Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball


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.
The Sycamores' first season was 1896, making them the oldest basketball team in the NCAA along with Bucknell, Minnesota, Washington and Yale; however, the records from 1896 to 1899 no longer exist. The Sycamores boast two College Players of the Year, 14 All-Americans, 40 1,000-point scorers, and 1,510+ victories. Their victory count places them in the top 70 of all NCAA Division I programs.
In addition, the Sycamores have 26 postseason appearances with five national championship appearances. Seven Sycamores were members of the 1951 Pan-American Games gold medal-winning team. The Sycamores' most memorable season was 1978–79, when unanimous National Player of the Year Larry Bird led an undefeated team to its first-ever NCAA Division I Tournament appearance, as well as the AP and UPI national titles. 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. Their performance was 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. They would not have another postseason appearance until 2000.
The Sycamores were the national runner-up in the NCAA College Division in 1968; they won the NAIA National Championship in 1950, had 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, Lenny Rzeszewski, Butch Wade and Jerry Newsom. As the program transitioned from NAIA to the NCAA, one last NAIA highlight was Ray Goddard leading the Nation in FT percentage during the 1961-62 season. Former Head Coaches include the legendary John Wooden, Purdue All-American Dave Schellhase, Indiana coaching legend Glenn M. Curtis and well-known college coaches such as Bob King, Royce Waltman, Tates Locke and Ron Greene. Former assistants include collegiate head coaches such as Rick Ray, Rob Flaska, Jim Saia, Stan Gouard and Benjy Taylor ; former head coaches such as Thad Matta, Kareem Richardson, Phil Hopkins, Mel Garland, and NBA Great Mel Daniels.
The Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team currently play their home games at Hulman Center and are coached by Greg Lansing.

Postseason

Division I NCAA Tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in four NCAA Division I Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4.
1979Regional Quarterfinals
Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals
Final Four
National Championship Game		Virginia Tech
Oklahoma
Arkansas
DePaul
Michigan State		W 86–69
W 93–72
W 73–71
W 76–74
L 64–75
2000First RoundTexasL 61–77
2001First Round
Second Round		Oklahoma
Gonzaga		W 70–68 OT
L 68–85
2011First RoundSyracuseL 60–77

NIT results

The Sycamores have appeared in four National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 1–4.
1977First RoundHoustonL 82–83
1978First Round
Quarterfinals		Illinois State
Rutgers		W 73–71
L 56–57
2013First RoundIowaL 52–68
2014First RoundArkansasL 71–91

CBI results

The Sycamores appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 0–1.
2010First RoundSaint LouisL 54–63

CIT results

The Sycamores appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Tournament. Their record is 0–1.
2012First RoundRobert MorrisL 60–67

Division II NCAA Tournament results

The Sycamores have appeared in three NCAA Division II Basketball Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–4. They hosted the Great Lakes Regional during the 1966-67 Tournament.
1966Regional Semifinals
Regional 3rd Place Game		Southern Illinois
Lamar		L 65–83
L 78–93
1967Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals		Luther
Valparaiso		W 109–88
L 77–80
1968Regional Semifinals
Regional Finals
National Quarterfinals
National Semifinals
National Championship Game		South Dakota State
Illinois State
UNLV
Trinity
Kentucky Weslayan		W 101–83
W 98–93
W 94–75
W 77–67
L 52–63

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
1942First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Wisconsin–Stevens Point
Simpson
Hamline		W 83–45
W 51–43
L 41–45
1943First RoundNorthwest Missouri StateL 28–37
1946First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		St. Cloud State
Houston
Dakota Wesleyan
Pepperdine
Southern Illinois		W 62–51
W 62–43
W 55–34
W 56–43
L 48–49
1948First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		St. Francis
BYU
San Jose State
Hamline
Louisville		W 72–40
W 82–68
W 59–52
W 66–65 OT
L 70–82
1949First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Eastern New Mexico
Loyola
Emporia State
Regis
Beloit		W 60–42
W 78–5–8
W 67–66
L 45–48 2OT
L 59–67
1950First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game		Delta State
Arkansas Tech
Baldwin–Wallace
Tampa
East Central		W 65–59
W 87–79
W 61–39
W 73–69
W 61–57
1952First Round
Second Round		Farleigh Dickinson
Southwest Missouri State		W 79–72
L 64–82
1953First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd Place Game		Midwestern State
Arkansas Tech
Findlay
Southwest Missouri State
East Texas State		W 100–76
W 100–81
W 106–70
L 78–84
W 74–71
1954First RoundGenevaL 82–88
1959First Round
Second Round		Morningside
Georgia Southern		W 87–67
L 70–73
1962First RoundWinston-SalemL 71–83
1963First Round
Second Round		Parsons
Carson-Newman		W 78–77
L 63–70

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 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, Cuba, Panama and Brazil to reach the championship game against Argentina. The Americans defeated the hosts,, for the gold medal.

USA Basketball players (10)

Player of the year

National awards

National Player of the Year (2)

Three Sycamore players have had their numbers retired by the school. Carl Nicks is the latest, with his number 22 retired by the school on February 16, 2019.

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:
The rosters and more information can be found in the Winter 1999 issue of the 'Indiana State University Alumni Magazine.

All-Americans (14)

CoSIDA Academic All-Americans (4)

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

All-Indiana Intercollegiate Conference (2)

All-Indiana Collegiate Conference (18)

All-Midwestern Conference (3)

All-Missouri Valley Conference (11)

Career leaders

Scoring

Three-pointers

Rebounds

Assists

Steals

Blocked shots

The Sycamores have been led by 25 different Head Coaches through their history, the top 15 coaches; in terms of wins; are listed below.
YearsCoach WinsLossesPct.
1955–1967Duane Klueh 182122.599
2010-Pres.,Greg Lansing 166153
1997–2007Royce Waltman 134164.450
1938–1946Glenn M. Curtis 12245.724
1948–1954John Longfellow 12264.656
1967–1974Gordon B. Stauffer 12192.568
1927–31, 33-38Walter E. Marks 9159.607
1978–1982Bill Hodges 6748.582
1975–1978Bob King 6124.718
1918–1923Birch Bayh 5724.640
1989–1994Tates Locke 5088.411
1912–1917Alfred F. Westphal 4723.671
1946–1948John Wooden 4415.746
2007–2010Kevin McKenna 4352.453
1982–1985Dave Schellhase 3748.435
31 seasons11 other coaches171280.380
1896–PresentPROGRAM TOTALs1,5151,301

Leaders in BOLD

National (1)

Draft history

NBA Regular Draft
YearRoundPickOverallPlayerTeam
198012323Carl NicksDenver Nuggets
1980617132Alex GilbertMilwaukee Bucks
1978116Larry BirdBoston Celtics
197869129Harry MorganSan Antonio Spurs
196861074Jerry NewsomNew York Knicks
1968192209Rich MasonChicago Bulls
19677572Butch WadeBoston Celtics
19536–50Dick AthaNew York Knicks
19504440Len RzeszewskiFort Wayne Pistons
19498139Bob RoyerProvidence Steam Rollers
19498138Duane KluehBoston Celtics

NBDL Draft
YearRoundPickOverallPlayerTeam
2013713113Dwayne LathanRio Grande Valley Vipers
20112218Jake KellyTexas Legends
2011715110Harry MarshallCanton Charge

Sycamores in the NBA">National Basketball Association">NBA

Fourteen former Sycamores have played in the NBA and its predecessors, the, and the ABA. They are:
30+ 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.
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">Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame">Basketball Hall of Fame (3)

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 Basketball Hall of Fame] (38)

Indiana State University Hall of Fame (38)

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