1985–86 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

Basketball season March 2026 August 2023 1985 File:NCAA primary logo 1980.svg Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets March 13 31, 1986 Reunion Arena Dallas, Texas Louisville Cardinals Ohio State Buckeyes Johnny Dawkins, Duke Blue Devils (Naismith) Walter Berry, St. John's Redmen (Wooden) Season headlines The Big South Conference began conference play. It had been founded in 1983, but its members had played as Division I independents until this season. The ECAC South renamed itself the Colonial Athletic Association. It renamed itself the Coastal Athletic Association in 2023. The Midwestern City Conference renamed itself the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. It renamed itself the Horizon League in 2001. Blocked shots and steals both became official statistics tracked by the NCAA. David Robinson of Navy became the first national blocked shot champion, averaging 5.91 per game for the season. The first steals champion was Darron Brittman of Chicago State, with 4.96 per game.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2023/D1.pdf 2022-23 Division I Men's Basketball Records NCAA March 1, 2023 LSU, seeded 11th in the 1986 NCAA tournament's Southeast Region, became the first team with a double-digit seed to advance to the Final Four.http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/2010/Rules.pdf Playing Rules History ncaa.org NCAA June 25, 2024 12 Major rule changes Beginning in 1985–86, the following rules changes were implemented: The 45-second shot clock was introduced. With the shot clock's introduction, the so-called "lack of action" count (when the offense fails to attempt a shot in a five-second timeframe) was abolished. If a shooter was fouled intentionally and the shot was missed, the penalty was two shots and possession of the ball out of bounds to the team who was fouled. Conferences were permitted to experiment with a three-point field goal, provided the distance was set to at least 19 ft 9 in off from the center of the basket. Season outlook Pre-season polls The top 20 from the AP Poll during the pre-season.*ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game Random House 2009 978-0-345-51392-2 Associated PressRankingTeam1 Georgia Tech (28)2 North Carolina (13)3 Michigan (13)4 Syracuse 5 Kansas (4)6 Duke (2)7 Illinois8 Georgetown (1)9 Louisville10 Auburn11 Kentucky12 Notre Dame13 Oklahoma14 Louisiana State15 Memphis State16 Alabama-Birmingham17 NC State18 UNLV 19 Maryland Navy UPI CoachesRankingTeam1 Michigan 2 Georgia Tech 3 North Carolina 4 Kansas5 Duke 6 Syracuse7 Illinois8 Georgetown9 Louisiana State10 Louisville11 Auburn12 Kentucky13 Notre Dame 14 Iowa NC State16 Alabama-Birmingham17 Washington18 UNLV19 DePaul20 UCLA Conference membership changes SchoolFormer conferenceNew conference Armstrong State Armstrong Atlantic State Pirates Division II independent Big South Conference Augusta State Augusta State Jaguars Division I independent Big South Conference Baptist Baptist Buccaneers Division I independent Big South Conference Campbell Campbell Fighting Camels Division I independent Big South Conference Coastal Carolina Coastal Carolina Chanticleers NAIA independent Big South Conference Coppin State Coppin State Eagles NAIA independent Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Miami Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes No team Division I independent Monmouth Monmouth Hawks Division I independent ECAC Metro Oklahoma City Oklahoma City Chiefs Midwestern City Conference Sooner Athletic Conference (NAIA) Radford Radford Highlanders Division I independent Big South Conference San Francisco San Francisco Dons No team West Coast Athletic Conference Stetson Stetson Hatters Division I independent Trans America Athletic Conference Tulane Tulane Green Wave Metro Conference No team UNC Asheville UNC Asheville Bulldogs NAIA independent Big South Conference Winthrop Winthrop Eagles NAIA independent Big South Conference NOTES: The Big South Conference was founded in 1983, but its members played as independents until this season. Tulane discontinued its men's basketball program after the 1984–85 season in response to a point shaving scandal involving four of its players. Regular season Conferences Conference winners and tournaments ConferenceRegular season winnerhttp://web1.ncaa.org/web_files/stats/m_basketball_RB/2009/Standings.pdf 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Record Book – Conferences Section 2009 NCAA 2009-06-27Conference player of the yearConference Coach of the YearConference tournamentTournament venue (City)Tournament winnerAMCU–8 Cleveland State Jon Collins, Eastern Illinois Kevin Mackey, Cleveland State 1986 AMCU-8 men's basketball tournament Hammons Student Center(Springfield, Missouri) Cleveland StateAtlantic 10 Conference Saint Joseph's Maurice Martin, Saint Joseph's2008–09 A-10 men's basketball media guide – Awards section https://web.archive.org/web/20110523131521/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/atl10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0809-mg-pt8.pdf 2011-05-23 , Atlantic 10 Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Jim Boyle, Saint Joseph's 1986 Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament Brendan Byrne Arena(East Rutherford, New Jersey) Saint Joseph'sAtlantic Coast Conference Duke Len Bias, Maryland2008–09 ACC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Year by Year section https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192652/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/acc/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/09mbkguide083112.pdf 2016-03-03 , retrieved 2009-06-27 Mike Krzyzewski, Duke 1986 ACC men's basketball tournament Greensboro Coliseum(Greensboro, North Carolina) DukeBig East Conference St. John's &Syracuse Walter Berry, St. John's2008–09 Big East Men's Basketball Media Guide – Awards section https://web.archive.org/web/20090204070728/http://www.bigeast.org/fls/19400/pdfs/mensbball/record-book.pdf?SPSID=92557&SPID=11228&DB_OEM_ID=19400 2009-02-04 , Big East Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Lou Carnesecca, St. John's 1986 Big East men's basketball tournament Madison Square Garden(New York City, New York) St. John'sBig Eight Conference Kansas Danny Manning, Kansas2008–09 Big 12 Men's Basketball Media Guide – Awards section, Big 12 Conference, retrieved 2009-02-04 Larry Brown, Kansas 1986 Big Eight Conference men's basketball tournament Kemper Arena(Kansas City, Missouri)(Semifinals and Finals) KansasBig Sky Conference Montana & Northern Arizona Larry Krystkowiak, Montanahttps://archive.today/20120722162522/http://www.bigskyconf.com/Sports/mbball/2008/MBBAwardWinners060508.asp Men's Basketball Award Winners, Big Sky Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Stu Starner, Montana State 1986 Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament Lawlor Events Center(Reno, Nevada) Montana State Big South Conference Baptist Fred McKinnon, Winthrop Tommy Gaither, Baptist 1986 Big South Conference men's basketball tournament Savannah Civic Center(Savannah, Georgia) BaptistBig Ten Conference Michigan None Selected Jud Heathcote, Michigan State No TournamentColonial Athletic Association Navy David Robinson, Navy Dick Tarrant, Richmond 1986 CAA men's basketball tournament Patriot Center(Fairfax, Virginia) NavyEast Coast Conference Drexel Michael Anderson, Drexel Edward Burke, Drexel 1986 East Coast Conference men's basketball tournament Towson Center(Towson, Maryland) DrexelECAC Metro Fairleigh Dickinson Terrance Bailey, Wagner Tom Green, Fairleigh Dickinson 1986 ECAC Metro men's basketball tournament William T. Boylan Gymnasium(West Long Branch, New Jersey) Marist ECAC North Northeastern Reggie Lewis, NortheasternAmerica East Men's Basketball Players of the Year, America East Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Jim Calhoun, Northeastern 1986 ECAC North men's basketball tournament Matthews Arena(Boston, Massachusetts) NortheasternIvy League Brown Jim Turner, BrownMen's Ivy League Outstanding performers https://web.archive.org/web/20080429080237/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/alltime.asp?intSID=6 2008-04-29 , Ivy League, retrieved 2009-06-27 None selected No TournamentMetro Atlantic Athletic Conference Fairfield Tony George, FairfieldMen's Basketball All-MAAC Awards https://web.archive.org/web/20090312044952/http://www.maacsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17400&ATCLID=940275 2009-03-12 , Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Mitch Buonaguro, Fairfield 1986 MAAC men's basketball tournament Meadowlands Arena(East Rutherford, New Jersey) FairfieldMetro Conference Louisville Dell Curry, Virginia Tech M. K. Turk, Southern Miss 1986 Metro Conference men's basketball tournament Freedom Hall(Louisville, Kentucky) LouisvilleMid-American Conference Miami (OH) Ron Harper, Miami (OH)2008–09 MAC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Records Section, Mid-American Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Jerry Peirson, Miami (OH) 1986 MAC men's basketball tournament Rockford MetroCentre(Rockford, Illinois) Ball StateMid-Eastern Athletic Conference North Carolina A&T Don Hill, Bethune–Cookman Don Corbett, North Carolina A&T 1986 MEAC men's basketball tournament Philadelphia Civic Center(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) North Carolina A&TMidwestern Collegiate Conference Xavier Byron Larkin, Xavier2008–09 Horizon League Men's Basketball Record Book https://web.archive.org/web/20110523142907/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/hori/genrel/auto_pdf/Records-MBB.pdf 2011-05-23 , Horizon League, retrieved 2009-06-27 Pete Gillen, Xavier &Don Sicko, Detroit 1986 Midwestern Collegiate Conference men's basketball tournament Market Square Arena(Indianapolis, Indiana) XavierMissouri Valley Conference Bradley Jim Les, Bradley2008–09 MVC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Honors Section, Missouri Valley Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Dick Versace, Bradley 1986 Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball tournament Tulsa Convention Center(Tulsa, Oklahoma) TulsaOhio Valley Conference Akron & Middle Tennessee State Marcel Boyce, Akron2008–09 OVC men's basketball media guide, Ohio Valley Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Bob Huggins, Akron 1986 Ohio Valley Conference men's basketball tournament James A. Rhodes Arena(Akron, Ohio) AkronPacific-10 Conference Arizona Chris Welp, Washington2008–09 Pacific-10 Men's Basketball Media Guide- Honors Section https://web.archive.org/web/20110523143103/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/pac10/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/Honors.pdf 2011-05-23 , Pacific-10 Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Lute Olson, Arizona No TournamentPacific Coast Athletic Association UNLV Greg Grant, Utah State &Anthony Jones, UNLV2008–09 Big West Men's Basketball Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20110716232233/http://www.bigwest.org/sports/mbball/0708_MB_Media_Guide.pdf 2011-07-16 , Big West Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Bill Mulligan, UC Irvine 1986 Pacific Coast Athletic Association men's basketball tournament The Forum(Inglewood, California) UNLVSoutheastern Conference Kentucky Kenny Walker, Kentucky2008–09 SEC Men's Basketball Record Book https://web.archive.org/web/20090320004255/http://www.secsports.com/doc_lib/bkc_record_book.pdf March 20, 2009 , Southeastern Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Eddie Sutton, Kentucky 1986 SEC men's basketball tournament Rupp Arena(Lexington, Kentucky) KentuckySouthern Conference Tennessee–Chattanooga Gay Elmore, VMI2008–09 SoCon Men's Basketball Media Guide – Honors Section https://web.archive.org/web/20110723151437/http://www.soconsports.com/fls/4000/socon/files/0809mbkguide/honorsandawards.pdf?SPSID=35819&SPID=1798&DB_OEM_ID=4000 July 23, 2011 , Southern Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Mack McCarthy, Tennessee–Chattanooga 1986 Southern Conference men's basketball tournament Asheville Civic Center(Asheville, North Carolina) DavidsonSouthland Conference Northeast Louisiana Bobby Jenkins, Northeast Louisiana2008–09 Southland Conference Men's Basketball Media Guide, Southland Conference, retrieved 2009-02-07 Mike Vining, Northeast Louisiana 1986 Southland Conference men's basketball tournament Fant–Ewing Coliseum(Monroe, Louisiana) Northeast LouisianaSouthwest Conference TCU, Texas & Texas A&M John Brownlee, Texas Jim Killingsworth, TCU 1986 Southwest Conference men's basketball tournament Reunion Arena(Dallas, Texas) Texas TechSouthwestern Athletic Conference Alcorn State& Southern Frank Sillmon, Alabama State2006–07 SWAC Men's Basketball Media Guide Davey Whitney, Alcorn State 1986 SWAC men's basketball tournament Mississippi Valley StateSun Belt Conference Old Dominion Kenny Gattison, Old Dominion2007–08 Sun Belt Men's Basketball Media Guide, Sun Belt Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Clem Haskins, Western Kentucky & Tom Young, Old Dominion 1986 Sun Belt Conference men's basketball tournament Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex(Birmingham, Alabama) JacksonvilleTrans America Athletic Conference Arkansas–Little Rock Myron Jackson, Arkansas–Little RockAtlantic Sun men's basketball record book, Atlantic Sun Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Mike Newell, Arkansas–Little Rock 1986 TAAC men's basketball tournament Barton Coliseum(Little Rock, Arkansas) Arkansas–Little RockWest Coast Athletic Conference Pepperdine Dwayne Polee, Pepperdine2008–09 WCC Men's Basketball Media Guide https://web.archive.org/web/20110523143240/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/west/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2008-09mbbrecordbook.pdf 2011-05-23 , West Coast Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Hank Egan, San Diego & Jim Harrick, Pepperdine No TournamentWestern Athletic Conference Utah, UTEP& Wyoming Anthony Watson, San Diego State2008–09 WAC Men's Basketball Media Guide – Records Section https://web.archive.org/web/20090716163044/https://www.nmnathletics.com/ July 16, 2009 , Western Athletic Conference, retrieved 2009-06-27 Jim Brandenburg, Wyoming 1986 WAC men's basketball tournament Arena-Auditorium(Laramie, Wyoming) UTEP Conference standings Division I independents A total of 17 college teams played as Division I independents. Among them, Notre Dame (23–6) had both the best winning percentage (.793) and the most wins.https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/conferences/independent/men/1986.html Sports Reference 1985-86 Men's Independent Season Summary August 26, 2024 Informal championships ConferenceRegular season winnerMost Valuable PlayerPhiladelphia Big 5 Saint Joseph's & Temple Harold Pressley, Villanova Saint Joseph's and Temple both finished with 3–1 records in head-to-head competition among the Philadelphia Big 5. Statistical leaders Points per game Rebounds per game Assists per game Steals per game Player School PPG Player School RPG Player School APG Player School SPG Terrance Bailey Wagner 29.4 David Robinson Navy 13.0 Mark Jackson St. John's 9.1 Darron Brittman Chicago St. 5.0 Scott Skiles Michigan St. 27.4 Greg Anderson Houston 12.9 Taurence Chisholm Delaware 8.5 Jim Paguaga St. Francis (NY) 4.3 Joe Yezbak U. S. International 27.0 Brad Sellers Ohio St. 12.6 Tyrone Bogues Wake Forest 8.4 Leroy Allen Hofstra 3.6 Reggie Miller UCLA 25.9 Ron Harper Miami (OH) 11.7 Ralph Lee Xavier 8.4 Ron Harper Miami (OH) 3.3 Ron Harper Miami (OH) 24.4 Larry Krystkowiak Montana 11.4 Derric Thomas Monmouth 8.2 Harold Starks Providence 3.2 Blocked shots per game Field-goal percentage Free-throw percentage Player School BPG Player School FG% Player School FT% David Robinson Navy 5.9 Brad Daugherty N. Carolina 64.8 Greg Peters Tulsa 100.0 Tim Perry Temple 4.0 Ken Norman Illinois 64.1 Jim Barton Dartmouth 94.2 Rodney Blake St. Joseph's 3.8 Kenny Gattison Old Dominion 63.7 Damon Goodwin Dayton 93.1 Lester Fonville Jackson St. 3.2 Derrick McKey Alabama 63.6 Rick Suder Duquesne 91.8 Curtis Kitchen S. Florida 3.2 Albert Thomas Centenary 63.2 Scott Coval William & Mary 91.7 1987 NCAA Basketball Record Book, pages 117–121 National Collegiate Athletic Association Fall 1987 Postseason tournaments NCAA tournament 1986 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament Final Four - Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas thumb|The Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, hosted the NCAA men's Final Four. National semifinals National championship game E1 Duke 71 M1 Kansas 67 S11 LSU 77 W2 Louisville 88 E1 Duke 69 W2 Louisville 72 National Invitation tournament 1986 National Invitation Tournament NIT Semifinals and Finals Played at Madison Square Garden in New York City no Semifinals Finals Third place   Louisiana Tech 66   Ohio State 79   Florida 58   Wyoming 67   Ohio State 73   Wyoming 63   Louisiana Tech 67   Florida 62 Award winners Consensus All-American teams 1986 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans + Consensus First Team Player Position Class Team Steve Alford G Junior Indiana Walter Berry F Junior St. John's Len Bias F Senior Maryland Johnny Dawkins G Senior Duke Kenny Walker F Senior Kentucky + Consensus Second Team Player Position Class Team Dell Curry G Senior Virginia Tech Brad Daugherty C Senior North Carolina Ron Harper G/F Senior Miami (OH) Danny Manning F Sophomore Kansas David Robinson C Junior Navy Scott Skiles G Senior Michigan State Major player of the year awards Wooden Award: Walter Berry, St. John's Naismith Award: Johnny Dawkins, Duke Associated Press Player of the Year: Walter Berry, St. John's UPI Player of the Year: Walter Berry, St. John's NABC Player of the Year: Walter Berry, St. John's Oscar Robertson Trophy (USBWA): Walter Berry, St. John's Adolph Rupp Trophy: Walter Berry, St. John's Sporting News Player of the Year: Walter Berry, St. John's Major coach of the year awards Associated Press Coach of the Year: Eddie Sutton, Kentucky UPI Coach of the Year: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Henry Iba Award (USBWA): Dick Versace, Bradley NABC Coach of the Year: Eddie Sutton, Kentucky CBS/Chevrolet Coach of the Year: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Sporting News Coach of the Year: Denny Crum, Louisville Other major awards Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award (Best player under 6'0): Jim Les, Bradley Robert V. Geasey Trophy (Top player in Philadelphia Big 5): Harold Pressley, Villanova NIT/Haggerty Award (Top player in New York City metro area): Walter Berry, St. John's Coaching changes A number of teams changed coaches during the season and after it ended. TeamFormerCoachInterimCoachNewCoachReasonAppalachian StateKevin CantwellTom Apke Boston CollegeGary WilliamsJim O'Brien Williams left to coach Ohio State.Bowling GreenJohn WeinertJim Larrañaga BradleyDick VersaceStan Albeck Versace was hired to the Detroit Pistons coaching staff.ColgateTony RelvasJoe Baker ColoradoTom ApkeTom Miller Apke left to coach Appalachian State.Coppin StateJohn BatesFang Mitchell CornellTom MillerMike Dement Miller left to coach Colorado. Dement was hired from the East Carolina coaching staff.ConnecticutDom PernoJim CalhounFlorida StateJoe WilliamsPat Kennedy FordhamTom PendersBob Quinn Penders left to coach Rhode Island.Fresno StateBoyd GrantRon Adams Grambling StateFred HobdyBob Hoskins HoustonGuy LewisPat Foster IdahoBill TrumboTim Floyd Floyd was hired from the UTEP coaching staff.IonaPat KennedyGary Brokaw Kennedy left to coach Florida State.IowaGeorge RavelingTom Davis Raveling left to coach USC.Jackson StatePaul CovingtonJohn Prince Covington left to be the assistant athletic director at Jackson State.Kansas StateJack HartmanLon Kruger La SalleLefty ErvinSpeedy Morris Morris was hired from the La Salle women's team after going 43–17.LamarPat FosterTom Abatemarco Foster left to coach Houston.Southwestern LouisianaBobby PaschalMarty Fletcher Paschal left to coach South Florida.ManhattanTom SullivanBob Delle Bovi MaristMatt FurjanicDave Magarity MarquetteRick MajerusBob Dukiet Majerus left to join the Milwaukee Bucks coaching staff.MarylandLefty DriesellBob Wade Driesell resigned and took the position of assistant athletic director at Maryland.MinnesotaJim DutcherJimmy WilliamsClem Haskins Dutcher resigned midway through the season after three players were arrested on rape charges. University of Maryland forfeited their next game and Dutcher resigned in protest. All three players were acquitted. Jimmy Williams coached the remainder of the season. Haskins was hired from Western Kentucky.Mississippi StateBob BoydRichard Williams MontanaMike MontgomeryStew Morrill Montgomery left to coach Stanford. Morrill was an assistant under Montgomery.NavyPaul EvansPete Herrmann Evans left to coach Pittsburgh.NebraskaMoe IbaDanny Nee North TexasTommy NewmanJimmy Gales Northern IllinoisJohn McDougalJim Rosborough Northern IowaJames BerryEldon Miller NortheasternJim CalhounKarl Fogel Calhoun left to coach Connecticut.NorthwesternRich FalkBill Foster OhioDanny NeeBilly Hahn Nee left to coach Nebraska.Ohio StateEldon MillerGary Williams Miller left to coach Northern Iowa.Oklahoma StatePaul HansenLeonard Hamilton Hamilton was hired from the Kentucky coaching staff.Ole MissLee HuntEd Murphy PittsburghRoy ChipmanPaul Evans Rhode IslandBrendan MaloneTom Penders Malone left to join the New York Knicks coaching staff.Saint Mary'sBill OatesLynn Nance Saint Peter'sBob DukietTed Fiore Dukiet left to coach Marquette.Sam Houston StateRobert McPhersonSteve Tucker McPherson left to coach UNC Wilmington.SienaJohn GriffinMike Deane Deane was hired off the Michigan State coaching staff.South CarolinaBill FosterGeorge Felton Foster left to coach Northwestern.South FloridaLee RoseBobby Paschal SouthernBob HopkinsBen Jobe Hopkins left to coach Grambling State.Southwestern Texas StateCelester CollierHarry Larrabee St. BonaventureJim O'BrienRon DeCarli O'Brien left to coach Boston College.StanfordTom DavisMike Montgomery Davis left to coach Iowa.Texas–Pan AmericanLon KrugerKevin Wall Kruger left to coach Kansas State.Texas–San AntonioDon EddyLarry GatewoodKen Burmeister Burmeister left Arizona coaching staff to become head coach.UNC WilmingtonMel GibsonRobert McPherson USCStan MorrisonGeorge RavelingVMIMarty FletcherJoe Cantafio Fletcher left to coach Louisiana.Wichita StateGene SmithsonEddie Fogler Fogler, former player and long time assistant under Dean Smith, becomes head coach.WinthropNeild GordonSteve Vacendak Western KentuckyClem HaskinsMurray Arnold Arnold was hired from the Chicago Bulls coaching staff.YaleTom BrennanDick Kuchen Brennan left to coach Vermont. References