Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball

Division I NCAA Tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in four NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4.

NIT results

The Sycamores have appeared in four National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 1–4.

CBI results

The Sycamores appeared in one College Basketball Invitational (CBI). Their record is 0–1.

CIT results

The Sycamores appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT). Their record is 0–1.

Division II NCAA Tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in three NCAA Division II Basketball Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4.

NAIA Tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in the NAIA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament 12 times. They reached the NAIA Final Four five times. The Sycamores combined NAIA Tournament record is 25–12. Indiana State is the only team to finish as the National Runner-Up in the NAIA and both the NCAA DI and DII tournaments.

Indiana State won 7 NAIA District 21 titles (1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1959, 1962 and 1963)

1936 Olympic trials

Coach Wally Marks’ 1935–36 Sycamores from Indiana State University gained national attention when they participated in the first national post-season collegiate basketball tournament. The winning team would earn the right to name five players to represent the United States in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, the first Games to feature the American sport of basketball. By earning the bid, the Sycamores joined a select group of college teams hand-picked by the Amateur Athletic Union, the U.S. governing organization.

The Olympic team members were selected from the best AAU teams and winners of the national collegiate tournament conducted in eight regional districts. The Sycamores earned a bid and advanced to the district finals and were pitted against Coach Ray Meyer's DePaul Blue Demons, at Chicago Stadium, DePaul's home court. Despite vaulting to a 10–0 lead, maintaining a 16–10 halftime advantage and outscoring the hosts from the field, Marks’ cagers lost on a long shot in the waning moments of the game, 29–28.

1951 Pan American Games

The 1949–50 squad won the NAIA 1950 National Championship. Subsequently, Coach John Longfellow and eight Sycamore players were invited to represent the United States in the inaugural (1951) Pan American Games, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Sycamores Roger Adkins, Dick Atha, Richard Babcock, Bob Gilbert, Tom Kern, Gene Lambdin, Ed Longfellow, and Cliff Murray represented the United States and Indiana State University. The United States defeated the national teams of Ecuador (74–32), Cuba (77–55), Panama (90–55) and Brazil (69–42) to reach the championship game against Argentina. The Americans defeated the hosts, (57–51), for the gold medal.

USA Basketball players (10)

Roger Adkins – 1951 Pan American Games

Dick Atha – 1951 Pan American Games

Richard Babcock – 1951 Pan American Games

Bob Gilbert – 1951 Pan American Games

Tom Kern – 1951 Pan American Games

Gene Lambdin – 1951 Pan American Games

Ed Longfellow – 1951 Pan American Games

Cliff Murray – 1951 Pan American Games

Larry Bird – 1977 World University Games

Larry Bird – 1978 World Invitational Tournament

Carl Nicks – 1979 Select Team.

Larry Bird – 1992 Olympic team, a.k.a. "The Dream Team"

Other national teams (1)

Manny Arop – Canadian University National Team (2013), Canadian Junior National Team (2011), Canadian U-19 National Team (2009), Canadian U-18 National Team (2008)

National Player of the Year (2)

Duane Klueh – 1948 NAIB Player of the Year Helms Foundation

Larry Bird – 1979 consensus

Oscar Robertson Trophy (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Naismith Award (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

John R. Wooden Award (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Associated Press College Basketball Player of the Year (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Adolph Rupp Trophy (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Eastman Award (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Joe Lapchick Award (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

The Sporting News (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Basketball Times (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Basketball Weekly (1)

Larry Bird – 1979

Conference (6)

Roger Adkins – 1952 Indiana Collegiate Conference

Butch Wade – 1967 Indiana Collegiate Conference

Jerry Newsom – 1968 Indiana Collegiate Conference

Larry Bird – 1978 Missouri Valley Conference

Larry Bird – 1979 Missouri Valley Conference

Nate Green – 2000 Missouri Valley Conference

National tournament (3)

Duane Klueh – NAIA 1948 Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player

Lenny Rzeszewski – NAIA 1950 Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player

Jerry Newsom – NCAA 1968 Division II Men's Basketball Championship Most Valuable Player

All-Century Team

In 1899, basketball became a Sycamore tradition; in the first official game, State defeated the Terre Haute YMCA by a score of 20-17; in 1999, to recognize the first century of intercollegiate basketball, a panel selected the following All-Century Team.

In addition, 'All-Decade' teams were selected for the following:

1910s-1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

The rosters and more information can be found in the Winter 1999 (Volume 3, Number 1) issue of the 'Indiana State University Alumni Magazine.

CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (4)

Dan Bush (Second Team) 1972

Mike Route (Third Team) 1976

Greg Thomas (Second Team) 1993

Matt Renn (Second Team) 2001

NCAA Post-Graduate scholarship (2)

Dan Bush 1972

Steve Reed 1981

All-Conference (31)

Only players selected for the conference first team are displayed; for second team and honorable mention, please consult the Indiana State Men's basketball media guide at www.gosycamores.com

Blocked shots

A bronze statue of Larry Bird by sculptor Bill Wolfe was dedicated on November 9, 2013 prior to the annual men's basketball with Indiana State University_Muncee. The statue honors Bird's legendary status in the Holy Land of Basketball _ INDIANA.

Coaching leaders

The Sycamores have been led by 25 different Head Coaches through their history, the top 15 coaches; in terms of wins; are listed below. Former assistants include current collegiate head coaches such as Thad Matta (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State), Rick Ray (Mississippi State, Southeast Missouri), Kareem Richardson (Missouri-Kansas City), Phil Hopkins (Western Carolina), Mel Garland (IUPUI) and Stan Gouard (Indianapolis).

Leaders in BOLD

A bronze statue of Coach John Wooden by sculptor Blair Buswell will be dedicated when the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion reopens on October 26, 2012 and a men's basketball will be played at the UCLA arena between Indiana State and UCLA will be played on November 9, 2012. The game honors Wooden's coaching career at both schools.

National (1)

Bill Hodges – 1979 AP, UPI, The Sporting News.

Conference (8)

Kevin McKenna (basketball) – 2010 Missouri Valley Conference: CollegeInsider.com

Royce Waltman – 2000 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches

Tates Locke – 1991 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches

Bill Hodges – 1979 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches

Duane Klueh – 1959, 1963, 1966, 1967 Indiana Collegiate Conference: League Media & Coaches

Draft history

16 Indiana State players have been drafted by the BAA, NBA, ABL, ABA and NDBL. Jerry Newsom was drafted by the Indiana Pacers of the original ABA in the 1968 ABA draft. Ray Goddard was drafted by the Kansas City Steers in the 1962 ABL draft

NBA Regular Draft

NBDL Draft

Sycamores in the NBA

Fourteen former Sycamores have played in the NBA and its predecessors, the (NBL, the BAA), and the ABA. They are:

Dick Atha: 1955–56 – New York Knicks; 1957–1958 – Detroit Pistons

Ken Bannister: 1984–1986 – New York Knicks; 1987–1989 – Los Angeles Clippers

Larry Bird: 1979–1992 – Boston Celtics

George Chestnut: 1933–1937 – Indianapolis Kautskys

Doyle Cofer: 1948-49 - Detroit Vagabond Kings

Rick Darnell: 1975–1976 – Virginia Squires

John Hazen: 1948–1949 – Boston Celtics

Harold Johnson: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons

Duane Klueh: 1949–1950 – Denver Nuggets; 1950–1951 – Fort Wayne Pistons

John Miklozek: 1936–1937 – Indianapolis Kautskys

Carl Nicks: 1980–1982 – Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz; 1982–1983 – Cleveland Cavaliers

George Pearcy: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons

Henry Pearcy: 1946–1947 – Detroit Falcons

Bob Royer: 1949–1950 – Denver Nuggets

Sycamores in other professional leagues

20+ Indiana State players have played in foreign leagues; David Moss, Jayson Wells and Djibril Kante have each won multiple championships in European and South American leagues.

Jerod Adler – BBC Nyon – Basket-club Boncourt – Switzerland League A

Manny Arop – Norrköping Dolphins – Sweden – Basketligan; Webmoebel Baskets – Germany – ProA

Keenan Barlow – Dublin – Ireland – Premier League (Ireland)

Keyln Block – Lausanne MB – Switzerland League A

Devonte Brown - OKK Sloboda Tuzla - Bosnia-Herzegovina Premijer liga BiH

Aaron Carter – Grand Rapids Danger ABA

Jim Cruse – Diadolle Asptt Dijon – France N3

Amani Daanish – Salon Vilpas Vikings – Finland – 1st Division

Nate Green – Pallalcesto Amatori Udine (2007–08), Olimpia Milano (2006–07), Fortitudo Pallacanestro Bologna (2005–06), S.S. Felice Scandone (2003–05) – Italy Lega Basket Serie A; Columbus Riverdragons (2002–03), North Charleston Lowgators (2001–02) – USA – NBDL; Canberra Cannons Australia – National Basketball League (Australia) (2000–01)

Lamar Grimes – Al Jaysh Army SC – Qatar – D1

Steve Hart - Fayetteville Patriots - (2001–02) – USA – NBDL

Djibril Kante – Malvin Montevideo – Uruguay – LUB; Atenas Córdoba – Argentina – LigaA

Jake Kelly – Texas Legends (2011–12) PAOK – Greece – Greek Basket League;

Jake Kitchell – Slavia TU Košice – Slovakia – SBL

Dwayne Lathan – Rio Grande Valley Vipers – USA NBDL (2013–present); Osaka Evessa – Japan – bj league (2012–13)

Brad Miley – Iceland, 1980–1983; Australia 1983–84

Todd McCoy – Delaware Destroyers- USA EBA and NPBL

Gabriel Moore – Soba Dragons Rhoendorf – Germany – ProB

David Moss – Basket Brescia Leonessa (2015-pres), EA7 Emporio Armani Milano (2013–2015), Montepaschi Siena – Italy – SerieA (2010–2013)

Jake Odum – PAOK – Greece – GBL (2014–2015); Medi Bayreuth (2015–2016); s.Oliver Würzburg (2016-pres)

Paul Stroud – Washington Generals/New York Nationals – (1972–75) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters

Matt Renn – Valence Condom Castera RGB – France – N2

Jayson Wells – Poltava-Basket Poltava – Ukraine – Superleague

Max Woolsey Boston Whirlwinds (1950–52) – United States – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters

Trent Wurtz – Musel Pikes – Luxembourg – Total League, Christchurch Cougars – New Zealand – NBL,

Basketball Hall(s) of Fame

Hall of Fame Sycamores

Thirty-two former Sycamores players and coaches have been inducted into various Halls of Fame; they are:

Basketball Hall of Fame (3)

John Wooden Player, 1961; Coach, 1973—The FIRST person to be inducted as Coach & Player.

Larry Bird Player, 1998

Mel Daniels Player, 2012 (Assistant Coach at Indiana State, 1976–1980)

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2)

John Wooden – 2006 (The Inaugural Class)

Larry Bird – 2009

NAIA Hall of Fame (4)

Duane Klueh – 1955

Clemens 'Lenny' Rzewszewski – 1956

John Longfellow – 1960

John Wooden – 2009

Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame (4)

Larry Bird – 1997

Duane Klueh – 2006

John Wooden – 2009

Bob King – 2014

In addition to the Conference Hall of Fame; the MVC selected an All-Centennial Team in honor of the Conference's 100th Anniversary; the Sycamores had three players named to that team; Larry Bird, Carl Nicks and John Sherman Williams.

Indiana State University Hall of Fame (35)

Individuals

Teams

1978–79 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 1999)
Larry Bird, Tom Crowder, Eric Curry, Alex Gilbert, Bob Heaton, Brad Miley, Carl Nicks, Rod McNelly, Rich Nemcek, Steve Reed, Bob Ritter, Leroy Staley, Scott Turner. Trainers: Bob Behnke, Rick Shaw. Head Coach: Bill Hodges. Assistant Coaches: Mel Daniels, Terry Thimlar. Graduate Assistant Coach: Danny King.

1949–50 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 2000)
Jim Berger, Richard Campbell, Dan Dimich, Bob Gilbert, Jim Hans, Buren Hooper, Max Hungerford, Bill Jagodzinski, Jerry Kunkel, Gene Lambdin, Ed Longfellow, Don McDonald, Dick Pattengale, Jim Powers, Jack Reece, Len Rzeszewski, John Scott, Clarence Walker. Managers: Stan Jacobs, John Sweet. Head Coach: John Longfellow. Assistant Coach: Max Andress.

1967–68 Men's Basketball Team (Inducted 2005)
Daniel Chitwood, Michael Cooper, Ken Haas, Fred Hardman, Rodney Hervey, Steven Hollenbeck, Howard Humes, John McIntire, Richard Mason, Jerry Newsom, Gerald Novak, Mike Phillips, James Waldrip, Don Weirlich, Thomas Zellers. Head Coach: Gordon Stauffer. Assistant Coach: Melvin Garland.

Iowa High School Athletic Association Basketball Hall of Fame

Greg Lansing

In popular culture

During the Quantum Leap episode, The Leap Home: Part 1 – November 25, 1969 (1990); the father of lead character Dr. Samuel Beckett (Scott Bakula) remarks that while "Sam will likely end up at Harvard, I know he's still hoping for a basketball scholarship from Indiana State."