Southern Discomfort: Possible Outcomes if Blacks Viewed First-Class Citizens
"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." - Martin Luther King
Cancel-culture considerations resulted in condemning an estimated 100 statues and monuments to white-guilt reparations rubble. Facing reality, such arcane activist analysis could be the only way for self-absorbed progressive outposts to stop superior Southern universities from dominating college football after former Confederacy institutions captured 16 of the last 17 gridiron national crowns (primarily with in-state recruits). After all, shouldn't the SEC and ACC be sanction shamed by self-loathing social scholars, if not disbandment purge, insofar as the first season Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina featured an African-American on their varsity basketball rosters wasn't until 1970-71 (two years after MLK was assassinated in Memphis)?
Could Auburn have been ranked #1 nationally 50 years ago? Truth be told, racially hung-up SEC and ACC incurred self-imposed performance penalties by failing to recruit regal in-state black prospects until Dixie denizens were finally tired of monumental hardwood horror. Pearl-of-wisdom memo to Auburn: The following droughts describe authentic self-regulation. It seems inconceivable but segregation-shackled Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech (W in 1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State (W in 1963), Tennessee, Texas A&M (W in 1969) and Virginia combined for a paltry three NCAA playoff victories during 22-year tourney famine from 1954 through 1975. Moreover, Arkansas, Clemson, Florida (1967), Georgia, Georgia Tech (1960), LSU, Ole Miss, Texas Tech (1961) and Virginia Tech collaborated for an anemic total of three final AP Top 20 finishes in 20-season span from 1954-55 through 1973-74. Even colossus UK didn't win an NCAA Tournament title in 19-year span from 1959 through 1977.
For the record, ACC members in North Carolina all included black players on their varsity teams by end of the 1960s. Despite excluding much of the ACC, a trip into the what-if world of hoopdom can be fascinating. What might have been for principally football-dominated Southern schools if they weren't so narrow-minded waiting until the early 1970s to treat in-state African-American hoopers as equals? If not judged by color of skin, consider the following possible "started living (in basketball)" promised-land scenarios:
| Power-Conference Schools | Consequences for Shunning African-American Players | What Might Have Been for Southern Schools? |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (1970-71 was first season for black on varsity roster) and Auburn (1969-70) | Alabama (no appearances from inception of NCAA tourney in 1939 until 1975) and Auburn (no appearances until 1984) were outsiders in regard to the NCAA playoffs. Each school managed only one AP Top 20 finish until the mid-1970s. | Bama and Auburn wouldn't have combined for losing records in 1969-70 and 1970-71 if in-state All-American products Artis Gilmore (Jacksonville FL), Travis Grant (Kentucky State) and Bud Stallworth (Kansas) were on their rosters. |
| Arkansas (1969-70) | No NCAA playoff victory in 28-year span from 1950 through 1977. No AP Top 20 finish until 1977. | Hogs would have been much better than posting mediocre 13-11 record in 1962-63 if they boasted inside-outside combination of All-Americans Jim Barnes (Texas Western) and Eddie Miles (Seattle). |
| Florida (1971-72) | The Gators had no NCAA tourney appearances until 1987. Only one AP Top 20 finish until 1994. | UF would have far exceeded an 11-15 record in 1970-71 if Howard Porter (Villanova) and Truck Robinson (Tennessee State) manned forward positions. |
| Georgia (1970-71) and Georgia Tech (1971-72) | Georgia (no appearances until 1983) and Georgia Tech (only one NCAA playoff appearance and victory until 1985) were non-factors in national postseason play. Only one AP Top 20 finish for either school until mid-1980s. | Georgia and Georgia Tech wouldn't have incurred double digits in defeats in 1969-70 if they fortified frontline with Gar Heard (Oklahoma), Elmore Smith (Kentucky State) and Joby Wright (Indiana). |
| Louisiana State (1971-72) | No NCAA playoff appearance or AP Top 20 finish in 24-year span from 1955 through 1978. | Bayou Bengals wouldn't have compiled non-winning records in 1962-63 and 1963-64 if their frontcourt included Luke Jackson (Pan American), Bob Love (Southern LA), Cincy Powell (Portland) and/or Willis Reed (Grambling). LSU's initial campaign post-Pistol Pete Maravich in 1970-71 would have been much better than 14-12 if backcourt was buttressed by Fred Hilton (Grambling) and/or James Silas (Stephen F. Austin State). |
| Mississippi (1971-72) and Mississippi State (1972-73) | Ole Miss (no appearances until 1981) and MSU (only two NCAA playoff appearances and one victory until 1995). Ole Miss didn't have an AP Top 20 finish until 1998. | Doubtful both schools would have compiled losing records each season from 1967-68 through 1969-70 if frontcourters E.C. Coleman (Houston Baptist), Mike Green (Louisiana Tech), Spencer Haywood (Detroit), George T. Johnson (Dillard LA), Earnest Killum (Stetson FL) and Sam Lacey (New Mexico State) competed for them at some point during that subterranean span. |
| Clemson (1970-71) and South Carolina (1970-71) | Clemson (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1980) and USC (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1971). Clemson had only one AP Top 20 finish through 1986. | Teams could have thrived with inside-outside combination of Art Shell (Maryland-Eastern Shore) and Kenny Washington (UCLA) in mid-1960s and frontcourt featuring Gene Gathers (Bradley) and Clifford Ray (Oklahoma) in 1969-70 and 1970-71. |
| Tennessee (1971-72) | Winless in NCAA playoff competition until 1979. Only one AP Top 10 finish in 20th Century. | Paul Hogue (Cincinnati), Les Hunter (Loyola of Chicago) and Vic Rouse (Loyola of Chicago) were standouts for NCAA titlists the first half of 1960s. The Volunteers could have featured one of the finest frontcourts in NCAA history with James Johnson (Wisconsin), Charlie Paulk (Tulsa/Northeastern Oklahoma State), Rick Roberson (Cincinnati) and Bingo Smith (Tulsa) in 1966-67 and 1967-68. Rocky Top could have boasted one of the top backcourts in NCAA history in 1970-71 with Richie Fuqua (Oral Roberts) and Ted McClain (Tennessee A&I). |
| Texas (1969-70), Texas A&M (1971-72) and Texas Tech (1969-70) | UT (only two NCAA Tournament appearances in 24-year span from 1948 through 1971), A&M (only one NCAA playoff victory until 1980) and TT (only two NCAA playoff victories until 1976) were inconsequential in postseason play for extended period. No AP Top 10 finish among trio until 1996. | How potent of frontlines could SWC members have had from 1961-62 through 1964-65 choosing among Zelmo Beaty (Prairie View A&M), Nate Bowman (Wichita), Mitchell Edwards (Pan American), Eddie Jackson (Oklahoma/OCU), McCoy McLemore (Drake), John Savage (North Texas State), Dave Stallworth (Wichita), Gene Wiley (Wichita) and John Henry Young (Midwestern State)? |
| Virginia (1971-72) and Virginia Tech (1969-70) | UVA (no NCAA playoff appearances until 1976) and VT (only one NCAA playoff appearance until 1976) had little impact on postseason play until mid-1970s. No AP Top 20 finish for VT until 1996. | College class of '69 could have been one of premier in-state recruiting groups of all-time with Charles Bonaparte (Norfolk State), Bob Dandridge (Norfolk State), Bill English (Winston-Salem State NC) and Skeeter Swift (East Tennessee State). |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 16 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 16 in football at the professional level (especially the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI):
JANUARY 16
Dallas Cowboys TE Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) caught a seven-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in 24-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI following 1971 season. Staubach threw two TD passes in the game.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two first-half touchdown passes in a 27-14 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 2004 season.
San Francisco 49ers E Billy Wilson (averaged 3.3 ppg as senior letterman for San Jose State in 1950-51) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1954 season.
Defending Champion Baylor "Bearly" Breathing Regarding Playoff Prospects
Baylor became the first AP top-ranked team in history twice losing at home in the same week. If history means much, the Bears will be fortunate to reach the Final Four, let alone successfully defend their NCAA championship. Magic Johnson-led Michigan State '79 is the only NCAA titlist among six F4 participants in this category. Following is a list of #1-ranked schools losing back-to-back contests within a week (in reverse order):
| AP Top-Ranked Team (Final Record) | Season | Back-to-Back Defeats Within a Week as #1 | NCAA Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor (27-7) | 2021-22 | Jan. 11 (Texas Tech/65-62) and Jan. 15 (Oklahoma State/61-54) | Lost Second Round |
| Syracuse (28-6) | 2013-14 | Feb. 19 (Boston College/62-59) and Feb. 22 (at Duke/66-60) | Lost Second Round |
| Texas (24-10) | 2009-10 | Jan. 18 (at Kansas State/71-62) and Jan. 23 (at Connecticut/88-74) | Lost First Round |
| Wisconsin (30-6) | 2006-07 | Feb. 20 (at Michigan State/64-55) and Feb. 25 (at Ohio State/49-48) | Lost Second Round |
| Duke (32-4) | 2005-06 | March 1 (at Florida State/79-74) and March 4 (North Carolina/83-76) | Lost Regional Semifinal |
| Florida (20-11) | 2003-04 | Dec. 10 (Maryland/69-68 in OT) and Dec. 13 (at Louisville/73-65) | Lost First Round |
| Duke (28-8) | 1988-89 | Jan. 18 (North Carolina/91-71) and Jan. 21 (at Wake Forest/75-71) | Lost National Semifinal |
| North Carolina (28-6) | 1985-86 | Feb. 20 (Maryland/77-72) and Feb. 23 (at North Carolina State/76-65) | Lost Regional Semifinal |
| Georgetown (35-3) | 1984-85 | Jan. 26 (St. John's/66-65) and Jan. 28 (at Syracuse/65-63) | Lost National Final |
| UNLV (28-3) | 1982-83 | Feb. 24 (at Cal State Fullerton/86-78) and Feb. 27 (at West Virginia/87-78) | Lost Second Round |
| Duke (24-9) | 1979-80 | Jan. 9 (at Clemson/87-82) and Jan. 12 (North Carolina/82-67) | Lost Regional Final |
| Michigan State (26-6) | 1978-79 | Jan. 11 (at Illinois/57-55) and Jan. 13 (at Purdue/52-50) | Won National Final |
| Duke (22-8) | 1978-79 | Dec. 29 (Ohio State at New York City/90-84) and Dec. 30 (at St. John's/69-66) | Lost Second Round |
| UCLA (26-4) | 1973-74 | Feb. 15 (at Oregon State/61-57) and Feb. 16 (at Oregon/56-51) | Lost National Semifinal |
| Houston (31-2) | 1967-68 | March 22 (at UCLA/101-69) and March 23 (Ohio State at Los Angeles/89-85) | Lost National Semifinal and 3rd-Place Game |
| UCLA (18-8) | 1965-66 | Dec. 10 (at Duke/82-66) and Dec. 11 (Duke at Charlotte/94-75) | DNP |
| Kentucky (21-6) | 1963-64 | Jan. 4 (at Georgia Tech/76-67) and Jan. 6 (at Vanderbilt/85-83) | Lost Regional Semifinal |
| Kansas State (22-5) | 1957-58 | March 3 (at Nebraska/55-48) and March 8 (Kansas/61-44) | Lost National Semifinal |
| Duquesne (26-3) | 1953-54 | Feb. 25 (at Cincinnati/66-52) and Feb. 27 (at Dayton/64-54) | DNP (NIT Runner-up) |
| Seton Hall (21-8) | 1952-53 | March 1 (at Dayton/70-65) and March 2 (at Louisville/73-67) | DNP (NIT Champion) |
| Bradley (32-6) | 1950-51 | Jan. 11 (at St. John's/68-59) and Jan. 15 (Detroit/70-65) | DNP |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 15 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 15 in football at the professional level (especially a couple of Kansas City Chiefs players in inaugural Super Bowl):
JANUARY 15
Kansas City Chiefs TE Reg Carolan (Idaho three-year letterman in early 1960s averaged 4 ppg and 4.7 rpg) had a seven-yard pass reception in 35-10 setback against the Green Bay Packers in inaugural Super Bowl following 1966 campaign. Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) recorded a sack.
Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco in 31-24 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers following 2010 season.
St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) caught three passes for 38 yards and rushed once for 11 yards in a 47-17 NFC divisional-round setback against the Atlanta Falcons following 2004 season. Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had nine solo tackles.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) opened game's scoring with a six-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger in 21-18 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts following 2005 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 14 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 14 in football at the professional level (especially Pro Bowl MVPs Otto Graham and Jim Brown from the Cleveland Browns):
JANUARY 14
Following the 1961 season, Cleveland Browns FB Jim Brown (#2-scorer with 14 ppg for Syracuse as sophomore in 1954-55 before averaging 11.3 as junior) earned his first of three NFL Pro Bowl MVP awards in a five-year span.
New Orleans Saints TE Jimmy Graham (part-time starter for Miami FL averaged 4.2 ppg and 4.2 rpg from 2005-06 through 2008-09) caught two touchdown passes from Drew Brees - including 66-yarder - in a 36-32 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2011 season.
Cleveland Browns QB Otto Graham (Big Ten Conference runner-up in scoring as Northwestern sophomore in 1941-42 and junior in 1942-43) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following 1950 season.
Green Bay Packers LB Dave Robinson (made two free throws and grabbed five rebounds in two basketball games for Penn State in 1960-61) returned a fumble 16 yards in 33-14 win against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II following 1967 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 13 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 13 in football at the professional level (especially wide receivers for San Diego Chargers in playoff victory following 2007 campaign):
JANUARY 13
San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers in 28-24 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Indianapolis Colts following 2007 season. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) had team highs of seven pass receptions and 93 receiving yards.
Miami Dolphins DE Vern Den Herder (finished Central College IA career in 1970-71 as school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder) delivered a sack in 24-7 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII following 1973 season. Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Vikings.
WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) opened the Dallas Cowboys' scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass from Tony Romo in 21-17 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New York Giants following 2007 season.
San Francisco 49ers WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught a game-tying touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia in fourth quarter of 25-15 NFC wild-card playoff game setback against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 season.
Picture Perfect: Baylor & USC Fall Far Short of Becoming 13th Unbeaten Team
"We will either find a way or make one." - Hannibal, Carthaginian military commander
UCLA, in a stellar 10-year stretch from 1963-64 through 1972-73 ruling the scene much like Hannibal, accounted for four of only 12 major-college squads to go undefeated since the start of national tournament postseason competition in the late 1930s. Defending NCAA titlist Baylor and Southern California, both incurring first loss on same day this week, fell far short of becoming Unbeaten Team #13.
Kentucky was soundly whipped by undefeated LIU in 1938-39 prior to the Wildcats going unbeaten themselves 15 years later. The average number of defeats the previous year for the first 12 unbeaten teams was five. The only time in major-college history two undefeated major colleges met in a national postseason tournament was the 1939 NIT final between Loyola of Chicago and Long Island University. LIU (23-0) defeated Loyola (21-1), 44-32.
In a seven-year span, all-time greats Lew Alcindor (UCLA in 1966-67), Bill Walton (UCLA in 1971-72) and David Thompson (North Carolina State in 1972-73) weren't freshmen but they were in their first season of varsity eligibility when leading their unbeaten teams in scoring. Alcindor (29 ppg), Lennie Rosenbluth (28 ppg with North Carolina in 1956-57) and Thompson (24.7 ppg) tallied the three highest-scoring averages among these undefeated squads.
Each of the dozen unbeaten major universities had at least one outing decided by fewer than eight points. Following is chronological list of schedules and team statistics for the 12 squads, including last one to achieve feat in 1975-76 (Indiana won five regular-season games by fewer than five points or in overtime), to emerge undefeated since the start of national tournament postseason competition:
Long Island (23-0 in 1938-39)
Coach: Clair Bee (eighth of 18 seasons with Blackbirds)
| 1938-39 LIU Opponents | Score | LIU's High Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Newark University (N.J.) | 64-14 | George Newman 14 |
| Panzer College | 41-35 | Daniel Kaplowitz 15 |
| Princeton/Seminary | 82-37 | John Bromberg/Irv Torgoff 10 |
| McGill University (Quebec) | 77-39 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
| Montclair Teachers College (N.J.) | 63-40 | Irv Torgoff 10 |
| East Stroudsburg Teachers (Pa.) | 63-33 | John Bromberg 14 |
| Southern California | 33-18 | Daniel Kaplowitz 12 |
| Kentucky | 52-34 | John Bromberg 12 |
| Marquette | 41-34 | Arthur Hillhouse 14 |
| New York Athletic Club | 64-43 | Arthur Hillhouse 15 |
| Toledo | 46-39 | Irv Torgoff 18 |
| Geneva College (Pa.) | 48-39 | Irv Torgoff 15 |
| Duquesne | 48-31 | John Bromberg 13 |
| Scranton (Pa.) | 65-53 | Daniel Kaplowitz 16 |
| Canisius | 62-50 | Myron Sewitch 15 |
| St. Francis (N.Y.) | 61-20 | Ossie Schechtman 13 |
| St. Bonaventure | 70-31 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
| University of Baltimore | 52-34 | Daniel Kaplowitz 9 |
| John Marshall College | 65-25 | Irv Torgoff 11 |
| at La Salle | 28-21 | Daniel Kaplowitz 7 |
| New Mexico State (NIT) | 52-45 | Irv Torgoff 14 |
| Bradley (NIT) | 36-32 | John Bromberg 12 |
| Loyola of Chicago (NIT) | 44-32 | Irv Torgoff 12 |
NOTES: La Salle game technically played on a neutral court (Philadelphia Convention Hall). . . . NIT games played at Madison Square Garden.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR LIU REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irv Torgoff | F | Sr. | 23 | 9.5 |
| Daniel Kaplowitz | F | Sr. | 23 | 8.1 |
| *Arthur Hillhouse | C | Sr. | 12 | 7.1 |
| John Bromberg | G | Sr. | 23 | 6.6 |
| Oscar "Ossie" Schechtman | G | Soph. | 22 | 4.8 |
| Seymour "Cy" Lobello | C | Soph. | 22 | 4.4 |
| **Dolly King | C | Soph. | 10 | 4.0 |
| Myron Sewitch | C | Sr. | 21 | 3.9 |
| Solomon Schwartz | G | Soph. | 22 | 3.8 |
| George Newman | G | Sr. | 23 | 3.5 |
| Joseph Shelly | G | Soph. | 20 | 3.5 |
| Irving Zeitlin | G | Soph. | 18 | 1.7 |
| Maxwell Sharf | G-F | Soph. | 16 | 1.4 |
*Hillhouse completed eligibility at the end of the first semester.
**King became eligible at the start of the second semester.
Seton Hall (19-0 in 1939-40)
Coach: John "Honey" Russell (fourth of 18 seasons with Pirates)
| 1939-40 Seton Hall Opponents | Date | Score | Pirates High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alumni | D8 | 45-29 | Nick Parpan 12 |
| Mount St. Mary's | D18 | 58-32 | Ed Sadowski 13 |
| Tulane | D20 | 53-25 | Bob Davies 9 |
| Florida | D28 | 43-41 | Bob Davies/Ed Sadowski 13 |
| William & Mary | J6 | 51-35 | Ed Sadowski 17 |
| at Scranton | J12 | 48-32 | Ed Sadowski 17 |
| Becker | J17 | 69-29 | Ed Sadowski 14 |
| at Kutztown (Pa.) | J24 | 42-34 | Ed Sadowski 15 |
| Loyola (Md.) | F2 | 50-40 | Ed Sadowski 13 |
| at St. Peter's | F3 | 55-27 | Bernie Coyle 13 |
| at Brooklyn | F5 | 51-34 | Bob Fischer 13 |
| Rider | F9 | 44-32 | Bob Davies/John Ruthenberg 8 |
| St. Francis (Pa.) | F14 | 48-36 | Bob Davies 17 |
| St. Bonaventure | F17 | 46-41 | Bob Davies 19 |
| Kutztown (Pa.) | F21 | 53-33 | Bob Davies 15 |
| Canisius | F23 | 52-46 | Bob Davies 17 |
| Catholic (D.C.) | F26 | 53-27 | Edward Ryan 13 |
| Brooklyn | F28 | 43-41 | Frank Delany 16 |
| Scranton (Pa.) | M1 | 68-39 | Bob Davies 16 |
NOTE: Seton Hall played its home games at five different arenas - East Orange High School, Elizabeth Armory, Orange Armory, Orange High School and Dickinson High School (Jersey City).
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR SETON HALL REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Sadowski* | C | Sr. | 9 | 12.2 |
| Bob Davies | F | Soph. | 18 | 11.8 |
| Bob Fischer | F | Soph. | 18 | 4.9 |
| John Ruthenberg | G-C | Soph. | 19 | 4.7 |
| Bob Holm | G | Soph. | 17 | 4.2 |
| Frank Delany | G-F | Sr. | 19 | 3.8 |
| Bernie Coyle | G-F | Sr. | 18 | 3.7 |
| Nick Parpan | G-F | Jr. | 14 | 3.4 |
| Ken Pine | C | Soph. | 16 | 3.2 |
| Ray Studwell | F-G | Soph. | 18 | 1.2 |
*Sadowski missed the second half of the season because of a broken kneecap.
Army/U.S. Military Academy (15-0 in winter of 1944)
Coach: Ed Kelleher (first of two seasons with Cadets)
| 1943-44 Army Opponents | Score | Army's High Scorer |
|---|---|---|
| Swarthmore (Pa.) | 80-29 | Bob Faas 20 |
| Colgate | 69-44 | Dale Hall 18 |
| St. John's | 49-36 | Dale Hall 21 |
| at Columbia | 55-37 | Dale Hall 17 |
| Penn State | 49-38 | Dale Hall 14 |
| Coast Guard | 55-37 | Doug Kenna 11 |
| West Virginia | 58-31 | Dale Hall 18 |
| at Rochester (N.Y.) | 57-43 | Dale Hall 23 |
| Pittsburgh | 66-32 | Ed Christl 16 |
| Hobart (N.Y.) | 69-36 | Dale Hall/Doug Kenna 20 |
| Pennsylvania | 55-38 | Dale Hall 18 |
| Villanova | 34-22 | Dale Hall 23 |
| New York University | 46-36 | Dale Hall 18 |
| Maryland | 85-22 | Dale Hall 32 |
| Navy | 47-40 | Doug Kenna 17 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR ARMY REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale Hall | F | Jr. | 15 | 18.2 |
| Doug Kenna | G | Jr. | 15 | 10.1 |
| Ed Christl | C | Sr. | 12 | 8.3 |
| Bob Faas | F | Sr. | 15 | 7.1 |
| Bill Ekberg | C | Jr. | 15 | 4.7 |
| Jack Hennessey | G | Sr. | 15 | 1.7 |
Kentucky (25-0 in 1953-54)
Coach: Adolph Rupp (24th of 41 seasons with Wildcats)
| 1953-54 UK Opponents | Date | Score | UK's High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple | D5 | 86-59 | Cliff Hagan 51 |
| at Xavier | D12 | 81-66 | Frank Ramsey 27 |
| Wake Forest | D14 | 101-69 | Cliff Hagan 18 |
| at St. Louis | D18 | 71-59 | Frank Ramsey 21 |
| Duke | D21 | 85-69 | Cliff Hagan 27 |
| La Salle | D22 | 73-60 | Cliff Hagan 28 |
| Minnesota | D28 | 74-59 | Frank Ramsey 23 |
| Xavier | J4 | 77-71 | Cliff Hagan 20 |
| Georgia Tech | J9 | 105-53 | Cliff Hagan 34 |
| DePaul | J11 | 81-63 | Cliff Hagan/Frank Ramsey 22 |
| Tulane | J16 | 94-43 | Frank Ramsey 26 |
| at Tennessee | J23 | 97-71 | Frank Ramsey 37 |
| at Vanderbilt | J30 | 85-63 | Frank Ramsey 24 |
| Georgia Tech* | F2 | 99-48 | Cliff Hagan 23 |
| Georgia | F4 | 106-55 | Frank Ramsey 29 |
| Georgia* | F6 | 100-68 | Cliff Hagan 29 |
| at Florida | F8 | 97-55 | Cliff Hagan 22 |
| Mississippi | F13 | 88-62 | Cliff Hagan 38 |
| Mississippi State | F15 | 81-49 | Cliff Hagan 26 |
| Tennessee | F18 | 90-63 | Cliff Hagan 24 |
| at DePaul | F20 | 76-61 | Cliff Hagan 29 |
| Vanderbilt | F22 | 100-64 | Cliff Hagan 22 |
| Auburn* | F27 | 109-79 | Frank Ramsey 28 |
| at Alabama | M1 | 68-43 | Cliff Hagan 24 |
| Louisiana State* (SEC Playoff) | M9 | 63-56 | Frank Ramsey 30 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR KENTUCKY REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cliff Hagan | F-C | Sr. | 25 | .455 | .691 | 24.0 | 13.5 |
| Frank Ramsey | G | Sr. | 25 | .416 | .729 | 19.6 | 8.8 |
| Lou Tsioropoulos | F | Sr. | 25 | .351 | .690 | 14.5 | 9.6 |
| Billy Evans | F-G | Jr. | 25 | .372 | .778 | 8.4 | 7.2 |
| Gayle Rose | G | Jr. | 23 | .346 | .646 | 6.7 | 1.3 |
| Phil Grawemeyer | F-C | Soph. | 25 | .372 | .543 | 5.9 | 6.1 |
| Linville Puckett | G | Soph. | 24 | .295 | .673 | 5.1 | 2.2 |
| Bill Bibb | F | Soph. | 16 | .313 | .583 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 25 | .383 | .678 | 87.5 | 52.7 |
San Francisco (29-0 in 1955-56)
Coach: Phil Woolpert (fifth of nine seasons with Dons)
| 1955-56 USF Opponents | Date | Score | USF's High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico State (Calif.) | D2 | 70-39 | Bill Russell 15 |
| Southern California | D3 | 58-42 | Bill Russell 24 |
| San Francisco State | D6 | 72-47 | Bill Russell 20 |
| Marquette* | D16 | 65-58 | Bill Russell 16 |
| at DePaul | D17 | 82-59 | K.C. Jones 23 |
| at Wichita | D20 | 75-65 | Bill Russell 17 |
| at Loyola of New Orleans | D23 | 61-43 | Bill Russell 20 |
| La Salle* | D26 | 79-62 | Bill Russell 26 |
| Holy Cross* | D27 | 67-51 | Bill Russell 24 |
| UCLA* | D28 | 70-53 | Bill Russell 17 |
| Pepperdine | J6 | 62-51 | Bill Russell 20 |
| Santa Clara | J10 | 74-56 | Mike Farmer 18 |
| at Fresno State | J13 | 69-50 | Bill Russell 22 |
| at California | J28 | 33-24 | K.C. Jones 15 |
| San Jose State | J31 | 67-40 | Bill Russell 21 |
| Loyola of Los Angeles | F3 | 68-46 | Carl Boldt 20 |
| at Pacific | F7 | 77-60 | Bill Russell 24 |
| Fresno State | F10 | 79-46 | Bill Russell 23 |
| at San Jose State | F14 | 76-52 | Bill Russell 21 |
| at St. Mary's | F17 | 76-63 | Bill Russell 28 |
| at Santa Clara | F24 | 80-44 | Bill Russell 29 |
| Pacific | F28 | 87-49 | Bill Russell 28 |
| at Pepperdine | M2 | 68-40 | Carl Boldt 14 |
| at Loyola of Los Angeles | M3 | 65-48 | Bill Russell 24 |
| St. Mary's | M6 | 82-49 | Bill Russell 22 |
| UCLA* (NCAA Tournament) | M16 | 72-61 | Gene Brown 23 |
| Utah* (NCAA Tournament) | M17 | 92-77 | Bill Russell 27 |
| Southern Methodist* (NCAA Tournament) | M22 | 86-68 | Mike Farmer 26 |
| Iowa* (NCAA Tournament) | M23 | 83-71 | Bill Russell 26 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR USF REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Russell | C | Sr. | 29 | .513 | .495 | 20.6 | 21.0 |
| K.C. Jones* | G | Sr. | 25 | .365 | .655 | 9.8 | 5.2 |
| Hal Perry | G | Sr. | 29 | .365 | .729 | 9.1 | 2.0 |
| Carl Boldt | F | Jr. | 28 | .326 | .783 | 8.6 | 5.0 |
| Mike Farmer | F | Soph. | 28 | .371 | .548 | 8.4 | 7.8 |
| Gene Brown | G | Soph. | 29 | .377 | .641 | 7.1 | 4.4 |
| Mike Preaseau | F | Soph. | 29 | .366 | .609 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Warren Baxter | G | Sr. | 26 | .301 | .667 | 2.2 | 0.7 |
| Bill Bush | G | Sr. | 22 | .208 | .625 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Jack King | F | Jr. | 22 | .162 | .462 | 0.8 | 1.0 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 29 | .388 | .604 | 72.2 | 54.2 |
*Ineligible for NCAA Tournament as a fifth-year player.
North Carolina (32-0 in 1956-57)
Coach: Frank McGuire (fifth of nine seasons with Tar Heels)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR NORTH CAROLINA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lennie Rosenbluth | F | Sr. | 32 | .483 | .758 | 28.0 | 8.8 |
| Pete Brennan | F | Jr. | 32 | .394 | .706 | 14.7 | 10.4 |
| Tommy Kearns | G | Jr. | 32 | .434 | .711 | 12.8 | 3.1 |
| Joe Quigg | C | Jr. | 31 | .434 | .719 | 10.3 | 8.6 |
| Bob Cunningham | G | Jr. | 32 | .393 | .598 | 7.2 | 6.7 |
| Tony Radovich | G | Sr. | 16 | .525 | .769 | 3.9 | 1.8 |
| Bill Hathaway | C | Soph. | 15 | .333 | .417 | 2.8 | 5.0 |
| Stan Groll | G | Soph. | 12 | .370 | .556 | 2.1 | 1.5 |
| Bob Young | C | Sr. | 15 | .256 | .538 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| Ken Rosemond | G | Jr. | 15 | .400 | .556 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
| Danny Lotz | F | Soph. | 24 | .350 | .391 | 1.0 | 1.6 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 32 | .431 | .701 | 79.3 | 46.7 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1963-64)
Coach: John Wooden (16th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gail Goodrich | G | Jr. | 30 | .458 | .711 | 21.5 | 5.2 |
| Walt Hazzard | G | Sr. | 30 | .445 | .718 | 18.6 | 4.7 |
| Jack Hirsch | F | Sr. | 30 | .528 | .664 | 14.0 | 7.6 |
| Keith Erickson | F | Jr. | 30 | .403 | .623 | 10.7 | 9.1 |
| Fred Slaughter | C | Sr. | 30 | .466 | .484 | 7.9 | 8.1 |
| Kenny Washington | F-G | Soph. | 30 | .458 | .627 | 6.1 | 4.2 |
| Doug McIntosh | C | Soph. | 30 | .519 | .500 | 3.6 | 4.4 |
| Kim Stewart | F | Sr. | 23 | .393 | .467 | 2.2 | 2.0 |
| Rich Levin | F | Jr. | 19 | .372 | .500 | 2.0 | 0.6 |
| Mike Huggins | G | Sr. | 23 | .382 | .478 | 1.6 | 1.0 |
| Chuck Darrow | G | Soph. | 23 | .379 | .583 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Vaughn Hoffman | C | Soph. | 21 | .476 | .500 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .455 | .644 | 88.9 | 55.7 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1966-67)
Coach: John Wooden (19th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lew Alcindor | C | Soph. | 30 | .667 | .650 | 29.0 | 15.5 |
| Lucius Allen | G | Soph. | 30 | .479 | .713 | 15.5 | 5.8 |
| Mike Warren | G | Jr. | 30 | .465 | .758 | 12.7 | 4.5 |
| Lynn Shackelford | F | Soph. | 30 | .480 | .821 | 11.4 | 5.9 |
| Ken Heitz | F-G | Soph. | 30 | .506 | .600 | 6.1 | 3.2 |
| Bill Sweek | G | Soph. | 30 | .479 | .565 | 4.7 | 2.8 |
| Jim Nielsen | F-C | Soph. | 27 | .519 | .455 | 4.6 | 3.4 |
| Don Saffer | G | Jr. | 27 | .451 | .542 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Gene Sutherland | G | Jr. | 20 | .455 | .583 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Neville Saner | F-C | Jr. | 24 | .308 | .667 | 1.4 | 1.9 |
| Joe Chrisman | F | Jr. | 19 | .320 | .364 | 1.1 | 1.5 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .520 | .653 | 89.6 | 49.8 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1971-72)
Coach: John Wooden (24th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Walton | C | Soph. | 30 | .640 | .704 | 21.1 | 15.5 |
| Henry Bibby | G | Sr. | 30 | .450 | .806 | 15.7 | 3.5 |
| Keith Wilkes | F | Soph. | 30 | .531 | .696 | 13.5 | 8.2 |
| Larry Farmer | F | Jr. | 30 | .456 | .549 | 10.7 | 5.5 |
| Greg Lee | G | Soph. | 29 | .492 | .824 | 8.7 | 2.0 |
| Larry Hollyfield | F | Jr. | 30 | .514 | .651 | 7.3 | 3.3 |
| Swen Nater | C | Jr. | 29 | .535 | .609 | 6.7 | 4.8 |
| Tommy Curtis | G | Soph. | 30 | .437 | .636 | 4.1 | 2.1 |
| Andy Hill | G | Sr. | 26 | .356 | .709 | 2.7 | 0.8 |
| Vince Carson | F | Soph. | 28 | .400 | .667 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
| Jon Chapman | F | Sr. | 28 | .465 | .500 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Gary Franklin | F | Soph. | 26 | .412 | .438 | 1.3 | 1.0 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .504 | .695 | 94.6 | 54.9 |
UCLA (30-0 in 1972-73)
Coach: John Wooden (25th of 27 seasons with Bruins)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR UCLA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Walton | C | Jr. | 30 | .650 | .569 | 20.4 | 16.9 |
| Keith Wilkes | F | Jr. | 30 | .525 | .652 | 14.8 | 7.3 |
| Larry Farmer | F | Sr. | 30 | .511 | .701 | 12.2 | 5.0 |
| Larry Hollyfield | G | Sr. | 30 | .466 | .492 | 10.7 | 2.9 |
| Tommy Curtis | G | Jr. | 24 | .512 | .667 | 6.4 | 1.7 |
| Dave Meyers | F | Soph. | 28 | .477 | .756 | 4.9 | 2.9 |
| Greg Lee | G | Jr. | 30 | .473 | .790 | 4.6 | 1.3 |
| Swen Nater | C | Sr. | 29 | .459 | .652 | 3.2 | 3.3 |
| Pete Trgovich | G-F | Soph. | 25 | .382 | .400 | 3.1 | 1.7 |
| Vince Carson | F | Jr. | 26 | .514 | .471 | 1.7 | 2.2 |
| Gary Franklin | F | Jr. | 24 | .485 | .500 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Bob Webb | G | Jr. | 21 | .148 | .833 | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 30 | .519 | .632 | 81.3 | 49.0 |
Assists leader: Walton 168.
North Carolina State (27-0 in 1972-73)
Coach: Norman Sloan (seventh of 14 seasons with Wolfpack)
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR N.C. STATE REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Thompson | F | Soph. | 27 | .569 | .825 | 24.7 | 8.1 |
| Tom Burleson | C | Jr. | 27 | .512 | .730 | 17.9 | 12.0 |
| Monte Towe | G | Soph. | 27 | .468 | .729 | 10.0 | 1.7 |
| Rick Holdt | F | Sr. | 27 | .531 | .660 | 8.3 | 3.7 |
| Tim Stoddard | F | Soph. | 27 | .482 | .569 | 7.9 | 5.3 |
| Joe Cafferky | G | Sr. | 25 | .569 | .767 | 7.2 | 2.1 |
| Greg Hawkins | F | Jr. | 25 | .448 | .706 | 5.6 | 3.3 |
| Mark Moeller | G | Soph. | 27 | .579 | .516 | 4.7 | 1.6 |
| Steve Nuce | F | Jr. | 26 | .474 | .571 | 4.4 | 2.1 |
| Craig Kuszmaul | G | Soph. | 19 | .667 | .400 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 27 | .520 | .715 | 92.9 | 46.5 |
INDIANA (32-0 in 1975-76)
Coach: Bob Knight (fifth of 29 seasons with Hoosiers)
| 1975-76 IU Opponents | Date | Score | IU's High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA* | N29 | 84-64 | Scott May 33 |
| Florida State* | D8 | 83-59 | Scott May 24 |
| Notre Dame | D11 | 63-60 | Scott May 25 |
| Kentucky* | D15 | 77-68 (OT) | Kent Benson/Scott May 27 |
| Georgia | D19 | 93-56 | Scott May 18 |
| Virginia Tech | D20 | 101-74 | Scott May 27 |
| Columbia* | D26 | 106-63 | Kent Benson 15 |
| Manhattan* | D27 | 97-61 | Scott May 32 |
| at St. John's | D28 | 76-69 | Scott May 29 |
| at Ohio State | J3 | 66-64 | Scott May 24 |
| Northwestern | J5 | 78-61 | Kent Benson 22 |
| at Michigan | J10 | 80-74 | Kent Benson 33 |
| at Michigan State | J12 | 69-57 | Kent Benson 23 |
| at Illinois | J17 | 83-55 | Scott May 27 |
| Purdue | J19 | 71-67 | Scott May 32 |
| at Minnesota | J24 | 85-76 | Tom Abernethy 22 |
| at Iowa | J26 | 88-73 | Scott May 32 |
| Wisconsin | J31 | 114-61 | Scott May 30 |
| Michigan | F7 | 72-67 (OT) | Scott May 27 |
| Michigan State | F9 | 85-70 | Kent Benson 38 |
| Illinois | F14 | 58-48 | Kent Benson 17 |
| at Purdue | F16 | 74-71 | Scott May 26 |
| Minnesota | F21 | 76-64 | Tom Abernethy 22 |
| Iowa | F23 | 101-81 | Quinn Buckner 24 |
| at Wisconsin | F26 | 96-67 | Scott May 41 |
| at Northwestern | M1 | 76-63 | Scott May 24 |
| Ohio State | M6 | 96-67 | Kent Benson/Scott May 21 |
| St. John's* (NCAA Tournament) | M13 | 90-70 | Scott May 33 |
| Alabama* (NCAA Tournament) | M18 | 74-69 | Scott May 25 |
| Marquette* (NCAA Tournament) | M20 | 65-56 | Kent Benson 18 |
| UCLA* (NCAA Tournament) | M27 | 65-51 | Kent Benson 16 |
| Michigan* (NCAA Tournament) | M29 | 86-68 | Scott May 26 |
*Neutral court games.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS FOR INDIANA REGULARS
| Player | Pos. | Class | G. | FG% | FT% | PPG | RPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott May | F | Sr. | 32 | .527 | .782 | 23.5 | 7.7 |
| Kent Benson | C | Jr. | 32 | .578 | .684 | 17.3 | 8.8 |
| Tom Abernethy | F | Sr. | 32 | .561 | .743 | 10.0 | 5.3 |
| Quinn Buckner | G | Sr. | 32 | .441 | .488 | 8.9 | 2.8 |
| Bobby Wilkerson | G-F | Sr. | 32 | .493 | .630 | 7.8 | 4.9 |
| Wayne Radford | G | Soph. | 30 | .563 | .712 | 4.7 | 2.1 |
| Jim Crews | G | Sr. | 31 | .468 | .857 | 3.3 | 0.7 |
| Jim Wisman | G | Soph. | 26 | .367 | .724 | 2.5 | 0.8 |
| Rich Valavicius | F | Fr. | 28 | .483 | .625 | 2.4 | 1.8 |
| TEAM TOTALS | 32 | .517 | .698 | 82.1 | 41.4 |
Assists leader: Wilkerson 171.
Blocked shots leader: Benson 39.
Steals leader: Buckner 65.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 12 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 12 in football at the professional level (especially Weeb Ewbank and Bud Grant coaching Super Bowl teams):
JANUARY 12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Rickey Dudley (averaged 13.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg as senior in 1994-95 when leading Ohio State in rebounding and finishing third in scoring) caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) in 31-6 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the San Francisco 49ers following 2002 season. Johnson threw two second-quarter TD passes.
Weeb Ewbank (hoops letterman for Miami OH in 1926-27 and 1927-28) coached the New York Jets to a 16-7 victory against the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III following 1968 season. Jets DB Johnny Sample (freshman hooper for UMES) had an interception and Colts TE Tom Mitchell (averaged 6.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg in 10 basketball games for Bucknell in 1963-64) caught a 15-yard pass from Earl Morrall on their opening drive.
Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 16-6 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl IX following 1974 season.
Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) rushed for two second-quarter touchdowns in 28-23 win against the Seattle Seahawks in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2019 season.
Baltimore Ravens WR Jacoby Jones (part-time starter averaged 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg for Lane TN in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco with 31 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score before they won against the Denver Broncos, 38-35, in double overtime in AFC divisional-round playoff game following 2012 season.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Matt Jones (started two of his 11 Arkansas games in 2001-02 when averaging 4.2 ppg and 2.3 rpg and 10 of 17 in 2003-04 when averaging 5 ppg and 4.5 rpg) opened game's scoring with an eight-yard touchdown catch in a 31-20 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the New England Patriots following 2007 season.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two second-quarter touchdown passes in a 31-9 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following 2001 season.
New England Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught a touchdown pass in 31-14 AFC championship game win against the Miami Dolphins following 1985 season.
Last of Unbeatens: Odds Against Baylor and USC Winning NCAA Title This Year
No NCAA Division I men's team has compiled an undefeated record since Indiana in 1975-76. Baylor and Southern California were the last two remaining unbeaten teams this season before their shot at becoming the 20th team in history to enter the NCAA Tournament with an unblemished record ended on the same day.
Despite Virginia's success three seasons ago, the historical odds are against the Bears defending their NCAA title because only four final undefeated teams in the previous 42 years - Duke '92, UConn '99, Florida '06 and UVa '19 - went on to capture the national crown.
Prior to probation-shackled SMU six seasons ago, Clemson (winner of its first 17 outings in 2006-07), was the only school in this last-of-the-unbeaten category to fail to participate in the NCAA playoffs. The Tigers finished runner-up in the NIT.
The total of 49 clubs previously in this "final-undefeated" category combined to compile an average 31-4 season record. Following in reverse order are vital facts on final unbeaten teams since the Hoosiers nearly a half-century ago:
| Season | Last Unbeaten (Wins) | First Defeat | Date | Score | Final Record/Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Baylor (15) | Texas Tech | 1-11-22 | 65-62 | 27-7/Second Round |
| 2020-21 | Gonzaga (31)* | Baylor | 4-5-21 | 86-70 | 31-1/NCAA runner-up |
| 2019-20 | San Diego State (26)* | UNLV | 2-22-20 | 66-63 | 30-2/NCAA cancelled |
| 2018-19 | Michigan (17) | at Wisconsin | 1-19-19 | 64-54 | 30-7/Regional Semifinal |
| 2018-19 | Virginia (16) | at Duke | 1-19-19 | 72-70 | 35-3/NCAA Champion |
| 2017-18 | Arizona State (12) | Arizona | 12-31-17 | 84-78 | 20-12/NCAA Play-In |
| 2016-17 | Gonzaga (29)* | Brigham Young | 2-25-17 | 79-71 | 37-2/National Runner-up |
| 2015-16 | Southern Methodist (18) | at Temple | 1-24-16 | 89-80 | 25-5/Probation |
| 2014-15 | Kentucky (38)* | vs. Wisconsin | 4-4-15 | 71-64 | 38-1/NCAA Final Four |
| 2013-14 | Wichita State (35)* | vs. Kentucky | 3-23-14 | 78-76 | 35-1/Second Round |
| 2012-13 | Michigan (16) | at Ohio State | 1-13-13 | 56-53 | 31-8/NCAA Runner-up |
| 2011-12 | Murray State (23)* | Tennessee State | 2-9-12 | 72-68 | 31-2/Second Round |
| 2010-11 | Ohio State (24) | at Wisconsin | 2-12-11 | 71-67 | 34-3/Regional Semifinal |
| 2009-10 | Kentucky (19) | at South Carolina | 1-26-10 | 68-62 | 35-3/Regional Final |
| 2008-09 | Wake Forest (16) | Virginia Tech | 1-21-09 | 78-71 | 24-7/First Round |
| 2007-08 | Memphis (26) | Tennessee | 2-23-08 | 66-62 | 38-2/National Runner-up |
| 2006-07 | Clemson (17)* | at Maryland | 1-13-07 | 92-87 | 25-11/NIT Runner-up |
| 2005-06 | Florida (17)* | at Tennessee | 1-21-06 | 80-76 | 33-6/NCAA Champion |
| 2004-05 | Illinois (29)* | at Ohio State | 3-6-05 | 65-64 | 37-2/NCAA Runner-up |
| 2003-04 | Saint Joseph's (27)* | vs. Xavier | 3-11-04 | 87-67 | 30-2/Regional Final |
| 2002-03 | Duke (12) | at Maryland | 1-18-03 | 87-72 | 26-7/Regional Semifinal |
| 2001-02 | Duke (12) | at Florida State | 1-6-02 | 77-76 | 31-4/Regional Semifinal |
| 2000-01 | Stanford (20) | UCLA | 2-3-01 | 79-73 | 31-3/Regional Final |
| 1999-00 | Syracuse (19) | Seton Hall | 2-7-00 | 69-67 | 26-6/Regional Semifinal |
| 1998-99 | Connecticut (19) | Syracuse | 2-1-99 | 59-42 | 34-2/NCAA Champion |
| 1997-98 | Utah (18) | at New Mexico | 2-1-98 | 77-74 | 30-4/NCAA Runner-up |
| 1996-97 | Kansas (22) | at Missouri (2OT) | 2-4-97 | 96-94 | 34-2/Regional Semifinal |
| 1995-96 | Massachusetts (26)* | George Washington | 2-24-96 | 86-76 | 35-2/NCAA Final Four |
| 1994-95 | Connecticut (15) | at Kansas | 1-28-95 | 88-59 | 28-5/Regional Final |
| 1993-94 | UCLA (14) | at California | 1-30-94 | 85-70 | 21-7/First Round |
| 1992-93 | Virginia (11) | at North Carolina | 1-20-93 | 80-58 | 21-10/Regional Semifinal |
| 1991-92 | Duke (17) | at North Carolina | 2-5-92 | 75-73 | 34-2/NCAA Champion |
| 1991-92 | Oklahoma State (20) | at Nebraska | 2-5-92 | 85-69 | 28-8/Regional Semifinal |
| 1990-91 | UNLV (34) | vs. Duke | 3-30-91 | 79-77 | 34-1/NCAA Final Four |
| 1989-90 | Georgetown (14) | at Connecticut | 1-20-90 | 70-65 | 24-7/Second Round |
| 1988-89 | Illinois (17) | at Minnesota | 1-26-89 | 69-62 | 31-5/NCAA Final Four |
| 1987-88 | Brigham Young (17)* | at UAB | 2-6-88 | 102-83 | 26-6/Sweet 16 |
| 1986-87 | DePaul (16) | at Georgetown | 1-25-87 | 74-71 | 28-3/Regional Semifinal |
| 1985-86 | Memphis State (20) | at Virginia Tech | 2-1-86 | 76-72 | 28-6/Second Round |
| 1984-85 | Georgetown (18) | St. John's | 1-26-85 | 66-65 | 35-3/NCAA Runner-up |
| 1983-84 | North Carolina (21) | vs. Arkansas | 2-12-84 | 65-64 | 28-3/Regional Semifinal |
| 1982-83 | UNLV (24) | at Cal State Fullerton | 2-24-83 | 86-78 | 28-3/Second Round |
| 1981-82 | Missouri (19) | Nebraska | 2-6-82 | 67-51 | 27-4/Regional Semifinal |
| 1980-81 | Oregon State (26)* | Arizona State | 3-7-81 | 87-67 | 26-2/Second Round |
| 1979-80 | DePaul (26)* | at Notre Dame (2OT) | 2-27-80 | 76-74 | 26-2/Second Round |
| 1978-79 | Indiana State (33)* | vs. Michigan State | 3-26-79 | 75-64 | 33-1/NCAA Runner-up |
| 1977-78 | Kentucky (14) | at Alabama | 1-23-78 | 78-62 | 30-2/NCAA Champion |
| 1976-77 | San Francisco (29) | at Notre Dame | 3-5-77 | 93-82 | 29-2/First Round |
*All-time top winning streaks.
NOTES: North Carolina lost in Pine Bluff, Ark. . . . Saint Joseph's lost in Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament quarterfinals at Dayton.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 11 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map prior to politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 11 in football at the professional level (especially in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season):
JANUARY 11
Chicago Bears DE Doug Atkins (third-leading scorer as Tennessee center with 9.9 ppg in 1950-51) named co-NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1958 season.
Cleveland Browns DE Sam Clancy (two-time Eastern 8 first-team selection ended career in 1981 as Pittsburgh's all-time leading rebounder) had a sack in his second straight playoff game following 1986 campaign.
Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 23-7 setback against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl IV following 1969 season. Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) completed 16-of-25 passes for 183 yards. Vikings DB Charlie West (collected two points and one rebound in two UTEP basketball games in 1967-68 under coach Don Haskins) returned three kickoffs and two punts. Chiefs FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57). Chiefs DE Buck Buchanan (earned hoops letter as Grambling freshman in 1958-59) recorded a sack.
Tennessee Titans TE Erron Kinney (averaged 2.5 ppg and 1.3 rpg in six basketball games for Florida in 1996-97 under coach Billy Donovan) caught a touchdown pass from Steve McNair in 34-31 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Divisional Playoff Round following 2002 season.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 20-17 Divisional Playoff Round win against the Green Bay Packers in overtime following 2003 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 10 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 10 in football at the professional level (especially St. Louis Rams in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2003 season):
JANUARY 10
Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw two touchdown passes in 27-7 AFC championship playoff win against the San Diego Chargers following 1981 season.
Tennessee Titans WR Justin Gage (averaged 2.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg for Missouri from 1999-00 through 2001-02) had 10 pass receptions for 135 yards in a 13-10 AFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Baltimore Ravens following 2008 season.
Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) caught a touchdown pass from Randall Cunningham in 41-21 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Arizona Cardinals following 1998 season.
St. Louis Rams WR Dane Looker (averaged 4.8 ppg as Western Washington freshman in 1995-96 and 10.2 ppg as sophomore in 1996-97 before transferring to Washington and concentrating on football) caught two passes for 31 yards and a two-point conversion late in fourth quarter of 29-23 NFC divisional-round setback in double overtime against the Carolina Panthers following 2003 season. Rams LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) returned an interception 37 yards.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 9 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map prior to politicized multiple anthems and hug-a-thug NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 9 in football at the professional level (especially in 1982 playoff games before ex-hoopers with the Denver Broncos in postseason contests during the 1990s):
JANUARY 9
Cincinnati Bengals QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) threw two first-quarter touchdown passes in a 44-17 AFC wild-card playoff setback against the New York Jets following the 1982 season.
Bud Grant (third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre) coached the Minnesota Vikings when they suffered a 32-14 setback against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI following 1976 season.
Minnesota Vikings TE Joe Senser (two-time NCAA Division I leader in FG% averaged 11.4 ppg and 7.4 rpg while shooting 66.2% from floor in four-year career for West Chester State PA) caught six passes for 81 yards in a 30-24 NFC first-round playoff win against the Atlanta Falcons following 1982 campaign.
Denver Broncos WR Kitrick Taylor (Washington State hooper in 1984-85 and 1986-87) had a 13-yard pass reception in 42-24 AFC wild-card playoff game setback against the Oakland Raiders following 1993 season.
Denver Broncos DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had a sack in 38-3 win against the Miami Dolphins in AFC Divisional Round following 1998 season.
Dallas Cowboys rookie DE Peppi Zellner (averaged 10.3 ppg and team-high 9.1 rpg for Fort Valley State GA in 1997-98) had four tackles in a 27-10 NFC wild-card playoff game setback against the Minnesota Vikings following 1999 campaign.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 8 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball player Greg Pruitt making a name for himself on January 8 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 8
- Oakland Raiders RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) rushed three times for 15 yards, caught two passes for 14 yards, returned two kickoffs for 57 yards and returned five punts for 45 yards in a 27-10 AFC first-round playoff win against the Cleveland Browns following 1982 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 7 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 7 in football at the professional level (especially in AFC and NFC championship contests following 1978 campaign):
JANUARY 7
New York Giants CB Jason Sehorn (averaged 12.5 ppg and 6 rpg for Shasta Community College CA in 1990-91) intercepted a pass from Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 ppg for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) and returned it 32 yards for touchdown in 20-10 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in NFC divisional-round playoff game following 2000 season.
Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes in a 28-0 win against the Los Angeles Rams in NFC Championship contest following 1978 season.
Houston Oilers CB Greg Stemrick (played in two basketball games for Colorado State in 1973-74) intercepted a pass by QB Terry Bradshaw in their 34-5 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship game following 1978 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 6 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 6 in football at the professional level (especially wide receivers for San Diego Chargers in playoff game following 2007 season):
JANUARY 6
San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) had six pass receptions for 121 yards in a 17-6 AFC wild-card playoff win against the Tennessee Titans following 2007 season. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson (Northern Colorado's scoring leader with 13.6 ppg in 2003-04 while also contributing 5.6 rpg and 3.1 apg) had five pass receptions for 114 yards - including a 25-yard touchdown from Philip Rivers.
TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) provided the Kansas City Chiefs' lone touchdown with a six-yard pass from Trent Green in 23-8 AFC wild-card playoff setback against the Indianapolis Colts following 2006 season.
New Orleans Saints WR Willie Jackson (started five hoops games for Florida in 1989-90) had nine pass receptions in a 34-16 NFC divisional-round playoff setback against the Minnesota Vikings following 2000 season.
San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) returned an interception 58 yards for fourth-quarter touchdown in 41-13 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 1989 season.
San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) closed out 2001 regular season with two first-quarter touchdown passes from Jeff Garcia (56 and 60 yards) in a 38-0 win against the New Orleans Saints early in 2002.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 5 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 5 in football at the professional level (especially Antwaan Randle El in wild-card playoff games following 2002 and 2007 seasons):
JANUARY 5
New England Patriots LB Don Blackmon (collected 42 points and 32 rebounds in 12 games for Tulsa in 1977-78) registered two sacks in a 27-20 AFC divisional-round playoff win against the Oakland Raiders following 1985 season.
Boston Patriots DE Larry Eisenhauer (collected 14 points and 18 rebounds in four basketball games for Boston College in 1959-60) recovered a fumble in 51-10 setback against the San Diego Chargers in AFL Championship following 1963 season.
San Diego Chargers DT Ernie Ladd (intended on only playing hoops for Grambling before legendary coach Eddie Robinson got him to play football) had a sack in 51-10 win against the Boston Patriots in AFL championship game following 1963 season. Pats rookie WR Art Graham (collected one point and three rebounds in two basketball games for Boston College in 1961-62) caught two passes for 68 yards.
San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had nine pass receptions for 177 yards - including two touchdowns from Jeff Garcia (76 and 26 yards) - in a 39-38 wild-card win against the New York Giants following 2002 season. 49ers WR Tai Streets (collected four points and seven rebounds in 13 games for Michigan's NIT titlist in 1997 under coach Steve Fisher) caught game-winning TD pass from Garcia with one minute remaining in fourth quarter.
WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) returned a punt 66 yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers' first touchdown in 36-33 AFC wild-card playoff win against the Cleveland Browns following 2002 season. Five years later, Randle El had a seven-yard TD reception for the Washington Redskins' first score in 35-14 NFC wild-card playoff setback against the Seattle Seahawks following 2007 campaign.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 4 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 4 in football at the professional level (especially the Cleveland Browns in AFC playoffs following 1980 campaign):
JANUARY 4
Minnesota Vikings QB Joe Kapp (backup forward averaged 1.8 ppg and 1.2 rpg for California's PCC champions in 1957 and 1958) threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Gene Washington in 27-7 NFL championship game win against the Cleveland Browns following 1969 season.
Cleveland Browns WR Dave Logan (three-time scoring runner-up averaged 14.1 ppg and 6.3 rpg for Colorado in mid-1970s) had two pass receptions for 36 yards in a 14-12 AFC divisional round playoff setback against the Oakland Raiders following 1980 season. Browns RB Greg Pruitt (Oklahoma frosh hooper in 1969-70) caught three passes for 54 yards. Browns WR Reggie Rucker (averaged 6.8 ppg and 3.8 rpg for Boston University in 1966-67) caught two passes for 38 yards.
Indianapolis Colts DB David Macklin (collected 13 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists for Penn State in 15 basketball games as freshman in 1996-97) returned two interceptions a total of 52 yards in 41-10 win against the Denver Broncos in wild-card playoff game following 2003 season.
Dallas Cowboys RB Preston Pearson (swingman averaged 8.7 ppg and 6 rpg as Illinois senior in 1966-67) caught three of four touchdown passes by Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) in a 37-7 NFC championship game win against the Los Angeles Rams following 1975 season.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) had playoff career-highs of eight pass catches and 110 receiving yards in a 14-10 AFC divisional round playoff setback against the Denver Broncos following 1997 season. Broncos DE Alfred Williams (Colorado hooper in 1989-90) had two sacks.
Fierce Rivalries: Nothing Compares With Intra-State Conference Competition
Was it worth the outlandish outrage? Perhaps Kansas' sanctimonious athletic department shouldn't have been quite so "incensed" by the NCAA's original decision amid corruption probe to suspend scholarly center Silvio De Sousa for two full seasons a couple of years ago. Jayhawks coach Bill "Just Got to Get a Couple of Real Guys" Self's previous bluster he would "fight for Silvio" and "Silvio is the type of student-athlete college athletics needs" rang a mite hollow after stool-wielding De Sousa's thuggish raising of a potential weapon significantly higher than taunting major's anemic scoring average (2.6 ppg) during brawl in disability-seating section at end of game against arch-rival Kansas State. Let's hope dearly-departed De Sousa elevated or fought to keep gpa above 2.6 after moving on following sickening showmanship.
Media personalities failing to comprehend the gravity of De Sousa's actions should be confined to a mentally-challenged section of press area. What's new? It takes a long time to read about Self-less' prominent players who've run afoul of the law since KU captured 2008 NCAA title in midst of an off-the-books sale of nearly $900,000 worth of basketball tickets to brokers over five-year span.
Well, the faces change on rosters, but the intensity of power league intra-state match-ups and zeal for tickets remains when they come to blows in conference play. If in doubt about raw emotions, see video of conclusion of K-State's confrontation at KU. Sans prayerful #NannyPathetic's juvenile pen collection and #Demonrat ceremonial impeachment parade testing jolly Jerry "The White Urkel" Nadler's athletic prowess, regional hoop fans eagerly anticipate the following intra-conference "bragging rights" games (series records are through 2020-21):
| Leader/Opponent | Series Record | Season Started | Series Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama/Auburn | 98-66 | 1924 | Auburn, which defeated Alabama three times in 1998-99 by an average of 29.3 points, won 26 of 30 assignments from 1958 through 1971 before the Crimson Tide won 18 of the next 19. |
| Arizona/Arizona State | 155-85 | 1914 | Arizona won 46 of first 55 meetings to 1937, 17 in a row from 1945 to 1952 and 24 of 25 from 1996 through 2007. |
| Baylor/Texas Christian | 101-85 | 1909 | TCU lost first seven meetings before winning nine in a row. Baylor won 14 straight from 1935 to 1942 and 11 consecutive contests from 2013 through 2017. TCU won 12 successive games from 1981 to 1987. |
| Bradley/Illinois State | 68-64 | 1905 | Ten consecutive contests were decided by fewer than seven points from 1996 through 2000. ISU won 16 of 18 games from 2009 to 2018. |
| California/Stanford | 153-128 | 1912 | Cal won 14 in a row from 1924-25 through 1929-30 and 24 of 25 to 1933-34. Stanford won 10 straight at the turn of the century, including a 51-point triumph in 2000. |
| Duke/North Carolina State | 149-102 | 1912 | Duke won 15 straight from 1941 to 1947 before losing 12 of 13 from 1947 to 1952. N.C. State also won nine consecutive confrontations in the mid-1970s. The Blue Devils won 13 in a row from 1998 through 2002. |
| Duke/Wake Forest | 176-79 | 1906 | Duke won 40 of 42 meetings from 1928 through 1948 with the two setbacks in that span coming by a total of seven points. Wake won eight straight from 1981 to 1984 and nine in a row from 1993 to 1997. The Blue Devils won 18 of 19 tilts between them prior to splitting games in 2019-20. |
| Florida State/Miami (Fla.) | 51-36 | 1951 | FSU won 11 of 12 games from 2006 to 2012. |
| Idaho/Idaho State | 61-51 | 1933 | Idaho won 14 games in a row from 1987-88 to 1993-94. Idaho State won 13 of 15 contests from 1971-72 to 1978-79. |
| Illinois/Northwestern | 140-42 | 1908 | Illini twice won 16 in a row (from 1946-47 through 1954-55 and 1983-84 through 1990-91). Northwestern's best extended stretch was winning eight of 14 contests from 1928 to 1939. |
| Kansas/Kansas State | 201-94 | 1907 | Kansas won 31 games in a row from 1993-94 through 2004-05 in fourth-most frequently played series in Division I. The Wildcats won 25 of 36 contests from 1967-68 through 1982-83. |
| Michigan/Michigan State | 102-85 | 1909 | Michigan won 12 straight from 1921 through 1927, 10 of 11 from 1935 through 1940 and 13 of 15 from 1970 to 1978. MSU defeated the Wolverines three times in 2019 and has won 30 of last 44 outings overall (10 of last 15). |
| Mississippi State/Mississippi | 146-118 | 1914 | Both schools have won more than 65% of their home assignments. MSU won the first nine games in the series, 16 of the first 18 and 15 of 18 from 1955 through 1963. Ole Miss won eight straight in the early 1980s and eight of nine from 2013-14 to 2017-18. |
| Montana/Montana State | 153-148 | 1903 | Second-most frequently played series in Division I. Montana State, which prevailed in 19 of first 21 contests to 1917-18, had winning record in series until dropping 19 of last 20 outings (both games cancelled last year). UM also won 11 in a row from 1938-39 to 1941-42. |
| North Carolina/Duke | 141-114 | 1920 | UNC won 16 straight from 1921 through 1928 and 16 of 17 in the mid-1970s (three-point overtime loss in 1975). The Blue Devils won all three assignments in 1998-99 by an average margin of 18.3 points. The two teams would have split their last 102 match-ups if Heels didn't lose at home in OT two seasons ago. When they met in 2020, it was first time in 60 years that neither school was nationally ranked. |
| North Carolina/North Carolina State | 161-79 | 1913 | Carolina won 16 of 17 contests from 1922 to 1930, 17 of 18 from 1934 to 1942 and 14 of 15 from 1967 to 1972. Roy Williams won 33 of his first 37 assignments against NCSU as coach of the Tar Heels. |
| North Carolina/Wake Forest | 163-67 | 1911 | UNC won 29 of 31 games from 1919 through 1936, 23 of 27 from 1966 through 1975, 23 of 24 from 1982 through 1992, and 12 of last 14 outings. |
| North Carolina State/Wake Forest | 148-106 | 1911 | The Wolfpack won 16 of 19 games from 1928 to 1937, 19 of 22 from 1942 through 1952, 16 of 18 from 1954 through 1959 and 10 of 11 from 1985 to 1990. Wake won nine of first 11 meetings, including a 41-point victory in 1912. |
| Oklahoma/Oklahoma State | 140-102 | 1908 | Oklahoma was victorious in first 11 meetings, 26 of first 28 and 44 of first 53. The Aggies/Cowboys prevailed in 14 of 16 outings from 1940 to 1947. |
| Oregon State/Oregon | 192-165 | 1903 | Most frequently played series in Division I by more than 50 games. The Beavers won 14 of 16 contests from 1954 to 1959, 16 of 17 from 1962 to 1966 and 15 straight from 1980 to 1986. The Ducks won 19 of 20 outings from 1994-95 through 2002-03. |
| Purdue/Indiana | 124-89 | 1901 | Purdue won 50 of first 60 meetings with archrival. IU won 13 in a row from 1949 to 1955 and 25 of 42 from 1973 through 1993. The Boilermakers have prevailed in 12 of last 13 outings. |
| Tennessee/Vanderbilt | 126-75 | 1922 | The Volunteers, who are 72-20 at Knoxville, won 25 of 26 games overall from 1937 to 1950 and 25 of 30 from 1968 through 1982. Vandy's longest winning streak was six in the mid-1950s. The Vols have won 10 of last 11 outings. |
| Texas/Baylor | 163-94 | 1906 | UT won 16 of 17 games from 1914 to 1921, 14 of 15 from 1924 through 1930 and 24 in a row from 1999 to 2009. |
| Texas/Texas Christian | 113-68 | 1915 | Texas won the first 13 meetings, 10 straight from 1945 to 1950, eight in succession from 1977 through 1980, eight in a row from 1988 to 1991 before the SWC disbanded in 1996 and 11 consecutive from 1995 through 2015. TCU's longest winning streak was seven from 1982 through 1985. |
| Texas/Texas Tech | 88-63 | 1940 | Texas posted only one triumph over Texas Tech (75-74) in a 15-game stretch of their series from 1970 through 1976. The Longhorns won 11 straight from 1988 to 1993 and 13 in a row from 1998 to 2003. |
| Texas Tech/Baylor | 80-60 | 1937 | Tech won 10 straight from 1976 to 1980 and 1983 to 1987. |
| Texas Tech/Texas Christian | 85-52 | 1932 | Texas Tech won 12 of 13 from 1960 to 1966 and 19 straight from 1973 through 1981. |
| UCLA/Southern California | 143-113 | 1928 | UCLA's only two defeats in a 38-game stretch from 1964 through 1979 were back-to-back setbacks by a total of three points. USC won 42 in a row from 1932 to 1943, including nine consecutive seasons when the Trojans pulled off 4-0 sweeps. |
| Virginia/Virginia Tech | 95-57 | 1915 | Virginia won 10 of first 11, 15 of 17 from 1931 through 1941 and nine straight from 1978 to 1984. The Hokies twice won nine straight (from 1948 to 1952 and 1959 through 1965). UVA is 40-13 in Charlottesville. |
| Washington/Washington State | 186-107 | 1910 | UW won first seven meetings in the third-most frequently played series in Division I, all-time high 17 straight from 1923 to 1930, 14 of 16 from 1932 to 1936, 28 of 32 from 1952 through 1963, eight straight from 1971 to 1975 and eight straight from 1983 to 1987. WSU won 17 of 26 from 1945 to 1951 and seven in a row from 2006 through 2008. |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 3 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map before 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 3 in football at the professional level (especially for San Francisco 49ers in playoff games following 1970, 1981, 1997 and 1998 seasons):
JANUARY 3
Philadelphia Eagles WR Harold Carmichael (starter two seasons for Southern LA averaged 9.8 ppg and 10.6 rpg in 1969-70) had a playoff-career high seven pass receptions in 31-16 divisional-round win against the Minnesota Vikings in 1981.
Baltimore Colts CB Jim Duncan (UMES hooper) returned four kickoffs for 105 yards (26.3 average) in a 27-17 AFC Conference playoff win against the Oakland Raiders following 1970 season.
TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) opened the Arizona Cardinals' scoring by catching a touchdown pass in 27-16 wild-card playoff setback against the Carolina Panthers following 2014 season.
San Diego Chargers TE Antonio Gates (second-team All-MAC selection in 2002 when Kent State finished runner-up in South Regional) had eight pass receptions in a 23-17 wild-card playoff win in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts following 2008 season.
Minnesota Vikings TE Andrew Glover (All-SWAC second-team selection as senior in 1990-91 when leading Grambling with 16.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg while pacing league in field-goal shooting) had three pass receptions for 84 yards in a 38-22 NFC divisional playoff setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 1997 season. 49ers RB Terry Kirby (averaged 3.4 ppg as Virginia freshman in 1989-90 and 2.1 as sophomore in 1990-91) rushed for two touchdowns on goal-line plunges.
TE Demetrius Harris (led Milwaukee in FG% and rebounding as senior in 2012-13) contributed the Kansas City Chiefs' final score with a 15-yard touchdown reception from Alex Smith in 23-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in 2015 season finale.
Baltimore Ravens TE Todd Heap (grabbed 14 rebounds in 11 games for Arizona State in 1999-00) caught a 35-yard touchdown pass in 20-17 wild-card playoff setback against the Tennessee Titans following 2003 season.
St. Louis Rams WR Jordan Kent (part-time starter for Oregon under his father while averaging 3.1 ppg and 3.3 rpg from 2003-04 through 2005-06) had his lone NFL pass reception (five yards against San Francisco 49ers in 2009 regular-season finale).
San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (USC hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions - returning one 20 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown - in 38-24 NFC divisional playoff win against the New York Giants following 1981 season.
San Francisco 49ers WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) caught a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young in 30-27 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Green Bay Packers following 1998 season.
Carolina Panthers DE Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) returned an interception 34 yards in 29-10 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Dallas Cowboys following 2003 season.
San Francisco 49ers TE Bob Windsor (played two games for Kentucky in 1965-66 under coach Adolph Rupp) caught three passes for 70 yards in a 17-10 NFC championship game setback against the Dallas Cowboys following 1970 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 2 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map amid 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 2 in football at the professional level (especially early in 2005 at end of 2004 season):
JANUARY 2
Miami Dolphins WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) caught four passes for 146 yards in a 30-23 setback against the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 season finale early in 2005. Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) had two sacks and forced two fumbles.
Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) caught 14 passes for 144 yards in a 24-17 setback against the San Diego Chargers in 2004 season finale early in 2005.
Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese (sophomore guard for Purdue in 1964-65) opened game's scoring by throwing a 75-yard touchdown pass to Paul Warfield in 21-0 AFC championship playoff win against the Baltimore Colts following 1971 season.
Kansas City Chiefs rookie WR Tony Hargain (averaged 2.3 ppg for Oregon from 1986-87 through 1988-89 under coach Don Monson) caught two passes for 46 yards in a 17-0 setback against the San Diego Chargers in AFC wild-card game following 1992 season.
Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) rushed for a 13-yard touchdown in 23-12 NFL championship game win against the Cleveland Browns following 1965 season.
Philadelphia Eagles rookie QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw three touchdown passes in a 38-31 win against the St. Louis Rams in 1999 season finale early in 2000.
Washington Redskins TE Robert Royal (collected 10 points and six rebounds in five LSU basketball games in 2000-01) caught a touchdown pass in his third consecutive contest in 2004 regular-season finale early in 2005.
Miami Dolphins WR Lamar Thomas (collected 16 points and 4 rebounds in four games for Miami FL in 1990-91) caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Dan Marino in the fourth quarter to provide the difference in 24-17 wild-card playoff win against the Buffalo Bills following 1998 season early in 1999.
New York Jets DE Marvin Washington (played in 1985 NCAA Tournament with UTEP under coach Don Haskins before averaging 2.9 ppg and 5.7 rpg for Idaho under Tim Floyd in 1987-88) had career-high 2 1/2 sacks in a 24-0 setback against the Houston Oilers at end of 1993 regular season.
Dallas Cowboys P Ron Widby (three-time All-SEC selection averaged 18.1 ppg and 8.4 rpg for Tennessee from 1964-65 through 1966-67) punted six times for 270 yards (45.0 average) in a 14-3 NFC championship game win against the San Francisco 49ers following 1971 season early in 1972.
Happy Birthday! January Celebration Dates for A-As and Hall of Fame Coaches
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. All-Americans Bill Closs (Rice) and George Munroe (Dartmouth) both were born 100 years ago this month. Kenny Sailors, who passed away five years before celebrating his 100th birthday this month last year, is one of three former Wyoming A-As born in January. Following are 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
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 1 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map 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 the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 1 in football at the professional level (especially in NFL and AFL championship contests following 1966 campaign):
JANUARY 1
Houston Oilers TE John Carson (Georgia hoops letterman in 1952 and 1953) had a 13-yard pass reception in 24-16 win against the Los Angeles Chargers in AFL championship contest following 1960 season. Oilers rookie WR Bill Groman (led Heidelberg OH in scoring average as sophomore and junior while averaging 14.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg from 1954-55 through 1957-58) caught a touchdown pass from George Blanda.
Kansas City Chiefs QB Len Dawson (Purdue hooper in 1956-57) threw two 29-yard first-half touchdown passes in a 31-7 win against the Buffalo Bills in AFL championship game following 1966 season on first day of 1967. FL Otis Taylor (backup small forward for Prairie View A&M) provided the go-ahead TD catch from Dawson. FL Elbert Dubenion (solid rebounder and defensive player for Bluffton OH in late 1950s) scored the Bills' only TD with a 69-yard pass from Jack Kemp.
Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) had a 37-yard touchdown reception in 44-6 win against the Los Angeles Rams in 2016 season finale.
Dallas Cowboys E Pete Gent (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection averaged 17.4 ppg and 8.3 rpg in leading Michigan State in scoring each season from 1961-62 through 1963-64) caught three passes for 28 yards in a 34-27 NFL championship game setback against the Green Bay Packers following 1966 season. Packers WR Bob Long (Wichita State hooper in 1960-61 and 1961-62 under coach Ralph Miller) had a nine-yard pass reception.
San Francisco 49ers DB Ronnie Lott (Southern California hooper as junior in 1979-80) had two interceptions in a 34-9 divisional playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings following 1988 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR Antwaan Randle El (member of Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team) had 81-yard punt return for a touchdown in 35-21 win against the Detroit Lions in 2005 regular-season finale on first day of 2006.
Baltimore Ravens LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) scored a touchdown on fumble recovery return in 20-16 setback against the Cleveland Browns in 2005 regular-season finale on first day of 2006.
On This Date: January Calendar For Notable Games in NCAA Hoops History
Louisiana State's Pete Maravich, the NCAA's career scoring leader, still holds the all-time single-game scoring mark by an individual opponent against eight universities (Alabama, Auburn, Duquesne, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tulane and Vanderbilt). Do you know who holds the record for highest output against the Tigers? Standard was achieved during month of January by Ole Miss' Johnny Neumann, who fired in a school-record 63 points at LSU the season after Maravich's eligibility expired.
This month also features UCLA's single-game rebounding record, a mark not established by either of celebrated centers Lew Alcindor or Bill Walton. Speaking of rebounding, existing single-game standards against a Division I opponent for Lamar and Oral Roberts were set in the same contest in 1972 and USC's single-game mark against a DI foe came from two different players on the same day 22 years apart. In one of the most dominating performances of 20th Century, Rick Barry set Miami FL scoring and rebounding records in the same game. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in January college basketball history:
JANUARY
1 - Hank Luisetti (50 points vs. Duquesne at Cleveland in 1938) set Stanford's single-game scoring record. . . . Seton Hall's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by William & Mary (57-55 in 1954). . . . Penn opposed Yale in 1927 in debut game at the legendary Palestra in Philadelphia. . . . Bailey Howell (34 vs. Louisiana State in 1957) set Mississippi State's single-game rebounding record.
2 - Chris Collier (49 points vs. Butler in 1991) set Georgia State's single-game scoring record. Collier's output is also an all-time high by an Atlantic Sun Conference player. . . . Mississippi State's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Auburn (64-48 in 1960). . . . Morehead State's Steve Hamilton (38 vs. Florida State in 1957) and Murray State's Dick Cunningham (36 vs. MacMurray IL in 1967) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Eventual MLB INF Jack Kubiszyn scored a career-high 47 points for Alabama in a game against Mississippi College in 1957.
3 - Markus Howard (52 points at Providence in 2018) set Marquette's single-game scoring record and tied Big East Conference contest standard. . . . Daishon Smith (42 vs. Little Rock in 2019) set Louisiana-Monroe's single-game scoring standard at NCAA Division I level. . . . Wake Forest snapped North Carolina State's school-record 36-game winning streak (83-78 in 1975). . . . Brigham Young's school-record 53-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wake Forest (94-87 in 2009). . . . Pacific Coast Conference cellar dweller Oregon upset NCAA Tournament champion-to-be California in 1959. . . . DePaul's Ken Warzynski (28 vs. Harvard in 1970), Long Beach State's Michael Zeno (22 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1983) and Wisconsin's Paul Morrow (30 vs. Purdue in 1953) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
4 - Ball State's Chris Williams (48 points at Akron in overtime in 2003), Lamar's Mike James (52 vs. Louisiana College in 2011), Loyola Marymount's Bo Kimble (54 at St. Joseph's in 1990) and Texas-El Paso's Jim Barnes (51 vs. Western New Mexico in 1964) set school single-game scoring records. Kimble won game in Philly hometown with running three-pointer after crossing half-court on dribble along left sideline. . . . In 2003, Butler's Darnell Archey established an NCAA Division I standard by converting his 74th of 85 consecutive free throws. . . . Illinois' school-record 31-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Iowa (60-59 in 1986). . . . Delaware's Jack Waddington (31 vs. Rutgers in 1956), Middle Tennessee State's Mike Milholland (32 vs. Austin Peay State in 1965), Nebraska's Bill Johnson (26 vs. Iowa State in 1954), Nevada's Pete Padgett (30 vs. Loyola Marymount in 1973) and Valparaiso's Chris Ensminger (24 vs. Northeastern Illinois in 1996) set school single-game rebounding records.
5 - Eastern Washington's Rodney Stuckey (45 points at Northern Arizona in 2006), Fairfield's Curtis Cobb (46 at Manhattan in 2017), Michigan State's Terry Furlow (50 vs. Iowa in 1976) and West Virginia's Hot Rod Hundley (54 vs. Furman in 1957) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Stephen F. Austin State's Scott Dimak (40 at Texas Southern in 1989) set school single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . In 1991, Loyola Marymount's 186-point output is the highest in NCAA history by a team in a single game and Kevin Bradshaw's 72-point outburst for U.S. International CA is the most ever for a player against a major-college opponent. . . . Fairfield's Darren Phillip (25 vs. Marist in 2000), Texas-San Antonio's Lennell Moore (25 vs. Centenary in 1987) and Tulane's Mel Payton (31 vs. Mississippi State in 1951) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . Sacramento State's NCAA-record 56-game losing streak away from home (road and neutral sites) ended with a 68-56 success at Loyola of Chicago in 1995.
6 - Drexel's John Rankin (44 points vs. Rider in 1988), Pepperdine's William "Bird" Averitt (57 vs. Nevada-Reno in 1973) and Xavier's Steve Thomas (50 vs. Detroit in 1964) set school single-game scoring records. Averitt's output is also a West Coast Conference record in league competition. . . . Ernie Losch (41 vs. Utah State in 1973) tied Tulane's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Bob Mortell (24 vs. Virginia Military in 1960) set Virginia's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
7 - UC Riverside's Rickey Porter (40 points at Pacific in 2006), Michigan's Rudy Tomjanovich (48 vs. Indiana in overtime in 1969) and Southwest Texas State's Lynwood Wade (42 vs. Sam Houston State in double overtime in 1993) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . North Carolina hit an NCAA-record 94.1% of its second-half field-goal attempts (16-of-17 vs. Virginia in 1978). . . . Niagara's Gary Bossert set an NCAA single-game record by hitting 11 consecutive three-point field-goal attempts against Siena in 1987. . . . Long Beach State ended UNLV's Big West Conference-record 40-game winning streak (101-94 in 1993), Pacific's school-record 45-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Long Beach State (91-85 in 1973), Tennessee's school-record 37-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Gonzaga (89-79 in overtime) and UNLV's school-record 72-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by New Mexico (102-98 in 1978). . . . Alex "Boo" Ellis (31 vs. Kent State in 1957) set Niagara's single-game rebounding record.
8 - Eddie House (61 points at California in double overtime in 2000) set Arizona State's single-game scoring record and tied Pac-12 Conference standard. . . . Michael Hicks (47 at Cal Poly in overtime in 2001) set Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's single-game scoring mark. . . . Isiaih Mosley (43 vs. Northern Iowa in 2022) set Missouri State's single-game scoring standard at NCAA Division I level. . . . Georgia Tech snapped Kentucky's NCAA-record 129-game homecourt winning streak and SEC-record 51-game winning streak in 1955. . . . Nelson Richardson (26 vs. Manhattan in 1977) set Siena's single-game rebounding record.
9 - Cincinnati sophomore Oscar Robertson (56 points) personally outscored Seton Hall in a 118-54 rout of the Pirates at Madison Square Garden in 1958. . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Mississippi State in 1956), Texas-Arlington's Albert Culton (24 vs. Northeastern in 1981), Villanova's Howard Porter (30 vs. St. Peter's in 1971) and Virginia Tech's Chris Smith (36 vs. Washington & Lee VA in 1959) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
10 - Connecticut's Bill Corley (51 points vs. New Hampshire in 1968), Massachusetts' Luwane Pipkins (44 vs. La Salle in 2018), John Conforti of St. Francis NY (45 vs. Wagner in 1970), Washington's Bob Houbregs (49 vs. Idaho in 1953) and Winthrop's Melvin Branham (45 at Charleston Southern in 1994) set school single-game scoring records. Pipkins played for Providence two seasons later. . . . Alec Peters (39 at Detroit in 2016) tied Valparaiso's single-game scoring standard at NCAA Division I level. . . . Navy's David Robinson (45 at James Madison in 1987) set CAA scoring record in league competition. . . . Saint Joseph's and Xavier combined to have an NCAA-record eight players foul out in 1976. . . . Connecticut's school-record 31-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Marquette (73-69 in 2007) and Western Kentucky's school-record 67-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Xavier (82-80 in overtime in 1955). . . . Ed Diddle made his Western Kentucky head coaching debut in 1923 with a 103-7 decision over the Adairville Independents en route to a school-record 759 victories. . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 500 victories the fastest with a 92-59 win over DePaul in 1955 (584 games in 23rd season). . . . Louisiana-Lafayette's Roy Ebron (28 vs. Northwestern State in 1972) and Vanderbilt's Clyde Lee (28 vs. Mississippi in 1966) set school single-game rebounding records.
11 - Don Scaife (43 points at Samford in 1975) set Arkansas State's Division I single-game scoring record. . . . Texas Tech's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Colorado (80-78 in 1997). . . . Alcorn State's Larry Smith (21 vs. Mississippi Valley State in 1979), UC Santa Barbara's Eric McArthur (28 vs. New Mexico State in 1990) and Dartmouth's Rudy LaRusso (32 vs. Columbia in 1958) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . Bill Clark (23 vs. Oakland in 1973) set Ball State's single-game rebounding record at DI level.
12 - Bucknell's Al Leslie (45 points vs. American in 1980) set the East Coast Conference single-game scoring record. . . . Mike Olliver (50 at Portland State in 1980) set Lamar's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . Iowa State's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Oklahoma State (69-66 in 2002) and Michigan State's school-record 53-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wisconsin (64-63 in 2002). . . . Marshall's Charlie Slack (43 vs. Morris Harvey WV in 1954), Monmouth's Karl Towns (23 vs. Morgan State in 1985) and Robert Morris' Mike Morton (20 vs. Baltimore in 1980) set school single-game rebounding records.
13 - Boise State's Chandler Hutchison (44 points vs. San Diego State in 2018), Bowling Green's Jim Darrow (52 vs. Toledo in overtime in 1960), Cal Poly's Shanta Cotright (43 vs. George Mason in 1996), Charleston Southern's Dwyane Jackson (43 at Virginia Military in 2007), Kentucky's Jodie Meeks (54 at Tennessee in 2009), Sacramento State's Loren Leath (41 at Northern Colorado in 2009), Southeastern Louisiana's Sam Bowie (39 at Central Florida in 1996), Southeast Missouri State's Daimon Gonner (37 at Tennessee State in double overtime in 2005) and UAB's Andy Kennedy (41 vs. Saint Louis in 1991/subsequently tied) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Leath did his damage coming off the bench. . . . Oklahoma ended Kansas' NCAA-record 35-game winning streak on the road (45-19 in 1928). . . . Marquette's school-record 81-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Notre Dame (71-69 in 1973). . . . Doug Hess (27 vs. Marshall in 1971) tied Toledo's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
14 - Loyola MD's Andre Walker (43 points vs. Lafayette in 2018), Sacred Heart's Quincy McKnight (44 at Bryant in 3OT in 2017), SIU-Edwardsville's Burak Eslik (40 vs. Morehead State in overtime in 2016), Syracuse's Bill Smith (47 vs. Lafayette in 1971) and Virginia Commonwealth's Chris Cheeks (42 vs. Old Dominion in overtime in 1989) set school Division I single-game scoring records. McKnight subsequently transferred to Seton Hall. . . . Damon Stoudamire (45 at Stanford in 1995) set Arizona's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent.
15 - Coppin State's school-record 42-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by North Carolina A&T (76-70 in 1997), Murray State's school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Southeast Missouri State (84-78 in 2000) and Virginia's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by North Carolina (101-95 in 1983). . . . Texas-Pan American ended its NCAA-record 64-game road losing streak with a 79-62 triumph at Oral Roberts in 2000. . . . Bob Reiter (27 vs. Kansas State in 1955) set Missouri's single-game rebounding record. . . . . Bob Lazor (23 vs. Penn State in 1955) set Pittsburgh's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
16 - Columbia's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Penn (66-64 in 1952).
17 - New Mexico State's John Williamson (48 points at California in 1972) and UNC Wilmington's Brian Rowsom (39 at East Carolina in 1987) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Virginia Military's school-record 35-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Appalachian State (73-58 in 1979). . . . Steve Stiepler (22 vs. Charleston Southern in 1977) set James Madison's single-game rebounding record.
18 - A weekly ritual began when the Associated Press announced results of its first weekly basketball poll in 1949 (SLU was initial #1). . . . CJ Carter (45 points vs. IUPUI in 2015) set Omaha's single-game scoring record against NCAA DI opponent. . . . Indiana State's Jim Cruse (25 vs. Drake in 1997) and North Texas' Ken Williams (29 vs. Lamar in 1978) set school single-game rebounding records.
19 - UC Davis' Corey Hawkins (40 points at Hawaii in 2013), Charleston Southern's Ben Hinson (43 vs. Edward Waters FL in 1985/subsequently tied) and New Hampshire's Brad Cirino (39 at Maine in four overtimes in 1996/subsequently tied) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Jim Ashmore (45 vs. Mississippi in 1957) set Mississippi State's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Notre Dame came from behind in the closing minutes to end visiting UCLA's NCAA-record 88-game winning streak in 1974. . . . George Mason's Andre Smith set an NCAA single-game record by sinking all 10 of his shots from beyond the three-point arc against James Madison in 2008. . . . Ron deVries (24 vs. Pacific in 1974) set Illinois State's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Chris Street, Iowa's top rebounder with 9.5 per game, died instantly in 1993 in a collision between the car he was driving and a county dumptruck/snowplow.
20 - Austin Peay's James "Fly" Williams (51 points vs. Tennessee Tech in 1973), Fordham's Ken Charles (46 vs. St. Peter's in 1973/tied mark established two seasons earlier), Memphis State's Larry Finch (48 vs. St. Joseph's IN in 1973) and Oklahoma City's Gary Gray (55 at West Texas State in 1967) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Houston ended UCLA's 47-game winning streak (71-69 in Astrodome in 1968), Minnesota's school-record 40-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Nebraska (22-21 in 1905) and West Virginia's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by St. Bonaventure (64-63 in 1983). . . . Visiting Texas-El Paso snapped Memphis' NCAA-record 52-game winning streak in regular-season conference competition (C-USA/72-67 in 2010). . . . Cliff Robinson (28 vs. Portland State in 1978) and David Bluthenthal (28 vs. Arizona State in 2000) set and tied Southern California's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
21 - Howard's Ron Williamson (52 points vs. North Carolina A&T in 2003) and Saint Joseph's Jack Egan (47 at Gettysburg PA in 1961/subsequently tied) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Adrian Oliver (39 vs. Louisiana Tech in 210) set San Jose State's single-game scoring standard against a Division I opponent. . . . Kansas' school-record 69-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Texas (74-63 in 2011) and DePaul's school-record 36-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Dayton (67-63 in 1985). . . . Terry Rutherford (21 vs. Marshall in 1978) set Western Carolina's single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent.
22 - Lee Campbell (20 vs. Cleveland State in 1990) tied his own Missouri State single-game rebounding record against a Division I opponent.
23 - Eastern Illinois' Jay Taylor (47 points vs. Chicago State in 1989), Middle Tennessee State's Mike Milholland (44 vs. Austin Peay in 1965), Nicholls State's Anatoly Bose (46 at Northwestern State in double overtime in 2010), South Florida's Dominique Jones (46 at Providence in overtime in 2010) and Tennessee State's Anthony Mason (44 at Eastern Kentucky in 1988) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Jacksonville's James Ray (45 vs. South Florida in 1980) set Sun Belt Conference single-game scoring record in league competition. . . . Northeastern's Steve Carney (23 vs. Hartford in 1988) and Ohio University's Howard Joliff (28 vs. Kent State in 1960) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . Creighton's Paul Silas (36 vs. Marquette in 1964) became the only player in NCAA DI history to twice grab more than 35 rebounds in a single game. He previously had 38 caroms vs. Centenary on 2-19-62.
24 - Appalachian State's Stan Davis (56 points at Carson-Newman TN in 1974), Chattanooga's Oliver Morton (50 vs. Pikeville KY in 2001), Loyola of New Orleans' Ty Marioneaux (53 vs. Virginia Commonwealth in 1970), North Carolina Central's Connell "C.J." Wilkerson (41 at North Carolina A&T in overtime in 2011), Oakland's Travis Bader (47 vs. IUPUI in 2013) and Texas-Arlington's Steven Barber (43 at Texas-San Antonio in 2002) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . San Diego State's Ben Wardrop set an NCAA record for shortest playing time before disqualification by fouling out in only 1:11 at Colorado State in 2004. . . . Notre Dame's school-record 45-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Connecticut (69-61 in 2009).
25 - Southern's Avery Johnson tied an NCAA single-game record against DI opponent with 22 assists against Texas Southern in 1988. . . . Brigham Young's school-record 44-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Utah (79-75 in 2003). . . . East Carolina's Erroyl Bing (24 vs. South Florida in 2003), Kansas State's David Hall (27 vs. Oklahoma in 1971), Lamar's Steve Wade (27 vs. Oral Roberts in 1972), Oral Roberts' Eddie Woods (30 vs. Lamar in 1972) and Seton Hall's Nick Werkman (32 vs. Boston College in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . The final 36 seconds of Ohio State's 50-44 win at Minnesota in 1972 were not played after a melee ensued following a flagrant foul on Buckeyes center Luke Witte as he attempted a layup. The Gophers, despite a pair of remainder-of-season suspensions, went on to capture the Big Ten Conference championship while OSU finished runner-up.
26 - Gonzaga's Frank Burgess (52 points vs. UC Davis in 1961) and Youngstown State's Tilman Bevely (55 vs. Tennessee Tech in 1987) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Bevely's output also tied Ohio Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Arizona and Northern Arizona combined for an NCAA-record 130 free-throw attempts in a 1953 contest. . . . Herb Neff (36 vs. Georgia Tech in 1952) set Tennessee's single-game rebounding record.
27 - Georgia Southern's Johnny Mills (44 points vs. Samford in 1973), Indiana's Jimmy Rayl (56 vs. Minnesota in 1962/subsequently tied by him), James Madison's Steve Stiepler (51 vs. Robert Morris in 1979), UNC Greensboro's Trevis Simpson (41 vs. Chattanooga in 2013) and West Texas State's Simmie Hill (42 at Texas Western in 1968) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Visiting New Mexico State overcame a 28-0 deficit to defeat Bradley in 1977. . . . Big Ten Conference perennial cellar dweller Northwestern upset Magic Johnson and NCAA Tournament champion-to-be Michigan State by 18 points in 1979 and Big Eight Conference sixth-place finisher Nebraska upset Danny Manning and NCAA playoff champion-to-be Kansas in 1988. . . . Centenary's Robert Parish (33 vs. Southern Mississippi in 1973) and Florida's Neal Walk (31 vs. Alabama in 1968) set school single-game rebounding records.
28 - Syracuse's Sherman Douglas tied an NCAA single-game record with 22 assists against Providence in 1989. . . . Jim Loscutoff of Oregon (32 vs. Brigham Young in 1955), Maurice Stokes of Saint Francis PA (39 vs. John Carroll OH in 1955) and Willie Naulls of UCLA (28 vs. Arizona State in 1956) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Barney Cable (28 vs. Marquette in 1956) set Bradley's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent.
29 - Arkansas State's Jeff Clifton (43 points vs. Arkansas-Little Rock in 1994/tied mark), Jacksonville's Ernie Fleming (59 vs. St. Peter's in 1972), Seton Hall's Nick Werkman (52 vs. Scranton PA in 1964), USC Upstate's Deion Holmes (39 vs. Lipscomb in 2OT in 2018/tied), Utah Valley's Ryan Toolson (63 at Chicago State in quadruple overtime in 2009), Vermont's Eddie Benton (54 vs. Drexel in 1994) and Wagner's Terrance Bailey (49 vs. Brooklyn in triple overtime in 1986) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Benton's output is also an America East Conference record in league competition. . . . Big East Conference West Division cellar dweller Rutgers upset Carmelo Anthony and NCAA Tournament champion-to-be Syracuse in 2003. . . . Columbia's Jacob "Jack" Molinas (31 vs. Brown in 1953), North Carolina State's Ronnie Shavlik (35 vs. Villanova in 1955) and Penn State's Jesse Arnelle (27 vs. Temple in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records.
30 - Maryland-Eastern Shore's Tee Trotter (42 points at Howard in overtime in 2003), Mississippi's Johnny Neumann (63 at Louisiana State in 1971), New Orleans' Ledell Eackles (45 at Florida International in 1988), Seattle's Elgin Baylor (60 vs. Portland in 1958), Tennessee Tech's Kevin Murphy (50 vs. SIU-Edwardsville in 2012) and Western Kentucky's Clem Haskins (55 vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1965) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Haskins' output is also an Ohio Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Rick Barry (51 vs. Oklahoma City in 1965) set Miami's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . William & Mary ended West Virginia's Southern Conference-record 44-game winning streak in 1960. . . . UC Irvine's Kevin Magee (25 vs. Long Beach State in 1982), Miami's Rick Barry (29 vs. Oklahoma City in 1965) and Oklahoma State's Andy Hopson (27 vs. Missouri in 1973) set school single-game rebounding records.
31 - LSU's Pete Maravich, despite having 13 regular-season games remaining in 1970, passed Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (2,973 points from 1957-58 through 1959-60) with 4:43 left against Mississippi to become the NCAA's career scoring leader. . . . Gerhard "Jerry" Varn (51 points vs. Piedmont GA in 1953) set The Citadel's single-game scoring record. . . . Ty Greene (39 at North Florida in 2015) set USC Upstate's single-game scoring record at DI level. . . . Holy Cross' Jim McCaffrey (46 vs. Iona in 1985) set MAAC scoring record in league competition. . . . Loyola Marymount outgunned U.S. International CA (181-150 in 1989) in the highest-scoring game in major-college history. . . . Manhattan's Bruce Seals established an NCAA single-game record with 27 three-point field-goal attempts (making nine vs. Canisius in 2000). . . . Canisius' Darren Fenn (22 vs. Manhattan in 2000/tied), George Mason's Kenny Sanders (22 vs. American in 1989), Loyola Marymount's Hank Gathers (29 vs. U.S. International CA in 1989), Princeton's Carl Belz (29 vs. Rutgers in 1959) and St. Bonaventure's Bob Lanier (23 vs. Niagara in 1970/tied) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
Memorable Moments in December College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in November College Basketball History
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 31 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 31 in football at the professional level (especially in 1961 championship game):
DECEMBER 31
Green Bay Packers RB Paul Hornung (averaged 6.1 ppg in 10 contests for Notre Dame in 1954-55) opened game's scoring with a six-yard rushing touchdown in 37-0 playoff win against the New York Giants in 1961 NFL championship contest. Packers E Ron Kramer (three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection was Michigan's MVP each season and All-American as senior in 1956-57) had game highs of four pass receptions and 80 receiving yards - including two touchdowns from Bart Starr. Giants WR Del Shofner (Baylor hoops letterman in 1956) caught three passes for 41 yards.
Washington Redskins QB Billy Kilmer (UCLA hooper under legendary coach John Wooden in 1959-60) threw two touchdown passes in a 26-3 NFC championship game win against the Dallas Cowboys in 1972.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 21-3 NFC wild-card playoff win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2000.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle December 30 Gridiron
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as ill-informed GQ poster boy #ColonKrapernick and his supporters spurring politicized multiple anthems and NFL funding anti-cop activist groups, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoop selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on December 30 in football at the professional level (especially by players from Florida schools):
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.
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.
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