UGA Men’s Basketball
Next Opponent Auburn
May Rivals.com: Guards in focus as Bulldogs travel to Auburn
UGASports - Guards in focus as Bulldogs travel to Auburn
UGA Men’s Basketball
Gadogs.com: Georgia Treks To The Plains To Take On Auburn
https://georgiadogs.com/news/2023/1/31/mens-basketball-georgia-treks-to-the-plains-to-take-on-auburn
Game Notes
https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/georgiadogs.com/documents/2023/1/31/22_auburn_game_notes.pdf
Auburn: No. 25 Auburn ‘playing better,’ sets sights on rematch with Georgia
"We lost at Georgia the first time, and they outplayed us," Pearl said. "We're playing better now than we were then. That's a good thing. But in some ways, they are too."
"That was the second game of conference play," added Auburn big man Johni Broome. "Now we're eight games in. I feel like it's going to be a different game. We've played them, so we're going to be able to watch our film on it.
"They've gotten better as well," Broome added. "They've had time to prepare. But I feel like these last six games we've played have helped us even though we lost two of them. They've helped us grow and let us get more used to each other, get more comfortable with each other."
"We've got to play better to beat Georgia this time," Pearl said.
PLAYER TO WATCH: K.D. JOHNSON
Junior guard K.D. Johnson, who currently ranks fifth on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg) and second in steals (22), came alive in the second half at West Virginia on Saturday. He finished with 10 points, scoring in double figures for the first time since the Memphis game, and also had three of the team's seven steals. A transfer from Georgia, Johnson is 2-1 against his former school. He scored 20 points against the Bulldogs in Athens last year.
https://auburntigers.com/news/2023/...tter-sets-sights-on-rematch-with-georgia.aspx
Alabama.com: No. 25 Auburn basketball’s rematch with Georgia all about guard play
“He and Oquendo are tough covers, really hard to stay in front of, big guards, get downhill,” Pearl said. “Georgia does a great job of not fouling; they get to the line a lot, and they don’t send people there a lot. That’s one of their statistical successes. So, we have preparation for Georgia, obviously, the focus has got to be for us to be able to guard those guards better.”
That’s something that Auburn (16-5, 6-2 SEC) has struggled with in each of its five losses this season. Along with the big games from Roberts and Oquendo last month, opposing guards have put up game-high individual scoring efforts in the Tigers’ four other losses. Memphis’ Kendric Davis had 27 points in Auburn’s first loss of the season, while USC’s Boogie Ellis had 28 against Auburn in that December matchup.
The trend continued in Auburn’s back-to-back losses last week. Tyrece Radford scored 30 in Texas A&M’s win at Neville Arena last Wednesday, while Erik Stevenson scored a career-high 31 (while draining 7-of-10 3-point attempts) in West Virginia’s win against Auburn on Saturday.
“Every night, at the end of close games, that’s what it’s going to come down to, is your guard play,” Pearl said.
For Auburn that means not just containing opposing guards but getting consistent production from its own backcourt.
Wendell Green Jr. is Auburn’s leading scorer this season (13.6 points per game), but he struggled in the loss to Georgia last month, shooting 2-of-12 from the floor and committing four turnovers while finishing with seven points. He also had a tough game in the loss to West Virginia, going 2-of-10 for nine points with four turnovers and five assists. K.D. Johnson, who hasn’t provided the same kind of scoring punch he did last season, is coming off his best game since that Memphis loss on Dec. 10. He scored 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, with three steals and three rebounds in the loss at West Virginia, and teammates believe he is “getting his mojo back a little” entering the homestretch of the season.
Auburn will need Johnson and Green to win their positional matchups to avoid a repeat of the team’s first meeting with Georgia. While the scoring certainly helps, it all begins on the defensive side and bottling up guards like Roberts and Oquendo.
“Last year, we were a little bit more explosive offensively,” Pearl said. “We just could score more points. You know, right now defensively, we’re still 20th in the nation in defensive efficiency, so to be there defensively without Walker (Kessler) or Jabari (Smith), who are both really good defensive players, is really good. So, we still got to hang our hat on that, so therefore we can’t give up easy stuff in transition. We got to get all five guys back; we got to do a better job, a good job of guarding in the halfcourt — and have to win games in the halfcourt.
“Therefore, it’s not going to be quite up and down, and we’re not going to force as many turnovers, we’re not going to hopefully turn the ball over as much ourselves. Therefore, it comes down to guard play.”
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball...rgia-all-about-guard-play.html?outputType=amp
Opelika News: ‘That’s the KD we need’: Auburn’s KD Johnson returning to form ahead of UGA rematch
https://oanow.com/sports/college/au...cle_1c4d8d84-a1b7-11ed-811a-3b2ee61b2f43.html
Recruiting
Mari Jordan
Gwinnett Daily Post: BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Peachtree Ridge upsets No. 4 Norcross
https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/tncms/asset/editorial/4307f09e-a1ea-11ed-9b15-a794234094ef/
Dylan James
Scorebook Live: Isaac Celiscar hits game-winning shot to lift Winter Haven over Orlando Christian Prep in OT
https://news.scorebooklive.com/flor...inter-haven-over-orlando-christian-prep-in-ot
2024 recruit
SEC Basketball
Alabama
Alabama.com: No. 4 Alabama routs Vanderbilt, 101-44, for largest SEC win in team history
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...1-44-for-largest-sec-win-in-team-history.html
Kentucky
Clay Lexington Herald Leader: It’s OK for Kentucky to be a boring basketball team, as long as it stacks the wins
https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article271917037.html
Missouri
St. Louis Post Dispatch: “Analytically, I think everyone across the country is trying to still figure out the NET ranking."
From today's P-D: With NET ranking spots at stake, Mizzou basketball begins 'dog days' of February
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/col...cle_44da93ce-f750-5fd5-abba-aa8c079bddb7.html
Tennessee
Busting Brackets: Tennessee Basketball: Vols’ 2022-23 team defense is in historic territory
https://bustingbrackets.com/2023/01...vols-2022-23-team-defense-historic-territory/
Vanderbilt
The Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse calls out players after worst loss since 2003
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sp...ll-players-after-alabama-blowout/69849646007/
College Basketball
Rothstein: The Breakfast Buffet: Zakai Zeigler, North Carolina, Ed Cooley again has Providence thriving
https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...lina-ed-cooley-again-has-providence-thriving/
Field of 68: Rock Chalk revenge
Kansas shows out vs K-State, Maryland dives into bubble talk, and more results to know. Plus, how does Xavier adjust to losing Zach Freemantle?
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/kansas-indiana-maryland-uconn-alabama-kentucky-freemantle
Boston College
Boston Herald: Boston College springs trap on No. 20 Clemson in a 62-54 win
https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/0...ngs-trap-on-no-20-clemson-in-a-62-54-win/amp/
Colorado State
Denver Post: Colorado State’s losing streak reached four games Tuesday night as the Rams’ late rally fell short in a 83-71 loss to UNLV at Moby Arena.
Dayton
Duke
Raleigh News Observer: Duke basketball is transforming its offense into a potent weapon at just the right time
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article271818867.html
Georgia Tech
AJC: Georgia Tech men’s basketball shouldn’t be this bad
https://www.ajc.com/sports/mike-che...uldnt-be-this-bad/5HWU5SZEYBBBDGXW33KOX3OSBU/
Kansas
KC Star: KU basketball’s bench stepped up against K-State: ‘We don’t win without them’
Maryland
Wash Post: Terps finish 3-for-3 homestand with impressive win over No. 21 Hoosiers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/31/maryland-indiana-basketball/
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC basketball welcomes back RJ Davis — black eye and all — ahead of game against Pitt
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article271844607.html
Rutgers
NJ.com: Is Rutgers about to hand a lifetime contract to basketball miracle worker Steve Pikiell?
https://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketbal...kiell-a-lifetime-contract.html?outputType=amp
St.John’s
NYP: St. John’s AD doesn’t give any Mike Anderson assurances with team struggling
https://nypost.com/2023/01/31/st-jo...ike-anderson-assurances-with-team-struggling/
San Diego State
SD Union Tribune: Aztecs fall to Nevada in Reno; Mountain West Conference basketball race ‘wide open,’ Brian Dutcher says
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...ecs-basketball-nevada-wolf-pack-mountain-west
UNCA
WLOS: At 9-1 in the league, 17-6 overall, UNCA sits atop the standings with eight games remaining.
One big reason: Tajion Jones.
Xavier
Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Our home-court atmosphere is the best': A new spin on a Xavier basketball tradition
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...ored-xavier-basketball-tradition/69853879007/
NBA
Denver
Denver Post: The best birthday present Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could ask for?
A chance to crown himself the NBA's 3-point king.
LA Lakers
The Ringer: LeBron James and the Last Breakable Record
https://www.theringer.com/platform/...78814/lebron-james-scoring-record-untouchable
History
JMU: Lou Campanelli, former men’s basketball coach and JMU Hall of Famer, dies at 84
“The former head coach came to JMU while the Dukes were competing as a non-scholarship program in 1972. From there, he put JMU basketball on the map for the first time, winning two NCAA Division II Championships and never having a record below .500 in his 13-year career.
In 1982, Campanelli’s Dukes held NBA legend Michael Jordan to just six points in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tournament before JMU ultimately fell to the eventual national champion Tar Heels, 52-50…”
https://www.breezejmu.org/sports/lo...cle_41569e4a-a24d-11ed-91ae-4b00fe527a44.html
Hoops Birthdays 2-01
Andrew DeClercq C Florida GS, BOS, CLE, ORL 1995-2005 2-01-1973 50 YOA
TR Dunn SG Alabama POR, DEN, PHO 1977-1991 2-01-1955 68 YOA
Drew Eubanks C Oregon State SA, POR 2018-present 2-01-1997 26 YOA
George Irvine SF Washington VIR, DEN 1970-1976 born 2-01-1948 died 5-08-2017
Obit: “George Irvine never had much luck as a head coach. The Husky hoops legend skippered two NBA teams for a total of four seasons, racking up a hundred wins and nearly twice as many losses.
But Irvine forged a front-office legacy during his 15 years with the Indiana Pacers. He hired Donnie Walsh, who went on to become the most successful president in franchise history, and in 1987 he and Walsh drafted a lanky sharp-shooter named Reggie Miller, the best player to ever wear a Pacers jersey.
Irvine, who died at age 69 in May, flourished as an All-Pac-8 forward at the UW (he still ranks seventh in school history in points per game). He transformed into a role player in the pros, logging six seasons in the flashy heyday of the American Basketball Association. Here’s a snapshot from that fabled era: On a November evening in 1972, Irvine and the Virginia Squires squared off against the Carolina Cougars—two long-lost franchises from a long-lost league.
Still, you’ll recognize the Hall of Fame”names of his teammates, such as Julius “Dr. J” Erving and George “The Iceman” Gervin. As for our Husky, he went by “Hawkeye”—a nod to his lights-out shooting. That game in 1972? Hawkeye sunk 14 of his 16 shots and led all scorers with 32 points. Dr. J only had 30 that night.”
Kevin Martin SG Western Carolina SAC, HOU, OKC, MIN, SA 2004-2016 2-01-1983 40 YOA
Walter McCarty PF Kentucky NYK, BOS, PHO, LAC 1996-2006 2-01-1974 49 YOA
Malik Sealy SF St. John’s IND, LAC, DET, MIN 1992-2000 born 2-01-1970 died 5-20-2020
Dick Snyder SG Davidson STL, PHO, SEA, CLE 1966-1979 2-01-1944 79 YOA
Ohio HOF: “Dick Snyder’s super-soft jump shot enabled the 6-foot-5 guard to have a 13-year National Basketball Association career.
Dick Snyder was a three-sport star at North Canton Hoover High School. He was an All-American quarterback, recruited very heavily, even by Ohio State’s Woody Hayes, who spoke at his high school football banquet. Dick was an All-State baseball player and MVP at the Ohio All-Star game and an honorable mention All-State basketball player.
During his four year tenure at Davidson College he played both basketball and baseball. Snyder led Davidson College to its first Southern Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 1966. He was Southern Conference player of the year and an All-America selection. Snyder was selected by St. Louis in the second round of the 1966 NBA draft and played for the Hawks, Phoenix, Seattle and Cleveland. His greatest success came with Seattle. With the SuperSonics in 1970-71, he averaged 19.4 points per game and was fifth in the league in both field goal and free throw percentage. After 4 ½ years in Seattle, Snyder was traded to Cleveland and spent four seasons playing near his hometown of Canton, three of those years as a starter. He was a great part of the “Miracle of Richfield” when the Cavaliers won the Central Division Championship and lost to Boston in the sixth game of the Eastern Conference finals. Snyder hit the winning basket in the seventh game against the Washington Bullets to send the team into the Boston series. He returned to Seattle for his final season in 1978-79 and played on his first NBA championship team. He ranked 17th in NBA career scoring when he retired in 1979.”
Robert Traylor C Michigan MIL, CLE, CHA, NO 1998-2005 born 2-01-1977 died 5-11-2011
Next Opponent Auburn
May Rivals.com: Guards in focus as Bulldogs travel to Auburn
UGASports - Guards in focus as Bulldogs travel to Auburn
UGA Men’s Basketball
Gadogs.com: Georgia Treks To The Plains To Take On Auburn
https://georgiadogs.com/news/2023/1/31/mens-basketball-georgia-treks-to-the-plains-to-take-on-auburn
Game Notes
https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/georgiadogs.com/documents/2023/1/31/22_auburn_game_notes.pdf
Auburn: No. 25 Auburn ‘playing better,’ sets sights on rematch with Georgia
"We lost at Georgia the first time, and they outplayed us," Pearl said. "We're playing better now than we were then. That's a good thing. But in some ways, they are too."
"That was the second game of conference play," added Auburn big man Johni Broome. "Now we're eight games in. I feel like it's going to be a different game. We've played them, so we're going to be able to watch our film on it.
"They've gotten better as well," Broome added. "They've had time to prepare. But I feel like these last six games we've played have helped us even though we lost two of them. They've helped us grow and let us get more used to each other, get more comfortable with each other."
"We've got to play better to beat Georgia this time," Pearl said.
PLAYER TO WATCH: K.D. JOHNSON
Junior guard K.D. Johnson, who currently ranks fifth on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg) and second in steals (22), came alive in the second half at West Virginia on Saturday. He finished with 10 points, scoring in double figures for the first time since the Memphis game, and also had three of the team's seven steals. A transfer from Georgia, Johnson is 2-1 against his former school. He scored 20 points against the Bulldogs in Athens last year.
https://auburntigers.com/news/2023/...tter-sets-sights-on-rematch-with-georgia.aspx
Alabama.com: No. 25 Auburn basketball’s rematch with Georgia all about guard play
“He and Oquendo are tough covers, really hard to stay in front of, big guards, get downhill,” Pearl said. “Georgia does a great job of not fouling; they get to the line a lot, and they don’t send people there a lot. That’s one of their statistical successes. So, we have preparation for Georgia, obviously, the focus has got to be for us to be able to guard those guards better.”
That’s something that Auburn (16-5, 6-2 SEC) has struggled with in each of its five losses this season. Along with the big games from Roberts and Oquendo last month, opposing guards have put up game-high individual scoring efforts in the Tigers’ four other losses. Memphis’ Kendric Davis had 27 points in Auburn’s first loss of the season, while USC’s Boogie Ellis had 28 against Auburn in that December matchup.
The trend continued in Auburn’s back-to-back losses last week. Tyrece Radford scored 30 in Texas A&M’s win at Neville Arena last Wednesday, while Erik Stevenson scored a career-high 31 (while draining 7-of-10 3-point attempts) in West Virginia’s win against Auburn on Saturday.
“Every night, at the end of close games, that’s what it’s going to come down to, is your guard play,” Pearl said.
For Auburn that means not just containing opposing guards but getting consistent production from its own backcourt.
Wendell Green Jr. is Auburn’s leading scorer this season (13.6 points per game), but he struggled in the loss to Georgia last month, shooting 2-of-12 from the floor and committing four turnovers while finishing with seven points. He also had a tough game in the loss to West Virginia, going 2-of-10 for nine points with four turnovers and five assists. K.D. Johnson, who hasn’t provided the same kind of scoring punch he did last season, is coming off his best game since that Memphis loss on Dec. 10. He scored 10 points on 4-of-9 shooting, with three steals and three rebounds in the loss at West Virginia, and teammates believe he is “getting his mojo back a little” entering the homestretch of the season.
Auburn will need Johnson and Green to win their positional matchups to avoid a repeat of the team’s first meeting with Georgia. While the scoring certainly helps, it all begins on the defensive side and bottling up guards like Roberts and Oquendo.
“Last year, we were a little bit more explosive offensively,” Pearl said. “We just could score more points. You know, right now defensively, we’re still 20th in the nation in defensive efficiency, so to be there defensively without Walker (Kessler) or Jabari (Smith), who are both really good defensive players, is really good. So, we still got to hang our hat on that, so therefore we can’t give up easy stuff in transition. We got to get all five guys back; we got to do a better job, a good job of guarding in the halfcourt — and have to win games in the halfcourt.
“Therefore, it’s not going to be quite up and down, and we’re not going to force as many turnovers, we’re not going to hopefully turn the ball over as much ourselves. Therefore, it comes down to guard play.”
https://www.al.com/auburnbasketball...rgia-all-about-guard-play.html?outputType=amp
Opelika News: ‘That’s the KD we need’: Auburn’s KD Johnson returning to form ahead of UGA rematch
https://oanow.com/sports/college/au...cle_1c4d8d84-a1b7-11ed-811a-3b2ee61b2f43.html
Recruiting
Mari Jordan
Gwinnett Daily Post: BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Peachtree Ridge upsets No. 4 Norcross
https://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/tncms/asset/editorial/4307f09e-a1ea-11ed-9b15-a794234094ef/
Dylan James
Scorebook Live: Isaac Celiscar hits game-winning shot to lift Winter Haven over Orlando Christian Prep in OT
https://news.scorebooklive.com/flor...inter-haven-over-orlando-christian-prep-in-ot
2024 recruit
SEC Basketball
Alabama
Alabama.com: No. 4 Alabama routs Vanderbilt, 101-44, for largest SEC win in team history
https://www.al.com/alabamabasketbal...1-44-for-largest-sec-win-in-team-history.html
Kentucky
Clay Lexington Herald Leader: It’s OK for Kentucky to be a boring basketball team, as long as it stacks the wins
https://amp.kentucky.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/john-clay/article271917037.html
Missouri
St. Louis Post Dispatch: “Analytically, I think everyone across the country is trying to still figure out the NET ranking."
From today's P-D: With NET ranking spots at stake, Mizzou basketball begins 'dog days' of February
https://www.stltoday.com/sports/col...cle_44da93ce-f750-5fd5-abba-aa8c079bddb7.html
Tennessee
Busting Brackets: Tennessee Basketball: Vols’ 2022-23 team defense is in historic territory
https://bustingbrackets.com/2023/01...vols-2022-23-team-defense-historic-territory/
Vanderbilt
The Tennessean: Vanderbilt basketball coach Jerry Stackhouse calls out players after worst loss since 2003
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sp...ll-players-after-alabama-blowout/69849646007/
College Basketball
Rothstein: The Breakfast Buffet: Zakai Zeigler, North Carolina, Ed Cooley again has Providence thriving
https://collegehoopstoday.com/index...lina-ed-cooley-again-has-providence-thriving/
Field of 68: Rock Chalk revenge
Kansas shows out vs K-State, Maryland dives into bubble talk, and more results to know. Plus, how does Xavier adjust to losing Zach Freemantle?
https://fieldof68.beehiiv.com/p/kansas-indiana-maryland-uconn-alabama-kentucky-freemantle
Boston College
Boston Herald: Boston College springs trap on No. 20 Clemson in a 62-54 win
https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/0...ngs-trap-on-no-20-clemson-in-a-62-54-win/amp/
Colorado State
Denver Post: Colorado State’s losing streak reached four games Tuesday night as the Rams’ late rally fell short in a 83-71 loss to UNLV at Moby Arena.
Dayton
Duke
Raleigh News Observer: Duke basketball is transforming its offense into a potent weapon at just the right time
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article271818867.html
Georgia Tech
AJC: Georgia Tech men’s basketball shouldn’t be this bad
https://www.ajc.com/sports/mike-che...uldnt-be-this-bad/5HWU5SZEYBBBDGXW33KOX3OSBU/
Kansas
KC Star: KU basketball’s bench stepped up against K-State: ‘We don’t win without them’
Maryland
Wash Post: Terps finish 3-for-3 homestand with impressive win over No. 21 Hoosiers
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/01/31/maryland-indiana-basketball/
North Carolina
Raleigh News Observer: UNC basketball welcomes back RJ Davis — black eye and all — ahead of game against Pitt
https://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/unc/article271844607.html
Rutgers
NJ.com: Is Rutgers about to hand a lifetime contract to basketball miracle worker Steve Pikiell?
https://www.nj.com/rutgersbasketbal...kiell-a-lifetime-contract.html?outputType=amp
St.John’s
NYP: St. John’s AD doesn’t give any Mike Anderson assurances with team struggling
https://nypost.com/2023/01/31/st-jo...ike-anderson-assurances-with-team-struggling/
San Diego State
SD Union Tribune: Aztecs fall to Nevada in Reno; Mountain West Conference basketball race ‘wide open,’ Brian Dutcher says
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.co...ecs-basketball-nevada-wolf-pack-mountain-west
UNCA
WLOS: At 9-1 in the league, 17-6 overall, UNCA sits atop the standings with eight games remaining.
One big reason: Tajion Jones.
Xavier
Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Our home-court atmosphere is the best': A new spin on a Xavier basketball tradition
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sp...ored-xavier-basketball-tradition/69853879007/
NBA
Denver
Denver Post: The best birthday present Kentavious Caldwell-Pope could ask for?
A chance to crown himself the NBA's 3-point king.
LA Lakers
The Ringer: LeBron James and the Last Breakable Record
https://www.theringer.com/platform/...78814/lebron-james-scoring-record-untouchable
History
JMU: Lou Campanelli, former men’s basketball coach and JMU Hall of Famer, dies at 84
“The former head coach came to JMU while the Dukes were competing as a non-scholarship program in 1972. From there, he put JMU basketball on the map for the first time, winning two NCAA Division II Championships and never having a record below .500 in his 13-year career.
In 1982, Campanelli’s Dukes held NBA legend Michael Jordan to just six points in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tournament before JMU ultimately fell to the eventual national champion Tar Heels, 52-50…”
https://www.breezejmu.org/sports/lo...cle_41569e4a-a24d-11ed-91ae-4b00fe527a44.html
Hoops Birthdays 2-01
Andrew DeClercq C Florida GS, BOS, CLE, ORL 1995-2005 2-01-1973 50 YOA
TR Dunn SG Alabama POR, DEN, PHO 1977-1991 2-01-1955 68 YOA
Drew Eubanks C Oregon State SA, POR 2018-present 2-01-1997 26 YOA
George Irvine SF Washington VIR, DEN 1970-1976 born 2-01-1948 died 5-08-2017
Obit: “George Irvine never had much luck as a head coach. The Husky hoops legend skippered two NBA teams for a total of four seasons, racking up a hundred wins and nearly twice as many losses.
But Irvine forged a front-office legacy during his 15 years with the Indiana Pacers. He hired Donnie Walsh, who went on to become the most successful president in franchise history, and in 1987 he and Walsh drafted a lanky sharp-shooter named Reggie Miller, the best player to ever wear a Pacers jersey.
Irvine, who died at age 69 in May, flourished as an All-Pac-8 forward at the UW (he still ranks seventh in school history in points per game). He transformed into a role player in the pros, logging six seasons in the flashy heyday of the American Basketball Association. Here’s a snapshot from that fabled era: On a November evening in 1972, Irvine and the Virginia Squires squared off against the Carolina Cougars—two long-lost franchises from a long-lost league.
Still, you’ll recognize the Hall of Fame”names of his teammates, such as Julius “Dr. J” Erving and George “The Iceman” Gervin. As for our Husky, he went by “Hawkeye”—a nod to his lights-out shooting. That game in 1972? Hawkeye sunk 14 of his 16 shots and led all scorers with 32 points. Dr. J only had 30 that night.”
Kevin Martin SG Western Carolina SAC, HOU, OKC, MIN, SA 2004-2016 2-01-1983 40 YOA
Walter McCarty PF Kentucky NYK, BOS, PHO, LAC 1996-2006 2-01-1974 49 YOA
Malik Sealy SF St. John’s IND, LAC, DET, MIN 1992-2000 born 2-01-1970 died 5-20-2020
Dick Snyder SG Davidson STL, PHO, SEA, CLE 1966-1979 2-01-1944 79 YOA
Ohio HOF: “Dick Snyder’s super-soft jump shot enabled the 6-foot-5 guard to have a 13-year National Basketball Association career.
Dick Snyder was a three-sport star at North Canton Hoover High School. He was an All-American quarterback, recruited very heavily, even by Ohio State’s Woody Hayes, who spoke at his high school football banquet. Dick was an All-State baseball player and MVP at the Ohio All-Star game and an honorable mention All-State basketball player.
During his four year tenure at Davidson College he played both basketball and baseball. Snyder led Davidson College to its first Southern Conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth in 1966. He was Southern Conference player of the year and an All-America selection. Snyder was selected by St. Louis in the second round of the 1966 NBA draft and played for the Hawks, Phoenix, Seattle and Cleveland. His greatest success came with Seattle. With the SuperSonics in 1970-71, he averaged 19.4 points per game and was fifth in the league in both field goal and free throw percentage. After 4 ½ years in Seattle, Snyder was traded to Cleveland and spent four seasons playing near his hometown of Canton, three of those years as a starter. He was a great part of the “Miracle of Richfield” when the Cavaliers won the Central Division Championship and lost to Boston in the sixth game of the Eastern Conference finals. Snyder hit the winning basket in the seventh game against the Washington Bullets to send the team into the Boston series. He returned to Seattle for his final season in 1978-79 and played on his first NBA championship team. He ranked 17th in NBA career scoring when he retired in 1979.”
Robert Traylor C Michigan MIL, CLE, CHA, NO 1998-2005 born 2-01-1977 died 5-11-2011
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