Hoosier love: The best Indiana University college hoops players of all-time

After prepping at South Bend’s famed Clay Excessive College, the 6-foot-9 Schlundt was even higher whereas enjoying for Department McCracken’s Hoosiers. He was a consensus All-American, who left Indiana as the varsity’s profession scoring chief with 2,192 and helped this system win its second nationwide championship in 1953. So far as Indiana huge males go, there aren’t many thought of higher than Schlundt, who was inducted into the varsity’s athletics Corridor of Fame.

Teaming with Don Schlundt, Leonard was a part of that 1952-53 Indiana nationwide championship squad. The truth is, “Slick,” as he was affectionately identified, hit the successful free throw within the Hoosiers’ 69-68 title-game victory over Kansas. Throughout his three seasons in Bloomington, Leonard averaged 15.5 factors and was named a second- and third-team All-American by The Related Press. Following his enjoying profession, Leonard guided the Indiana Pacers to a few ABA titles as a coach, for which he was inducted into the Basketball Corridor of Fame.

The good Archie Dees is one among three basketball gamers, and two Hoosiers, to twice earn Large Ten Most Beneficial Participant honors throughout his stellar collegiate profession. These awards got here through the 1956-57 and 1957-58 seasons. The 6-foot-8 Dees averaged 25.0 and 25.5 factors per recreation, respectively, in these seasons to etch his title in Hoosiers basketball lore. He was named to Indiana College’s All-Century Group for basketball. 

Determining who’s the perfect Indiana College basketball participant of all time could be a fairly tall order. However, Bellamy’s title is often included in any such dialog. He performed in simply 70 video games over three seasons however averaged 20.6 factors and 15.5 rebounds for his profession. Bellamy’s 1,087 boards have been essentially the most in class historical past on the time and the 33 he pulled down in opposition to Michigan in his closing collegiate contest stay a program report. In 1961, Bellamy turned the primary Indiana College participant to be taken No. 1 general within the NBA Draft, win NBA Rookie of the 12 months, and an Olympic gold medal (1960). 

To the informal school hoops fan, Rayl won’t be a family title like others on this checklist. But, he is a real Hoosiers legend. Throughout his three seasons at Indiana, Rayl averaged 20.6 factors, together with 29.8 through the 1962 season. The delight of Kokomo, Ind., Rayl was identified for his skill to sink photographs from distance. He set a Large Ten report along with his 56 factors in opposition to Minnesota as a junior. Rayl dropped on one other 56 on Michigan State as a senior.

It solely lasted for one season, however George McGinnis’ distinctive 1970-71 season at Indiana remains to be one among legends. He averaged a Large Ten-best 30 factors. 14.7 rebounds and a couple of.8 assists in 24 video games for Lou Watson’s Hoosiers — the coach proper earlier than Bob Knight was employed. The 6-8 McGinnis, who went on to take pleasure in a Corridor-of-Fame profession within the ABA and NBA, earned All-American standing for that actually particular season in Bloomington.

We’re stepping into the celebrities of Bob Knight’s 1975-76 undefeated squad (32-0). Buckner was a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers additionally reached the Ultimate 4 throughout his freshman season. He averaged simply 10.0 factors for his Indiana profession, however Buckner dished out 4.5 assists and pulled down almost 4 rebounds per contest and can go down as one of many nice leaders on and off the court docket. Buckner additionally gained Olympic gold for the USA in 1976.

Following a tough begin to his Indiana profession, Could finally solidified himself as one of many nice school basketball gamers of all time. Not simply at Indiana. His 1975-76 season, when he averaged 23.5 factors, 7.7 boards, and a couple of.1 assists — all profession highs — for the undefeated Hoosiers, has definitely gone down as among the finest in all school hoops historical past. Could was honored because the nationwide participant of the 12 months that season, after averaging 16.3 factors and 6.6 rebounds in 1974-75, and joined IU teammate Quinn Buckner as an Olympic gold medalist in ’76.

Benson definitely left his mark as a Hoosier earlier than having fun with a profitable NBA profession. Not solely was the 6-11 post-presence a star of Indiana’s 32-0 crew, however Benson was a two-time All-American and the 1977 Large Ten Participant of the 12 months, when he averaged career-highs of 19.8 factors and 10.5 rebounds — with Quinn Buckner and Scott Could each gone. Benson ranks ninth in class historical past with 1,740 profession factors and third in profession rebounds with 1,031.

We’ll see how nicely Woodson does as Indiana’s head coach. Nevertheless, if he is anyplace close to as profitable in that function as he was whereas enjoying for the Hoosiers, these could possibly be good instances for this system and its devoted fan base. Woodson’s 2,061 factors over 4 seasons at Indiana rank fifth all-time in class historical past. He averaged 19.8 profession factors, plus 5.6 rebounds. Averaging 21 factors, Woodson helped the Hoosiers win the 1979 NIT title. 

Wittman does not have the gaudy numbers that a few of these different Hoosier greats on this checklist possess, however he is typically thought of among the finest “crew” gamers in this system historical past. He was additionally a key piece to Indiana’s 1981 nationwide championship squad. That mentioned, Wittman totaled 1,549 factors — averaging 19.0 ppg in 1982-83 — plus greater than 400 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals over a span of 133 profession video games. 

Arguably Indiana’s most well-known star, regardless of enjoying simply two seasons. After all, a kind of seasons (1980-81) resulted within the Hoosiers successful a nationwide championship. Thomas’ Indiana tenure below coach Bob Knight wasn’t at all times straightforward, however by his sophomore season, the 2 have been chummy and respect ran rampant. In his closing season, Thomas averaged 16.0 factors, 5.8 assists and was the ’81 NCAA Match’s Most Excellent Participant. In his two Indiana seasons, Thomas shot 53.4 p.c.

Virtually on the heels of Isiah Thomas’ Indiana success got here Alford. The truth is, Alford appeared destined to benefit from the degree of success he did with the Hoosiers. Indiana’s Mr. Basketball from New Fort, Alford was a two-time consensus All-American, the Large Ten’s Most Beneficial Participant in 1987, and chief of that 1986-87 nationwide championship group. Alford’s 2,438 profession factors rank second in class historical past (19.5 ppg). He shot 53.3 p.c for his school profession and went 107-of-202 (53 p.c) from 3-point vary in his closing season. Alford additionally recorded 385 assists and 345 rebounds.

To the Indiana outsider, Cheaney is likely to be greatest remembered for his involvement within the whipping incident with coach Bob Knight throughout a apply session on the 1992 NCAA Match. Cheaney additionally performed some basketball. When his four-year profession at Indiana completed, he was the Large Ten’s all-time main scorer with 2,613 factors. Cheaney, who averaged 19.8 factors, whereas taking pictures 55.9 p.c, and 5.4 rebounds for his profession was the nationwide participant of the 12 months in 1993.

There are many Indiana basketball followers who suppose Bailey was a bust, largely as a result of he by no means lived as much as the ridiculous, over-the-top hype that surrounded him since he was an eighth-grader. Certain, the Hoosiers did not win a nationwide title throughout Bailey’s time in Bloomington, however they did attain the Ultimate 4 in 1992. Individually, Bailey ranks eighth on the varsity’s all-time scoring checklist with 1,741 factors and his 474 assists are sixth-most in program historical past. Bailey, the Large Ten Freshman of the 12 months in 1991, shot 48.5 p.c for his profession, and 43.7 from 3-point vary.

One of many all-around greatest gamers in Indiana basketball historical past. Henderson, additionally a part of the 1992 Ultimate 4 crew, Henderson is the Hoosiers’ all-time chief with 1,091 rebounds. He additionally ranks seventh in class historical past with 1,741 factors. As a senior, Henderson averaged 23.5 factors — the best by any participant in a single season throughout Bob Knight’s teaching tenure. A season earlier, he averaged 17.8 factors and a career-best 10.3 rebounds.

Guyton was a pillar of consistency for the Hoosiers, beginning 122 of the 128 video games he performed. He completed with precisely 2,100 factors for his profession — fourth-most in class historical past. Guyton, who averaged 16.4 factors and shot 45.5 p.c for his profession, additionally entered the 2021-22 season ranked eighth all-time at Indiana with 403 assists and tenth in steals (128). He was named a first-team All-American in 2000, the identical season he earned Large Ten Participant of the 12 months honors. 

Jeffries is one other expertise who made essentially the most of his comparatively temporary time at Indiana. In his two seasons, the 6-10 Bloomington product averaged 14.4 factors, 7.2 rebounds, and a couple of.2 assists. He was named Large Ten Freshman of the 12 months in 2001 and improved to be tabbed Large Ten Participant of the 12 months in 2002. Through the latter season, Jeffries helped the Hoosiers make a relatively stunning run to the nationwide closing below Mike Davis.

Like Jared Jeffries, Zeller, a basketball legend in his hometown of Washington, Ind., spent simply two seasons enjoying for the Hoosiers. However, made a long-lasting mark within the course of. By 72 collegiate video games, Zeller averaged 16.1 factors and seven.3 rebounds. He shot 59.1 p.c for his profession and was the Large Ten Freshman of the 12 months in 2012. The 7-footer was among the many leaders on the 2012-13 Hoosiers’ squad that gained a Large Ten championship. 

Ferrell is the newest star on this checklist, and already among the many all-time favorites within the historical past of Indiana basketball. In 4 seasons with the Hoosiers, the Indianapolis native averaged 14.5 factors and shot 40 p.c from 3-point vary. His 1,986 factors rank sixth all-time in class historical past. However, along with his hard-nosed play and ever-flowing smile, Ferrell left Indiana as this system’s all-time assists chief at 633.