The men's college basketball season came to an end Monday night, but we continue our countdown of the top 101 players in the 101 seasons of University of Louisville hoops. This penultimate installment is a look at players Nos. 11-20 (in reverse order).
20. Allen Murphy (1972-75) - The 6-foot-5 forward, who was a key member of UofL’s ’75 Final Four team, ranks 22nd on the all-time scoring list (1,453) and his 16.4 ppg average is ninth all-time. Murphy, who scored in double digits in a school-record 57 consecutive games, led the team in scoring in each of his three seasons. The Cards went 72-17 (an 80.9 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘75 Final Four appearance.
19. Francisco Garcia (2002-05) - The 6-7 swingman, who ranks 26th on the all-time scoring list (1,413/14.4 ppg) despite playing only three seasons, guided the ‘05 squad to the Final Four. Garcia, who led the team in assists his sophomore and junior seasons, is tied for eighth all-time in made 3-pointers (180). The Cards went 78-22 (a 78 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by the trip to the ‘05 national semis.
18. Terrence Williams (2005-09) - The 6-6 forward is the program’s 19th leading scorer (1,565 points/11.2 ppg), its seventh-leading rebounder (970/6.9 rpg) and is third in assists (545/3.9 apg). One of the most physically-gifted players ever to suit up for UofL, T-Will has half of the program’s four triple-doubles. T-Will could never get to an NCAA Final Four (Louisville made it to the NIT Final Four his freshman year), though.The Cards went 103-38 (a 73.0 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by back-to-back Elite Eight appearances his junior and senior years.
17. Clifford Rozier (1992-94) - The 6-9 forward-center ranks 53rd on the all-time scoring list (1,104), but he did it in only two seasons (his career average of 17 ppg is seventh all-time). He averaged a double-double in both of his seasons in the red and white (15.7 ppg and 10.9 rpg as a freshman and 18.1 ppg and 11.1 rpg as a sophomore). The Cards went 50-15 (a 76.9 winning percentage) in his two seasons, which were highlighted by back-to-back trips to the NCAA's Sweet 16.
16. LaBradford Smith (1987-91) - The 6-3 guard, who entered with plenty of hype, is the program’s eighth-leading scorer (1,806/13.6 ppg), and career assists leader (713/5.4 apg) in addition to leading in made free throws (491) and career free throw percentage (86.6). The Cards went 89-44 (a 66.9 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by back-to-back trips to the NCAA’s Sweet 16 his freshman and sophomore seasons. The team his junior year may have been the best of his four seasons, but the Cards were upset by Ball State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
15. Reece Gaines (1999-2003) - The 6-6 guard is the program’s fourth all-time leading scorer (1,945 points/15.6 ppg) and third all-time in made 3-pointers (225). He averaged 21 points per game his senior season, which earned him All-American honors. The Cards went 75-51 (59.5 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which included two NCAA Tournament appearances.
14. Jim Price (1969-72) - The 6-2 guard is the program’s 21st leading scorer (1,490 points), despite playing only three seasons. Price has the sixth-best career scoring average (17.1 ppg). He averaged 21 points per game his senior season, when he earned All-American honors. The Cards went 64-23 (a 73.6 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by the trip to the ‘72 Final Four and also included a pair of trips to the NIT.
13. Peyton Siva (2009-13) - Much like Rodney McCray, the 5-11 point guard (pictured above) was simply a winner. He led the Cards to the 2013 national championship as well as a Final Four appearance in 2012. Siva ranks second all-time in assists (677/4.7 apg) and steals (254) and 37th in scoring (1,215 points/8.4 ppg). The Cards went 110-38 (74.3 percent) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘13 national title and also the trip to the ‘12 Final Four.
12. Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman (1972-75) - The 6-5 swingman, who ranks 29th on the all-time scoring list (1,348/15.5 ppg) and grabbed 657 career rebounds (7.6 rpg), was a standout on some of Denny Crum’s first squads. Bridgeman was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and an All-American his senior year. The Cards went 72-17 (an 80.9 winning percentage) during his three seasons, including 34-6 in the MVC, which were highlighted by the Final Four appearance as well as two MVC championships.
11. Derek Smith (1978-82) - The 6-6 forward is the program’s seventh all-time leading scorer (1,826 points/13.9 ppg) and 10th-leading rebounder (884/6.7 pg). Smith, who shot 57.7 percent from the field in his career, was a key member of the ‘80 national title team. The Cards went 101-30 (77.1 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘80 championship and also included a Final Four appearance in ‘82.
Photo courtesy University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Facebook Page
