Home Sour Home: Prominent Programs Never Winning 30 Straight at Home

The following question lingers at a time when no Division I school boasts a homecourt winning streak of more than 20 in a row: Which institutions are on dubious list of prominent programs - including six former NCAA titlists - never winning as many as 30 straight on their home floor? Did you know power-conference members Arizona State, Baylor, Butler, California, Clemson, Colorado, Creighton, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa, Kansas State, Louisville, Maryland, Miami FL, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Oregon State, Rutgers, Southern California, Stanford, Texas, Texas Christian, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Washington State never have won as many as 30 consecutive home contests?

Which opponents broke school-record home-court winning streaks of at least 30 games? Oddly, more than half of the aforementioned power-league schools are in this category, including Texas on three occasions (ended school-record HC streaks for Arkansas, Kansas and Texas A&M). Following is an alphabetical list including schools crossing the 30-game homecourt winning streak threshold:

School Record Streak Date Started Date Ended Opponent Ending School-Record Streak Score
Alabama 54 1929 1934 Vanderbilt 44-33
Arizona 81 12-14-45 12-8-51 Kansas State 76-57
Arkansas 32 1-17-76 1-12-79 Texas 66-63
Auburn 36 1-26-57 1-7-61 Mississippi State 56-48
Austin Peay 31 1-25-75 3-5-77 Middle Tennessee State 77-65 in OVC Tournament final
Bradley 46 1-23-58 2-6-61 Drake 86-76
Brigham Young 53 11-26-05 1-3-09 Wake Forest 94-87
Charlotte 60 2-28-74 12-5-77 Appalachian State 71-64
Cincinnati 86 12-6-57 12-7-63 Kansas 51-47
College of Charleston 38 1-9-95 12-28-97 Rider 65-58
Columbia 34 1949 1-16-52 Penn 66-64
Connecticut 31 2-21-05 1-10-07 Marquette 73-69
Coppin State 42 12-19-92 1-15-97 North Carolina A&T 76-70
Dartmouth 38 2-3-37 2-17-40 Army 44-36
Davidson 57 2-12-62 12-11-72 Furman 93-86
Dayton 30 3-8-08 1-26-10 Rhode Island 65-64
DePaul 36 1-21-83 1-21-85 Dayton 67-63
Detroit 39 1-28-99 2-10-02 Wisconsin-Green Bay 65-61
Duke 46 1-13-97 2-9-00 Maryland 98-87
Florida 33 11-11-12 11-17-14 Miami FL 69-67
Gonzaga 76 1-27-18 1-19-23 Loyola Marymount 68-67
Houston 59 1-13-64 12-21-68 Illinois 97-84
Idaho 43 1-17-80 2-12-83 Montana 80-61
Illinois 33 1-17-04 2-4-06 Penn State 66-65
Illinois State 31 1-25-77 1-27-79 DePaul 87-69
Indiana 35 11-23-73 12-6-76 Kentucky 66-51
Iowa State 39 2-16-99 1-12-02 Oklahoma State 69-66
Jacksonville 35 1-13-69 12-7-71 Florida State 90-83
Kansas 69 2-7-07 1-22-11 Texas 74-63
Kentucky 129 1-4-43 1-8-55 Georgia Tech 59-58
Lamar 80 2-18-78 3-10-84 Louisiana Tech 68-65 in SLC Tournament
Long Beach State 75 11-20-68 12-4-74 San Francisco 94-84 in OT
Louisiana State 42 2-??-16 2-18-21 Mississippi 23-22
Louisiana Tech 39 12-6-82 11-25-85 Stephen F. Austin 67-58
Louisiana Tech 39 12-7-13 1-7-16 Old Dominion 56-53
Loyola of Chicago 41 2-25-61 12-31-64 St. Louis 90-57
Marquette 81 12-17-66 1-13-73 Notre Dame 71-69
Massachusetts 33 1-16-93 2-14-95 George Washington 80-78
Memphis 47 1-4-06 2-22-08 Tennessee 66-62
Michigan State 53 11-13-98 1-12-02 Wisconsin 64-63
Middle Tennessee State 33 12-11-73 1-7-76 UT Chattanooga 83-72
Minnesota 40 2-9-01 1-20-05 Nebraska 22-21
Mississippi State 35 1-14-57 1-2-60 Auburn 64-48
Missouri 34 3-3-88 12-8-90 Arkansas 95-82
Murray State 47 11-23-96 1-15-00 Southeast Missouri State 84-78
New Mexico 41 2-10-96 2-26-98 Brigham Young 83-62
New Mexico State 34 12-16-68 12-1-71 Angelo State TX 77-71
New Orleans 38 12-12-69 2-28-72 Louisiana Tech 80-73
Niagara 51 1943 2-8-50 Syracuse 60-55
North Carolina A&T 37 1985-86 11-30-88 North Carolina Central 66-54
North Carolina Central 38 1-8-13 12-7-15 Howard University 71-69
North Carolina State 38 2-19-72 2-1-75 Maryland 98-97
North Dakota State 31 2-14-13 1-7-16 Omaha 91-82
Notre Dame 45 3-4-06 1-24-09 Connecticut 69-61
Ohio State 50 12-1-59 12-11-63 Davidson 95-73
Oklahoma 51 11-28-87 12-22-90 Duke 90-85
Oklahoma State 49 1-9-36 12-21-40 Southern California 28-25
Old Dominion 32 2-27-14 1-14-16 UAB 72-71 in OT
Oral Roberts 52 2-17-69 2-10-73 Marshall 106-103
Oregon 46 1-10-15 12-1-17 Boise State 73-70
Pacific 45 3-8-69 1-7-73 Long Beach State 91-85
Penn 34 2-7-69 12-18-71 Temple 57-52
Penn State 45 1-20-51 3-2-55 Penn 85-79
Pepperdine 30 11-27-84 12-11-86 Long Beach State 86-77
Pittsburgh 40 1-19-02 2-29-04 Syracuse 49-46 in OT
Providence 55 2-13-71 12-28-74 St. John's 91-79
Purdue 30 12-22-67 2-28-70 Iowa 108-107
St. Bonaventure 99 1948 2-25-61 Niagara 87-77
St. John's 30 11-30-84 2-14-87 Providence 79-78
Saint Joseph's 34 1956-57 12-16-66 Fairfield 82-68
Seton Hall 46 1-10-51 1-1-54 William & Mary 57-55
Siena 38 2-29-08 11-13-10 Vermont 80-76
South Carolina 34 1-12-72 2-16-74 Notre Dame 72-68
Southern Illinois 33 1-11-04 2-1-06 Indiana State 63-54
Southern Methodist 44 2-??-54 3-1-58 Texas A&M 43-42
Stephen F. Austin 34 2-18-12 11-18-14 Northern Iowa 79-77 in OT
Syracuse 57 3-5-76 2-13-80 Georgetown 52-50
Temple 33 1-21-84 2-24-87 West Virginia 64-61
Tennessee 37 11-10-06 1-7-09 Gonzaga 89-79 in OT
Tennessee Tech 33 12-2-00 1-4-03 Morehead State 72-70
Texas A&M 30 1959 2-5-63 Texas 70-59
Texas-El Paso 31 1-23-88 12-16-89 Indiana 69-66
Texas Tech 35 2-9-94 1-11-97 Colorado 80-78
Tulane 42 2-20-46 12-10-49 Arkansas 42-41
Tulsa 36 2-23-80 12-7-82 Oklahoma State 93-75
UCLA 98 12-4-70 2-21-76 Oregon 65-45
UNLV 72 2-8-74 1-7-78 New Mexico 102-98
Utah 54 1-4-97 12-9-00 Weber State 79-77
Utah State 37 11-9-07 12-5-09 Saint Mary's 68-63
Villanova 72 12-6-47 3-4-58 Saint Francis PA 70-64
Virginia 34 2-6-80 1-15-83 North Carolina 101-95
Virginia Commonwealth 33 12-18-76 2-10-78 Virginia Tech 71-63
Virginia Military 35 2-5-76 1-17-79 Appalachian State 73-58
Washington 32 1-29-04 12-31-05 Arizona 96-95 in 2OT
Weber State 44 2-8-63 2-11-67 Idaho 68-67
Western Kentucky 67 2-5-49 1-10-55 Xavier 82-80 in OT
West Virginia 39 12-10-80 1-20-83 St. Bonaventure 64-63
Wichita State 43 11-9-13 2-13-16 Northern Iowa 53-50
Wisconsin 38 12-7-02 1-25-05 Illinois 75-65
Xavier 30 12-31-08 12-31-10 Florida 71-67

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 24 NFL Gridiron

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 24 in NFL (especially receivers in both conference championship contests following 2015 season):

JANUARY 24

  • QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) accounted for all three of the Cincinnati Bengals' touchdowns (two passing/one rushing in second half) in a 26-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI following 1981 season. Bengals WR David Verser (Kansas hooper in five games in 1977-78 under coach Ted Owens) returned five kickoffs for 52 yards. Niners LCB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper in 1979-80) contributed three solo tackles.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (played for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs under coach Don Haskins) shared the NFL Pro Bowl MVP award following 1970 season.

  • Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UC Irvine in rebounding each of last three seasons) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 49-15 setback against the Charlotte Panthers in NFC championship game following 2015 season.

  • Green Bay Packers TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught three passes for 28 yards from Aaron Rodgers in a 31-26 setback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFC Championship following 2020 season.

  • Denver Broncos WR Jordan Norwood (Penn State hooper in four games in 2006-07) caught two passes from Peyton Manning and returned three punts for 21 yards in a 20-18 win against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship following 2015 season.

Career Scoring Highs in College and NBA For Most Prolific Pro Point Producers

In Michael Jordan's heyday, the lame joke was that the only coach who could contain him was his college mentor (Dean Smith). Jordan's 17.7-point average in three seasons from 1981-82 through 1983-84 with North Carolina paled in comparison to his 15-year NBA mark (30.1). But shouldn't the wisecrack be inherited by Joel Embiid concerning Kansas bench boss Bill Self, Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns with Kentucky coach John Calipari plus Donovan Mitchell regarding Hall of Fame mentor Rick Pitino after Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) and Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves) set NBA franchise single-game scoring standards on the same night?

Embiid, bound for his third straight NBA scoring crown, tallied an anemic two points against Duke in his second collegiate contest in 2013-14 when he didn't start his first eight assignments. The next season, Towns supplied fewer than five points in eight outings for UK. Embiid's eruption with the Sixers enabled him to bypass Booker for the largest differential (52) between his NBA high (70) and college high (18 at Texas Tech) among players scoring more than 60 in an NBA tilt. Wilt Chamberlain scored a KU career-best 52 points in his varsity debut in fall of 1956 before setting NBA all-time mark of 100 five seasons later with the Philadelphia Warriors.

Booker, scoreless in his first UK game (vs. Grand Canyon), also went without a point seven contests later against Texas. In fact, one-and-done Booker tallied a grand total of 54 points in his 13 lowest-scoring outings as Wildcats freshman in 2014-15. But two seasons later in a performance worthy of ginning up brassy-and-sassy supermodel's undivided attention, Booker erupted for 51 second-half points when finishing with 70 for the Phoenix Suns in a game at Boston. As for Mitchell, he went scoreless in three games in 2015-16 (vs. Georgia Tech, Hartford and Duke).

Booker, who already is the Suns' franchise leader in 30-point outbursts, and boffo bubble-boy Damion Lillard are two of only seven players in NBA history with multiple games scoring 59 or more points, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Jordan, James Harden and Elgin Baylor. Booker was 25 when he became the fifth-youngest NBA player to reach 9,000-point plateau, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Bryant in that celebrated circle. Bradley Beal, who scored 57 of his 60 points for Washington Wizards in first three quarters of game against the Philadelphia 76ers, tallied a modest college-career high of 22 in his lone campaign with Florida in 2011-12 (against both Wright State and Stetson in pre-conference competition).

One for the books was Pete Maravich of the New Orleans Jazz outscoring five former backcourt All-Americans with the New York Knicks (Butch Beard/Ticky Burden/Walt Frazier/Dean Meminger/Earl Monroe), 68-41, in a memorable outing during Pistol's seventh NBA season. Among former major-college players erupting for more than 60 points in an NBA game, following is a look at the difference between their career highs in the pros and college:

NCAA DI Player Major-College Career High (Date) NBA Career High > 60 (Date) Difference
Joel Embiid 18 with Kansas (2-18-14) 70 with Philadelphia 76ers (1-22-24) 52 points
Devin Booker 19 with Kentucky (11-25-14 & 12-20-14) 70 with Phoenix Suns (3-24-17) 51
Wilt Chamberlain 52 with Kansas (12-5-56) 100 with Philadelphia Warriors (3-2-62) 48
Donovan Mitchell 29 with Louisville (1-24-17) 71 with Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2-23) 42
Karl-Anthony Towns 25 with Kentucky (3-28-15) 62 with Minnesota Timberwolves (1-22-24) 37
Michael Jordan 39 with North Carolina (1-29-83) 69 with Chicago Bulls (3-28-90) 30
Carmelo Anthony 33 with Syracuse (4-5-03) 62 with New York Knicks (1-24-14) 29
Karl Malone 40 with Louisiana Tech (12-5-83) 61 with Utah Jazz (1-27-90) 21
David Robinson 50 with Navy (3-12-87) 71 with San Antonio Spurs (4-24-94) 21
James Harden 40 with Arizona State (11-30-08) 61 with Houston Rockets (1-23-19 & 3-22-19) 21
Damian Lillard 41 with Weber State (12-3-11) 61 with Portland Trail Blazers (1-20-20 & 8-11-20) 20
Jerry West 44 with West Virginia (12-1-59) 63 with Los Angeles Lakers (1-17-62) 19
Stephen Curry 44 with Davidson (11-18-08 & 12-6-08) 62 with Golden State Warriors (1-3-21) 18
David Thompson 57 with North Carolina State (12-5-74) 73 with Denver Nuggets (4-9-78) 16
Elgin Baylor 60 with Seattle (1-30-58) 71 with Los Angeles Lakers (11-15-60) 11
George Mikan 53 with DePaul (3-12-45) 61 with Minneapolis Lakers (1-20-52) 8
Shaquille O'Neal 53 with Louisiana State (12-18-90) 61 with Los Angeles Lakers (3-6-00) 8
Rick Barry 59 with Miami FL (2-23-65) 64 with Golden State Warriors (3-26-74) 5
Pete Maravich 69 with Louisiana State (2-7-70) 68 with New Orleans Jazz (2-25-77) -1 point

NOTE: Joe Fulks (Murray State) and George Gervin (Eastern Michigan) each scored 63 points in an NBA game but their schools weren't classified as major colleges when they played for them.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 23 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 NCAA DI basketball players Rodney Harrison (Western Illinois), Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) and Antwaan Randle El (Indiana) making a name for themselves on January 23 in conference championship games following 2004 season:

JANUARY 23

  • New England Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) returned an interception 87 yards for touchdown in 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2004 campaign. Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught three passes for 52 yards, returned four kickoffs for 75 yards and returned three punts for 40 yards.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-10 NFC Championship win against the Atlanta Falcons following 2004 season.

  • New York Jets DL Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed two solo tackles in a 24-19 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2010 season.

Tall Order: Edey En Route to Becoming 8th Multiple-Season National POY

Iowa's fabulous female Caitlin Clark is far more popular than any current male college basketball player. But Purdue's Zach Edey, after scoring 30 or more points and grabbing at least 14 rebounds in three consecutive Big Ten Conference contests in mid-January, is well on his way to joining a list of luminaries earning multiple national player of the year awards. The only three players in this category over the previous half century all were from Atlantic Coast Conference members. The 7-4 Edey is bound to align with the following chronological list of first seven individuals each winning more than 87% of their games while honored multiple seasons since UPI's initial winner in 1955 (record is during seasons player won awards):

National POY School Multiple Seasons Earning Award (Record)
Oscar Robertson Cincinnati 1957-58 through 1959-60 (79-9, .898)
Jerry Lucas Ohio State 1960-61 and 1961-62 (53-3, .946)
Lew Alcindor UCLA 1966-67 and 1968-69 (59-1, .983)
Bill Walton UCLA 1971-72 through 1973-74 (86-4, .956)
David Thompson North Carolina State 1973-74 and 1974-75 (52-7, .881)
Ralph Sampson Virginia 1980-81 through 1982-83 (88-13, .871)
Jason "Jay" Williams Duke 2000-01 and 2001-02 (66-8, .892)

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 22 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 22 in football at the professional level (especially Green Bay Packers defense in NFC championship contest following 2016 season):

JANUARY 22

  • Baltimore Ravens PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) converted two field goals but missed a 32-yard attempt with 15 seconds remaining that could have knotted the score in 23-20 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC championship game following 2011 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers FS Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper in 1979-80) contributed four solo tackles in a 20-16 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII following 1988 season.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (freshman squad hooper for Oklahoma in 1969-70) rushed five times for 17 yards, returned one kickoff for 17 yards and returned one punt return for eight yards in a 38-9 victory against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII following the 1983 season. George Starke (averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Columbia in 1968-69 and 1969-70) was starting RT for the Redskins.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught four passes for 52 yards in a 34-17 win against the Denver Broncos in AFC Championship following 2005 season.

  • 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 four tackles in a 44-21 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC championship game following 2016 season. Packers LB 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) chipped in with two tackles.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught four passes for 61 yards in a 34-17 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2005 season.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 21 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 21 in football at the professional level:

JANUARY 21

  • TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) opened the Jacksonville Jaguars' scoring with a touchdown reception in 24-20 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship following 2017 season.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII following 1978 season. One of the TD passes was in fourth quarter to TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72). Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Illinois from 1964-65 through 1966-67) rushed once for six years and caught two of Staubach's passes for 15 yards, LDE Ed "Too Tall" Jones (averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) registered five solo tackles plus recovering a fumble and Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC hooper with Fort Valley State GA) started at RT for them. Steelers DB Tony Dungy (averaged 2.6 ppg with Minnesota in 1973-74) recorded a solo tackle.

Lethal Lefthanded Fraternity: Slew of Sterling Southpaws Again This Season

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")? There are a slew of sterling southpaws again this season including mid-major transfers Tyler Kolek (Marquette/from George Mason) and Baylor Scheierman (Creighton/from South Dakota State).

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 20 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 20 in playoff football at the professional level (especially San Diego Charger wide receivers in AFC Championship following 2007 season):

JANUARY 20

  • San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) had a playoff career-high seven pass receptions in 21-12 AFC Championship setback against the New England Patriots following 2007 season. 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) had six receptions for game-high 93 receiving yards.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) had eight pass receptions - including touchdown - in a 28-24 NFC championship game setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2012 season.

  • 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 108 yards, including a 53-yarder, in 24-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in NFC Divisional Round playoff game following 2023 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers LCB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper in 1979-80) contributed a solo tackle in 38-16 victory against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX following 1984 season.

  • DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) had an interception in his third consecutive playoff game to help the New York Giants reach Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season.

  • St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had two interceptions, returning one 34 yards for a touchdown, in 45-17 NFC divisional-round win against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 campaign.

Will TN's Dalton Knecht Keep Thriving in SEC to End Up on All-Time J.C. Team?

It wasn't long ago when only a splinter group of maverick coaches were sufficiently bold to liberally dot their rosters with junior-college recruits stereotyped as discipline problems, academic risks or simply unsuitable to go directly from high school to major-college programs. "Jucoland" was labeled by misguided observers as little more than basketball rehabilitation where free-lance players enjoyed free rein to make Great Plains arenas their own personal H-O-R-S-E stables.

However, major colleges aren't nearly so reluctant any longer to bring "quick-fix" junior college players aboard. But due to an almost complete absence of academic standards, the recruits don't attend jucos to prove themselves these days and simply go straight to a four-year institution.

Back in the dinosaur age prior to academic exemptions, the talent pool in the NJCAA Tournament might have never been greater than in 1968, when eight of the 10 members of the All-Tournament Team either eventually played or were at least drafted by the NBA and/or ABA, and a ninth All-Tournament Team member played several years with the Harlem Globetrotters. In 1982, an all-time high of five ex-jucos were named NCAA All-Americans - Oregon State guard Lester Conner (Los Medanos CA & Chabot CA), UC Irvine forward Kevin Magee (Saddleback CA), Idaho guard Ken Owens (Treasure Valley CA), Rice forward Ricky Pierce (Walla Walla WA) and Tulsa swingman Paul Pressey (Western Texas).

The misconceptions regarding junior college basketball aren't helped when network TV pulls a snafu such as in the early 1990s when it was mistakenly inferred that Kentucky guard Dale Brown was the first instance of the Wildcats recruiting a junior college player. Actually, legendary coach Adolph Rupp, a Kansas native, regularly attended the NJCAA Tournament at Hutchinson, Kan., in the 1950s and recruited four tournament MVPs or leading scorers. Two of the four didn't play much for Kentucky or transferred, but the other two - Bob Burrow (Lon Morris TX) and Sid Cohen (Kilgore TX) - proved to be pivotal players for the Wildcats and were selected in the NBA draft. Burrow, an NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 1956, still holds the school record for rebound average in a career (16.1 rpg). Guard Adrian "Odie" Smith, a key member of Kentucky's 1958 NCAA champion, was also a junior college recruit (Northeast Mississippi). Ditto Doug Pendygraft, who joined UK after setting an NJCAA record with 63 points in a national tournament game for Lindsey Wilson KY.

Two decades earlier, Alabama, after finishing 12th in the 13-team SEC in 1937-38 with a 4-12 record, topped the league's regular-season standings the next year with a 13-4 mark. Bama's squad included three junior college graduates, led by center George Prather, who was named to the SEC All-Tournament first five.

In the early to mid-1930s, John Tarleton Agricultural College (Tex.) reeled off 86 consecutive victories and won 112 of 113 contests over a six-year span. Tarleton coach W.J. Wisdom attended a Texas A&M/Texas game and five of the starters were JTAC grads he previously coached.

Coach John Wooden's first center with UCLA was Carl Kraushaar, a transfer from Compton (Calif.) Community College who led the Bruins in scoring in 1948-49 and was an All-PCC selection the next season. Often overlooked amid UCLA's amazing run of nine NCAA Tournament titles in a 10-year span from 1964 through 1973 was the impact of junior college products. The Bruins had six J.C. recruits, including 1970 Final Four Most Outstanding Player Sidney Wicks, who were part of multiple NCAA championships.

The Big Ten Conference never has had an abundance of junior college players, but J.C. transfer Dick Garmaker (Hibbing) scored 37 points for Minnesota in his first league game in 1954 before becoming an NCAA consensus All-American the next year.

Burrow (1954) and Garmaker (1952) are two of five players - including Furman's Darrell Floyd (1951), Tulsa's Pressey (1980) and St. John's Walter Berry (1984) - who were named NJCAA Tournament MVP before becoming NCAA All-Americans.

Five of the top six scorers for Oklahoma's 2002 Final Four team were former junior college players. Former Sooners coach Kelvin Sampson (now at Houston) is fond of the realistic view junior college recruits offer a roster.

"A lot of their egos are broken down already," Sampson said. "They've been through a lot on and off the court. High school kids sometimes have egos that you have to work through. Their bubble hasn't burst yet. A high school kid sometimes gets faced with, `I thought I was better than this.' Also, juco kids only have two years left. They're hungry."

There are usually about 40 to 45 active Division I head coaches who previously served in a similar capacity at a junior college. Among the major-college mentors who guided teams to the NCAA Tournament after coaching at the J.C. level are Denny Crum (Pierce CA), Mike Deane (Delhi NY), Benny Dees (Abraham Baldwin GA), Bobby Dye (Santa Monica CA), Cliff Ellis (Cumberland TN), Jack Hartman (Coffeyville KS), Maury John (Moberly MO), Gene Keady (Hutchinson KS), Jim Killingsworth (Cerritos CA), Dick Motta (Weber UT), Lute Olson (Long Beach City CA), Ted Owens (Cameron OK), Nolan Richardson Jr. (Western Texas), Roy Skinner (Paducah KY), Charlie Spoonhour (Moberly MO and Southeastern IA), Eddie Sutton (Southern Idaho), Jerry Tarkanian (Riverside CA and Pasadena CA), Stan Watts (Dixie UT) and Jim Williams (Snow UT).

Hartman took two of his J.C. stars (Paul Henry and Lou Williams) with him to Southern Illinois, where he toiled eight years before becoming Kansas State's all-time winningest coach. Keady signed three J.C. recruits, a high number by a Big Ten institution, for his final season (2004-05) with Purdue.

Southern Idaho has produced more NCAA Division I head coaches than any other junior college. Joining recently-deceased Sutton at that level were Boyd Grant (Fresno State and Colorado State), Jerry Hale (Oral Roberts) and Fred Trenkle (San Diego State). Hale brought point guard Arnold Dugger with him and Dugger became ORU's all-time assists leader. Trenkle won a national-record 137 consecutive home games during his J.C. tenure.

At least one junior college product was among the top seven NBA draft choices six straight years from 1970 through 1975. It is doubtful juco jewel Dalton Knecht will be a top seven NBA selection this year but it was one of the biggest stories so far this season when Northern Colorado transfer impersonated former All-American Bernard King by erupting for 191 points with Tennessee over last sixSEC games in January (average of almost 32 ppg in that span). Knecht is competing with Danny Schultz as the premier juco recruit in the Volunteers' history. If continuing to score at such a prolific pace, he might compete with Schultz, Burrow, Denver Brackeen (Ole Miss), Al Green (LSU), Chris Porter (Auburn) and Marcus Thornton (LSU) as the premier J.C. product in league annals. In order to understand the quality of juco players over the years, be aware that Knecht (Northeastern CO in 2020-21) probably wouldn't rank at this point among the top 100 such recruits.

Following is an All-Time Juco Team emphasizing two-time major-college All-Americans, top seven NBA draft choices, leading scorer for an Olympic team, more than 2,000 points at major-college level or MVP of a power conference:

FIRST TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Artis Gilmore C Gardner-Webb (N.C.) Jacksonville Led NCAA in rebounding in 1969-70 and 1970-71 with JU. Only player in NCAA history to average more than 22 ppg and 22 rpg in his career.
Spencer Haywood F-C Trinidad State (Colo.) Detroit Leading scorer for 1968 U.S. Olympic team. Paced nation in rebounding (22.1 rpg) and finished fourth in scoring (32.1 ppg) with Titans in 1968-69.
Bob McAdoo F-C Vincennes (Ind.) North Carolina Leading scorer and rebounder for third-place team in 1972 NCAA playoffs before NCAA consensus first-team All-American became second pick overall in NBA draft.
Mitch Richmond F-G Moberly (Mo.) Kansas State Averaged 23.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in six NCAA playoff games in 1987 and 1988. NCAA consensus second-team All-American was fifth pick overall in 1988 NBA draft.
Sidney Wicks F-C Santa Monica (Calif.) UCLA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1970 and NCAA player of year in 1971. Leading scorer and rebounder for NCAA champions in 1970 (28-2 record) and 1971 (29-1) before becoming second pick overall in NBA draft.

SECOND TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Fred Brown G Southeastern (Iowa) Iowa Two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was sixth pick overall in 1971 NBA draft. Ranked 10th in nation in scoring in 1971 with 27.6 ppg.
Steve Francis G San Jacinto (Tex.) & Allegany (Md.) Maryland Second pick overall in 1999 NBA draft after All-ACC first-team selection averaged 17 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4.5 apg in his lone season with Terrapins.
Armon Gilliam F-C Independence (Kan.) UNLV Leading scorer and rebounder for 1987 Final Four team (37-2 record) before Big West Conference MVP became second pick overall in NBA draft.
Larry Johnson F Odessa (Tex.) UNLV Top pick in 1991 NBA draft after leading Rebels to two Final Fours. Two-time Big West Conference MVP ranked among nation's top 11 in field-goal percentage both seasons.
Alvin Robertson G Crowder (Mo.) Arkansas Seventh pick overall in 1984 NBA draft. Two-time All-SWC selection averaged six steals in four NCAA Tournament games.

THIRD TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Lionel Hollins G Dixie (Utah) Arizona State Sixth pick overall in 1975 NBA draft. Two-time All-WAC first-team selection averaged 17 ppg in two seasons with Sun Devils.
John Johnson F Northwest (Wyo.) Iowa All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection ranked 14th in nation in scoring with 28 ppg in 1969-70 before becoming seventh pick overall in NBA draft.
Vinnie Johnson G McLennan (Tex.) Baylor Ranked among NCAA's top 25 scorers in 1977-78 and 1978-79 before becoming seventh pick overall in NBA draft. Two-time SWC Player of the Year averaged 24.1 ppg with Bears.
Isaiah "J.R." Rider F Allen County (Kan.) & Antelope Valley (Calif.) UNLV NCAA runner-up in scoring in 1992-93 with 29.1 ppg for the Rebels before Big West Conference MVP became fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
Flynn Robinson G Casper (Wyo.) Wyoming Averaged more than 25 ppg each of three seasons from 1962-63 through 1964-65 with Cowboys. Three-time All-WAC first-team selection twice finished among nation's top six scorers.

FOURTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Jim "Bad News" Barnes C Cameron (Okla.) Texas Western First pick overall in 1964 NBA draft. Averaged 17.8 rpg, ranking among nation's top seven rebounders both of his seasons with Miners.
Ron Behagen F Southern Idaho Minnesota All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was seventh pick overall in 1973 NBA draft after averaging 17.4 ppg and 10 rpg in two seasons with Gophers.
Dick Garmaker F Hibbing (Minn.) Minnesota NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 1954-55. Averaged 22.9 ppg and 7.7 rpg in two season with Gophers.
Rickey Green G Vincennes (Ind.) Michigan Leader in scoring and assists for 1976 NCAA playoff runner-up. Averaged 18.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5 assists in eight NCAA Tournament games.
Jamaal Tinsley G Mount San Jacinto (Calif.) Iowa State Big 12 Conference MVP in 2000-01. Averaged 12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.3 apg and 2.6 spg in two seasons with Cyclones.

FIFTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Walter Berry F-C San Jacinto (Tex.) St. John's Big East Conference MVP in 1985-86 after appearing in 1985 Final Four. Leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for Final Four team (31-4 record).
Ron Brewer G Westark (Ark.) Arkansas Southwest Conference MVP was leading scorer for the Razorbacks' 1978 Final Four team. Averaged 19.2 points and 4 rebounds in six NCAA Tournament games.
Tom Henderson G San Jacinto (Tex.) Hawaii Seventh pick overall in 1974 NBA draft. Averaged 20 ppg and 6.4 apg in two seasons with Rainbows.
Bobby Jackson G Western Nebraska Minnesota Big Ten Conference MVP when leading 1997 Final Four team in scoring and assists. Averaged 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in five NCAA Tournament games.
Lewis Lloyd F New Mexico Military Institute Drake NCAA runner-up in scoring and rebounding in 1979-80. Two-time Missouri Valley Conference MVP averaged 28.2 ppg and 12.4 rpg in two seasons with Bulldogs.

SIXTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Jerry Chambers F-C Trinidad State (Colo.) Utah Final Four Most Outstanding Player for Utes in 1966 when he ranked fourth in nation in scoring with 28.8 ppg.
Lester Conner G Los Medanos (Calif.) & Chabot (Calif.) Oregon State Pacific-10 Conference MVP in 1981-82 for Beavers. Averaged 14.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.3 steals in four NCAA Tournament games.
Darrell Floyd G-F Wingate (N.C.) Furman Two-time Southern Conference MVP led NCAA in scoring in 1954-55 (35.9 ppg) and 1955-56 (33.8) for Paladins.
Cliff Meely C-F Northeastern (Colo.) Colorado Led Buffaloes in scoring and rebounding three seasons before Big Eight Conference MVP became seventh pick overall in 1971 NBA draft. Ranked among nation's top 18 scorers as a sophomore and senior.
George Trapp F-C Pasadena City (Calif.) Long Beach State Two-time MVP in PCAA was fifth pick overall in 1971 NBA draft after averaging 17.7 ppg and 9 rpg.

SEVENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Bob Burrow C Lon Morris (Tex.) Kentucky Two-time All-American averaged 26.3 ppg in four NCAA playoff games in 1955 and 1956.
Ed Gray G Southern Idaho California Pacific-10 Conference MVP for Cal in 1996-97 when ranking second in nation in scoring with 24.8 ppg. Tennessee transfer scored school-record 48 points at Washington State before suffering season-ending broken foot on dunk attempt.
John Rudometkin C-F Allan Hancock (Calif.) Southern California Two-time All-American ranked 15th in nation in scoring as junior with 23.9 ppg. Averaged 25 ppg and 12.8 rpg in four NCAA playoff games in 1960 and 1961.
Willie Smith G Seminole (Okla.) Missouri Big Eight Conference MVP for the Tigers in 1975-76 when he set school single-season scoring record with 25.3 ppg. Averaged 31.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in three NCAA Tournament games.
Sam Williams F Burlington (Iowa) Iowa Big Ten Conference MVP in 1967-68 for Hawkeyes. Ranked among nation's top 24 scorers in both of his seasons with Hawkeyes.

EIGHTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Nate "Tiny" Archibald G Arizona Western Texas-El Paso Averaged 20 ppg for Miners from 1967-68 through 1969-70. Scored 36 points in his only NCAA Tournament game as senior.
Daron "Mookie" Blaylock G Midland (Tex.) Oklahoma Leader in assists and steals and third-leading scorer for 1988 NCAA Tournament runner-up (35-4 record). Two-time All-Big Eight Conference selection ranked among nation's top three in steals both of his seasons.
Mel Daniels C Burlington (Iowa) New Mexico Three-time All-WAC selection led Lobos in scoring and rebounding all three seasons from 1964-65 through 1966-67.
Orlando Lightfoot F Hiwassee (Tenn.) Idaho Two-time Big Sky Conference MVP is second-leading all-time J.C. scorer at DI level (2,102 points from 1991-92 through 1993-94).
Kevin Magee F Saddleback (Calif.) UC Irvine Ranked among NCAA's top seven in points, rebounds and FG% in 1980-81 and 1981-82. Two-time Big West Conference MVP averaged 26.3 ppg and 12.3 rpg for UCI.

NINTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Tony Allen G Butler County (Kan.) & Wabash Valley (Ill.) Oklahoma State Big 12 Conference MVP was leading scorer for 2004 Final Four team.
Lee Nailon F Southeastern (Iowa) & Butler County (Kan.) Texas Christian All-American and WAC Player of the Year as junior ranked among the NCAA's top eight scorers in 1997-98 (24.9 ppg) and 1998-99 (22.8 ppg).
Ken Norman F Wabash Valley (Ill.) Illinois All-American as senior in 1986-87 after two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection finished runner-up in nation in field-goal shooting the previous season (64.1%).
Ricky Pierce F-G Walla Walla (Wash.) Rice All-American as senior in 1981-82 when finishing NCAA runner-up in scoring (26.8 ppg). Three-time All-SWC first-team selection led the Owls in scoring and rebounding all three seasons.
Grady Wallace F Pikeville (Ky.) South Carolina NCAA consensus second-team All-American as senior in 1956-57 when leading nation in scoring with 31.2 ppg after finishing 17th the previous season.

TENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Howie Dallmar G Menlo (Calif.) Stanford & Penn NCAA consensus first-team All-American as senior with Penn in 1944-45. Final Four MOP for Stanford's 1942 NCAA titlist.
Cornell Green F Contra Costa (Calif.) Utah State All-American as senior averaged 22.5 ppg and 12.7 rpg from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was a three-time All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection.
Gus "Honeycomb" Johnson F Boise (Idaho) Idaho Ranked second in NCAA in rebounding with 20.3 rpg in 1962-63.
Larry Kenon F Amarillo (Tex.) Memphis State All-American and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year in 1972-73 was leading rebounder and second-leading scorer for NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Phillip "Red" Murrell F Chillicothe (Mo.) & Moberly Area (Mo.) Drake All-American as senior ranked among nation's top 13 scorers in 1956-57 and 1957-58.

ELEVENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Don Lofgran F-C Grant Tech (Calif.) San Francisco NIT MVP for 1949 champion. Averaged 18 ppg in five NIT contests in 1949 (champion) and 1950 (eliminated in first round by eventual champion CCNY).
Willie Murrell F Eastern Oklahoma A&M Kansas State All-American as senior when he was leading scorer (22.3 ppg) for fourth-place team in 1964 NCAA Tournament.
John Vallely G Orange Coast (Calif.) UCLA All-American as senior (16.3 ppg) was named to All-NCAA Tournament team as third-leading scorer for 1969 titlist and second-leading scorer for 1970 champion.
Nick Van Exel G Trinity Valley (Tex.) Cincinnati All-American as senior (18.3 ppg and 4.5 apg) after being leader in assists and third-leading scorer for 1992 Final Four team.
Lloyd Walton G Moberly Area (Mo.) Marquette All-American as senior in 1975-76 after leading Marquette's 1974 NCAA Tournament runner-up in assists.

TWELFTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Jack Gray F North Texas Agricultural Texas NCAA consensus All-American in 1935 for Longhorns.
Aron Stewart G-F Essex County (Md.) Richmond Two-time All-Southern Conference first-team selection averaged 28.1 ppg in 1972-73 (league MVP) and 1973-74, ranking fourth in NCAA in scoring each season.
Ollie Taylor F San Jacinto (Tex.) Houston Averaged 22 ppg, 10.3 rpg and 3.3 apg for the Cougars in 1968-69 and 1969-70.
Martin Terry G Hutchinson (Kan.) Arkansas Ranked among NCAA's top 22 scorers in 1971-72 and 1972-73 while averaging 26.3 ppg. SWC Player of the Year as senior scored 46 points in a game against Texas A&M.
John "Cat" Thompson F Dixie (Utah) Montana State NCAA consensus first-team All-American in 1929 and 1930.

THIRTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Lawrence Butler G Western Texas Idaho State Averaged 27 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.9 apg with ISU in 1977-78 and 1978-79. As a senior All-American, Big Sky Conference MVP led the nation with 30.1 ppg.
Harvey Grant F Independence (Kan.) Oklahoma All-American as senior in 1987-88 when he was leading rebounder for NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Shaler Halimon F Imperial Valley (Calif.) Utah State Averaged 25.2 ppg in 1966-67 and 1967-68, ranking among nation's top 18 scorers both seasons before becoming 14th pick overall in NBA draft.
Simmie Hill F Cameron (Okla.) West Texas State Ranked seventh in nation in scoring with 27.3 ppg in 1967-68 before becoming an All-American the next season.
Willie Humes F Vincennes (Ind.) Idaho State Ranked among nation's top five scorers in 1969-70 and 1970-71 while averaging 31.5 ppg. He set ISU's single-game scoring record with 53 points against Montana State.

FOURTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College(s) Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Cleanthony Early F Sullivan County (N.Y.) Wichita State All-American in 2013-14 for Shockers' team that was unbeaten entering the NCAA playoffs after reaching Final Four the previous season.
Raymond "Sonny" Downs Jr. F-C Del Mar (Tex.) Texas Two-time All-SWC first-team selection led the Longhorns in scoring three straight seasons from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Tied school single-game scoring mark with 49 points against Baylor.
Bobby Joe Hill G Burlington (Iowa) & Hutchinson (Kan.) Texas Western All-American in 1965-66 when he was leading scorer for NCAA Tournament champion.
Paul Pressey G-F Western Texas Tulsa NCAA consensus second-team All-American as a senior in 1981-82 when averaging 13.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg. He was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection.
Darrell Walker G Westark (Ark.) Arkansas All-American and SWC Player of the Year as senior averaged 17.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals in six NCAA Tournament games from 1981 through 1983.

FIFTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Sam Cassell G San Jacinto (Tex.) Florida State Two-time All-ACC second-team selection averaged 19.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in seven NCAA Tournament games in 1992 and 1993.
Chris Porter F Chipola (Fla.) Auburn All-American and SEC Player of the Year as junior in 1998-99 when two-time all-conference selection averaged 16 ppg and 8.6 rpg.
Ray Williams G-F San Jacinto (Tex.) Minnesota Two-time All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection averaged 18.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 5.7 apg in 1975-76 and 1976-77. He was the 10th pick overall in 1977 NBA draft.
Jerome Whitehead C Riverside City (Calif.) Marquette All-American as senior after becoming second-leading rebounder and third-leading scorer for 1977 NCAA Tournament champion.
Sam Worthen G McLennan (Tex.) Marquette All-American as senior in 1979-80 when averaging 16.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 6.5 apg and 1.4 spg.

SIXTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Jon Barry G Paris (Tex.) Georgia Tech Pacific transfer averaged 16.6 ppg, 4 rpg, 4.9 apg and 1.9 spg with Yellow Jackets in 1990-91 and 1991-92 (All-ACC third-team selection).
Walter "Corky" Devlin F Potomac State (W. Va.) George Washington Two-time All-Southern Conference first-team selection ranked among nation's top 14 in FG% and FT% in 1953-54 and 1954-55 en route to averaging 20.1 ppg and 6.9 rpg in three-year career.
Ledell Eackles G-F San Jacinto (Tex.) New Orleans Averaged 23 ppg and 4.5 rpg for UNO in 1986-87 and 1987-88. American South Conference MVP as a senior set school DI single-game scoring record with 45 points against Florida International.
Eugene "Goo" Kennedy F-C Fort Worth (Tex.) Texas Christian Averaged 20.4 ppg and 16.6 rpg in 1970-71 as SWC Player of the Year.
Dennis "Mo" Layton G Phoenix (Ariz.) Southern California All-American as senior averaged 17.1 ppg with USC in 1969-70 and 1970-71.

SEVENTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Terry Catledge F Itawamba (Miss.) South Alabama USA's career average leader in scoring (21.7 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg) as three-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection from 1982-83 through 1984-85.
John Fairchild C-F Palomar (Calif.) Brigham Young Two-time All-WAC first-team selection was an All-American in 1964-65 when averaging 21.5 ppg and 12.4 rpg.
Larry Friend G-F Los Angeles CC California All-American in 1956-57 when averaging 18.9 ppg and 6 rpg before becoming 13th pick overall in NBA draft.
Danny Schultz G Hiwassee (Tenn.) Tennessee All-American as senior in 1963-64 when averaging 18.3 ppg. Two-time All-SEC selection ranked among NCAA's top five in FT% both seasons.
Elnardo Webster F Wharton (Tex.) St. Peter's The Peacocks' career average leader in scoring (24.5 ppg) and rebounding (14.1 rpg) played for them in 1967-68 and 1968-69.

EIGHTEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Theodore "Blue" Edwards G Louisburg (N.C.) East Carolina Averaged 20.6 ppg and 6.3 rpg with ECU in 1986-87 and 1988-89. Colonial Athletic Association MVP as a senior when he ranked fifth in nation in scoring with 26.7 ppg.
Robert Elmore C Wharton County (Tex.) Wichita State Three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection ranked third in nation in rebounding with 15.8 rpg as senior in 1976-77. He was a younger brother of Maryland All-American Len Elmore.
Bob Harris C Murray State (Okla.) Oklahoma A&M All-American in 1948-49 when he was leading scorer for NCAA Tournament runner-up.
Marcus Thornton G Kilgore (Tex.) Louisiana State SEC Most Valuable Player as senior in 2008-09. Averaged 20.4 ppg and 5.5 rpg in his two seasons with LSU.
Delon Wright G CC of San Francisco Utah All-American as senior averaged 15 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.2 apg and 2.3 spg for the Utes in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

NINETEENTH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Don Barksdale C Marin (Calif.) UCLA All-American in 1946-47 when averaging 14.7 ppg with the Bruins.
Al Green G Arizona Western Louisiana State All-American as LSU senior in 1978-79 (averaging 17.7 ppg) after transferring from North Carolina State.
Darington Hobson F Eastern Utah New Mexico All-American and Mountain West Conference MVP in 2009-10 when averaging 15.9 ppg and 9.3 rpg.
Ken Owens G Treasure Valley (Calif.) Idaho All-American and Big Sky Conference MVP in 1981-82 when averaging 15.6 ppg and 4.2 apg.
Vic "Slick" Townsend G-F Compton (Calif.) Oregon All-American in 1940-41 when averaging 10.1 ppg.

TWENTIETH TEAM

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Don Burness F Menlo Park (Calif.) Stanford All-American when he was third-leading scorer for 1942 NCAA Tournament titlist.
Ken Flower G Menlo Park (Calif.) Southern California All-American in 1952-53 when two-time All-PCC selection averaged 13.8 ppg and 6.7 rpg.
Jesse "Cab" Renick G Murray State (Okla.) Oklahoma A&M NCAA consensus second-team All-American in 1939-40 when he was a member of U.S. Olympic team.
George Stanich C Sacramento (Calif.) UCLA All-American in 1949-50 for coach John Wooden's first NCAA tourney team.
Ray Steiner G Moberly (Mo.) St. Louis All-American in 1951-52 when averaging 12.2 ppg for the Billikens' first NCAA playoff team.

TOP 50 HONORABLE MENTION

Player Pos. Junior College Four-Year University Summary of NCAA DI Career
Harold Arcenceaux F Eastern Utah Weber State Two-time Big Sky Conference MVP, ranking among nation's top 10 scorers in 1998-99 (22.3 ppg) and 1999-00 (23 ppg).
Ralph "Stork" Bishop C-F Yakima Valley (Wash.) Washington All-American in 1936 when he was member of U.S. Olympic team.
Terry Boyd G Southern Union State (Ala.) Western Carolina Averaged 23.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.7 spg in 1990-91 and 1991-92. As a senior, he was Southern Conference MVP.
Denver Brackeen F East Central (Miss.) Mississippi Two-time All-SEC selection averaged 24.8 ppg and 12.1 rpg for the Rebels in 1953-54 and 1954-55.
Alonzo Bradley F Utica (Miss.) Texas Southern Two-time All-SWAC second-team selection averaged 25 ppg and 8.1 rpg for TSU in 1975-76 and 1976-77.
Mel Daniels F Brevard (Fla.) Stetson Averaged 19.3 ppg and 9.8 rpg for the Hatters in 1976-77 and 1977-78.
Sammy Drummer F DeKalb South (Ga.) Georgia Tech Averaged 22.3 ppg and 6.5 rpg with the Yellow Jackets in 1977-78 (All-Metro Conference first-team selection) and 1978-79.
Michael Edwards F Weatherford (Tex.) Pan American Averaged 22.3 ppg and 4.5 rpg for PAU in 1976-77 and 1977-78.
Ozie Edwards G Eastern Oklahoma A&M Oklahoma City Ranked among nation's top 33 scorers in 1971-72 (22.9 ppg) and 1972-73 (28.4 ppg).
Denny Fitzpatrick G Orange Coast (Calif.) California Leading scorer for 1959 NCAA champion when All-PCC first-team selection ranked second in nation in free-throw accuracy (85.4%).
Ernie Fleming F Gardner-Webb (N.C.) Jacksonville Averaged 20.6 ppg and 7.5 rpg with JU in 1970-71 and 1971-72. Set school single-game scoring record with 59 points against St. Peter's.
Winston Garland G Southeastern (Iowa) Missouri State Averaged 18.9 ppg, 3 rpg, 4.4 apg and 2.1 spg in 1985-86 and 1986-87. As a senior, he was Mid-Continent Conference MVP.
Alton Lee Gipson C Utica (Miss.) Florida State Two-time All-Metro Conference selection averaged 19.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg and 1.7 bpg for the Seminoles in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
Neil Gordon F Wingate (N.C.) Furman Two-time All-Southern Conference selection averaged 22.4 ppg for the Paladins in 1951-52 and 1952-53.
Kenneth Green F Ranger (Tex.) Pan American Averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.5 rpg for PAU in 1979-80 and 1980-81.
Sydney Grider G Aquinas (Tenn.) Southwestern Louisiana Two-time All-American South Conference first-team selection averaged 24.5 ppg with USL in 1988-89 (16th in nation with 25.5 ppg) and 1989-90, leading the league in scoring both seasons.
Jeff Halliburton G San Jacinto (Tex.) Drake Two-time All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection averaged 17.1 ppg and 7.5 rpg for the Bulldogs in 1969-70 and 1970-71.
Carl Herrera F Jacksonville (Tex.) Houston Venezuelan native averaged 16.7 ppg and 9.2 rpg for the Cougars in 1989-90 before declaring early for the NBA draft (30th pick overall in second round).
Bill Hewitt F Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) Southern California Two-time All-AAWU first-team selection averaged 19.1 ppg and 11.3 rpg for the Trojans in 1966-67 and 1967-68.
Greg "Stretch" Howard F Hartnell (Calif.) New Mexico Two-time All-WAC selection averaged 16.6 ppg and 10.1 rpg for the Lobos in 1967-68 and 1968-69. He led them in rebounding average both seasons and in scoring average as a senior.
Lester Hudson G Southwest Tennessee Tennessee-Martin Two-time Ohio Valley Conference MVP ranked among nation's top five scorers in 2007-08 and 2008-09 while averaging 26.6 ppg. He also contributed 7.8 rpg and 4.4 apg.
Avery Johnson G New Mexico JC Southern (La.) Led NCAA in assists in 1986-87 (10.7 apg) and 1987-88 (13.3 apg). SWAC Player of the Year as senior dished out at least 20 scoring feeds in four league games.
Marvin Johnson F Howard (Tex.) New Mexico Two-time All-WAC selection averaged 21.9 ppg and 6 rpg with the Lobos in 1976-77 and 1977-78. Set school single-game scoring record with 50 points against Colorado State.
Frankie King G Brunswick (Ga.) Western Carolina Two-time All-Southern Conference first-team selection averaged 26.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.8 spg in 1993-94 and 1994-95. As a senior, he was league MVP.
Tom King F Cameron (Okla.) New Mexico Ranked among NCAA's top 32 in rebound percentage in 1959-60 (15 rpg) and 1960-61 (16.3 rpg).
Jim Loscutoff F Grant Tech (Calif.) Oregon Ranked 19th in NCAA in rebounding with 17.2 per game in 1954-55 after missing two seasons while serving in U.S. Army.
Ollie Mack G San Jacinto (Tex.) East Carolina Averaged 23 ppg and 4.3 rpg for the Pirates in 1977-78 and 1978-79. Ranked fourth in NCAA in scoring as junior with 28 ppg.
Shawn Marion F Vincennes (Ind.) UNLV All-WAC first-team selection averaged team highs of 18.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.5 spg and 1.9 bpg for the Rebels in 1998-99 before declaring early for NBA draft (ninth pick overall).
De'Teri Mayes G Wallace-Hanceville (Ala.) Murray State Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference first-team selection averaged 21.3 ppg and 5.4 rpg for the Racers in 1996-97 and 1997-98. As a senior, he was OVC MVP when leading league in scoring.
Stan Mayhew F Trinidad (Colo.) Weber State Big Sky Conference's top scorer in 1976-77 when averaging 22 ppg and 10.2 rpg. Scored 45 points in a single game against Utah State (school record for more than 41 years).
Von McDade G Iowa Lakes Milwaukee Oklahoma State transfer averaged 29.6 ppg (third in nation), 5.4 rpg, 3.7 apg and 3.5 spg with Milwaukee in 1990-91. He set school single-game record with 50 points at Illinois.
McCoy McLemore F Moberly Area (Mo.) Drake Averaged 14.2 ppg and 11.2 rpg for the Bulldogs in 1962-63 and 1963-64 (All-Missouri Valley Conference first-team selection).
Tim Moore F Lee (Tex.) Houston Two-time All-SWC selection led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding all three seasons from 1993-94 through 1995-96, ranking among NCAA's top 20 in rebounding as junior and senior.
Rex Morgan G Lake Land (Ill.) Jacksonville Averaged 22 ppg and 6.8 rpg for the Dolphins in 1968-69 and 1969-70. As a senior, he was runner-up to All-American Artis Gilmore in scoring for JU's NCAA playoff runner-up. Ranked 10th in nation in scoring with 26.7 ppg as a junior.
Charles "Bo" Outlaw F-C South Plains (Tex.) Houston Two-time all-league selection led NCAA in field-goal shooting in 1991-92 (68.4%) and 1992-93 (65.8%) while ranking among nation's top 10 in blocked shots both seasons. SWC Player of the Year as a senior.
Robert "Sonny" Parker F Mineral Area (Mo.) Texas A&M Two-time SWC Player of the Year averaged 17.7 ppg and 7.1 rpg for the Aggies in 1974-75 and 1975-76.
Timothy Pollard G Coahoma (Miss.) Mississippi Valley State Two-time All-SWAC third-team selection led NCAA in three-point field goals made per game in 1987-88 (4.7) and 1988-89 (4.4).
Hector Romero F Independence (Kan.) New Orleans Venezuelan native averaged 19.3 ppg and 10 rpg in 2001-02 and 2002-03. He was Sun Belt Conference MVP as a junior.
Ollie Shannon G Minneapolis CC Minnesota Averaged 19.7 ppg in 1969-70 and 1970-71, leading the Gophers in scoring average both seasons. Tied school single-game scoring record with 42 points against Wisconsin.
Curt Smith G Compton (Calif.) Drake Averaged 21.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 4.6 apg and 2.7 spg as Missouri Valley Conference MVP in 1992-93.
Mike Smith G-F Bossier Parish (La.) Louisiana-Monroe Two-time All-Southland Conference first-team selection averaged 19.3 ppg, 8.2 rpg and 2.7 apg for ULM in 1998-99 and 1999-00. As a senior, he was league MVP before becoming an NBA draft selection.
Riley Smith C-F Odessa (Tex.) Idaho Averaged 19.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 1.4 spg in 1988-89 and 1989-90. As a senior, he was Big Sky Conference MVP.
Ryan Stuart F Lon Morris (Tex.) Northeast Louisiana Two-time Southland Conference MVP averaged 21.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in 1991-92 and 1992-93.
Henry Taylor F South Plains (Tex.) Pan American Averaged 20 ppg and 12.8 rpg for the Broncs in 1976-77 and 1977-78.
Gary Turner F-C Paris (Tex.) Texas Christian Three-time All-SWC selection led the Horned Frogs in scoring and rebounding each season from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
Shaun Vandiver F Hutchinson (Kan.) Colorado Three-time All-Big Eight Conference selection averaged 20.6 ppg and 10.6 rpg for the Buffs from 1988-89 through 1990-91.
Obet Vazquez F Trinidad State (Colo.) Central Connecticut State Averaged 22 ppg and 7.6 rpg for CCSU in 1990-91.
Dave Wagnon G Boise (Idaho) Idaho State Averaged 25.5 ppg and 4.9 rpg for the Bengals in 1964-65 and 1965-66. As a senior, he narrowly finished national runner-up to Purdue All-American Dave Schellhase in scoring with 32.5 ppg.
"Jo Jo" Walters G Essex County (Md.) Manhattan Averaged 20.1 ppg and 5.3 rpg for the Jaspers in 1977-78 and 1978-79.
Mitchell Wiggins F Truett-McConnell (Ga.) Florida State Clemson transfer ranked among NCAA's top 23 scorers with the Seminoles in 1981-82 (23.8 ppg) and 1982-83 (22.7 ppg).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 19 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 19 in NFL postseason competition (especially tight ends):

JANUARY 19

  • 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) scored two second-half touchdowns in a 37-20 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship contest following 2019 season. Packers TEs Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09 under coach Frank Haith) and Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) combined to catch six passes for 73 yards from Aaron Rodgers.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91 under coaches Terry Holland and Jeff Jones) returned four kickoffs for 91 yards in a 16-13 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2001 season.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 33-19 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Chicago Bears following 2001 season.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had team-high eight pass receptions in a 26-16 AFC Championship game win against the New England Patriots following 2013 season.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 18 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 18 in football at the professional level (especially for Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X and both conference championship contests following 2008 season):

JANUARY 18

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Jean Fugett (leading scorer and rebounder for Amherst MA as junior in 1970-71) had a pass reception in 21-17 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X following 1975 season. Cowboys WR Percy Howard (All-OVC selection as senior averaged 12.4 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Austin Peay from 1972-73 through 1974-75) caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in the fourth quarter and RB Preston Pearson (averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Illinois from 1964-65 through 1966-67) had five catches for 53 yards. Pokes LDE Ed "Too Tall" Jones (averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) recorded five solo tackles and Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC hooper with Fort Valley State GA) started at RT for them.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught three passes for 26 yards in a 23-14 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2008 season.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 32-25 NFC championship game setback against the Arizona Cardinals following 2008 season.

  • Indianapolis Colts TE Marcus Pollard (JC transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) had a game-high 90 receiving yards in 24-14 AFC Championship setback against the New England Patriots following 2003 season.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 17 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 17 in football at the professional level (especially San Diego Charger receivers Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson in playoffs following 2009 season and multiple individuals in Super Bowl V):

JANUARY 17

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had eight pass receptions in a 17-14 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New York Jets following 2009 season. 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) had seven receptions for 111 receiving yards.

  • 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 four passes for 34 yards in a 30-27 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC championship game following 1998 season.

  • Baltimore Colts TE John Mackey (Syracuse hooper in 1960-61) caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Johnny Unitas in 16-13 win against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V following 1970 season. Colts RCB Jim Duncan (Maryland-Eastern Shore hooper) chipped in with one solo tackle, one fumble recovery and four kickoff returns for 90 yards. Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted nine times for a 41.9-yard average and SS Cornell Green (senior All-American when finishing career in 1961-62 as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) contributed a solo tackle.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught three passes for 37 yards from John Elway in a 23-10 win against the New York Jets in AFC Championship following 1998 season.

Foolish Felons: Mission Impossible Comprehending Reggie Harding Club Spit

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?" - Will Rogers

If Ryan Rollins returning to scene of crime and big Fani Willis as GA DA trying to rehab her image in church are the new norm to make lives matter, then our nation is in deep doo-doo. Rollins, on target as Toledo's top scorer as a sophomore in 2021-22, was accused of shoplifting multiple times during last fall from a Target store in Alexandria, Va., while a member of the NBA's Washington Wizards. All-Mid-American Conference first-team selection was charged with seven counts of petit larceny (twice in September-four times in October-once in November) pilfering body wash, candles, sporting goods, groceries and more valued at less than $1,000. He seemingly was desperate for these household items despite his contract including a fully guaranteed $1.7 million salary for the 2023-24 campaign and $600,000 of his 2024-25 salary fully guaranteed. Did he think he was still a poor college student desperate for goods as a senior or was Plagiarist Biledumb confiscating too much of his hefty NBA check in taxes?

The bizarre behavior in Biden's what-is-yours-is-mine economy includes players from recent seasons and more than 60 years ago. There was no telling where the twists and turns could go for Syracuse walk-on Brenda Paul this year when the alleged "mule" for rap mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested. In a version of "disrespecting by elderly," former NFL end with New York Giants Clyde "Pete" Hall was in his 80s last spring when arrested in federal drug sting with seven kilograms of cocaine. Hall, who also played hoops for Marquette in the late 1950s, was found guilty of investment fraud in 2010, receiving a 20-year sentence for swindling investors of more than $4 million. Last QB for Marquette football in 1959 served portion of penalty calling signals in home confinement during the coronavirus pandemic. A couple of years ago, intellectual-lightweight thugs may have thought they were on precipice of free Big Macs and Happy Meals as reparations when vandalizing a Ronald McDonald House in Chicago. Actually, all the criminals did was terrorize sick kids inside undergoing cancer and other hospital treatment. How reprehensible is that "protest"? In an attempt not to "bait" inept Chi-raq Mayors Lori Lightweight and her whiny successor plus Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, it should be pointed out that NCAA coaches, administrators and officials are equally incompetent in dealing with riotous bad actors.

Speaking of riots, small-college vagabond Bryce Williams (Crown MN, Saint Leo FL, Lancaster Bible PA and Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 2013-14 through 2016-17) pleaded guilty to federal arson in connection with a violent mob burning the south Minneapolis Police Department's Third Precinct in May 2020. He was sentenced to three years and three months in federal prison plus ordered to help pay $12 million in restitution for the damage. Williams, holding a molotov cocktail while another individual lit the wick, was identified at the scene from surveillance footage. He brazenly published videos of himself and other rioters to his TikTok account and gave an interview on Instagram describing his punk participation. The "Influencer" apparently was in middle of making a documentary showcasing George Floyd protests across the country. Fentanyl-user Floyd was a former juco hooper in Florida.

Basketball seems to have more skeletons in its closet than mass murderer John Wayne Gacy. Say what? Well, when incredulity bubbles up, that's how you secure an affiliation with Reggie! Reggie! Reggie! Reggie Harding, a seven-foot "gangster," was the first player drafted into NBA without having played in college (1962). He was shot dead in an argument at a Detroit intersection at the age of 30 in 1972. Local lore has it that, upon a masked Harding robbing the same gas station for the third time in his own neighborhood, the attendant told him he knew who it was. "No, man, it ain't me," Harding was said to have replied. "Shut up and give me the money!" Seems as if public should be responding to athletic social scholars in similar fashion: "Shut up and play!"

With Harding as the state's "stupid" headliner worthy of Will Rogers quotation, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised about repulsive revelations at Michigan State, where Spartans needed Trojans playing miniature hoops strip poke her learning how to conduct themselves with opposite sex in dormitory room at freshman orientation in late August 2010. Let's hope MSU coach Tom Izzo, in his tireless quest "worrying about the survivors" along with chronic criminal Keith Appling, finally knows the identities of chain-reaction scholars he brought to campus in this among other sordid incidents. Scum has risen to the top of pond of moral values that college athletics pretends to represent when featuring its version of a Benny Hill show.

Never underestimate logic of the moronic. Much of the crazy spit in hoopdom is skool-daze weirder than Davidson grad Stephen Curry's expressed view of moon landings. BSLSD tax cheat Al "Not So" Sharpton probably believes the colossal collection of crazed characters deserve some "R-E-S-P-I-C-T." But whether for money or not, Harding and Shell are mocking worthy of a basketball segment guest hosted by fossilized frauds Reverend Al and "anti-termite" Screwie Louie Farrakhan on "America's Dumbest Criminals" TV show after Queen of Soul Arthea's funeral in Harding's hometown of Detroit. Dumb demonstrations are in their uncivilized DNA. The following alphabetical list of intolerable foolish felons and faulty fellows joined Harding as Beavis & Butthead jerks as disgusting as James Comey's FISA-lies FBI seventh-floor front office in concert with smear-merchant lame-stream #MessMedia and wild-eyed Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib of the Odd Squad:

A DOLT ENTERTAINMENT: Glendon Alexander (Arkansas/Oklahoma State) was imprisoned at Seagoville (Tex.) Federal Correctional Institution after pleading guilty to bank and wire fraud. Among a variety of con jobs and scams, Alexander's most brazen was transferring nearly $1.5 million from the account of a California adult-entertainment industry executive into his account. Alexander, who averaged 10.1 ppg from 1996-97 through 1999-00 before saying later he seldom attended class at either school, took the money after meeting the nanny of the adult entertainment figure's children in an internet chat room and visiting her in Encinitas, Calif. Alexander, who earned a spot on the 1996-97 SEC All-Freshman team with Arkansas before competing in the NCAA playoffs with Oklahoma State, also admitted to writing checks totaling $46,500 off the commercial account of a Dallas area dentist and $150,000 worth of cash. He averaged 9.4 ppg in 1998-99 when OSU teammate Doug Gottlieb led the nation in assists after assisting himself to credit cards of other students and exiting Notre Dame. Described by Razorbacks coach Nolan Richardson as "a troublesome person; an habitual liar," Alexander was arrested in May 2009 and sentenced to six months in federal prison for failure to make restitution payments. He reportedly attempted to cash with forged signature a scholarship check belonging to an OSU teammate. Con man used alias "Cerruti Brown" when trying to create the AmeriLeague, a fledgling pro basketball alliance based in Las Vegas for recognizable castoffs scheduled to conduct its draft in fall of 2015 before unraveling.

TARGETING DOMINO EFFECT: Darrell Allums (UCLA), center for the Bruins' 1980 NCAA Tournament runner-up, was sentenced to nine years in state prison for armed robbery. According to a probation report, Allums became dependent on cocaine and turned to robbing Target stores and Domino's Pizza deliverymen in the South Bay area in 1987 to get cash. If Allums crossed the state line, a unique "game under 30 minutes" of one-on-one could have unfolded if he encountered Jason Petrimoulx (UNLV), who faced a count of forgery as a Domino's delivery driver in mid-September 2007 (accused of making imprint of customer's debit card). Another Final Deplore pizza thief was Lorenzo Charles (North Carolina State), who began the 1982-83 season in the doghouse after pilfering two pizzas from a delivery boy while in summer session before "movin' on up" to penthouse providing decisive dunk in NCAA Tournament championship game against heavily-favored Houston. Craving also must have consumed Tyrone Nelson (Prairie View/New Mexico State), who was charged with robbing a pizza man in late summer 2006.

FIVE-FINGER DISCOUNT FOR FIRST FIVE-STAR NCAA BID: Malik Alvin (Texas-El Paso/Binghamton/Shaw NC) was suspended three games by BU in school's first NCAA playoff season (2008-09 when averaging 11.5 ppg, 3 rpg and 3.7 apg) after charged with stealing pack of 36 condoms from a Wal-Mart and knocking an elderly woman to the floor on way out. Larceny charge was dropped and Alvin pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct (customer suffered concussion). In fall of 2009 after a student reported her debit card was stolen and used to make unauthorized purchases, Alvin was among multiple transfers kicked off BU's roster (including ex-Jacksonville player David Fine/son of Syracuse assistant coach Bernie Fine immersed in scandal a couple of years later). Giving a middle finger to one of its professors, BU fired a lecturer in Human Development amid her accusations the athletic department gave preferential treatment to hoopers and pressured her to change grades. If not discerning it's unwise to submit "free" papers, copying them off the Internet as research classwork, we presume Alvin learned most schools give away free condoms for his "work" off the court. Alvin, a Philly product, previously was dismissed by UTEP (averaged 8 ppg, 2.9 rpg and team-high 4.4 apg in 2006-07) and later transferred to Raleigh, N.C.-based Shaw, where he became CIAA Player of the Year in 2011-12. At least scholarly Andy Robinson (Buffalo) was willing to pay for his bogus schoolwork. Robinson was suspended three games after posting grammatically-challenged ad on Facebook in spring of 2008 offering $30-$40 for fellow student to author a course paper for him.

FATHER'S DAY PARENTING CLASS: Willie Anderson (Georgia), in the fall of 2003, reportedly lost almost all of the $1.75 million he was to receive from a deferred 10-year contract with the San Antonio Spurs to the IRS and three women who said he did not pay child support. The IRS, in a lawsuit, had sought almost $400,000 from what it said were unpaid taxes from a nightclub Anderson co-owned, Strictly Jazz, plus unpaid income taxes. During court hearings in 2000, it was revealed Anderson fathered at least nine children by seven women. Civil warrants were issued twice for his arrest in child-support matters in Georgia state court. The two-time All-SEC selection in late 1980s was jailed in November 1999 for contempt when he didn't show up for another hearing. But Anderson doesn't seem as if he'll medal in the Sperminator Games. Pending audit confirmation of paternity results, Anderson apparently still trails potent philanderers Jason Caffey (Alabama), Shawn Kemp (Kentucky signee), Calvin Murphy (Niagara) and Sedale Threatt Sr. (West Virginia Tech) for most baby mamas in hoops history. Tough guy Juwan Howard (Michigan) is honorable mention nominee.

GIVE ME CREDIT: Gilbert Arenas (Arizona) was suspended for most of the 2009-10 NBA season stemming from a felony gun possession in a locker room and subsequent actions appearing to make light of the episode. Pleaded no contest to misdemeanor weapon charges resulting from an incident in San Mateo County (Calif.) in 2003 after being an All-Pacific-10 Conference selection as a sophomore in 2000-01. Arrested in California in late June 2013 for possession of illegal fireworks in the back of his pickup truck, Arenas appeared to attempt igniting fireworks during 2023-24 season by calling for black players to "take out" and discredit white players ("Euros") for trying to take "their league." In the spring of 2014, Arenas took a cinder block and smashed a Mercedes his longtime flame had been driving, claiming the incident was revenge for her allegedly breaking numerous windows in his house and ruining his Netflix account by throwing his computer into the pool. In late January 2016, Arenas bragged on social media how he committed credit-card fraud at strip clubs. He probably should have served as a consultant to Warren Jones (Bradley/Green Bay) and Al Miller (UCF). Jones was the Braves' leading scorer midway through the 2014-15 campaign when arrested at a strip club on misdemeanor charges of obstruction of identification and criminal trespass in the wee hours of morning following a home defeat. Miller was charged with pointing a gun in theft of local night club disc jockey in middle of 2002-03 season before ditching in-home monitoring device and failing to arrive in circuit court for trial on armed-robbery charge. Instead of plastic, Arenas could have been like Anthony Jenkins (Clemson), who pleaded guilty to passing five counterfeit $100 bills at a Spartanburg, S.C., nightclub in the fall of 1991. The college cager counterfeiters also included transfers Dustin Thomas (Colorado/Arkansas) and Jacorey Williams (Arkansas/East Tennessee State), who both pleaded guilty to possessing "Monopoly" money in summer of 2015 they knew or should have known was not authentic.

I'M NOT ROLE MODEL: Charles Barkley (Auburn), a three-time All-SEC selection from 1981-82 through 1983-84, was arrested for breaking a man's nose during a fight at 2:30 A.M. just before Christmas in 1991 after a game at Milwaukee and also for throwing a bar patron through a plate-glass window in late October 1997 after being struck with a glass of ice while in Orlando for an exhibition game. In August 1997, a jury rejected a $550,000 lawsuit from a man who claimed Barkley beat him up at a Cleveland nightclub. Charges were dropped against Barkley and fellow NBA player Jayson Williams stemming from an accusation they were in a bar fight in Chicago in 1992. Compulsive gambler said in an ESPN interview in May 2006 that he lost approximately $10 million through gambling, including $2.5 million "in a six-hour period" while playing blackjack. The Wynn Las Vegas resort filed a civil complaint in May 2008 that Barkley failed to repay four $100,000 casino markers, or loans, received the previous October. He took a leave of absence from TNT Sports' broadcast booth in early 2009 after test results showed he was legally drunk (nearly twice the legal limit) on New Year's Eve when Phoenix police arrested him on suspicion of drunken driving. Barkley, who triggered a national debate with his "I am not a role model" proclamation, told police he was in a hurry to go have sex from a female passenger he had just picked up from a popular nightclub. We'll see if CNN's King Charles gabfest will have a segment centered around this topic. Barkley apparently was seeking much more activity than Emery Coleman II (New Mexico State) although the outcome for Coleman was significantly more dire as he was charged with homicide by vehicle in connection with an auto accident killing an 85-year-old man midway through the 2011-12 season. Coleman allegedly was using his cellphone to send a text message ("would you kiss me on the neck") at the time of accident. Another "entertainer" unworthy of being a role model was seven-footer Andy Slocum (Texas A&M), who was better known for his time in WWE under the ring name Jackson Andrews before TMZ revelations in late summer 2012 of having two fiancees at the same time. Another "player" was Corey Bailey (UNLV), who received a citation for misdemeanor battery in spring of 2008 after arranging "group therapy" meeting with three females to clear up matter as to whether he was "lying and cheating" on them.

MOVIN' FROM TIRE IRON TO STOLEN X-RATED VIDEOS: Marvin Barnes (Providence), a unanimous first-team All-American in 1973-74, was arrested for a variety of things - trespassing, being under the influence of narcotics, burglary of a locked vehicle. Homeless in San Diego, he stole X-rated videos to sell for drug money. The odd personality once refused to board a plane from Louisville to St. Louis because the flight was scheduled to arrive (Central Time) before its departure time (Eastern Time), with him renting a car instead saying, "I ain't getting in no damn time machine." Barnes, who also showed up late in his Rolls-Royce at a Spirits of St. Louis ABA home outing in a full-length mink coat with uniform on underneath bypassing locker room going straight to the court, claims his cocaine addiction escalated to the point where he snorted drugs on the Boston Celtics' bench during a game. Barnes said he hit rock bottom during one of his drug-related prison stints when he almost killed a fellow inmate. After a flight delay caused then Spirits' radio announcer Bob Costas to miss the start of a contest at Memphis, Barnes told him "don't worry about it bro" because he could be his chauffeur if fired ("I've been looking for a little white dude to drive me around."). Barnes attended the John Lucas Treatment Center in Houston and worked as a director at a halfway house before encountering liver problems. In mid-May 2007, he was arrested by state police on a felony charge of cocaine possession. In mid-January 2012, Barnes was 59 when arraigned in Rhode Island on a charge of soliciting a 17-year-old minor for sex after they met through his Rebound Foundation for at-risk youths. In 1972, he was charged with assault after hitting PC teammate Larry Ketvirtis with a tire iron following a scrimmage (fined $10,000 in federal court for damages). Barnes once asked Providence Journal columnist Bill Reynolds if cocaine kills brain cells before saying: "I must have been a genius when I started out." While incarcerated, Movin' Marvin was moved to tell Reynolds: "Here I am trying to get myself straightened out and they come out with a brand-new drug (crystal meth)." The intellect meter for PC players didn't appear to "move" much decades later when Donta Wade, Jamaal Camah and David Murray were barred from returning to school for their senior season in 2000-01 after allegedly attacking two other students (including bouncer who removed Murray from a local bar).

GOVERNMENT JOBS FOR BIG BLUE BEDFELLOWS: Horny Winston Bennett (Kentucky), an All-SEC second-team selection as a junior in 1985-86, said he "slept with 90 women a month." Only 10 weeks on the job in a state government position, he was fired in fall of 2017 after sending inappropriate emails (including to subordinates). Who conducted a background check on him and did they overlook his termination as a Boston Celtics aide under Rick Pitino by having a sexual relationship with a female student at Brandeis where the NBA team practiced? Previously, Richie Farmer (Kentucky), a shooting guard in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after entering a guilty plea to government corruption in mid-September 2013 following the state attorney general's office and ethics commission charging him with 42 ethics violations. A scathing state audit about Farmer's eight years as state agriculture commissioner alleged he misused state workers and resources for personal gain. He was accused of placing his friends in jobs with no specified duties and asking them to carry out his personal errands plus build a basketball court on his property. Was Farmer wanting to make a hoops comeback and play in Seniors Tournament with his UK coach (Pitino)? Red-blooded Pitino protege Joshua Tinch's employment as high school special education instructor didn't last long, either. Known more for exploits as UK rival Louisville WR, he was terminated after a female student complained he had inappropriate contact with her when she was 16 shortly following his hiring in August 2011. There was no telling what kind of job Derek Willis (Kentucky) warranted upon being found at nearly 5 a.m. passed out drunk with his body and head extending well into middle of the street next to open driver's side door of car in mid-June 2016. As byproduct of defunding police on progressive wish list, left-wing riots in Portland causing more than $2 million in damage to federal buildings might have been averted if Terrence Jones (Kentucky) was hired as community consultant clearing the streets after he reportedly stomped on a homeless man's leg in late July 2013.

WHAT BAND-AID CAN TAKE FROM YOU: Derrick Chievous (Missouri), sporting trademark band-aid, was an All-American as a junior in 1986-87. He was charged with felony stealing in May, 2001, for allegedly taking items from the United Parcel Service terminal in Columbia, Mo., where he had worked for nine months after playing in the NBA and Europe. Chievous, who was under investigation for months regarding possible theft, allegedly fled from managers while carrying stolen items. In 1997, he was arrested for failure to pay child support. "I'm not the marrying type," said Chievous, who had daughters in his college town plus Philadelphia and Chicago. "I'm not always the greatest dad. But I'm the best dad they've got." Offspring should start tradition of sending him box of band-aids via UPS on Father's Day.

ROOTS OF REMOTE CONTROL: Ricky Clemons (Missouri), after reportedly attending six different high schools, was kicked off the Tigers' squad during the summer of 2003 following a judge determining the North Carolina native violated conditions for serving a sentence in a halfway house and ordered him to jail. The sentence stemmed from two misdemeanors in an assault case involving his former white girlfriend after she didn't want to watch Roots. In subsequent taped jail telephone conversations, Clemons alleged Mizzou assistant coaches gave money to him and other players. The J.C. recruit, who scored 26 points against Iowa and 27 against Syracuse, also crashed an ATV on the school president's lawn at a July 4 party. Believe it or not, the wife of the school's first black president suggested Clemons avoid dating white women. A mid-2001 charge he choked and struck another woman in Idaho was not prosecuted because the woman didn't respond to a request to testify. You've got to exhibit more control of your viewing habits. Wade Jenkins (Tulsa) pleaded no contest to charge of mutilating municipal property for allegedly breaking a door at convention center in spring of 1991 after attending a Toughman boxing contest.

DUMBER THAN DOORKNOB (AT HIS APARTMENT): Sheldon Cooley (East Tennessee State) and teammate Marcus Dubose were dropped from ETSU's roster following DTF charges (subsequently dismissed) in a mid-November 2012 drug investigation. Later, the school's postal services manager was terminated for violating federal law by opening the latest in a series of suspicious express mail packages. Another package earmarked for Dubose containing $10,700 cash was intercepted by drug agents in the days following their arrests. It was Cooley's second arrest that year. He had entered a guilty plea to solicitation to file a false police report, stemming from a robbery probe at his campus apartment, during which he lied to cops about what was taken. Cooley claimed $1,300 in cash was stolen from his room during a theft where a pair of teammates were bound and gagged at gunpoint. Tampa native told police the reason burglars were able to get into the apartment was he left his key/swipe-card in the mailbox. A comparably confusing breaking-and-entering explanation came from Gus Santos (Wichita State) in March 1987 when he was arrested while attempting to kick in a door to an empty hotel room. The Shockers' leading scorer in 1985-86 told local police he was only looking for a quiet place to sleep. As a freshman in late 1980, Steve Stipanovich (Missouri) was shot in the arm. At first, Stipanovich said a masked intruder (donning red-checked flannel shirt and cowboy boots) broke into his apartment, shouted obscenities against hoopers and shot him. Later, the eventual two-time All-American changed the story, admitting he accidentally shot himself with a .22-caliber weapon (facing WHO SHOT STIPO? WHO SHOT STUPO? signs in Big Eight Conference road games). Stipo's fellow All-American and teammate Ricky Frazier, a transfer from St. Louis prior to becoming Big Eight Player of the Year in 1982, was charged with two other men in warrants in spring of 1986 with stealing more than $150 in a shoplifting incident at a Walmart in Sikeston, Mo. Another player filing false police report was Anton Jenifer (VCU/Morgan State), who claimed he was shot during an attempted robbery while entering his apartment in spring of 2001. After noticing inconsistencies in his story, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the dwelling and seized a 9mm semiautomatic handgun. Elsewhere, A.J. West (Nevada) was described as the neighbor from hell by renting out two Brooklyn apartments he leased and using them to throw raucous all-night parties and shoot music videos in studio setting. West reportedly wasn't paying his rent, leveraging pandemic exceptions to turn his apartments into money-makers. At least Cooley, Frazier, Jenifer, Santos, Stipanovich and West weren't as cruel as Donald Little (Cincinnati), who was charged with kidnapping, beating and burning his roommate in spring of 2002.

"DE" GOLD MEDAL FOR HEALTHY EXCUSE: Olympians DeMarcus Cousins (Kentucky), DeMar DeRozan (Southern California) and DeAndre Jordan (Texas A&M) were caught going to notorious high-end brothel near the Copacabana beach in Rio in August 2016 before Team USA source offered feeble explanation that "they thought it was a health spa." In "de" spring of 2016, DeShaun Thrower and Stony Brook teammate RayShaun McGrew were charged with third-degree grand larceny and criminal mischief after allegedly breaking the rental car window of a student who had $5,000 in cash in Toyota after cashing tax refund check.

RELIGIOUS CHICKEN LITTLE SKY IS FALLING: Chris Craig (Creighton signee/Texas-El Paso), a guard who averaged 8.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg and 2.7 apg for UTEP in 2002-03 and 2003-04, was arrested in Utah in early August 2013 on an outstanding warrant for drug possession one month after he was detained at a Walmart in Arizona following alleged threatening statements to people on a junior college campus. Former assistant coach at Northern Colorado, referring to himself as an "Islamic jihadist," was spotted wandering about and warning Catholics and Mormons they "would be destroyed" in the near future. Dealing with mental illness after coaching Eastern Utah to a third-place finish in 2010 NJCAA Tournament, he drove a car covered in spray-painted religious messages. In mid-September 2016, Craig was arrested after allegedly threatening to blow up an elementary school in Utah.

PILFERING PATIENTS' PAIN PILLS: Kevin Criswell (Montana), the Grizzlies' second-leading scorer four straight seasons from 2002-03 through 2005-06, faced two-count indictment in spring of 2014 charging physical therapist with conspiracy and acquiring hydrocodone and oxycodone by forgery, fraud or subterfuge. "Dr. Pill" was sentenced to four years of probation, six months in a residential drug treatment center and paying restitution of $6,400 to one patient suffering severe emotional trauma after pleading guilty to breaking into homes and stealing pain pills from multiple patients. In other Northwest court documents, Craig Ehlo (Washington State) admitted to past problems with substance abuse (prescription painkillers) in receiving a suspended one-year jail sentence following pleading guilty to setting fire to a pile of clothes outside his rural Spokane home. Ehlo was arrested in early August 2013 after firefighters responded around 1 a.m. and encountered family members holding him down near his burning clothes to prevent 14-year NBA player from jumping into the flames.

CUPID RUINS VALENTINE'S DAY: The cute little Valentine Day's cupid we know today can be traced back to a vengeful Roman god who was also a mama's boy. Cupid wasn't exactly the symbol of love and affection on the eve of the mid-February holiday in 2007 when Malik Cupid (Colgate) was charged with stealing $1,400 electronically from his former sweetheart while she was stationed in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Another hooper missing the mark with his arrow was Bryn Forbes (Cleveland State/Michigan State), who was arrested around 5:15 a.m. on Valentine's Day in 2023 after allegedly assaulting his ex-porn star fiancee. They reportedly were set up by Kylie Jenner's ex-best friend Jordyn Woods, who dated former Forbes NBA teammate Karl-Anthony Towns. The case against celebrity ambassador Forbes was dismissed after successfully applying for a pre-trial diversion program.

PHOTO CONSENT RELEASE: Robbie Dean Dosty (Arizona) was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty in summer of 2007 to theft by extortion stemming from his threat to send photographs of a man having sex with him to the man's employer. Drug charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea from Dosty, who averaged 10 ppg and 5 rpg from 1977-78 through 1980-81. Shopping additional photo news, a former Coppin State player filed a lawsuit against his assistant coach for allegedly posing as a female to manipulate him (online "catfishing") to sending nude photos and blackmailing him into filming a sexual encounter. The "black male" player claimed he caved into the demands because he was afraid of losing his scholarship. Unless embroiled in The Real Housewives of Potomac gossip, what did Coppin's former head coach know and when did ex-Maryland All-American guard Juan Dixon know it? In the summer of 2012, a salacious photo-extortion story unfolded when an ex-mistress stripper and co-conspirator were busted for a purported $200,000 plot against Mark Jackson (St. John's), who moonlighted as a minister at a LA suburb-based non-denominational church, for sending compromising nude pics during a 2006 affair. The NCAA assists average leader in 1985-86 and All-American in 1986-87 after participating in 1985 Final Four quoted the Bible, saying "what goes on in the dark, comes out in the light. He "shimmied off" while called a "Bible-pounding phony" by ESPN colleague Bob Ryan before the politically-correct network responded by suspending the venerable ex-Boston Globe columnist for a couple of weeks.

MAY HOLIDAY SEASON BE FILLED WITH POP-A-SHOT: Three Eastern Washington players - Robert Otis, Nate Perkins and John Randa - were arrested for petty larceny the week before Christmas 1985 on charges they stole 153 cans of soda pop from the Holiday Inn they stayed in prior to road game against Idaho State. The soda jerks were headed to court after accused of pilfering pop from a machine inadvertently left unlocked. "Life Tasted Good" for EWU on-court, however, as Otis scored 19 points and Randa scooped up a loose ball before he "popped" a decisive basket with three seconds remaining in 61-59 triumph. Another holiday season failed to unfold any better for walk-on Chris Armstrong (Niagara), who was charged with creating a ruckus in fall of 2009 (disorderly conduct and resisting arrest). Police officers said they saw a highly-intoxicated man in trench coat who appeared to be naked (actually wearing "vulgar" Halloween costume) struggling with bouncer trying to get him out of a bar.

NET DREAM: James Felton (St. John's/Florida State/Saint Peter's/Fairleigh Dickinson), when on a recruiting visit at Kentucky's Midnight Madness the weekend of 1996, fell asleep during a meeting with an academic counselor and coach Rick Pitino sent him home. Kicked off St. John's squad early in freshman season in 1997-98 for repeated violations (missing team flight to Puerto Rico for season-opening tournament, inviting friends to team practice at MSG only to see his "posse" pilfer everything not nailed down in the Knicks' locker room and sitting on the court because "I didn't feel much like practicing today"). Left FSU after money and things were missing from the Seminoles' locker room. Cleared up an arrest warrant against him for trying to sell stolen property at a pawn shop, but wore out his welcome at Saint Peter's before playing a game for the Peacocks. He failed to show up for a summer school final exam in 1999 after actually taking pokes while under the influence at SPC's coaching staff during an unsupervised workout. Suspended for portion of a season attending FDU before scoring 41 points in a game against LIU. Felton, known to binge drink and in alcohol rehab, was found dead in his Jersey City apartment in early November 2006 at the age of 27. Speaking of sobriety and stupidity, former All-American guard Charlie Bell (Michigan State) arrived inebriated at drunk-driving court in 2011.

SQUATTERS RIGHTS: Chris Gatling (Pittsburgh/Old Dominion), a three-time All-Sun Belt Conference first-team selection, was sentenced to four years of probation after pleading guilty to theft and forgery charges after accusation of squatting in a Phoenix area home and then trying to list the place for rent on Craigslist. He was charged with breaking into a key box and living in the home for nearly a year. Gatling contacted the owner in the summer of 2010 looking to rent the residence but never finalized a lease agreement because of poor credit. A police report claimed the homeowners lived in California but had left the power on. Gatling reportedly owed $40,000 in child support as of the spring of 2006. He was eventually sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison following arrest in late May 2015 for allegedly running an online fraud scheme using credit cards of people from all across the country. Another player who apparently thought he should be able to hang around was Eli Holman (Indiana), who transferred after freshman season to Detroit following meeting requiring a call to campus police when he became agitated with new Hoosiers coaching staff. At least Holman didn't respond in same way as Roland Griffin (Illinois State/Iona), who was kicked off the Gaels' squad in fall of 2018 after punching an assistant coach multiple times in locker room following an argument about schoolwork.

SLUM OR DUMB LANDLORD?: Will Graves (North Carolina), a starting forward in 2009-10 was arrested on drug charges (involving marijuana) in early December 2013 at a house rented by Carolina's part-time video coordinator from Tar Heels coach Roy Williams. Graves was kicked off UNC's club in the fall of 2010 for violating team rules. At least Graves was linked to his coach instead of convicted felon Haydn "Fats" Thomas like several other prominent Tar Heel players. In similar "high" living arrangements, Kansas teammates Darrell Arthur and Mario Chalmers were kicked out of NBA rookie transition program in early September 2008 after getting caught with prostitutes in their hotel room where marijuana was smoked (both fined $20,000 and required to attend symposium again the following year). Exhibiting as much intellect as a Farrakhan-loving Jacob Blake Sr. tweet, the Self-less KU tandem refused to allow hotel management in after a smoke alarm went off at about 2 a.m.

TOY STORIES: In the fall of 1987, Artie Green (Marquette) was placed on probation for four years after pleading guilty to armed robbery and burglary charges (service station and apartment building where he lived). His lawyer said the weapon used was a toy gun and that Green turned to crime for money to spend on cocaine. Similarly, Harry Moore (St. Bonaventure) was arrested in 2001 for sticking up ATM patrons with a fake black revolver and three LSU players received summons in mid-June 2017 for allegedly shooting paintballs at pedestrians on campus. Another odd weapon was utilized by seven-footer Dwayne Schintzius (Florida), who wielded a tennis racquet at someone after hearing a rude remark while riding in a car outside a nightclub. Schintzius subsequently quit the Gators in mid-season in 1989-90 because he didn't want to "sail under the authority of Captain Ahab (interim coach Don DeVoe)." While Schintzius "skated" after displaying his power serve outside a club, Archie Goodwin (Kentucky) was arrested in a dispute outside a roller rink in Little Rock in spring of 2014. It was uncertain whether juvenile incident had anything to do with school nickname, but three Oregon freshmen - Josh Crittle, Michael Dunigan and Teondre Williams - performed community service at the Humane Society in fall of 2009 as part of their "fowl" punishment for shooting BBs at ducks and geese in a local park. The golden goose award for stupidity, however, went to Holt Dunlap (UC Santa Barbara) in the fall of 2012 when charged with trespassing and vandalism regarding an 80-pound concrete planter in the shape of a goose at a local residence. Elsewhere, night-owl Winthrop teammates Reggie Middleton and Gideon Gamble were arrested on misdemeanor disorderly conduct/fighting charges in late October 2011, requiring police officers to break up fight at a McDonald's with Tasers, stemming from a 2:45 a.m. "Not So Happy Meal" incident before a scheduled 6 a.m. practice.

CRIMINAL CLIMAX: Eddie Griffin (Seton Hall), an All-Big East Conference second-team selection as a freshman in 2000-01, was charged in November 2003 with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after a woman claiming to be his girlfriend accused him of punching her in the face and shooting a pistol at her car as she drove away. Earlier in the year, he had been arrested for possession of marijuana. He had been expelled before the end of his senior year in high school for fighting with a teammate over a card game and punched college teammate Ty Shine in the locker room after a mid-season defeat his lone campaign with the Pirates. Checked into Betty Ford Center in 2004 to get six weeks of treatment for alcohol abuse. Pleaded guilty to inattentive driving early in the 2005-06 season (drunk and watching pornography in DVD player mounted on dashboard when crashing his Cadillac Escalade while masturbating in parking lot of grocery store) before being suspended by the NBA for violating the anti-drug program in mid-January 2007. Died in Houston in mid-August, 2007, when his Nissan SUV collided with a Union Pacific freight train in a fiery crash. It took four days for authorities to identify his body from dental records. Heaven only knows what he was doing or viewing.

JERSEY WORE: Bob Hall (Louisiana State), averaging 4.7 ppg and 4.7 rpg, was dismissed from team in late February 1997 following second suspension and "apparel" snafu of season. He could not enter a game when Dale Brown, in final of 25 seasons as Tigers coach, tried to send him in but couldn't because the center was not wearing his jersey under warm-up jacket. Earlier in the campaign, Hall left a contest after he was found to have his jersey on backwards. Whether or not it was due to them failing to comprehend one leg or arm at a time, more than half of LSU's roster was suspended at some point during 1996-97. Hopefully, former coach Will Wade wouldn't have found it necessary to make "strong-ass" offer to Hall for his intellect to elevate roster GPA. Wade was preoccupied with three players receiving summons in mid-June 2017 for shooting paintballs at pedestrians on campus.

ALL-STAR PIMPS: Jason Henry (Arkansas) was sentenced to six years in prison after his conviction on prostitution charges. According to a police report, pimp known as "Allstar" was booked in late March 2015 on multiple sex crimes, including the possible rape of a 14-year-old girl. West Memphis product started twice as a freshman but was suspended three times by the Hogs during the 2008-09 campaign and dismissed from the program prior to sophomore season. Elsewhere on the streets, backup point guard Venoy Overton (Washington) didn't have a pimpin' nickname resembling Henry but his real first name made him sound like a cool cat en route to pleading guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution following an arrest in mid-June 2011. Was Overton trying to establish credentials to become Seattle's Street Czar? Periphery "players" also sought to get in on the action as North Texas' team manager received probation after pleading to two charges of promoting prostitution, asking an assault accuser in spring of 2017 to join an escort service they ran for "professional individuals."

VIDEO VOYEURISM: Jonathan Holton (Rhode Island/West Virginia), an Atlantic 10 Conference All-Rookie team member as URI's leading rebounder, was arrested in late March 2012 following complaints of voyeurism by two female students that he took video of two separate consensual sexual encounters with them and posted them on Facebook (eventually pleaded no contest to sex crime and was given probation). Just days after video vice, he was charged with possession of stolen goods (laptop computer) resulting from a search of his dorm room. Holton was already on probation stemming from a 2009 strong-arm robbery in his hometown of Miami. Elsewhere among semen-ly authentic student-athletes, three Minnesota players were suspended near the end of 2015-16 campaign following an explicit group sex-tape video surfaced on one of their Twitter accounts. At least the porn-star tryout wasn't conducted after closing time in an upscale Italian bistro like their then coach's father. Voyeuristic venues also impacted budding cinematographer Jalen McDaniels (San Diego State), who was sued for allegedly filming two different women performing sexual acts and distributing them with his phone in 2016 while in high school. Predators included Brandon Lampley (Ball State), who was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to felony sexual battery as teaching assistant. He engaged in sexual activity with a female student skipping class in a secured, usually locked, portion of high school's athletic training area in February 2014. Cell phones of the teen and Lampley determined they exchanged 769 text messages in a month. Investigators also found video on Lampley's cell phone of encounters with 10 consenting adults. Other Jeffrey Toobin wannabee hoopers apparently having difficulty keeping pet snake in their pants were Ryan Ayers (Notre Dame), who was charged with three counts of voyeurism after leaving the Fighting Irish program as assistant coach at start of 2020-21 school year; Aaron Hammond (Southern), a middle-school teacher in spring of 2008 when students told police he looked at pornography during class, and Terrence Phillips (Missouri), who was voted chair of the SEC Men's Basketball Leadership Council in fall of 2016 before Mizzou paid $400K in late 2022 to settle claims of botched sexual misconduct probe.

SKINNY-DIPPING DUFUS: Dommanic Ingerson (Michigan/San Francisco) was taken by Oakland police to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation in mid-February 2010 after allegedly stealing a woman's purse and attempting to elude cops by swimming across a 50-degree lake and emerging naked. Ingerson averaged 8.1 ppg for UM as a freshman in 2001-02 before averaging 6.2 ppg in three seasons with USF. Additional nudist colony/psychiatric ward possibilities were Mel Montgomery (Canisius), who disrobed twice while under custody in late January 1981, and Gavin Ludgood (Southern Illinois signee/Florida Atlantic/Northern Kentucky), who was arrested on several charges including public indecency in spring of 2006 after banging on a car and an apartment door while naked just before 8 a.m.

RETURN TO SCENE OF PURSE CRIME: John C. Johnson (Creighton), an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection as a senior in 1978-79, was arrested in early December 2003 on suspicion of theft by unlawful taking and criminal possession of a financial transaction device at a Lincoln, Neb., racquet club. Johnson was arrested in spring of 1992 for breaking into cars supporting a drug habit in Omaha, Harrison County (Iowa) and downtown Lincoln, including the aforementioned racquet club. He was sentenced to one to three years in prison on the theft and forgery charges in Lincoln. In spring of 1993, Johnson was sentenced to one year of probation for breaking into cars at a national wildlife refuge in Iowa. He was a Boys and Girls Club staffer and juvenile probation officer for nine years until his arrests. Johnson was arrested again for purse snatching in mid-November 2011. In 1995, police apprehended him when reportedly in possession of 77 stolen wallets and purses. Omaha also was the hometown for repeat offender Benny "B.J." Valentine (Texas Tech/Eastern Washington), who violated probation sanctioning him the previous week by traveling to Texas and participating in a mid-November 2012 break-in resulting in death of an accomplice.

DANCING WITH THE STARS: Shaq Johnson (Auburn/Longwood), a part-time starter known for dunking prowess, was dismissed from the Tigers' squad in summer of 2013 after freshman season upon jailing in wee hours of morning following a charge of possession of marijuana. In fall of 2014, he was charged with a felony for malicious wounding after knocking teeth out of dance-off competitor. In fall of 2015, Johnson was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana before 10-game suspension by Longwood and agreeing to drug counseling in order to have charge reduced to entering property with intent to damage. It's unknown whether Johnson feels he should have patented his dance routine. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit in spring of 2020 in which former Maryland players Jaylen Brantley and Jared Nickens accused makers of the "Fortnite" video game of misappropriating a celebratory dance move ("Running Man Challenge") the Terps' twosome popularized. Elsewhere, Josh Anderson (Western Kentucky) was suspended for an exhibition game following his arrest in fall of 2018 on a charge of disorderly conduct after police officers asked a crowd in a parking lot to disperse but citation indicated "Anderson stayed dancing and singing causing people to stand there and laugh at him."

FAMILY GUYS: Sidiki Johnson (Arizona/Providence), estranged half-brother of Texas' celebrated center Mohamed Bamba, received a four-year sentence for second-degree attempted robbery and third-degree robbery. Sidiki appeared in only three games for UA in 2011-12 before suspension for violating team rules and played in only 11 games with PC prior to leaving program for personal reasons. Another brother from dysfunctional Harlem family, Ibrahim Johnson (Montevallo AL), accused Bamba in a rambling, profanity-laced FaceBook poolside video in spring of 2017 of accepting cash and gifts from a financial advisor in Michigan. Snitch Ibrahim was himself in the throes of a series of charges in single month (hit-and-run, forgery, falsification, petty theft and possession of drugs). In mid-October 2020, juco recruit Ibrahim died from shotgun wounds to his chest at a Fort Worth apartment complex. Speaking of family connections, brothers Jeffrey and Marcus Jordan (UCF) got into trouble in Las Vegas at their famous father Michael Jordan's 2010 fantasy camp. After an apparent wild night of drinking, Marcus boasted on his Twitter account about a spending spree of more than $80,000. The siblings never were charged, but the hotel and casino faced a probe for allowing underage drinking. Did MJ's sons say the squandered money was just "crumbs" to them?

SAMURAI SWORD SCHOLAR: Avondre Jones (Southern California/Fresno State) was convicted in December 1998 of threatening a man with a Samurai sword in his apartment just hours after a FSU game in the NIT. Gangsta rapper wannabee also was convicted on a felony charge of having a gun while on probation (for gun possession) and a misdemeanor marijuana charge. Jones, sentenced to six months in jail, was acquitted on six charges, including theft, extortion and assault with a deadly weapon. While a sword wasn't utilized, Lafester Rhodes (Iowa State) reportedly slashed an ex-girlfriend's bed during a domestic dispute in her apartment. Johnny Orr told Rhodes' CBA coach that his All-Big Eight Conference second-team selection in 1987-88 "couldn't read past a sixth-grade level." Rhodes must have been unable to comprehend instructions on how to modify water level.

JIGGLE JOINT JACKPOT: Jason Keep (Oklahoma State/San Diego), after seven-footer and All-WCC selection was fired from his job at a Phoenix strip club, hatched a plot to rob the jiggle joint on New Year's Eve 2013 before plan to pilfer up to $500,000 he believed was stored in the business' safe unraveled because there were too many potential witnesses. But two accomplices went ahead and followed the club's manager to a local IHOP and, in brazen midday robbery, stole duffel bag filled with about $18,000 in cash, leading to the shooting of a police officer following vehicle pursuit. Keep was charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the case. USD's leading scorer and WCC's top rebounder in 2002-03 in his lone season with the Toreros after transferring from OSU, where he was a teammate of Doug Gottlieb ("credited" with checkered past at Notre Dame) following one season in junior college. Keep entered a plea of not guilty on drunken driving charge midway through the 2000-01 campaign.

WHAT'S YOURS IS MINE: Shawn Kemp (Kentucky signee) had a troubling pattern of drug use leading to multiple NBA suspensions coupled with a proclivity for fathering children out of wedlock. Ended his first season with the Portland "Jail Blazers" in spring of 2001 by checking into a drug rehab center for cocaine abuse. He was arrested in 2005 for possession of cocaine and marijuana and was again charged with possession of pot in 2006. Left UK as an academic non-qualifier in November 1988 after getting caught but not charged for selling stolen gold jewelry belonging to the coach's son. Elsewhere, Jesus Rodriguez (Virginia Tech) was arrested in spring of 1998 and pleaded guilty to nine counts of stealing property from students (including $2,000 necklace in teammate Shawn Browne's locker). At least Kemp and Rodriguez acquired the bling without an overnight package mailed to them popping open. By contrast, Richard Hurd (Baylor), foiled in an attempt to enrich himself, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after found guilty stemming from his arrest in mid-June 2012 in connection with an alleged $1 million extortion from Heisman Trophy-winning QB Robert Griffin III. Hurd, the ex-boyfriend of Griffin's fiancee, threatened to release damaging information on RG3. Another "jewel" was Karel Rosario (Florida International), a 6-10 Miami-Dade police detective in late 2015 when pleading guilty to dealing in stolen property. Rosario was sentenced to 366 days in prison for trying to sell luxury jewelry valued well over $100,000 stolen from a suspect's home. Leading scorer Adrian Banks (Arkansas State) was suspended for about a month in the 2007-08 campaign when arrested for firing a handgun within Jonesboro city limits in wee hours of the morning. Juco recruit told police he found the gun at a nightclub where a fight broke out. "I found the gun on the ground and didn't want anyone to get shot, so I shot the gun until it was empty," Banks said (with a straight face?) according to the police report.

KING OF APPEARING IN COURT: Four was a magic number for Bernard King (Tennessee), an All-American in 1976-77 despite brief suspension at start of season following four arrests in the fall for possession of marijuana and driving infractions. He subsequently was recognized as youngest NBA player (23) arrested four times. At least King didn't generate a scene similar to Clinton Smith (Ohio State/Cleveland State), who was on probation for passing bad checks in the spring of 2010 when fleeing a courthouse, pushing a sheriff's deputy down a flight of stairs (breaking officer's leg), after learning he was going to be arrested. King also didn't quite measure up to antics of Big East Conference MVP Derrick Coleman (Syracuse). NBA Crime Library, which tracks police blotters, claims Coleman's seven arrests while an active pro player is a record for the league. He must believe unlawful actions give him street cred while engaged with his alma mater in a legal tussle over trademarks in the summer of 2023.

FISHY AUCTION: Brad Lohaus (Iowa), an All-Big Ten Conference selection in 1986-87, received two years of probation in mid-January 2006 for not delivering fishing rods that he auctioned on eBay. He was charged with theft in 2004 after receiving more than $1,700 from auction bidders seeking rods and other unspecified merchandise. In regard to "multiplying" fishy acquisition, leading scorer Deon Tresvant (Cal State Northridge) was arrested with his coach's son and teammate who is offspring of pastor across street of theft in early 2009 for being involved with stealing more than $6,600 in merchandise on New Year's Day from a Best Buy where the coach's son worked. The pilfering was discovered when store officials discovered a discrepancy at cash register after the coach's son allegedly logged onto register using the password of an employee who was off that day. A similar scheme occurred during 1996-97 season when five Idaho State players were involved with clerk charging only for gum while they checked out holding hundreds of dollars of electronic equipment.

A HORSE IS A HORSE OF COURSE: Art Long (Cincinnati) was found not guilty of an infamous "Blazing Saddles" incident assaulting (punching four times) a police horse. Brought to UC after selling drugs to a decoy cop, the Bearcats' leader in rebounding and blocked shots in 1994-95 was involved in multiple domestic violence incidents. In mid-December 2015, the J.C. vagabond was sentenced to 81 months in prison for drugs and guns crimes. He probably should have been spending Long-er time playing "H-O-R-S-E" based on his "blazing" free-throw accuracy (55.6%) and three-point marksmanship (11.1%). Speaking of guns and "horses," massive Oliver Miller (Arkansas) was accused of assaulting his girlfriend's brother during cookout in spring of 2011. No word if relative triggered pistol-whipping altercation by taking grub off plate of textbook Beast of the Baseline.

MACK TRUCKS ALONG WITH FOOTBALL ACCOMPLICES: Sam Mack (Iowa State/Arizona State/Houston) was charged with unlawful use of a weapon in 1988. While at Iowa State (where he averaged 11.8 ppg and 6.1 rpg in 1988-89), he was acquitted of all charges after being arrested for kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism following a theft at a Burger King. Mack and his football player accomplice, whom he claimed forced him at gunpoint to tag along, would not have been able to enjoy their combo meals for long. During the course of the robbery, Mack stood right beside an ISU poster with his picture on it albeit without clueless clown donning promotional crown. At least pic didn't have him eating a "Mack" Donald's. After transferring to Arizona State, he was accused of raping a student on campus and also stealing an American Express card, with yet another football player, to purchase $1,400 in gold jewelry. Moving on to Houston (where he averaged team-high 17.5 ppg in 1991-92), Mack was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. Also arrested in the summer of 2000 after police officers found crack cocaine and 20 bags of marijuana in his Range Rover following a high-speed chase in a Chicago suburb.

STALKING BIG BAD JOHN: Kevin Millen (Georgetown), a backup for the Hoyas in mid-1990s, was sentenced to two years' probation and ordered to return to his Memphis hometown and stay away from Washington after arrested twice in fall of 1998 stemming from accusations of stalking and making threatening phone calls to coach John Thompson Jr. Millen was charged with unlawful entry after being detained by campus security for allegedly trying to reach the office of the university president. In the wake of several dozen alleged menacing phone calls to the school's athletic office earlier in the year, he was apprehended the previous week and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Court records indicated Millen was upset over job opportunities arranged by Thompson that didn't pan out. Millen had an unsuccessful primary run for Congress in 2010. What a shame! He could have provided Congressional entertainment much like Anthony Weiner (a/k/a Carlos Danger), married a Clinton confidant and had #SickWillie conduct the marriage ceremony between ex-President's flights on "Lolita Express." Speaking of stalking, Florida A&M coach Mike Gillespie Sr. (DePaul) was fired after arrest in spring of 2007 on a misdemeanor charge of stalking woman at her workplace. A police report said Gillespie, subject to GPS monitoring after guiding the Rattlers to their first 20-win campaign in 18 seasons, was investigated several times on stalking complaints in a two-year span.

BAD CELL SERVICE: Sam Miller (Dayton/College of Charleston) pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after arrest for underage drinking in early August 2017. Becoming insubordinate in back of cruiser, he made matters worse by getting into a fight in jail. A bartender at Caddy's Taphouse said Miller responded to being cut off from additional beverages by knocking down all the glasses on bar table to the floor and shoving her. A security officer subdued the profane Miller before police arrived and apprehended him. That's when things got worse for him. After urinating on the floor in the corner of a jail cell and taking off his pants, Miller was caught on camera getting into a tussle with a fellow inmate who, understandably so, said he did not want to be in same holding cell where Miller relieved himself. Miller was kayoed by multiple punches before bloodied prisoner was escorted out of the cell. Speaking of odd circumstances for fisticuffs, Maine's miserable 2016-17 season took a darker turn late in the campaign when the Black Bears' leading scorer reportedly broke a teammate's jaw in a dispute over music played in the locker room. Team members tried to cover up the fight by saying the injury incurred from falling in the shower. Additional internal strife occurred in mid-January 2006 when Daevon Haskins (Louisiana Tech) was arrested for disorderly conduct at airport at 6 a.m. after altercation with at least one teammate and in spring of 2014 when Missouri's Zach Price (also attended Louisville and Winthrop) was arrested twice in one day for assaulting same roommate/teammate and a woman. Price wasn't right with his daily double.

ANOTHER REASON NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE: Greg Monroe (Georgetown), an All-Big East Conference first-team selection in 2009-10, pleaded guilty to impaired driving in spring of 2014, urinating on himself during the booking process. Since he was a member of the Detroit Pistons at the time, he should be grateful the franchise nickname wasn't Pooptons. Not long before whizzing away by Monroe, freshman guard Stevie Clark (Oklahoma State) was dismissed from Pokes squad following arrest for "publicly urinating out of a vehicle window" at 12:45 a.m. Another OSU product incapable of controlling himself was JamesOn Curry, a North Carolina commitment charged with urinating in an alley outside of his hotel at 2:30 a.m. in mid-January 2008. Late in the 2009-10 campaign, starting swingman Corey Stokes (Villanova) was cited for public urination following a game (between two cars while surrounded by teammates). In late summer 2010, Joe Mazzulla and West Virginia teammate Dalton Pepper were cited for allegedly urinating in public. In late 2006, Trevon Charles (Quinnipiac) was suspended after urinating on a female student's leg in dormitory bathroom. Chicago product Darrell Williams (Oklahoma State) was arrested in February 2014 for public urination outside a friend's home. D.J. Cooper (Ohio University) joined the list of hoop piss-ants by receiving a two-year suspension from FIBA in 2018 following revelation he used his pregnant girlfriend's urine instead of his own to try and pass a drug test. All of these "Free Willy" mental midgets probably should hold tight, move to San Franfreakshow and become founding members of the Pea Party. Harsher treatment would be dispatching them to Greene County (MO), where corrections officers were charged with misdemeanor third-degree assault for standing on a jail roof in summer of 2001 and spraying pee on inmates as they played basketball.

OJ PAYBACK BEFORE NO-PAY BACK: Tyrone Nesby (UNLV), was arrested in late January, 2008, on a charge of contempt of court. In mid-June 2011, the Cairo, Ill., native was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay nearly $1 million in restitution for unpaid child-support obligations. In April, 2001, he spent the night in jail after arrest in his locker room on a battery charge that was later dropped. While in junior college at Vincennes (Ind.) in 1995, the last of 14 children was accused of hitting a fellow student in the face in an argument over the O.J. Simpson verdict.

STIFF PENALTIES: Lamar Odom (UNLV/Rhode Island), an All-Atlantic 10 Conference first-team selection in 1998-99, was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel in mid-October 2015 before he was transported in critical condition to a hospital. Owner of the Love Ranch South said "it looks like he might have taken too much herbal Viagra." In 2013, he apparently was holed up at a L.A. hotel room where friends were involved in an intervention trying to get him help for an undisclosed drug abuse problem. In his memoir, Odom said he used a fake penis to cheat on a drug test for the 2004 Olympics. Odom, who faced drug accusations in 2001 when violating the NBA policy twice in an eight-month span, probably needed help in controlling bowel movement after admitting he took a dump in his "Celebrity Big Brother" bed. Also running afoul of the law multiple times for being unable to control himself was Kerry "Stephen" Thomas (Boise State), the first person in Idaho convicted of knowingly spreading the HIV-AIDS virus. In other words, Thomas was a poor man's Magic Johnson (Michigan State).

STRIP KARAOKE AT SATAN'S DISCO: Frank Peters (Oregon State), the third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer for fourth-place team in 1963 NCAA playoffs, served 2 1/2 years in prison of a 10-year sentence following a 1989 conviction for statutory rape and drug offenses (busted for possession of 800 marijuana plants worth a reported $1 million). Affiliated for more than 20 years with a bar/dance hall in Southeast Portland, where he served everything from reindeer to rodent while presiding over events such as strip karaoke and lesbian dance party. He played a supporting role in a Netflix film The Battered Bastards of Baseball, which is purportedly about a minor-league baseball franchise that thrived in the 1970s during a time when it was the nation's only professional club not owned by MLB team. While managing the Mavericks, Peters was also the maestro of several of Portland's most notorious nightspots, including Satan's Disco. Booby bars have a tendency to spawn some weird situations. Jeff Moe (Iowa), the owner of an Indianapolis strip club, reportedly retaliated over opposition to the bar's liquor license by roughing up a councilman. Moe, a part-time starting guard for the Hawkeyes the last half of 1980s, said the councilman with same first name should not be able to criticize his character while facing child molestation charges himself. "I gave him my version of Ride the Wild Jeff Beast," Moe said, referring to the designation stemming from piggyback rides the councilor gave girls in his home, according to court documents. Players riding on the wild side included Travis Garrison (Maryland), who was required to register as a sex offender in summer of 2015 after found guilty of assaulting multiple women present at his wife's overnight birthday party.

POLICE ACADEMY WANNABEE: Olden Polynice (Virginia), an All-ACC second-team selection in 1985-86, was charged during the summer of 2001 with hitting and spitting on a golfer after being accidentally struck by a golf ball in Salt Lake City. The previous fall, he was involved in two road-rage episodes that led to Bubba Smith wannabee pleading guilty (accused of impersonating police officer by flashing fake badge). In mid-October 1996, Polynice was arrested at his home in Sacramento on domestic assault charges after his live-in girlfriend complained he threw her against a wall. After facing honor-code violation of plagiarism in 1984, Duke's creative Crazies printed copies of a sheet with the title page "Hamlet: An Original Play by Olden Polynice" and handed them out before a contest at Cameron that the Haitian center chose not to attend. Another fake law enforcement representative was Robert Swain (Connecticut/College of Charleston), a Georgia native among four civilians dressed as Fulton County Sheriff's office employees arrested in alleged drug scandal orchestrated by a deputy and detention officers seeking cocaine deliveries outside of the jail in early June 2011. The raid came just over a week after an inmate was shot by another inmate. The Cosby Show at George Washington didn't feature a pretend doctor as Pitt transfer Attila Cosby, claiming "weak-mindedness," said he was a police officer and would kill a 46-year-old prostitute if she said anything about him assaulting her with a broomstick and stealing a $10 roll of quarters after picking woman up in his girlfriend's auto. Polynice, Swain and Cosby weren't nearly as "playful" as Ryan Knight (James Madison), who was booked into jail in early February 2010 for pelting responding police unmarked vehicle with snowballs after first targeting a city plow. At least Knight didn't throw money at cop like Todd Johnson (Northern Kentucky), who was suspended for a DUI charge in mid-December 2015 during which he reportedly offered a police officer cash to let him go.

AT LEAST TAKE SHOWER BEFORE POLICE LINEUP: Kenny Pratt (Iowa State), a two-time All-Big Eight Conference forward, was involved in a late December 1996 incident stemming from two-car accident at an intersection, triggering holding cell "don't you know who I am" videotape showing him yelling, swearing and spitting at police officer. The arrest, where his driver's license was suspended while manning a rental car he was unauthorized to drive, occurred just weeks after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct. Obviously, Floyd took the altercation very seriously by suspending Pratt for one game. In mid-February 1998, J.C. recruit from Chicago was still wearing his uniform following an IBA playoff game when arrested for contempt of court after a police chase. Officers commiserated with Pratt and his minor-league coach before the contest and they agreed to allow him to compete if he surrendered after the fray. Instead, Pratt chose to flee. Perhaps Pratt could have eluded police if he had left during game similar to what Willie Cutts (Arkansas) did as sophomore in 1981-82. Cutts was dismissed from Razorbacks program by coach Eddie Sutton for leaving the floor, throwing his jersey into garbage can on way to locker room, dressing and exiting arena in first half of a game against East Tennessee State after being quickly pulled from lineup for what Sutton deemed a poor shot. Cutts, a former McDonald's Game MVP, subsequently spent time in prison and halfway houses. The state also supplied in-game defector Steven Moore (UALR). He was dismissed from the Trojans' squad in mid-February 2009 for his actions during a contest against Western Kentucky, including walking off the court midway through first half. Another McDonald's All-American trying out for clown-college consideration was Jelan Kendrick (Mississippi), who ditched the Rebels' team during warm-ups against Alabama late in 2011-12 season before materializing mid-game in the student section to whisk his girlfriend away. That was not a good campaign for game decorum as Justin Coleman (Marshall/originally Louisville signee) went from starter to using a cell phone on the bench during second half of a game as if he was some new teenager at the movie theater enthralled with his first wireless device.

REGULAR CUSTOMERS: Lloyd Price (Xavier/Fairleigh Dickinson), the most highly-rated recruit in Xavier history at the time before transferring, was charged with FDU teammate Douglas Whittler in the armed robbery of a New Jersey convenience store in mid-November 2001. Price, who allegedly wore a hood around his face when he went into the store where he was a regular customer, was drunk as he showed the clerk a "starter's" pistol but dropped it and exposed his face when he went to pick gun up. Later, Price dropped out of Kentucky Wesleyan. Elsewhere involving all-conference first-team selections, Walmart employees suspected Rico Gathers (Baylor) of pilfering items during previous visits before the Bears' all-time leading rebounder was arrested in mid-June 2015 for allegedly stealing household goods from the store and Monty Mack (Massachusetts) was charged in fall of 2000 with shoplifting seven DVD movies from Kmart (stuffed in his sweat pants).

ALVIN!!!!!: Alvin Robertson (Arkansas), an All-SWC first-team selection in 1983-84, was sentenced to a year in jail in August, 1997, after pleading no contest to four misdemeanor charges stemming from confrontations with his ex-girlfriend. He previously agreed to undergo therapy for spousal abuse. Robertson was sentenced to three years in prison in 2002 for a probation violation involving a rape accusation. In San Antonio in late February 2010, Robertson faced sexual assault of a child and sex trafficking charges alleging he was among seven people kidnapping a 14-year-old girl who was forced into prostitution and made to dance at a strip club (underage sex ring charges dismissed nearly six years later). In mid-June 2014, he was arrested on a charge of violating terms of a bond involving his GPS ankle monitor. Seven months later, Robertson was apprehended after being on the run for a week upon reportedly cutting off his GPS monitor. In late March 2015, court documents revealed he had accumulated 10 bond violations, including testing positive for methamphetamine.

MARSHALL PLAN SLAP IN FACE: Marshall Rogers (Kansas/Pan American), the nation's leading scorer in 1975-76 with Pan Am, was arrested in his hometown of St. Louis in late June 1987 and charged with assault and petty theft in connection with a shoplifting incident (bottle of Mennen Skin Bracer, stick deodorant, a pair of white sunglasses and three Baby Ruth candy bars worth a total of $13) at a downtown Walgreens drug store. Police said Rogers fought with two store managers, a security guard and three police officers before he was subdued after being struck in the head three times with a nightstick. Rogers, who was living with his mother and told arresting officers he had been out of work the previous three years, was confronted by store personnel and allegedly told them: "Here, you can have the Skin Bracer but that's all." After his diabetes worsened, he had both of his legs amputated below the knees before being checked into a nursing home in 2006. Rogers, who frequently clutched scrapbooks he kept of his playing exploits, died in mid-June 2011 at the age of 57 after refusing to undergo the kidney dialysis treatment doctors said he needed. What a drag for Walgreens that one of its stores in Miami was also robbed in mid-January 2017 by seven-footer Zach Brown (Connecticut commitment/St. John's signee), who reportedly was subsequently imprisoned for violating parole.

SIDNEY BEAMS IN STANDS: Renardo Sidney (Mississippi State), a Mississippi product, was ruled academically ineligible by the NCAA in 2009-10 amid requesting tax documents and income statements to verify his family's income while they lived in relatively posh arrangements in Southern California. Upon securing his eligibility, the summer circuit prima donna was suspended twice for off-the-court issues (including highly-publicized altercation with teammate in stands during tourney in Hawaii). "I was getting money," Sidney told NBC Sports. "I don't know how much. They were giving it to my mom." After ballooning to more than 300 pounds, he did not accompany the Bulldogs on a summer exhibition tour of Europe. "I was getting all kinds of gear and clothes and shoes and I was No. 1 (prep prospect) in the country," Sidney told Rob Dauster of NBC Sports after going undrafted by NBA. "The internet and TV kind of got to me and, as a young kid at that age, you just feel like you've made it already. I stopped working." Unafraid to tell you what was on his mind, the internet certainly got to Chris Early, who was dismissed from Chattanooga's club midway through the 2011-12 campaign after making six disparaging remarks about his coach over a five-day span on personal Twitter page. Perhaps the Mocs should have conducted an internet background check on him as he previously was dismissed for misconduct at Oklahoma.

LEFT TEAMMATE FOR DEAD: Jamar Smith (Illinois/Southern Indiana), a Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team selection in 2005-06, was charged in middle of sophomore season with drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident (apparently believing unconscious Illini teammate Brian Carlwell died after Lexus struck tree in heavy snow rather than suffering severe concussion). Entered a plea of guilty to DUI with grievous bodily harm, resulting in leaving the scene charge dropped as part of a plea agreement. In fall of 2008, Smith was sentenced to 18 months of probation for violating a court order (continuing to get alcohol-abuse treatment and wearing ankle bracelet alerting authorities if he drank) after spotted outside a campus bar about 2:30 a.m. In the fall of 1999, accident protocol was exactly adhered to when Eldridge Recasner (Washington) was hospitalized with a fractured right shoulder and partially collapsed lung after SUV driven by NBA teammate Derrick Coleman (Syracuse) collided with a tractor trailer. Coleman, eventually acquitted of drunk driving charges but found guilty of "unsafe movement," didn't move in timely fashion to hospital for visit. Recasner was annoyed with him for failing to check in on whether he was OK for more than a week after the accident. Another Midwest player with last name of Smith who had difficulty uncovering the truth was Sammy Smith (Dayton). After a polygraph test did not support his story, Smith admitted fabricating tale about being abducted by a gunman in fall of 2002. Another tall tale came from Aaric Murray (La Salle/West Virginia/Texas Southern) in spring of 2020 when law enforcement searched him during investigation on another charge and found $6,415 in U.S. currency. Murray said he won money from gambling at a local establishment, but had no vouchers to prove claim and police report noted "none of the hotspots in town are open due to the (COVID) pandemic."

INDIAN FIGHTING COLUMBUS: Leon Smith (Fresno State commitment) was a Chicago product and ward of the state due to neglect from his parents. Committed to a psychiatric ward in Dallas for a month in late 1999 following a suicidal incident when the Mavericks' first-round draft choice out of high school threw a large rock through a house guest's SUV window and swallowed approximately 250 aspirin tablets before telling police officers, "I am an Indian fighting Columbus." After returning to Windy City, he was arrested twice within two days for threatening his ex-girlfriend and damaging her mother's automobile. Speaking of windows in 1999, charges were dropped after All-American Lee Nailon (TCU) was arrested for suspicion of drug possession and evading arrest (through back window of Comfort Inn motel room). Another potential window washer/salesman was Yuri Demetris (Pittsburgh), who was booted from the Panthers' team in mid-January 2005 following an altercation at his ex-girlfriend's apartment where he twice climbed through her window.

BEAT AROUND THE BUSH: Korey Spates (Purdue/Kent State), after beginning his college career with a six-day suspension, averaged 10.1 ppg in 15 games before off-the-court issues triggered his dismissal from Boilermakers in mid-January 2006. Cleveland native was supposed to transfer to Kent State, but his scholarship was rescinded reportedly after a conflict with the Golden Flashes' coach. In spring of 2017, the Palm Beach County state attorney's office chose not to press charges against him for lewd and lascivious behavior inside the children's department at a Macy's store at the Boynton Beach Mall. When store security approached him, he ran away and was found hiding behind bushes. Failing to capitalize on foliage was Doug Overton (La Salle), a three-time All-MAAC first-team selection from 1988-89 through 1990-91 who pleaded guilty to three counts of disorderly conduct. Overton was sentenced to one year of probation following arrest in late April 2017 after Lincoln PA coach exposed himself to both men and women on a public trail. Additional exhibitionists included Peter Coker Sr. (Dartmouth/North Carolina State), charged with "allegedly exposing himself to three girls (as he drove his BMW around a school in late summer of 1992)"; Teddy Grubbs (DePaul), who was charged with public indecency multiple times in the 1980s; J.P. Macura (Xavier), who dropped his pants in bar in spring of 2016 after allegedly providing police a fake ID, and Joshua Primo (Alabama), who was released in fall of 2022 by the San Antonio Spurs stemming from multiple alleged instances of exposing himself to women. The most brazen "ball-handler" might have been Stanley Pringle (Penn State), who was charged with public lewdness and disorderly conduct in spring of 2008 in connection to a reported library masturbation incident. According to the criminal complaint, Pringle asked a victim while sitting down on top of desk behind her if she wanted to purchase hand lotion the J.C. recruit was selling for the Nittany Lions' team. "This is how I chill ma'am," Pringle explained to a female officer, placing his lotion-smooth hand down front of his sweatpants. Another lively evening in non-fiction occurred in 2001 when Pepperdine's Glen McGowan was suspended for the fall semester after igniting late-night fracas with a teammate in school library.

STANDING HARD TO LIVE UP TO CHRISTIAN LAST NAME: On the same day La Salle announced transfer of Christian Standhardinger (Nebraska/Hawaii) in mid-January 2011, the Explorers later issued a statement saying he would not be "coming" after cited on suspicion of public indecency (criminal charges subsequently dismissed). Didn't seem like "Christian" thing to do, but the 6-8, 220-pounder bearing a resemblance to Wacko-Jacko Michael Jackson was found shirtless with his pants down while cramped in the passenger seat of a parked car at 3:40 a.m. (after hours inside a park). Filipino-German was accompanied by a female also reportedly shirtless. Get a room but stand hard, Christian! Perhaps Standhardinger, suspended at Nebraska for academic reasons after previously suspended 15 games stemming from NCAA amateurism rules violation, was eventually found studying anatomy at a nude beach in Hawaii. The two-time All-Big West Conference selection averaged 16.9 ppg and 8.1 rpg for the Rainbows in 2012-13 and 2013-14. Speaking of getting caught in compromising position on the Plains, Kansas assists leader Tyshawn Taylor and a KU woman's hooper were suspended for one game late in the 2010-11 season after reportedly getting frisky playing unauthorized one-on-one "Rocks-Off Jayhawk" causing hot-and-heavy "Phog" on windows inside Allen Fieldhouse. What exactly is going on in cornfield mazes of the Midlands? Roburt Sallie (Nebraska signee before attending Memphis) sued the Spanish Basketball Federation for slander, libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. Sallie said he wasn't cut from his Spanish professional team for taking the penis enlargement pill ExtenZe, but was using a male sexual enhancement pill called Black Ant. As far as the portion of a report he wasn't showering with his team, Sallie said it was because he was uncomfortable with Spanish bathing culture socializing while naked. Ole! At least Sallie didn't test positive for pregnancy overseas like D.J. Cooper (Ohio University), who failed a FIBA drug test in 2018 and was hit with a two-year suspension for fraud after using his pregnant girlfriend's urine instead of his own. There was no indication Cooper took one of those nasty transgender photos showing that men can menstruate, too.

TRUE CLAIMS OF PRISON-MADE GRANOLA BARS: Seth Sundberg (Hawaii) was a mortgage executive, also going by name of Franco Metcalf, convicted in 2009 of tax fraud, mail fraud and false claims against the U.S. over a $5 million tax refund received after filing fraudulent return. Seven-footer served a five-year prison sentence before founding Prison Bars, a company featuring "criminally delicious" snack bars inspired while toiling in kitchen during his incarceration and creating nutritious handmade granola bars sold to other prisoners. He should have shipped some samples to Isaiah Fox (Arizona), who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charge of shoplifting after stealing snack food from Student Union Center in fall of 2003.

NOT SO SWIFT NEEDING POOPER SCOOPER: Robert Swift (Southern California commitment), a part of the final wave of high school seniors jumping straight to the NBA in 2004, before the league introduced age-limit rules, was charged with unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun in mid-November 2014 after police raided the house where he was living. Swift, who had a grenade launcher among 26 firearms discovered on the property, told law enforcement that he was a heroin user but not a dealer. Swift's $1.35 million house outside Seattle was foreclosed on the previous year after leaving residence littered in feces, maggots in sink, more than 100 pizza boxes, more than 1,000 liquor bottles and bullet holes in walls, according to the family purchasing the filthy property. In early January 2015, he was arrested on armed robbery charges and eventually accepted a plea deal ($600 fine).

LUNCH LADY LEECHES: Donnell Thomas (Northern Illinois) was arrested in spring of 1990 for allegedly battering a school cafeteria worker. Perhaps the normal lunch lady wasn't there to give him extra yum-yums for being the Huskies' scoring and rebounding leader that season. Ditto Isaiah Rusher (New Mexico academic redshirt), who played only two games for Elizabeth City State NC in 2012-13 before leaving following an incident where the Houston native was accused of attacking a campus cafeteria worker (charge subsequently dropped). Dining dummies included Florida's Cody Larson and Erick Murphy as they plotted in back seat of police cruiser how to get out of a burglary arrest in spring of 2011 following a failed attempt to shake down an employee who was closing out a restaurant & bar. There must be something in the water in The Sunshine State as there were reports in fall of 2009 of a possible theft between former and current South Florida players plus Rokas Ulvydas (UCF), irked after a roommate failed to acknowledge him at a tailgating party in the fall of 2018, allegedly threatened roommate at their apartment and became violent. Another roommate rumble involved Gerald Riley (Georgetown), who was charged in spring of 2004 with hitting teammate Amadou Kilkinny-Diaw at their home in Northwestern Washington in a dispute over money. Elsewhere, Gerald Eaker, Ohio State's projected starting center in 1994-95, had his scholarship rescinded after shooting out the tire of a car owned by a teammate; Texas-Arlington's Titus Howard Sr. was arrested just before the 1991 Southland Conference Tournament after stabbing teammate Glover Cody in the juco recruit's shoulder and waist area outside the school's athletic dormitory, and Oregon State's Kendal Manuel was arrested on an assault charge in spring of 2017 stemming from a fight with his roommate.

FROM BOGUS BILLS TO RAP CRAP: Dustin Thomas (Colorado/Arkansas), a part-time starting forward, was cited on drug possession charge shortly before 2 a.m. weeks before dismissal from Razorbacks squad just prior to start of 2018 NCAA playoffs. It wasn't long before he supplied a rap about exit from the Hogs' roster. Thomas was suspended from competition in the preseason and for first three games of season for an unspecified rules violation. After transferring from CU, he was arrested with a couple of new teammates on first-degree forgery charges in mid-July 2015 in the aftermath of a string of alleged transactions passing counterfeit cash at multiple businesses.

100-HOUR WORK WEEKS ALL YEAR: Vandale Thomas (Mississippi State/Southern LA), SWAC Newcomer of the Year and all-league second-team selection in 1995-96, was charged in a 12-count indictment alleging corruption during his tenure with New Orleans' Traffic Court, claiming he embezzled and over-billed the municipality more than $680,000 between 2009 and 2011. Money-laundering counts alleged Thomas bought thousands of dollars' worth of casino chips and made a down payment on an $80,000 Bentley GT Coupe. The politically-connected accountant, receiving three-year prison sentence for bilking court, submitted inordinate city invoices that were reviewed by the city's Inspector General for mismanagement ($1.3 million in less than three years). Even deducting the hours Thomas said he subcontracted, in 2010 alone he reportedly billed public entities at an outrageous pace of about 100-hour work weeks the entire year. This workload straining credulity would have required him to labor super-human 16-hour days, six days a week during the entire year. Many of the payments were authorized by a judge who was the traffic court's chief administrator. Thomas, who was political campaign treasurer for the judge and played on his softball team, said he never over-billed and that he gave no kickbacks. Meanwhile, court employees said they had never seen the accounting contractor, who is not a certified public accountant, with any staff or assistants.

CUSTOM JEWELRY: Whithworth "Junior" Treasure (Houston commitment/Texas Southern), a J.C. recruit dismissed from the Tigers' team before senior season despite averaging 14.6 ppg and team-high 2.9 apg in 2009-10, reportedly ransacked his SWAC coach's Houston residence along with TSU women's hooper in mid-February 2012. They were charged with stealing more than $530,000 of expensive jewelry and other items. Coach Tony Harvey said he alerted some local jewelers who make custom pieces such as the bling stolen from him. One of them called him back to say a couple seen on security video tried to sell him four pieces valued at $94,000 for $3,600. The difference between a HBCU and blue-blood program dealing in jewelry is reflected by starting forward Lance Thomas (Duke), who made a $30,000 down payment for five pieces he purchased for $97,800 similar to normal college student midway through the Blue Devils' NCAA championship campaign in 2009-10. Elsewhere, Tim Beckwith and Carlton Wade disrespected Marist's staff when arrested in spring of 1986 after purchasing several hundred dollars in merchandise at a mall with credit card they stole from an assistant coach.

NEVER GET IN CAR, GOLF CART, TAXI, BUS OR AMBULANCE WITH STRANGER LET ALONE DUMB DAD: Jeremy Vague (Pepperdine/Utah State), a starting seven-foot center for 2002 Big West Conference regular-season champion, was sentenced to a year in jail and three years probation in late 2016 after admitting he exposed himself to one female passenger and groping another while on the job as an Uber ride-share driver. Vague pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of vehicle burglary in Utah stemming from a July 2002 incident involving the theft of golf clubs. Another misguided Uber driver was Addison Spruill (UNC Wilmington), who was cited for speeding and simple possession of marijuana upon being pulled over. You also might not want to get in vehicle with Felton Spencer (Louisville) if you want to get anywhere. Spencer was arrested around 2:30 a.m. in early January 2019 while asleep in Ford Expedition at a gas station and charged with DUI. Ditto Bernard Randolph (DePaul), who was arrested multiple times first third of 1988 (including stealing taxicab in Rockford, Ill., while driver got out at fast-food restaurant and left vehicle idling). Elsewhere, Dwayne Morgan (UNLV) was arrested at about 6:40 a.m. and faced disorderly conduct charge in spring of 2017 after trying to get into a police car, "thinking he could use it to drive home." It's difficult to comprehend what Tony Byers (Wake Forest) was thinking, if at all, as a 63-year-old bus driver in 2015 when the two-time All-ACC second-team selection was accused of having sex with a mentally handicapped woman although Byers' attorney said his client wasn't aware of the accuser's disability (IQ in 40s). Tanner Shell, who averaged 7 ppg and 2.8 rpg as an Arizona State freshman in 1999-00, was arrested in late July 2018 on suspicion of stealing an ambulance from a hospital and leading Mesa, Ariz., police on a brief pursuit. Shell, released from the facility for a heat-related issue, told officers he used the vehicle, running in a bay while crew dropped off another patient, because temperatures were too scorching to walk home (116 degrees). Shell told police he wanted to purchase a sandwich but needed to go home and get some money first. In regard to dunce drivers, Jason Richardson (Michigan State), fresh off a DUI arrest, was pulled over for going 90 mph in a 35-mph zone with his three-year-old son in the vehicle (although not in car seat).

TACO 'BOUT STUPID: Erving Walker (Florida), the Gators' all-time leader in assists when finishing his career in 2011-12, was arrested in spring of 2012 at 1 a.m. in connection to a $3 taco heist from a street vendor. Walker was ordered to pay $301 as punishment after pleading no contest to misdemeanor petit theft charges (resisting arrest charge was dropped). No word on whether the expensive taco was beef, chicken or fish. For the record, Walker led UF in steals as a sophomore and junior. There are additional hoopers who deserve you're-a-real-bozo slaps in the face. In another "Run for the Border," Mackenzie Mgbako (Duke commitment/Indiana) was booked on criminal trespass and resisting law enforcement charges after 2:15 a.m. incident in fall of 2023 at a Taco Bell refusing service to bell(igerent) freshman in drive-thru due to New Jersey product's cursing and rudeness. In another equally stupid infraction, walk-on guard Andrew Zehnder (Colorado) was arrested in early February 2009 on suspicion of breaking into plastic bins filled with CU merchandise (replica jerseys, T-shirts and stuffed animals) at the Coors Events Center. The petty crimes don't begin to stop there. Two-time All-American Tom Burleson (North Carolina State) was greeted with chorus of "Pinball Wizard" from Duke's pep band the first half of 1970s after admitting to taking $117 in change from three pinball machines in dormitory lobby; Domonic Tilford (Cincinnati/South Alabama) led Alabama police on a high-speed chase in early November 2014 after a pair of early-morning burglaries at cell-phone stores; James "Tyler" Ptacek (Evansville) was arrested by police who followed a trail of blood to his dorm room in spring of 2014 after injuring himself during break-in trying to take snack food at concessions stand; Holt Dunlap (UC Santa Barbara) was charged with trespassing and vandalism in late September 2012 (plants strewn around property amid 80-pound concrete planter in shape of goose removed from its spot in yard); Talen Horton-Tucker (Iowa State) pleaded guilty to a charge of misdemeanor theft of about $16 worth of goods at Walmart in middle of 2018-19 campaign; Pape Sow (Cal State Fullerton) was suspended 11 games after he was caught stealing a $17 knit cap from the student bookstore, and Kendal "Tiny" Pinder plus a North Carolina State teammate were caught switching price tags on underwear in late 1970s (naturally, Duke's Crazies mockingly showered them with undies). By the way, Burleson was benched for the controversial 1972 Olympic gold-medal game after violating U.S. coach Hank Iba's rules by getting caught with his fiancee on the balcony of his dorm room.

WEED EATERS: Samaki Walker (Louisville), the Cardinals' leading rebounder in 1994-95 and 1995-96, was booked in Kingman, Ariz., in late July 2011 on drug charges. Officials said about 10 grams of marijuana Walker tried to eat (tampering with physical evidence) was seized from his Mercedes-Benz along with some prescription drugs and eight bottles of liquid steroids. Police said Walker indicated that he used the steroids to enhance his athletic ability as he still played professionally overseas. Charges were dropped, but other weed eaters were Cinmeon Bowers (Florida State signee/Auburn), the nation's #1 juco prospect when suspended from team at Chipola (Fla.) in middle of 2013-14 campaign after he and teammate Torian Graham (Buffalo/Arizona State) were arrested for allegedly tampering with evidence by consuming marijuana during a traffic stop in an attempt to conceal the drugs from police. Obviously, Terrance Joyner (Arkansas commitment/New Mexico State) didn't practice prompt weed consumption in middle of 2008-09 season when he was arrested after authorities discovered marijuana inside his luggage as NMSU departed on a road trip. At least Bowers, Graham, Joyner and Walker weren't branded like Marques Dawson (Middle Tennessee State), who was charged with trafficking in cocaine and marijuana in late 2012 after hospitalized with burns to his leg and groin thought to be caused by a hot iron following a home invasion.

CHANGE OF CLOTHES: Chris Washburn (North Carolina State), an All-ACC second-team selection as a sophomore in 1985-86 under coach Jim Valvano, spent two years behind bars in the early 1990s, the second coming after a parole violation. "I was staying in the same clothes for weeks, maybe months at a time to a point where the (drug dealers) I was buying my stuff from would even pay me to go and change clothes," said Washburn, who was shepherded into more than a dozen rehab centers, none of which seemed to help. Hygienic Washburn said his "dad's last visions of him were of a dope fiend sliding along the floor stealing money from his wallet." He averaged only 3.1 ppg in two NBA seasons and was named one of the biggest 25 flops by ESPN in the first 25 years of the cable network. Washburn, who somehow secured entrance to college with an anemic 470 SAT score, was convicted of stealing an $800 stereo on-campus. He apparently should have swiped a TV stuck on the Grooming Channel to at least learn the merits of first syllable of his last name.

GUILE HIGH CLUB: Erwin Washington (Air Force), a four-year starting guard who averaged 8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg and 2.3 apg from 1979-80 through 1982-83, pleaded guilty to being (three times) above the alcohol limit for flying a plane after United Airlines pilot was arrested and failed a breathalyzer test in November 2009 shortly before flight was due to take off from London for Chicago. He allegedly barricaded himself in the cockpit for more than an hour before Scotland Yard talked him out. Bet you Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson could have extracted Washington from his hideout in less than a half hour. In regard to odd places for an arrest, Adrian Hayes (Northern Arizona) was apprehended while attending his criminal justice class in connection to an assault of former NAU football player in front of a downtown bar in the summer of 2003.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH: Gordon Watt (Boston College/Purdue/Houston Baptist) was dismissed from Purdue's program in fall of 2007 before his junior season after second alcohol-related arrest in less than a year. A court upheld the seizure of $63,800 in cash from Watt subsequently ruled a forfeiture after deputies in western Iowa stopped his speeding rental car in 2013. The money was packaged in bundles and discovered with items investigators said was pointed to drug dealing (including a baggie of marijuana, digital scale and stolen/loaded Beretta handgun). Watt was believed to be driving to Colorado to purchase marijuana to resell in home state of Illinois despite claiming he was headed West to practice in the high altitude and didn't trust banks. Also flying high was Dion Waters (Syracuse), who was suspended without pay for 10 games early in 2019-20 NBA season for conduct detrimental to the team (Miami Heat) after an incident on a charter flight. Waiters reportedly experienced a "panic attack" following consumption of THC-infused edible ("gummies"). In 2013, a summer pool party with Waiters listed as host raged so wildly, with accusations of unapproved drinking, drug use and over-crowding at a public facility, that police were called and the Philly suburban community reviewed its rental policies.

THREE-WHEELING ARSENAL: Delonte West (Temple), an All-American guard in 2003-04, was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2010-11 NBA season after pleading guilty to weapons charges in Maryland. Authorities said he was carrying two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun and an 8 1/2-inch Bowie knife while speeding on a three-wheel motorcycle (complete with sidecar) on the Capital Beltway the previous September. Battling bipolar disorder, he received home detention, probation and community service. His wife filed a domestic violence against him in the fall of 2009 and he was spotted loitering around a Houston fast-food restaurant parking lot in hospital robe and without his shoes in mid-February 2016. About three years later, multiple videos of West rambling incoherently and apparently homeless in Washington, D.C., surfaced on social media.

SHOVE WHERE SUN DOESN'T SHINE: Robert Whaley (Missouri signee/Cincinnati/Walsh OH), a prize prep prospect from Benton Harbor, Mich., was charged with third- and fourth-degree sexual misconduct in the alleged rape of a 13-year-old friend of his sister on Thanksgiving morning 2000, but his trial in June 2001 ended with a hung jury. He had numerous brushes with the law, dating back to 1994, when he was charged with unlawful use of an automobile. He pleaded guilty and received probation. The following year, he was charged with breaking into a house. He pleaded guilty to home invasion and was kept on probation. The week after the alleged rape, Whaley checked himself into a detox program and hospital records showed he suffered from chemical dependency and depression. In junior college (Barton County KS), he was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery stemming from a post-dance fight. In 2008, Whaley was placed on probation for a drug charge in his home state of Michigan. Member of the Bearcats' 2004 NCAA playoff team was arrested in March 2010 in the Salt Lake City area about 4:30 a.m. and police found marijuana "between his buttocks," according to a jail document. Since Michigan listed Whaley as a parole violator (for maintaining drug house), Utah extradited him and he began serving a two-year sentence. In the spring of 2015, Whaley was arrested for burglarizing a Marriott Hotel and ordered to serve 60 days in jail. It was also all about "inside" post position for Jon Kreft (Florida State), who spent time in jail following arrest in 2006 on drug charges (hid bag with cocaine in crevice of his lower cheeks). The anal activity didn't dissuade FSU from realigning with seven-footer in 2010 following a juco stint. A disposal dump also wasn't worth a spit for Demetrius Drew of Bruce Pearl-coached Southern Indiana. The former Central Missouri State player was arrested in early September 1999 on felony charges of marijuana possession (85 grams) at an on-campus apartment. Drew locked himself inside a bedroom and then bathroom, but police eventually found a clogged, overflowing toilet filled with weed.

ORANGE YOU MAD AT MASCOT?: DeShaun Williams (Syracuse/Iona), a third-team All-Big East Conference selection as junior in 2001-02, was kicked off Cuse's club because of scholastic problems (also convicted of DWI and cleared of allegedly striking a female student/team mascot Otto the Orange in bar in 2002). "Being a student at Syracuse, I loved every bit of it, and I would not take anything back if I could change it," Williams told OrangeFizz.com. "I just had fun. I did things that dudes do: women. I didn't have a favorite. I just took advantage of everything that came to me." Dismissed from Iona for academic deficiencies late in senior campaign in 2003-04. There was also a similar report involving Henry "Hank" McDaniel (Maine), a Chicago product who allegedly assaulted the school's athletic mascot (Bananas the Bear) in 1995 (charge subsequently dismissed by district court judge). Equally disconcerting was Chris Moss (West Virginia), who left the Mountaineers' squad midway through the 2000-01 season after spitting on a Notre Dame female cheerleader.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: Kaylon Williams (Milwaukee), the Horizon League's assists leader in 2011-12, was arrested in mid-August 2011 in his hometown of Cedar Rapids on suspicion of drunken driving (nearly three times legal limit in Iowa) after Evansville transfer fled a traffic stop and later taken down by a K-9 unit. The stupidity of it all spills over to hanger's-on as a student worker for Texas A&M faced theft and fraud charges in mid-2012 after accusations of stealing personal information from members of the 12th Man Student Foundation and credit cards of two members of coaching staff to buy food and pay for boarding for his dog. In late summer/early fall 2005, Dedrick Finn (Xavier) was accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend's pug dog.

ILLEGAL ALIEN DEADBEAT DAD: Kenny Williams (North Carolina commitment/Barton County Community College KS/Elizabeth City State NC), one of the nation's top five high school recruits in 1988, was sentenced in mid-August 2013 to nine months in prison and ordered to pay more than $661,000 in restitution for failing to pay child support after being a fugitive for more than a decade. He was deported from Israel as an illegal alien. The U.S. Attorney's office said Williams earned a salary playing for the NBA's Indiana Pacers, playing professionally overseas and drove luxury cars while his former wife and three children in U.S. were on welfare. In August 2000, deadbeat dad pleaded guilty to willful failure to pay child support.

CAN'T WE JUST GET ALONG (WITH ANYONE)?: Loren Woods (Wake Forest/Arizona), the nation's third-leading shot blocker in 1999-00, was arrested in spring of 2012 for DUI in Tampa before allegedly attempting to bribe an officer with $2,200 cash. Woods reportedly refused to perform a field sobriety test, saying such exams were biased against black people and that he would only do it if administered by a black officer. Received a six-game suspension as UA senior in 2000-01 for accepting illegal benefits (loan of unspecified amount from his former H.S. coach in St. Louis). Ejected from a Pacific-10 Conference game while restrained from attacking a referee and benched for another contest after ordered to leave practice the previous day. In 1997-98 at Wake, he took a leave of absence from the Demon Deacons for seven outings. He was suspended by the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves midway through 2002-03 campaign for conduct detrimental to the team. But at least Woods didn't trip a referee like Jarmal Reid (Oregon State), who was ejected from a game at Utah in mid-January 2016 with less than three minutes remaining while annoyed about a no-call by the official; face a federal civil rights lawsuit in 2010 like Marlon Dorsey (Mississippi State/Oklahoma State) over high school coach whipping players with a weightlifting belt although corporal punishment had been banned in the district for nearly 20 years, or have a spring break trip go south like De'Sean Allen-Eikens (Cal State Northridge), who was inebriated in 2023 when punching a Fort Lauderdale police officer.

AUTO KNOW BETTER THAN THAT: Bob "Zeke" Zawoluk (St. John's), an All-American in 1950-51 and 1951-52, had a turbulent life including vast emotional instability, an arson rap, crack addiction, grand larceny conviction and prison. After getting fired by one of a series of auto dealers he worked for, he got even in an alcohol-fueled rage in Queens and Nassau County in 1986, dousing two luxury cars with gasoline, torching them, then ramming into 17 other cars, before being apprehended after a high-speed chase. Following another transgression, he was paroled on Christmas Eve, 1993, after serving nearly two years at Clinton Correctional Facility on robbery and grand larceny charges. A subsequent positive drug test violated his parole and sent him to Rikers Island in the mid-1990s. Speaking of using auto as battering ram, Frank Tolbert (Auburn) was arrested in fall of 2007 after one of the Tigers' top three scorers from 2005-06 through 2007-08 allegedly drove through impound lot fence at 3:15 a.m. to retrieve his SUV. An auto lot also wasn't safe from Jahlil Nails (Central Connecticut State), who was arrested in summer of 2018 for allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle from Ford dealership. Another dummy in dire need of driver's education was Zay Jackson (Austin Peay), who pleaded guilty to charges of wanton endangerment following surveillance footage of disturbing incident in a Walmart parking lot (plowing car straight into a couple's vehicle before driving several hundred feet and speeding up with male individual clinging to his hood prior to braking to send person sprawling to asphalt).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 16 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 16 in football at the professional level (especially the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI):

JANUARY 16

  • Seattle Seahawks TE John Carlson (played in three Notre Dame basketball games in 2003-04 under coach Mike Brey) caught one pass for 14 yards in a 35-24 setback against the Chicago Bears in NFC divisional-round game following 2010 season.

  • PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) accounted for the Baltimore Ravens' only points with a first-quarter field goal in 20-3 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round game following 2009 season. Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught four passes for 35 yards.

  • Dallas Cowboys TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) rushed once for 17 yards and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) to cap off their scoring in 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI following 1971 season. Staubach threw two TD passes in duel against Bob Griese (hooper with Purdue in 1964-65). Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted five times for a 37.2-yard average and SS Cornell Green (senior All-American in 1961-62 when finishing career as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) contributed three solo tackles. Helping protect Staubach was starting RT Rayfield Wright (All-SIAC hooper for Fort Valley State GA in mid-1960s).

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-14 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 2004 season.

  • New York Jets DL Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed three solo tackles in a 28-21 win against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2010 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1954 season.

MLK's Birthday and Black History Month Trigger Memories of Historic Hoopers

"Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery, I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally." - Abraham Lincoln

Unless you're a devotee of Congressional Odd Squad, philandering Fani Willis in GA, #MSLSD host Joy-less "Hacking Claimer" Reid or ex-#Dimorat presidential candidate Mr. Groper (a/k/a T-Bone's friend), certainly it's not a Jussie Smollett hate-crime to also claim "White Players Matter." But when Martin Luther King's birthday is celebrated and Black History Month is around the corner, accompanying these benchmarks are an assortment of facts and opinions acknowledging positive contributions African-Americans have made to the American landscape. Granted, Robin Roberts' lame circling-the-drain ABC interview of Smollett, Michael Vick's fondness for dogs plus traction-less presidential campaigns of Cory Booker and Kamela Harris aren't among them. Still, taking more than 100 years after emancipator Abraham Lincoln to make a nationwide transition, nowhere is that emphasis more evident than in an athletic world bereft of quotas and unconnected to alleged Oscar-snubbing. Rest assured civil rights stories such as high school coach Ken Zacher are plentiful. There clearly are more self-evident truths of joyful honor in basketball arenas than in the Smollett-hoax political arena, where a tax cheat such as Al "Not So" Sharpton has been given a freeloader forum by Mess-LSD and brotherly backdoor free-pass entrance to previous POTUS' Oval Office (perhaps skinny-jeans version of H&R Block seminar from #AudacityofHype to set him lien free at last).

Letting authentic freedom ring a mite more than "The View" host-ettes and #Dimorat Divas' Odd Squad America Last policy, frisky billionaire Michael "Throw Them Up Against the Wall" Bloomberg and CNN's identity politics, every sports fan acknowledges the cultural significance of Jackie Robinson (180 degrees removed from smug Smollett's nutrition plan). A movie (42) debuted several springs ago regarding Robinson beginning his major league baseball career, but it is easy to forget there was a time when the now 75% black National Basketball Association was 100% white. Similar to remembering Dems largely opposed the 13th Amendment and Plagiarist Bile-dumb claiming he "got started" at Delaware State, it's also easy to forget how Robinson was instrumental in college basketball's "civil rights" movement.

Before Robinson arrived on the scene in the National League, however, there was Columbia's George Gregory, who became the first African-American to gain college All-American honors in 1930-31. In an era of low scoring, he was the team's second-leading scorer with a 9.2-point average. But he was proudest of his defense, and a statistic that is no longer kept: "goals against." In 10 games, Gregory held rival centers to only eight baskets. "That's less than one goal a game," he told the New York Times. "I think they should have kept that statistical category. Nowadays, one guy scores 40 points but his man scores 45. So what good is it?

"It's funny, but even though I was the only black playing for Columbia, and there was only one other black playing in the Ivy League - Baskerville of Harvard - I really didn't encounter too much trouble from opponents. Oh, I got into a couple of fights. And one time a guy called me 'Nigger,' and a white teammate said, 'Next time, you hit him high and I'll hit him low.' And we did, and my teammate, a Polish guy named Remy Tys, said to that other player, 'That's how we take care of nigger callers.'"

As pitiful as a New York Slimes dual endorsement and "courteous" #NannyPathetic's prayerful paper shredding, Gregory said the worst racial incident he encountered was at his own school. "After our last game in my junior year, the team voted me captain for the next season. Well, there was a hell of a battle when this came out. Columbia didn't want a black captain, or a Jewish captain, either, I learned. The dean was against it, and the athletic director was against it, and even the coach was against it.

"The coach told me, 'Get yourself together, Gregory, or I'll take your scholarship away.' They were worried that if we played a school in the South and met the other captain before the game, the guy would refuse to come out and it would embarrass the school. But the campus was split 50-50 on whether to have a black captain for its basketball team.

"The fight went on for three or four weeks. The school insisted that the team vote again. We did, and I won again. One of my teammates said, 'You forced the school to enter the 20th Century.'"

Harrison "Honey" Fitch, Connecticut's first black player, was center stage during a racial incident delaying a game at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for several hours in late January 1934. Coast Guard officials entered a protest against Fitch, arguing that because half of the Academy's student body was from southern states, they had a tradition "that no Negro players be permitted to engage in contests at the Academy." Eventually, UConn's coach kept Fitch on the bench the entire contest and never explained why.

The first black to appear in the NBA didn't occur until a couple of decades after Gregory graduated and Fitch transferred to American International. UCLA's first basketball All-American Don Barksdale, one of the first seven African-Americans to play in the NBA, was the first black U.S. Olympic basketball player (1948) as well as the first black to play in an NBA All-Star Game (as a rookie in 1952).

Inspired by the black labor movement in the 1930s, Barksdale said, "I made up my mind that if I wanted to do something, I was going to try to do it all the way, no matter the obstacles."

As a 28-year-old rookie with the Baltimore Bullets, he was paid $20,850 (one of the NBA's top salaries) to play and host a postgame radio show, but that notoriety also put extra pressure on him. Forced to play excessive minutes during the preseason, he sustained ankle injuries that plagued him the remainder of his four-year NBA career (11 ppg and 8 rpg).

Why play so many minutes? "It's Baltimore, which is considered the South," said Barksdale, who wound up back in the Bay Area as a well-known jazz disc jockey. "So the South finally signed a black man, and he's going to play whether he could walk or crawl." Barksdale boasted a decidedly different perspective than Kentucky freshman playmaker Ashton "Out For Personal Reasons" Hagans with his wad-of-cash video. What's the over/under as to whether Hagans' hubris was flashing $20,850?

Chuck Cooper, who attended Duquesne on the GI Bill, was the first black player drafted by an NBA franchise. "I don't give a damn if he's striped or plaid or polka-dot," were the history-making words of Boston Celtics Owner Walter Brown when he selected Cooper, who averaged 6.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game in six pro seasons. In Cooper's freshman campaign, Duquesne was awarded a forfeit after refusing to yield to Tennessee's refusal to compete against the Dukes if Cooper participated in a game just before Christmas.

In the 1955-56 season, the Hazleton (Pa.) Hawks of the Eastern League became the first professional league franchise to boast an all-black starting lineup - Jesse Arnelle, Tom Hemans, Fletcher Johnson, Floyd Lane and Sherman White. Arnelle (Penn State) and White (Long Island) were former major-college All-Americans.

As for the multi-talented Robinson, UCLA's initial all-conference basketball player in the 1940s was a forward who compiled the highest scoring average in the Pacific Coast Conference both of his seasons with the Bruins (12.3 points per league game in 1939-40 and 11.1 ppg in 1940-41) after transferring from Pasadena (Calif.) City College. Continuing his scoring exploits, the six-time National League All-Star who spurred #42 uniforms throughout MLB was the leading scorer for the Los Angeles Red Devils' barnstorming team in 1946-47.

Seven-time All-Star outfielder Larry Doby, the first black in the American League, was also a college basketball player who helped pave the way for minorities. He competed on the hardwood for Virginia Union during World War II after originally committing to LIU. The four-month lead Robinson had in integrating the majors casts a huge shadow over Doby, who was the first black to lead his league in homers (32 in 1952), first to hit a World Series homer and first to win a World Series title.

With less than 10% of current MLB rosters comprised of African-Americans, Robinson clearly had much more of a longstanding impact on basketball than baseball. All of the trailblazers didn't capitalize on a Methodist faith like Robinson, but they did boast temperaments unlike "fohty-five" Congressional Black Caucus members or so such as #MadMaxine sitting on their hands or boycotting SOTU speech by Donald Trump. In deference to "firsts" and the number 42, following is a ranking of the 42 best players (including Ball) deserving applause for breaking the color barrier at the varsity level of a major university (*indicates junior college recruit):

Rank First Black Player School First Varsity Season Summary of College Career
1. Elvin Hayes Houston 1965-66 Three-time All-American averaged 31 ppg and 17.2 rpg in three seasons. The Hall of Famer led the Cougars in scoring and rebounding each year before becoming first pick overall in 1968 NBA draft.
2. Hal Greer Marshall 1955-56 The first African-American to play intercollegiate athletics in the state of West Virginia averaged 19.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg in three seasons. Naismith Memorial Hall of Famer led the Thundering Herd in rebounding as a junior (13.8 rpg) and senior (11.7 rpg) before becoming a 10-time NBA All-Star.
3. Charlie Scott North Carolina 1967-68 Averaged 22.1 ppg and 7.1 rpg in three seasons. He was a consensus second-team All-American choice his last two years.
4. Clem Haskins Western Kentucky 1964-65 Three-time OVC Player of the Year was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. Averaged 22.1 ppg and 10.6 rpg in three varsity seasons. First-round NBA draft pick (3rd overall) in 1967.
5. K.C. Jones San Francisco 1951-52 Shut-down defender Jones, a member of the 1955 NCAA champion featuring Bill Russell and 1956 Olympic champion, averaged 8.8 ppg in five seasons (played only one game in 1953-54 before undergoing an appendectomy).
6. Walter Dukes Seton Hall 1950-51 Averaged 19.9 ppg and 18.9 rpg in three seasons. Consensus first-team All-American as a senior when he averaged 26.1 ppg and 22.2 rpg to lead the Dukes to a 31-2 record and NIT title. Played two full seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters before signing with the New York Knicks, who picked him in 1953 NBA draft.
7. Don Chaney Houston 1965-66 Defensive whiz Chaney, an All-American as a senior, averaged 12.6 ppg in three seasons and was a member of Final Four teams in 1967 and 1968.
8. John Austin Boston College 1963-64 Two-time All-American averaged 27 ppg in his Eagles' career. Ranked among the nation's leading scorers in 1964 (8th), 1965 (7th) and 1966 (22nd). Scored 40 points in a 1965 NIT contest. He was a fourth-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1966 NBA draft.
9. Mike Maloy Davidson 1967-68 Three-time All-American averaged 19.3 ppg and 12.4 rpg in his career. Southern Conference Player of the Year as a junior and senior. He was the leading scorer (24.6 ppg) and rebounder (14.3 rpg) for the winningest team in school history (27-3 in 1968-69). Selected by the Pittsburgh Condors in the first five rounds of 1970 ABA draft.
10. Cleo Littleton Wichita 1951-52 Averaged 19 ppg and 7.7 rpg in four seasons, leading the Shockers in scoring each year. School's career scoring leader (2,164 points) is the only four-time first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice. He was selected by the Fort Wayne Pistons in 1955 NBA draft.
11. Wendell Hudson Alabama 1970-71 Averaged 19.2 ppg and 12 rpg in his career, finishing as Bama's fourth-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder. The two-time All-SEC first-team selection was a Helms All-American choice as a senior in 1972-73 before being selected in the second round of NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.
12. Bob Gibson Creighton 1954-55 Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher was the school's first player to average at least 20 ppg in his career (20.2). Led the Bluejays in scoring (22 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a junior. Gibson, who said he couldn't eat or stay with the rest of the Bluejays' team on his first trip to Tulsa, went on to play with the Harlem Globetrotters.
13. Bill Garrett Indiana 1948-49 First impact African-American player in Big Ten Conference averaged 12 ppg while leading the Hoosiers in scoring each of his three varsity seasons. Paced them in rebounding as a senior (8.5 rpg) when he was an all-league first-team selection. Selected by the Boston Celtics in second round of 1951 NBA draft. Grandson Billy Garrett Jr. became Big East Conference Rookie of the Year with DePaul in 2013-14.
14. Earl Robinson California 1955-56 Three-time All-PCC second-team selection averaged at least 10 ppg each of three varsity seasons as 6-1 guard under HOF coach Pete Newell. Robinson averaged 15.5 points in four NCAA Tournament games his last two years, leading the Bears in scoring in two of the playoff contests.
15. Tom Payne Kentucky 1970-71 Led the Wildcats in rebounding (10.1 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (16.9 ppg) in his only varsity season before turning pro. The All-SEC first-team selection had a 39-point, 19-rebound performance against Louisiana State before leaving school early and becoming an NBA first-round draft choice by the Atlanta Hawks.
16. Ron "Fritz" Williams West Virginia 1965-66 Southern Conference player of the year as a senior led Mountaineers in scoring and assists all three varsity seasons on his way to finishing with averages of 20.1 ppg and 6 apg. Williams, a two-time all-league first-team selection, was a first-round pick in 1968 NBA draft (9th overall).
17. James Cash Texas Christian 1966-67 SWC's initial African-American player averaged 13.9 ppg and 11.6 rpg in three seasons. Two-time all-league second-team selection led the Horned Frogs in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.6 rpg) as a senior. Cash had six games with at least 20 rebounds.
18. John Savage North Texas 1961-62 Detroit product averaged 19.2 ppg in leading the Eagles in scoring all three of his varsity seasons with them. Three-time All-MVC selection was fifth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1964 NBA draft.
19. Willie Allen Miami (Fla.) 1968-69 Averaged 17.2 ppg and 12.2 rpg in three seasons. Led Hurricanes in scoring (19.9 ppg) and rebounding (17.2 rpg) as senior. Fourth-round choice of the Baltimore Bullets in 1971 NBA draft played briefly for ABA's The Floridans during 1971-72 season.
20. Jerry Jenkins Mississippi State 1972-73 All-SEC selection as a junior and senior when he was the Bulldogs' leading scorer each year, averaging 19.3 ppg and 7 rpg in three seasons.
21. Stew Johnson Murray State 1963-64 Averaged 16.8 ppg and 12.9 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time fourth-leading scorer (1,275 points) and second-leading rebounder (981). He was a third-round choice of New York Knicks in 1966 NBA draft before becoming a three-time ABA All-Star.
22. Gene Knolle* Texas Tech 1969-70 Two-time All-SWC first-team selection averaged 21.5 ppg and 8.4 rpg in two seasons before becoming a seventh-round choice by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1971 NBA draft.
23. Joe Bertrand Notre Dame 1951-52 Averaged 14.6 ppg in three seasons, including 16.5 as senior when Irish finished year ranked sixth in final AP poll. He was 10th-round choice in 1954 NBA draft by Milwaukee Hawks. Served as Chicago's city treasurer as first black elected to citywide office. His grandson with same name played hoops for Illinois.
24. Hadie Redd Arizona 1953-54 Led the Wildcats in scoring (13.2 ppg and 13.6) and rebounding (7 rpg and 9.4) in both of his varsity seasons.
25. Almer Lee* Arkansas 1969-70 He was the Hogs' leading scorer in 1969-70 (17 ppg) and 1970-71 (19.2 ppg as All-SWC second-team selection).
26. John "Jackie" Moore La Salle 1951-52 Averaged 10.3 ppg and 12.1 rpg in two seasons. Second-leading rebounder both years for the Explorers behind All-American Tom Gola. Played three seasons in the NBA as first black player for Philadelphia Warriors.
27. Greg Lowery* Texas Tech 1969-70 Averaged 19.7 ppg in his three-year career. First-team All-SWC as a sophomore and senior and second-team choice as junior en route to finishing as school's career scoring leader (1,476 points).
28. Henry Harris Auburn 1969-70 Averaged 11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg and 2.5 apg in three-year varsity career. Standout defensive player was captain as a senior. He was an eighth-round choice by the Houston Rockets in 1972 NBA draft.
29. Tommy Bowman Baylor 1967-68 Two-time All-SWC first-team selection led the Bears in scoring (13.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg) in his first varsity season.
30. Ronnie Hogue Georgia 1970-71 Finished three-year varsity career as the second-leading scorer in school history (17.8 ppg). Hogue was an All-SEC second-team choice with 20.5 ppg as a junior, when he set the school single-game scoring record with 46 points against LSU. He was a seventh-round choice of the Capital Bullets in 1973 NBA draft.
31. Coolidge Ball Mississippi 1971-72 Two-time All-SEC second-team selection (sophomore and junior years) averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.9 rpg in three seasons. He led the Rebels in scoring (16.8 ppg) and was second in rebounding (10.3 rpg) as a sophomore.
32. Carl Head* West Virginia 1965-66 Averaged 17.1 ppg and 7.9 rpg in two seasons. Paced the team in field-goal shooting as a junior (53.5%) and in scoring as a senior (20.5 ppg).
33. Perry Wallace Vanderbilt 1967-68 Averaged 12.9 ppg and 11.5 rpg in three varsity seasons. He was the Commodores' leading rebounder as a junior (10.2 rpg) and leading scorer as a senior (13.4 ppg). Fifth-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1970 NBA draft.
34. Don Eaddy Michigan 1951-52 The Wolverines' top scorer in Big Ten Conference competition as a sophomore (13.8 ppg) averaged 11.4 ppg in four seasons. Eaddy was an infielder who played briefly with the Chicago Cubs in 1959.
35. Garfield Smith Eastern Kentucky 1965-66 Averaged 14.5 ppg and 13.2 rpg in three seasons. He was an All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as a senior when he finished second in the nation in rebounding (19.7 rpg). Third-round choice by the Boston Celtics in 1968 NBA draft.
36. Tommy Woods East Tennessee State 1964-65 Two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference choice averaged 15.3 ppg and 16.2 rpg in three seasons. He grabbed 38 rebounds in a game against Middle Tennessee en route to finishing third in the nation in rebounding as a sophomore (19.6 rpg).
37. Willie Brown Middle Tennessee State 1966-67 All-Ohio Valley Conference choice as junior and senior averaged 20.3 ppg and 7.4 rpg in three seasons en route to finishing his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,524 points). He was a 10th-round choice by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1969 NBA draft.
38. Julius Pegues Pittsburgh 1955-56 Spent one year at a Detroit technical school before enrolling at Pitt. Averaged 13.6 ppg in three seasons, finishing as the school's second-leading scorer (17.6 ppg) as a senior behind All-American Don Hennon. Pegues, who scored a game-high 31 points in an 82-77 loss to Miami of Ohio as a senior in 1958 NCAA Tournament, was a fifth-round choice by the St. Louis Hawks in NBA draft.
39. Sebron "Ed" Tucker* Stanford 1950-51 Averaged 15.8 ppg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years. Paced the PCC in scoring as a junior (16.5 ppg) before becoming an all-league South Division first-team pick as a senior.
40. Collis Temple Jr. Louisiana State 1971-72 Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons. Ranked second in the SEC in rebounding (11.1 rpg) and seventh in field-goal shooting (54.9%) as a senior. Sixth-round choice by the Phoenix Suns in 1974 NBA draft had two sons play for his alma mater (Collis III and Garrett).
41. Charlie White* Oregon State 1964-65 Led the Beavers in rebounding (7 rpg) and was their second-leading scorer (9.6 ppg) as a junior. The next year as a first five pick on the All-Pacific-8 team, he was OSU's captain and second-leading scorer (11.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.6 rpg), pacing the team in field-goal shooting (49.4%) and free-throw shooting (81.4%).
42. Ruben Triplett* Southern Methodist 1971-72 Averaged 14.9 ppg and 9 rpg in two seasons. Named All-SWC as a junior when he led the Mustangs in scoring (18.2 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg). Scored a career-high 33 points at Oklahoma City.

MOST OVERLOOKED PIONEERS FOR MAJOR UNIVERSITIES

First Black Player DI School First Varsity Season Summary of College Career
Al Abram Missouri 1956-57 Averaged 11 ppg over four seasons. He led the Tigers in scoring (16.1 ppg), rebounding (8.9 rpg) and field-goal shooting (45%) in 1958-59.
Don Barnette Miami (Ohio) 1953-54 All-MAC first-team selection as a senior averaged 11.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg during three-year career. Played for the Harlem Globetrotters in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Charlie Brown* Texas-El Paso 1956-57 Air Force veteran, a three-time All-Border Conference choice, led the league in scoring as a sophomore (23.4 ppg). He averaged 17.5 ppg in three varsity seasons, leading the Miners in scoring each year.
Earl Brown Lafayette 1971-72 Grabbed 21 rebounds in a game against Lehigh as a sophomore before averaging 11 ppg and 10.6 rpg as a junior and 13.7 ppg and 12.1 rpg as a senior. Ninth-round NBA draft choice by the New York Knicks in 1974.
Mario Brown* Texas A&M 1971-72 Averaged 13 ppg and 4.3 apg in two seasons, leading the team in assists both years.
Harvey Carter Bucknell 1970-71 Led the Bison in scoring and rebounding all three varsity seasons (14.1 ppg and 11.5 rpg as a sophomore, 14.8 ppg and 12.4 rpg as a junior and 14.2 ppg and 9.8 rpg as a senior).
Larry Chanay Montana State 1956-57 Four-year Air Force veteran finished his four-year college career as the school's all-time leading scorer (2,034 points). He led the Bobcats in scoring all four seasons. Chanay was a 14th-round choice by the Cincinnati Royals in 1960 NBA draft.
John Codwell Michigan 1951-52 The Wolverines' second-leading scorer as a junior (10.5 ppg) averaged 6.4 ppg in three seasons.
Vince Colbert* East Carolina 1966-67 Averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rpg in two seasons. He led ECU in rebounding as a junior (7.1 rpg).
Robert Cox Loyola Marymount 1953-54 Averaged 16.9 ppg and 11.1 rpg in two seasons while leading the Lions in both categories each year.
John Crawford Iowa State 1955-56 Averaged 13.4 ppg and 9.7 rpg in three seasons. He led the Cyclones in rebounding all three years and paced them in scoring as a senior (14.1 ppg).
L.M. Ellis Austin Peay State 1963-64 The first OVC black player averaged 9.3 ppg and 10.5 rpg as a junior and 6.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg as a senior after transferring from Drake to his hometown school.
Ed Fleming Niagara 1951-52 Averaged 15 ppg and 8.7 rpg in four seasons to finish No. 1 on the school's all-time scoring list (1,682). All-time top rebounder (975) was selected by the Rochester Royals in 1955 NBA draft.
Larry Fry Mississippi State 1972-73 Averaged 13.8 ppg and 8.1 rpg in three seasons.
Julian Hammond Sr.* Tulsa 1964-65 Averaged 12.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg in two seasons. Led the Golden Hurricane in scoring (16.4 ppg) and rebounding (7.6 rpg) as a senior when he was an All-MVC first-team selection and paced the nation in field-goal shooting (65.9%). Ninth-round choice by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1966 NBA draft played with the ABA's Denver Rockets for five seasons from 1967-68 to 1971-72.
Charlie Hoxie Niagara 1951-52 Averaged 11.7 ppg and 8.4 rpg in four seasons to finish his career as the school's third-leading scorer (1,274). Second-leading rebounder (916) was selected by the Milwaukee Hawks in 1955 NBA draft before playing with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Eddie Jackson Oklahoma City 1962-63 Center averaged 12.3 ppg and 10 rpg in three-year OCU career after transferring from Oklahoma. He led the Chiefs in rebounding as a sophomore and junior. Selected in the sixth round by the San Francisco Warriors in 1965 NBA draft.
Leroy Jackson Santa Clara 1960-61 Averaged 10.1 ppg and 8.3 rpg in three seasons, leading the team in rebounding all three years. Named to second five on All-WCAC team as a senior when he averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg.
Curt Jimerson* Wyoming 1960-61 Forward averaged 14.6 ppg in two seasons, including a team-high 17.5 ppg as a senior when he was an All-Mountain States Conference first-team selection.
Junius Kellogg Manhattan 1950-51 Averaged 12.1 ppg in three-year career, leading the Jaspers in scoring as a sophomore and junior. Former Army sergeant refused bribe and exposed a major point-shaving scandal.
Charlie Lipscomb Virginia Tech 1969-70 Averaged 11.4 ppg and 9.4 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the team in rebounding (10.4 rpg) and was its second-leading scorer (12.1 ppg) as a sophomore.
Jesse Marshall* Centenary 1968-69 Led the Gents in scoring (16 ppg) and rebounding (9.6 rpg) as a senior after being their second-leading scorer (15.9 ppg) and leading rebounder (10.2 rpg) as a junior.
Shellie McMillon Bradley 1955-56 Member of 1957 NIT champion averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.3 rpg in three varsity seasons, including a team-high 16.4 ppg in 1957-58. McMillon, who scored 42 points against Detroit, was an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team choice as a senior before becoming a sixth-round NBA draft choice by the Detroit Pistons.
Eugene Oliver* South Alabama 1972-73 Averaged 17.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg in two seasons, leading the team in scoring both years and setting a school single-game record with 46 points against Southern Mississippi.
Charley Parnell Delaware 1966-67 First-team All-East Coast Conference choice led the Blue Hens in scoring with 18.5 ppg.
Garland Pinkston George Washington 1967-68 Second-leading scorer (12.5 ppg) and rebounder (7.3 rpg) in his only varsity season for GWU.
Art Polk Middle Tennessee State 1966-67 MTSU's second-leading rebounder as a junior and senior averaged 12.3 ppg and 9.2 rpg in three seasons.
Charley Powell Loyola (New Orleans) 1966-67 First African-American to play for a predominantly white college in Louisiana averaged 21.5 ppg in three-year career, finishing 13th in the nation with 26 ppg as a junior.
Larry Robinson* Tennessee 1971-72 Averaged 10.9 ppg and 8.8 rpg in two seasons. Led the Volunteers in rebounding and field-goal shooting both years. He was a 16th-round choice by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1973 NBA draft.
Ron Satterthwaite William & Mary 1973-74 Averaged 13.2 ppg in four seasons. He led the Tribe in scoring as a sophomore and junior, averaging 17 ppg during that span. Guard was an All-Southern Conference first-team selection as a sophomore and second-team choice as a junior.
Oscar Scott* The Citadel 1971-72 Three-year Army veteran averaged 11.8 ppg and 7 rpg in two seasons. He led the Bulldogs in rebounding as a senior.
Dwight Smith Western Kentucky 1964-65 Three-time All-OVC guard averaged 14.6 ppg and 10.9 rpg in his college career. Led the Hilltoppers in rebounding as a sophomore (11.3 rpg) and as a senior (11.9 rpg). Smith was a third-round choice of the Los Angeles Lakers (23rd overall).
Sam Smith Louisville 1963-64 Third-round choice of the Cincinnati Royals in 1967 NBA draft averaged 9.2 ppg and team-high 11 rpg in his only varsity season with the Cardinals before transferring to Kentucky Wesleyan.
Sam Stith St. Bonaventure 1957-58 Averaged 14.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg in three-year career. After All-American brother Tom Stith arrived the next season, they combined to average 52 ppg in 1959-60, an NCAA single-season record for brothers on the same team.
Harold Sylvester Tulane 1968-69 Averaged 12.5 ppg and 9.1 rpg in three varsity seasons. He led the Green Wave in rebounding as a sophomore and was its second-leading rebounder and scorer as a junior and senior.
John Thomas Pacific 1954-55 Averaged 15.1 ppg and 11.3 rpg in three years while leading the team in scoring and rebounding each campaign. Finished his career as the school's all-time scoring leader (1,178 points). He set UOP single-season records for points (480) and rebounds (326) in 1955-56.
Liscio Thomas* Furman 1969-70 Averaged 17 ppg and 9.9 rpg in two seasons. He led the Paladins in scoring as a junior (17.7 ppg) and was the second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1971 Southern Conference champion.
Solly Walker St. John's 1951-52 First African-American ever to play in game at Kentucky averaged 7.8 ppg and 6.8 rpg in three seasons. Member of 1952 NCAA runner-up and 1953 NIT runner-up. Led the team in scoring (14 ppg) and rebounding (12.2 rpg) as a senior. Selected by the New York Knicks in 1954 NBA draft.
John Edgar Wideman Penn 1960-61 Two-time All-Ivy League second-team swingman led the Quakers in scoring as a junior (13.2 ppg in 1961-62) and a senior (13.8 ppg in 1962-63). The Pittsburgh native also paced them in rebounding as a junior (7.6 rpg).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 15 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 15 in football at the professional level (especially five Kansas City Chiefs players in inaugural Super Bowl):

JANUARY 15

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Reg Carolan (Idaho three-year hoops letterman in early 1960s averaged 4 ppg and 4.7 rpg) had a seven-yard pass reception from Len Dawson (played in two basketball games for Purdue in 1956-57) in first quarter of 35-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in inaugural Super Bowl following 1966 campaign. Dawson completed 16-of-27 passes for 211 yards. In second quarter, he had a team-long 31-yarder to Otis Taylor (backup forward with Prairie View A&M) to help set up KC's lone touchdown. Chiefs RDT Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) recorded five solo tackles including a sack and teammate LLB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) contributed three solo tackles. Starting LG for the Packers was Fred "Fuzzy" Thurston (averaged 1.5 ppg for Valparaiso in 1951-52).

  • Chicago Bears WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) had a 24-yard pass reception in 29-21 setback against the Carolina Panthers in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2005 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco in 31-24 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers following 2010 season. Ravens PK Billy Cundiff (played in nine basketball contests with Drake in 1999-00 and 2000-01) knotted the score at 24-24 with a field goal with 3:54 remaining. The next year, Cundiff kicked two field goals (44 and 48 yards) in a 20-13 win against the Houston Texans in another divisional-round contest.

  • St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) caught three passes for 38 yards and rushed once for 11 yards in a 47-17 NFC divisional-round setback against the Atlanta Falcons following 2004 season. Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had nine solo tackles.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) opened game's scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger and returned five punts for 50 yards in 21-18 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts following 2005 season.

  • 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 in late 1970s) caught a 32-yard pass from Tommy Kramer in 21-7 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Washington Redskins following 1982 campaign.

  • Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) completed 17-of-25 passes in a 27-10 victory against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII following 1977 season. Combining for nine of the receptions were TE Billy Joe Dupree (scored four points in total of four basketball games for Michigan State in 1971-72) and RB Preston Pearson (averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Illinois from 1964-65 through 1966-67). Cowboys LDE Ed "Too Tall" Jones (averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) registered three solo tackles.

  • Miami Dolphins RDE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed three solo tackles in a 62-7 setback against the Jacksonville Jaguars in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 1999 season.

Southern Discomfort: Possible Results if Blacks Viewed as 1st-Class Citizens

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Cancel-culture considerations resulted in condemning an estimated 100 statues and monuments to white-guilt reparations rubble. Facing reality, such arcane activist analysis could be the only way for self-absorbed progressive outposts to stop superior Southern universities from dominating college football after former Confederacy institutions captured 16 of the last 18 gridiron national crowns (primarily with in-state recruits). After all, shouldn't the SEC and ACC be sanction shamed by self-loathing social scholars, if not disbandment purge, insofar as the first season Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina featured an African-American on their varsity basketball rosters wasn't until 1970-71 (two years after MLK was assassinated in Memphis)?

Could Auburn have been ranked #1 nationally two seasons ago a whopping half century beforehand? Truth be told, racially hung-up SEC and ACC incurred self-imposed performance penalties by failing to recruit regal in-state black prospects until Dixie denizens were finally tired of monumental hardwood horror. Pearl-of-wisdom memo to Auburn: The following droughts describe authentic self-regulation. It seems inconceivable but segregation-shackled Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech (won in 1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State (W in 1963), Tennessee, Texas A&M (W in 1969) and Virginia combined for a paltry three NCAA playoff victories during 22-year tourney famine from 1954 through 1975. Moreover, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida (1967), Georgia, Georgia Tech (1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech (1961) and Virginia Tech collaborated for an anemic total of three final AP Top 20 finishes in 20-season span from 1954-55 through 1973-74. Even colossus UK didn't win an NCAA Tournament title in 19-year span from 1959 through 1977.

For the record, ACC members in North Carolina all included black players on their varsity teams by end of the 1960s. There is a relatively simple explanation for why Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Georgia failed to participate in the NCAA playoffs until the 1980s. Despite excluding much of the ACC, a trip into the what-if world of hoopdom can be fascinating. What might have been for principally football-dominated Southern schools if they weren't so narrow-minded waiting until the early 1970s to treat in-state African-American hoopers as equals? If not judged by color of skin, consider the following possible "started living (in basketball)" promised-land scenarios:

Power-Conference Schools Consequences for Shunning African-American Players What Might Have Been for Southern Schools?
Alabama (1970-71 was first season for black on varsity roster) and Auburn (1969-70) Alabama (no appearances from inception of NCAA tourney in 1939 until 1975) and Auburn (no appearances until 1984) were outsiders in regard to the NCAA playoffs. Each school managed only one AP Top 20 finish until the mid-1970s. Bama, after losing final 15 games in 1968-69, and Auburn wouldn't have combined for losing records in 1969-70 and 1970-71 if in-state All-American products Artis Gilmore (Jacksonville FL), Travis Grant (Kentucky State) and Bud Stallworth (Kansas) were on their rosters.
Arkansas (1969-70) No NCAA playoff victory in 28-year span from 1950 through 1977. No AP Top 20 finish until 1977. Hogs would have been much better than posting mediocre 13-11 record in 1962-63 if they boasted inside-outside combination of All-Americans Jim Barnes (Texas Western) and Eddie Miles (Seattle).
Florida (1971-72) The Gators had no NCAA tourney appearances until 1987. Only one AP Top 20 finish until 1994. UF would have far exceeded an 11-15 record in 1970-71 if Howard Porter (Villanova) and Truck Robinson (Tennessee State) manned forward positions.
Georgia (1970-71) and Georgia Tech (1971-72) Georgia (no appearances until 1983) and Georgia Tech (only one NCAA playoff appearance and victory until 1985) were non-factors in national postseason play. Only one AP Top 20 finish for either school until mid-1980s. Georgia and Georgia Tech wouldn't have incurred double digits in defeats in 1969-70 if they fortified frontline with Gar Heard (Oklahoma), Elmore Smith (Kentucky State) and Joby Wright (Indiana).
Louisiana State (1971-72) No NCAA playoff appearance or AP Top 20 finish in 24-year span from 1955 through 1978. Bayou Bengals wouldn't have compiled non-winning records in 1962-63 and 1963-64 if their frontcourt included Luke Jackson (Pan American), Bob Love (Southern LA), Cincy Powell (Portland) and/or Willis Reed (Grambling). LSU's initial campaign post-Pistol Pete Maravich in 1970-71 would have been much better than 14-12 if backcourt was buttressed by Fred Hilton (Grambling) and/or James Silas (Stephen F. Austin State).
Mississippi (1971-72) and Mississippi State (1972-73) Ole Miss (no appearances until 1981) and MSU (only two NCAA playoff appearances and one victory until 1995). Ole Miss didn't have an AP Top 20 finish until 1998. Doubtful both schools would have compiled losing records each season from 1967-68 through 1969-70 if frontcourters E.C. Coleman (Houston Baptist), Mike Green (Louisiana Tech), Spencer Haywood (Detroit), George T. Johnson (Dillard LA), Earnest Killum (Stetson FL) and Sam Lacey (New Mexico State) competed for them at some point during that subterranean span.
Clemson (1970-71) and South Carolina (1970-71) Clemson (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1980) and USC (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1971). Clemson had only one AP Top 20 finish through 1986. Teams could have thrived with inside-outside combination of Art Shell (Maryland-Eastern Shore) and Kenny Washington (UCLA) in mid-1960s and frontcourt featuring Gene Gathers (Bradley) and Clifford Ray (Oklahoma) in 1969-70 and 1970-71.
Tennessee (1971-72) Winless in NCAA playoff competition until 1979. Only one AP Top 10 finish in 20th Century. Paul Hogue (Cincinnati), Les Hunter (Loyola of Chicago) and Vic Rouse (Loyola of Chicago) were standouts for NCAA titlists the first half of 1960s. The Volunteers could have featured one of the finest frontcourts in NCAA history with James Johnson (Wisconsin), Charlie Paulk (Tulsa/Northeastern Oklahoma State), Rick Roberson (Cincinnati) and Bingo Smith (Tulsa) in 1966-67 and 1967-68. Rocky Top could have boasted one of the top backcourts in NCAA history in 1970-71 with Richie Fuqua (Oral Roberts) and Ted McClain (Tennessee A&I).
Texas (1969-70), Texas A&M (1971-72) and Texas Tech (1969-70) UT (only two NCAA Tournament appearances in 24-year span from 1948 through 1971), A&M (only one NCAA playoff victory until 1980) and TT (only two NCAA playoff victories until 1976) were inconsequential in postseason play for extended period. No AP Top 10 finish among trio until 1996. How potent of frontlines could SWC members have had from 1961-62 through 1964-65 choosing among Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M), Nate Bowman (Wichita), Mitchell Edwards (Pan American), Eddie Jackson (Oklahoma/OCU), McCoy McLemore (Drake), John Savage (North Texas State), Dave Stallworth (Wichita), Gene Wiley (Wichita) and John Henry Young (Midwestern State)?
Virginia (1971-72) and Virginia Tech (1969-70) UVA (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1976) and VT (only one NCAA playoff appearance until 1976) had little impact on postseason play until mid-1970s. No AP Top 20 finish for VT until 1996. College class of '69 could have been one of premier in-state recruiting groups of all-time with Charles Bonaparte (Norfolk State), Bob Dandridge (Norfolk State), Bill English (Winston-Salem State NC) and Skeeter Swift (East Tennessee State).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 14 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 14 in football at the professional level (especially Pro Bowl MVPs Otto Graham and Jim Brown from the Cleveland Browns):

JANUARY 14

  • Following the 1961 season, Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) earned his first of three NFL Pro Bowl MVP awards in a five-year span.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught six passes for 61 yards in 24-21 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2006 season. 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) chipped in with two receptions for 43 yards.

  • New Orleans Saints 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 from Drew Brees - including 66-yarder - in a 36-32 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2011 season. Five years later with the Seattle Seahawks, Graham opened game's scoring with TD reception in a 36-20 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC divisional-round contest following 2016 campaign.

  • Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following 1950 season.

  • Quarterbacks Bob Griese (Purdue hooper in 1964-65) of the Miami Dolphins and Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper in 1959-60 under coach John Wooden) of the Washington Redskins squared off against each other in Super Bowl VII following the 1972 season. A 28-yard touchdown pass by Griese in the opening quarter proved to the margin of victory in a 14-7 verdict. Dolphins starters included LT Wayne Moore (averaged 5.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg for Lamar in four seasons in late 1960s) and LDE Vern Den Herder (all-time leading scorer and rebounder for Central College IA when career concluded in 1970-71).

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson hooper for seven games in 2010-11 under coach Brad Brownell) caught six passes for 65 yards in a 34-16 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2016 season.

  • 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 118 yards and three touchdowns in 48-32 playoff victory against the Dallas Cowboys following 2023 season.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91 under coaches Terry Holland and Jeff Jones) had team-long 31-yard pass reception in a 16-3 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in AFC Championship following 2000 season.

  • Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) returned a fumble 16 yards in 33-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II following 1967 season. Teammate Dick Capp (averaged 5.8 ppg and 2.8 rpg with Boston College in 1963-64 under coach Bob Cousy), a tight end activated for this game, recovered punt return fumble leading to field goal just before time expired in first half.

  • Washington Redskins TE Robert Royal (Louisiana State hooper in 2000-01) caught three passes from Mark Brunell in 20-10 setback against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round game following 2005 season.

  • New York Giants RCB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) contributed two solo tackles and one interception in 41-0 win against the Minnesota Vikings in NFC Championship following 2000 season.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) had team highs of six pass receptions and 96 receiving yards in a 27-13 win against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2005 season.

Fred Hoiberg Could Become "Mayor" on Big Red Carpet of Two College Towns

Fred Hoiberg is known as the "Mayor" in many basketball circles after two-time All-Big Eight Conference selection for Iowa State in the mid-1990s coached his alma mater to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011-12 through 2014-15. In fact, as a Cyclones player he received some write-in votes in the 1993 mayoral election.

Following a four-year stint in the NBA coaching the Chicago Bulls, he has been striving to pump some life into Nebraska's moribund program, where his grandfather, Jerry Bush, was coach for nine losing campaigns from 1954-55 through 1962-63. A 16-point victory by the Huskers over top-ranked Purdue recently opened some eyes. By the end of this month, we should know whether they are bound for the NCAA playoffs for only the second time in 21st Century. If the Big Red do go dancing and then earn its first-ever national tourney triumph, Hoiberg will likely become "Mayor" of two Midwest college towns. Until then, following is an alphabetical list of former college hoopers who became authentic mayors:

HENRY "SCOTTY" BAESLER, Kentucky
Mayor of Lexington, Ky., for 10 years before representing Kentucky's Sixth District in the U.S. House of Representatives after getting more than 60 percent of the vote in 1992. The Democrat ran for governor in 1994 and narrowly lost against Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning for a Senate seat in 1998. . . . The 5-11, 180-pound guard averaged 8.4 points per game in three varsity seasons (1960-61 through 1962-63). He scored 26 points as a junior against Southern California. Senior captain hit 16-of-17 foul shots in a game against Vanderbilt en route to leading the Wildcats in free-throw accuracy (85.5%). Played for NCAA Tournament regional runner-up teams as a sophomore and junior before pacing UK in assists his final season with 4.3 per game. Sketch in school guide: "Typifies the 'we ain't scared of nothing' attitude of 'Fearless Five.' The self-made man type that sportswriters like to laud in success stories."

C. DAVID BAKER, UC Irvine
Former mayor of Irvine became commissioner of the Arena Football League in November, 1996. He played professionally in Europe before graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the Law Review. . . . The 6-8, 220-pound post player from 1972-75 is the Anteaters' all-time leading rebounder (926) and second-leading scorer (1,601 points). UCI competed in the NCAA Division II Tournament West Regional his freshman and senior seasons. He grabbed a career-high 21 rebounds against Chicago State his freshman year.

JOHN BELK, Davidson
Noted retailer (president of Belk Brothers Co. and Belk Stores Services, Inc.) is former Mayor of Charlotte. He is listed in Who's Who in America. . . . Davidson's basketball arena and men's MVP award are both named for him. The four-year starter was senior co-captain of the Wildcats' 1942-43 squad compiling an 18-6 record and defeating North Carolina, N.C. State, Clemson and South Carolina.

DAVE BING, Syracuse
Democrat served as Detroit's 74th Mayor from 2009 through 2013. . . . Two-time All-American was the second pick overall in NBA draft after averaging 24.8 ppg and 10.3 rpg with the Cuse from 1963-64 through 1965-66.

BILL BONER, Middle Tennessee State
Flamboyant Democratic politician gained notoriety in 1990 because of his relationship with country crooner Traci Peel. State legislator from 1971 was elected to Congress in 1978 and as Mayor in his hometown of Nashville in 1987. He served in the House of Representatives after winning largely because the incumbent died following the filing deadline. In the mid-1980s, the Justice Department investigated him for alleged financial wrongdoing, but no indictment was sought. . . . The 5-10, 155-pound guard averaged 14.6 ppg for MTSU's freshman squad in 1963-64. After sitting out a season, he averaged 3.5 ppg in one campaign of varsity basketball in 1965-66.

GERALD "GERRY" CALABRESE SR., St. John's
Democrat was Mayor of Cliffside Park, N.J., continuously for 51 years from 1965 to 2015. . . . Averaged 10.2 ppg from 1946-47 through 1949-50 (runner-up in scoring for back-to-back NIT teams under coach Frank McGuire) before becoming 24th pick overall in NBA draft.

TOM CALABRESE, St. John's
Succeeded his father, Gerry, as Mayor of Cliffside Park, N.J. . . . Averaged 5.2 ppg from 1975-76 through 1978-79 under coach Lou Carnesecca (led NCAA playoff team in assists with four per game as a sophomore).

VIC CARSTARPHEN, Cincinnati/Temple
Camden City Councilman prior to becoming Mayor of his hometown in 2021. . . . Averaged 3.8 ppg and 1.5 apg for UC in 1988-89 before transferring to Temple, where he averaged 8.7 ppg, 2 rpg, 3.2 apg and 1.5 spg from 1990-91 through 1992-93 under coach John Chaney.

JOHN CASTILE, Furman
Hired as City Manager of Greenville, S.C., in the summer of 2011. . . . Averaged 9.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 3.6 apg and 1.1 spg from 1984-85 through 1987-88, earning All-Southern Conference first-team honors as a senior.

GEORGE CHANDICK, Baldwin-Wallace (Ohio)
Mayor of Seven Hills, Ohio, from 1988 to 1993. . . . Played college basketball during 1949-50 season.

C. FRANK DAVIS, Furman
Served as the Mayor of Morristown, Tenn., from the mid-1950s into the next decade. . . . Hoops letterman as a guard in 1927 was more prominent in baseball and football.

DALE DOVER, Harvard
Served as first African-American Mayor of Falls Church, Va., in the early 1990s. Former employee in the U.S. State Department. . . . Averaged 16 ppg and 5.4 rpg from 1968-69 through 1970-71. He led the Crimson in scoring as sophomore and junior before pacing team in assists as a senior.

JOUNI EHO, Davidson
Elected Mayor in 2018 of one of Finland's most ancient towns (Phytaa - founded in 1347 - about 45 minutes from the Russian border). . . . Averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.6 rpg from 2000-01 through 2003-04 under coach Bob McKillop. Member of 2002 NCAA tourney team but did not play in opening-round setback against Ohio State.

RAY FLYNN, Providence
Mayor of Boston from 1984 to 1993 disagreed with President Clinton on the abortion issue while serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. Lost Democratic 8th district congressional bid in 1998 to try to succeed Joe Kennedy. Flynn was president of Catholic Alliance in 2000 when he endorsed George W. Bush for president. . . . Averaged 12.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg as a 6-0 guard in his three varsity seasons with the Friars from 1960-61 through 1962-63. As a senior captain, he tied with John Thompson Jr. for team scoring honors with an average of 18.9 ppg. Member of two NIT championship teams won the NIT Most Valuable Player award in 1963 after leading tourney in scoring with 83 points in three games. Selected by the Syracuse Nationals in the fourth round of 1963 NBA draft. Sketch in school guide: "One of the fiercest competitors and greatest outside shooters in Providence history. Admired by his teammates for his intense devotion to basketball, manifested by his constant effort to improve."

ROBERT FOLSOM, Army/Southern Methodist
Former Dallas Mayor (1977-81) was instrumental in building Reunion Arena, the home of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks. Folsom was chairman of the board of Folsom Investments, Inc., which specialized in real estate developments. He owned the Dallas Chaparrals (now the San Antonio Spurs) and was among the SMU officials who joined Gov. Bill Clements in the decision to continue illegal payments to Mustang football players after the school was placed on probation in 1985. . . . Folsom was a letterman with SMU's basketball squad for coach Doc Hayes' first team in 1947-48 when he scored 49 points in 14 games. Previously, Folsom was Army's third-leading scorer in 1945-46 (7.4 ppg) and 1946-47 (5.8 ppg).

MARK FUNKHOUSER, Thiel (Pa.)
Mayor of Kansas City from 2007 to 2011 before becoming the first K.C. mayor since 1924 not to serve at least two terms. The Independent candidate wore an orange tie during the campaign as reference to the Ukraine Orange Revolution and as a symbol for change. A controversy surrounding him involved the meddling of his wife (Gloria Squitiro) in his administration. . . . The 6-8 Funkhouser was a varsity letterman with Thiel in the 1970s.

CARL GERLACH, Kansas State
Overland Park, Kan., Mayor for 16 years from 2006 through 2021. . . . Averaged 8.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg from 1972-73 through 1975-76 under coach Jack Hartman.

GARY GILLMOR, Santa Clara
Santa Clara Mayor from 1969 to 1977 before getting into the real estate business. . . . Averaged 9.7 ppg and 4.1 rpg from 1955-56 through 1957-58.

JERRY GREER, Northwestern
Wood Dale, Ill., Mayor for 20 years. . . . Averaged 1.3 ppg and 2 rpg from 1957-58 through 1959-60.

MULIUFI "MUFI" HANNEMANN, Harvard
Elected twice as Mayor of Honolulu (2004 and 2008). Lost elections for Governor of Hawaii and U.S. House of Representatives (fell in primary to Tulsi Gabbard). . . . The 6-7 Hannemann averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg from 1973-74 through 1975-76.

RUPERT "VANCE" HARTKE, Evansville
Mayor of Evansville before serving as U.S. Senator from Indiana (1959-77). Democrat ran for President in 1972 as an anti-war candidate, finishing as high as fifth in the New Hampshire Primary. He wrote four books, including "The American Crisis in Vietnam." . . . Basketball player was in the class of '40.

WILLIE HERENTON, LeMoyne-Owen (Tenn.)
Democrat was first African-American elected Mayor of Memphis, serving from 1991 to 2009. . . . College teammate of eventual NCAA Division I head coach David "Smokey" Gaines.

KEVIN JOHNSON, California
Democrat served as Mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016. . . . Two-time All-Pac-10 Conference choice averaged 14 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 4.4 apg and 1.3 spg from 1983-84 through 1986-87 before becoming an NBA draft first-round selection.

CALVIN KELLER, St. Lawrence (N.Y.)
Republican was Mayor of Niagara Falls for two terms from 1956 through 1962. . . . Last four-sport letterman in history of St. Lawrence (class of '29).

ANTHONY "TONY" MASIELLO, Canisius
Democratic Mayor of Buffalo from 1994 to 2005. . . . Averaged 15.1 ppg and 8.9 rpg in three varsity seasons (1966-67 through 1968-69). The 6-4, 190-pound forward led Canisius in scoring and rebounding as a junior (18.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and senior (19.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg). He culminated his college career with 35 points in an 83-79 victory over Calvin Murphy-led Niagara. Excerpt from school guide: "Became captain of the Golden Griffins through concentrated team play and aggressive individual performance. Backbone of the team."

JAMIE MAYO, Louisiana-Monroe
Four-term Mayor of Monroe, La., is a Democrat who was an unsuccessful candidate for state's 5th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. . . . Teammate of All-American Calvin Natt averaged 7.4 ppg from 1975-76 through 1978-79, leading club in assists and steals as a junior.

BILLY McKINNEY III, Northwestern
Elected Mayor of his hometown (Zion, Ill.) in 2019. . . . Averaged 18 ppg, 3 rpg and 2.3 apg from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Tex Winter, leading the Wildcats in scoring all four seasons. All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as a senior.

GEORGE MOSCONE, Pacific
Many San Franciscans were outraged by what they believed was the legal system breaking down when there was a ludicrously light sentence for the murderer of their Democratic Mayor. Moscone, 49, and Supervisor Harvey Milke, 48, were brutally killed in their city hall offices in 1978 by a former city supervisor. A legacy of the killings was the early parole for the murderer, whose attorney pursued the so-called Twinkies defense, arguing that the criminal was in a "diminished mental capacity" caused in part by eating too much junk food. A lenient jury bought the line and produced a verdict of voluntarily manslaughter rather than murder. Under California's determinant sentencing law, that judgment carried a maximum term of seven years and eight months. Milke became a martyred pioneer of gay politics and a recognized trail blazer of the out-of-the-closet activism that is now both a force and a fashion in the city. U.S. Senator-to-be Dianne Feinstein, who was president of the board of supervisors, automatically succeeded Moscone as mayor. . . . Moscone, a junior college transfer, averaged 5.8 ppg for UOP in 1951-52.

MARCUS MUHAMMAD, DePaul
Formerly known as Marcus Singer, he became Mayor of Benton Harbor, MI, in 2016. . . . The 6-6 Singer averaged 6.5 ppg and 2 rpg from 1993-94 through 1996-97 under coach Joey Meyer.

CLAUDE RETHERFORD, Indiana/Nebraska
Appointed Mayor of Tulare, Calif., in 1992 and served in that capacity until he died of a heart attack in June, 1998. . . . Leading scorer in the Big Seven Conference with 12 ppg in 1948-49 when Nebraska claimed its only regular-season league championship. Two-time all-league swingman went on to compile a 17-34 coaching record for Idaho State in three seasons from 1965-66 to 1967-68.

JIM RITCHIE, West Virginia
Served a term as Mayor of Point Marion, Pa. . . . Averaged 8.6 ppg and 6.1 rpg from 1958-59 through 1960-61.

BRAD SELLERS, Wisconsin/Ohio State
Elected to his first term as Mayor of Warrensville Heights, Ohio, in November 2011. He dropped out of race for Cuyahoga County executive in early 2022 following reports of him approving a property tax abatement for himself after years of delinquency. . . . Averaged 15.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 2 bpg for UW in 1981-82 and 1982-83 before transferring to OSU, where he averaged 17.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg and 3 bpg in 1984-85 and 1985-86. Sellers, who led his Big Ten Conference teams in rebounds and blocked shots all four seasons, was an all-league first-team selection as a senior prior to becoming a first-round selection in NBA draft.

DAVID SIBLEY, Baylor
Republican Mayor of Waco in the late 1980s. . . . The 6-5 Sibley averaged 8.1 ppg and 4.1 rpg from 1967-68 through 1969-70.

MARTY SMALL SR., Richard Stockton College (N.J.)
Democrat was selected as Mayor of Atlantic City, N.J., in fall of 2019. . . . The 6-4 Small averaged 11.7 ppg and 7.5 rpg from 1993-94 through 1996-97, participating in three NCAA Division III tournaments. He led the team in rebounding each of his last three seasons.

THOMAS SMITH, St. Peter's
Mayor of Jersey City is remembered as a colorful politician who made an unsuccessful run for governor of New Jersey and also boxed an exhibition against Muhammad Ali when "The Greatest" was still an active fighter. Smith is author of a book "The Powerticians," which is considered an excellent chronicle of big-city machine politics. . . . Played in one game for the New York Knicks in 1951-52 after being their fifth pick in the NBA draft (ahead of Al McGuire). Scored 1,304 college points, which still ranks among the top 20 all-time scorers in school history. He averaged 24.8 ppg in 1950-51.

HANS TANZLER JR., Florida
Democratic Mayor of Jacksonville in his hometown from 1967 through 1978. . . . Averaged 12.2 ppg in his four-year career from 1946-47 through 1949-50. He led the Gators in scoring as a sophomore (13.2 ppg). Tanzler was captain of the team as a senior when he was a third-team All-SEC AP selection.

KYLE TESTERMAN, Tennessee
Republican served two terms as Knoxville Mayor (1972-75 and 1984-87), spearheading bringing the 1982 World's Fair to the city. . . . The 6-3 forward played in six games for the Volunteers in 1953-54 and 1954-55. He overcame childhood polio and finished his college experience on a tennis scholarship.

RICHARD VINROOT, North Carolina
Re-elected to a second term as Mayor of Charlotte in 1993 with 67% of the vote. His accomplishments included the construction of a community center, development of summer jobs program, and creation of a public transit center. Unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for governor of North Carolina in 1996 and 2004. . . . The 6-7, 210-pound center played briefly for the Tar Heels in coach Dean Smith's first two seasons (1961-62 as a sophomore and 1962-63 as a junior). He scored one point and grabbed two rebounds in nine games. Excerpt from school guide: "Diligent worker. President of junior and senior classes."

WELLINGTON WEBB, Colorado State College
Became the first African-American Mayor of Denver in 1991 and went on to serve three terms. Webb had a long track record in state and federal government as a legislator, governor's cabinet member and federal administrator, presiding during what is arguably the best economic period that Denver and Colorado has ever seen. A sharp drop in reported burglaries, successful economic development initiatives and his leadership in solving a variety of local problems boosted the Democrat's popularity to unprecedented levels. . . . Played for the Bears' 1964 NCAA College Division Tournament team as a senior. He had his best season the previous year when he averaged 6.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for a school now known as Northern Colorado.

GEORGE "SMEDES" YORK, North Carolina State
Mayor of Raleigh, N.C., from 1979 until 1983 was one of the city's most successful businessmen (property developer) and civic leaders. . . . The 6-4 1/2, 200-pounder played briefly for the Wolfpack as a sophomore and junior (1961-62 and 1962-63).

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 13 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 13 in football at the professional level (especially wide receivers for San Diego Chargers in playoff victory following 2007 campaign):

JANUARY 13

  • Houston Texans LOLB Connor Barwin (Cincinnati hooper in 2006 NCAA Tournament) collected three solo tackles and two quarterback hits in a 41-28 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2012 season.

  • San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers in 28-24 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts following 2007 season. 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) had team highs of seven pass receptions and 93 receiving yards (including 14-yard TD).

  • Miami Dolphins DE Vern Den Herder (finished Central College IA career in 1970-71 as school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) delivered a sack in 24-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII following 1973 season. Dolphins QB Bob Griese (Purdue hooper in 1964-65) completed six-of-seven passes with two of the receptions by WR Marlin Briscoe (averaged 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65). Starting LT protecting Griese was Wayne Moore (averaged 5.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg in four seasons for Lamar in late 1960s). Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Vikings. Grant's roster included LDT Gary Larsen (Concordia MN hooper in early 1960s), who had four solo tackles, and DB Charlie West (Texas-El Paso hooper in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins), who returned two kickoffs for 28 yards.

  • Los Angeles Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught five passes including one for a touchdown in 41-28 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC divisional-round game following 2018 season.

  • Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) had six pass receptions - including game's first touchdown - in a 30-28 win against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round playoff outing following 2012 season.

  • WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) opened the Dallas Cowboys' scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo in 21-17 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New York Giants following 2007 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught a game-tying touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia in fourth quarter of 25-15 NFC wild-card playoff game setback against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 season.

  • Miami Dolphins RDE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed six solo tackles in a 20-3 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in AFC wild-card playoff game following 2001 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens ROLB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) accumulated seven solo tackles in 15-6 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in divisional-round game following 2006 season. Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught three passes for 28 yards.

Odds Boiling Over Against Purdue Reaching F4 Let Alone Winning NCAA Title

Someone has to be first but the odds will be stacked against Purdue if it loses again as the nation's top-ranked team. The Boilermakers, after losing at Northwestern and Nebraska while ranked #1 this season, face an uphill battle reaching the Final Four, let alone capturing their first NCAA championship. Last year, Purdue became the 22nd team to lose at least three times atop the national polls in the same campaign and subsequently fail to win the national title.

Did you know that Northwestern (defeating Vanderbilt in 2017 and Boise State in 2023) and Nebraska (winless in seven tourney contests) have combined for an anemic total of two NCAA playoff victories in their power-league histories? If Purdue succumbs again as a #1, the Boilers will be the first school to endure back-to-back campaigns losing three times as the nation's top-ranked club.

Only four of the first 22 squads in this category reached the Final Four (including Michigan '65 and Georgetown '85 succumbing in national final). Following is a chronological look at NCAA playoff progress for schools with at least three defeats as the nation's top-ranked team in a single season:

Season #1 Three-Time Loser Opponents Beating Same #1 Team What Happened to #1?
1951-52 Kentucky Minnesota/St. Louis/St. John's UK lost in regional final
1953-54 Indiana Oregon State/Northwestern/Notre Dame IU lost in regional semifinals
1964-65 Michigan* Nebraska/St. John's/Ohio State/UCLA UM lost in national final
1973-74 UCLA Notre Dame/Oregon State/Oregon UCLA lost in national semifinals
1983-84 North Carolina Arkansas/Duke/Indiana UNC lost in regional semifinals
1984-85 Georgetown St. John's/Syracuse/Villanova Hoyas lost in national final
1985-86 North Carolina Virginia/Maryland/North Carolina State UNC lost in regional semifinals
1989-90 Kansas Missouri (twice)/Oklahoma KU lost in NCAA second round
1992-93 Indiana Kansas (twice)/Ohio State IU lost in regional final
1993-94 North Carolina* UMass/Georgia Tech (twice)/Boston College UNC lost in NCAA second round
1997-98 Duke Michigan/North Carolina (twice) Duke lost in regional final
1997-98 North Carolina Maryland/North Carolina State/Utah UNC lost in national semifinals
1999-00 Cincinnati Xavier/Temple/Saint Louis UC lost in NCAA second round
2000-01 Stanford UCLA/Arizona/Maryland Stanford lost in regional final
2001-02 Duke Florida State/Maryland/Indiana Duke lost in regional semifinals
2002-03 Arizona Louisiana State/Stanford/UCLA UA lost in regional final
2005-06 Duke Georgetown/Florida State/North Carolina Duke lost in regional semifinal
2012-13 Indiana Butler/Illinois/Minnesota IU lost in regional semifinal
2016-17 Villanova Butler/Marquette/Wisconsin Nova lost in NCAA second round
2018-19 Duke* Gonzaga/Syracuse/north Carolina/Michigan State Duke lost in regional final
2021-22 Gonzaga Duke/Saint Mary's/Arkansas GU lost in regional semifinal
2022-23 Purdue* Rutgers/Indiana/Northwestern/Fairleigh Dickinson Purdue lost in NCAA first round

*Michigan '65, North Carolina '94, Duke '19 and Purdue '23 are the only teams to lose four times in a single season when ranked #1.

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 12 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 12 in football at the professional level (especially Weeb Ewbank and Bud Grant coaching Super Bowl teams and Preston Pearson playing for two separate teams in SB six years apart):

JANUARY 12

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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 a 12-yard touchdown pass from 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) in 31-6 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers following 2002 season. Johnson threw two second-quarter TD passes. Niners WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught five passes for 62 yards.

  • Weeb Ewbank (hoops letterman for Miami OH in 1926-27 and 1927-28) coached the New York Jets to a 16-7 victory against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III following 1968 season. Jets LCB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for Maryland-Eastern Shore) had an interception plus five solo tackles, Colts RDE Ordell Braase (All-North Central Conference first-team selection for South Dakota in 1952-53 and 1953-54) registered a solo tackle and Colts TEs Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) and John Mackey (collected 28 points and 28 rebounds for Syracuse in six basketball contests in 1960-61) combined for four pass receptions for 50 yards. Colts RB Preston Pearson (averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Illinois from 1964-65 through 1966-67) returned two kickoffs for 59 yards.

  • TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) gave the Houston Texans a 20-0 lead with first-quarter touchdown reception but they lost 51-31 against the Kansas City Chiefs in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2019 season.

  • Green Bay Packers TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught three passes for 49 yards in 28-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round game following 2019 season.

  • Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 16-6 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX following 1974 season. LB Matt Blair (member of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M's seventh-place hoops team in 1970 NJCAA Tournament) accounted for the Vikes' lone score with a fourth-quarter blocked punt. DL teammates Gary Larsen (Concordia MN hooper in early 1960s) and Bob Lurtesma (averaged 12.5 ppg for Michigan Tech in 1962-63) provided one solo tackle and one sack, respectively. Steelers RB Preston Pearson (averaged 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Illinois from 1964-65 through 1966-67) returned one kickoff for 15 yards.

  • Carolina Panthers WLB Greg Hardy (Mississippi hooper in 2006-07 under coach Andy Kennedy) had one solo tackle and two quarterback hits in 23-10 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2013 season.

  • Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson hooper for seven games in 2010-11 under coach Brad Brownell) caught nine passes for 118 yards in a 51-31 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in AFC divisional-round game following 2019 season.

  • 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 second-quarter touchdowns in 28-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2019 season.

  • Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score before they won against the Denver Broncos, 38-35, in double overtime in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2012 season.

  • Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones (started two of his 11 Arkansas games in 2001-02 when averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg and 10 of 17 in 2003-04 when averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg) opened game's scoring with an eight-yard touchdown catch in a 31-20 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New England Patriots following 2007 season. Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) caught four passes for a game-high 74 receiving yards.

  • Oakland Raiders RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91 under coaches Terry Holland and Jeff Jones) returned three kickoffs for 66 yards in a 38-24 win against the New York Jets in AFC wild-card game following 2001 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 31-9 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following 2001 season.

  • New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught a touchdown pass in 31-14 AFC championship game win against the Miami Dolphins following 1985 season.

  • Green Bay Packers WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) caught three passes for 53 yards in a 30-13 win against the Carolina Panthers in NFC Championship following 1996 season.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught six passes for 76 yards - including team-long 21-yarder from Peyton Manning - in a 24-17 win against the San Diego Chargers in AFC divisional-round playoff contest following 2013 season.

Changing in Midstream: Pair of South Carolina Schools Shift Coaching Gears

What usually happens to a team encountering a head coaching departure in mid-season such as a pair of South Carolina schools - Charleston Southern (Barclay Radebaugh/2-5 record) and Coastal Carolina (Cliff Ellis/3-5))? Maryland transitioned from Mark Turgeon two seasons ago despite ranking #4 in the country only four years ago. A total of 40 different schools in the previous 27 seasons (including Charlotte twice in previous nine years) 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. Last year, 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.

This season also 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)
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)
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 (TBD) 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)

On This Date: Former College Hoopers Tackling January 11 NFL Postseason

Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map prior to politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug 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 the 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 hoops 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 January 11 in football at the professional level (especially in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season and both conference championship contests following 1997 campaign):

JANUARY 11

  • Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) named co-NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1958 season.

  • Cleveland Browns DE Sam Clancy (two-time Eastern 8 first-team selection ended career in 1981 as Pittsburgh's all-time leading rebounder) had a sack in his second straight playoff game following 1986 campaign.

  • San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) caught five passes for 59 yards in a 35-24 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in divisional-round game following 2008 season. 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) opened contest's scoring with a 41-yard touchdown reception from Philip Rivers.

  • Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught four passes for team-high 55 receiving yards in a 38-31 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round playoff contest following 2003 season. Colts TEs Marcus Pollard (juco transfer averaged 7.3 ppg and 5 rpg for Bradley in 1992-93 and 1993-94) and Joe Dean Davenport (Arkansas hooper in 1998-99 under coach Nolan Richardson Jr.) combined for four pass receptions from Peyton Manning.

  • Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 23-7 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season. Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) completed 16-of-25 passes for 183 yards. Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP basketball games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned three kickoffs and two punts, LDT Gary Larsen (played hoops for Concordia MN in early 1960s) registered three solo tackles and LCB Earsell Mackbee (teammate of Utah State All-American Wayne Estes averaged 3.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg in 1964-65) collected six solo tackles. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57). Chiefs RDT Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) recorded a sack among his five solo tackles and LLB Bobby Bell (first African-American hooper for Minnesota in 1960-61) contributed two solo tackles.

  • 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) caught a touchdown pass from Steve McNair in 34-31 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Divisional Playoff Round following 2002 season. Steelers rookie WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team coached by Bob Knight) caught four passes for 53 yards, rushed once for 11 yards, returned three kickoffs for 57 yards and returned two punts for 14 yards.

  • Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 20-17 Divisional Playoff Round win against the Green Bay Packers in overtime following 2003 season.

  • San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UT Chattanooga hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught six passes for team-high 100 receiving yards - including game-long 48-yarder - in a 23-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in NFC Championship following 1997 season. Niners RB Terry Kirby (hooper for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91) chipped in with four pass receptions from Steve Young.

  • Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) recorded team highs of six pass receptions and 87 receiving yards from John Elway in a 24-21 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 1997 season.

  • Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) caught six passes for 53 yards - including game-long 32-yarder from Peyton Manning - in a 24-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in AFC divisional-round playoff contest following 2014 season.

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