Even though the University of Louisville men’s basketball team isn't playing in Monday night's national championship game, we continue our countdown of the top 101 players in the 101 seasons of Cardinals hoops. This installment is a look at players Nos. 21-30 (in reverse order).
30. Montrezl Harrell (2012-2015) - The 6-foot-8 forward is tied for 31st in scoring (1,294 points/11.6 ppg), fourth in field goal percentage (58.6) and grabbed 777 rebounds (6.9 per game) in his career. As a freshman he was high-energy off the bench (5.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg) before moving into a starting, and starring, role as a sophomore (14 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 60.9 FG%) and junior (15.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg). The Cards went 93-20 (an 82.3 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by the national title (and this dunk [4]) in ‘13.
29. Dwayne Morton (1991-94) - The 6-6 swingman ranks 24th on the all-time scoring list (1,428/15 ppg) and first all-time in highest career 3-point percentage (46.1). Morton, who played only three seasons after missing his first year due to academics, had his best year as a junior (16.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg). The Cards went 69-26 (a 72.6 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by trips to the NCAA’s Sweet 16 his sophomore and junior years.
28. Marques Maybin (1997-2001) - The 6-3 guard is the program’s 14th all-time leading scorer (1,624 points/13.8 ppg). He led the team in scoring as a junior (14.7 ppg) and senior (17.7 ppg). The Cards went 62-62 during his four seasons, which were highlighted by two trips to the NCAA Tournament. Tragically, Mabyin was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 2003.
27. Don Goldstein (1956-59) - The 6-5 forward from New York City ranks 67th on the all-time scoring list (1,019/12.8) and 12th on the all-time rebounding list (868/10.7 rpg) despite playing in only 81 career games. Goldstein, who was an All-American his senior season, was the 10th player in UofL history to score 1,000 points. The Cards went 53-29 (a 64.6 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by their first NCAA Final Four appearance in 1959. Goldstein averaged 21.4 points and 10 rebounds per game in that run.
26. Taquan Dean (2002-06) - The 6-3 guard, who is the program’s 13th all-time leading scorer (1,649), ranks first all-time in made 3-pointers (359) as well as made 3-pointers in a season (122). Dean led the team in scoring (17.1 ppg) his senior season. The Cards went 99-35 (a 73.9 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘05 Final Four appearance.
25. Jack Coleman (1946-49) - The 6-7 forward-center, from tiny Burgin, led UofL to its first national title, the 1948 NAIB crown. Coleman, who ranks 52nd on the all-time scoring list (1,114/12.7 ppg), went on to play nine seasons in the NBA. The Cards went 69-22 (a 75.8 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘48 NAIB title.
24. Wesley Cox (1973-77) - The 6-5 forward is the program’s 18th all-time leading scorer (1,578 points/14 ppg) and is tied for 14th in rebounding (832/7.4 rpg). The former Male High School standout led Louisville in scoring his senior season (16.5 ppg). The Cards went 90-25 (a 78.3 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by the ‘75 Final Four appearance.
23. John Turner (1958-61) - The 6-5 forward ranks 23rd on the all-time scoring list (1,451/16.9 ppg) and ninth in rebounds (919/10.7 rpg) despite playing only three seasons (he led the team in scoring in each). He averaged 23.1 ppg his senior year. The Cards went 55-31 (a 64 winning percentage) in his three seasons, which were highlighted by UofL’s first Final Four appearance in 1959.
22. Lancaster Gordon (1980-84) - The lanky 6-3 guard is the program’s 15th all-time leading scorer (1,614 points/12 ppg). He was the second-leading scorer (13.7 ppg) on the ‘83 Final Four team and as a senior (14.7 ppg). The Cards went 100-34 (a 74.6 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were highlighted by back-to-back Final Four appearances in ‘82 and ‘83.
21. Herbert Crook (1984-88) - The 6-7 forward, who is the program’s 10th leading scorer (1,723 points/12.1 ppg) and also ranks 11th in rebounding (877/6.2 rpg), helped the Cards to the ’86 national title. The Cards went 93-50 (a 65 winning percentage) in his four seasons, which were obviously highlighted by the ‘86 championship. In that win over Duke, Crook tallied 10 points, grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds and also dished out a team-high five assists.
Cards Countdown: Nos. 40-31 [5]
Cards Countdown: Nos. 50-41 [6]
Cards Countdown: Nos. 60-51 [7]
Cards Countdown: Nos 70-61 [8]
Cards Countdown: Nos. 80-71 [9]
Cards Countdown: Nos. 90-81 [10]
Cards Countdown: Nos. 101-91 [11]
Photo courtesy University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Facebook Page