A high this month of seven NCAA Division I All-Americans were born on January 7th and 26th. Kansas, Kentucky and Notre Dame contributed the most A-As born in January with five apiece. Marquette (Dwayne Wade and Sam Worthen on 17th) and the Fighting Irish (David Rivers and Dick Rosenthal on 20th) each have two All-Americans born on the same day this month. Recently-deceased St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca was born 100 years ago this month. Three former Wyoming standouts are among the following All-Americans and Hall of Fame coaches born this month:

JANUARY

1: All-Americans Glen "Big Baby" Davis (born in 1986/Louisiana State), Travis Grant (1950/Kentucky State), George Gregory Jr. (1906/Columbia), Ronnie Lester (1959/Iowa), Mike Mitchell (1956/Auburn) and Waldo Wegner (1913/Iowa State).
2: All-Americans Hal Gensichen (1921/Western Michigan), Luke Harangody (1988/Notre Dame), Kirk Hinrich (1981/Kansas), Chris Thomforde (1947/Princeton) and Michael Young (1961/Houston).
3: All-Americans Jay Edwards (1969/Indiana), Don May (1946/Dayton), Doug McDermott (1992/Creighton) and Jason Sasser (1974/Texas Tech).
4: All-Americans Sidney Green (1961/UNLV) and Bob Morse (1951/Penn).
5: All-Americans Rod Fletcher (1930/Illinois), Ryan Minor (1974/Oklahoma), Rick Mount (1947/Purdue), George Munroe (1922/Dartmouth and Tyler Ulis (1996/Kentucky) plus Hall of Fame coach Luigi "Lou" Carnesecca (1925/St. John's).
6: All-Americans Sean Kilpatrick (1990/Cincinnati), Duane Klueh (1926/Indiana State), Tom Marshall (1931/Western Kentucky) and Dwayne "Pearl" Washington (1964/Syracuse).
7: All-Americans Todd Day (1970/Arkansas), Reece Gaines (1981/Louisville), Jerry Nemer (1912/Southern California), Don Rehfeldt (1927/Wisconsin), Edgar Sonderman (1916/Syracuse), Bill Uhl Sr. (1933/Dayton) and Michael Wright (1980/Arizona).
8: All-Americans Bill Closs (1922/Rice), John "Hook" Dillon (1924/North Carolina), Chris Douglas-Roberts (1987/Memphis), Tre Jones (2000/Duke), Todd Lichti (1967/Stanford) and Calvin Natt (1957/Northeast Louisiana) plus Hall of Fame coach Davey Whitney (1930/Alcorn State).
9: All-Americans Michael Beasley (1989/Kansas State) and James "Scoonie" Penn (1977/Ohio State).
10: All-Americans Paul Birch (1910/Duquesne) and Glenn Robinson Jr. (1973/Purdue) plus Hall of Fame coach Lou Henson (1932/Hardin-Simmons, New Mexico State and Illinois).
11: All-Americans Ernie Andres (1918/Indiana) and Gary Brokaw (1954/Notre Dame).
12: All-Americans Bonzie Colson II (1996/Notre Dame), Michael "Campy" Russell (1952/Michigan) and Dominique Wilkins (1960/Georgia).
13: All-Americans Tom Gola (1933/La Salle), Vernon Hatton (1936/Kentucky) and Alec Kessler (1967/Georgia).
14: All-Americans Meyer "Mike" Bloom (1915/Temple), Aaron Brooks (1985/Oregon), Wayne Hightower (1940/Kansas) and Kenny Sailors (1921/Wyoming).
15: All-Americans Bob Davies (1920/Seton Hall), Ernie DiGregorio (1951/Providence) and Don Kojis (1939/Marquette).
16: All-Americans Don MacLean (1970/UCLA), Greivis Vasquez (1987/Maryland) and Joseph "Jo Jo" White (1946/Kansas).
17: All-Americans Bill Davis (1911/Kentucky), Quamdeen "Ayo" Dosunmu (2000/Illinois), Don Forman (1926/NYU), Dwyane Wade (1982/Marquette), Sam Worthen (1958/Marquette) and Tyler Zeller (1990/North Carolina).
18: All-Americans Isaac "Bud" Stallworth (1950/Kansas) and Jewell Young (1913/Purdue).
19: All-Americans Ron Behagen (1951/Minnesota), Jim Line (1926/Kentucky) and Bill Mlkvy (1931/Temple).
20: All-Americans Ron Harper Sr. (1964/Miami of Ohio), Bailey Howell (1937/Mississippi State), Jason Richardson (1981/Michigan State), David Rivers (1965/Notre Dame), Dick Rosenthal (1930/Notre Dame) and Grady Wallace (1934/South Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Norm Stewart (1935/Missouri).
21: All-Americans Roosevelt Bouie (1958/Syracuse), Simpson "Skip" Brown (1955/Wake Forest), Hakeem Olajuwon (1963/Houston), Detlef Schrempf (1963/Washington) and Tom Stith (1939/St. Bonaventure) plus Hall of Fame coaches John Chaney (1932/Temple) and Don Donoher (1932/Dayton).
22: All-Americans Dillon Brooks (1996/Oregon), Quintin Dailey (1961/San Francisco), Greg Oden (1988/Ohio State), Leon Powe (1984/California), Lennie Rosenbluth (1933/North Carolina) and Sam Williams (1945/Iowa).
23: All-American Keita Bates-Diop (1996/Ohio State).
24: All-Americans Fennis Dembo (1966/Wyoming), Kevin Magee (1959/UC Irvine) and Albert "Ab" Nicholas (1931/Wisconsin).
25: All-Americans Da'Sean Butler (1988/West Virginia), Acie Law IV (1985/Texas A&M), Chris Mills (1970/Arizona), Rollie Seltz (1924/Hamline MN), Emilio "Zeke" Sinicola (1929/Niagara) and Walt Wesley (1945/Kansas).
26: All-Americans MarShon Brooks (1989/Providence), Vince Carter (1977/North Carolina), Bill Hapac (1918/Illinois), Tom Henderson (1952/Hawaii), Dick McGuire (1926/St. John's), Kevin Pangos (1993/Gonzaga) and Sylvester "Sly" Williams (1958/Rhode Island) plus Hall of Fame coach Walter "Doc" Meanwell (1884/Wisconsin and Missouri).
27: All-Americans Wesley Cox (1955/Louisville), Russell Lee (1950/Marshall) and Tony Windis (1933/Wyoming).
28: All-Americans Michael Cage (1962/San Diego State), Mark Madsen (1976/Stanford) and Payton Pritchard (1998/Oregon).
29: All-Americans Greg Ballard (1955/Oregon), Vinnie Ernst (1942/Providence) and Stacey King (1967/Oklahoma).
30: All-Americans Ernie Calverley (1924/Rhode Island State), John "Jack" Kerris (1925/Loyola of Chicago), Paul Neumann (1938/Stanford), Rick Robey (1956/Kentucky), Jalen Rose (1973/Michigan) and Mychal Thompson (1955/Minnesota) plus Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo (1955/Michigan State).
31: All-Americans Len Chappell (1941/Wake Forest) and Hal Lear (1935/Temple).

Birthdays in January for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in February for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in March for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in April for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in May for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in June for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in July for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in August for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in September for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in October for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in November for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches
Birthdays in December for All-Americans and Hall of Fame Coaches

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

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

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

DECEMBER 30

• FB Rick Casares (Florida's scoring and rebounding leader both seasons as All-SEC second-team selection in 1951-52 and 1952-53) contributed the Chicago Bears' lone touchdown with a nine-yard rush in 47-7 setback against the New York Giants in 1956 NFL championship game. Bears E Harlon Hill (Florence State AL hoops letterman in 1951) had six catches for team-high 87 receiving yards with squad coached by John "Paddy" Driscoll (Northwestern basketball letterman in 1916).

• Cincinnati Bengals LB James Francis (averaged 3 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Baylor in 1986-87 and 1987-88) returned an interception 17 yards for touchdown in 21-14 win against the Cleveland Browns in 1990 regular-season finale.

• Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught two touchdown passes in a 30-26 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001. Jaguars WR Micah Ross (Jacksonville's leading scorer, rebounder and FG% shooter as senior in 1997-98) returned four kickoffs.

• 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 nine passes for 115 yards in a 44-38 setback against the Carolina Panthers in 2012.

• Kansas City Chiefs LB Napoleon Harris (averaged 4.7 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Northwestern in 1997-98 and 1998-99 under coach Kevin O'Neill) had career-high 13 solo tackles in a 13-10 setback against the New York Jets in 2007 season finale.

• Houston Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins (played in seven hoop games for Clemson in 2010-11) had 12 pass receptions in a 20-3 win against the Jacksonville Jaquars in 2018.

• New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five hoops games for Florida in 1989-90) caught three second-half touchdown passes in a 31-28 wild-card playoff win against the St. Louis Rams in 2000.

• Dallas Cowboys DE Too Tall Jones (backup center averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Tennessee State in 1969-70 and 1970-71) had two sacks in a 27-20 win against the Atlanta Falcons in 1978 NFC divisional playoffs. Falcons CB Rolland Lawrence (captain of Tabor KS hoops squad as senior in 1972-73) had an interception.

• 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) caught eight passes for 138 yards in a 42-28 setback against the Houston Texans in 2007 regular-season finale.

• Miami Dolphins RB Terry Kirby (averaged 2.8 ppg for Virginia's NCAA tourney teams in 1989-90 and 1990-91) contributed a rushing touchdown and eight pass receptions in a 37-22 setback against the Buffalo Bills in 1995 AFC wild-card game.

• Minnesota Vikings DT Gary Larsen (ex-Marine played multiple hoops seasons for Concordia MN in early 1960s) had a sack in 27-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1973 NFC Conference championship playoff contest.

• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball games in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) posted career highs of seven pass receptions and 103 receiving yards in a 38-20 setback against the Tennessee Titans in 2012 season finale.

• Cleveland Browns WR Greg Little (collected five points and five rebounds in 10 basketball games for North Carolina in 2007-08 under coach Roy Williams) caught a touchdown pass in his second consecutive contest in 2012.

• Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 24-21 win against the New York Giants in 2001. Six years later, McNabb passed for 345 yards in a 17-9 win against the Buffalo Bills in 2007 season finale.

• St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had 11 solo tackles in a 42-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2001.

• New York Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) caught five passes for 69 yards in a 16-7 setback against the Green Bay Packers in 1962 NFL championship contest.

• 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) had two second-quarter touchdown receptions in a 31-20 setback against the St. Louis Rams in 2002 season finale.

• Miami Dolphins DE Jason Taylor (averaged 8 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Akron in 1994-95) contributed two solo tackles in a 23-17 win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2000 AFC wild-card playoff game.

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

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

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

DECEMBER 29

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Amir Abdur-Rahim, 43, compiled a 25-8 coaching record with South Florida in 2023-24 after going 45-74 with Kennesaw State in four seasons from 2019-20 through 2022-23 (guided Owls to their best DI record of 26-9 and first NCAA playoff appearance). Juco recruit was a three-time All-Southland Conference selection who averaged 15.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.1 apg and 1.4 spg for Southeastern Louisiana from 2001-02 through 2003-04 while finishing among the league's top eight in scoring average all three seasons.
• Gus Alfieri, 87, averaged 10.8 ppg and 4.1 rpg for St. John's from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Joe Lapchick. Alfieri was among the team's top three scorers for NIT quarterfinalist and champion his last two seasons.
• Robert "Barney" Alleman, 90, averaged 3.7 ppg for Iowa State from 1951-52 through 1954-55.
• John Allen, 89, averaged 9.3 ppg as an Arizona State starter in 1952-53 before going on a Mormon mission. He caught 12 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown as a WR with the Sun Devils in 1956.
• Lenny Allen averaged 7.6 ppg for Washington State from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Marv Harshman.
• Jim Anderson, 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 5.9 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Oregon State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Slats Gill. Anderson compiled a 79-90 coaching record with his alma mater in six seasons from 1989-90 through 1994-95.
• Harold "Ray" Apple, 85, was on roster of Ohio State's 1961 NCAA Tournament runner-up under coach Fred Taylor. RHP compiled a 19-32 minor-league pitching record in farm systems of the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets and Washington Senators in four years from 1961 through 1964. Taylor was a 1B with the Senators in the early 1950s.
• Frank Arnold, 89, compiled a 148-139 coaching record in 10 DI seasons with Brigham Young (137-94 in eight years from 1975-76 through 1982-83) and Hawaii (11-45 in 1985-86 and 1986-87). Arnold guided BYU to three consecutive NCAA playoff appearances with All-American Danny Ainge from 1979 through 1981. Arnold played for Idaho State's 1955 NCAA tourney team.
• Jack Ayer, 53, averaged 9.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg and 2.7 apg while shooting 81% from free-throw line and 36.9% from beyond three-point arc for Hartford from 1990-91 through 1993-94. He was an All-North Atlantic Conference second-team selection as a senior when finishing runner-up in league in FT%.
• Harvey Babetch, 91, averaged 8.7 ppg for Bradley from 1951-52 through 1954-55. As a senior, he was top scorer (16.9 ppg) with NCAA Tournament West Regional runner-up after the Braves finished national runner-up the previous season.
• Mike Babul, 47, averaged 3.7 ppg, 3 rpg and 1.6 apg for Massachusetts from 1996-97 through 1999-00 under coach Bruiser Flint. Babul was named to All-Defensive Team in Atlantic 10 Conference each of his last three seasons.
• Charlie Bagby, 81, averaged 9.6 ppg and 4 rpg for Georgia from 1961-62 through 1963-64. Senior captain was the Bulldogs' third-leading scorer each of his last two campaigns. He also led the Bulldogs' baseball squad in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts in 1962 and IP in 1964. Son of two-time Cleveland Indians A.L. All-Star pitcher Jim Bagby Jr., who ended Joe DiMaggio's MLB-record 56-game hitting streak on 7-17-41, and grandson of Jim "Sarge" Bagby Sr., the first hurler to hit a homer in modern World Series competition (three-run blast with Cleveland Indians off Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes in Game 5 in 1920 after posting 31-12 record during regular season). Charlie's Jim Sr. and Jr. ancestors comprised the first father-and-son combination to pitch in WS when Jr. appeared in Game 4 in 1946 with the Boston Red Sox. Grandpa's 31 triumphs are tied with Lefty Grove (1931) and Denny McLain (1968) for most in a single season since Grover Alexander notched same number of victories in 1915. Cy Young registered 32 wins in 1902 before ex-college hoopers Christy Mathewson (Bucknell) and Jack Coombs (Colby ME) secured 31 in 1905 and 1910, respectively.
• Arthur "Buddy" Ball, 88, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Texas Christian in 1955-56 under coach Buster Brannon.
• Jim Barrick, 85, averaged 8.3 ppg and 4 rpg for Butler from 1957-58 through 1960-61 under coach Tony Hinkle, finishing as team's third-leading scorer each of his last two seasons.
• Jarvis Basnight, 59, was a juco recruit who averaged 8.8 ppg and 4.5 rpg while shooting 60.8% from the floor for UNLV from 1985-86 through 1987-88 under coach Jerry Tarkanian. Basnight was runner-up in rebounding and blocked shots for the Rebels' 1987 Final Four team before becoming an All-PCAA first-team selection the next season when pacing league in field-goal shooting (64.8%) and finishing fourth in blocked shots per game (1.2 bpg).
• Ron Baukol, 86, averaged 7.5 ppg for Iowa State from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was the Cyclones' runner-up in scoring as a senior.
• Ted Beach, 94, averaged 6.4 ppg for Illinois from 1948-49 through 1950-51 under coach Harry Combes. As a senior, Beach was runner-up in scoring with the Illini's national third-place team in NCAA playoffs.
• Ernie Beck, 93, averaged 22.3 ppg and 19 rpg for Penn from 1950-51 through 1952-53, pacing the Quakers in scoring and rebounding each season. Led nation in rebounding as a sophomore before finishing third in 1951-52 and 12th in 1952-53. Ranked among nation's top 17 scorers all three campaigns. Two-time All-American before becoming territorial pick by the Philadelphia Warriors in NBA draft.
• Walter "Bud" Becker, 80, played for Brown in 1963-64.
• Greg Beckwith, 60, averaged 4.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg and 4.9 apg for Richmond from 1982-83 through 1985-86 under coach Dick Tarrant. All-Colonial Athletic Association second-team selection as a senior when he ranked 18th in the nation in steals per game for second time in three years.
• Dr. Herm Belz, 86, averaged 7 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Princeton from 1956-57 through 1958-59. Twin brother of three-time All-Ivy League selection Carl Belz. Herm's son, Aaron, averaged 3.3 ppg for the Tigers from 1983-84 through 1986-87.
• Chester "Larry" Berger, 81, played for Kansas State in 1963-64 and 1964-65 under coach Tex Winter.
• Greg Berry, 77, averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Bradley from 1965-66 through 1967-68. As a senior, he participated in NIT.
• Jared "Jerry" Billings, 92, played for Florida in 1950-51.
• Charlie Boardman, 88, averaged 2.8 ppg for Tennessee Tech in 1954-55 and 1955-56 when school moved up to NCAA major-college level.
• Bill Booth, 87, averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Georgia in 1960-61.
• Rhoslyn "Skip" Bouldin III, 80, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Bucknell in 1962-63 and 1963-64.
• Gary Bowen, 74, averaged 6.7 ppg and 5 rpg for Fairfield in 1970-71 and 1971-72 under coach Fred Barakat.
• Herb Bowen, 76, averaged 1.6 ppg for New Mexico State's 1969 NCAA tourney team coached by Lou Henson before transferring to Walsh College OH. Bowen appeared in the national playoffs against UCLA's eventual champion led by Lew Alcindor.
• Lee Bowen, 86, averaged 4.3 ppg and 3.2 rpg for New Mexico State's NCAA tourney teams in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
• David Boyd, 69, averaged 1.3 ppg in Georgia State's first two seasons at NCAA Division I level (1973-74 and 1974-75).
• Pete Boyle Jr., 65, averaged 1.3 ppg for Jacksonville's 1979 NCAA playoff team coached by Tates Locke.
• Dave Bradfield, 92, averaged 6.1 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Cornell from 1951-52 through 1953-54. Senior co-captain led the Big Red's first NCAA playoff team in field-goal shooting (48.6%).
• Maurice Bradford was a juco transfer who averaged 7.5 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Georgia Tech in 1981-82 and 1982-83 in Bobby Cremins' first two seasons as coach of the Yellow Jackets.
• Robert "Bunky" Bradford, 93, averaged 8.7 ppg for Houston as a starting forward in 1951-52 when the Cougars were transitioning to major-college status.
• Dr. William Brainard, 89, averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Kansas from 1953-54 through 1955-56 in Phog Allen's last three seasons as coach of the Jayhawks.
• Jim "Bucky" Brandenburg, 93, averaged 1.7 ppg for New Mexico in 1949-50 before serving in U.S. Air Force.
• W. "Barry" Brautigan, 89, averaged 2.6 ppg and 2 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
• Dr. Lenny Breda III, 66, averaged 1.1 ppg for Louisiana State in 1976-77 under coach Dale Brown.
• Jim Bresnahan, 75, averaged 9.4 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Gonzaga from 1968-69 through 1970-71.
• Mike Brinkley, 84, played for Louisiana State in the late 1950s before transferring to Southeastern Louisiana.
• Earl Brown, 81, averaged 6.2 ppg for Purdue in 1963-64 and 1964-65.
• Greg Brown, 51, was a juco recruit who averaged 14.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 3.7 apg for New Mexico's NCAA tourney teams in 1992-93 and 1993-94 under coach Dave Bliss. As a senior, the 5-7 Brown was Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year while leading league in three-point field-goal shooting (41.7%) and finishing third in free-throw shooting, fourth in assists per game and sixth in scoring average.
• Harvey "Whiff" Brown, 96, played for Ohio State in the late 1940s. He was also a baseball letterman.
• Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant, 69, averaged 20.3 ppg and 11.1 rpg for La Salle in 1973-74 and 1974-75 before declaring early for NBA draft as hardship case and becoming 14th pick overall. Father of 18-time NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash in early 2020 at the age of 41.
• Leon Bryant III, 57, averaged 10.9 ppg, 3 rpg and 3.3 apg for The Citadel from 1985-86 through 1988-89, leading the Bulldogs in assists each of his last three seasons.
• Maxey Bryant, 91, averaged 7.5 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Virginia Tech from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He was VT's runner-up in scoring with 11.1 ppg as a junior.
• Dave Buss, 86, was an NCAA Division I coach for two seasons (14-13 record with Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1981-82 and 9-19 with Long Beach State in 1983-84).
• Carl Cain, 89, averaged 14.2 ppg for Iowa from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Bucky O'Connor. Second-leading scorer and rebounder for 1955 national fourth-place team and 1956 NCAA runner-up. All-American as a senior before becoming member of U.S. Olympic team.
• Larry Cannon, 77, averaged 19.1 ppg and 9 rpg for La Salle from 1966-67 through 1968-69 before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft. As a junior, he was Middle Atlantic Conference Player of the Year when leading the Explorers' NCAA tourney team in scoring.
• Luigi "Lou" Carnesecca, 99, compiled a 526-200 coaching record with St. John's in 24 seasons from 1965-66 through 1969-70 and 1973-74 through 1991-92, reaching 1985 NCAA Final Four and winning 1989 NIT. Two-time national coach of year was at least five games above .500 every year.
• Henry Carr, 59, averaged 7 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Wichita State from 1983-84 through 1986-87. As a senior, the younger brother of 16-year NBA veteran Antoine Carr led the Shockers' NCAA tourney team in scoring and rebounding.
• Louis "Bimbo" Cecconi, 95, scored a total of 390 points for Pittsburgh from 1946-47 through 1949-50 under coach Doc Carlson. Cecconi was also a four-year, two-way starter in football with the Panthers.
• James "Bob" Chaney Sr., 88, averaged 2.1 ppg for Georgia from 1956-57 through 1958-59. As a senior, he also lettered in baseball.
• Bob Chapman, 77, averaged 4.4 ppg and 1 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1967-68 through 1969-70.
• Ron Charles, 65, averaged 8.3 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Michigan State from 1976-77 through 1979-80 under coach Jud Heathcote. Fourth-leading scorer and rebounder with Magic Johnson-led 1979 NCAA champion before pacing the Spartans in rebounding as a senior.
• Ken Charlton, 83, averaged 17.8 ppg and 8.8 rpg for Colorado from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Sox Walseth, pacing NCAA tourney teams in scoring each of his last two seasons as an All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection. All-American as a senior when finishing 52nd in nation in scoring average.
• Bruce Chase, 70, averaged 1.7 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Penn State in 1972-73 and 1973-74 under coach John Bach.
• John Cherry, 93, averaged 2.2 ppg for Alabama in 1950-51 before transferring back to home state and attending Southern Illinois.
• Bob Chlupsa, 78, averaged 14.9 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Manhattan from 1964-65 through 1966-67. Senior captain contributed a team-high 10.1 rpg for the Jaspers the previous season when they compiled undisputed best mark in Metropolitan Collegiate Conference. The 6-7 reliever compiled an 0-2 record in 15 games with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970 and 1971.
• Bennie Coffman, 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.5 ppg and 2.5 rpg for Kentucky in 1958-59 (third-leading scorer for NCAA tourney team) and 1959-60 under coach Adolph Rupp.
• Ivan Cole, 96, played for Virginia Tech in 1947-48 and 1949-50 after serving in U.S. Army during WWII. He went on to become a FBI agent.
• Joe Collier, 91, averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Northwestern in 1951-52. He led the Big Ten Conference in receiving yards and touchdowns (seven) in 1952. Coached the AFL's Buffalo Bills to a 13-16-1 record from 1966 to 1968.
• Dan Connaughton, 81, averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.3 rpg for Loyola of Chicago from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach George Ireland. As a sophomore, Connaughton was a member of NCAA Tournament titlist.
• Hunter "Chip" Conner, 81, averaged 17 ppg and 8.1 rpg for Virginia from 1961-62 through 1963-64. All-ACC first-team selection as a senior finished among the Cavaliers' top two in scoring and rebounding all three years while ranking among the league's top 10 scorers each season. He compiled a 59-62 coaching record with South Florida in five campaigns from 1975-76 through 1979-80.
• Jim Coshow, 89, averaged 9 ppg and 8.2 rpg for Washington from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Tippy Dye. As a senior, Coshow was the Huskies' leading rebounder and second-leading scorer.
• Dennis Couch, 82, was a Grand View IA transfer who averaged 7.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Utah in 1963-64 under coach Jack Gardner.
• Wesley Cox, 69, averaged 14 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 2.4 apg for Louisville from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Denny Crum. Cox, the third-leading scorer and rebounder with the Cardinals' 1975 Final Four team, was an All-Metro Conference first-team selection as a senior when pacing them in scoring (fourth in league). Both of his legs had been amputated because of complications from diabetes.
• Roger Craft, 90, averaged 7.5 ppg for Kansas State from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He compiled a 92-83 coaching record with Montana State in seven seasons from 1962-63 through 1968-69.
• Randy Crews, 75, averaged 8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Illinois from 1967-68 through 1969-70. As a sophomore, he was the Illini's runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer. 1B hit .296 with 37 homers and 166 RBI in the Chicago Cubs' farm system in four years from 1970 to 1973. His .323 batting average in the Midwest League in 1971 was significantly higher that year than marks managed by eventual long-time big leaguers Brian Downing (.246), Gorman Thomas (.245), Marc Hill (.232) and Bucky Dent (.231).
• Jim Crisco, 87, was a juco recruit who averaged 10 ppg and 7.3 rpg for Louisiana State from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He led the Tigers in scoring as a senior and in rebounding each of his last two seasons.
• Gordon Crofts, 94, averaged 4.5 ppg for Utah in 1949-50 under coach Vadal Peterson.
• Bob Crouch Jr., 90, averaged 6.6 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Virginia Tech in 1952-53.
• Rodney Culver Jr., 26, averaged 2.6 ppg and 1.5 rpg for Ohio University in 2016-17 before transferring to a junior college (Vincennes IN). He suffered from a blood clot disorder.
• Earl Cureton, 66, averaged team highs of 17.2 ppg and 10.5 rpg for juco-transitioning Robert Morris in 1976-77 before transferring to Detroit, where he averaged 15.7 ppg and 9 rpg in 1978-79 and 1979-80. Cureton led UD in rebounding both seasons and in scoring as a senior (19.9 ppg).
• Eric Curry, 66, was a juco recruit who averaged 4.5 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Indiana State in 1978-79 (teammate of national Player of Year Larry Bird with NCAA Tournament runner-up) and 1980-81.
• Andy Czuchry, 83, averaged 7.7 ppg and 3.1 rpg for Connecticut from 1960-61 through 1962-63. He appeared in NCAA tourney as a senior.
• Brent Dahle, 72, averaged 1.4 ppg and 1.4 rpg for Oklahoma State from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
• Otis Davis, 92, was a juco recruit who collected 18 points and 13 rebounds in 15 games for Oregon in 1957-58. Double gold medal winner in track and field in the 1960 Olympic Games. Won the 400 meters with a world record time of 44.9 seconds and anchored the 1600-meter relay team as it set world record of 3.02.2.
• Carroll Dawson, 86, was a juco recruit who led Baylor in scoring and rebounding in 1958-59 and 1959-60 (All-SWC second-team selection) by averaging 14.9 ppg and 8 rpg under coach Bill Henderson. Dawson finished among the top five in the league in scoring and rebounding averages both seasons. Coached his alma mater to a 44-51 record in four seasons from 1973-74 through 1976-77.
• Bill Decker, 81, averaged 5.5 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Arizona in 1961-62.
• Fred Dickman Jr., 93, averaged 4.1 ppg for Bradley in 1954-55 (NCAA tourney participant) and 1955-56 in Bob Vanatta's two seasons as coach with the Braves. Dickman served in U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.
• Joe Dombrosky Jr., 93, played for Notre Dame in 1950-51 under coach Moose Krause.
• Don Donoher, 92, is Dayton's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 437-275 record in 25 seasons from 1964-65 through 1988-89. He directed the Flyers to a runner-finish in 1967 NCAA Tournament before winning NIT the next year. Donoher averaged 7.6 ppg and 5 rpg for UD from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
• Richie Dooley, 76, averaged 2.2 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Seton Hall in 1966-67 and 1967-68.
• Chester Dorsey, 68, averaged 6.4 points and 2.2 rpg for Washington from 1973-74 through 1976-77 under coach Marv Harshman. As senior co-captain, Dorsey led the Huskies in steals (1.8 spg) and was runner-up in assists (3.6 apg).
• Ruben Douglas, 44, averaged 8 ppg, 2.1 rpg and 2 apg for Arizona in 1998-99 under coach Lute Olson before transferring to New Mexico, where he averaged 20.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg and 1.6 apg from 2000-01 through 2002-03. Three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection led the nation in scoring as a senior when league Player of Year contributed 28 ppg.
• Charles "Lefty" Driesell, 92, compiled a 786-394 coaching record in 41 years with Davidson (176-65 in nine seasons from 1960-61 through 1968-69), Maryland (348-159 in 17 seasons from 1969-70 through 1985-86), James Madison (159-111 in nine seasons from 1988-89 through 1996-97) and Georgia State (103-59 in six seasons from 1997-98 to 2002-03). He averaged 4 ppg and 2.4 rpg for Duke in 1952-53 and 1953-54 under coach Harold Bradley. His son, Chuck, coached The Ctadel for five seasons from 2010-11 through 2014-15.
• Ricky Duckett, 66, compiled a 6-23 coaching record with Grambling State in 2008-09.
• Wayne Duncan, 89, averaged 9 ppg for Mississippi State from 1952-53 through 1955-56. Duncan, senior captain in Babe McCarthy's inaugural season as coach of the Bulldogs, was team runner-up in scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.3 rpg).
• Dick Dutrisac, 85, averaged 5.7 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Wisconsin from 1958-59 through 1960-61. He was the Badgers' third-leading scorer as a senior with 8.1 ppg.
• Vaughn Dyer, 92, played for Georgia Tech in 1951-52. Lefthanded 1B hit .293 in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system in three years from 1953 through 1955 before hitting .203 in one season as Washington Senators' farmhand in 1958.
• Rev. James Edwards Sr., 83, averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Mississippi State in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Babe McCarthy.
• Thomas "Sid" Elliott, 81, averaged 8.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Tennessee from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He led the Volunteers in rebounding as a sophomore.
• Crystal "Boo" Ellis, 91, averaged 9.4 ppg for Bowling Green State in four-year career interrupted by serving in U.S. Army. Team MVP as a junior in 1955-56 when he led the Falcons in rebounding (8.6 rpg) and was runner-up in scoring (14.3 ppg). First African-American varsity player with BGSU became senior captain.
• Earl Engle, 87, scored eight points in 87-86 win against Western Kentucky in 1962 Mideast Regional third-place game for Butler's first NCAA tourney team coached by Tony Hinkle. Engle finished fourth with the Bulldogs in total points and rebounds in 1958-59 before his college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army.
• Bill Fash, 95, averaged 3.5 ppg for Syracuse from 1947-48 through 1949-50.
• George Fefles, 93, played for DePaul in 1950-51 under coach Ray Meyer before transferring to Detroit, where Fefles averaged 7.4 ppg and 3.1 rpg from 1952-53 through 1954-55. He was a two-year captain with the Titans.
• Lou Ferrario, 88, averaged 3 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Saint Mary's from 1955-56 through 1957-58.
• James Ferrell, 87, played for Ohio State in 1958-59.
• Dan Fife, 74, averaged 12.6 ppg and 4.9 rpg as Michigan's third-leading scorer each season from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Johnny Orr. Fife, the father of Big Ten Conference guards Dugan Fife (Michigan) and Dane Fife (Indiana), compiled an 82-97 coaching record with IPFW in six seasons from 2005-06 through 2010-11. RHP pitcher posted a 3-2 record with the Minnesota Twins in 1973 and 1974, hurling a complete game for his third victory (against 16-year MLB veteran Rudy May).
• Don Fledderjohn, 82, played for Butler in the mid-1960s under coach Tony Hinkle.
• Tom Foley, 90, averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.2 rpg for Villanova in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coach Alex Severance.
• Barry Fordham, 58, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Michigan State from 1983-84 through 1986-87 under coach Jud Heathcote. Fordham was a starter with the Spartans' 1986 NCAA tourney team.
• Rich Fox, 78, averaged 2.2 ppg for Dayton's 1967 NCAA Tournament runner-up coached by Don Donoher.
• Curtis "LeRoy" Frazier, 81, played for Ohio State from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Fred Taylor.
• James "J.D." Gammel Jr., 84, played for Mississippi State in 1960-61 under coach Babe McCarthy.
• Ken Gardner, 74, was a three-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection who averaged 16.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Utah from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coach Jack Gardner. Senior captain, one of WAC's top four in rebounding average each season, underwent a heart transplant in 2013.
• Joe Gavin, 95, played for Temple in 1950-51 under coach Harry Litwack after serving in U.S. Navy.
• Jo "Hobby" Gibbs, 88, averaged 8.1 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1953-54 through 1956-57 under coach Bob Polk. Gibbs led the Commodores in rebounding as a senior with 12.5 rpg.
• Loyd "Mickey" Gibson, 81, averaged 5.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Kentucky in 1963-64 under coach Adolph Rupp before transferring to UNC Asheville.
• Chris Giles, 65, averaged 7.1 ppg and 4 rpg for Southern Illinois in 1977-78 before transferring home to UAB, where he averaged 8.6 ppg and 6.5 rpg from 1979-80 through 1981-82 under coach Gene Bartow. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference second-team selection finished fourth in the league in rebounds per game each of his last two seasons.
• John Glaser, 87, averaged 13.9 ppg and 10.3 rpg for Marquette from 1955-56 through 1957-58. He tied for team scoring leadership as senior captain after pacing club in rebounding as a junior (14 rpg).
• Jim Goddard, 94, compiled a 25-52 coaching record with Idaho in three seasons from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
• Max Gonzenbach, 88, averaged 2 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Michigan State in 1955-56 and 1957-58 under coach Forddy Anderson.
• Drew Gordon, 33, averaged 4.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg for UCLA in 2008-09 and 2009-10 under coach Ben Howland before transferring to New Mexico, where he averaged 13.4 ppg and 10.8 rpg in 2010-11 and 2011-12 under coach Steve Alford. Gordon was an All-Mountain West Conference selection both years with the Lobos, pacing the league in rebounding average his final season (fourth in nation).
• Dr. Russ Grieger II, 82, played for St. Louis in 1961-62 under coach John Benington before transferring home to Evansville and averaging 7.5 ppg and 2.8 rpg as teammate of Jerry Sloan with the Aces' College Division national champions in 1964 and 1965.
• Ron Guarilia, 91, played for Bradley in 1952-53 with his twin brother (Don) under coach Forddy Anderson.
• Dave Gunther, 86, averaged 18 ppg and 10.5 rpg for Iowa from 1956-57 through 1958-59. He was an All-Big Ten Conference selection each of his last two seasons when leading the Hawkeyes in scoring (league runner-up both years).
• William Halley, 81, played for Ohio State in 1963-64 under coach Fred Taylor.
• Kevin Hardy, 78, averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Notre Dame in 1964-65 in Johnny Dee's first season as coach of the Fighting Irish. DE/DT, a first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints in 1968 NFL draft (7th pick overall), played with three different teams (San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers) in four seasons through 1972.
• Bob Harrison, 96, averaged 9.9 ppg for Michigan from 1945-46 through 1948-49 before becoming 11th pick overall in 1949 BAA draft. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection led the Wolverines' first-ever NCAA tourney team in points scored in 1948 under coach Ozzie Cowles. Harrison compiled a 59-70 coaching record with Harvard in five seasons from 1968-69 through 1972-73.
• Robert Hartmann, 96, averaged 4.3 ppg in 1947-48, 1.9 ppg in 1948-49 and 2.4 ppg in 1949-50 for Seton Hall. His college career was interrupted twice by call to duty in U.S. Army.
• Tom Hatton, 85, averaged 10.9 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Dayton from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Tom Blackburn. As a senior, Hatton was fourth-leading scorer and fourth-leading rebounder with the Flyers' first NIT titlist.
• Tim Hayes, 78, was a juco recruit who played for Michigan in 1966-67 under coach Dave Strack.
• Dr. Ira "Larry" Hemmings, 87, averaged 7.1 ppg for Virginia Tech from 1954-55 through 1957-58. He was senior co-captain.
• Tynes Hildebrand, 93, was Northwestern State's coach during its first four seasons at the NCAA Division I level from 1976-77 through 1979-80 (41-63 record at DI level; 191-199 overall in 15 years). Eventual Notre Dame's all-time winningest coach Mike Brey played under him the final three of those campaigns before Brey transferred back to home area for senior year with George Washington.
• Joe Hindelang, 78, averaged 5.6 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Temple in 1964-65 under coach Harry Litwack. RHP compiled a 7-6 record and 4.46 ERA in the New York Yankees' farm system in 1967. As a college baseball coach, Hindelang posted a 158-152-1 mark with Lafayette in eight seasons from 1983 through 1990 and 389-355-2 worksheet with Penn State in 13 years from 1991 through 2004.
• Jim Hockaday Sr., 88, averaged 9.2 ppg and 6.4 rpg for Memphis State from 1955-56 through 1958-59. He was a member of the Tigers' 1956 NCAA tourney team, appeared in 1957 NIT and led them in scoring and rebounder as senior.
• Paul Hoffman, 74, averaged 14 ppg and 5 rpg for St. Bonaventure from 1969-70 through 1971-72. As a sophomore, he was the fourth-leading scorer and rebounder with the Bonnies' Final Four team. As a junior, Hoffman was runner-up in scoring for third-place finisher in NIT.
• Rob Holbrook, 63, was on three consecutive Oregon State NCAA playoff teams while averaging 5.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg from 1978-79 through 1981-82 under coach Ralph Miller. Holbrook, 6-8, compiled a 15-22 pitching record and 5.07 ERA in the Toronto Blue Jays' farm system from 1983 through 1985.
• Henry "Bob" Holder, 88, played for Georgia in 1958-59.
• Dr. John "Jack" Hollingsworth, 85, averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.7 rpg for Oklahoma State from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Hank Iba.
• Bobby Hooper, 77, averaged 12.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg for Dayton from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Don Donoher. As a senior, Hooper was runner-up in scoring with NIT titlist.
• Howard Hovde, 96, averaged 3.1 ppg for Baylor from 1949-50 through 1951-52 under coach Bill Henderson. As a sophomore, Hovde was a member of the Bears' Final Four squad.
• Jamie Howell Sr., 86, was a juco recruit who averaged 5.2 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Mississippi in 1958-59 and 1959-60.
• Steve Hudgens, 82, played for Bradley in 1962-63 under coach Chuck Orsborn.
• John Isenbarger, 76, made 1-of-6 field-goal attempts for Indiana in 1967-68. Brother of Phil Isenbarger, a backup forward for IU's 1981 NCAA titlist, was starting tailback with the Hoosiers' only Rose Bowl team before becoming the San Francisco 49ers' second-round selection in 1970 NFL draft.
• Chuck Jarnagin, 91, averaged 5.9 ppg for Iowa from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bucky O'Connor.
• Ray Johnson, 76, averaged 9.6 ppg and 8.6 rpg for Providence from 1968-69 through 1970-71 under coaches Joe Mullaney and Dave Gavitt. Johnson led the Friars in rebounding as a sophomore and junior.
• Zach Johnson, 43, averaged 6.5 ppg and 5.7 rpg while shooting 59.3% from the floor for Louisiana Tech from 2000-01 through 2002-03. He finished among the Bulldogs' top three rebounders all three seasons.
• Clarence Jones, 70, averaged 7.6 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Memphis State from 1972-73 through 1975-76. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tigers' NCAA Tournament runner-up coached by Gene Bartow.
• Dr. Dan Jordan Jr., 85, played hoops for Mississippi in 1957-58 and 1958-59 under coach Country Graham. Jordan, a pitcher for back-to-back SEC champions (1959 and 1960), was a historian who presided over Monticello for 23 years, serving as executive director and then president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
• Jim Jordy, 87, averaged 2.5 ppg for Penn State in 1955-56 under coach John Egli.
• Ronnie Joyner, 64, was a juco recruit who averaged 6.7 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Washington State in 1980-81 and 1981-82 under coach George Raveling.
• Coleman "Pres" Judy Jr., 80, averaged 13.3 ppg and 3.9 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1964-65 through 1966-67. He was the Yellow Jackets' runner-up in scoring as a senior.
• Tim Jumper, 55, averaged 12.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg and 1.1 spg while shooting 36.8% beyond the three-point arc for Mississippi from 1987-88 through 1990-91. As an All-SEC Freshman selection, he finished among the league's top 20 in scoring, steals and three-point field goals.
• Richard "Dicky" Keffer Jr., 67, averaged 7.2 ppg and 3.5 apg for Vanderbilt from 1974-75 through 1976-77, leading the Commodores in assists each of his first two seasons under coach Roy Skinner.
• Michael "Mickey" Kelly, 86, averaged 2.2 ppg and 1 rpg for Louisville in 1957-58 under coach Peck Hickman.
• Frank Kendrick, 74, averaged 16.3 ppg and 8.5 rpg for Purdue from 1971-72 through 1973-74. All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection as a senior when he paced NIT titlist in rebounding. He led the Boilermakers in scoring as a junior. In Kendrick's last two seasons, he finished among among the league's top nine in scoring average and top 15 in rebounding average.
• Clint Keown, 44, averaged 7.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 2.4 apg and 1.2 spg for Evansville from 1998-99 through 2000-01 under coach Jim Crews.
• Duane Klueh, 98, averaged 15.7 ppg for Indiana State from 1946-47 through 1948-49. He was an All-American as a junior.
• Arthur Laib III, 76, was a juco recruit who played for Kentucky from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Adolph Rupp.
• Don Laketa, 91, was a juco recruit who averaged 7.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Wichita from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coach Ralph Miller. The Shockers participated in 1954 NIT.
• Arthur "Butch" Lambiotte, 85, averaged 13 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Richmond from 1956-57 through 1959-60 (redshirt in 1957-58). He led the Spiders in scoring as a senior.
• Dr. Gerry Lawrence, 90, averaged 3.7 ppg and 2.5 rpg for St. John's from 1953-54 through 1955-56.
• Floyd Layne, 95, averaged 6.9 ppg in 1949-50 for CCNY, the only team ever to win both the NCAA and NIT titles in same season. Although later declared innocent, Layne was implicated in the point-shaving scandal in 1951 ending the golden era of college hoops in New York City.
• Dick Lenholt, 90, averaged 8.3 ppg for Georgia Tech from 1952-53 through 1955-56. He was the Yellow Jackets' leading scorer as a sophomore (12.5 ppg) and top rebounder as junior (10.6 rpg).
• Leary Lentz, 79, averaged 8.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Houston's three NCAA tourney teams from 1964-65 through 1966-67 under coach Guy Lewis. As a sophomore, Metro East IL native Lentz was the Cougars' top rebounder before All-American Elvin Hayes arrived on the scene the next two seasons.
• Bob Leonard Sr., 79, averaged 20.5 ppg and 6.4 rpg for Wake Forest from 1963-64 through 1965-66. Two-time All-ACC first-team selection led the Demon Deacons in scoring as a junior and in rebounding as a senior. He finished among the league's top three in scoring average each of his last two seasons.
• Lionel "Lee" Leonard Jr., 87, averaged 3.2 ppg and 2.5 for Stanford in 1956-57 under coach Howie Dallmar.
• Richard "Dick" Leonard, 84, averaged 1.7 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Providence's three NIT teams from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Joe Mullaney.
• Alden Lewis, 92, averaged 7.7 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Utah from 1952-53 through 1954-55 under coaches Vadal Peterson and Jack Gardner after serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict. Lewis participated in NCAA Tournament as a senior co-captain.
• Bill Ligon, 72, averaged 11.7 ppg and 4.5 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach Roy Skinner. As a sophomore, Ligon was runner-up in scoring and rebounding with the Commodores.
• Taylor "Tates" Locke, 87, compiled a 255-254 coaching record in a total of 19 years with Army (40-15 in 1963-64 and 1964-65), Miami of Ohio (56-42 in four seasons from 1966-67 through 1969-70), Clemson (62-70 in five seasons from 1970-71 through 1974-75), Jacksonville (47-39 in three seasons from 1978-79 through 1980-81) and Indiana State (50-88 in five seasons from 1989-90 through 1993-94). Locke appeared in the NCAA playoffs with Miami in 1969 and JU in 1979.
• Gene Lockyear, 78, averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Roy Skinner.
• Rakim Lubin, 28, played his freshman season with Connecticut in 2014-15 before transferring to Cal State Northridge, where he averaged 8.5 ppg and 5.2 rpg in 2016-17. Lubin finished his college career at LSU-Shreveport.
• Larry Lucchino, 78, averaged 2.9 ppg for Princeton from 1964-65 through 1966-67 as a backup to eventual Tigers A.D. Gary Walters. Teammate of Bill Bradley when All-American scored a Final Four-record 58 points against Wichita in 1965 national third-place game. Lucchino scored 14 points in three NCAA Tournament games in 1967 against coaches Bucky Waters, Dean Smith and Lou Carnesecca. Key MLB executive with the Baltimore Orioles (1979 through 1993), San Diego Padres (1994 to 2001) and Boston Red Sox for more than 20 years. Driving force behind the construction of Camden Yards was part-owner of the Padres.
• Jim Ludlow, 70, averaged 3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Denver from 1972-73 through 1974-75.
• Gerald "Jerry" Mackey, 78, averaged 10.7 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Seton Hall from 1965-66 through 1967-68, leading the Pirates in scoring as a senior with 13.8 ppg.
• John "Whitey" Macknowsky, 101, played for Seton Hall in 1942-43 before his college career was interrupted by military service during WWII. He averaged 9.5 ppg with the Pirates while finishing among their top three scorers in 1946-47 and 1947-48. Changed his surname to Mackin in 1952.
• Bill Maney, 94, played for Virginia Tech in the early 1950s.
• Josh Maravich, 42, was a walk-on who scored four points in 13 games with Louisiana State from 2002-03 through 2004-05. He was a son of NCAA all-time leading scorer Pete Maravich.
• Milan Markovich, 89, averaged 1.3 ppg and 1.8 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1954-55 through 1956-57.
• John "Tom" Marshall, 93, averaged 19.1 ppg for Western Kentucky from 1950-51 through 1953-54. All-American as a senior when ranking eighth in nation in scoring average before becoming seventh pick overall in NBA draft. All-Ohio Valley Conference selection while leading league in scoring and rebounding average each of his last three seasons.
• Steve Maslek, 58, averaged 1 ppg and 1 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1986-87 through 1988-89 under coach Paul Evans.
• Brendan McCann, 89, averaged 12.9 ppg for St. Bonaventure from 1954-55 through 1956-57, leading the Bonnies in scoring as a junior with 16.3 ppg. Helped propel them to NIT semifinals as a senior before becoming fifth pick overall in NBA draft.
• Sam McCants, 72, was a Florida State transfer who averaged team-high 24 ppg (12th in nation) for Oral Roberts' 1974 Midwest Regional runner-up coached by Ken Trickey.
• Jim McDonald, 90, averaged 12.2 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Bowling Green State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Harold Anderson after serving in the U.S. Army. McDonald went on to become Kent State's all-time winningest coach by compiling a 147-140 record in 10 seasons from 1982-83 through 1991-92.
• Ed McGinn Sr., 93, averaged 1.1 ppg for Notre Dame from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He participated in the NCAA playoffs each of his last two seasons.
• Kevin McLinton, 52, averaged 11.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.2 apg and 1.5 spg for Maryland from 1989-90 through 1992-93 in Gary Williams' first four years as coach of the Terrapins. McLinton ranked among the ACC's top seven in assists per game each of his last three seasons.
• Seymour "Sy" Menchel, 92, averaged 3.3 ppg for Connecticut in 1951-52 and 1952-53 under coach Hugh Greer.
• Brendon Merritt Sr., 43, was a juco recruit who averaged 11.1 ppg, 3 rpg, 2.7 apg and 1.5 spg for Eastern Washington in 2002-03 and 2003-04. All-conference selection was named 2004 Big Sky Tournament MVP when propelling the Eagles to their first NCAA playoff appearance.
• Philip Meshinsky, 80, played for Seton Hall in 1961-62 and 1962-63.
• Bill Miller, 91, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Butler from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Tony Hinkle after serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Doug Mills, 84, averaged 3.3 ppg for Illinois from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Harry Combes.
• Bill Mlkvy, 93, averaged 21.1 ppg for Temple from 1949-50 through 1951-52. All-American as a junior when he led the nation in scoring (29.2 ppg) and finished runner-up in rebounding (18.9 rpg) and assists (7 apg). Mlkvy was known as "The Owl Without a Vowel."
• Ronnie Montgomery, 58, averaged 3.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg and 1.1 spg for Florida from 1984-85 through 1987-88 under coach Norm Sloan. Montgomery appeared in the NCAA playoffs each of his last two seasons and led the Gators in assists as a sophomore and senior.
• Curt Moody, 73, was a walk-on guard for Ohio State in the early 1970s under coach Fred Taylor.
• Tony Moore, 69, averaged 2.3 ppg for Temple from 1973-74 through 1975-76.
• Robert Moreland, 85, compiled a 350-356 coaching record with Texas Southern in 27 seasons from 1975-76 through 2000-01 and 2007-08. The Tigers' all-time winngest mentor directed them to three NCAA tourneys in a six-year span (1990-94-95) after they transitioned to NCAA DI level in 1977-78.
• Darius Morris, 33, averaged 9.9 ppg, 2.9 rpg and 4.8 apg for Michigan in 2009-10 and 2010-11 (led Big Ten Conference with 6.7 apg/fifth in nation) before declaring early for NBA and becoming 41st pick overall in draft. Drug and alcohol use reportedly was a significant factor in Morris' death (ruled as coronary heart disease). His father and older brother were found guilty a couple of months earlier of conspiracy and three counts of bank fraud (accused of obtaining thousands of postal money orders worth up to $5.1 million and fraudulently depositing them in bank accounts before withdrawing cash).
• Thomas Morris, 81, was a member of Villanova's 1962 NCAA tourney team in first season with Jack Kraft as coach of the Wildcats before Morris served in U.S. Army.
• Paul Morton II, 83, averaged 6.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Florida from 1963-64 through 1965-66 under coach Norm Sloan. Morton was runner-up in scoring with 9.1 ppg as senior co-captain.
• Mario Mullen, 50, averaged 8.4 ppg and 4.8 rpg for Old Dominion from 1992-93 through 1995-96 under coaches Oliver Purnell and Jeff Capel Jr. As a junior, Mullen was the third-leading scorer and rebounder with the Monarchs' NCAA tourney team.
• Jon Musser, 85, averaged 2.9 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Penn State in 1958-59 and 1959-60 under coach John Egli.
• Jerrod Mustaf, 55, averaged 16.6 ppg and 7.7 rpg for Maryland in 1988-89 and 1989-90 before All-ACC third-team selection became 17th pick overall in NBA draft. He finished fifth in the league in rebounding average both seasons. His pro career was derailed when characterized by police as "an investigative lead" in the murder of a pregnant woman who believed child was Mustaf's at the time of her demise after resisting demands she have an abortion. He was never formally charged in the case, but his cousin was eventually convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The woman's family filed a wrongful death civil lawsuit against Mustaf before the two parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
• Dikembe Mutombo, 58, averaged 9.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 3.7 bpg for Georgetown from 1988-89 through 1990-91 under coach John Thompson Jr. before becoming fourth pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the NCAA's top four in rejections each of his last two seasons as All-Big East Conference selection. Led the nation in field-goal percentage in 1989-90 (70.9%).
• Gilbert Myles, 68, averaged 7.8 ppg and 2.2 rpg for Arizona from 1974-75 through 1977-78 under coach Fred Snowden.
• William "Dudley" Nash, 92, averaged 3.9 ppg for Mississippi State from 1952-53 through 1955-56.
• Sherman "Nemo" Nearman, 98, was North Carolina's captain in 1949-50 when All-Southern Conference second-team selection averaged team-high 13.2 ppg after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Mike Neill, 67, averaged 8.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Washington from 1975-76 through 1977-78 under coach Marv Harshman. Neill appeared in NCAA playoffs his first season.
• Frank Nelson, 75, played for Iowa in 1968-69 under coach Ralph Miller.
• Rolland "Brownie" Nelson, 91, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Auburn in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Joel Eaves.
• Bill Nettles Jr., 101, played for Mississippi State in the mid-1940s. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Dave Noack, 90, averaged 1.4 ppg for Minnesota from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Ozzie Cowles.
• Mel Northway, 81, averaged 13.6 ppg and 11.7 rpg for Minnesota from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach John Kundla, leading the Golden Gophers in rebounding all three seasons.
• Henry "Hank" Nowak, 89, averaged 18.6 ppg and 11.3 rpg for Canisius from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Leading rebounder for the Golden Griffins' first three NCAA tourney teams. Democrat never received fewer than 75% of the general electorate vote while representing Buffalo area for nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975 to 1993).
• Jeff Ockel, 77, averaged 8.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Utah from 1965-66 through 1967-68 under coach Jack Gardner. As a sophomore, Ockel was fourth-leading rebounder with the Utes' Final Four team. He led the WAC in rebounding (11.2 rpg) as a senior before becoming 24th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Don Ohl, 88, averaged 14 ppg for Illinois from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Harry Combes. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection was an All-American as a senior when leading the Illini in scoring with 19.6 ppg (fourth in league).
• Bob Ollquist, 71, averaged 3.6 ppg for Providence in 1971-72 and 1973-74 under coach Dave Gavitt.
• Earl "Duane" Olson, 89, scored 27 points in 26 games for Michigan State in 1953-54 and 1954-55 under coaches Pete Newell and Forddy Anderson.
• George "Curly" Olson Jr., 96, played for DePaul during second half of 1940s under coach Ray Meyer after serving in U.S. Army during WWII.
• Manny Papoula, 80, averaged 3.4 ppg and 4.2 rpg for Boston College in 1963-64 and 1964-65 in Bob Cousy's first two seasons as coach of the Eagles.
• Wesley Paxson Sr., 100, was Georgia Tech's leading scorer in 1946-47 (13.7 ppg) after having his college career interrupted by serving in U.S. Navy during WWII.
• Pat Peebles, 81, averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Texas Christian in 1963-64 under coach Buster Brannon. Peebles was also a pitcher with the Horned Frogs' baseball squad.
• Ronald S. Perry, 92, averaged 12 ppg for Holy Cross from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Buster Sheary. Perry was third-leading scorer with NIT titlist as a senior before 32nd pick overall in NBA draft served three-year stint in U.S. Marine Corps. He compiled a 7-0 pitching record and 2.44 ERA for the Crusaders' 1952 CWS champion (including two victories in Omaha).
• Larry Petty Sr., 65, averaged 9.7 ppg and 6.5 rpg for Wisconsin from 1977-78 through 1980-81, leading the Badgers in field-goal percentage in two seasons. As a senior, he was their runner-up in scoring (11th in Big Ten Conference) and rebounding average (fourth in league).
• Edd Poore, 79, averaged 2.5 ppg and 2 rpg for Florida from 1963-64 through 1966-67 (redshirt in 1965-66).
• Chad Posthumus, 33, was a juco transfer who averaged 8.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg for Morehead State in 2012-13 and 2013-14 (finished fifth in nation in rebounding with 10.9 rpg).
• Keenan Preston, 70, averaged 4.1 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Penn State from 1972-73 through 1974-75 under coach John Bach.
• Tom Rand, 87, averaged 4 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Michigan State from 1956-57 through 1958-59 under coach Forddy Anderson. Rand was a senior starter with the Spartans' NCAA tourney team.
• Bobby Rascoe, 84, averaged 20.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg for Western Kentucky from 1959-60 through 1961-62 under coach Ed Diddle. All-American as a senior when finishing 12th in nation in scoring (25.7 ppg) before becoming 20th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Hubert "Hub" Reed, 89, averaged 23.3 ppg and 13.7 rpg for Oklahoma City from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Abe Lemons. All-American as a senior when ranking 8th in nation in scoring average, 5th in free-throw percentage and 11th in rebound percentage.
• Jim Reed, 90, averaged 17.8 ppg and 14 rpg for Texas Tech from 1952-53 through 1955-56. Three-time All-Border Conference first-team selection twice led the league in scoring and was Player of the Year as a senior. He remains the Red Raiders' all-time leading rebounder (1,333) and still holds the school's single-game carom mark with 27.
• Larry Reynolds, 71, compiled a 63-83 coaching record with Long Beach State in five seasons from 2002-03 through 2006-07. He guided the 49ers to NCAA playoffs in his final campaign.
• Chuck Richards, 82, averaged 15 ppg and team-high 9.4 rpg for Army in 1961-62 before transferring to Syracuse, where he averaged 18.4 ppg and 9 rpg while shooting 56.9% from the floor in 1963-64 and 1964-65. Teammate of All-American Dave Bing and eventual Orange coach Jim Boeheim led the Cuse in rebounding as a junior.
• Mike Richmond, 60, was a juco recruit who averaged 10.5 ppg and 5.3 rpg for Texas-El Paso's NCAA tourney teams in 1985-86 and 1986-87 under coach Don Haskins.
• Bob Ricks, 92, played for Brigham Young in 1956-57 under coach Stan Watts.
• Ray Riley, 92, averaged 1.6 ppg for Butler from 1954-55 through 1956-57 under coach Tony Hinkle after serving stateside in U.S. Marine Corps during Korean Conflict.
• John Riser, 89, averaged 14.9 ppg and 9.9 rpg for Pittsburgh from 1954-55 through 1956-57, finishing among the Panthers' top three in scoring and rebounding each season. As a senior, he led their NCAA tourney team in rebounding (10.5 rpg).
• Steve Roake, 91, was a member of Washington's NCAA Tournament third-place game winner in 1953 as a sophomore under coach Tippy Dye. Roake was also an end and quarterback with the Huskies' football squad.
• Ron Robins, 90, averaged 5.4 ppg for Oregon State from 1951-52 through 1954-55 under coach Slats Gill. As a senior, Robins was a member of the Beavers' West Regional runner-up losing by one point against eventual NCAA Tournament champion San Francisco.
• Melvin Robinson Sr., 54, averaged 9.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 1.7 bpg for St. Louis from 1989-90 to 1991-92 under coach Rich Grawer before leaving program.
• Dick Roher, 87, played for Florida in 1957-58.
• Mike Rolf, 78, averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.2 rpg for Cincinnati from 1964-65 through 1966-67. As a senior, he was the Bearcats' runner-up in scoring with 13.3 ppg.
• Dick Rosenthal, 94, averaged 16.4 ppg for Notre Dame from 1951-52 through 1953-54 before becoming a territorial choice in first round of NBA draft. The Irish's leading scorer for back-to-back NCAA tourney teams was an All-American as a senior when finishing 47th in nation in scoring.
• Vinnie Roundtree, 73, averaged 9.5 ppg and 5.6 rpg for Rutgers from 1971-72 through 1973-74. As a senior, he was runner-up in rebounding and third-leading scorer with the Scarlet Knights under coach Tom Young.
• Ben Rowan II, 86, averaged 9.8 ppg and 9.7 rpg for Vanderbilt from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coaches Bob Polk and Roy Skinner. Rowan led the Commodores in rebounding each of his last two seasons.
• Jim Rowinski, 63, averaged 8.3 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Purdue from 1980-81 through 1983-84. Big Ten Conference MVP as senior when averaging 15 ppg (7th in league) and 6.7 rpg (9th in league).
• Alan Sallee Sr., 85, averaged 2.6 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Villanova's 1964 NCAA tourney team coached by Jack Kraft after serving in U.S. Marine Corps.
• Bill Salonen, 90, was Montana State's leading scorer in 1954-55 and 1955-56.
• Norman Schaffer, 84, averaged 6.1 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Furman from 1962-63 through 1964-65.
• James Schessler, 79, averaged 1 ppg for Providence's three national postseason tournament teams from 1964-65 through 1966-67 under coach Joe Mullaney.
• Fred "Fritz" Schneider, 89, was a Marquette transfer who averaged 7.9 ppg and 5 rpg for Kansas State in 1954-55 and 1955-56 under coach Tex Winter. In his final regular-season outing, Schneider scored 36 points at Kansas before participating in NCAA playoffs.
• Frank Selvy, 91, was a three-time All-American who averaged 32.5 ppg for Furman from 1951-52 through 1953-54. He led the nation in scoring each of his last two seasons after finishing fifth as a sophomore. Established NCAA record for most points in a single game with 100 against Newberry SC in final campaign before becoming an NBA first-round draft selection. Coached his alma mater to a 44-59 record in four seasons from 1966-67 through 1969-70.
• Mike "Mickey" Sermersheim Sr., 94, was a four-year starter for Georgia Tech from 1947-48 through 1950-51.
• Bill Shay, 88, averaged 1 ppg for Pittsburgh from 1957-58 through 1960-61. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
• Fred Shepherd, 53, averaged 9.5 ppg and 6.9 rpg while shooting 61.1% from the floor for Arkansas State from 1989-90 through 1992-93. Two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection led school in rebounding as a sophomore and junior, finishing among the top eight in category in American South Conference and SBC each of his last three campaigns.
• Bill Simmons, 84, averaged 7 ppg and 5.1 rpg for Oregon from 1959-60 through 1961-62. He was runner-up in scoring and rebounding with the Ducks as a senior after playing in West Regional final as sophomore.
• Kip Simons, 79, played for Temple in 1963-64 under coach Harry Litwack.
• Sammy Sims, 76, averaged 7.4 ppg and 5 rpg for Villanova from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Jack Kraft. As a senior, Sims was the third-leading rebounder and fourth-leading scorer for an NCAA Tournament East Regional finalist.
• Wells Sloniger, 83, averaged 3.7 ppg for Southern California from 1960-61 through 1962-63 under coach Forrest Twogood.
• Don Smith, 97, averaged 7 ppg for Mississippi in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Country Graham after serving in U.S. Navy during WWII. Jim Valvano's predecessor coached Bucknell to an 82-105 record in eight seasons from 1964-65 through 1971-72.
• Jerry Smith, 81, compiled a 15-40 coaching record with Campbell in 1983-84 and 1984-85.
• Juden Smith, 61, averaged 10.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.1 apg for Texas-El Paso from 1981-82 through 1985-86 under coach Don Haskins (redshirt in 1982-83). Two-time All-Western Athletic Conference selection participated in the NCAA playoffs each of his last three seasons.
• Terry Smith, 78, averaged 2.3 ppg for Louisiana State in 1965-66.
• Norm Snead, 84, played in four basketball games as a senior for Wake Forest in 1960-61, averaging 7.8 ppg and 3 rpg while shooting 61.8% from the floor (13-of-21). Quarterback was first-round draft choice who played for five NFL franchises during 16-year career when three-time Pro Bowl selection completed 2,276-of-4,353 passes for 30,797 yards and 196 touchdowns.
• Dave Somerville, 81, averaged 4 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Southern Methodist from 1961-62 through 1963-64 under coach Doc Hayes.
• Bill Stady, 88, averaged 5 ppg and 4.3 rpg for Washington from 1955-56 through 1957-58 under coach Tippy Dye. Stady was senior captain.
• Stan Stafford, 84, was a juco recruit who averaged 2.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg for Oregon State in 1959-60 and 1960-61 under coach Slats Gill.
• Dr. John "Curly" Stahler, 85, played for Stanford from 1957-58 through 1959-60 under coach Howie Dallmar.
• Jim Stange, 93, averaged 9.3 ppg for Iowa State from 1949-50 through 1951-52. Senior captain when All-Big Seven Conference selection led the Cyclones in scoring with 14.2 ppg (sixth in league).
• Stuart Starner, 81, compiled a 194-153 record in 12 years as coach of Montana State (110-95 in seven seasons from 1983-84 through 1989-90) and Texas-San Antonio (84-58 in five seasons from 1990-91 through 1994-95).
• Fred Steiner, 78, averaged 1.8 ppg for Clemson in 1964-65.
• Michael "Mick" Stenftenagel, 80, averaged 9.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Georgia Tech from 1963-64 through 1965-66.
• Ray "Stretch" Stephens, 76, averaged 4.1 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Minnesota in 1966-67 and 1967-68 in John Kundla's last two seasons as coach of the Golden Gophers. Stephens, younger brother of MN football sensation Sandy Stephens, was a QB from 1966 through 1968 who threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two TDs as a senior.
• Jerry Stern, 90, averaged 4.8 ppg for Michigan from 1951-52 through 1955-56.
• Andy Stoglin, 81, compiled a 229-242 record as SWAC coach with Southern (32-26 in 1982-83 and 1983-84) and Jackson State (197-216 in 14 seasons from 1989-90 through 2002-03). Stoglin twice guided JSU to NCAA playoffs (1997 and 2000). He averaged 8.3 ppg and 7.2 rpg for Texas-El Paso from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Don Haskins, finishing runner-up in rebounding with the Miners each of his last two campaigns.
• Elam Stokes Sr., 92, averaged 3 ppg and 1.6 rpg for Florida in 1950-51 and 1953-54. His college career was interrupted by serving in U.S. Army during Korean Conflict.
• Daryl Stovall, 64, averaged 10.8 ppg and 3.5 rpg for Creighton from 1978-79 through 1981-82, leading the Bluejays in scoring (fourth in league) as a senior when he was an All-Missouri Valley Conference second-team selection. The 6-4 Stovall was a 1B-OF in the Chicago White Sox' farm system in 1982.
• Guy Strong, 93, compiled a 113-135 NCAA DI coaching record in 10 major-college years with Eastern Kentucky (78-65 in six seasons from 1967-68 through 1972-73) and Oklahoma State (35-70 in four seasons from 1973-74 through 1976-77). Strong averaged 2.4 ppg for Kentucky in 1949-50 and 1950-51 under coach Adolph Rupp before transferring to EKU, where he posted averages of 5.6 ppg and 2.3 rpg in 1954-55.
• Tom Sutton, 80, averaged 1.4 ppg for Arizona in 1964-65 and 1965-66.
• Derrick "DT" Taylor Sr., 46, averaged 11.2 ppg and 5.5 rpg for Oral Roberts from 1996-97 through 1999-00. Two-time all-conference second-team selection in Mid-Continent finished among the Titans' top three in scoring and rebounding average each of his final three seasons.
• Noel Taylor, 71, averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg for Rhode Island in 1973-74 and 1974-75 in Jack Kraft's first two seasons as coach of the Rams.
• Dmitri Thompson, 27, averaged 9.2 ppg and 4.7 rpg for Elon from 2014-15 through 2017-18.
• Bennie Tidwell, 96, lettered for Texas Tech in 1945-46 before serving in U.S. Army in Korea.
• Frank Tirico, 89, averaged 9.5 ppg for Providence from 1955-56 through 1957-58 in Joe Mullaney's first three seasons as coach of the Friars.
• SaBastian Townes, 27, averaged 9.8 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Bryant from 2016-17 through 2019-20. All-Northeast Conference third-team selection as a junior when he was the Bulldogs' runner-up in scoring and rebounding.
• Rich Travis, 77, averaged 26.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Oklahoma City from 1966-67 through 1968-69 under coach Abe Lemons, ranking among the nation's top nine scorers each of his last two seasons.
• Joe Tulley, 43, averaged 5.4 ppg and 1.8 rpg for DePaul from 1999-00 through 2002-03. He twice made six three-pointers in a single game with the Blue Demons.
• Terry Turlington, 84, averaged 2.6 ppg for Missouri from 1959-60 through 1961-62.
• Herschell Turner, 86, averaged 14.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg for Nebraska from 1957-58 through 1959-60. All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection as senior when leading the Huskers in scoring and rebounding for the second straight season. He also paced them in caroms as a sophomore. Turner ranked among the league's top five in scoring and rebounding average each of his last two campaigns.
• Dick Van Arsdale, 81, averaged 17.2 ppg and 10 rpg for Indiana from 1962-63 through 1964-65 during Branch McCracken's final three seasons as coach of the Hoosiers. All-American as a senior before becoming 18th pick overall in NBA draft. Two-time All-Big Ten Conference selection while finishing among league's top 15 scorers played in college with his twin brother (Tom).
• John "Steamboat" Varoscak, 88, averaged 3.6 ppg and 4.4 rpg for Louisville in 1957-58 under coach Peck Hickman.
• Carl Vernick, 80, averaged 10.3 ppg and 4 rpg for Syracuse from 1961-62 through 1963-64. He was the Orange's leading scorer as a sophomore and junior before All-American Dave Bing arrived on the scene.
• Dr. Jose Vidal, 99, was a Puerto Rican native who averaged 5 ppg for St. Louis in 1944-45.
• Lou Vonderbrink, 90, averaged 9.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg for Xavier from 1953-54 through 1955-56 under coach Ned Wulk. As a senior, Vonderbrink was team runner-up in assists (3.1 apg).
• Mark Wagar, 72, averaged 3.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg for Ohio State from 1970-71 through 1972-73. As a sophomore, he was the fifth-leading rebounder and sixth-leading scorer for the Buckeyes' last NCAA tourney team under coach Fred Taylor.
• Chester "Chet" Walker, 84, was a three-time All-American who averaged 24.4 ppg and 12.8 rpg for Bradley from 1959-60 through 1961-62. Ranked among the nation's top 27 scorers and top 18 in field-goal percentage all three seasons. Led Missouri Valley Conference in scoring each of his last two campaigns. Member of 1960 NIT titlist was 14th pick overall in 1962 NBA draft.
• Jermaine Walker, 47, averaged 2.1 ppg and 1.2 rpg for Miami (Fla.) in 1996-97 under coach Leonard Hamilton.
• Joe Wallace Jr., 73, was a juco recruit who averaged 20.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg for Denver in 1971-72 and 1972-73.
• Bill Walton III, 71, was a three-time national Player of Year who averaged 20.3 ppg and 15.7 rpg while shooting 65.1% from the floor for UCLA from 1971-72 through 1973-74 under coach John Wooden before becoming first pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the nation's leaders in field-goal percentage in 1972 (4th), 1973 (2nd) and 1974 (2nd) and among nation's rebounding leaders in 1972 (9th), 1973 (6th) and 1974 (9th). Leading scorer and rebounder for undefeated NCAA Tournament champions in 1972 (30-0 record) and 1973 (30-0) plus national third-place team in 1974 (26-4). Final Four Most Outstanding Player in 1972 and 1973 (made 21-of-22 field-goal attempts in title game against Memphis State).
• Winfred "Wimp" Walton, 46, was a Syracuse transfer (academic redshirt) who averaged 11.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg for Fresno State in 1997-98 under coach Jerry Tarkanian.
• Andrew "SpongeBob" Washington, 40, was a juco recruit who averaged 13 ppg, 4 rpg and 2.1 apg for Delaware in 2004-05 (team leader in steals and runner-up in scoring, rebounding and assists) and portion of 2005-06.
• Dr. Carleton "Carl" Weisner, 98, was a Marquette transfer who averaged 4.3 ppg for St. Louis from 1944-45 through 1947-48.
• Ron Weisner, 92, averaged 7.7 ppg for Wisconsin from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Bud Foster. As a senior, Weisner was the Badgers' runner-up in scoring with 13 ppg.
• Mike Werner, 80, averaged 1.5 ppg and 2 rpg for Washington State in 1966-67 under coach Marv Harshman.
• Ted Werner, 80, averaged 11.9 ppg and 10.9 rpg for Washington State from 1962-63 through 1964-65 under coach Marv Harshman. Werner led the AAWU in rebounding average each of his last two seasons as an all-league second-team selection.
• Dave Wesely, 67, averaged 9.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Creighton from 1975-76 through 1978-79, leading the Bluejays in rebounding as a senior with 9.7 rpg (third in Missouri Valley Conference).
• Walt Wesley, 79, was a two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team selection who averaged 19.3 ppg and 8.3 rpg for Kansas from 1963-64 through 1965-66 before becoming sixth pick overall in NBA draft. NCAA consensus second-team All-American as a senior when he led league in total points for the second straight season.
• Jerry West, 86, was a three-time All-American who averaged 24.8 ppg and 13.3 rpg for West Virginia from 1957-58 through 1959-60 before becoming second pick overall in NBA draft. Ranked among the nation's top five scorers each of his last two seasons. Leading scorer and rebounder for 1959 NCAA Tournament runner-up when he was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player.
• Mitchell Wiggins, 64, averaged 5.5 ppg and 3 rpg for Clemson's 1980 West Regional finalist under coach Bill Foster before attending junior college and then transferring to Florida State, where Wiggins averaged 23.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg and 1.9 spg in 1981-82 and 1982-83 under coach Joe Williams. Wiggins, a two-time All-Metro Conference first-team selection when leading league in scoring both seasons, was an NBA first-round draft choice comparable to his son (Andrew/first overall pick in 2014).
• Bill Wilks, 93, averaged 8.2 ppg for Ohio State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. QB with legendary coach Woody Hayes' first two OSU football squads in 1951 and 1952.
• Corey "Homicide" Williams, 46, was a juco recruit who averaged 12.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg and 1.6 spg for Alabama State in 1997-98 and 1998-99.
• Jimmy Williams, 77, compiled a 2-9 record as Minnesota's interim head coach in 1985-86.
• Matt Williams, 54, averaged 9.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.6 apg and 1.2 spg for Nevada from 1987-88 through 1990-91. He was named Big Sky Conference Rookie of the Year before becoming an all-league selection as a senior when ranking among the alliance's top three in rebounding average for the second straight season.
• Tom Williams, 93, averaged 8.4 ppg for Ohio State from 1950-51 through 1952-53. He was senior captain.
• A.B. Williamson, 79, compiled a 231-171 coaching record with Howard University in 15 seasons from 1975-76 through 1989-90. He guided the Bison to 1981 NCAA playoffs.
• Sonny Willis, 74, averaged 4.2 ppg for Houston's three NCAA tourney teams from 1969-70 through 1971-72 under coach Guy Lewis.
• Tony Windis, 91, averaged 21.2 ppg and 5.4 rpg for Wyoming from 1956-57 through 1958-59. All-American as a senior when finishing ninth in nation in scoring with 24.4 ppg.
• Gorman Wiseman, 91, played for Texas Christian from 1951-52 through 1953-54 under coach Buster Brannon.
• Joe Wolf, 59, averaged 9.6 ppg and 5.5 rpg for North Carolina's four NCAA Tournament teams from 1983-84 through 1986-87 under coach Dean Smith. All-ACC first-team selection as senior co-captain before becoming 13th pick overall in NBA draft.
• Robert "Skip" Wolfe, 85, averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.6 rpg for Memphis State from 1957-58 through 1960-61. He played in NIT each of his last two seasons.
• Rodney Wulff, 76, played for Oregon in 1969-70 and 1970-71. Represented Australia in 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
• Earl Wylder, 92, was an Iowa transfer who averaged 2.1 ppg for DePaul from 1950-51 through 1952-53 under coach Ray Meyer.
• Bobby Young, 83, averaged 14.1 ppg and 9.6 rpg for Tennessee Tech from 1961-62 through 1963-64 in John Oldham's last three seasons as coach of the Golden Eagles. Runner-up in rebounding for 1963 NCAA tourney team before becoming an All-Ohio Valley Conference selection as a senior when leading club in scoring (22.2 ppg/third in league) and rebounding (12 rpg/fifth in league).
• Keith Young, 86, played for Oklahoma State in 1957-58 under coach Hank Iba.
• Royce Youree, 88, averaged 13.4 ppg for Arizona State from 1955-56 through 1957-58, leading the Sun Devils in scoring as a sophomore. As a senior, Youree was a member of their first NCAA tourney team when earning All-Border Conference second-team acclaim for second straight season. UTL hit .243 in San Francisco Giants' farm system in three years from 1958 through 1960.
• Gil Zaragoza, 93, averaged 6.1 ppg for Saint Mary's from 1951-52 through 1953-54.
• Jay Ziznewski, 75, averaged 3.1 ppg and 3.4 rpg for Notre Dame from 1967-68 through 1969-70 under coach Johnny Dee. As a senior, Ziznewski outrebounded All-American teammate Austin Carr, 26-24, in three NCAA playoff games when Carr erupted for a stunning total of 158 points (individual series scoring average record of 52.7 ppg). The 6-6 New Jersey native played football as a DT with the Fighting Irish in 1968 under coach Ara Parseghian, a former hooper with Miami (Ohio).

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

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

HONORABLE MENTION

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

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

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

DECEMBER 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOTE: UConn's Hugh Greer passed away.