1997 College Football

1.       Charles Woodson: Won the Heisman Trophy and was the first and only primarily defensive player to win college football’s top honor.

He won the Walter Camp Award as the country’s top player. He was the Nagurski (top defensive player) and Thorpe (top defensive back) award winner.

Woodson was a consensus All-American and the Big 10 defensive player of the year for the second straight season.

He was 2^nd in the NCAA in interceptions with eight, including one incredible pick vs. Michigan St.

He tallied 44 tackles, and nine pass breakups.

On offense, Woodson he had 12 catches for 238 yards (19.8 ypc) and two scores, including a 37-yard score in 34-8 rout of #16 Penn St.

He also accounted for a 33-yard TD run, and 301 yards on punt returns, including the game changing TD vs. Ohio St.

Michigan would beat the #12 Buckeyes 20-14 and win the Big 10. 

The Wolverines would win the National Championship by knocking off #9 Washington St. 21-16 in the Rose Bowl . Woodson picked off All-American QB Ryan Leaf in the end zone to preserve a 7-0 deficit in the 1^st quarter.

The Maze and Blue would finish the season ranked #1 in the AP poll and were 12-0. Michigan’s defense allowed just 9.5 points per game.

2.       Ryan Leaf: Finished 3^rd in the Heisman voting, and was 2^nd team All-American by the AP and first team by the Sporting News. He was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

He won the Sammy Baugh Trophy given to the nation’s top passer.

He was a finalist of for the Maxwell Award (POY) and O’Brien Trophy (QB of the Year).

He was 2^nd in the NCAA passing efficiency (158.7) and third in total offense. 

Leaf threw 3,637 yards 35 TDs (which were both Pac-10 records) and just 10 Ints. He also added 4 rushing TDs.

Leaf’s season started with a bang against #5 UCLA.  He led Wazzu to a 37-34 stunning win behind 381 yards and 3 TDs.

 The Cougars claimed the Pac-10 title with 41-35 win over #18 Washington, and advanced to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 66 years. Leaf threw for 358 and two scores.

In the Rose Bowl against #1 Michigan, Leaf helped give the Cougars a 7-0 lead with a 1^st quarter TD pass. He finished the evening with 331 yards thru the air. 

Washington St. led the Pac-10 in scoring with 40.3 PPG. They finished the season ranked #9 in polls with 10-2 mark overall, 7-1 in conference.

3.       Peyton Manning: Was the runner up in the Heisman race. He was named 1^st team All-American by the AP, the Football Writers, Walter Camp, and Football News.

He was named player of the year (Maxwell) and QB of the Year (O’Brien, and Unitas awards).

He was named the SEC Player of the Year and the MVP of the SEC Championship game.

Against #11 Auburn he torched the Tigers for 373 yards and 4 TDs.

The SEC title game was one of nine 300+ yard games of the season.

Manning would finish with 3,819 yards 36 TDs and 11 Ints and a 145.3 efficiency rating in regular season.

He lit up #10 Georgia and # 5 UCLA for a combined 644 yards and six touchdowns.

In a 42-17 loss in the Orange Bowl to #2 Nebraska Manning threw for 134 and a TD.

1997 MLB

1.       Ken Griffey Jr. : Was the 1997 AL MVP. He was voted Player of the Year by the Player’s Choice and Sporting News in all of MLB, and was considered my many the top player in baseball at the time.

He was the Player of the Month in April when he set the MLB record with 13 Home Runs in a month.

He also earned the starting spot for the AL All-Stars in CF, an eighth straight Gold Glove, and the Silver Slugger award.

He was also given the 1998 (after 1997 season) ESPY by ESPN as the co-Male Athlete of the Year (July 1997-July1998).

Junior Griffey led the American League in most offensive categories. HR with 56 (6^th most in a season), RBI with 147, runs (125), total bases (393), and slugging (.646)

He was also 1^st in position player and offensive WAR.

Griffey was 2^nd in the AL in OPS with 1.028, 6^th in hits (185), and hit .304 in 158 games.

He was 1-3 with a RBI and 2 SB in a Game Two loss to Baltimore in the ALDS.

His two-out RBI single in Game Three gave Seattle a 2-0 lead in the fifth.

Seattle went on to win Game Three but lost the series in four to the Orioles.

The Mariners went 90-72 and won the AL West by six games, and had the third best record in the AL.

Griffey led Seattle to baseball’s best offensive by scoring 5.71 runs/game, and hitting 264 HR.

2.       Moises Alou: Was named the Babe Ruth award winner (NY baseball writers World Series MVP). For the Series he hit .321 with a team high three Home runs and nine RBI.

He was an All-Star and finshed 10^th in NL MVP voting.

He hit .292 with 23 HR and 115 RBI (9^th in NL) and scored 88 runs.

Alou gave the Marlins a 2-0 series lead over the Giants with a walk off RBI single to break a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the ninth.

Alou got Florida off to a hot start in NLCS with a bases clearing double in the top of the 1^st of Game One vs. Atlanta. He tacked on another RBI in the 3^rd on a groundout, as the Marlins won 5-3.

In the pennant clinching Game Six, he drove in another run and walked twice.

In Game One of the World Series his three-run bomb put Florida ahead 4-1 in the 4^th.

Alou struck again in Game Five with a 3-5 2 R and 3 RBI performance. Another three-run homer put Florida in front 5-4 in the 6th. The Marlins would hang on 8-7 and take a 3-2 series advantage.

He singled to start the ninth and would score the tying run on Craig Counsell’s sac fly. Florida would eventually take the Series in seven by winning dramatically in the 11^th inning.

For the playoffs in 16 games, Moises drove in 15 runs and scored seven more.

Florida finished with the second best record in the NL with 92 wins and won the wild card. They swept the Giants in three games in the NLDS.

The fifth year franchise beat the two time reigning NL champion Braves in six games in the NLCS. They would then beat the favored Indians in seven games to win the World Series.

3.       Sandy Alomar Jr.: Was an AL All-Star and earned MVP with the go ahead 2-R Home Run in the 7^th in his home park.

He earned his spot in the Mid-Summer Classic by hitting .372 in the first half, which included a 30 game hitting streak.

He finished the season with a .324 average 21 HR and 83 RBI.

In Game One of the ALDS vs. New York he was a 2-4 with 3 RBI on a 3-R HR off David Cone in the 1^st 

 

He helped the Indians even the series in Game Two with a RBI and run scored in the a five-run fourth. 

Alomar saved Cleveland’s season with a two-out eighth inning HR off Mariano Rivera in Game Four. The Indians would win in the bottom of the ninth, and take the series in Game Five.

He homered, drove in four, and scored two on a 3-5 night in Game Four of the ALCS win over Baltimore.

He was the top player in World Series for Cleveland with 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R and 11-30 (.367).

He drove in and scored two runs in the Indians Game Two 6-1 win.

Alomar had three more hits and three RBI in Game Four as the Indians tied the series at two.

Cleveland won the AL Central with a 86-75 record. The returned to the World Series for the 2^nd time in three years after knocking out Baltimore in six games. 

They would lose in seven games to Florida in the Fall Classic.

NBA 1997

1.       1. Michael Jordan: Was the Finals MVP for the 5^th time in seven years. He was 1^st team All-NBA and All-Defense. He was second in the MVP voting. 

He was also the Player of the Month in Nov. 1996. He was the starter for East in the All-Star game and put up the first AS game triple double with 14-11-11.

MJ was the scoring champ (29.6 PPG) and led the league in field goals with 920, while playing in all 82 games. He was also 4^th in the NBA in free throws with 480.

He averaged a NBA playoff high 31.1 points and nearly eight rebounds in 19 postseason games.

He also averaged 6 rebs, 4 asts, and 1.7 steals per game in the regular season.

In round one of the playoffs vs. Washington he helped the Bulls sweep the Bullets with a 55 point torching in Game 2.

Jordan got Chicago off to a flying start in round two against Atlanta. He had 34 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks in a Game One win.

He averaged 30-8 in the five games Eastern Conference Finals triumph over Miami.

In the Finals against Utah he had one of his most memorable series in his unparalleled career.

 

Jordan sank the game winner at the buzzer in Game One, and finished the night with 31 and eight asts.

In Game Five, MJ finished off what is known as “The Flu Game” with 38-13-9.

Jordan had 39 in the Game Six clincher, and averaged 36.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 6.5 APG in the Bulls four wins over the Jazz.

The Bulls won their 2^nd straight (and 5^th in seven years) NBA title. They finished the regular season with 69 wins (3 short of their own NBA record) after starting the season 12-0.

Chicago won the Central division by 13 games. They had the best record in the East by eight games and in the NBA by five. They led the league with 103.1 PPG and gave up just 92.3.

2.      2.  Karl Malone: Won the MVP, made first team All-NBA and all defensive team.

He was the player of the month in March and an All-Star starter.

He played in all 82 games was in 2^nd in PPG (27.4) and in field goals. He led the NBA in free throws made (521) and was 6^th in field goal % (55).

He averaged 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 ast, and 1.4 steals per contest.

In the first round of the playoffs vs. the Clippers he averaged 30.7 PPG and 11.3 PRG.

The Jazz took out the other LA team in fives games and Malone had32 and 20 in the Jazz 98-93 overtime series clincher.

He helped Utah past Houston with 29-14 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals, a win that gave the Jazz a 3-2 series win.

The Mailman delivered Utah to its first Finals with 24 points, 11 rebounds, five assist and three steals in Game Six.

In the NBA Finals Malone’s vintage performance in Game Three brought the series back to 2-1. He scored 37 on 15-29 shooting and added ten boards and four steals.

The Jazz had the best record in the West by seven games at 64-26. They won the Midwest division. They were second in the league scoring 103.1 points per game.

         3.  Gary Payton: Was and All-Star starter for the West (17 points 10 ast.). He was named first team All-Defensive and 2^nd team All-NBA.

He finished 6^th in the MVP voting, 2^nd in the Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star game MVP voting.

He played in all 82 games. Payton was 5^th in the league in minutes (3,213), 6^th in FGs (706), 10^th in scoring (21.8 PPG) and 3^rd in steals (2.4). He also added 7.1 assists per game.

During the playoffs (12 games) “The Glove” upped his averages to 23.9 points and 8.7 assists (3^rd best per game), while averaging a league-high 45.5 minutes per postseason contest.

He had the 2^nd most three-pointers in a playoff game with eight and scored 34 points in a Game Three loss in the first round to Phoenix.

He came back with 28 points (5-11 on 3FGs) and 14 asts. and propelled Seattle to a 122-115 OT win in Game Four.

The Sonics would avoid elimination (despite the heroics of Rex Chapman) and win the series in five games.

College Basketball 1997

1. Tim Duncan: Was the unanimous player of the year (POY) and unanimous first team All-American.

He was the National Defensive POY (NABC) for the third straight year and ACC POY for the second straight year. He was All-ACC tournament for the third straight season.

He averaged 20.8 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 3.29 blocks per game and 60.7% FG percentage, which all led the ACC. He was 4^th in the country in rebounding and ninth in blocks per game.

He was also 2^nd in the ACC with 36.5 minutes per game and ninth with 3.1 asts. per contest.

Against #2 Utah Duncan carried Wake Forest to a 71-59 win with 23 points (9-11 FGs) 18 reb, 8 ast and 3 blks.

The Demon Deacons crushed #4 North Carolina behind 23-18-4 from Duncan.

Wake handled #8 Duke 81-69 and Duncan had 26 points on 9-12 shooting, and 18 boards.

In the NCAA tournament he helped Wake Forest past St. Mary’s with 22-17-5.

In the second round of the tournament #3 seeded WFU was upset by #6 seed Stanford but Duncan finished his career with 20 rebounds, 18 points and three blocks.

Duncan guided Wake Forest to a 24-7 record (11-5 inACC) and to #9 in the final polls. They stayed in the top five of the rankings for the first 16 weeks of 18 total polls.

Duncan’s presence gave his team the #8 scoring defense in the NCAA (58.3 PPG)

2. Miles Simon: Was the Most Outstanding Player of the 1997 Final Four and was on the All-Tournament team.

He scored 30 points in the final against Kentucky. He hit 4-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds of overtime to clinch Arizona’s 84-79 win. He finished 14-17 from the line on the night.

In the semifinal win over #4 UNC, Simon led the way with 25 points, five rebs. and five asts.

He was named the Southeast regional MVP spurred on by three great performances. In the six tournament games, Simon averaged a team high 22 PPG.

In round two against sixteenth-ranked College of Charleston he scored 20 points.

Arizona stunned top ranked and #1 seed Kansas 85-82 in the sweet 16. Simon had 17 (7-12) in the win.

He helped take the Wildcats back to Final Four with 30 points in regional final. He hit on 4-6 threes, grabbed six rebounds and dished four assists in the Cats 96-92 OT victory over Providence.

During the regular season he average 18.4 points and four rebounds and assists per game, while shooting over 40% from three.

He scored over 20 points in 11 of his 23 games, including 30 (along with 10 assists) against then-ranked #21 Tulane.

Arizona became the first (and only) team to beat three #1 seeds in the NCAA tournament (Kentucky, UNC, and Kansas). They finished the season 25-9 and were #15 in the final polls.

They were #3 in the NCAA with 83.9 points per game.

3. Keith Van Horn: Was a consensus first team All-American. He was the WAC Player of the Year for the 3^rd straight season. He finished his career as the WAC’s all time leading scorer.

He averaged 22 PPG (2^nd in the WAC) and his 704 total points were 1^st in the WAC and 4^th in the NCAA. He led his conference by shooting 90.4% on free throws.

He also averaged 9.5 rebounds per game and shot nearly 39% on threes.

He was the WAC tournament MVP. He hit game winners on consecutive nights. First vs. SMU in the quarters, and then against #11 New Mexico in semis. He had 37 points (5-8 on threes) and 15 rebs. in the final, a 21 point win over TCU.

In the NCAA tournament he averaged 20.8 PPG and 10.3 RPG.

He had 27-8 in round two against Charlotte. In the sweet 16 he put up 25 and 14 to power Utah past #21 Stanford in overtime. He had 15 points and eight boards in a loss to #5 and national runner-up Kentucky in elite eight.

Utah finished the season 29-4, 15-1 in the WAC and #2 in the final polls. They were WAC regular season and tournament champions. They were ranked in the top 10 in polls all season long.

1996 NFL

1. Brett Favre: Won the MVP for the second straight season. He was unanimously 1^st team All-Pro and the starter for NFC in the Pro Bowl.

He was also named UPI NFC Offensive POY,and MVP by the PFWA and Bert Bell Award.

He led the NFL in TD passes with 39 (3^rdmost ever in a single season). He was second in the league in rating (95.8), third in completions (325), and 4^th in yard (3,899), and threw just 13 Ints.

In December, he torched then 12-1 Denver, for 280 yards and 4 TDs, including three in the second half of a 41-6 pounding.

In the NFC Championship game, Favre helped guide the Packers back to the Super Bowl. He threw two first half touchdowns and for 292 yards in all, in Green Bay’s 30-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

In the Super Bowl Favre gave Green Bay an early lead with a bomb to Andre Rison for a 54 yard TD. He helped the Pack regain the lead on a perfect strike to Antonio Freeman. The second TD was the longest pass (81 yards) in Super Bowl history.

They smoked San Francisco 35-14 in the divisional round of the playoffs. After taking care of upstart Carolina, the Packers won their first Super Bowl in 29 years 35-21 over New England.Favre finished the day with 246 yards and added a rushing score.

Green Bay won the NFC Central with a 13-3 record, the best record in the NFC (tied with Denver for overall best record).

Favre directed the NFL’s top offensive(28.5 ppg) and Green Bay sported the league’s top defense as well (13.1 ppg).

2. Terrell Davis: He was the NFL Offensive POY, consensus first team All-Pro and an AFC Pro Bowler.

He led the AFC with 1,538 yards rushing, 1,838 all-purpose yards, and 345 carries. He was second in the conference in total TDs with 15.

He was 5^th in the NFL with 4.5 yards per carry.

His breakout performance was 194 yards and 2 TDs vs. Baltimore.

Against eventual AFC champion New England he had 210 all-purpose yards (154 rushing) and 3 total TDs (all in the first half) in a 34-8 rout.

Davis ran 14 timesfor 91 yards (6.5 per rush) and added 7 receptions in the divisional round vs. Jacksonville.

His 4^th quarter TD and two-point conversion cut the Jags led to 23-20, but Denver would not get any closer and were upset 30-27.

Denver, along with Green Bay, posted the top record in the NFL at 13-3. They won the AFC West by four games. Davis sparked the AFC’s 2^nd leading scoring offense (24.4 PPG) and the NFL top rushing attack (2,362 yards).

3. Desmond Howard: Was the Super Bowl MVP. He set a Super Bowl record with 244 combined yards. His 99 yard kickoff return changed the game’s momentum, after New England closed within 27-21 late in the 3^rd quarter.

With his performance in Super Bowl XXXI, Howard set Super Bowl records for highest career KR average (38.5), most PRs in a game and career (tied) with 6, and most PR yards in a game with 90.

His game changing return was the longest play in Super Bowl history, a record that stood for 12 years.

Howard was named first team All-Pro by Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers.

He set the current record with 875 PR yards on a league leading 58 returns (3^rd most ever). He topped the league with three PR TDs (3rd most in a season.) He was second in the league with 15.1 yards per punt return.

In the divisional round vs. the 49ers, Howard sparked Green Bay to a 35-14 win.

His first touch of the game he returned 71 yards off a punt for the opening score, and ran back another punt 46 yards to set up the Packers second TD of the 1^st quarter.

He returned four kicks for 104 yards in Green Bay’s NFC Championship route of Carolina.

Overall in the playoffs, he averaged 27 yards per return on punts and kicks (18-487).

He became the 4^th player to win the Super Bowl MVP and Heisman Trophy. (Roger Staubach, Jim Plunkett, and Marcus Allen).

1996 College Football

1. Danny Wuerffel: Won the Heisman Trophy. He was the MVP of the Sugar Bowl (national championship).

He won player of the year awards (Maxwell and Camp), and QB of the year (Unitas and O’Brien).

He was 1^st team All-America and led the NCAA in TDs (39) and set a SEC record with 3,625 yards.

Wuerffel set a SEC championship game record with 401 yards and 6 TDs in a 45-30 rout of #11 Alabama.

He helped UF past #9 Tennessee with 4 TD passes.

He had 277 yards and 3 TDs in the Gators 56-13 pounding of #12 LSU, and 346 yards and 3 scores the following week against #24 Auburn.

In the rematch with bitter rival and undefeated then #1 Florida St., Wuerffel torched the Seminoles for 306 yards and 3 TDs. He also ran 10 yards for another TD as Florida routed FSU 52-20.

Florida won their first ever national championship. They won their 4^th straight SEC Championship and was 12-1. They outscored their opponents by 390 points (30 per game).

2. Jake Plummer: He was PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He was 2^nd team All-American.

He finished 3^rd in the Heisman voting.

He threw for 2,575 yards and 23 TDs.

The “Snake” led Arizona St. to stunning upset over then #1 Nebraska 19-0. The win broke the Cornhuskers 26 game winning streak. He was 20-36 for 292 yards and a TD.

He threw for 3 TDs in an opening win over #16 Washington. He single handily carried the Sun Devils to a 42-35 win over UCLA. He threw 275 yards and three scores. He also ran for a TD and caught 16 yard TD on a halfback pass.

In the Rose Bowl against #2 Ohio St. Plummer tied the score at 7 in the second quarter with a 25 yard scoring strike. He gave ASU the lead with his iconic 11 yard TD run with 1:40 to go.

He finished with 201 yards passing on 19-35.

Arizona State was the Pac-10 champion and went 11-0 in regular season (#2 before the bowls). They lost 20-17 in the Rose Bowl to Ohio St and finished #4 in the final poll.

3. Peyton Manning: He was the MVP of the Citrus Bowl with a record breaking performance.

He threw for 407 yards and 4 TDs (still Tennessee bowl records) with then school record 27 completions. His first 3 TDs gave UT a 21-0 lead over #15 Northwestern. He added a 10 yard TD scamper in the Vols 48-28 romp.

Manning was named third team All-American (behind Wuerffel and Plummer) and second team All-SEC. He finished 8^th in the Heisman voting.

He was twice named SEC Player of the Week. He threw for 371 and 2 scores vs. Georgia and 362 and two more TDs vs. South Carolina.

For the season, he passed for 3,278 yards and 20 TDs while completing 64% of his passes.

He set a school record with 492 yards and had 4 TDs vs. #1 Florida but the Volunteers fell behind 35-0, only to lose 35-29.

They were 10-2 overall and 7-1 in SEC play. Tennessee finished ranked #9 in the final polls. Manning directed an offense that put up over 36 points per game.

MLB 1996

1. John Smoltz: Won the NL Cy Young. He was the starter for NL All-Stars (Winning pitcher with two scoreless IP).

He was named the Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News and Baseball Digest. He was the Pitcher of the Month in April and May.

He led the NL in wins (24), winning percentage (.750), IP (253.7), and strikeouts (276).

He was 4^th in the league with a 2.94 ERA.

Smoltz started the season with an 11-1 record, on his way to winning the Cy Young.

During the postseason, he went 4-1 in the postseason with a tiny 0.95 ERA and had 33 SO in 38 IP.

Against LA in the division series Game One Smoltz tossed a complete game.

four-hitter, while just giving up one run in the Braves 2-1 win.

He won games one and five in the NLCS. In Game One went eight giving up two earned.

He helped the Braves erase a 3-1 series defect in Game Five with seven shutout innings.

Smoltz won Game One of the World Series in Yankee Stadium.

He was a tough luck loser in Game Five (1-0 New York win). He gave up one unearned run in eight IP and stuck out ten.

Atlanta won their second straight pennant and fourth in six years after sweeping the Dodgers and outlasting the Cardinals in seven games.

They fell to New York in the World Series in six games after taking the first two games on the road.

The Braves won the NL East with a 96-66 record.

2. John Wetteland: Was the World Series MVP. He saved all four of New York’s wins (the only closer ever to do that in the WS).

He was named the Rolaids Relief Man Award and TSN’s Reliever of the Year. He also was named to the AL- All-Star squad.

During the regular season he led the AL in saves with 43. He posted a 2.83 ERA and 69 K’s in 63 IP.

He closed out Games Two and Three with scoreless ninth innings against Texas.

He picked up the save in Game Three of the ALCS to put NY up 2-1 in the series vs. Baltimore.

In the Fall Classic, Wetteland allowed just one ER in 4.3 IP (2.08 ERA) and struck out six.

New York won the AL East with 92 wins. They beat the Rangers in four and Orioles in five to get to the World Series.

They won their first title since 1978 in six games over the Braves.

3. Albert Belle: Finished 3^rd in the MVP. He was the AL All Star’s clean up hitter and starting LF. He also was a Silver Slugger.

He led the AL in RBIs for the 3^rd time in four years with 148, a career high.

Belle was 2^nd in the league in total bases (375), 4^th in HR (48). He was also in the top 10 in slugging, OPS, runs (124), hits (187), and walks. He also hit .311.

He was known for his powerful swing and rage.

In the division series against Baltimore, he homered twice and drove in six runs.

His bottom of the seventh grand slam in Game Three off Armando Benitez broke a 4-4 tie. The Indians would eventually win 9-4.

Cleveland was upset in four games by Baltimore. The Indians won 99 games and AL Central by 14.5 games and had the top record in baseball.

NBA 1996

1. Michael Jordan: Won the regular season and Finals MVP. He also was named MVP of the All-Star game (20 pt. on 8-11).

He was first team all NBA and All-Defense.

MJ led the NBA in field goals (916), and PPG (30.4). He was second in free throws with 548

and third in steals (2.2).

He played in all 82 games and averaged over six rebounds and four assists per game.

In the 2^nd rd vs. New York Jordan put up 36 PPG in the five game route of the Knicks including 44 in the Bulls Game One win.

Chicago swept reigning East champ Orlando in the conference finals and Jordan’s 45 on 16-23 shooting powered the Bulls into the Finals.

Jordan averaged 27.3 points and 5.3 rebounds as the Bulls beat Seattle in six games to take their fourth title in six years.

Chicago set a NBA record by winning 72 games including 39 at home in the regular season.

2. Gary Payton: Was the Defensive Player of the Year. He was named 2^nd team All-NBA.

He was an All-Star (18 pt, 5 rb, 5 st, 5 ast.) and 6^th in the MVP voting.

Payton was named to the USA Olympic team that won gold in Atlanta. He led the team in assists (36) as he started six of the teams eight games.

The Glove led the NBA in steals per game (2.9) on his way to being named to the All-Defensive team.

He averaged 19.3 points, and 7.5 ast. in 81 games.

Payton helped close out the Kings in round one with 29-6-5 in Game Four.

Seattle swept the two-time defending champions Rockets in four games, led by Payton. He averaged 24.5 points and 7.8 asts while shooting 52% from field and 44% on threes in the series.

In the West Finals he had 21-7-3 (P-A-St) and (18-8-4) in Game One and Two wins over Utah. In the Game Seven clincher he had 21 pts (9-17 fgs)six boards and five asts. in 45 minutes.

He guided the Sonics to wins in Game Four and Five of the Finals against Chicago (13-2 in their previous 15 playoff games.) GP averaged 22 pts. 8.5 ast, 6 rebs. in those games.

Seattle won the Pacific Division and had the top record in the West with 64 wins. They finished 2^nd in the NBA scoring 104.5 point per contest. Seattle advanced to the Finals for the first time since 1979.

3. Karl Malone: Was first-team All-NBA and All-Star (11 pts. 9 rebs.). He was also an Olympian. Malone scored in dbl. figures in USA’s first four games and shot 57% from the field.

During the regular season the Mailman was 2^nd in the NBA in points (2189), field goals (789), and 3^rd in FTs (512).

He averaged 25.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game and shot 52% in all 82 games.

In Utah’s three wins over Portland in round one Malone averaged 29.3 points 11 rebounds, while shooting 57%.

Malone helped give the Jazz a 2-1 series lead with 32-11-6 performance in a 105-75 rout of San Antonio. He had 25-13-6 in Utah’s series clinching win in Game Six.

In the West Finals Malone put up five straight games of 20+pts and 10+ rebs. The Jazz would fall in seven games.

During the playoffs, he finished in the top 5 of all players in total minutes points rebs steals ft and #1 in fgs made. He averaged 26-10-4 in 18 postseason games.

Utah won 55 games and was third in the West. They advanced to the West Finals for the 3^rd time in six seasons.

1996 College Basketball

1. Tony Delk: Was the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four. He set a championship game record with seven three-pointers and scored 24 points and had seven rebounds.

He was the MVP of the Midwest regional. He scored 22 points vs. San Jose St. in round one and added 25 more against #9 Wake Forest in the regional final, which included 4-5 threes.

Delk was named first team All-American by most major publications and was also the SEC Player of the Year.

He led the Wildcats with 17.9 points per game while shooting 44.3% on threes and 49.4% from the field. He also averaged nearly two steals per contest.

Kentucky went 34-2 and 16-0 in the SEC and finished #2 in the final polls. They would beat four of the top 15 teams in the final AP poll on their way to the national title.

Big Blue took out #12 Utah by 31, #9 Wake by 20 to get to the Final Four. They would avenge an earlier loss by knocking out #1 UMass 81-74 as Delk scored 20.

In the title game Kentucky held off #15 Syracuse 76-67.

2. Tim Duncan: Was first team All-American, and the ACC Player of the Year.

He was named ACC Tournament MVP after a 27 point 22 rebound effort over top seed Georgia Tech. He set tournament records for most rebounds in a final (22) and tournament (56).

He became the first player in ACC history to lead the league in scoring (19.1), rebounding (12.3), blocks (3.8), and field goal % (55.5).

Duncan had two double-doubles to start NCAA play. He put in 27-13 in the sweet 16 win over Louisville, despite coming up with the flu.

In the regional final loss to Kentucky Duncan finished with 14-16-6 in 39 minutes.

Wake Forest finished 26-6 and #9 in the polls. Duncan helped them to the 7^th best defense in the country (61.3 PPG).

3. John Wallace: He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team, All-West Regional team and was a consensus 2^nd team All American.

He was named to the first team All Big East regular season and tournament teams.

Wallace averaged 22.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assist per game. He scored over 30 fives during the season.

He shined during the NCAA tournament with several memorable performances. He had 18 points in each of Syracuse’s early wins over Montana St. and Drexel.

In the sweet 16 against Georgia he had 30-15. It was his pass that set up Jason Cipolla’s tying jumper to force overtime. He then scored the go ahead bucket with less than three seconds in the extra session of Syracuse’s 83-81 win.

He had a game high 21 in the Final Four win over #19 Mississippi St. as he played all 40 minutes.

In the final against #2 Kentucky, Wallace carried the Orangemen with 29 of their 67 points and added 10 rebounds. Syracuse would get to within four points late in the second half until Wallace fouled out.

Syracuse got to their first Final Four in nine years after knocking out #4 Kansas 60-57. They finished 29-9, 12-6 in the Big East and #15 in the final polls.