Picture this: a basketball powerhouse that went virtually unnoticed. A team that boasted a legendary coach, produced several NBA players, and won three consecutive national titles in the NAIA. Impressive, right? Yet, these achievements went completely unnoticed by The Associated Press men's basketball poll.
Back in the late 1950s, the Tennessee State men's basketball team, led by coach John McLendon, dominated their opponents. They compiled an impressive record of 94 wins out of 102 games during that three-season span. They had what it took to compete with any NCAA team of their time. But they never got the chance.
Why, you ask? Well, it wasn't due to lack of talent or skill. No, the reason lies in the racial climate of the era. Tennessee State, along with other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), were not given the same recognition as predominantly white institutions. Despite their undeniable success, these teams were judged differently, simply because of their racial composition.
Segregation was still pervasive during those years, and it wasn't until 1964 that Jim Crow laws were officially abolished. The most prominent college basketball teams of that era mostly consisted of white players, leaving HBCUs in the shadows. The AP poll, while intended to highlight the best teams in the country, neglected the talent and accomplishments of these Black colleges.
However, take a closer look at the players who emerged from HBCUs during that time. Bob Dandridge, an NBA All-Star and Hall of Fame inductee, believes that HBCU teams were more than capable of competing against those that made the AP poll. Other HBCU alumni, like Willis Reed, Sam Jones, and Earl Monroe, achieved great success in the NBA, proving that the talent pool in these schools was exceptional.
John McLendon, the groundbreaking coach of Tennessee State, revolutionized the game with his creative strategies. He introduced the famous 'Four Corners' offense and is even credited with developing the fast break. But despite his innovative coaching style, McLendon's teams were never ranked in the AP poll.
His legacy, however, extends beyond the poll itself. In 1944, while coaching at North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central), McLendon arranged a secret game against a team of Duke medical students. North Carolina Central thrashed Duke with a resounding 88-44 victory. This historic game exemplified the talent and ability that HBCU teams possessed.
Fast forward to today, and the basketball landscape has changed. There are now two Division I conferences comprised of HBCUs: the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Yet, these conferences have never been well-represented in the AP poll. In fact, Maryland-Eastern Shore is the only MEAC/SWAC member to have ever been ranked, and that was just for one week in 1974.
Basketball enthusiasts argue that the greatness of HBCUs must not be overlooked, especially when discussing the best teams in history. Clarence 'Big House' Gaines, another Hall of Fame coach from Winston-Salem, coached iconic players like Earl Monroe and Cleo Hill. His teams achieved remarkable success, including winning the Division II national title. Yet, they were never given the recognition they deserved.
It's a frustrating reality, knowing that these HBCU teams possessed the skills and talent to compete on equal footing with the ranked teams of their era. The racial dynamics and discriminatory practices of the time hindered their chances of being acknowledged as the powerhouses they truly were.
Times have changed, but the historical impact of these HBCU teams remains undeniable. It's essential to remember the contributions and achievements of these players and coaches, even if they weren't reflected in the AP poll.
As we celebrate the game of basketball, let's reflect on the untold stories, the overlooked triumphs, and the undeniable talent that existed throughout history. The HBCU basketball legacy deserves recognition and appreciation for the greatness that it embodies.
