On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle February 7 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 player Jordan Norwood making a name for himself on February 7 in football at the professional level:
FEBRUARY 7
- Denver Broncos WR Jordan Norwood (collected one rebound and one assist in four basketball games for Penn State in 2006-07) returned a punt 61 yards in 24-10 win against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 following 2015 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle February 6 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 making a name for themselves on February 6 in football at the professional level (especially Philadelphia Eagles tandem of Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens in Super Bowl XXXIX following 2004 season):
FEBRUARY 6
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 setback against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX following 2004 season. Eagles WR Terrell Owens (UTC hooper from 1993-94 through 1995-96 started five games) had nine pass receptions for 122 yards. Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) had two interceptions and 10 solo tackles.
Atlanta Falcons WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) named NFL Pro Bowl MVP following the 1993 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle February 5 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 player Martellus Bennett making a name for himself on February 5 in football at the professional level:
FEBRUARY 5
- New England Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (averaged 1.9 ppg and 1.5 rpg as Texas A&M freshman in 2005-06 before playing next season under coach Billy Gillispie) caught five passes for 62 yards from Tom Brady in a 34-28 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl 51 following 2016 season.
Magnificent Seven: Premier College Cagers Who Wound Up in Super Bowl
They might not measure up in two-way athlete category to ex-MLB amateur draftees Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes II. But who are the premier four-year college hoopers to end up competing in the NFL's Super Bowl as players or coaches? There might not be someone in this category in Super Bowl LV, but the following Magnificent Seven include two small-school hoop sensations who became tight end teammates for multiple Buffalo Bills teams after powering their colleges to non-DI national championships and pair of North Carolina teammates who went from the Final Four to NFL title tilt:
| Rank | Versatile Athlete | Pos. | Super Bowl Team/Year(s) | Four-Year College Basketball Career Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ron Widby | P | Cowboys/V & VI | Three-time all-league selection scored 50 points for Tennessee vs. LSU as senior on his way to becoming SEC player of the year in 1966-67. |
| 2. | Cornell Green | DB | Cowboys/V & VI | Finished his three-year varsity career in 1962 as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. |
| 3. | Harry "Bud" Grant | Coach | Vikings/IV, VIII, IX & XI | Third-leading scorer for Minnesota in 1948-49 (8.5 ppg) after named team MVP previous season over first-team All-American Jim McIntyre. |
| 4. | Ronald Curry | WR | Raiders/XXXVII | Team leader in assists, including career-high 10 in ACC Tournament opener against Clemson, during 2000-01 when directing North Carolina to #1 ranking and 18-game winning streak. |
| 5. | Julius Peppers | DL | Panthers/XXXVIII | Member of North Carolina's 2000 Final Four squad started both NCAA Tournament games in 2001, including his first double-double (10 rebounds and career-high 21 points against Penn State). |
| 6. | Pete Metzelaars | TE | Bills/XXV through XXVIII | Set NCAA Division III FG shooting records for single season (75.3% in 1981-82 as senior) and career (72.4%). Led Wabash IN to 1982 DIII Tournament title, scoring tourney record 129 points in five games and earning tourney outstanding player honors. Scored DIII playoff-record 45 points in championship game against Potsdam State. |
| 7. | Keith McKeller | TE | Bills/XXV through XXVIII | Starting center for 1985 NCAA Division II champion Jacksonville State (Ala.). Led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of first three seasons and finished second as senior. Four-time all-league pick averaged 12.5 ppg and 10.1 rpg from 1982-83 through 1985-86. |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle February 4 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 player Tony Dungy making a name for himself on February 4 in football at the professional level:
FEBRUARY 4
Super Men: College Basketball's Impact on 55 Seasons of NFL's Super Bowl
College basketball fans shouldn't be assessed an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty if the NFL isn't their favorite sport, but they should rush to hold on because following is more super stuff to digest while blitzed by enough notes, quotes and anecdotes to have one seeking a sedative when assessing Super Bowl LV in Tampa between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
For what it's worth hoop-wise, did you know former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue was a 6-5 forward who averaged 11.4 points and nine rebounds per game for Georgetown in three varsity seasons from 1959-60 through 1961-62? He led the Hoyas in rebounding as a sophomore (8.9 rpg) and junior (8.2 rpg) and was their second-leading rebounder as a senior captain. Well-rounded trivia buffs should also know that Tagliabue's predecessor, Pete Rozelle, was the basketball publicist for 1949 NIT champion San Francisco before orchestrating events leading to the Super Bowl becoming a national phenomenon.
The Super Bowl's link to college basketball is much more extensive than these commissioners and had more impact than unveiling of new commercials plus halftime entertainers. Actually, there are a striking number of ex-college hoopers who participated in the Super Bowl as players. In fact, the inaugural Super Bowl in 1967 featured seven former four-year college varsity basketball players for schools currently classified at the NCAA Division I level: Bobby Bell, Buck Buchanan, Reg Carolan, Len Dawson, Dave Robinson, Otis Taylor and Fuzzy Thurston. Bell (Minnesota), Buchanan (Grambling), Dawson (Purdue), Taylor (Prairie View A&M) and Mickey McCarty (Texas Christian) were on the Chiefs' roster 50 years ago when they won Super Bowl IV.
Kneeling in deference to the 55th anniversary of the Super Bowl, following are 55 questions tackling versatile players such as Bell, Buchanan, Carolan, Dawson, Peppers, Taylor and Thurston in this distinctive two-way athlete category that should surprise you with some of the marquee names. If you get them all correct before peeking at answers at the end of this gridiron quiz, then you boast inflated brainpower sufficiently omnipotent to know in advance what will transpire at halftime and which new expensive commercials offer the most entertainment.
1. Name the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Cincinnati Bengals who appeared in Super Bowl XVI following the 1981 season after finishing his career as the fifth-leading scorer in his college's history. The high school teammate of Kentucky All-American and All-Pro Dan Issel led Augustana (Ill.) in field-goal accuracy and free-throw shooting as a freshman and sophomore.
2. Name the linebacker who was one of only two first-year players on the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team in 1972 and was still with the franchise the next season when the Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl champions for a 32-2 two-year mark, the best ever in the NFL. He played briefly for Louisville's varsity basketball squad before Cardinals football coach Lee Corso persuaded him to concentrate on the gridiron.
3. Name the nine-time All-Pro linebacker who was with the Kansas City Chiefs for their Super Bowl IV winner after becoming the first African American to play basketball for Minnesota when he appeared in three games in the 1960-61 season.
4. Name the tight end who caught five passes for 62 yards from Tom Brady in the New England Patriots' come-from-behind 34-28 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI after former Pro Bowl selection competed in 2006 NCAA basketball playoffs with Texas A&M.
5. Name the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end who appeared in Super Bowl III with the Baltimore Colts vs. the New York Jets after becoming a first-team selection as a basketball center for South Dakota in the All-North Central Conference when he averaged 7.8 points per game in 1952-53 and 11 points in 1953-54.
6. Name the first black starting quarterback in the NFL who was later converted to wide receiver and caught two passes to help the undefeated Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota in Super Bowl VIII after averaging 9.5 ppg and 3.6 rpg in 14 basketball games for Nebraska-Omaha in 1964-65.
7. Name the DT who had a streak of eight consecutive campaigns named to either the AFL All-Star Team or NFL Pro Bowl while appearing in a couple of Super Bowls. He concentrated solely on football under legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson after earning basketball letter as freshman in 1958-59.
8. Name the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who caught five passes for 83 yards in Super Bowl XV for the Philadelphia Eagles after he was the top rebounder for two seasons with Southern (La.). He established an NFL record for most consecutive games with a pass reception (127).
9. Name the 1963 Pro Bowl selection who participated in Super Bowl I as a defensive end with the Kansas City Chiefs after the 6-6, 235-pounder played three varsity seasons with Idaho's basketball team, averaging four points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
10. Name the 1994 first-round draft choice who was a defensive end on the Dallas Cowboys' last Super Bowl team after playing nine games during the 1992-93 season for Arizona State's hoop squad decimated with injuries.
11. Name the Pro Bowl selection who appeared in Super Bowl XXXI with the New England Patriots after the 6-5, 245-pounder played basketball one season for Livingstone (N.C.). He held the NFL single-season record for most receptions by a tight end with 96 in 1994.
12. Name the four-year starter who set school career records for total offense, passing yards and rushing yards by a quarterback plus rushing touchdowns by a QB. Most Outstanding Player in the 2002 Peach Bowl as a quarterback was activated for Super Bowl XXXVII as a rookie with the Oakland Raiders before succeeding all-time great Tim Brown as a starting wide receiver. He was North Carolina's leader in assists during 2000-01 when he directed the Tar Heels to a basketball No. 1 ranking and an 18-game winning streak.
13. Name the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs who was MVP in Super Bowl IV after playing in two basketball games as a 6-0, 180-pound guard for Purdue in the 1956-57 campaign.
14. Name the defensive left end on Miami's undefeated team in 1972 who played in four Super Bowls with the Dolphins after the 6-6, 220-pound basketball center finished his four-season career at Central College as the Pella, Iowa-based school's all-time leading scorer (15.5 ppg) and rebounder (12.4 rpg). He grabbed a school-record 29 rebounds in a game his senior season (1970-71).
15. Name the Hall of Fame tight end who played in two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys, catching a TD pass to cap the scoring in Super Bowl VI, before coaching the Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears following the 1985 season after the 6-2, 205-pound forward averaged 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in two seasons with the Pittsburgh Panthers.
16. Name the defensive back for the Baltimore Colts' Super Bowl V champion who led the NFL in kickoff return average (35.4) in 1970 after playing basketball for Maryland-Eastern Shore.
17. Name the prominent ex-NFL coach who was a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers' Super Bowl XIII champion after averaging 2.6 ppg in 16 basketball contests with the Minnesota Gophers in 1973-74 under coach Bill Musselman.
18. Name the starting middle linebacker for a team in two of three Super Bowls in one stretch who started two games at point guard for St. Francis (Pa.) as a freshman in 1993-94 when he averaged three points per game. After transferring back home to Cleveland, the 5-10 dynamo collected 109 points and 52 rebounds in 27 games for John Carroll before quitting basketball midway through the 1995-96 campaign to concentrate on football.
19. Name the Super Bowl X tight end for the Dallas Cowboys after leading Amherst (Mass.) in scoring and rebounding in 1970-71.
20. Name the five-time Pro Bowl defensive back with the Dallas Cowboys who played in two Super Bowls after finishing his three-year varsity career as Utah State's all-time leading scorer and rebounder. The 6-4 forward scored 46 points in a game against New Mexico en route to leading the Aggies in scoring with 21.2 points per game in 1959-60 (34th in the nation), 20.3 in 1960-61 (57th) and 25.6 in 1961-62 (13th).
21. Name the Hall of Fame quarterback who played in three Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins after he was a 6-1, 185-pound sophomore guard in 1964-65 when scoring 22 points in 16 games in his only varsity basketball season for Purdue.
22. Name the 12-year veteran safety who played in Super Bowl IV with the Minnesota Vikings after averaging four points and 3.5 rebounds per game in 10 contests for Wisconsin's basketball team in 1958-59.
23. Name the wide receiver who caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Roger Staubach for the Dallas Cowboys' final touchdown in a 21-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X after he averaged 12.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game in three varsity seasons (1972-73 through 1974-75) for Austin Peay. It was the only pass reception in his NFL career. The 6-4, 215-pound forward averaged seven points and seven rebounds per game in four NCAA Tournament contests in 1973 and 1974 as a teammate of folk hero James "Fly" Williams.
24. Name the third-round draft choice of the Miami Dolphins in 1998 who backed up MVP Ray Lewis as a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV after being a member of Cincinnati's basketball team for the first month of 1997-98 campaign.
25. Name the three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman who appeared in three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys after the 6-8, 230-pound backup post player averaged 1.7 points and 2.6 rebounds for Tennessee State in his freshman and sophomore seasons (1969-70 and 1970-71).
26. Name the Baltimore Ravens wide receiver who caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco and opened the second half with a 108-yard kickoff return for a TD in a 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII after the Southeastern Louisiana track transfer was a part-time hoop starter for Lane (Tenn.), averaging 3.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
27. Name the 16-year quarterback who started Super Bowl VII for the Washington Redskins after scoring eight points in six games for coach John Wooden's 1959-60 UCLA basketball team.
28. Name the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who participated in Super Bowl XVII with the Washington Redskins after the 6-4, 190-pound forward averaged 13.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for San Diego State in 1969-70 and 1970-71. He was the Aztecs' second-leading scorer (15.2 ppg) and rebounder (7.6 rpg) as a junior.
29. Name the 10-time Pro Bowl defensive back who competed in four Super Bowls after collecting nine assists, four points and three rebounds in six games for Southern California's basketball squad as a junior in 1979-80.
30. Name the 11-year defensive lineman who played in Super Bowl XIII for the Minnesota Vikings after averaging 12.3 ppg with Michigan Tech in 1962-63.
31. Name the Minnesota Vikings defensive back who let former Prairie View basketball player Otis Taylor (Kansas City Chiefs) elude him for a long touchdown in Super Bowl IV after being a basketball teammate of Utah State legend Wayne Estes in 1964-65.
32. Name the NFL Hall of Fame tight end who caught a 75-yard touchdown pass from Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas in Super Bowl V after collecting 28 points and 28 rebounds in six basketball games with Syracuse in 1960-61.
33. Name the defensive end who scored six touchdowns in his 14-year NFL career and tackled John Elway of the Denver Broncos for a safety in the New York Giants' Super Bowl XXI victory following the 1986 season after the 6-5, 225-pound forward-center averaged just over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game for Oregon's freshman squad in 1971-72. He played briefly for the Ducks' varsity basketball team the next season.
34. Name the tight end who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills after he was the starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team. He led the Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished runner-up in that category as a senior.
35. Name the defensive lineman in Super Bowl XI for the Oakland Raiders who played basketball in the 1975 NAIA Tournament for Morningside (Iowa).
36. Name the quarterback who set an NFL record with 24 consecutive completions over a two-game span in 2004 before guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX the next year. He collected a career-high 10 points and six rebounds and made two clinching free throws with 2.7 seconds remaining in a 77-74 victory over Georgetown in 1997 before Syracuse appeared in the NIT. He scored two points in two 1996 NCAA Tournament games for the Orangemen's national runner-up.
37. Name the tight end who played in four Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills, catching a TD pass in Super Bowl XXVI, after the 6-8, 235-pound center for the basketball squad at Wabash (Ind.) averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg in four varsity seasons. He set NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for a single season (75.3% in 1981-82 as a senior) and career (72.4). He collected 45 points and 13 rebounds in the 1982 championship game, scoring a Division III Tournament record 129 points in five games and earning tourney outstanding player honors.
38. Name the Pro Bowl offensive tackle who appeared in three consecutive Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins after leading Lamar in rebounding as a senior with 12.6 per game in 1968-69.
39. Name the valuable addition to Super Bowl XXXIX-bound Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 who had nine pass receptions for 122 yards against the New England Patriots after setting an NFL single-game record with 20 receptions for the San Francisco 49ers against the Chicago Bears in 2000. He collected 57 points and 49 rebounds in 38 games (four starts) for UT-Chattanooga's basketball squad in three seasons from 1993-94 through 1995-96.
40. Name the 14-year running back who played in five Super Bowls, catching more passes (five) than anyone in Super Bowls X and XII, after the guard-forward averaged 8.7 points and 6 rebounds per game as a senior in 1966-67 to finish his three-year Illinois varsity career with 5.2 ppg and 3.6 rpg.
41. Name the 2002 NFL defensive rookie of the year for the Carolina Panthers who appeared in Super Bowl XXXVIII the next season after being a member of North Carolina's 2000 Final Four squad. He started both NCAA Tournament games for the Tar Heels in 2001, including his first double-double (10 rebounds and career-high 21 points against Penn State).
42. Name the wide receiver who made a two-point conversion on a run for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIV and threw a flea flicker touchdown pass in Super Bowl XX after collecting 16 points and 11 assists in 11 games for Indiana's 1999 NCAA Tournament team, including two points in each of the Hoosiers' playoff contests (against George Washington and St. John's).
43. Name the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who scored the first touchdown at Super Bowl XXXI for the Green Bay Packers after he was a 6-1, 185-pound backup guard in basketball for Michigan State in two seasons (1985-86 and 1987-88).
44. Name the Hall of Fame offensive tackle who participated in two Super Bowls (XI and XV) with the Oakland Raiders after he was a two-year basketball letterman as a 6-5, 265-pound center for Maryland State College (now called Maryland-Eastern Shore).
45. Name the Denver Broncos wide receiver who had a game-high 152 receiving yards (including 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway) in Super Bowl XXXIII after earning Missouri Southern State hoops letter as sophomore in 1990-91.
46. Name an offensive tackle for the Super Bowl XVII champion Washington Redskins after the strike-shortened 1982 campaign who averaged 2.9 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 50.5% from the floor with Columbia in 1968-69 and 1969-70.
47. Name the Hall of Fame quarterback who guided the Dallas Cowboys to four Super Bowls after averaging 9.3 points per game for the 1961-62 Navy plebe (freshman) basketball team. The 6-2, 190-pound forward scored five points in four games for the Midshipmen varsity squad the next season. He was MVP in Super Bowl VI.
48. Name the defensive back for the Baltimore Colts who appeared in two Super Bowls (III and V) after playing basketball for Maryland-Eastern Shore.
49. Name the wide receiver who played in two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, catching 10 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown, after he was a backup small forward in the Prairie View A&M era following the school's glory years with pro basketball standout Zelmo Beaty.
50. Name the linebacker who registered two sacks and five solo tackles in Super Bowl XLII when the New England Patriots lost against New York Giants for first defeat of season after he averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg as reserve forward for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
51. Name the Denver Broncos tight end who caught four passes from Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLVIII after being Portland State's second-leading rebounder in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
52. Name the offensive guard with the Green Bay Packers who participated in the first two Super Bowls after originally enrolling at Valparaiso on a basketball scholarship. He averaged 1.5 points per game in eight contests as a freshman with Valpo in 1951-52 before concentrating on football.
53. Name the Pro Bowl punter who appeared in two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys after averaging 14.5 points and 8.3 rebounds as a sophomore, 17.3 points and eight rebounds as a junior and 22.1 points and 8.7 rebounds as a senior for Tennessee. The 6-4, 210-pound forward scored 50 points against LSU as a senior on his way to becoming SEC player of the year in 1967.
54. Name the defensive end for the Denver Broncos' back-to-back Super Bowl champions (XXXII and XXXIII) who registered one steal while playing in one minute of one Big Eight Conference basketball game for Colorado in 1989-90.
55. Name the offensive tackle who was an NFL All-Pro six straight seasons in the 1970s and played in the Super Bowl five times that decade with the Dallas Cowboys after earning All-SIAC basketball recognition for Fort Valley State (Ga.).
ANSWERS TO 55 COLLEGE BASKETBALL-IMPACTING SUPER BOWL TRIVIA QUESTIONS
1. Ken Anderson; 2. Larry Ball; 3. Bobby Bell; 4. Martellus Bennett; 5. Ordell Braase; 6. Marlin Briscoe; 7. Junious "Buck" Buchanan; 8. Harold Carmichael; 9. Reg Carolan; 10. Shante Carver; 11. Ben Coates; 12. Ronald Curry; 13. Len Dawson; 14. Vern Den Herder; 15. Mike Ditka; 16. Jim Duncan; 17. Tony Dungy; 18. London Fletcher; 19. Jean Fugett; 20. Cornell Green; 21. Bob Griese; 22. Dale Hackbart; 23. Percy Howard; 24. Brad Jackson; 25. Ed "Too Tall" Jones; 26. Jacoby Jones; 27. Billy Kilmer; 28. Joe Lavender; 29. Ronnie Lott; 30. Bob Lurtsema; 31. Earsell Mackbee; 32. John Mackey; 33. George Martin; 34. Keith McKeller; 35. Herb McMath; 36. Donovan McNabb; 37. Pete Metzelaars; 38. Wayne Moore; 39. Terrell Owens; 40. Preston Pearson; 41. Julius Peppers; 42. Antwaan Randle El; 43. Andre Rison; 44. Art Shell; 45. Rod Smith; 46. George Starke; 47. Roger Staubach; 48. Charlie Stukes; 49. Otis Taylor; 50. Adalius Thomas; 51. Julius Thomas; 52. Fuzzy Thurston; 53. Ron Widby; 54. Alfred Williams; 55. Rayfield Wright.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle February 3 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 February 3 in football at the professional level (especially in Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season):
FEBRUARY 3
New York Giants rookie TE Kevin Boss (averaged 3 ppg and 2.7 rpg while shooting 51.9% from floor for Western Oregon in 2004-05 and 2005-06) caught a 45-yard pass from Eli Manning to fuel fourth-quarter touchdown drive in 17-14 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season. The Patriots incurred their first defeat of campaign despite SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) providing 11 solo tackles and LB Adalius Thomas (averaged 2.9 ppg and 1.9 rpg for Southern Mississippi in 1996-97 and 1997-98) supplying two sacks and five solo tackles.
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 56-yard touchdown pass from Joe Flacco and opened second half with 108-yard kickoff return for TD in 34-31 win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII following 2012 season.
St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had seven solo tackles in a 20-17 setback against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI following 2001 campaign.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle February 2 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads, 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-honor 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 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 player Julius Thomas making a name for himself on February 2 in football at the professional level:
FEBRUARY 2
- Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had four pass receptions in 24-13 setback against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLVIII following 2013 season.
On This Date: February Calendar for Great Games in NCAA Basketball History
The three most high-octane outbursts came against small-college competition as highest-scoring games in history by NCAA Division I players occurred in first half of month of February - Furman's Frank Selvy (100 points vs. Newberry SC in 1954), Villanova's Paul Arizin (85 vs. Philadelphia NAMC in 1949) and Portland State's Freeman Williams (81 vs. Rocky Mountain MT in 1978).
Louisiana State's Pete Maravich, the NCAA's career scoring leader who became first player in history to score more than 2,000 points in his first two seasons of eligibility this month along with providing the highest output in a power-conference game (69 at Alabama in SEC play in 1970), wasn't the only prolific point producer in the Pelican State from the guard position. In February 1972, Southwestern Louisiana junior Dwight "Bo" Lamar erupted for 51 points in each of back-to-back Southland Conference road games at Louisiana Tech and Lamar during USL's inaugural season at the major-college level before the school changed its name to Louisiana-Lafayette. For the record, Maravich twice tallied more than 50 in back-to-back SEC contests away from home (end of junior campaign and midway through senior season). This month also featured a third still-existing single-game scoring record by an individual opponent when "Bo Knows (Scoring)" Lamar exploded for 62 points at Northeast Louisiana the previous campaign en route to becoming the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in scoring average at both the college and university divisions.
Outside Louisiana, existing single-game scoring standards for Bradley (Hersey Hawkins) and Detroit (Archie Tullos) were set in the same February assignment in 1988. In 2017, Bogdan Bliznyuk and Jacob Wiley both established Eastern Washington's single-game scoring record against an NCAA DI opponent with 45 points apiece in same contest (130-124 win against Portland State in triple overtime). As for regal rebounding records, Alabama's Jerry Harper retrieved 28 missed shots in back-to-back SEC contests two days apart in February 1956 and Wayne Embry pulled down 34 boards in back-to-back games for Miami of Ohio in same time frame the next year. February 4 is a special day in South Carolina history as John Roche (56 points) and Lee Collins (33 rebounds) set school single-game standards against NCAA DI in-state opponents on that date. Following is a day-by-day calendar citing memorable moments in February college basketball history:
FEBRUARY
1 - Arkansas State's Don Scaife (43 points vs. Northeast Louisiana in 1975), Coppin State's Fred Warrick (40 at Howard in 1999), Hardin-Simmons' Nate Madkins (52 vs. West Texas State in 1964) and Tulane's Jim Kerwin (45 vs. Southeastern Louisiana in 1961) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . North Carolina State's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Maryland (98-97 in 1975). . . . SEC Eastern Division cellar dweller Florida upset NCAA Tournament champion-to-be Kentucky in 1998. . . . Rudy Tomjanovich (30 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1969) set Michigan's single-game rebounding record.
2 - Brown's Harry Platt (48 points vs. Northeastern in 1938) and Delaware State's Tom Davis (50 vs. Brooklyn in 1989) set school single-game scoring records at the Division I level. . . . Eastern Michigan's Raven Lee (46 vs. Miami OH in 2016) set school single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. Lee's output came in only 24 minutes of playing time. . . . In 2014, Oakland's Travis Bader set an NCAA Division I record for most career three-pointers, surpassing the previous mark of 457 established by Duke All-American J.J. Redick. . . . Arizona's Bob Elliott (25 vs. Arizona State in 1974) set school single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent (subsequently tied). . . . Eventual MLB shortstop and manager Don Kessinger scored a career-high 49 points for Mississippi vs. Tulane in 1963.
3 - Buffalo's Mike Martinho (44 points vs. Rochester NY in 1998), Dayton's Donald Smith (52 at Loyola of Chicago in 1973), Grambling State's Brion Rush (53 vs. Southern in overtime in 2006), Portland State's Freeman Williams (81 vs. Rocky Mountain MT in 1978) and Wyoming's Joe Capua (51 vs. Montana in 1956) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Andre Spight (41 vs. Montana State in 2018) established Northern Colorado's single-game scoring mark at NCAA Division I level. . . . Florida Atlantic's DeAndre Rice (39 at Troy State in 2007) and Long Beach State's Gabe Levin (45 vs. UC Davis in 2OT in 2018) tied school single-game scoring standards. . . . Walt Lysaght (35 vs. North Carolina in 1953) set Richmond's single-game rebounding record.
4 - La Salle's Kareem Townes (52 points vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1995), Monmouth's Rahsaan Johnson (43 vs. St. Francis NY in 2001), Purdue Fort Wayne's Max Landis (44 at South Dakota in 2016), Rhode Island's Tom Harrington (50 vs. Brandeis MA in 1959), South Carolina's John Roche (56 vs. Furman in 1971) and Western Michigan's Gene Ford (46 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1969) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Eastern Washington's Bogdan Bliznyuk and Jacob Wiley (both with 45 vs. Portland State in triple overtime in 2017) and Denver's Dan Cramer (50 vs. Southern Mississippi in 1974) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Illinois' school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Penn State (66-65 in 2006). . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Georgia Tech in 1956), Fordham's Ed Conlin (36 vs. Colgate in 1953), Georgia Tech's Eric Crake (27 vs. Georgia in 1953), South Carolina's Lee Collins (33 vs. The Citadel in 1956) and Wake Forest's Dickie Hemric (36 vs. Clemson in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
5 - Akron's Joe Jakubick (47 points vs. Murray State in 1983), East Tennessee State's Tom Chilton (52 vs. Austin Peay in 1961), Kent State's Dan Potopsky (49 vs. Western Michigan in 1955), Prairie View A&M's Paul Queen (46 vs. Alabama State in 1994) and Troy State's Detric Golden (45 at Jacksonville in 2000) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Yale's Brandon Sherrod extended his NCAA record of consecutive successful field-goal attempts to 30 covering five 2016 games before misfiring against Columbia. . . . Kenny Davis (25 vs. Arizona State in 1977) tied Arizona's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB Hall of Fame OF Tony Gwynn (18 vs. UNLV in 1980) set San Diego State's single-game assists record against a DI opponent.
6 - Ernie McCray (46 points vs. Los Angeles State in 1960) set Arizona's single-game scoring record. . . . Southeast Missouri State's Tyler Stone (37 at SIU-Edwardsville in 2014), Southern Mississippi's John White (41 at Virginia Tech in double overtime in 1988) and Tulane's Calvin Grosscup (41 vs. Mississippi State in 1956) tied school single-game scoring records against a major-college opponent. . . . Virginia Tech sophomore guard Bimbo Coles set Metro Conference single-game scoring record with 51 points in a 141-133 double overtime victory against visiting Southern Mississippi in 1988. . . . Bradley's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Drake (86-76 in 1961). . . . Belmont erased an 18-point deficit with 3:22 remaining (75-57) to defeat Campbell, 87-84, in 2009. . . . Alabama's Jerry Harper (28 vs. Vanderbilt in 1956), American University's Kermit Washington (34 vs. Georgetown in 1971), West Virginia's Jerry West (31 vs. George Washington in 1960) and Wichita State's Terry Benton (29 vs. North Texas State in 1971) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
7 - Dartmouth's Jim Barton (48 points at Brown in overtime in 1987), Louisiana State's Pete Maravich (69 at Alabama in 1970) and South Dakota State's Nate Wolters (53 at IPFW in 2013) set school single-game scoring records. Maravich's output is also a SEC record in league competition. . . . Phil Hicks (41 at Samford in 1974) tied Tulane's single-game scoring record against a Division I opponent. . . . In 1976, Purdue (25) and Wisconsin (22) combined to convert all 47 of their free-throw attempts, an NCAA record for two teams in a single game. . . . Duquesne's Dick Ricketts (28 vs. Villanova in 1955) and Southern's Jervaughn Scales (32 vs. Grambling in 1994) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
8 - Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson (62 points vs. North Texas State in 1960) and UNC Charlotte's George Jackson (44 at Samford in 1975) set school single-game scoring records. Robertson's output is also a Missouri Valley Conference record in league competition. . . . Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. North Carolina in 1954) set Virginia's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Iowa State's Melvin Ejim (48 vs. TCU in 2014) set Big 12 Conference single-game scoring mark in league competition. . . . Kentucky established an NCAA single-game record by grabbing 108 rebounds against Mississippi in 1964. . . . Wofford set an NCAA three-point percentage single-game record (minimum of 20 attempts) by hitting 17-of-21 shots from beyond the arc (81% against VMI in 2016 game). . . . Niagara's school-record 51-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Syracuse (60-55 in 1950). . . . Boston College's Terry Driscoll (31 vs. Fordham in 1969), Davidson's Fred Hetzel (27 vs. Furman in 1964), Eastern Michigan's Kareem Carpenter (27 vs. Western Michigan in 1995), Harvard's Bob Canty (31 vs. Boston College in 1955), Long Island's Ty Flowers (27 vs. Merrimack in 2020), Marquette's Pat Smith (28 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1967), Oklahoma City's Willie Watson (32 vs. Denver in 1969) and Seattle's John Tresvant (40 vs. Montana in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records. Flowers' output is also a Northeast Conference contest mark. . . . Gene Estes (24 vs. Oklahoma City in 1961) set Tulsa's single-game rebounding record against a major-college opponent. . . . Utah State All-American Wayne Estes, after scoring 48 points vs. Denver to eclipse 2,000-point plateau, was electrocuted following home game in 1965 when the 6-6 forward brushed against downed high-power line upon stopping at scene of an auto accident near campus. . . . Dayton center Chris Daniels, who finished the season as nation's leader in field-goal shooting (68.3%), died in his sleep because of a heart ailment during 1995-96 campaign.
9 - UALR's Carl Brown (46 points at Centenary in overtime in 1989), Butler's Darrin Fitzgerald (54 vs. Detroit in 1987), Canisius' Larry Fogle (55 vs. St. Peter's in 1974), Clemson's J.O. Erwin (58 vs. Butler Guards at Greenville in 1912), Colorado State's Bill Green (48 vs. Denver in 1963), Hofstra's Justin Wright-Foreman (48 vs. William & Mary in 2019) and Loyola of Chicago's Alfredrick Hughes (47 vs. Detroit in 1985) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Brown's output is also an Atlantic Sun Conference record in league competition. . . . DePaul's Tom Kleinschmidt set the Great Midwest Conference single-game scoring record in league play with 37 points against UAB in 1994. . . . Charleston Southern's Tony Fairley set an NCAA single-game record against a DI opponent with 22 assists against Armstrong State GA in 1987. . . . Dartmouth ended Penn's Ivy League-record 48-game winning streak (54-53 in 1996) and Duke's school-record 46-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Maryland (98-87 in 2000). . . . Southern Mississippi's Wendell Ladner (32 vs. Pan American in 1970) and Syracuse's Frank Reddout (34 vs. Temple in 1952) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Canisius' Larry Fogle (22 vs. St. Peter's in 1974) and Idaho's Gus Johnson (31 vs. Oregon in 1963) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent.
10 - Morehead State's Brett Roberts (53 points vs. Middle Tennessee State in 1992), Ohio State's Gary Bradds (49 vs. Illinois in 1964), Larry Lewis of Saint Francis PA (46 vs. St. Vincent PA in 1969) and Savannah State's Alante Fenner (46 vs. Morgan State in overtime in 2018) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Detroit's school-record 39-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Wisconsin-Green Bay (65-61 in 2002), Oral Roberts' school-record 52-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Marshall (106-103 in 1973) and Virginia Commonwealth's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Virginia Tech (71-63 in 1978). . . . Georgetown's Charlie Adrion (29 vs. George Washington in 1968), Houston's Elvin Hayes (37 vs. Centenary in 1968) and Rider's Jason Thompson (24 vs. Siena in 2008) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Eventual Chicago White Sox RHP Dave DeBusschere scored a career-high 44 points for Detroit against Dayton in a 1962 game.
11 - East Carolina's Oliver Mack (47 points vs. South Carolina-Aiken in 1978), Florida State's Ron King (46 at Georgia Southern in 1971), Hartford's Vin Baker (44 vs. Lamar in overtime in 1992), Southern California's John Block (45 vs. Washington in 1966) and Wisconsin-Green Bay's Tony Bennett (44 at Cleveland State in 1989) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Mal Graham (46 at Holy Cross in 1967) set New York University's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Morehead State (53) and Cincinnati (35) combined for an NCAA single-game record of 88 successful free throws in 1956. . . . Indiana State set an NCAA single-game record for most three-pointers without a miss by making all 12 attempts from beyond the arc (against Southern Illinois in 2012). . . . Weber State's school-record 44-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Idaho (68-67 in 1967). . . . Andrew Nicholson (23 vs. Duquesne in 2012) tied St. Bonaventure's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
12 - Marist's Izett Buchanan (51 points at Long Island University in 1994), Northern Iowa's Cam Johnson (40 at Drake in 1994) and Villanova's Paul Arizin (85 vs. Philadelphia NAMC in 1949) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Wake Forest's Len Chappell (50 vs. Virginia in 1962) set ACC single-game scoring record in league competition. . . . Gonzaga's school-record 50-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Santa Clara (84-73 in 2007). . . . Drake's Ken Harris (26 vs. Tulsa in 1977) and Navy's David Robinson (25 vs. Fairfield in 1986) set school single-game rebounding records.
13 - Colorado's Cliff Meely (47 points vs. Oklahoma in 1971), Furman's Frank Selvy (NCAA-record 100 vs. Newberry SC in 1954), Portland's Matt Houle (43 vs. San Francisco in 1993), St. Peter's Rich Rinaldi (54 vs. St. Francis NY in 1971) and San Francisco's Keith Jackson (47 at Loyola Marymount in 1988) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Alabama's Bob Andrews (46 vs. Tulane in 1965), East Carolina's Gus Hill (43 at Navy in 1988), UNC Asheville's Andrew Rousey (41 at Radford in 2014), San Jose State's Olivier Saint-Jean (37 at Air Force in 1997) and Virginia's Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. Georgetown in 1954) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. . . . In 1985, Connecticut became the first school to be ranked No. 1 in the men's and women's national polls at the same time. . . . Syracuse's school-record 57-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Georgetown (52-50 in 1980). . . . Kentucky's Bill Spivey (34 vs. Xavier in 1951), New Mexico's Tom King (26 vs. Wyoming in 1960), Northwestern's Jim Pitts (29 vs. Indiana in 1965) and Western Michigan's Frank Ayers (25 vs. Loyola of Chicago in 1973) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Dan Roundfield (25 vs. Bowling Green State in 1974) set Central Michigan's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
14 - Auburn's John Mengelt (60 points vs. Alabama in 1970), Central Connecticut State's Kyle Vinales (42 at Wagner in 2013), College of Charleston's Grant Riller (43 vs. Hofstra in 2019), Coppin State's Larry Stewart (40 vs. South Carolina State in 1991), Mount St. Mary's Sam Prescott (44 vs. Bryant in 2013), South Alabama's Eugene Oliver (46 at Southern Mississippi in 1974), Southwestern Louisiana's Bo Lamar (51 at Louisiana Tech in 1972) and Tennessee's Tony White (51 vs. Auburn in 1987) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Lamar's output also set a Southland Conference record in league competition. . . . Villanova's Larry Hennessy (45 vs. Boston College in 1953) and Virginia's Buzz Wilkinson (45 vs. Clemson in 1955) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . William & Mary's Bill Chambers, standing a mere 6-4, grabbed an NCAA single-game record 51 rebounds against Virginia on Valentine's Day in 1953. . . . Miami of Ohio's Wayne Embry (34 vs. Eastern Kentucky in 1957), Texas Tech's Jim Reed (27 vs. Texas in 1956), Towson's Dennis Tunstall (21 vs. Delaware in 2019), Wagner's Mike Aaman (23 vs. Fairleigh Dickinson in 2015) and West Virginia's Mack Isner (31 vs. Virginia Tech in 1952) set school single-game rebounding records against a major-college opponent. . . . Jacksonville junior-college recruit Artis Gilmore, the only player in major-college history to average more than 22 points and 22 rebounds per game in his career, had his only DI contest retrieving fewer than 10 missed shots (8 caroms at Loyola LA in 1970). . . . Massachusetts' school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by George Washington (80-78 in 1995). . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 600 victories the fastest with a 71-52 win over Notre Dame at Chicago in 1959 (705 games in 27th season).
15 - Coastal Carolina's Tony Dunkin (43 points vs. UNC Asheville in 1993), Columbia's Leonard "Buck" Jenkins (47 at Harvard in 1991), Maryland-Baltimore County's Derell Thompson (43 at Towson State in 1992), Southwest Missouri State's Danny Moore (36 at Creighton in 1997) and Wake Forest's Charlie Davis (51 vs. American University in 1969) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Kentucky tied an NCAA record by erasing a 31-point, second-half deficit at Louisiana State (99-95 UK victory in 1994). . . . In 1969, Pete Maravich passed Bob Pettit (1,970 points from 1951-52 through 1953-54) to become LSU's all-time scoring leader and first player in NCAA history reaching 2,000-point plateau in his first two seasons of eligibility. . . . Princeton's Bill Bradley (51 points vs. Harvard in 1964) set Ivy League scoring record in conference competition. . . . Oregon State ended UCLA's Pacific-8 Conference-record 50-game winning streak (61-57 in 1974). . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 400 victories the fastest with a 90-50 win over Mississippi in 1950 (477 games in 20th season). . . . Kansas' Wilt Chamberlain (36 vs. Iowa State in 1958), Oregon State's Swede Halbrook (36 vs. Idaho in 1955) and Rice's Joe Durrenberger (30 vs. Baylor in 1955) set school single-game rebounding records. Halbrook also grabbed 32 rebounds the previous night against the Vandals. . . . Paul Millsap (29 vs. San Jose State in 2006) set Louisiana Tech's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB All-Star RHP Sonny Siebert scored a career-high 31 points for Missouri against Oklahoma in a 1958 game.
16 - Illinois' Dave Downey (53 points at Indiana in 1963), Tennessee Tech's Jimmy Hagan (48 vs. East Tennessee State in 1959) and Texas-Pan American's Marshall Rogers (58 vs. Texas Lutheran in 1976) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Dikembe Dixson (40 at Youngstown State in 2OT in 2016) set Illinois-Chicago's single-game scoring record against an NCAA Division I opponent. . . . Wichita State ended Cincinnati's school-record 37-game winning streak (65-64 in 1963) and South Carolina's school-record 34-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Notre Dame (72-68 in 1974). . . . Cincinnati's Connie Dierking (33 vs. Loyola New Orleans in 1957), Miami of Ohio's Wayne Embry (34 vs. Kent State in 1957), NYU's Cal Ramsey (34 vs. Boston College in 1957) and Texas Christian's Goo Kennedy (28 vs. Arkansas in 1971) set school single-game rebounding records. It was the second time in three days for Embry to corral 34 caroms. . . . Texas-El Paso's Jim Barnes (27 vs. Hardin-Simmons in 1963) and Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair (23 vs. Connecticut in 2009) set single-game rebounding records against major-college opponents. . . . Eventual 13-year N.L. LHP Joe Gibbon grabbed a career-high 24 rebounds for Mississippi against Georgia in 1957.
17 - George Washington's Joe Holup (49 points vs. Furman in 1956), Holy Cross' Jack Foley (56 vs. Connecticut in 1962), Quinnipiac's Cameron Young (55 at Siena in triple overtime in 2019), Southwestern Louisiana's Bo Lamar (51 at Lamar in 1972) and Wofford's Fletcher Magee (45 at Chattanooga in 2018) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Young's outburst set a MAAC single-game standard and Lamar's output tied his own Southland Conference mark in league competition established three days earlier. . . . Antoine Gillespie (45 at Hawaii in 1994) set Texas-El Paso's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Dartmouth's school-record 38-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Army (44-36 in 1940). . . . Fresno State's Larry Abney (35 vs. Southern Methodist in 2000), Loyola of Chicago's LaRue Martin (34 vs. Valparaiso in 1971) and Toledo's Ned Miklovic (27 vs. Ohio University in 1958) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. Abney's total is the highest among all schools at the DI level since 1973.
18 - Scott Haffner (65 points vs. Dayton in 1989) set Evansville's single-game scoring record. Haffner's output is also a Horizon League record in conference competition. . . . Gonzaga's Adam Morrison (44 at Loyola Marymount in 2006) and Portland State's Freeman Williams (50 at UNLV in 1978) set school single-game scoring records against an NCAA Division I opponent. . . . Gonzaga and Loyola Marymount each scored 86 points after intermission in 1989 to set an NCAA record for highest offensive output in a half by both teams (172). . . . Louisiana State's school-record 42-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Mississippi (23-22 in 1921). . . . Florida's Jim Zinn (31 vs. Mississippi in 1957), McNeese State's Henry Ray (27 vs Texas-Arlington in 1974), New Orleans' Ervin Johnson (27 vs. Lamar in 1993), Penn's Barton Leach (32 vs. Harvard in 1955), Southern Illinois' Joe C. Meriweather (27 vs. Indiana State in 1974) and Xavier's Bob Pelkington (31 vs. St. Francis PA in 1964) set school single-game rebounding records.
19 - Delaware's Liston Houston (52 points vs. Lebanon Valley PA in 1910), Liberty's Matt Hildebrand (41 vs. Charleston Southern in 1994/subsequently tied), Longwood's Tristan Carey (40 vs. Liberty in 2013), Mississippi Valley State's Alphonso Ford (51 vs. Texas Southern in overtime in 1990), Morgan State's Tiwian Kendley (41 vs. Bethune-Cookman in OT in 2018), Oral Roberts' Anthony Roberts (66 vs. North Carolina A&T in 1977), Stetson's Mel Daniels (48 vs. UNC Wilmington in 1977) and Texas Tech's Dub Malaise (50 at Texas in 1966) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Gonzaga's Kyle Wiltjer (45 at Pacific in 2015) and Lafayette's Bobby Mantz (44 vs. Lehigh in 1958) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Holy Cross' Rob Feaster (46 vs. Navy in overtime in 1994) set Patriot League scoring record in conference competition. . . . Creighton's Paul Silas (38 vs. Centenary in 1962), Northern Illinois' Jim Bradley (31 vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1973) and Purdue's Carl McNulty (27 vs. Minnesota in 1951) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell (24 vs. Seton Hall in 1977) set Charlotte's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
20 - Baylor's Vinnie Johnson (50 points vs. Texas Christian in 1979), Idaho State's Willie Humes (53 at Montana State in 1971), Illinois State's Robert "Bubbles" Hawkins (58 vs. Northern Illinois in 1974), North Florida's Parker Smith (46 vs. Mercer in 2012), San Diego State's Anthony Watson (54 vs. U.S. International in 1986) and South Carolina State's Jackie Robinson (40 at Morgan State in 1993) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Humes' output is also a Big Sky Conference record in league competition. . . . Delaware State's Tom Davis (47 vs. Florida A&M in 1989) set MEAC scoring record in league competition at DI level. . . . Rhode Island's Art Stephenson (28 vs. Brown in 1968) and Tennessee Tech's Jimmy Hagan (30 vs. Morehead State in 1959) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Kansas' 28-17 victory at Drake in 1924 triggered an NCAA-record 35-game road winning streak.
21 - Boston College's John Austin (49 points vs. Georgetown in 1964), Rutgers' Eric Riggins (51 vs. Penn State in double overtime in 1987) and Virginia Tech's Allan Bristow (52 vs. George Washington in 1973) set school single-game scoring records. Riggins' output is also an Atlantic 10 Conference record in league competition. . . . LSU's Pete Maravich (64) and Kentucky's Dan Issel (51) each scored more than 50 points in the same SEC game in 1970. . . . UCLA's school-record 98-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Oregon (65-45 in 1976). . . . Clemson's Tommy Smith (30 vs. Georgia in 1955) and North Carolina's Rusty Clark (30 vs. Maryland in 1968) set school single-game rebounding records.
22 - Bradley's Hersey Hawkins (63 points at Detroit in 1988), California's Ed Gray (48 at Washington State in 1997), Detroit's Archie Tullos (49 vs. Bradley in 1988), Manhattan's Bob Mealy (51 vs. CCNY in 1960), Missouri-Kansas City's Michael Watson (Summit League-record 54 at Oral Roberts in double overtime in 2003), Oklahoma State's Bob Kurland (58 vs. St. Louis in 1946) and Oregon State's Gary Payton Sr. (58 vs. Southern California in overtime in 1990) set school single-game scoring records. . . . High Point's Nick Barbour (44 vs. Campbell in 2012), Long Island's Antawn Dobie (53 vs. St. Francis NY in 2003), Mississppi State's Bailey Howell (45 vs. Louisiana State in 1958) and Western Illinois' Kobe Webster (40 vs. Omaha in 2020) set school single-game scoring records against a Division I opponent. Dobie's output is also a Northeast Conference record in league competition. . . . Drexel set NCAA record by erasing a 34-point deficit late in the first half (53-19) to defeat visiting Delaware, 85-83, in 2018. . . . Nebraska stunned Wilt Chamberlain-led Kansas, 43-41, in 1958 to avenge a 56-point defeat four games earlier. . . . Memphis' school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Tennessee (66-62 in 2008). . . . Massachusetts' Julius Erving (32 vs. Syracuse in 1971) and Mississippi's Ivan Richmann (25 vs. Tulane in 1958) set school single-game rebounding records. . . . Hakim Shahid (25 vs. Jacksonville in 1990) set South Florida's single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent.
23 - Boston University's Jim Hayes (47 points vs. Springfield MA in 1970), Indiana's Jimmy Rayl (56 vs. Michigan State in 1963), Louisiana Tech's Mike McConathy (47 vs. Lamar in 1976), Miami's Rick Barry (59 vs. Rollins FL in 1965), Providence's Marshon Brooks (52 vs. Notre Dame in 2011) and Texas Southern's Harry "Machine Gun" Kelly (60 vs. Jarvis Christian TX in 1983) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Brooks' output is also a Big East Conference record in league competition. . . . Los Angeles State's Raymond Lewis set Pacific Coast Athletic Association (now Big West) single-game scoring record with 53 points vs. Long Beach State in double overtime in 1973. . . . Kentucky's Adolph Rupp became the coach to compile 700 victories the fastest with a 99-79 win over Auburn at Montgomery in 1964 (836 games in 32nd season). . . . Jimmie Baker (26 vs. San Francisco in 1973) set UNLV's single-game rebounding record before transferring to Hawaii. . . . Eventual 13-year N.L. LHP Joe Gibbon scored a career-high 46 points for Mississippi in 1957 game against Louisiana State.
24 - Alcorn State's DeCarlos Anderson (41 points vs. Southern in 1996), Florida A&M's Jerome James (38 at Delaware State in overtime in 1997), Houston's Elvin Hayes (62 vs. Valparaiso in 1968), Iowa's John Johnson (49 vs. Northwestern in 1970), Northwestern's Rich Falk (49 vs. Iowa in 1964), St. Bonaventure's Bob Lanier (51 vs. Seton Hall in 1969) and Utah's Billy McGill (60 at Brigham Young in 1962) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . East Tennessee State's Tom Chilton (47 vs. Western Kentucky in 1961) and Ohio University's Dave Jamerson (52 at Kent State in 1990) set school single-game scoring records against a DI opponent. . . . Washington & Lee's Jay Handlan hoisted up an NCAA single-game record 71 field-goal attempts vs. Furman in 1951. . . . Alabama A&M's Mickell Gladness set an NCAA single-game record with 16 blocked shots against Texas Southern in 2007. . . . Temple's school-record 33-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by West Virginia (64-61 in 1987). . . . Ed Corell (30 vs. Oregon in 1962) set Washington's single-game rebounding record.
25 - Detroit's Antoine Davis (46 points vs. Robert Morris in 2021 Horizon League first round) and Austin Peay's Bubba Wells (43 vs. Morehead State in 1997 Ohio Valley quarterfinals) set conference tournament single-game scoring records. . . . Alabama A&M's Desmond Cambridge (50 at Texas Southern in 2002), Central Florida's Jermaine Taylor (45 vs. Rice in 2009), Cleveland State's Frank Edwards (49 at Xavier in 1981), Indiana State's Larry Bird (49 vs. Wichita State in 1979), Texas' Raymond Downs (49 at Baylor in 1956), Virginia Military's QJ Peterson (46 vs. Mercer in 2016) and William & Mary's Jeff Cohen (49 vs. Richmond in 1961) set school Division I single-game scoring records. . . . Lew Alcindor (61 vs. Washington State in 1967) set UCLA and Pac-12 Conference single-game scoring record. . . . Jim Christy (44 at Maryland in 1964) set Georgetown's single-game scoring record against a DI opponent. . . . Southwestern Louisiana's Sydney Grider set the American South Conference single-game scoring record in league competition (40 vs. Louisiana Tech in 1989). . . . St. Bonaventure's 99-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Niagara (87-77 in 1961). . . . Appalachian State's Tony Searcy (23 vs. The Citadel in 1978), Memphis' Ronnie Robinson (28 vs. Tulsa in 1971) and Northern Iowa's Jason Reese (21 vs. Illinois-Chicago in 1989) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
26 - Denver's Matt Teahan (61 points vs. Nebraska Wesleyan in 1979), Florida Atlantic's Earnest Crumbley (39 vs. Campbell in 2004), Richmond's Bob McCurdy (53 vs. Appalachian State in double overtime in 1975), Texas' Slater Martin (49 vs. Texas Christian in 1949) and Yale's Tony Lavelli (52 vs. Williams MA in 1949) set school Division I single-game scoring records. McCurdy established mark on his birthday in final home game. . . . Kansas' Isaac "Bud" Stallworth set Big Eight Conference single-game scoring record in league competition with 50 points vs. Missouri in 1972. . . . New Mexico's school-record 41-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Brigham Young (83-62 in 1998). . . . Cornell's George Farley (26 vs. Brown in 1960), Montana State's Doug Hashley (24 vs. Nevada-Reno in 1982), Old Dominion's Clifton Jones (23 vs. UNC Wilmington in 2001), Rutgers' George "Swede" Sundstrom (30 vs. Army in 1954) and Saint Joseph's Cliff Anderson (32 vs. La Salle in 1967) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent.
27 - Bowling Green's Jim Darrow (52 points vs. Marshall in 1960), George Mason's Carlos Yates (42 vs. Navy in 1985), Georgetown's Jim Barry (46 at Fairleigh Dickinson in 1965), San Diego's Duda Sanadze (38 vs. Portland in 2016), Texas State's J.B. Conley (42 at Northwestern State in 2010), Towson's Devin Boyd (46 at Maryland-Baltimore County in double overtime in 1993) and UAB's Robert Vaden (41 at Texas-El Paso in 2008) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Darrow's output is also a Mid-American Conference record and Boyd's output is a Big South Conference record in league competition. . . . Houston's Robert McKiver (52 vs. Southern Mississippi in 2008) set C-USA scoring record in league competition. . . . Connecticut's Toby Kimball (34 vs. New Hampshire in 1965), Maryland's Len Elmore (26 vs. Wake Forest in 1974) and Tulsa's Michael Ruffin (24 vs. Texas Christian in 1997) set school single-game rebounding records against a DI opponent. . . . Holy Cross' school-record 47-game homecourt winning streak snapped by Connecticut (78-77 in 1954).
28 - Army's Kevin Houston (53 points vs. Fordham in overtime of MAAC Tournament opener in 1987), Eastern Michigan's Ray Lee (50 at Central Michigan in 2017), Long Island's Sherman White (63 vs. John Marshall in 1950), Northern Illinois' Paul Dawkins (47 at Western Michigan in overtime in 1979) and Purdue's Rick Mount (61 vs. Iowa in 1970) set school Division I single-game scoring records. Houston's output is also a MAAC Tournament single-game record and Mount's uprising is a Big Ten Conference record in league competition. Lee's outburst was accumulated in only 26 minutes. . . . Ronshad Shabazz (47 at Louisiana-Monroe in 2019) set Appalachian State's single-game scoring record against an NCAA DI opponent. . . . The first basketball game telecast occurred when W2XBS carried a doubleheader from Madison Square Garden in 1940 (Pittsburgh vs. Fordham and NYU vs. Georgetown). . . . Ron Weilert (21 vs. Tulane in 1970) set Air Force single-game rebounding record against a DI opponent. . . . Eventual MLB All-Star 1B Joe Adcock contributed 15 field goals for Louisiana State in a 74-29 first-round victory against Tulane in 1946 SEC Tournament.
29 - Air Force's Bob Beckel (50 points vs. Arizona in 1959) and Florida's Tony Miller (54 vs. Chicago State in 1972) set school single-game scoring records. . . . Paul Marigney (40 vs. Pepperdine in 2004) tied Saint Mary's single-game scoring record against a major-college opponent. . . . Pittsburgh's school-record 40-game homecourt winning streak was snapped by Syracuse (49-46 in 2004). . . . Bernie Janicki (31 vs. North Carolina in 1952) set Duke's single-game rebounding record. . . . Eventual eight-time N.L. All-Star SS Dick Groat scored a career-high 48 points for Duke against North Carolina in a 1952 game.
Memorable Moments in January College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in December College Basketball History
Memorable Moments in November College Basketball History
Happy Birthday! February Celebration Dates for A-As and HOF Coaches
Four Indiana standouts (Archie Dees, Trayce Jackson-Davis plus twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale) are among a striking number of 12 All-Americans born on 22nd of February. Two Kansas All-Americans (Ben McLemore and Jacque Vaughn) were born on the 11th but North Carolina has the most A-As born this month with six. This year marks the 90th anniversary of birth of celebrated Carolina coach Dean Smith. Following is a day-by-day calendar of All-Americans and Hall of Fame coaches born in February:
FEBRUARY
1: All-Americans Theodore "T.R." Dunn (born in 1955/Alabama), Malik Sealy (1970/St. John's), Dick Snyder (1944/Davidson) and Robert "Tractor" Traylor (1977/Michigan).
2: All-Americans Dan Callandrillo (1959/Seton Hall), Sean Elliott (1968/Arizona), Ed "Moose" Krause (1913/Notre Dame), Bill Ridley (1934/Illinois) and Orson "Kent" Ryan (1915/Utah State).
3: All-American Darnell Valentine (1959/Kansas).
4: All-Americans Vern Fleming (1962/Georgia), Malik Monk (1998/Kentucky) and Blake Stepp (1982/Gonzaga).
6: All-Americans Shawn Respert (1972/Michigan State) and Carlos Rogers (1971/Tennessee State).
7: All-Americans Juwan Howard (1973/Michigan), James "Banks" McFadden (1917/Clemson), Mike O'Koren (1958/North Carolina) and Ed Shaver (1913/Purdue).
8: All-Americans Rui Hachimura (1998/Gonzaga), JaJuan Johnson (1989/Purdue), Marques Johnson (1956/UCLA) and Alonzo Mourning (1970/Georgetown).
9: All-Americans Kenny Fields (1962/UCLA), Phil Ford (1956/North Carolina), Ricky Frazier (1958/Missouri), Jameer Nelson (1982/St. Joseph's) and John Wallace (1974/Syracuse).
10: All-Americans Cornell Green (1940/Utah State), Tom LaGarde (1955/North Carolina), Bobby Portis (1995/Arkansas) and John "Cat" Thompson (1906/Montana State) plus Hall of Fame coach John Calipari (1959/Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky).
11: All-Americans Eric "Hank" Gathers (1967/Loyola Marymount), Ben McLemore (1993/Kansas), Alando Tucker (1984/Wisconsin) and Jacque Vaughn (1975/Kansas).
12: All-Americans Arthur James "A.J." Guyton (1978/Indiana), Larry Nance (1959/Clemson), Bill Russell (1934/San Francisco) and Ralph Vaughn (1918/Southern California).
13: Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski (1947/Army and Duke).
14: All-Americans Richard "Rip" Hamilton (1978/Connecticut), Walter "Wali" Jones (1942/Villanova), Reggie King (1957/Alabama) and Carl McNulty (1930/Purdue).
15: All-Americans Nate Blackwell (1965/Temple), Jimmy Hull (1917/Ohio State), Mark Price (1964/Georgia Tech) and Tony White (1965/Tennessee).
16: All-Americans Larry Finch (1951/Memphis State), Dave Gambee (1937/Oregon State), Hasheem Thabeet (1987/Connecticut), Kelly Tripucka (1959/Notre Dame) and Herb Williams (1958/Ohio State).
17: All-American Michael Jordan (1963/North Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Rick Majerus (1948/Marquette, Ball State, Utah and Saint Louis).
18: All-Americans Jimmy Hagan (1936/Tennessee Tech), Maurice Lucas (1952/Marquette), Roland Minson (1929/Brigham Young) and James "Fly" Williams (1953/Austin Peay State).
19: All-Americans Elliott Loughlin (1910/Navy), Durand "Rudy" Macklin (1958/Louisiana State) and John Pinone (1961/Villanova).
20: All-Americans Charles Barkley (1963/Auburn), Ambrose "A.L." Bennett (1924/Oklahoma A&M), Jarrett Culver (1999/Texas Tech), Stephon Marbury (1977/Georgia Tech) and Frank Oleynick (1955/Seattle).
21: All-Americans Steve Francis (1977/Maryland) and Julius McCoy (1932/Michigan State) plus Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay (1925/St. Joseph's).
22: All-Americans Dennis Awtrey (1948/Santa Clara), Archie Dees (1936/Indiana), Julius Erving (1950/Massachusetts), Devonte' Graham (1995/Kansas), Trayce Jackson-Davis (2000/Indiana), George Kaftan (1928/Holy Cross), Adam Keefe (1970/Stanford), Lewis Lloyd (1959/Drake), Lee Nailon (1975/Texas Christian), twins Dick Van Arsdale and Tom Van Arsdale (1943/Indiana) plus Chester "Chet" Walker (1940/Bradley).
23: All-Americans Mal Graham (1945/NYU), Gary Gray (1945/Oklahoma City), Roger Kaiser (1939/Georgia Tech), Jamal Murray (1997/Kentucky), Phil "Red" Murrell (1933/Drake), D'Angelo Russell (1996/Ohio State), Lee Shaffer (1939/North Carolina) and Andrew Wiggins (1995/Kansas).
24: All-Americans Charley Brown (1936/Seattle), Tommy Burleson (1952/North Carolina State), Mike Robinson (1952/Michigan State) and Al Tucker (1943/Oklahoma Baptist).
25: All-Americans Vernon Carey Jr. (2001/Duke), Jimmer Fredette (1989/Brigham Young), Matt Guokas (1944/St. Joseph's), Kam Jones (2002/Marquette), E'Twaun Moore (1989/Purdue), Joakim Noah (1985/Florida), Fred VanVleet (1994/Wichita State), Malcolm "Sparky" Wade (1910/Louisiana State) and Frank Williams (1980/Illinois) plus Hall of Fame coach Fred "Tex" Winter (1922/Marquette, Kansas State, Washington, Northwestern and Long Beach State).
26: All-Americans Rolando Blackman (1959/Kansas State), Joe Capua (1934/Wyoming), Tom Churchill (1907/Oklahoma), Joe Holup (1934/George Washington), Bob McCurdy (1952/Richmond) and Robert "Bingo" Smith (1946/Tulsa).
27: All-Americans Gus Doerner (1922/Evansville), Charles "Chick" Halbert (1919/West Texas A&M), Devin Harris (1983/Wisconsin), Lloyd Sharrar (1936/West Virginia), Terence Stansbury (1961/Temple) and James Worthy (1961/North Carolina) plus Hall of Fame coach Mike Montgomery (1947/Montana, Stanford and California).
28: All-Americans Luther "Ticky" Burden (1953/Utah), Adrian Dantley (1956/Notre Dame), Chuck Hyatt (1908/Pittsburgh), Tayshaun Prince (1980/Kentucky), Tom Riker (1950/South Carolina), Jamaal Tinsley (1978/Iowa State), Max Williams (1938/Southern Methodist) and Cassius Winston (1998/Michigan State) plus Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith (1931/North Carolina).
Birthdays in January 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 31 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, 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 31 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 31
- Denver Broncos WR Rod Smith (swingman was Missouri Southern State hoops letterman as sophomore in 1990-91) caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from John Elway in 34-19 win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII following 1998 season. Falcons rookie Ephraim Salaam (scored 22 points in five games for San Diego State in 1996-97) started at RT in their first-ever trip to NFL title tilt.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 30 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, 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 30 in football at the professional level (especially Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVIII):
JANUARY 30
- Buffalo Bills coach Marv Levy (earned hoops letter with Coe IA in 1949-50) lost his fourth consecutive Super Bowl game (30-13 against Dallas Cowboys following 1993 season). Bills TE Keith McKeller (starting center for Jacksonville State's 1985 NCAA Division II championship team led Gulf South Conference in rebounding each of his first three seasons and finished second as senior) had at least one pass reception in his fourth straight Super Bowl.
Only One NFL Pro Bowl Failed to Feature College Basketball Representation
NFL season for former UTEP hooper Aaron Jones (freshman in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) ended on a sour note with two fumbles in NFC Championship game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But Jones was named a Pro Bowler for the first time after pacing NFL in rushing touchdowns with 16 a year ago. Buoyed by Jones and DeAndre Hopkins (Clemson) on regal roster, there remained only one Pro Bowl (following 1985 season) when there wasn't at least one gridiron participant who previously played college basketball.
An average of eight ex-college cagers annually participated the first decade of the event in the 1950s with a high of 10 following the 1959 campaign. Pencil-necked puke politician didn't incur his brain damage from helmet collisions competing in masculine football activity but, unless you're "dazzled" by effeminate Adam Sack-of-Schiff's impeachment idiocy like anal CNN connivers, following is an alphabetical list of nearly 100 Pro Bowlers who previously played hoops at varsity level for a four-year college:
| NFL Pro Bowl Selection | Pos. | NFL Team(s) | 4-Year Hoop College(s) | Pro Bowl Season(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Anderson | QB | Cincinnati Bengals | Augustana (Ill.) | 1975-76-81-82 |
| Doug Atkins | RDE | Chicago Bears | Tennessee | 1957-58-59-60-61-62-63-65 |
| Al Baker | RDE | Detroit Lions | Colorado State | 1978-79-80 |
| Erich Barnes | RDH | Chicago Bears/New York Giants/Cleveland Browns | Purdue | 1959-61-62-63-64-68 |
| Connor Barwin | OLB | Philadelphia Eagles | Cincinnati | 2014 |
| Sammy Baugh | QB | Washington Redskins | Texas Christian | 1951 |
| Bobby Bell | LLB | Kansas City Chiefs | Minnesota | 1970-71-72 |
| Martellus Bennett | TE | Chicago Bears | Texas A&M | 2014 |
| Cloyce Box | E | Detroit Lions | West Texas A&M | 1950 and 1952 |
| Ordell Braase | RDE | Baltimore Colts | South Dakota | 1966 and 1967 |
| Pete Brewster | LE | Cleveland Browns | Purdue | 1955 and 1956 |
| Marlin Briscoe | WR | Buffalo Bills | Nebraska-Omaha | 1970 |
| Jim Brown | FB | Cleveland Browns | Syracuse | 1957-58-59-60-61-62-63-64-65 |
| Junious "Buck" Buchanan | RDT | Kansas City Chiefs | Grambling | 1970 and 1971 |
| Jordan Cameron | TE | Cleveland Browns | Brigham Young/Southern California | 2013 |
| Harold Carmichael | WR | Philadelphia Eagles | Southern (La.) | 1973-78-79-80 |
| Fred Carr | RLB | Green Bay Packers | Texas Western | 1970-72-75 |
| John Carson | LE | Washington Redskins | Georgia | 1957 |
| Rick Casares | FB | Chicago Bears | Florida | 1955-56-57-58-59 |
| Chris Chambers | WR | Miami Dolphins | Wisconsin | 2005 |
| Lynn Chandnois | RH | Pittsburgh Steelers | Michigan State | 1952 and 1953 |
| Ben Coates | TE | New England Patriots | Livingstone (N.C.) | 1994-95-98 |
| George Connor | LT | Chicago Bears | Holy Cross/Notre Dame | 1950-51-52-53 |
| Charley Cowan | RT | Los Angeles Rams | New Mexico Highlands | 1968-69-70 |
| Glenn Davis | LH | Los Angeles Rams | Army | 1950 |
| Len Dawson | QB | Kansas City Chiefs | Purdue | 1971 |
| Mike Ditka | TE | Chicago Bears | Pittsburgh | 1961-62-63-64-65 |
| Jim Finks | QB | Pittsburgh Steelers | Tulsa | 1952 |
| London Fletcher | LB | Washington Redskins | St. Francis (Pa.)/John Carroll (Ohio) | 2009-10-11-12 |
| Len Ford | DE | Cleveland Browns | Morgan State | 1951-52-53-54 |
| Jean Fugett | TE | Washington Redskins | Amherst (Mass.) | 1977 |
| Antonio Gates | TE | San Diego Chargers | Eastern Michigan/Kent State | 2004-05-06-07-08-09-10-11 |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | Kansas City Chiefs/Atlanta Falcons | California | 1999 and 2000-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-10-11-12-13 |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans Saints/Seattle Seahawks | Miami (Fla.) | 2011-13-14-16-17 |
| Otto Graham | QB | Cleveland Browns | Northwestern | 1950-51-52-53-54 |
| Cornell Green | DB | Dallas Cowboys | Utah State | 1965-66-67-71-72 |
| Bob Griese | QB | Miami Dolphins | Purdue | 1970-71-73-74-77-78 |
| Rodney Harrison | SS | San Diego Chargers | Western Illinois | 1998 and 2001 |
| Todd Heap | TE | Baltimore Ravens | Arizona State | 2002 and 2003 |
| Harlon Hill | LE | Chicago Bears | Florence State (Ala.) | 1954-55-56 |
| Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch | RE | Los Angeles Rams | Michigan | 1951-52-53 |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Houston Texans/Arizona Cardinals | Clemson | 2015-17-18-19-20 |
| Paul Hornung | LH | Green Bay Packers | Notre Dame | 1959 and 1960 |
| Vincent Jackson | WR | San Diego Chargers/Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Northern Colorado | 2009-11-12 |
| Dave Jennings | P | New York Giants | St. Lawrence (N.Y.) | 1978-79-80-82 |
| Brad Johnson | QB | Washington Redskins | Florida State | 1999, 2000 and 2002 |
| John Henry Johnson | RB | San Francisco 49ers/Pittsburgh Steelers | Saint Mary's | 1954-62-63-64 |
| Johnny Johnson | RB | Phoenix Suns | San Jose State | 1990 |
| Aaron Jones | RB | Green Bay Packers | Texas-El Paso | 2020 |
| Ed "Too Tall" Jones | LDE | Dallas Cowboys | Tennessee State | 1981-82-83 |
| Jacoby Jones | KR | Baltimore Ravens | Lane (Tenn.) | 2012 |
| Joe Kapp | QB | Minnesota Vikings | California | 1969 |
| Billy Kilmer | QB | Washington Redskins | UCLA | 1972 |
| Ron Kramer | TE | Green Bay Packers | Michigan | 1962 |
| Gary Larsen | DT | Minnesota Vikings | Concordia (Minn.) | 1969 and 1970 |
| Johnny Lattner | RH | Pittsburgh Steelers | Notre Dame | 1954 |
| Joe Lavender | RCB | Washington Redskins | San Diego State | 1979 and 1980 |
| Rolland Lawrence | CB | Atlanta Falcons | Tabor (Kan.) | 1977 |
| Bobby Layne | QB | Detroit Lions/Pittsburgh Steelers | Texas | 1951-52-53-56-58-59 |
| Marcedes Lewis | TE | Jacksonville Jaguars | UCLA | 2010 |
| Ronnie Lott | DB | San Francisco 49ers | Southern California | 1981-82-83-84-86-87-88-89-90-91 |
| Johnny Lujack | QB | Chicago Bears | Notre Dame | 1950 and 1951 |
| Lamar Lundy | LDE | Los Angeles Rams | Purdue | 1959 |
| John Mackey | TE | Baltimore Colts | Syracuse | 1963-65-66-67-68 |
| Jack "Cy" McClairen | E | Pittsburgh Steelers | Bethune-Cookman | 1957 |
| Donovan McNabb | QB | Philadelphia Eagles | Syracuse | 2000-01-02-03-04-09 |
| Zeke Moore | CB | Houston Oilers | Lincoln (Mo.) | 1969 and 1970 |
| Elbie Nickel | RE | Pittsburgh Steelers | Cincinnati | 1952-53-56 |
| Karl Noonan | SE | Miami Dolphins | Iowa | 1968 |
| Terrell Owens | WR | San Francisco 49ers/Dallas Cowboys | UT-Chattanooga | 2000-01-02-03-04-07 |
| Julius Peppers | DE-LB | Carolina Panthers/Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers | North Carolina | 2004-05-06-08-09-10-11-12-15 |
| Sonny Randle | WR | St. Louis Cardinals | Virginia | 1960-61-62-65 |
| Garet "Jerry" Reichow | WR | Minnesota Vikings | Iowa | 1961 |
| Andre Rison | WR | Atlanta Falcons/Kansas City Chiefs | Michigan State | 1990-91-92-93-97 |
| Dave Robinson | LB | Green Bay Packers | Penn State | 1966-67-69 |
| Otto Schnellbacher | RS | New York Giants | Kansas | 1950 and 1951 |
| Tom Scott | LDE | Philadelphia Eagles | Virginia | 1957 and 1958 |
| Joe Senser | TE | Minnesota Vikings | West Chester (Pa.) State | 1981 |
| Bob Shaw | E | Chicago Cardinals | Ohio State | 1950 |
| Art Shell | LT | Oakland Raiders | Maryland-Eastern Shore | 1973-74-75-76-77 |
| Del Shofner | RH-SE | Los Angeles Rams/New York Giants | Baylor | 1958-59-61-62-63 |
| John "Jack" Simmons | OL | Chicago Cardinals | Detroit | 1956 |
| Rod Smith | WR | Denver Broncos | Missouri Southern State | 2000-01-05 |
| Norm Snead | QB | Washington Redskins/Philadelphia Eagles/New York Giants | Wake Forest | 1962-63-65-72 |
| Ed Sprinkle | DE | Chicago Bears | Hardin-Simmons (Tex.) | 1950-51-52-54 |
| Roger Staubach | QB | Dallas Cowboys | Navy | 1971-75-76-77-78-79 |
| Greg Stemrick | CB | Houston Oilers | Colorado State | 1980 |
| Hugh "Bones" Taylor | LE | Washington Redskins | Tulane/Oklahoma City | 1952 and 1954 |
| Jason Taylor | RDE | Miami Dolphins | Akron | 2000-02-04-05-06-07 |
| Otis Taylor | WR | Kansas City Chiefs | Prairie View A&M | 1971 and 1972 |
| Adalius Thomas | LB | Baltimore Ravens | Southern Mississippi | 2003 and 2006 |
| John Thomas | LG | San Francisco 49ers | Pacific | 1966 |
| Julius Thomas | TE | Denver Broncos | Portland State | 2013 and 2014 |
| Emlen Tunnell | DB | New York Giants | Toledo | 1950-51-52-53-54-55-56-57-59 |
| Brad Van Pelt | LLB | New York Giants | Michigan State | 1976-77-78-79-80 |
| Doak Walker | LH | Detroit Lions | Southern Methodist | 1950-51-53-54-55 |
| Ron Widby | P | Dallas Cowboys | Tennessee | 1971 |
| Norm Willey | RDE | Philadelphia Eagles | Marshall | 1954 and 1955 |
| Alfred Williams | RDE | Denver Broncos | Colorado | 1996 |
| Billy Wilson | RE | San Francisco 49ers | San Jose State | 1954-55-56-57-58-59 |
| Rayfield Wright | RT | Dallas Cowboys | Fort Valley State (Ga.) | 1971-72-73-74-75-76 |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle January 29 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, 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 example of exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball player Bobby Ross making a name for himself on January 29 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 29
Changing in Midstream: Coaching Switch in Mid-Season Likely Won't Help
What happens to a team when a coach departs in mid-season such as when Fordham dismissed Jeff Neubauer (1-7), Portland jettisoned Terry Porter and Boston College booting Jim Christian? It didn't help the Rams 11 seasons ago when they did the same thing. A total of 34 different schools in the previous 24 seasons (including Charlotte twice in previous six years) had a coach relieved of his duties, retire or pass away after the start of the season but before the second half of the campaign. Five years ago, Wisconsin's Greg Gard (15-8) became only the eighth "successor" coach piloting a club more than half of a campaign since the NCAA playoffs expanded to at least 64 entrants in 1985 to post a winning record the remainder of the season. He joined Jeff Dittman (10-8 with Sam Houston State in 1988-89), Dave Fehte (9-8 with Saint Mary's in 1990-91), Max Good (13-9 with UNLV in 2000-01), Ray Harper (11-8 with Western Kentucky in 2011-12), Mike Perry (10-9 with Georgia State in 2002-03), Brad Soderberg (16-10 with Wisconsin in 2000-01) and Derek Waugh (14-8 with Stetson in 2000-01). Gard, Harper and Soderberg guided the squads they inherited to an NCAA playoff berth.
At the power-conference level, John Brady (Louisiana State in 2007-08), Lou Campanelli (California in 1992-93), Gale Catlett (West Virginia in 2001-02), Jim Dutcher (Minnesota in 1985-86), Dennis Felton (Georgia in 2008-09), Larry Glass (Northwestern in 1968-69), Mark Gottfried (Alabama in 2008-09), Joe Harrington (Colorado in 1995-96), Bob Knight (Texas Tech in 2007-08), Ward "Piggy" Lambert (Purdue in 1945-46), Shelby Metcalf (Texas A&M in 1989-90), Kevin O'Neill (Southern California in 2012-13), Charlie Parker (Southern California in 1995-96), Steve Patterson (Arizona State in 1988-89) and Quin Snyder (Missouri in 2005-06) comprise the list of coaches who lasted more than half of a specific season before their tenures ended for one reason or another. There is no consensus as to whether the timing of their dismissals was fairer than "biased" jury fore-person amid numerous gutless wonders demonstrating self-righteous vindictiveness in Roger Stone trial.
It's a shame self-absorbed Sen. Mitt "Pierre Defecto" Romney, perhaps disoriented by Mormon underwear being on too tight, can't receive a "you're fired" notice from Utah patriots in mid-term. Following is an alphabetical list of universities in the pre-midseason coaching turnover category since the start of national postseason competition and the records of their coaches that season:
| Division I School | Season | Successor/Interim (Record) | Departing Coach (Record) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian State | 1974-75 | Russ Bergman (2-12) | Peter "Press" Maravich (1-11) |
| Boise State | 1972-73 | Doran "Bus" Connor (6-7) | Murray Satterfield (5-8) |
| Brigham Young | 1996-97 | Tony Ingle (1-25) | Roger Reid (1-6) |
| Buffalo | 1999-00 | Reggie Witherspoon (3-20) | Tim Cohane (2-3) |
| Cal Poly | 2000-01 | Kevin Bromley (3-12) | Jeff Schneider (5-7) |
| Centenary | 1977-78 | Tommy Canterbury (6-9) | Riley Wallace (4-8) |
| Central Connecticut State | 1987-88 | C.J. Jones (8-15) | Bill Detrick (2-3) |
| Charlotte | 2014-15 | Ryan Odom (8-11) | Alan Major (6-7) |
| Charlotte | 2017-18 | Houston Fancher (3-17) | Mark Price (3-6) |
| Chicago State | 1996-97 | Phil Gary (4-17) | Craig Hodges (0-6) |
| The Citadel | 1939-40 | Ben Parker (4-5) | Absalon "Rock" Norman (4-4) |
| Colgate | 1997-98 | Paul Aiello (10-12) | Jack Bruen (0-6) |
| Connecticut | 1946-47 | Hugh Greer (12-0) | Blair Gullion (4-2) |
| Connecticut | 1962-63 | George Wigton (11-4) | Hugh Greer (7-3) |
| Dartmouth | 1966-67 | Dave Gavitt (2-15) | Alvin "Doggie" Julian (5-2) |
| Dartmouth | 2009-10 | Mark Graupe (2-13) | Terry Dunn (3-10) |
| Denver | 1948-49 | Hoyt Brawner (11-6) | Ellison Ketchum (6-9) |
| DePaul | 2009-10 | Tracy Webster (1-15) | Jerry Wainwright (7-8) |
| Detroit | 1987-88 | John Mulroy (7-20) | Don Sicko (0-3) |
| Detroit | 2007-08 | Kevin Mondro (3-13) | Perry Watson (4-10) |
| East Carolina | 2017-18 | Michael Perry (8-16) | Jeff Lebo (2-4) |
| Eastern Kentucky | 1961-62 | Jim Baechtold (6-3) | Paul McBrayer (4-3) |
| Eastern Michigan | 1985-86 | Ben Braun (5-10) | Jim Boyce (4-8) |
| Fordham | 2009-10 | Jared Grasso (1-22) | Dereck Whittenburg (1-4) |
| Georgetown | 1998-99 | Craig Esherick (8-10) | John Thompson Jr. (7-6) |
| Georgia State | 1984-85 | Mark Slonaker (1-24) | Tom Pugliese (1-2) |
| Georgia State | 2002-03 | Mike Perry (10-9) | Charles "Lefty" Driesell (4-6) |
| Howard University | 1999-00 | Billy Coward (1-18) | Kirk Saulny (0-9) |
| Idaho State | 1967-68 | Dan Miller (10-12) | Claude Retherford (3-1) |
| Idaho State | 2011-12 | Deane Martin (7-13) | Joe O'Brien (2-8) |
| Iowa | 1949-50 | Frank "Bucky" O'Connor (6-5) | Lawrence "Pops" Harrison (9-2) |
| Jacksonville | 1996-97 | Buster Harvey (5-17) | George Scholz (0-6) |
| Kent State | 1977-78 | Mike Boyd (5-11) | Rex Hughes (1-10) |
| Long Island | 2001-02 | Ron Brown (5-13) | Ray Martin (0-9) |
| Louisville | 1970-71 | Howard Stacey (12-8) | John Dromo (8-1) |
| Monmouth | 1986-87 | Ron Krayl (7-13) | Ron Kornegay (1-6) |
| UNC Greensboro | 2011-12 | Wes Miller (11-11) | Mike Dement (2-8) |
| North Carolina State | 1964-65 | Peter "Press" Maravich (20-4) | Everett Case (1-1) |
| UNC Wilmington | 2019-20 | Rob Burke (5-8) | C.B. McGrath (5-14) |
| Northern Illinois | 2000-01 | Andy Greer (4-16) | Brian Hammel (1-6) |
| Oral Roberts | 1982-83 | Dick Acres (11-9) | Ken Hayes (3-5) |
| Penn | 2009-10 | Jerome Allen (6-15) | Glen Miller (0-7) |
| Portland | 2020-21 | Ben Johnson (TBD) | Terry Porter (-) |
| Princeton | 1944-45 | Leonard Hattinger (5-8) | William Logan (2-4) |
| Princeton | 1960-61 | Jake McCandless (9-6) | Franklin "Cappy" Cappon (9-2) |
| St. John's | 2003-04 | Kevin Clark (4-17) | Mike Jarvis (2-4) |
| Saint Mary's | 1990-91 | Dave Fehte (9-8) | Paul Landreaux (4-9) |
| Sam Houston State | 1988-89 | Jeff Dittman (10-8) | Gary Moss (2-8) |
| San Francisco | 1970-71 | Bob Gaillard (10-12) | Phil Vukicevich (0-4) |
| San Francisco | 2007-08 | Eddie Sutton (6-13) | Jessie Evans (4-8) |
| South Alabama | 1994-95 | Judas Prada (8-15) | Ronnie Arrow (1-3) |
| South Carolina | 1942-43 | Rex Enright (10-6) | Frank Johnson (2-0) |
| South Florida | 1979-80 | Gordon Gibbons (2-13) | Hunter "Chip" Conner (4-8) |
| Southeast Missouri State | 2008-09 | Zac Roman (0-18) | Scott Edgar (3-9) |
| Southeastern Louisiana | 1987-88 | Leo McClure (4-12) | Newton Chelette (3-9) |
| Southern California | 2004-05 | Jim Saia (11-15) | Henry Bibby (2-2) |
| Stetson | 2000-01 | Derek Waugh (14-8) | Murray Arnold (4-4) |
| Tennessee State | 1984-85 | Ed Meyers (6-13) | Ed Martin (3-6) |
| Tennessee State | 2002-03 | Hosea Lewis/Teresa Phillips (0-20) | Nolan Richardson III (2-5) |
| Tennessee Tech | 1988-89 | Frank Harrell (8-17) | Tom Deaton (2-3) |
| Texas-El Paso | 2017-18 | Phil Johnson (10-15) | Tim Floyd (1-5) |
| Tulsa | 2004-05 | Alvin "Pooh" Williamson (7-15) | John Phillips (2-5) |
| UCLA | 2018-19 | Murry Bartow (10-10) | Steve Alford (7-6) |
| UNLV | 2000-01 | Max Good (13-9) | Bill Bayno (3-4) |
| Western Kentucky | 2011-12 | Ray Harper (11-8) | Ken McDonald (5-11) |
| Wisconsin | 2000-01 | Brad Soderberg (16-10) | Dick Bennett (2-1) |
| Wisconsin | 2015-16 | Greg Gard (15-8) | William "Bo" Ryan (7-5) |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 26 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, 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 26 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 26
Mike Ditka (averaged 2.8 ppg and 2.6 rpg for Pittsburgh in 1958-59 and 1959-60) coached Chicago Bears to a 46-10 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX following 1985 season. Patriots TE Derrick Ramsey (grabbed three rebounds in two Kentucky games in 1975-76) caught two passes for 16 yards.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Brad Johnson (part-time starting forward for Florida State as freshman in 1987-88 when averaging 5.9 ppg and shooting 89.1% from free-throw line) threw two touchdown passes in a 48-21 win against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII following 2002 season.
Buffalo Bills TE Pete Metzelaars (averaged 19.2 ppg and 11.4 rpg for Wabash IN while setting NCAA Division III field-goal shooting records for single season as senior in 1981-82 and career) caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Jim Kelly in 37-24 setback against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI following 1991 season.
Green Bay Packers WR Andre Rison (backup hoops guard for Michigan State in 1987-88) opened game's scoring with a 54-yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre in 35-21 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI following 1996 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle January 25 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, 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 George Martin making a name for himself on January 25 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 25
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 24 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 24 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 24
QB Ken Anderson (swingman finished Augustana IL career in early 1970s as fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,044 points) accounted for all three of the Cincinnati Bengals' three touchdowns (two passing/one rushing in second half) in a 26-21 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XVI following 1981 season.
Green Bay Packers LB Fred Carr (played for defending NCAA champion Texas Western in 1967 playoffs) shared the NFL Pro Bowl MVP award following 1970 season.
Arizona Cardinals TE Darren Fells (averaged 10.2 ppg and 6.3 rpg from 2004-05 through 2007-08, leading UCI in rebounding each of last three seasons) caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer in 49-15 setback against the Charlotte Panthers in NFC championship game following 2015 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hooper Ready to Tackle January 23 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former NCAA DI basketball players Rodney Harrison (Western Illinois) and Donovan McNabb (Syracuse) making a name for themselves on January 23 in conference championship games following 2004 season:
JANUARY 23
New England Patriots SS Rodney Harrison (averaged 7.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3 apg and 1.6 spg for Western Illinois in 1992-93) returned an interception 87 yards for touchdown in 41-27 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Championship following 2004 campaign.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 27-10 NFC Championship win against the Atlanta Falcons following 2004 season.
Heavy-duty Heritage: Hammerin' Home Hank's High-rise Hoop Harvest
Deceased sports icon Hank Aaron was surrounded by hoopers his entire 23-year MLB career. The majority of Milwaukee Braves' starting infield was comprised of former college basketball players on April 23, 1954, when Aaron contributed his first big-league RBI and homer (against St. Louis Cardinals). Aaron was outhomered in his rookie campaign by 1B teammate Joe Adcock, 23-13, eight years after Adcock set SEC Tournament record with 15 field goals for Louisiana State's basketball squad in 1946. Did you also know that ex-Texas A&M hooper Wally Moon (averaged 4.3 ppg in 1948-49 and 1949-50) earned National League Rookie of the Year acclaim over Aaron when the Cards CF led league in plate appearances (716) and ranked among top six in hits (193), triples (9), runs (106) and stolen bases (18)? Twenty years later in Atlanta, Aaron's 715th round-tripper surpassing Babe Ruth on April 8, 1974, was hit off Los Angeles Dodgers lefthander Al Downing, who attended Muhlenberg (Pa.) on a basketball scholarship but left school before ever playing to turn to Organized Ball and his ultimate date with sports history while also donning uniform #44.
MLB opponent adjacent to Aaron for historic homer was Downing's batterymate Joe Ferguson, who played for Pacific against eventual NCAA basketball champion UCLA in 1967 West Regional final. LA's manager was Walter Alston, a basketball letterman with Miami of Ohio from 1932-33 through 1934-35. The winning hurler in historic baseball game was Atlanta's Ron Reed, who led Notre Dame in rebounding as a junior (17.7 rpg in 1963-64) and scoring as a senior (21 ppg in 1964-65). Reed played more seasons (nine) with Aaron than any ex-college cager. Former hoopers Darrell Evans (Pasadena City College under coach Jerry Tarkanian) and Davey Johnson (Texas A&M) combined for 40 homers with the Braves in Aaron's final campaign with them in 1974. Johnson, who tied Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby's record for most single-season round-trippers by a second baseman the previous year, became a regular with the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 by succeeding slick-fielding Jerry Adair, a top three scorer for Oklahoma State in 1956-57 and 1957-58 under legendary coach Hank Iba.
Aaron led the entire majors in homers in a single season only once (44 in 1957) before pacing N.L. three more times (1963, 1966 and 1967). Former college hooper contemporaries swatting more circuit clouts than Aaron in a season when he registered at least 20 round-trippers included Adcock (38 in 1956 and 35 in 1961), Bob Cerv (attended Nebraska/38 in 1958 with Kansas City Athletics), Evans (41 in 1973 and 25 in 1974), Gil Hodges (St. Joseph's IN & Oakland City IN/32 in 1956 with Brooklyn Dodgers), Frank Howard (Ohio State/44 in 1968, 48 in 1969 and 44 in 1970 with Washington Senators), Johnson (43 in 1973), Don Lock (Wichita/28 in 1964 with Senators), Graig Nettles (San Diego State/22 in 1974 with New York Yankees) and Leon "Daddy Wags" Wagner (Tuskegee AL/31 in 1964 with Cleveland Indians). Johnson, Evans and Aaron comprised the first trio of teammates to each hammer at least 40 homers in a single season.
Aaron's 755th and final homer came against the California Angels on 7/20/76 (hit none in his final 23 games covering 2 1/2 months). In Aaron's next-to-last MLB game, his final extra-base hit was a sixth-inning double vs. Baltimore Orioles on 9/29/76 before scoring eventual winning run on a single by Eastern League MVP/Triple Crown winner/September call-up Dan Thomas in the Milwaukee Brewers' 6-3 victory. The tally was Aaron's final of 2,174 runs scored. His successor as the Brewers' principal DH early in 1977 was Thomas before career for "The Sundown Kid" unraveled under Bud Selig's stewardship prior to becoming MLB commissioner. Believe it or not, Thomas died in Aaron's hometown of Mobile, Ala., under distressing circumstances. If you need to win a sports trivia bar bet, please be aware that Thomas' high-school basketball coach at Dupo, Ill., in the St. Louis Metro East area was Cal Neeman Sr. (catcher with Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators for seven years from 1957 through 1963 after starring in basketball with Illinois Wesleyan in late 1940s). Adding to hoop connection, the college baseball coach for Thomas, sixth pick overall in 1972 MLB June amateur draft following Southern Illinois' runner-up finish in 1971 College World Series, was Richard "Itchy" Jones, who averaged 8.9 ppg as a Salukis hooper in 1956-57. Moreover, Thomas was runner-up to Sixto Lezcano in batting average in 1973 with the Shreveport Captains' AA Texas League club managed by Gene Freese, who was captain of West Liberty State WV hoop squad participating in 1952 NAIA Tournament. On 5-1-75, Lezcano scored record-setting run on Aaron's third-inning single when Aaron passed Ruth in career RBI (2,210).
It's a small sports world, after all. In Neeman's MLB debut with the Cubs on opening day 1957 against the Braves, he got his first big-league safety off Cy Young Award winner Warren Spahn (single to right-center; Aaron was RF). One week later on 4/23/57, Aaron was a firsthand witness early in his lone MVP campaign to Neeman's first MLB homer (decisive 10th-inning blast off World Series MVP Lew Burdette of the Braves). Coincidentally, Aaron (fractured left ankle sliding into third base) and Neeman (fractured little finger of right hand) both had their regal rookie seasons stall the first week in September because of injuries. For the record, Thomas' first big-league homer came at Yankee Stadium off Catfish Hunter. Eventual Hall of Fame shortstop Robin Yount went 2-for-18 with Milwaukee in the four games Thomas hit a round-tripper in September of 1976. Yount, the Brewers' top June amateur draft pick (3rd overall) the year after Thomas, wound up with 3,140 other safeties. Thomas' third HR came off Yankees lefthander Ken Holtzman. Unbelievably, Thomas' high school baseball coach was Bill Schlueter, Holtzman's batterymate while attending Illinois and son of MLB catcher Norm Schlueter, who played in A.L. same decade (1930s) as none other than "The Babe."
Aaron went deep against Downing (three times), Holtzman (four) and 308 other hurlers over the course of his career. Victims of Aaron's blasts included All-Americans Joe Gibbon, Johnny O'Brien and Dick Ricketts among the following alphabetical list of former college hoopers: Curt Barclay (Oregon/yielded one HR), Ray Burris (Southwestern Oklahoma State/one), Danny Coombs (Seton Hall/one), Roger Craig (North Carolina State freshman team/10), Gibbon (Mississippi/two), Bob Gibson (Creighton/eight), Dave Giusti (Syracuse/two), Dallas Green (Delaware/one), Don Gross (Michigan State freshman/two), Paul Hartzell (Lehigh/one), Jim Hearn (Georgia Tech/one), Bill Henry (Houston/two), Jay Hook (Northwestern/eight), Ken Hunt (Brigham Young/one), Don Kaiser (East Central OK/one), Cal Koonce (Campbell/two), Sandy Koufax (Cincinnati freshman/seven), Lindy McDaniel (Oklahoma freshman/four), Joe Niekro (West Liberty State WV/two), O'Brien (Seattle/one), Steve Renko (Kansas/two), Ricketts (Duquesne/one), Robin Roberts (Michigan State/nine), George Stone (Louisiana Tech/two), Jim Todd (Parsons IA & Millersville PA/one), Bob Veale (Benedictine KS/three) and Ray Washburn (Whitworth WA/six).
Getting back to Neeman, he coached Thomas in high school hoops in 1968-69 against Gary Simpson (Pistol Pete's backcourt successor with Louisiana State in 1970-71), Rick Suttle (Kansas' 1974 Final Four team) and Dave Taynor (Kansas captain). Eerily, Thomas and Simpson both passed away in 1980 at the age of 29. Thirteen winters apart, Neeman and Thomas played baseball in Venezuela within a year of each of them concluding their MLB careers. Curiously, the aforementioned Johnson was Thomas' first-year skipper in 1979 with the Miami Amigos franchise in short-lived AAA Inter-American League. Earlier that decade, Johnson gained distinction as the only player to hit behind both Aaron and Japan's all-time home-run king (Sadaharu Oh). Adcock, Evans, Johnson and Reed are among the following list of Aaron's baseball teammates with the Braves and Brewers who previously played college basketball (14 from current power-conference members):
| Aaron's Ex-Hooper Teammates | Pos. | MLB Team | College Hoops School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Adcock | 1B | Braves 54-58 | Louisiana State |
| Rick Austin | LHP | Brewers 75-76 | Washington State |
| Frank Bolling | 2B | Braves 61-65 | Spring Hill AL |
| Jim Colborn | RHP | Brewers 75-76 | Edinburgh (Scotland) |
| Gene Conley | RHP | Braves 54-58 | Washington State |
| Billy Cowan | OF | Braves 65 | Utah |
| George Crowe | 1B | Braves 55 | Indiana Central |
| Al Dark | UT | Braves 60 | Louisiana State/USL |
| John DeMerit | OF | Braves 57-61 | Wisconsin |
| Jack Dittmer | 2B | Braves 54-56 | Iowa |
| Darrell Evans | 3B | Braves 69-74 | Pasadena City College CA |
| Davey Johnson | 1B | Braves 73-74 | Texas A&M |
| Art Kusnyer | C | Brewers 76 | Kent State |
| Johnny Logan | SS | Braves 54-61 | Binghamton |
| Gary Neibauer | RHP | Braves 69-73 | Nebraska |
| Joe Niekro | RHP | Braves 73-74 | West Liberty State WV |
| Johnny O'Brien | 2B | Braves 59 | Seattle |
| Ron Reed | RHP | Braves 66-74 | Notre Dame |
| Mel Roach | UT | Braves 54 & 57-61 | Virginia |
| Don Schwall | RHP | Braves 66-67 | Oklahoma |
| Roy Smalley Jr. | INF | Braves 54 | Drury MO |
| George Stone | LHP | Braves 67-72 | Louisiana Tech |
| Gary Sutherland | INF | Brewers 76 | Southern California |
| Cecil Upshaw | RHP | Braves 66-73 | Centenary |
| Sammy White | C | Braves 61 | Washington |
| Jim Wilson | RHP | Braves 54 | San Diego State |
NOTE: A couple of Aaron's MLB managers - Birdie Tebbetts (1961 and 1962/Providence) and Harvey Kuenn (1975/Wisconsin) - also were former college hoopers. Tebbetts, while skipper of the Cincinnati Reds, gushed about the lanky Neeman's power: "That big catcher can hit a ball a mile (but 725 fewer than Aaron)."
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 22 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 22 in football at the professional level (especially Green Bay Packers defense in NFC championship contest following 2016 season):
JANUARY 22
- Green Bay Packers CB Quinten Rollins (led Miami OH in steals all four seasons from 2010-11 through 2013-14 including Mid-American Conference as senior) had four tackles in a 44-21 setback against the Atlanta Falcons in NFC championship game following 2016 season. Packers LB Julius Peppers (averaged 5.7 ppg and 3.7 rpg while shooting 60.7% from floor for North Carolina in 1999-00 and 2000-01) chipped in with two tackles.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 21 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 21 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 21
TE Marcedes Lewis (collected nine points and four rebounds in seven UCLA basketball contests in 2002-03 under coach Steve Lavin) opened the Jacksonville Jaguars' scoring with a touchdown reception in 24-20 setback against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship following 2017 season.
Dallas Cowboys QB Roger Staubach (Navy varsity hooper in 1962-63) threw three touchdown passes in a 35-31 setback against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII following 1978 season.
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 20 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 20 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 20
San Diego Chargers WR Chris Chambers (played hoops briefly for Wisconsin under coach Dick Bennett in 1997-98) had a playoff career-high seven pass receptions in 21-12 AFC championship game setback against the New England Patriots following 2007 season.
Atlanta Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez (averaged 6.4 ppg and 4.3 rpg for California from 1994-95 through 1996-97) had eight pass receptions - including touchdown - in a 28-24 NFC championship game setback against the San Francisco 49ers following 2012 season.
DB R.W. McQuarters (Oklahoma State hooper in 1995-96 and 1996-97 started two games) had an interception in his third consecutive playoff game to help the New York Giants reach Super Bowl XLII following 2007 season.
St. Louis Rams rookie LB Tommy Polley (played in one basketball game for Florida State in 1996-97 under coach Pat Kennedy) had two interceptions, returning one 34 yards for a touchdown, in 45-17 NFC divisional-round win against the Green Bay Packers following 2001 campaign.
Centre Court: Small School Saddled Both UK and UL With Most-Lopsided Loss
Kansas State's once-proud program is in tatters. If embarrassing loss at home by 13 points against an NCAA DII school (Fort Hays State KS) wasn't bad enough, the Wildcats suffered indignity of their most-lopsided setback in school history (107-59 at Baylor). Their previous worst loss was by 46 points against Marshall 75 years ago in 1945-46.
Earlier this season, Alabama's aerial assault (SEC-record 23 three-pointers) had researchers checking on most-lopsided loss in Louisiana State history when the deficit went beyond 40 points before final margin settled at 30 (105-75). It turns out that Bama would have needed to break NCAA three-point record of 28 to send the Tigers to their worst-ever setback. Despite 38 points from NCAA all-time leading scorer Pete Maravich, they bowed by 49 at eventual NCAA champion UCLA in non-conference competition in 1969-70.
LSU is among the "Final Five" DI schools reaching the NCAA playoff national semifinals at some point in their careers to win at least 20 games in a major-college season when suffering their most-lopsided setback. The list also includes Indiana (1993-94), St. John's (1951-52), Texas-El Paso (2000-01) and UCLA (1996-97). Kentucky was the opponent when Florida, Georgia, St. John's, Temple, Tennessee, Tennessee-Martin, Tulsa and Vanderbilt were saddled with their worst reversals.
IU's 106-56 loss against Minnesota in 1993-94 came only two years after the Big Ten Conference rivals reversed roles when the Hoosiers handed the Gophers their most-lopsided setback in history (96-50). In 1997-98, Missouri rebounded from the Tigers' most-lopsided reversal in school history (111-56 at Kansas State in Big 12 Conference opener) to defeat the Wildcats in their return engagement (89-59 at Mizzou in regular-season finale) for an incredible 85-point turnaround in margin.
It's no secret Greek philosopher Rick Pitino, the biggest loser in coaching community the previous decade, directed both Kentucky and Louisville to NCAA Tournament championships. But following is a UK/UL connection hoop secret ESPN's best researcher doesn't know: Centre College in Danville, Ky., boasts a distinction possibly rendering effervescent Dickie V speechless insofar as the Colonels blew up both Death Stars - UK (87-17 in 1909-10) and UL (61-7 in 1919-20) - by more than 50 points, handing each perennial power the most lopsided defeat in their vaunted history. The Cardinals, decades away from embarrassing 45-point setback at North Carolina, lost five consecutive contests against Centre from 1939 to 1941 after the Wildcats dropped six straight decisions against Centre from 1918 to 1921.
If you need bar-bet winning information, additional major universities succumbing by staggering record-setting margins in the Dinosaur Age against obscure opponents include Bradley (bowed to Millikin), Cincinnati (Circleville), Connecticut (Wesleyan), Duke (Washington & Lee), Massachusetts (Williams), Memphis (Elks Club), North Carolina (Lynchburg YMCA Elks), Oklahoma State (Southwestern KS), Pittsburgh (Westminster), Rhode Island (Amherst), USC (L.A. Athletic Club) and Wichita State (Ottawa).
Dr. James Naismith founded the game of basketball but he apparently didn't boast any "inside" information gaining a competitive edge. In fact, Naismith is the only one of Kansas' first nine full-season head coaches to compile a career losing record (55-60 in nine campaigns from 1898-99 through 1906-07). One of the defeats was by an all-time high 40 points against Nebraska. Icons incurring large loss don't stop with Naismith. The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the season's most outstanding college football player, is named after John Heisman, who also coached Georgia Tech basketball for three seasons in its formative years (including 69-point defeat against archrival Georgia).
Naismith and Heisman are among the following coaches, including a striking number of luminaries (such as Harold Anderson, Gene Bartow, Ben Carnevale, Gale Catlett, Chick Davies, Bill Foster, Marv Harshman, Doggie Julian, Bob Knight, Guy Lewis, Rick Majerus, Phil Martelli, Frank McGuire, Shelby Metcalf, Lute Olson, Johnny Orr, Vadal Peterson, Digger Phelps, Honey Russell and Norm Stewart) wrestling with status incurring the most-lopsided smack-down in history for an NCAA Division I university (info unavailable for some DI schools listed alphabetically below):
| Losing DI School | Season | Record | Coach | Victorious Opponent | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 1965-66 | 14-12 | Bob Spear | Utah | 108-57 | 51 |
| Alabama | 1997-98 | 15-16 | David Hobbs | Auburn | 94-40 | 54 |
| Alabama State | 1996-97 | 8-21 | Rob Spivery | Minnesota | 114-34 | 80 |
| American | 1964-65 | 4-19 | Jimmy Williams | Syracuse | 127-67 | 60 |
| Appalachian State | 1972-73 | 6-20 | Press Maravich | North Carolina State | 130-53 | 77 |
| Arizona | 1955-56 | 11-15 | Fred Enke | Utah | 119-45 | 74 |
| Arizona State | 1955-56 | 10-16 | Bill Kajikawa | Texas Tech | 113-63 | 50 |
| Arkansas | 1973-74 | 10-16 | Lanny Van Eman | Mississippi | 117-66 | 51 |
| Army | 1913-14 | 5-7 | Joseph Stilwell | Union | 81-13 | 68 |
| Auburn | 1912-13 | 6-9 | Mike Donahue | Georgia | 92-12 | 80 |
| Austin Peay | 1981-82 | 6-20 | Ron Bargatze | Clemson | 102-53 | 49 |
| Ball State | 1946-47 | 9-8 | Pete Phillips | Notre Dame | 80-31 | 49 |
| Ball State | 1987-88 | 14-14 | Rick Majerus | Purdue | 96-47 | 49 |
| Baylor | 1944-45 | 0-17 | Van Sweet | Arkansas | 94-28 | 66 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 1991-92 | 4-25 | Jack "Cy" McClairen | Arkansas | 128-46 | 82 |
| Boston College | 1955-56 | 6-18 | Don Martin | Marshall | 130-69 | 61 |
| Boston University | 1905-06 | 2-4 | unavailable | Wesleyan CT | 74-7 | 67 |
| Bowling Green | 1954-55 | 6-16 | Harold Anderson | Dayton | 109-38 | 71 |
| Bradley | 1913-14 | 10-10 | Fred Brown | Millikin IL | 62-10 | 52 |
| Brigham Young | 1996-97 | 1-25 | Roger Reid | Washington | 95-44 | 51 |
| Brown | 1988-89 | 7-19 | Mike Cingiser | Kansas | 115-45 | 70 |
| Butler | 1954-55 | 10-14 | Tony Hinkle | Illinois | 88-34 | 54 |
| California | 1999-00 | 18-15 | Ben Braun | Stanford | 101-50 | 51 |
| UC Irvine | 1975-76 | 14-12 | Tim Tift | UNLV | 129-57 | 72 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 1966-67 | 10-16 | Ralph Barkey | UCLA | 119-75 | 44 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 1976-77 | 8-18 | Ralph Barkey | UNLV | 113-69 | 44 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 1964-65 | 1-25 | Alex Omalev | U.S. International | 91-32 | 59 |
| Campbell | 1997-98 | 10-17 | Billy Lee | Florida International | 96-43 | 53 |
| Centenary | 1987-88 | 13-15 | Tommy Canterbury | Oklahoma | 152-84 | 68 |
| Central Connecticut State | 1995-96 | 13-15 | Mark Adams | Connecticut | 116-46 | 70 |
| Central Michigan | 1911-12 | 2-5 | Harry Helmer | Michigan State | 72-10 | 62 |
| Cincinnati | 1901-02 | 5-4 | Henry S. Pratt | Circleville OH | 84-13 | 71 |
| Clemson | 1954-55 | 2-21 | James "Banks" McFadden | Duke | 115-54 | 61 |
| Colorado | 1951-52 | 8-16 | Horace "Bebe" Lee | Kansas State | 92-40 | 52 |
| Connecticut | 1905-06 | 6-3 | unofficial | Wesleyan CT | 86-12 | 74 |
| Creighton | 1948-49 | 9-14 | Duce Belford | Illinois | 96-30 | 66 |
| Dartmouth | 1966-67 | 7-17 | Alvin "Doggie" Julian | Princeton | 116-42 | 74 |
| Davidson | 1908-09 | 1-3 | J.W. Rhea | Georgia | 100-12 | 88 |
| Dayton | 1994-95 | 7-20 | Oliver Purnell | Cincinnati | 116-63 | 53 |
| DePaul | 2010-11 | 7-24 | Oliver Purnell | Syracuse | 107-59 | 48 |
| Detroit | 2015-16 | 16-15 | Ray McCallum | Vanderbilt | 102-52 | 50 |
| Drake | 1998-99 | 10-17 | Kurt Kanaskie | Indiana | 102-46 | 56 |
| Duke | 1912-13 | 11-8 | J.E. Brinn | Washington & Lee VA | 90-15 | 75 |
| Duquesne | 1937-38 | 6-11 | Charles "Chick" Davies | Stanford | 92-27 | 65 |
| East Carolina | 1963-64 | 9-15 | Wendell Carr | Davidson | 105-45 | 60 |
| East Tennessee State | 1996-97 | 7-20 | Ed DeChellis | Davidson | 97-47 | 50 |
| East Tennessee State | 2007-08 | 19-13 | Murry Bartow | Syracuse | 125-75 | 50 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2001-02 | 15-16 | Rick Samuels | Oklahoma | 109-50 | 59 |
| Eastern Michigan | 1957-58 | 1-20 | James Skala | Southern Illinois | 128-60 | 68 |
| Evansville | 1960-61 | 11-16 | Arad McCutchan | Utah | 132-77 | 55 |
| Fairfield | 2014-15 | 7-24 | Sydney Johnson | Duke | 109-59 | 50 |
| Florida | 1947-48 | 15-10 | Sam McAllister | Kentucky | 87-31 | 56 |
| Florida A&M | 1992-93 | 10-18 | Willie Booker | Oklahoma | 146-65 | 81 |
| Florida Atlantic | 2000-01 | 7-24 | Sidney Green | Florida | 100-42 | 58 |
| Florida International | 1989-90 | 7-21 | Rich Walker | Ball State | 105-50 | 55 |
| Florida State | 1957-58 | 9-16 | J.K. "Bud" Kennedy | West Virginia | 103-51 | 52 |
| Fordham | 1908-09 | 17-12 | Chris Mahoney | Williams MA | 77-12 | 65 |
| George Mason | 1970-71 | 9-17 | John Linn | Randolph-Macon VA | 118-36 | 82 |
| George Washington | 1961-62 | 9-15 | Bill Reinhart | West Virginia | 120-68 | 52 |
| Georgetown | 1912-13 | 11-5 | James Colliflower | Navy | 67-18 | 49 |
| Georgia | 1955-56 | 3-21 | Harbin Lawson | Kentucky | 143-66 | 77 |
| Georgia State | 1994-95 | 11-17 | Carter Wilson | Memphis State | 124-52 | 72 |
| Georgia Tech | 1908-09 | 1-6 | John Heisman | Georgia | 78-9 | 69 |
| Gonzaga | 1945-46 | 6-14 | Gordon White | Montana | 103-34 | 69 |
| Grambling State | 1999-00 | 1-30 | Larry Wright | Louisiana State | 112-37 | 75 |
| Harvard | 1989-90 | 12-14 | Peter Roby | Duke | 130-54 | 76 |
| Hawaii | 1965-66 | 0-18 | Ephraim "Red" Rocha | Washington | 111-52 | 59 |
| Hofstra | 1944-45 | 8-13 | Jack Smith | USMMA | 66-15 | 51 |
| Holy Cross | 1901-02 | 4-5 | Fred Powers | Dartmouth | 78-27 | 51 |
| Houston | 1975-76 | 17-11 | Guy Lewis | Arkansas | 92-47 | 45 |
| Howard | 2000-01 | 10-18 | Frankie Allen | Memphis | 112-42 | 70 |
| Idaho | 1976-77 | 5-21 | Jim Jarvis | UNLV | 135-78 | 57 |
| Idaho State | 1992-93 | 10-18 | Herb Williams | Oklahoma | 112-59 | 53 |
| Illinois | 1973-74 | 5-18 | Harv Schmidt | Indiana | 107-67 | 40 |
| Illinois State | 1958-59 | 24-4 | James Collie | Tennessee State | 131-74 | 57 |
| Indiana | 1993-94 | 21-9 | Bob Knight | Minnesota | 106-56 | 50 |
| Indiana State | 1910-11 | 2-8 | John P. Kimmel | Purdue | 112-6 | 106 |
| Iona | 1967-68 | 13-9 | Jim McDermott | Duquesne | 100-47 | 53 |
| Iowa | 1974-75 | 10-16 | Lute Olson | Indiana | 102-49 | 53 |
| Iowa State | 1989-90 | 10-18 | Johnny Orr | Indiana | 115-66 | 49 |
| Jacksonville | 2017-18 | 15-18 | Tony Jasick | North Carolina State | 116-64 | 52 |
| James Madison | 2005-06 | 5-23 | Dean Keener | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | 93-52 | 41 |
| Kansas | 1899-00 | 3-4 | Dr. James Naismith | Nebraska | 48-8 | 40 |
| Kansas State | 2020-21 | TBD | Bruce Weber | Baylor | 107-59 | 48 |
| Kentucky | 1909-10 | 4-8 | R.E. Spahr/E.R. Sweetland | Centre KY | 87-17 | 70 |
| Lafayette | 1994-95 | 2-25 | John Leone | Connecticut | 110-48 | 62 |
| Lamar | 1963-64 | 19-6 | Jack Martin | St. Louis | 113-63 | 50 |
| La Salle | 2015-16 | 9-22 | John Giannini | Miami (Fla.) | 95-49 | 46 |
| Lehigh | 1901-02 | 9-5 | J.W. Pollard | Bucknell | 68-3 | 65 |
| Long Beach State | 1990-91 | 11-17 | Seth Greenberg | UNLV | 114-63 | 51 |
| Long Island | 1998-99 | 10-17 | Ray Martin | Florida | 119-61 | 58 |
| Louisiana-Monroe | 1997-98 | 13-16 | Mike Vining | Xavier | 118-61 | 57 |
| Louisiana State | 1969-70 | 22-10 | Peter "Press" Maravich | UCLA | 133-84 | 49 |
| Louisiana Tech | 1974-75 | 12-13 | Emmett Hendricks | Tulane | 88-40 | 48 |
| Louisville | 1919-20 | 6-5 | Tuley Brucker | Centre KY | 61-7 | 54 |
| Loyola of Chicago | 1916-17 | 1-3 | unavailable | Whiting Owls | 91-21 | 70 |
| Loyola Marymount | 1990-91 | 16-15 | Jay Hillock | Oklahoma | 172-112 | 60 |
| Maine | 1973-74 | 13-10 | Tom "Skip" Chappelle | Massachusetts | 108-38 | 70 |
| Manhattan | 1985-86 | 2-26 | Thomas Sullivan | North Carolina | 129-45 | 84 |
| Marquette | 2004-05 | 19-12 | Tom Crean | Louisville | 99-52 | 47 |
| Marshall | 1913-14 | 2-6 | Boyd Chambers | Cincinnati Church of Christ | 68-10 | 58 |
| Maryland | 1943-44 | 4-14 | H. Burton Shipley | Army | 85-22 | 63 |
| Massachusetts | 1907-08 | 4-11 | unofficial | Williams MA | 60-3 | 57 |
| Memphis | 1927-28 | 10-11 | Zach Curlin | Elks Club | 79-30 | 49 |
| Miami (Fla.) | 1969-70 | 9-17 | Ron Godfrey | UCLA | 127-69 | 58 |
| Miami (Ohio) | 1948-49 | 8-13 | Blue Foster | Cincinnati | 94-36 | 58 |
| Michigan | 1999-00 | 15-14 | Brian Ellerbe | Michigan State | 114-63 | 51 |
| Michigan State | 1974-75 | 17-9 | Gus Ganakas | Indiana | 107-55 | 52 |
| Middle Tennessee State | 1954-55 | 11-16 | Charles Greer | Morehead State | 123-68 | 55 |
| Milwaukee | 1962-63 | 4-17 | Russ Rebholz | Loyola of Chicago | 107-47 | 60 |
| Minnesota | 1991-92 | 16-16 | Clem Haskins | Indiana | 96-50 | 46 |
| Mississippi | 1913-14 | 8-7 | B.Y. Walton | Mississippi State | 84-18 | 66 |
| Mississippi State | 1992-93 | 13-16 | Richard Williams | Arkansas | 115-58 | 57 |
| Missouri | 1997-98 | 17-15 | Norm Stewart | Kansas State | 111-56 | 55 |
| Missouri State | 1980-81 | 9-21 | Bob Cleeland | Puget Sound WA | 103-50 | 53 |
| Morehead State | 1992-93 | 6-21 | Dick Fick | Michigan State | 121-53 | 68 |
| Murray State | 1960-61 | 13-10 | Cal Luther | St. Bonaventure | 92-39 | 53 |
| Navy | 1963-64 | 10-12 | Ben Carnevale | Duke | 121-65 | 56 |
| Nebraska | 1957-58 | 10-13 | Jerry Bush | Kansas | 102-46 | 56 |
| Nevada | 1990-91 | 17-14 | Len Stevens | UNLV | 131-81 | 50 |
| New Mexico | 1954-55 | 7-17 | Woody Clements | UCLA | 106-41 | 65 |
| New Orleans | 2013-14 | 11-15 | Mark Slessinger | Michigan State | 101-48 | 53 |
| NYU | 1912-13 | 1-11 | James Dale | Navy | 74-13 | 61 |
| Niagara | 1996-97 | 11-17 | Jack Armstrong | Kansas | 134-73 | 61 |
| Nicholls State | 2002-03 | 3-25 | Ricky Blanton | Texas Tech | 107-35 | 72 |
| North Carolina | 1914-15 | 6-10 | Charles Doak | Lynchburg YMCA Elks | 63-20 | 43 |
| UNC Asheville | 1997-98 | 19-9 | Eddie Biedenbach | Maryland | 110-52 | 58 |
| North Carolina A&T | 1976-77 | 3-24 | Warren Reynolds | North Carolina State | 107-46 | 61 |
| North Carolina State | 1920-21 | 6-14 | Richard Crozier | North Carolina | 62-10 | 52 |
| UNC Wilmington | 1996-97 | 16-14 | Jerry Wainwright | Villanova | 87-38 | 49 |
| North Texas | 1998-99 | 4-22 | Vic Trilli | Maryland | 132-57 | 75 |
| Northern Arizona | 1991-92 | 7-20 | Harold Merritt | Louisiana State | 159-86 | 73 |
| Northern Illinois | 1966-67 | 8-12 | Tom Jorgensen | Bradley | 117-66 | 51 |
| Northern Iowa | 1906-07 | 5-4 | R.F. Seymour | Iowa | 73-16 | 57 |
| Northwestern | 1986-87 | 7-21 | Bill E. Foster | Duke | 106-55 | 51 |
| Northwestern State | 2000-01 | 19-13 | Mike McConathy | Arkansas | 115-47 | 68 |
| Notre Dame | 1971-72 | 6-20 | Digger Phelps | Indiana | 94-29 | 65 |
| Ohio | 1902-03 | TBD | unavailable | Ohio State | 88-2 | 86 |
| Ohio State | 1955-56 | 16-6 | Floyd Stahl | Illinois | 111-64 | 47 |
| Oklahoma | 1916-17 | 13-8 | Bennie Owen | Oklahoma A&M | 58-11 | 47 |
| Oklahoma State | 1919-20 | 1-12 | James Pixlee | Southwestern KS | 53-9 | 44 |
| Oral Roberts | 1992-93 | 5-22 | Ken Trickey | Kansas | 140-72 | 68 |
| Oregon | 1921-22 | 7-24 | George Bohler | Washington | 76-15 | 61 |
| Oregon State | 1996-97 | 7-20 | Eddie Payne | Arizona | 99-48 | 51 |
| Oregon State | 2009-10 | 14-18 | Craig Robinson | Seattle | 99-48 | 51 |
| Pacific | 1952-53 | 2-20 | Van Sweet | California | 87-30 | 57 |
| Penn | 1987-88 | 10-16 | Tom Schneider | UCLA | 98-49 | 49 |
| Penn State | 1985-86 | 12-17 | Bruce Parkhill | Navy | 103-50 | 53 |
| Pepperdine | 1965-66 | 2-24 | Robert "Duck" Dowell | Iowa | 111-50 | 61 |
| Pittsburgh | 1905-06 | 2-9 | Benjamin Printz | Westminster PA | 106-13 | 93 |
| Portland | 1966-67 | 10-16 | Al Negratti | UCLA | 122-57 | 65 |
| Portland State | 1964-65 | 8-18 | Loyal "Sharkey" Nelson | Montana State | 97-43 | 54 |
| Prairie View | 1995-96 | 4-23 | Elwood Plummer | Tulsa | 141-50 | 91 |
| Princeton | 1908-09 | 8-13 | Harry Shorter | Penn | 55-10 | 45 |
| Providence | 1954-55 | 9-12 | Vin Cuddy | Holy Cross | 101-47 | 54 |
| Purdue | 1947-48 | 11-9 | Mel Taube | Illinois | 98-54 | 44 |
| Rhode Island | 1916-17 | 2-6 | Jim Baldwin | Amherst MA | 65-5 | 60 |
| Rice | 1971-72 | 6-20 | Don Knodel | North Carolina | 127-69 | 58 |
| Rider | 1989-90 | 10-18 | Kevin Bannon | Minnesota | 116-48 | 68 |
| Robert Morris | 1996-97 | 4-23 | Jim Boone | Arizona | 118-54 | 64 |
| Rutgers | 1906-07 | 0-3 | Frank Gorton | Lehigh | 88-23 | 65 |
| St. Francis (N.Y.) | 1993-94 | 1-26 | Ron Ganulin | Providence | 108-48 | 60 |
| St. John's | 1951-52 | 25-6 | Frank McGuire | Kentucky | 81-40 | 41 |
| St. John's | 2015-16 | 8-24 | Chris Mullin | Creighton | 100-59 | 41 |
| St. John's | 2016-17 | 14-19 | Chris Mullin | Villanova | 108-67 | 41 |
| Saint Joseph's | 2014-15 | 13-18 | Phil Martelli | Gonzaga | 94-42 | 52 |
| Saint Louis | 1945-46 | 13-11 | John Flanigan | Oklahoma A&M | 86-33 | 53 |
| Saint Mary's | 2000-01 | 2-27 | Dave Bollwinkel | Arizona | 101-41 | 60 |
| Saint Peter's | 1941-42 | 5-11 | Morgan Sweetman | St. Francis (N.Y.) | 85-29 | 56 |
| Sam Houston State | 1991-92 | 2-25 | Jerry Hopkins | Lamar | 126-57 | 69 |
| Samford | 1957-58 | 7-17 | Virgil Ledbetter | Alabama | 105-44 | 61 |
| San Diego State | 1998-99 | 4-22 | Fred Trenkle | Utah | 86-38 | 48 |
| San Jose State | 1970-71 | 2-24 | Danny Glines | New Mexico State | 114-55 | 59 |
| Santa Clara | 2001-02 | 13-15 | Dick Davey | Ohio State | 88-41 | 47 |
| Seton Hall | 1957-58 | 7-19 | John "Honey" Russell | Cincinnati | 118-54 | 64 |
| Siena | 1987-88 | 23-6 | Mike Deane | Syracuse | 123-72 | 51 |
| South Alabama | 1994-95 | 9-18 | Ronnie Arrow | Southern Utah | 140-72 | 68 |
| South Carolina | 1929-30 | 6-10 | A.W. "Rock" Norman | Furman | 70-11 | 59 |
| South Florida | 1987-88 | 6-22 | Bobby Paschal | Syracuse | 111-65 | 46 |
| Southeastern Louisiana | 1998-99 | 6-20 | John Lyles | Auburn | 114-60 | 54 |
| Southern California | 1913-14 | 5-7 | unavailable | L.A. Athletic Club | 77-14 | 63 |
| Southern Illinois | 2016-17 | 17-16 | Barry Hinson | Wichita State | 87-45 | 42 |
| Southern Methodist | 1980-81 | 7-20 | Dave Bliss | Arkansas | 92-50 | 42 |
| Southern Mississippi | 2001-02 | 10-17 | James Green | Cincinnati | 89-37 | 52 |
| Southern Utah | 1988-89 | 10-18 | Neil Roberts | Oklahoma | 132-64 | 68 |
| Stanford | 1975-76 | 11-16 | Dick DiBiaso | UCLA | 120-74 | 46 |
| Stetson | 2018-19 | 7-24 | Corey Williams | Duke | 113-49 | 64 |
| Syracuse | 1961-62 | 8-13 | Fred Lewis | NYU | 122-59 | 63 |
| Temple | 1946-47 | 8-12 | Josh Cody | Kentucky | 68-29 | 39 |
| Tennessee | 1992-93 | 13-17 | Wade Houston | Kentucky | 101-40 | 61 |
| Tennessee-Martin | 1994-95 | 7-20 | Cal Luther | Kentucky | 124-50 | 74 |
| Tennessee Tech | 1962-63 | 16-8 | John Oldham | Loyola of Chicago | 111-42 | 69 |
| Texas | 1971-72 | 19-9 | Leon Black | UCLA | 115-65 | 50 |
| Texas A&M | 1971-72 | 16-10 | Shelby Metcalf | UCLA | 117-53 | 64 |
| Texas-Arlington | 1993-94 | 7-22 | Eddie McCarter | Iowa State | 119-55 | 64 |
| Texas Christian | 1977-78 | 4-22 | Tim Somerville | Clemson | 125-62 | 63 |
| Texas-El Paso | 2000-01 | 23-9 | Jason Rabedeaux | Fresno State | 108-56 | 52 |
| Texas-San Antonio | 2015-16 | 5-27 | Brooks Thompson | Texas | 116-50 | 66 |
| Texas Southern | 1993-94 | 19-11 | Robert Moreland | Arkansas | 129-63 | 66 |
| Texas State | 1918-19 | TBD | unavailable | Texas | 89-6 | 83 |
| Texas Tech | 2007-08 | 16-15 | Pat Knight | Kansas | 109-51 | 58 |
| Toledo | 1932-33 | 3-13 | Dave Connelly | Ohio State | 64-10 | 54 |
| Tulane | 2000-01 | 9-21 | Shawn Finney | Cincinnati | 105-57 | 48 |
| Tulsa | 1947-48 | 7-16 | John Garrison | Kentucky | 72-18 | 54 |
| UAB | 1990-91 | 18-13 | Gene Bartow | UNLV | 109-68 | 41 |
| UCF | 1988-89 | 7-20 | Phil Carter | Florida State | 133-79 | 54 |
| UCLA | 1996-97 | 24-8 | Steve Lavin | Stanford | 109-61 | 48 |
| UNLV | 1970-71 | 16-10 | John Bayer | Houston | 130-73 | 57 |
| U.S. International | 1989-90 | 12-16 | Gary Zarecky | Oklahoma | 173-101 | 72 |
| Utah | 2011-12 | 6-25 | Larry Krystkowiak | Oregon | 94-48 | 46 |
| Utah State | 1909-10 | 3-7 | Clayton Teetzel | Utah | 69-15 | 54 |
| Utah State | 1925-26 | 13-5 | Lowell Romney | Southern California | 82-28 | 54 |
| Valparaiso | 1967-68 | 11-15 | Gene Bartow | Houston | 158-81 | 77 |
| Vanderbilt | 1946-47 | 7-8 | Norm Cooper | Kentucky | 98-29 | 69 |
| Villanova | 1921-22 | 11-4 | Michael Saxe | Army | 58-11 | 47 |
| Virginia | 1964-65 | 7-18 | Bill Gibson | Duke | 136-72 | 64 |
| Virginia Commonwealth | 1976-77 | 13-13 | Dana Kirk | Auburn | 109-59 | 50 |
| Virginia Tech | 1952-53 | 4-19 | Gerald "Red" Laird | Marshall | 113-57 | 56 |
| Wagner | 1998-99 | 9-18 | Tim Capstraw | Connecticut | 111-46 | 65 |
| Wake Forest | 1913-14 | 10-7 | J.R. Crozier | Virginia | 80-16 | 64 |
| Washington | 1988-89 | 12-16 | Andy Russo | Arizona | 116-61 | 55 |
| Washington State | 1964-65 | 9-17 | Marv Harshman | UCLA | 93-41 | 52 |
| Washington State | 2004-05 | 12-16 | Dick Bennett | Oklahoma State | 81-29 | 52 |
| Weber State | 1988-89 | 17-11 | Denny Huston | Akron | 92-50 | 42 |
| West Virginia | 1978-79 | 16-12 | Gale Catlett | Louisville | 106-60 | 46 |
| Western Carolina | 1998-99 | 8-21 | Phil Hopkins | Maryland | 113-46 | 67 |
| Western Kentucky | 1990-91 | 14-14 | Ralph Willard | Georgia | 124-65 | 59 |
| Western Michigan | 1988-89 | 12-16 | Vern Payne | Michigan | 107-60 | 47 |
| Wichita State | 1912-13 | 1-11 | E.V. Long | Ottawa KS | 80-8 | 72 |
| William & Mary | 1918-19 | 3-6 | V.M. Geddy | Roanoke VA | 87-6 | 81 |
| Wisconsin | 1975-76 | 10-16 | John Powless | Indiana | 114-61 | 53 |
| Wisconsin | 1985-86 | 12-16 | Steve Yoder | Iowa | 101-48 | 53 |
| Wright State | 1976-77 | 11-16 | Marcus Jackson | Cincinnati | 120-52 | 68 |
| Wyoming | 1910-11 | 1-4 | Harold Dean | Colorado | 65-12 | 53 |
| Xavier | 1966-67 | 13-13 | Don Ruberg | Kansas | 100-52 | 48 |
| Yale | 1976-77 | 6-20 | Ray Carazo | Clemson | 104-50 | 54 |
| Youngstown State | 1941-42 | 9-12 | Dom Rosselli | Toledo | 88-32 | 56 |
On This NFL Date: Ex-College Hoopers Ready to Tackle January 19 Football
Long before kneeling knuckleheads such as GQ cover boy #ColonKrapernick tried to pinpoint where Iran is on a map, the NCAA Tournament commenced in 1939, which was one year after the NIT triggered national postseason competition. An overlooked "versatile athlete" feat occurring in 1938 likely never to be duplicated took place at Arkansas, where the quarterback for the football squad (Jack Robbins) repeated as an All-SWC first-team basketball selection, leading the Razorbacks (19-3) to the league title. After the season, Robbins became an NFL first-round draft choice by the Chicago Cardinals (5th pick overall) and senior football/basketball teammates Jim Benton (11th pick by Cleveland Rams) and Ray Hamilton (41st pick by Rams) went on to become wide receivers for at least six years in the NFL. Yes, they created a kneeling-in-admiration shatterproof achievement - three members of a league championship basketball squad who promptly were among the top 41 selections in the same NFL draft.
Two years later, All-SWC first-team hoop selection Howard "Red" Hickey was instrumental in Arkansas reaching the 1941 Final Four before becoming an end for the Cleveland Rams' 1945 NFL titlist. Two-sport college teammate and fellow end O'Neal Adams scored five touchdowns for the New York Giants the first half of the 1940s. Another two-sport Hog who played for the Giants in the mid-1940s was Harry Wynne. An earlier versatile Razorback was Jim Lee Howell, who was an All-SWC first five hoops selection in 1935-36 before becoming a starting end for the Giants' 1938 NFL titlist and Pro Bowl participant the next year. Adams, Benton, Hamilton, Hickey and Howell combined for 77 touchdowns in an 11-year span from 1938 through 1948 when at least one of the ex-Razorback hoopers scored a TD in each of those seasons.
Hickey and ex-Hog All-SWC second-team hooper in 1929-30/NFL end Milan Creighton each coached NFL franchises. Many other ex-college hoopers also displayed their wares on the gridiron. Following is exhaustive research you can tackle regarding former college basketball players who made a name for themselves on January 19 in football at the professional level:
JANUARY 19
Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones (collected six points and six assists in eight basketball games for Texas-El Paso in 2013-14 under coach Tim Floyd) scored two second-half touchdowns in 37-20 setback against the San Francisco 49ers in NFC Championship contest following 2019 season.
Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb (averaged 2.3 points in 18 games for Syracuse in 1995-96 and 1996-97) threw two touchdown passes in a 33-19 NFC divisional-round playoff win against the Chicago Bears following 2001 season.
Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas (averaged 6.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg while shooting 66.3% from floor with Portland State from 2006-07 through 2009-10) had playoff career-high eight pass receptions in a 26-16 AFC championship game win against the New England Patriots following 2013 season.
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