Most Points Scored In Men's College Basketball
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and college basketball is a huge part of that tradition. College basketball is a sport that has a rich history of legendary players and historic games.
The History of Men's College Basketball
The first basketball game was played in 1891, and the sport quickly gained popularity across the United States. The first college basketball game was played in 1895 between Hamline University and the University of Minnesota. Since then, college basketball has grown into one of the most beloved and watched sports in the country.
From legendary coaches such as John Wooden and Mike Krzyzewski to all-time great players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, college basketball has seen some of the greatest athletes in sports history compete on the court.
The Most Points Scored in a Single Game
The highest-scoring game in college basketball history occurred on January 3, 1949, when Loyola Marymount defeated the United States International University by a score of 186-140. Loyola Marymount's Hank Gathers scored 81 points in the game, setting the record for the most points scored by a single player in a single game in college basketball history.
Other notable high-scoring games include the 1991 game between Loyola Marymount and Michigan, where Loyola Marymount won 149-115, and the 1992 game between Loyola Marymount and LSU, where Loyola Marymount won 148-141.
The Most Points Scored in a Career
Pete Maravich is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I men's basketball history, scoring 3,667 points in his college career. Maravich played for Louisiana State University from 1967 to 1970 and averaged 44.2 points per game in his three seasons.
Other notable high-scoring players include Freeman Williams, who scored 3,249 points for Portland State from 1974 to 1978, and Lionel Simmons, who scored 3,217 points for La Salle from 1986 to 1990.
The Most Points Scored in a Season
The most points scored in a single season by a player is 1,138, set by Frank Selvy of Furman University in the 1953-54 season. Selvy averaged 41.7 points per game that season and became the first player in college basketball history to score 100 points in a single game.
Other notable high-scoring seasons include the 1968-69 season by Rick Mount of Purdue, where he scored 973 points, and the 1989-90 season by Lionel Simmons of La Salle, where he scored 1,031 points.
The Most Points Scored in a Game by a Team
The highest-scoring game by a team in NCAA Division I men's basketball history occurred on November 21, 1992, when Troy State defeated DeVry University by a score of 258-141. Troy State's 258 points in the game set the record for the most points scored by a team in a single game in college basketball history.
Other notable high-scoring games by a team include the 1989 game between Loyola Marymount and Michigan, where Loyola Marymount won 149-115, and the 1996 game between Eastern Washington and Portland State, where Eastern Washington won 141-140.
Conclusion
College basketball has a rich history of legendary players and historic games. From Hank Gathers' 81-point game to Pete Maravich's career scoring record, college basketball has seen some of the most memorable performances in sports history. The most points scored in a single game, season, and by a team are benchmarks that highlight the amazing talent and skill of these college athletes. The game of college basketball will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.