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, 41 1,000-point scorers, and 1,590+ victories.
In addition, the Sycamores have 28 postseason appearances (7 NCAA, 5 NIT, 2 CBI, 1 CIT, 12 NAIA, and the 1936 Olympic Trials) with six national championship appearances (2 NCAA, 1 NIT and 3 NAIA). 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 (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 NCAA College Division (now Division II) 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. Over the decades, 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 final NAIA highlight was Ray Goddard leading the entire nation (all collegiate divisions), in FT percentage (91.2%) 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 (Mississippi State, Southeast Missouri), Rob Flaska (Centenary), Jim Saia (Cal State-Los Angeles), Stan Gouard (Univ of Southern Indiana) and Benjy Taylor (North Central, Hawai'i and Tuskegee), Thad Matta (Butler, Xavier, Ohio State), Kareem Richardson (Missouri-Kansas City), Phil Hopkins (Western Carolina), Mel Garland (IUPUI), and NBA Great Mel Daniels.
The Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball team currently play their home games at The Hulman Center II (9,000).
Postseason
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 five National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Their combined record is 5–5.
CBI results
The Sycamores have received two College Basketball Invitational (CBI) berths. Their combined record is 1–2.
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. They hosted the Great Lakes Regional during the 1966-67 Tournament.
NAIA Tournament results
The Sycamores appeared in the NAIA Division I men's 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 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 Jim Kelly's DePaul Blue Demons, at the Chicago Armory, 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 (2)
DeCarsta Webster – Icelandic national basketball team (1984–1987)
Manny Arop – Canadian University National Team (2013), Canadian Junior National Team (2011), Canadian U-19 National Team (2009), Canadian U-18 National Team (2008)
Arenas
Player of the year
National awards
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 Larry Bird Trophy
Larry Bird – 1979 Larry Bird Trophy
Nate Green – 2000 Larry Bird Trophy
National tournament (3)
Duane Klueh – 1948 NAIA Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player
Lenny Rzeszewski – 1950 NAIA Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player
Jerry Newsom – 1968 NCAA Div II Men's Championship Most Outstanding Player
Retired numbers
Four Sycamore players have had their numbers retired by the school. Jerry Newsom is the latest, with his number 41 retired by the school on February 19, 2022.
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 (Volume 3, Number 1) issue of the 'Indiana State University Alumni Magazine.
All-Americans (17)
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 (35)
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 (13)
Career leaders
Scoring
Three-pointers
Rebounds
Assists
Steals
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 Ball State University. The statue honors Bird's legendary status in the Holy Land of Basketball _ INDIANA.
Coaching leaders
The Sycamores have been led by 26 different Head Coaches through their history, the top 16 coaches; in terms of wins; are listed below.
Leaders in BOLD
A bronze statue of Coach John Wooden by sculptor Blair Buswell was dedicated when the newly renovated Pauley Pavilion opened on October 26, 2012, a men's basketball was played at the UCLA arena between Indiana State and UCLA on November 9, 2012. The game honored Wooden's coaching career at both schools.
Coach of the Year
National (2)
Bill Hodges – 1979 AP, UPI, The Sporting News.
Josh Schertz - 2024 Hugh Durham Award
Conference (9)
Josh Schertz - 2024 Missouri Valley Conference: League Media & Coaches
Kevin McKenna – 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
Sycamores in the professional leagues
Draft history
18 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
ABA Draft
ABL Draft
Sycamores in the NBA
Fifteen 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
Roy "Goose" Burris (1933) Akron Firestone Non-Skids
Larry Bird: (1981, 1984, 1986) Boston Celtics
Sycamores in other professional leagues
35+ Indiana State players have played in foreign leagues; DeCarsta Webster and Brad Miley both won titles in Iceland, 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; Niagara River Lions - National Basketball League of Canada
Keenan Barlow – Dublin – Ireland – Premier League (Ireland)
Kelyn Block – Lausanne MB – Switzerland League A; Nanterre 92, UJAP Quimper 29 - France; Premijer liga BiH
Devonte Brown - Paderborn Baskets - Germany ProA (2017–18); OKK Sloboda Tuzla - Bosnia-Herzegovina Premijer liga BiH (2016–17)
Aaron Carter – Grand Rapids Danger ABA
Joshua Crawford - Ehime (2016–17), Kumamoto Volters (2015-16) Japan - B.League; MBK Baník Handlová (2014–15) Extraliga; BC Nevėžis LKL (2014–15); BC Beroe (2013–14), BC Balkan (2011–12) NBL
Jim Cruse – Diadolle Asptt Dijon – France N3
Amani Daanish – Segamat (2009), Mississauga Power - Canada (2012-13), Island Storm - Canada (2013-14), Saint John Riptide - Canada (2013-14) Salon Vilpas Vikings – Finland – 1st Division
Alex Gilbert - Played in the Úrvalsdeild karla and the Icelandic Division I in Iceland with Njarðvík (Iceland) and Grindavík
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 – Marinos de Bolivar BPC, BK Iskra Svit Extraliga; Al Jaysh Army SC – Qatar – D1
Steve Hart - Fayetteville Patriots - (2001–02) – USA – NBDL
Cam Henry - Skyliners Frankfurt - ProA Germany - (2023-24)
Larry Sample - New York Nationals – (1972–76) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
Khristian Smith - SLUNETA Ústí nad Labem, NBL
Paul Stroud – Washington Generals/New York Nationals – (1972–75) – opponent/foil to Harlem Globetrotters
Matt Renn – Valence Condom Castera RGB – France – N2
Emondre Rickman - Surrey Scorchers - United Kingdom (2020–21); S.C._Lusitânia - Portugal (2019–20)
Kailex Stephens - Feniks 2010 - Macedonian Super League - Macedonia (2023-24)
Devin Thomas - BMS Herlev Wolfpack - Denmark (2020–21)
Myles Walker - Oliveirense - Portugal LPB
DeCarsta Webster – 20-year career in Iceland in the Úrvalsdeild karla and the Icelandic Division I (1979–1999)
Jayson Wells – 13-yr career in foreign leagues; some teams include: Poltava-Basket Poltava – Ukraine – Superleague; Maccabi Rishon - Israel Premier League
Christian Williams - Telstar Hesperange of the Total League
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
National Small College Basketball Hall of Fame (2)
Clarence Walker - 2018
John Wooden - 2018
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 Basketball Hall of Fame (40)
Source:
Indiana State University Hall of Fame (42)
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."