Conference Independent AP No. 18 Head coach John Castellani | Coaches No. 19 1957–58 record 24-7 | |
The 1957–58 Seattle Chieftains men's basketball team (now known as Redhawks) represented Seattle University. Led by Elgin Baylor, the Chieftains appeared in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.
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NCAA basketball tournament
NCAA Championship
The 1958 NCAA Championship game was played in Louisville, Kentucky. Seattle had an integrated team, and played in front of an all-white crowd of 18,803. Elgin Baylor was the nation's second-best scorer (32.5) behind Cincinnati's Oscar Robertson. The Chieftains led Kentucky by 11 points in the first half. The Chieftains were leading by a score of 60-58, with seven minutes in the game. Seattle lost the game by a score of 84-72, completing a 23-6 season.
After the championship game, Elgin Baylor hinted that he might return for his senior season. Castellani had two recruits with him from the South Bend area, forwards Don Piasecki and Don Ogorek. The Chieftains also added a transfer from Indiana, guard Charlie Brown. The feeling was that the team would have a bright future.