchdown passes in a 45-21 win against the New England Patriots in 1972 season finale. Patriots QB Brian Dowling (averaged 2.6 ppg for Yale in 1967-68) threw a 28-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter.

  • New Orleans Saints QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) opened game's scoring with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Danny Abramowicz in 30-14 win against the Washington Redskins in 1967 season finale. Ten years later as member of the Redskins, Kilmer threw two first-quarter TD passes in a 17-14 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1977 season finale.

  • Washington Redskins DL Anthony Lanier II (averaged 1.2 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Alabama A&M in 2011-12 and 2012-13) had two sacks in a 20-15 win against the Arizona Cardinals in 2017.

  • Chicago Bears QB Johnny Lujack (averaged 3.4 ppg as starting guard for Notre Dame in 1943-44) completed 15-of-29 passes but threw three interceptions in a 24-14 conference tiebreaker setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1950.

  • Carolina Panthers TE Chris Manhertz (Canisius' leading rebounder from 2011-12 through 2013-14) caught his first career touchdown on a trick-play 50-yard pass from RB Christian McCaffrey to open game's scoring in 12-9 setback against the New Orleans Saints in 2018.

  • New York Giants rookie WR Bob McChesney (Hardin-Simmons TX hoops letterman in 1945-46) had a pass reception for 19 yards in 8-3 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1950 conference tiebreaker game. Browns rookie B Dom Moselle (leading hoops scorer for Wisconsin-Superior in 1947-48 and 1948-49) returned two kickoffs for 55 yards. Giants DB Otto Schnellbacher (averaged 11 ppg in four-year Kansas career, earning All-Big Six/Seven Conference honors each season) had an interception.

  • New York Jets TE Keith Neubert (scored in all five NIT games for Nebraska's third-place finisher in 1987 when averaging 4.9 ppg and 3 rpg while shooting 50.4% from floor) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 38-14 setback against the Los Angeles Rams in 1989.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught 20 passes for 283 yards in a 17-0 win against the Chicago Bears in 2000.

  • Chicago Bears rookie K Mac Percival (three-year hoops letterman was part of squad winning Texas Tech's first SWC championship in major sport in 1960-61) kicked three field goals in a 23-14 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1967 season finale.

  • Cleveland Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed for 182 yards on 22 carries in a 48-16 setback against the Cincinnati Bengals in 1978. Pruitt closed out the campaign with at least 113 yards rushing in his last three contests.

  • Buffalo Bills TE Robert Royal (collected 10 points and six rebounds in five LSU basketball games in 2000-01) opened game's scoring in a 21-0 win against the Miami Dolphins by catching touchdown pass in his third consecutive contest in 2006.

  • Miami Dolphins TE Dion Sims (played one basketball game with Michigan State under coach Tom Izzo in 2009-10) caught two touchdown passes in a 34-13 win against the New York Jets in 2016.

  • Oakland Raiders OT Chad Slaughter (averaged 4.3 ppg and team-high 5.9 rpg in 1998-99 for Alcorn State's NCAA playoff team coached by Davey Whitney) started his fourth consecutive contest in 2006.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Norm Snead (averaged 7.8 ppg in four Wake Forest games as senior in 1960-61) threw three touchdown passes in a 28-24 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1967 season finale. Five years later with the New York Giants, Snead threw two second-quarter TD passes in a 23-3 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972 season finale.

  • Houston Oilers CB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) returned an interception 38 yards in a 45-24 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 1978.

  • St. Louis Cardinals rookie WR Dave Stief (hoop teammate of Portland State All-American Freeman Williams in 1977-78) had career highs of nine pass receptions for 183 yards in a 42-21 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 16 NFL Gridiron

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

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

Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 16 in football at the professional level (especially in 1973 plus ex-college hoopers with the Cowboys and Rams):

DECEMBER 16

  • Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw three touchdown passes for third time in last four games of 1973 campaign.

  • San Francisco 49ers RB Joe Arenas (averaged 6.2 ppg in 1949-50 and 1950-51 for Nebraska-Omaha) scored go-ahead touchdown in fourth quarter with a 67-yard punt return in 30-17 win against the Baltimore Colts in 1956 season finale.

  • Washington Redskins B Steve Bagarus (Notre Dame hooper in early 1940s) had a 38-yard pass reception for the game's first touchdown in a 15-14 setback against the Cleveland Rams in 1945 NFL championship contest. E Jim Benton (forward was Arkansas' third-leading scorer in SWC play as senior in 1937-38) scored the Rams' first TD with a 37-yard pass reception from Bob Waterfield en route to game highs of nine catches and 125 receiving yards. Rams E Steve Pritko (Villanova two-year hoops letterman) caught two passes for 17 yards.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers DB Tony Dungy (roommate of Flip Saunders averaged 2.6 ppg for Minnesota in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman) intercepted a pass in second consecutive contest in 1978.

  • Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy (Ole Miss backup forward as freshman in 2006-07) had two sacks and five tackles in a 31-7 victory against the San Diego Chargers in 2012.

  • Los Angeles Rams E Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch (starting hoops center for Michigan hoops in 1944) had three of his league-high 17 touchdown receptions in a 42-14 win against the Green Bay Packers in 1951 season finale.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) caught three touchdown passes from Philip Rivers in a 34-7 win against the San Francisco 49ers in 2010.

  • St. Louis Cardinals QB Charley Johnson (transferred from Schreiner J.C. to New Mexico State to play hoops before concentrating on football) passed for 386 yards - including 77-yard touchdown reception to Sonny Randle (scoreless in seven basketball games in Virginia's third season in ACC in 1955-56) - in a 45-35 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1962 season finale.

  • Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw four touchdown passes - three to Larry Brown - in a 38-20 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in 1973 season finale.

  • Green Bay Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) opened the game's scoring with a 45-yard touchdown catch in 20-17 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 1962 season finale.

  • Baltimore Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) provided a fourth-quarter, go-ahead touchdown reception in 18-13 win against the New England Patriots in 1973 regular-season finale.

  • San Francisco 49ers E R.C. Owens (led small colleges with 27.1 rpg in 1953-54 while also averaging 23.5 ppg for College of Idaho) caught two touchdown passes from John Brodie in a 27-24 setback against the Baltimore Colts in 1961 season finale.

  • Dallas Cowboys WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught two first-half touchdown passes from Tony Romo in a 38-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 2006.

  • Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) had five pass receptions for 108 yards in a 35-34 win against the Washington Redskins in 1979 season finale. Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) passed for 336 yards and three TDs. Six years earlier, Staubach completed 14-of-19 passes - including three touchdowns - in a 30-3 win against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1973 season finale.

  • New York Giants DB Emlen Tunnell (forward was top reserve for Toledo team compiling 22-4 record and finishing second in 1943 NIT) returned a punt 74 yards for touchdown in 27-17 win against the New York Yanks in 1951 season finale.

On This Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 15 NFL Gridiron

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

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

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

DECEMBER 15

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

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

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

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

  • New York Giants B Eddie Crawford (averaged 2.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Mississippi in 1954-55) contributed an interception in 34-28 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 1957 season finale.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • New York Giants E Buster Poole (three-year Arkansas letterman was senior captain in 1936-37) caught four passes for 40 yards in a 24-14 setback against the Chicago Bears in 1946 NFL championship game. Rookie RT teammate Jim White (Notre Dame hooper in 1941) returned a kickoff 13 yards.

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

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

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

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

Few Make Mark in Player Development Anywhere Close to Gonzaga's Coach

Has there ever been a coach with consistent track record for dramatic player development anywhere close to matching Gonzaga's Mark Few? The Zags, capturing outright or sharing 22 of the previous 24 WCC regular-season championships, catapulted to annual high rankings in national polls due largely to significant increases in scoring average from previous season for their top point producers. Vastly-improved Ben Gregg and Nolan Hickman are on the following alphabetical list of many Few pupils starting with All-American Dan Dickau at the turn of the century who blossomed under him after redshirt season or undistinguished freshman campaign:

  • Joel Ayayi - freshman RS in 2017-18 and 1.7 ppg in 2018-19 to 10.6 ppg in 2019-20 and 12 ppg as All-WCC first-team selection in 2020-21
  • Casey Calvary - 3.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg as freshman in 1997-98 (when Few was Zags assistant) to All-WCC selection with 19.1 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2000-01
  • Dan Dickau - 4 ppg as Washington freshman/sophomore in 1997-98 and 1998-99 to transfer becoming NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 2001-02 with 21 ppg
  • Sam Dower - freshman RS in 2009-10 to All-WCC selection with 14.4 ppg and 7.2 rpg in 2013-14
  • Ben Gregg - 0.9 ppg as freshman in 2000-21 to 9 ppg in 2023-24 and 9.5 ppg early in 2024-25
  • Rui Hachimura - 2.6 ppg as freshman in 2016-17 to NCAA consensus first-team All-American with 19.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2018-19
  • Josh Heytvelt - 3.4 ppg and 2 rpg as freshman in 2005-06 to All-WCC selection with 14.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg in 2008-09
  • Nolan Hickman - 5.1 ppg as freshman in 2021-22 to 14 ppg as junior in 2023-24
  • Korey Kispert - 8 ppg as freshman in 2018-19 to All-WCC first-team selection with 13.9 ppg in 2019-20 and 18.6 as NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 2020-21
  • Zach Norvell Jr. - freshman RS in 2016-17 to All-WCC selection with 14.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 3.1 apg in 2018-19
  • Kelly Olynyk - 3.8 ppg as freshman in 2009-10 and RS season in 2011-12 to NCAA unanimous first-team All-American with 17.8 ppg and 7.3 rpg as junior in 2012-13
  • Jeremy Pargo - 2.7 ppg as freshman in 2005-06 to All-WCC selection with 12.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 4.6 apg in 2006-07
  • Filip Petrusev - 6.5 ppg as freshman in 2018-19 to WCC Player of the Year with 17.5 ppg in 2019-20
  • Derek Raivio - 3.1 ppg and 1 apg as freshman in 2003-04 to All-WCC selection with 13 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.8 apg and 1.6 spg in 2004-05
  • Robert Sacre - 2.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg as freshman in 2007-08 to All-WCC selection in 2010-11 with 12.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg and 1.9 bpg
  • Julian Strawther - 3.4 ppg as freshman in 2020-21 to 11.8 ppg in 2021-22 to 15.2 ppg in 2022-23
  • Killian Tillie - 4.2 ppg as freshman in 2016-17 to All-WCC second-team selection with 12.9 ppg the next season
  • Drew Timme - 9.8 ppg as freshman in 2019-20 to 19 ppg as NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 2020-21, 18.4 ppg in 2021-22 to 21.2 ppg in 2022-23
  • Anton Watson - 4.9 ppg and 3.1 rpg as freshman in 2019-20 to 11.1 ppg and 6.2 rpg in 2022-23 and 14.5 ppg and 7.1 rpg in 2023-24
  • Kyle Wiltjer - 5 ppg and 1.8 rpg as Kentucky freshman in 2011-12 to transfer becoming NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 2015-16 with 20.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg

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