Neha Patil (Editor)

Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball

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Location
  
Terre Haute, IN

Home
  
Away

Arena/Stadium
  
Hulman Center

Colors
  
Royal Blue, White

Nickname
  
Sycamores

Head coach
  
Greg Lansing

Division
  
Division I (NCAA)

Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

University
  
Indiana State University

Conference
  
Missouri Valley Conference

The Indiana State Sycamores basketball is the NCAA Division I men's basketball program of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. They currently compete in the Missouri Valley Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011.

Contents

The Sycamores' first season was 1896, making them the oldest basketball team in the NCAA along with Bucknell, Minnesota and Washington; however, the records from 1896 to 1899 no longer exist. The Sycamores boast 2 College Players of the Year, 14 All-Americans, 38 1,000-point scorers and 1,460+ victories. Their victory count places them in the Top 70 of all NCAA Division I programs.

In addition, the Sycamores have 26 Post-Season Appearances (7 NCAA, 4 NIT, 1 CBI, 1 CIT, 12 NAIA and the 1936 Olympic Trials) with 5 National Championship Appearances (2 NCAA, 3 NAIA). Seven Sycamores were members of the 1951 Pan-American Games Gold Medal-winning team. The Sycamore's greatest season was 1978–79, when star Larry Bird led an undefeated team to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. However, it lost the national title game versus the Magic Johnson-led Michigan State team; and ended the season with a record of 33–1. This is the deepest run by a first-time participant in the Division I tournament, and one of only three times that a first-time team has advanced as far as the Final Four (UNCC in 1977 and Georgia in 1983). They would not have another postseason appearance until 2000.

The Sycamores were the National Runner-Up in the College Division (now Div II) in 1968 and won the NAIA national title in 1950, with NAIA Finals appearances in 1946 and 1948 and NAIA national semifinals appearances in 1949 and 1953. The Sycamores were led by All-Americans, Duane Klueh, Dick Atha and 6'1" point guard Lenny Rzeszewski. As the program transitioned from NAIA to the NCAA, one last NAIA highlight was Ray Goddard leading the Nation in FT percentage (91.2%) Past coaches include the legendary John Wooden, fellow Purdue University star Dave Schellhase, Indiana coaching legend Glenn M. Curtis and well-known college coaches such as Bob King, Royce Waltman, Tates Locke and Ron Greene. The Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team currently play their home games at Hulman Center (10,200) and are coached by Greg Lansing.

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

    • 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."

    References

    Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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