A History of Eastern Kentucky University Basketball
The Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball team represents Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), located in Richmond, Kentucky, United States. As members of the ASUN Conference since 2021, the Colonels have a long and storied basketball history, marked by conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances, and memorable players. This article explores the key moments and figures that have shaped the program.
Early Years and the McBrayer Era (1946-1950s)
Paul McBrayer took over the Maroons’ reins in December 1946-47. He picked up where Rome Rankin left off by going 21-4 his first year with wins over Pepperdine, Baylor and Tulsa to the team’s credit. The 1949-50 season saw the Maroons, comprised mostly of seniors who had played for Paul McBrayer for four years, win the OVC Tournament with a 62-50 decision over Western Kentucky.
Jim Baechtold: A Colonel Legend (1951-1953)
Jim Baechtold, a 6-4 forward, concluded his impressive four-year Eastern career in 1951-52 with 1,137 points and 933 rebounds. A three-time All-OVC selection and two-time All-OVC Tournament choice, he earned UPI honorable mention All-America honors in 1951-52. Baechtold was the second pick in the NBA draft by the Baltimore Bullets and enjoyed a five-year professional career, earning NBA Rookie of the Year honors in 1953.
In 1952-53, Paul McBrayer’s team won its first regular season OVC title and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance, losing to Notre Dame, 72-57.
Milestones and Achievements in the Mid-20th Century
February 6, 1954, Eastern Kentucky University handed No. 9 Xavier its first defeat of the season, 74-72.
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In 1955-56, Jack Adams, a three-time All-OVC choice, had his No. 40 jersey retired by Eastern, the only number in any sport to ever be retired by the University.
Eastern began a 38-game homecourt winning streak at the Weaver Health Building gymnasium on January 22, 1958, with a 72-64 victory over Murray State. The win streak spanned four seasons, ending with a loss to the Racers, 82-80, in January 1962.
The 1958-59 season saw Eastern win the OVC championship with a 16-6 record. The Maroons played in their second NCAA Tournament game, losing to the University of Louisville, 77-63. Jack Adams was named an AAU All-American for the All-Army team and participated in the Pan-Am Games in Chicago.
Transition and Continued Success (1960s-1970s)
Eastern closed competition in the Weaver Health Building gymnasium in 1962-63 after more than three decades of basketball action. In December 1964-65, Eastern won the OVC basketball crown, and coach Jim Baechtold was named OVC Coach of the Year.
Garfield Smith finished second in the nation in rebounding in 1967-68, averaging a school-record 19.7 rebounds per game.
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In December 1971-72, Eastern tied for the OVC regular season championship with Morehead State and Western Kentucky, leading to a playoff in Frankfort, KY’s Civic Center. Eastern defeated Morehead State, 98-86, to win the OVC crown and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
One of the most talked about games in Eastern sports history occurred in February 1978-79, when reserve guard Dave Tierney hit two free throws with no time left on the clock to give Eastern a 78-77 victory over Western Kentucky in the finals of the OVC Tournament in Alumni Coliseum.
Later Years and Recent History (2000s-Present)
Guard Lavoris Jerry ended his career in style for Eastern on February 24, 2001, by scoring 41 points against Eastern Illinois in his last game as a Colonel.
In 2004-05, Coach Travis Ford led Eastern to a school-record 22 wins, capturing its last seven games of the regular season en route to taking the OVC crown.
Freshman Josh Taylor’s floating 10-foot jumper with two seconds left gave Eastern a 63-62 win over Austin Peay in the OVC Tournament championship in 2006-07, marking its seventh trip to the NCAA Tournament.
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The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014.
The Colonels are currently coached by A.W..
Venues and Conference Affiliations
Home games are played at Alumni Coliseum, located on EKU's campus. The Colonels are members of the ASUN Conference, which they joined in 2021 after having been members of the Ohio Valley Conference since that league's founding in 1948.
Postseason Appearances
The Colonels have appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments, two NAIA Tournaments, two College Basketball Invitationals (CBI), and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments (CIT).
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