East Tennessee State Buccaneers (2024)

East Tennessee State Buccaneers
East Tennessee State Buccaneers (1)
School Name:East Tennessee State University
Location:Johnson City, Tennessee
Arena:Freedom Hall Civic Center
Capacity:8,500
Conference: SoCon
Head coach:Desmond Oliver

Contents

  • 1 External Links
  • 2 History
    • 2.1 Division 1 Season-by-season results
    • 2.2 The Les Robinson / Alan LeForce Era
    • 2.3 The Ed Dechellis Era
    • 2.4 The Murry Bartow Era
  • 3 Post-Season History
    • 3.1 NCAA Results
    • 3.2 NIT Results
    • 3.3 CIT Results
  • 4 Team Records
    • 4.1 Career leaders
    • 4.2 Single game leaders
  • 5 ETSU players in the NBA and ABA
  • 6 External links
  • 7 References

External Links[]

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers are the basketball team that represents East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in Johnson City, Tennessee. ETSU currently competes in the Southern Conference. The team last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2017. The Buccaneers are coached by 1st-year head coach Desmond Oliver.

History[]

Division 1 Season-by-season results[]

Men's Basketball game at ETSU/Mountain States Health Alliance Athletic Center

SeasonCoachOverallConferenceStandingPostseason
Madison Brooks (1948–1973)
1958–1959Madison Brooks13-105-74th
1959–1960Madison Brooks9-142-107th
1960–1961Madison Brooks9-151-117th
1961–1962Madison Brooks11-143-96th
1962–1963Madison Brooks14-87-53rd
1963–1964Madison Brooks12-108-66th
1964–1965Madison Brooks6-174-107th
1965–1966Madison Brooks7-143-117th
1966–1967Madison Brooks17-98-63rd
1967–1968Madison Brooks19-810-41stNCAA Sweet 16
1968–1969Madison Brooks15-116-85th
1969–1970Madison Brooks15-118-63rd
1970–1971Madison Brooks12-128-64th
1971–1972Madison Brooks11-146-86th
1972–1973Madison Brooks9-172-128th
Madison Brooks:370-263
Leroy Fisher (1973–1976)
1973–1974Leroy Fisher8-183-118th
1974–1975Leroy Fisher9-145-95th
1975–1976Leroy Fisher6-204-108th
Leroy Fisher:23-5312-30
Sonny Smith (1976–1978)
1976–1977Sonny Smith12-146-85th
1977–1978Sonny Smith18-910-42nd
Sonny Smith:30-2316-13
Jim Halihan (1978–1982)
1978–1979Jim Halihan16-11
1979–1980Jim Halihan15-138-74th
1980–1981Jim Halihan13-149-74th
1981–1982Jim Halihan13-158-84th
Jim Halihan:57-5325-22
Barry Dowd (1982–1985)
1982–1983Barry Dowd22-912-43rdNIT 1st Round
1983–1984Barry Dowd9-196-107th
1984–1985Barry Dowd9-183-139th
Barry Dowd:40-4621-27
Les Robinson (1985–1990)
1985–1986Les Robinson13-168-84th
1986–1987Les Robinson7-213-138th
1987–1988Les Robinson14-159-74th
1988–1989Les Robinson20-117-74thNCAA 1st Round
1989–1990Les Robinson27-712-21stNCAA 1st Round
Les Robinson:81-7039-37
Alan LeForce (1990–1996)
1990–1991Alan LeForce28-511-31stNCAA 1st Round
1991–1992Alan LeForce24-712-21stNCAA 2nd Round
1992–1993Alan LeForce19-1012-62nd
1993–1994Alan LeForce16-1413-52nd
1994–1995Alan LeForce14-149-52nd (North)
1995–1996Alan LeForce7-203-11T-5th (North)
Alan LeForce:108-7069-36
Ed Dechellis (1996–2003)
1996–1997Ed Dechellis7–202–115th (North)
1997–1998Ed Dechellis11–166–9T–5th
1998–1999Ed Dechellis17–119–73rd (North)
1999–2000Ed Dechellis14–158–84th (North)
2000–2001Ed Dechellis18–1013–31st (North)
2001–2002Ed Dechellis18–1011–5T–1st (North)
2002–2003Ed Dechellis20–1111–5T–1st (North)NCAA 1st Round
Ed Dechellis:105–9360–49
Murry Bartow (2003–present)
2003–2004Murry Bartow27–615–11st (North)NCAA 1st Round
2004–2005Murry Bartow10–194–125th (North)
2005–2006Murry Bartow15–1312–85th
2006–2007Murry Bartow24–1016–21stNIT 1st Round
2007–2008Murry Bartow19–1311–5T–3rd
2008–2009Murry Bartow23–1014–6T–2ndNCAA 1st Round
2009–2010Murry Bartow20–1513–7T–2ndNCAA 1st Round
2010–2011Murry Bartow24–1217–52ndCIT Semifinals
Murry Bartow:127–62102–46
Total:941–733

National ChampionConference Regular Season Champion Conference Tournament Champion
Conference Regular Season & Conference Tournament ChampionConference Division Champion

The Les Robinson / Alan LeForce Era[]

Commonly referred to as "The Glory Days" of ETSU basketball, between 1989 and 1992, ETSU won 4 straight Southern Conference titles while compiling 99 wins. During this time ETSU had wins over prestigious programs such as Arizona, NC State (3 times), Wake Forest, Cincinnati, BYU, Xavier, Mississippi State, Southern Miss, Tennessee (twice) and Memphis. ETSU also suffered their most famous loss when they lost by 1 point to top ranked Oklahoma as a 16th seed in the 1989 NCAA Tournament.

When Les Robinson left for NC State after the 1990 season, long time assistant Alan Leforce took over a veteran team led by Senior Keith "Mister" Jennings. The team was ranked as high as 10th[1] in the nation during the 1991 season and finished the year 17th in the AP poll and 15th in the Coaches poll.[2] In the 1992 NCAA Tournament ETSU upset the Arizona Wildcats in the opening round, but eventually fell in the second round to the Michigan Wolverines and the Fab Five.

The Ed Dechellis Era[]

In 1996 Ed Dechellis replaced Alan Leforce who resigned after the 1995-1996 season. In 2001 Dechellis led ETSU to their first regular season conference title since the 91-92 season. In 2003 Dechellis helped ETSU win their first Southern Conference Tournament title and first NCAA birth since 1992. ETSU faced Wake Forest University in the first round where they lost in the final seconds 73-76 after having a chance to win the game with the last shot. After the 2003 season Dechellis left for Penn State.

Dechellis complied 105-93 record at ETSU but is mostly remembered for bringing prominence back to the ETSU basketball program that had struggled after the 1993 season.

The Murry Bartow Era[]

In 2003 ETSU hired Murry Bartow after Ed Dechellis took the head coaching position at Penn State. Bartow took over a senior led team that won 27 games and nearly went undefeated in conference play in his first season, additionally ETSU won their second straight Southern Conference Tournament and headed back to the NCAA tournament for the second straight year. ETSU had another close call in the 2004 NCAA Tournament when they lost to Cincinnati 77-80 in the closing seconds, much like the Wake Forest game the previous year.

In the 2005-2006 season ETSU left the Southern Conference to join the Atlantic Sun Conference. During his time in the Atlantic Sun ETSU has received 4 postseason bids. Back to Back NCAA tournaments in 2009 and 2010, the NIT in 2007 and the CIT in 2011.

Post-Season History[]

ETSU has appeared in nine NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 2–10. [3] ETSU also appeared in the 1983 and 2007 NIT. In 2011 ETSU was invited to the CIT and made it to the semifinals after defeating Furman and Ohio. The Bucs then lost to Iona in the semifinals, 83-80.

NCAA Results[]

YearSeedRegionRoundOpponentResults
1968MideastFirst RoundFlorida StateW 79-69
Second RoundOhio StateL 79-72
Third Place GameMarquetteL 57-69
1989#16SoutheastFirst Round#1 OklahomaL 72-71
1990#13SoutheastFirst Round#4 Georgia TechL 83-99
1991#10MidwestFirst Round#7 IowaL 73-76
1992#14SoutheastFirst Round#3 ArizonaW 87-80
Second Round#6 MichiganL 90-102
2003#15EastFirst Round#2 Wake ForestL 73-76
2004#13Atlanta RegionFirst Round#4 CincinnatiL 77-80
2009#16EastFirst Round#1 PittsburghL 62-72
2010#16EastFirst Round#1 KentuckyL 71-100

NIT Results[]

YearRoundOpponentResults
1983First RoundVanderbiltL 73-79
2007First RoundClemsonL 57-64

CIT Results[]

YearRoundOpponentResults
2011First RoundFurmanW 76-63
QuarterfinalsOhioW 82-73
SemifinalsIonaL 80-83

Team Records[]

Career leaders[]

Career Scoring Leaders
Seasons Player Points
2002-06Tim Smith2,302
1988-92Greg Dennis2,204
2006-09Courtney Pigram2,041
1987-91Keith "Mister" Jennings1,988
1988-92Calvin Talford1,872
1959-61Tom Chilton1,801
2007-11Mike Smith1,783
1980-83Troy Mikell1,684
2000-04Zakee Wadood1,382
1967-69Harley "Skeeter" Swift1,367
Career Rebound Leaders
Seasons Player Rebounds
1965-67Tommy Woods1,034
1988-92Greg Dennis895
1977-80Scott Place825
2000-04Zakee Wadood822
2003-07Brad Nuckles791
2007-11Mike Smith783
2000-04Jerald Fields717
1972-74Ron Mitchell673
1974-77Bob Brown637
1991-94Trazel Silvers635
Career Assist Leaders
Seasons Player Assists
1987-91Keith "Mister" Jennings983
2002-06Tim Smith508
2006-09Courtney Pigram416
1980-83Marc Quesenberry363
1984-87Carniel Manuel322
2009-PresentAdam Sollazzo272
1997-99Greg Stephens265
2007-11Mike Smith245
1995-99Kyle Keeton240
1983-86Wes Stallings239
Career Steals Leaders
Seasons Player Steals
1987-91Keith "Mister" Jennings334
2002-06Tim Smith313
2000-04Zakee Wadood246
2006-09Courtney Pigram232
1991-94Trazel Silvers183
2000-04Jerald Fields167
2007-11Mike Smith146
1988-91Alvin West134
1995-99Kyle Keeton132
1999-03Ryan Lawson129
1989-92Calvin Talford127
Career Blocks Leaders
Seasons Player Blocks
2000-04Zakee Wadood182
1988-92Greg Dennis174
2000-04Jerald Fields167
2003-07Brad Nuckles158
2008-PresentIsiah Brown141
2005-08Andrew Reed84
1993-96Justin McClellan83
1993-96Phil Powe78
1991-92Rodney English71
2008-09Greg Hamlin69
1988-92Marty Story69
Career FG% Leaders (min 200 Made)
Seasons Player FG%
1993-96Phil Powe.638
1974-77Bob Brown.623
1974-75Morris Tampa.611
1983-86Calvin Cannady.610
2005-06Dillion Sneed.598
1991-92Rodney English.570
2000-04Jerald Fields.567
1980-83Troy Mikell.552
1987-91Keith "Mister" Jennings.549
2008-09Kevin Tiggs.536

Single game leaders[]

Most Points in a game
Date Player Points Opponent
2/5/1961Tom Chilton52Austin Peay
2/24/1961Tom Chilton47Western Kentucky
2/16/2002Dimeco Childress42Western Carolina
2/26/1960Tom Chilton42Middle Tennessee
2/26/2005Tim Smith41Georgia Southern
Most Rebounds in a game
Date Player Rebounds Opponent
1964-65Tommy Woods38Middle Tennessee
1956-57Herb Weaver32Milligan College
1954-65Tommy Woods32East Carolina
1956-57Herb Weaver31Kentucky Wesleyan
1954-55Dick Creech30Middle Tennessee
Most Assists in a game
Date Player Assists Opponent
1990-91Keith "Mister" Jennings19Appalachian State
2/24/2007Courtney Pigram18Mercer University
1990-91Keith "Mister" Jennings18The Citadel
1990-91Keith "Mister" Jennings16VMI
1990-91Keith "Mister" Jennings15Chattanooga

ETSU players in the NBA and ABA[]

3 players from ETSU have played in the NBA & ABA [4] and a total of 8 players have been drafted.[5]

Tommy Woods 1968 [6]

Skeeter Swift 1970 to 1974 [7]

Keith "Mister" Jennings 1993 to 1995 [8]

External links[]

References[]

East Tennessee State Buccaneers (2024)

FAQs

What is East Tennessee State University ranked? ›

East Tennessee State University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #320. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,674; out-of-state tuition and fees are $13,484. Located in Johnson City, East Tennessee State University attracts many local commuters.

Is ETSU a D1 school? ›

Athletics . . .

The university is a member of the NCAA Division 1 in all sports except football, which is Division 1-AA. Sports for men are baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, and track. Sports for women are basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, track, and volleyball.

Why is Etsu the Bucs? ›

The school held a contest in the mid-1930s for a new mascot. Smith said there aren't any records of other options that students may have had, but the buccaneer slashed through the competition and became the face of athletics in 1935. Bucky gets the crowd pumped at an ETSU basketball game.

What division is ETSU volleyball? ›

Volleyball: Johnson City, TN: Member of the SOCON: NCAA Division I @etsuvolleyball.

What is the #1 college in Tennessee? ›

1. Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt, located in the heart of Nashville, is a prestigious private college renowned for its rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities.

How hard is it to get into East Tennessee State University? ›

The acceptance rate at East Tennessee State University is 85.3%. In other words, of 100 students who apply, 85 are admitted. This means the school is not selective. As long as you don't fall way below average, you'll likely get in.

What is East Tennessee known for? ›

East Tennessee is known for its beauty, mountains, whiskey and bluegrass music.

What is ETSU known for academically? ›

Through its world-class health sciences programs and interprofessional approach to health care education, ETSU is a highly respected leader in rural health research and practices. The university also boasts nationally ranked programs in the arts, technology, computing, and media studies.

Is ETSU a dry campus? ›

ETSU is a dry campus no alcoholic beverages are allowed on campus property.

How much did Vanderbilt pay ETSU to play football? ›

Vanderbilt agreed to pay ETSU $415,000 for the game, according to the game contract obtained by the USA TODAY Network. Such payments are standard in college football scheduling, though it doesn't lessen the insult to injury.

Why did ETSU drop football? ›

In 2003, ETSU decided to discontinue the football team due to financial reasons.

Is East Tennessee State University a HBCU? ›

East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is not historically considered an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). HBCUs in the United States are institutions that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African American community.

How much is ETSU tuition per year? ›

East Tennessee State University's tuition is $9,674 for in-state and $13,484 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $11,560, East Tennessee State University is cheaper.

Is ETSU D1 or D2? ›

Athletics: 17 sports. Southern Conference, NCAA Division I.

What is Tennessee ranked #1 in? ›

Tennessee — 1 time

The Vols made their presence known during the 2022 season as they claimed their one and only top ranking in the CFP era. An impressive string of wins, highlighted by beating No. 3 Alabama, took the Vols to No. 1.

What is the number one ranked school in Tennessee? ›

Central Magnet High School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee (#1 overall in Tennessee, #19 nationally) Hume Fogg Magnet High School, Nashville, Tennessee (#2 overall in Tennessee, #48 nationally) Martin Luther King Jr.

What is the average GPA for East Tennessee State University? ›

The average GPA at East Tennessee State University is 3.54. (Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. With a GPA of 3.54, East Tennessee State University requires you to be around average in your high school class.

Why choose East Tennessee State University? ›

Education is the university's highest priority, and East Tennessee State University is committed to increasing the level of educational attainment in the state and region based on core values where: people come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential; ...

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