NCAA Tournament Southeast Regional Nashville, Tenn.
1990
Southeast Regional Knoxville, Tenn.
The 1988-89 Bucs began East Tennessee State’s four-year streak of NCAA Tournament bids. The unknown Bucs fell one point short (72-71) of shocking the collegiate basketball world with an upset of Oklahoma on March 16, 1989. A win by the Bucs would have been the first in Tournament history by a No. 16 seed over a No. 1 seed. ETSU controlled ETSU’s Keith “Mister” Jennings and the rest of the the first half, leading by Buccaneers gave No. 1-seeded Oklahoma a scare in the first round of the 1989 NCAA Tournament in Nashville. eight at the break. The Bucs and Sooners battled throughout the second half, but when point guard Keith “Mr.” Jennings fouled out, ETSU’s fate was sealed. Oklahoma center Stacey King used a superman performance -- 28 points, 10 rebounds -- to assure his team of advancing. ETSU center Greg Dennis had 20 points and 15 rebounds.
Georgia Tech didn’t blink in blitzing the Bucs, 99-83, in the NCAA Tournament’s first round on March 15, 1990. The Ramblin’ Wreck shot 60.9 percent from the field and 53.8 from behind the arc. Lethal Weapon 3 led the way. Shooting guard Dennis Scott torched the Bucs for 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting, point guard Kenny Anderson scored 21 points and Keith “Mister” Jennings, left, scored a team-high 17 dished 10 assists for points in a loss to Georgia Tech during first round play the Yellow Jackets, and at the 1990 NCAA Tournament. three-guard Brian Oliver dropped 13 points. Five Buc players scored in double figures, led by Calvin Talford’s and Keith Jennings’ 17 points. Greg Dennis scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Georgia Tech advanced to the Final Four that season before losing.
1991
1992
Midwest Regional Minneapolis, Minn.
Jerry Pelphrey was a critical contributor to the Buccaneer cause in 1991. He later spent time on the coaching staff at ETSU, under Coach Alan LeForce and Ed DeChellis.
Another upset bid fell short, as the Bucs dropped a heartbreaking 76-73 decision to Iowa in the 1991 NCAA Tournament’s first round, on March 14, 1991. The Bucs led by four, 37-33, at halftime but could not sustain the lead. ETSU’s guards Rodney English and Keith “Mister” Jennings kept ETSU in the game with outstanding perimeter play. English scored a game-high 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting and also grabbed a team-high 10 boards.
Jennings scored 11 points and added 13 assists. In one of the most incredible individual seasons ever, Jennings was truly a star. He led the team in scoring (20.1), 3-pt. field goal percentage (59.2), free throw percentage (89.5) and assists (9.1 apg).
2010-2011 Media Guide
Southeast Regional Atlanta, Ga.
After two near misses, the Bucs shocked the nation with an 87-80 win against Arizona, on March 20, 1992. The 14th-seed led the entire game and never let the No. 3-seed Wildcats get comfortable. Rodney English netted 21 points to lead the charge. He also led the team with five assists. Calvin Talford (15), Jason Niblett (13) Trazel Silvers (21) scored 12 points and senior Marty and Trazel Silvers (12) also Story (34) finished his career at ETSU in style, as the scored in double figures. Bucs upended No. 4 seed Arizona in the first round of The Bucs outscored the the NCAAs. Wildcats by 27 points from behind the arc. In the second round, ETSU fought hard but fell to the Fab Five Michigan squad. The Wolverines would advance to the NCAA Championship Game, while the Bucs would become one of the NCAA’s upset specialists.
NCAA Tournament Appearances . . . 1968, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010
1989
97