NORSE MEN’S BASKETBALL HISTORY TIMELINE 1976-77
• On Feb. 7, 1977, Pat Ryan and Marvin Wilson combine for 36 points as NKU posts an 88-76 win over No. 8 Tennessee-Chattanooga in Regents Hall to improve its record to 13-7. Ryan pours in 20 points, and Wilson finishes with 16. The Norsemen lead by as many as 23 points (8663) in the second half and coast past the Moccasins. Tennessee-Chattanooga will go on to win the NCAA Division II national championship in March. • In a must-win situation to possibly earn a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament, NKU drops a 71-65 decision at home to Thomas More on Feb. 26, 1977. The Norsemen finish the season with a 75-68 win at Bellarmine and a 15-10 record. Pat Ryan
1977-78
• With five starters returning and an outstanding class of recruits, NKU is expected to challenge for a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. Despite playing a rugged schedule, the Norsemen open the season by winning 10 of their first 12 games, including an 83-63 victory over a Tennesse State squad that just began reclassifying to Division I.
Tony Faehr (21) battles Xavier on Jan. 14, 1978.
• On Jan. 14, 1978, NKU upsets Xavier, 59-58, as Mike Hofmeyer tips in a shot at the buzzer. Xavier misses several key free throws late in the game to give NKU a chance. The Norsemen’s Marvin Wilson misses a jumper from the right wing in the closing seconds, but Hofmeyer grabs the offensive rebound and scores as time expires to give NKU its firstever victory against the Musketeers. It is also the 10th consecutive win for the Norsemen, who are sixth nationally in the NCAA Division II poll - the first national ranking in the history of the program. • NKU wraps up its first 20-win season with a 79-71 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan on Feb. 27, 1978. The Norsemen earn the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional, but the hosting rights are awarded to No. 2 seed Eastern Illinois. • NKU meets No. 4 seed Indiana State-Evansville (now Southern Indiana) in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament and drop an 86-78 decision to the Screaming Eagles at Charleston, Ill., in front of a crowd of 4,500. Dan Doellman leads NKU with 28 points and 10 rebounds. • The Norsemen meet Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) in a consolation game at the NCAA Division II Tournament and end the season with a 93-87 loss to the Pumas. NKU finishes with a 20-8 record and a No. 6 national ranking in the NCAA Division II poll. NKU was ranked as high as No. 4 nationally in the Feb. 8 poll.
NKU’s Tom Schneider (32) gets position against Xavier.
2013-14 NKU Norse Basketball Guide
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