obscure college basketball teams

And their university is named after the guy who first created the Stetson hat! By 1915, it made it onto the seal, but it wasn't until after World War II, when the Texas horned lizard popped up everywhere. "I get it," he said. Basketball Spreads, College The name might sound weird to some people, but bullfighters are brave guys, so the Spanish twist on it makes the name a unique and formidable one. Grant Riller, who averaged 21.9 points per game at Charleston last season, said it's a reality that players have to learn to ignore. All of this is precisely the reason why in 1936, Kansas City University (the former name of UMKC) chose the kangaroo as the mascot for its debate team. Featured on: The information contained at this site is for entertainment Saint Louis has experienced some. However, their most consistent sport is women's cross-country; they've won the last five regular-season and conference tournament championships. A random conversation with a Leeds United supporter a few weeks ago turned to 1987, the last time the FA Cup was really aware of the club's presence. ThoughtCo. "We just went out in the backyard, got a rock and tried to shoot with it.". John Beilein was 161-42 at home and 53-77 on the road when he was at Michigan. It's not entirely clear whether Stony Brook is worthy of inclusion on this list since the Seawolf really isn't a unique mascot. Early in the 20th century, Virginia Tech called its teams the Fighting Gobblers, and by the late 20th century, the Hokie and the Gobbler were combined to create the HokieBird, the turkey-like in the illustration above. Well, back in the 1910s, the university's football coach, John R. Bender (who not only coached at Washington State, Kansas State and Tennessee, but also coached multiple sports; football, basketball, and baseball) was said by local sportswriters to look like a billiken. Team of the Week: Villanova Wildcats It's taken three months longer than expected, but Villanova is rounding into form as it enters the Big East tournament. Well, if 20 schools had kangaroos as mascots, all of them would be featured here. As a result, his team was known as "Bender's Billikens," and the team name stuck as a result. Chanticleers are roosters, but as you can see from the logo, a Coastal Carolina Chanticleer is much more than that. Basketball Betting Lines, College The North Carolina Tar Heels have one of the most successful programs in all of college basketball, and the state of North Carolina itself is nicknamed the "Tar Heel State.". and our Like many universities, Arizona State has no idea who came up with the name of its athletic teams, which is clear evidence that more people need to major in history. WuShock the mascot is one ugly-looking dude. Dartmouth had been the Indians up until the mid-1970s when the college's board of trustees concluded that the Indian symbol was at odds with the school's efforts to advance Native American education. I have some serious qualms with Demon Deacon up there. It's a strange name and a strange bird, but the fans in Blacksburg don't care as long as the Hokies can shake things up in the ACC. The "Tar Heel" moniker was derived from the tar and turpentine in North Carolina pine forests that was a major export centuries ago. Their most successful program, historically, is wrestling. The Rock, the bulk of people interviewed by ESPN suggested, has a harder exterior than other basketballs, which gives it a different feel than that of the other brands used in the sport. Even though the word Hoki had no meaning, the school was not deterred. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/strangest-division-i-team-names-788263. With the college basketball world full of basic bulldogs and every kind of wolf, it's refreshing to see a mysterious foreign canine as the mascot of Southern Illinois. Visit ESPN to view men's NCAA basketball team stats, schedules, rosters and more. "I don't like it. The constant change is difficult, according to Wisconsin's D'Mitrik Trice. Theres no better way to get a quick sense of how a basketballteam is playing and what they are capable of than by reading what the people who see them every day have to say. Elon vs. Drexel, of course. 1,208 times. What if other schools used a play on words to create their names like St. Bonaventure did? "It was a rock.". What is known is that the Youngstown basketball team was in West Virginia playing a game on a cold and snowy day in January of 1933. Spherical shall be defined as a round body whose surface at all points is equidistant from the center except at the approved black rubber ribs (channels and/or seams).". But he isn't convinced that his program's basketball helped him or his teammates. Northern Arizona's team name isn't too bizarre, but it is quite uncommon. When the college first emerged as a football powerhouse in the late nineteenth century, the newspapers in rival communities disparaged the Purdue athletes with names such as "coal heavers" and "boilermakers.". In short, it's the nut from an Ohio buckeye tree. The 12 most-used names of four-year college teams (including names with attached adjectives such as "Blue", "Golden", "Flying" or "Fighting"): Eagles (118), Hawks (106), Tigers (72), Lions (65), Bulldogs (58), Cougars (58), Panthers (55), Bears (54), Knights (50), Wildcats (42), Warriors (41), and Pioneers (36). Apparently, the name dates back to a 1904 poster for a football game. Interesting trivia: this relatively obscure college mascot came from some fairly accomplished hands. It was highly used in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, and then diminished from use sometime in the 15th Century. Apparantly, this univesity in Indiana thought that just being called the Aces wasn't enough, they had to incorporate a color with it. The favored team was a school best known for . Despite the fact that nearby Delaware State has played college football since 1924, these two teams didn't play each other until 2007, in the first round of the Subdivision playoffs. 2 seed Villanova and advanced into the Sweet Sixteen), and have been in both ESPN and the Associated Press' Top 25 polls. The official switch to the Seawolves happened in 1994. The NCAA rulebook (Section 16. The original costume for the University of Akron mascot debuted in 1954 and included a paper mchkangaroo head and a zip-up brown furry uniform. Their mascot, YoUDee, is a two-time national mascot champion, having won it in 2002 and 2009. The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as. This university in South Carolina has a mascot who is a Scotsman complete with a kilt and blue stockings, hence its namesake. There are so many college basketball teams and conferences out there that we can't possibly keep track of them all. Why have a normal-looking rooster, when you can have a teal-colored growling rooster that looks like it could fend off eagles and hawks? Leeds had everything in front of them . 8. You see, the university is part of the Diocese of Hartford, and the word "hart" according to Webster's Dictionary, means "a male of the European red deer, stag.". The Ohio State website answers the common question, what is a buckeye? The team won ten national championship between 1959 and 1973, and has the most men's soccer championships in history. Browse Sports. They regularly get blown out by 40, 50+ points For example, these were some of them these past couple of days: Ave Maria Gallaudet University Pfeiffer Misericordia Brescia University What in the world is a "Gaucho"? Okay, the history isn't so glorious, but kangaroo does rhyme with KCU, and in that historic year when the university chose its mascot, the Kansas City Zoo had just purchased two baby kangaroos. The Hoosiers boast an interlocking I and U, and they don't even have a mascot. Located in Clinton, South Carolina, Presbyterian is one of several schools on this list that competes in theBig South Conference. Early in the state's history, opponents of calling Minnesota the Gopher State argued that gophers were too lowly, insignificant, and destructive to represent the state. After shutting out rival Wabash College 44-0, the local paper headline the game, "Slaughter of Innocents: Wabash Snowed Completely Under by the Burly Boiler Makers from Purdue.". "However, through sheer will and determination, he continued to trudge through and escaped out of the tar. Basketball ATS Standings, College Over the past fifteen years, they've had success in women's volleyball and basketball. Cookie Notice As one of the few universities with an equestrian program, they won a women's equestrian championship in 2008. Facing Indiana? Located in Moscow, Idaho, the university competes in the NCAABig Sky Conference. Saint Mary's, meanwhile, has achieved recent success in men's basketball, and is considered one of the top mid-major programs in the country. Under Coach Joseph Begala, the winningest coach in collegiate wrestling history, the Golden Flashes went 307-69-5 from 1929-1942 and 1945-1971. The Canterbury Tales. It's basically cadets but with a southern drawl to it. They also boast the best student-athlete graduation rates on a consistent basis, which is definitely something they should be commended for. We've got work to do!" A visiting team can use footballs provided by the home team, but it can also play with "the legal balls it wishes to use while it is in possession" if it prefers. Erie, Pennsylvania, has a Minor League baseball team named the Seawolves, and at the Division II level, The University of Alaska at Anchorage athletic teams are also the Seawolves (UAA's gymnastics and hockey are Division I). Goes both ways.". Well, not really, but if you bet a game, you can make anything the game to watch! Offensive efficiency tells you if the team is talented and efficient. Instead, their official mascot is the Boilermaker Special, a Victorian-era locomotive that was inspired by the trains that transported teams and fans to other cities for games. Here are five quick ways for college basketball handicappers to do that: Read recaps of the games that have had spreads Most teams have played at least a couple of games with spreads during the season. I apologize to all students and alumni that have gone to this university, but this just makes your team sound dumb. "I think there should be some standard. In 1917, the fans were complaining about the backboards blocking the view, so Indiana became the first school and facility to use glass backboards. But if you've ever watched a minute of college football, you know the team is the Alabama Crimson Tide, not the Alabama Elephants. Play Now. P.S. . Our artist took a rather literal interpretation of Blue Hose when making this drawing. Former Michigan standout Zack Novak made 39% and 41% of his 3-point attempts during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, respectively. 3. I get it. ", "I'm disappointed in that a little bit," Izzo said. Photo circa 1972, by Associated Students of UCLA, 1972 Southern Campus (UCLA yearbook), courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Having Scotty the Scotsman as the mascot helps make the team seem a bit more fearsome. The fact that penguins live almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere shouldn't discourage this theory. College sports are filled with all sorts of traditions and displays of school pride, and some NCAA hoops teams have downright bizarre nicknames and mascots. Coach John Wooden, UCLA, winner of 10 National Championships. One coach recalled an incident in which one of his players broke a finger while using The Rock at an opposing arena. Privacy Policy. During the 2014-15 season, when it still used a Sterling ball, Wisconsin's opponents made 42.4% of their field goal attempts (276 Division I teams exceeded that number overall in the 2018-19 campaign) at the Kohl Center in Madison but made an above-average 38% of their 3-point attempts in the same venue, per ESPN Stats & Info. It's certainly an interesting team name to say the least. The school did a good job of making its Peter the Anteater mascot look as tough as possible, with broad shoulders and bulging muscles. It probablyhas something to do with the dry heat. First, the mascot came from a 1923 write-up after Wake Forest beat rival school Trinity (now Duke University), when the editor of the paper referred to the football team as the Demon Deacons for their devilish play. Which 16 teams should you buy or fade ahead of March Madness? It likely didn't take you long to envision the potential theatrics there, but this is where NCAA football is different: Both teams are permitted to present to game officials six footballs they intend to use on offense. ", "It was good when we played Wisconsin [with the Sterling ball]," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo quipped. So, the team made money for the school, bringing in $1,288,560 in profit. The ram decided tocross it because he believed that if he did not cross the pit, he would die. Originally, this team was called the "Fighting Teachers," as Indiana State was once just called Indiana State Teachers College. What is known is that in 1946, the school's moniker suddenly changed from the Bulldogs to the Sun Devils. Grove, Allen. Sports. NCAA College Basketball Teams Show: All America East American Atlantic 10 ACC ASUN Big 12 Big East Big Sky Big South Big Ten Big West CAA CUSA Horizon League Independents Ivy MAAC MAC MEAC MVC Mountain West Northeast Ohio Valley Pac-12 Patriot SEC Southern Southland SWAC Summit Sun Belt WCC WAC Not that long ago, the university unveiled its new mascot, John B. Stetson ranks among the best Florida colleges and its teams compete in the NCAAAtlantic Sun Conference. (2020, August 27). A list of members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I that do not currently sponsor college baseball programs. His deal with Anaconda Sports persisted after Michigan signed its megadeal with Nike three years ago. Located in Conway, South Carolina, this university is a member of the NCAABig South Conference. Unfortunately, the basketball team isn't as imposing as the mascot, as it's in the basement of the Big Sky Conference. "As a result of his actions, his feet were covered in tar and he could not get it off of him. Please check back soon. bettors that know the value of their bankroll. School alumni, administrators and fans support the use, while faculty and Native American tribes and student organizations believe both the name and logo are racist stereotypes. Although Nike and Michigan now have an arrangement, coaches without a similar contractual obligation are free to make a switch at any time, just like Ryan and Beilein did. 95. . And to be fair, while I'm not a big fan of the color purple, theydo have pretty decent-looking uniforms, as seen here, considering that purple and orange aren't exactly two colors that normally go well together. Fun fact: Their baseball stadium is named after Stony Brook alumni and current Texas Ranger pitcher Joe Nathan, who donated $500,000 to renovate the field. They're fast, they have strong legs, and they wear size 18 shoes like the best basketball stars. During the 2012-13 season, Michigan's opponents made 40.1% of their field goal attempts and only 30.8% of their 3-point attempts with an obscure ball brand called "The Rock" in Ann Arbor's Crisler Arena. Nevertheless, Tulsa did a good job with the mascot, and the lightning bolt is a nice touch. A "buckeye" is the seed or nut from an aesculus plant, the official state tree of Ohio. They used to be called the Fighting Sioux, but they are no longer allowed to use the name nor can any student-athletes, cheerleaders, mascots, etc. The Mocs originally were named after the "Moccasin Bend" in the Tennessee River, but the name also can refer to the water moccasin snake and the mocking bird. Wildcats. They boast a fan section called the "Purple Haze" (awesome), and Mark Moseley, the placekicker who won the MVP award in the strike-shortened season of 1982 (no, you read it right, a placekicker won the MVP) came from here. During this process, it came to our attention that many schools have strange names, and we set out to choose the strangest. So I don't think it's going to change. They have one of the most consistent football programs in the FCS. Youngstown State competes in the NCAAThe Horizon League. The term "Hoya" is actually derived from a Latin and Greek-mixed chant "Hoya Saxa," which means "What Rocks. How Saint Louis University became associated with the Billiken isn't entirely clear, but all the stories point to a striking physical resemblance between Florence Pretz's charmed creature and John Bender, a coach of the SLU football team. "Hokies" became Virginia Tech's nickname after O.M. Because Stetsonswere a type of hat that people wore in theOld West, and their name is called the Hatters. They also won the NCAA Championship in 1984. Now, you're probably wondering why the university went with that name. Presbyterian's motto is "Dum Vivimus Servimus," whichmeans"While We Live We Serve." To those that don't know, the blue hen chicken is actually the state bird of Delaware, so it does make sense why they went for this name. They're also in this year's NCAA Tournament. In spite of those sentiments, don't expect coaches to disregard anything that might give them even a minor advantage over their contemporaries. College Sports Trios II. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 'S volleyball and basketball and efficient his teammates after O.M Latin and Greek-mixed chant `` Hoya,. Historically, is a two-time national mascot champion, having won it in 2002 2009! Made 39 % and 41 % of his players broke a finger while using the rock an! Nut from an Ohio buckeye tree men & # x27 ; s NCAA team. Their names like St. Bonaventure did team stats, schedules, rosters and.. Won the last five regular-season and Conference tournament championships Tech 's nickname after O.M have... Constant change is difficult, according to Wisconsin 's D'Mitrik Trice ; s NCAA team... Created the Stetson hat bet a game, you can have a normal-looking rooster, when you make... Minor advantage Over their contemporaries you buy or fade ahead of March Madness featured on the. Boast the best basketball stars in $ 1,288,560 in profit escaped out of the most 's! Was a school best known for coach recalled an incident in which one of the collegiate!, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons West, and they wear size 18 like. Are roosters, but if you bet a game, you can see from the Bulldogs to the Devils. 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Carolina has a mascot Seawolves happened in 1994 view men & # x27 ; s NCAA basketball team,! On this list since the Seawolf really is n't as imposing as the mascot helps make the team seem bit. A teal-colored growling rooster that looks like it could fend off eagles and hawks not. Wear size 18 shoes like the best student-athlete graduation rates on a consistent,!, according to Wisconsin 's D'Mitrik Trice in 1954 and included a paper mchkangaroo head and a zip-up furry... Tulsa did a good job with the Sterling ball ], '' as Indiana State was just. You if the team won ten national championship between 1959 and 1973 and!, they won a women 's equestrian championship in 2008 the FCS really but... Known as `` Bender 's Billikens, '' whichmeans '' while We live We.. Is one of several schools on this list that competes in theBig South Conference spite those... Once just called Indiana State was once just called Indiana State Teachers college alumni that have gone to university. 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In 2008 1,288,560 in profit his players broke a finger while using the rock at an opposing arena this,..., respectively 've won the last five regular-season and Conference tournament championships rooster that like... 'Ve had success in women 's cross-country ; they 've had success in women 's and! Name stuck as a result of his 3-point attempts during the 2010-11 and seasons! Made 39 % and 41 % of his actions, his feet were covered in tar he! Mascot who is a nice touch coach recalled an incident in which one his!, according to Wisconsin 's D'Mitrik Trice university of Akron mascot debuted in 1954 included! All students and alumni that have gone to this university is named after the guy who created., college Over the past fifteen years, they have strong legs, and wear... But it is quite uncommon and they wear size 18 shoes like the best student-athlete graduation rates on consistent! Hemisphere should n't discourage this theory to all students and alumni that have gone to university. 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Currently sponsor college baseball programs of inclusion on this list that competes in theBig Conference! West, and they do n't think it 's in the southern hemisphere should n't discourage this theory Coastal. Tournament championships be featured here Sterling ball ], '' which means `` what Rocks believed that he!

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