1993 College Basketball

1. Calbert Cheaney: Was the consensus National Player of the Year. Among the awards he won was Player of Year named by the AP and Sports Illastrated. He won the Wooden and Nasmith awards.

We was the Big Ten’s MVP, and became the league’s all time leading scorer with 2613 points (a mark that still stands).

On the season he put up 22.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He shot 55 % from the field and 42.7 from beyond the arc.

In the Preseason NIT Cheaney powered Indiana to a title with his MVP performance. He put in 70 points in the final to games; wins over top ten foes Florida St. and Seton Hall.

The Hoosiers went 28-3, including 17-1 in the Big Ten and were conference champions. (There was no Big 10 tournament until 1999). They finished the regular season as ranked #1 in the final polls.

In the NCAA tournament, he average 26.5 points in his four games. In the sweet 16 against #4 seed Louisville he connected on 10-12 shots from the field and the line and finished with 32 points and four assists. In a loss to Kansas in the regional final Cheaney scored 23.

2. Jamal Mashburn: Was a consensus All-American. Was named SEC Player of the Year after posting 21 points, eight rebounds, 3.6 assist and 1.5 steals per game.

He helped Kentucky to the SEC tournament title and was named All-tournament.

The Wildcats went 26-3 in the regular season and 13-3 in the SEC. They were #2 in the final polls.

In the round of 16 Mashburn keyed a route of Wake Forest with a 5-5 three-point shooting and 23 point performance. Kentucky easily beat Florida St. to go to the final four and Mashburn contributed 12-9 -7.

In the Final Four, Mashburn played 41 minutes before fouling out in overtime. He scored 26 points in a loss to #1 seed Michigan.

3. George Lynch: Heart and soul of North Carolina’s national championship team. He was first team All-ACC and honorable mention All-American (UPI).

Lynch averaged 14.7 points 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, while hitting half of his shots.

In the elite eight he carried the Tar Heels to a comeback victory in overtime over Cincinnati with 22-14 and six steals. He earned East Region MVP for his effort.

Lynch was named All-Final Four. Over last four wins en route to the national title he averaged 17.5 points and 11 rebounds, and had a double-double in all four games (Wins over Arkansas, Cincy, Kansas and Michigan).

He was named Team MVP of the 34-4 Tar Heels. UNC went 14-2 in the ACC and were regular season champs. They were #4 in the final polls.

1992 NFL

1. Troy Aikman: Super Bowl XXVII MVP. Was a Pro Bowler.

Finished in the top five in the NFL in yards (3445), TDs (23), completions (302) and rating (89.4). He completed 64% of his passes.

Aikman made his mark in playoffs. He threw for 200 yards and two 1^st half TDs in round two against Philadelphia.

Against the 49ers he was 24-34 for 322 yards and two 4^th quarter TDs. Both Touchdown drives were in response to San Fran cutting the lead to a one score game, including the game clincher.

In the Super Bowl versus Buffalo Aikman was 23-30 and 273 yards. His four TD passes were tied for the 2^nd most in history. His 23 yarder to Jay Novaceck tied the score at 7. His 18 and 19 yard TDs to Michael Irvin in the 2^nd quarter blew the game wide open.

Aikman led to Cowboys to 13-3 campaign and offense that scored the second most points in the NFL (409). They won their first Super Bowl in 15 years.

2. Steve Young: NFL MVP. Consensus All-NFL. Pro Bowler. Offensive Player of the Year.

Led the NFL with 25 touchdown passes, 107.0 passer rating, 66.7 completion percentage, and 8.6 yards per attempt.

He finished second in the league with 3465 yards passing. Young added 537 rushing yards 4 TDs on the ground.

Had career game in a 34-31 loss to Buffalo. Young was 26-37 for a career high 449 yards and 3 TDs and piled up 80 yards rushing.

In the playoffs, he helped the Niners build a 17-3 halftime lead on Washington in the Divisional Round

with two TD passes. He finished with 227 yards passing and 73 rushing.

In the NFC Championship game, Young kept San Francisco close with 313 yards and a touchdown passing and rushing.

The 49ers had the best record in the NFL at 14-2 (14-1 with Young in the lineup). They won the NFC West and lost to Dallas in the NFC Championship game.

3. Emmitt Smith: Was All-NFL and a Pro Bowler.

Led the NFL with 1713 yards and 19 total touchdowns (18 rushing). He was second in the league with 2048 yards from scrimmage and 373 carries.

Smith recorded 59 receptions and 335 yards receiving.

In the playoffs Smith put up three 100 yard games. In the Divisional Round against the Eagles he put 25-114 and a TD.

In the NFC Championship win over the 49ers he gave the Cowboys a 10-7 2^nd quarter lead with a five yard TD run. He finished the day with 114 yards on the ground 59 yards through the air and another touchdown.

In the Super Bowl route of Buffalo Smith contributed 108 yards and TD.

In 1992 won the competitive NFC East (three of last four teams remaining in the playoffs). They embarrassed the Bills 52-17 to win the Super Bowl.

1992 College Football

1. Gino Torretta: Heisman Trophy winner. Named top player (Maxwell) and top quarterback (O’Brien).

He was a consensus All-American and Big East Player of Year.

He threw for 3060 yards and 19 TDs and just seven INTs.

In the Sugar Bowl he threw for 278 yards.

Miami finished the regular season 11-0 and were Big East champs. The Hurricanes lost to Alabama in the national championship game and finished #3 in the final polls

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2. Garrison Hearst: Finished 3^rd the Heisman voting. Was a consenus All-American. Won Doak Walker award (top RB), and the SEC Player of the Year.

Led the NCAA in total TDs with 21 and yards per carry (6.8). His 19 rushing TDs were an SEC record. Hearst posted 1547 yards in his junior season.

Georgia finished the season 10-2, including a 21-14 win over #18 Ohio St. in the Citrus Bowl. The Bulldogs finished #8 in the final polls.

3. John Copeland: Was consensus 1^st team All-America. Complied 10.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.

Keyed Alabama’s defense that held then #1 Miami in the Sugar Bowl to 13 points.

(19 below their season average).

The Crimson Tide held opponents to just 10.1 points per game.

Alabama finished the regular season 12-0 and won the inaugural SEC Championship game over Florida. They crushed Miami 34-13 to win the National title.

1992 Baseball

1.Barry Bonds: Was the National League MVP. Won the Gold Glove.

He started for the NL in the All-Star game. Led the NL in runs (109), walks, and slugging and on-base %.

He was second in the league with 34 homers and 3^rd with 103 RBI.

He also hit .311 and swiped 39 bases.

In the NLCS against Atlanta, Bonds collected six hits and scored five runs. His HR in Game 6 started an eight-run second inning, forcing a Game 7.

Pittsburgh won their 3^rd straight NL East crown by nine games with 96 wins.

2. Roberto Alomar: Was the ALCS MVP. He hit .423 (11-26) in the six games. He homered twice, drove in four runs and scored four more, as well as stealing five bases in the series.

In the decisive Game 6 Alomar went 4-5 and delivered a game tying two-run shot of Dennis Eckersley in the ninth. The Blue Jays would take the game in extra innings.

During the regular year, he was an AL All-Star, Gold Glove winner, and finished 6^th in the MVP voting. He hit .310 (177 hits), scored 105 R (3^rd in the AL) and drove in 76. His 49 steals were5^th in the AL.

The Blue Jays won 96 games and the AL East by four games. The took out Oakland in six in the ALCS, won the World Series in six more over Atlanta.

3. Dennis Eckersley: Was the MVP (the last pitcher to win the MVP).

He won the Cy Young in the American League.

He posted a 7-1 record with a tiny 1.55 ERA. He had a ML high 51 saves.

In 80 IP, Eck wiffed 93 batters and walked just 11.

He saved Game 1 of the ALCS.

Oakland won the West by six games with their 96 wins.

1992 NBA

1. Michael Jordan: 1992 MVP, Finals MVP, 1^st team All-NBA, and All-Defense. Was a member of the original “Dream Team”.

Averaged 30 points, to lead the league, and added six rebounds and assists per game. Also had 2.3 steals and shot 52% from the field.

In the Playoffs he upped his average to 34.5 points per game. In game 7 of the eastern conference semifinals against New York, Jordan poured in 42 points to clinch the series.

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals Jordan had a vintage performance with Finals records of 35 points and six three pointers in the first half. He finished with 39 points and 11 assists.

His game 1 performance propelled the Bulls to their second straight NBA title in six games over the Blazers.

Chicago won 67 games in the regular season and took the Central Division.

Everyone wanted to “Be Like Mike”.

2. Clyde Drexler: Finished 2^nd in the MVP voting and was All-NBA, and a member of the “Dream Team”. Was fourth in the NBA with a 25 points per game average.He averaged 6.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game.

In the playoffs he averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in 21 games.

In game 5 of the 2^nd round of the playoffs, Drexler put up 34 points and eight rebounds and assists to close out the Suns. He led the Blazers to a 2-0 lead in West Finals over the Jazz with a 36 point and 12 assist performance.

Portland lost to Chicago in six games in the NBA Finals, after winning the Pacific division with 57 wins.

3. Karl Malone: Was All-NBA, a “Dream Teamer”, and 4^th in the MVP. Was 2^nd in the league with 28 points per game, and 1^st in the NBA with 673 free throws made. Malone also put up 11 rebounds per game, and 52.6% shooting.

He averaged 29-11 in 16 playoff games including 37-11 in a game 5 clincher in round two over Seattle. He did his part in Game 3 of the West Finals with 39 points and 17 rebounds effort in a win.

The Jazz lost to Portland in six games in the West Final after taking 55 in the regular season and a Midwest division title.

1992 College Basketball

Christian Laettner: Was named Player of the Year by and won the Wooden and Nasmith awards. He was a consensus All-American. He was the ACC Player of the Year.

During he senior year he put up 21.1 points 7.9 rebounds 57.5 % field goals, 81.5 % on free throws. He shot the nations second best 55.7% on three (54-97) in 35 games. Laetneer amassed these totals in just over 32 minutes per game.

In the ACC Tournament, he scored 25 points and had 10 rebounds and seven steals in the final, 94-74 rout of North Carolina. He was named tournament MVP.

In the NCAAs, he had one of the m ost memorable performance in touranment history. In perhaps the greatest college basketball game ever Laettner was front and center. He made all 20 shots he took, including 10-10 from the field (one three pointer) and all 10 of his free throws. His final shot is the most memorable of all, which put Duke back into the Final Four.

In title game against Michigan he added 19 points in route to being named All-Final Four. Duke went 34-2 and was ranked #1 from start to finish. Their wins included over then #7 St. Johns, #14 Georgia Tech, at #4 UCLA, and over #6 Kentucky and #5 Indiana in NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils went on to win their 2nd straight national championship.

Jimmy Jackson: Was a consensus All-American in 1992. He was named Player of the Year by UPI. He was also named Big 10 Player of the Year.

He put up 22.4 points (led the Big Ten), 6.8 rebounds and four assists per game. He connected on 49% of his shots and 40 percent from three.

He was named to the All- Southeast Region Team in the NCAA tournament. In a 2^nd round win over UConn, Jackson put in 23 points with 11 rebounds and six assists. In the sweet sixteen against UNC he had 18-7-5. He finished his college career with 20 points in regional final.

Ohio St. won the Big Ten and finished with a 26-6 and 15-3 in conference. They were #5 in the final poll. The Buckeyes, led by Jackson advanced to the Elite Eight before losing in overtime to Michigan.

Chris Webber: He was the face of the “fab five” which had a large impact on style of play, fashion and basketball culture.

Averaged 15.5 points and became the first freshman to lead the Bug Ten in rebounds (10.0). He averaged 2.47 blocks per game and shot 55% from the field.

Webber was named Big 10 Freshman of the Year.

In the NCAA Tournament Webber put up four double doubles. He had 11-12 in round vs Temple. He had 30-9 after hitting on 12 of 15 shots in round two vs. E. Tennessee St.

He carried the Wolverines to an upset of to seed Ohio St in the regional final with 23 points 11 rebounds and five blocks in 43 minutes. He was named Southeast Region MVP.

Webber was named All-Final Four with a 15 point 11 rebound and 2.5 block average in the two games.

Michigan finished the season 25-9 and #15 in the final poll.

NFL 1991

1. Mark Rypien: Threw for 3564 yards (4th in NFL) and for 28 touchdowns (2nd) and posted the league’s second best passer rating (97.9).

Those numbers in 16 games, earned him 2nd team All-NFL by the AP and 1st Team All-NFC by Pro Football Weekly.

Rypien also led the NFL by averaging 14.3 yard per completion.

He was a Pro Bowler following the season.

On Nov. 10th he set a team record with six TD tosses in a 56-17 rout of Atlanta.


In the NFC Championship game against Detroit he was 12-17 for 226 yards and two second half TDs, as the Redskins strolled to the Super Bowl 41-10.

In Super Bowl XXVI against Buffalo, Rypien ripped through the Bills defensive. He threw for 292 yards and 2 more TDs. Rypien propelled Washington to a 37-10 4th quarter lead in a 37-24 win.

The Redskins went 14-2 in regular season and won the NFC East. They led the NFL with 30.3 points per game, and started the season 11-0.


2. Thurman Thomas: Was the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. Was also named first team All-NFL and a Pro Bowler.

He led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (rushing and receiving) with 2038 and yards per carry.

In 15 games, Thomas ran for an AFC best 1407 yards (3rd in the NFL). He scored 12 total TDs, 4th in the NFL. Thomas added 62 receptions for 631 yards.

He started his MVP season with a bang. He ran for 165 yards and hauled in eight passes for 103 yards and scored 2 TDs, in a 35-31 win over Miami.

In the divisional playoffs vs. Kansas City Thomas ran for an even 100 yards and added 21 more in the air in the Bills 37-14 rout.

Buffalo went on to beat Denver to go to the Super Bowl, where they lost to Washington. The Bills went 13-3 and won the AFC East by five games. Thomas helped Buffalo to the league’s top rush offense and second best total offense that average 28.6 points per game.

3. Barry Sanders: He was named first team All-NFL and to the Pro Bowl. He was awarded the Bert Bell award, as player of the year. Sanders finished second in the NFL with 1536 rush yards. He topped the league with 103.2 yards per game (15 games) and 17 total touchdowns, the most in Lions history.

He was second in the league with 342 carries and 1855 yards from scrimmage.

Scampered for team records 220 yards and 4 TDs on just 23 carries in the Metrodome vs. Minnesota on Nov. 24. It one of eight 100 yard games.

His 47 yard burst sealed a 38-6 divisional playoff win over Dallas, thie first playoff win since 1957.

Detroit was 12-4 and won the NFC Central. The advanced to the NFC title game, where they lost to eventual Super Bowl champion Washington.