Hall of Fame
The 1966-67 men's basketball team was, on many levels, the greatest in Lincoln history. That season's Blue Tiger squad was one of the best offensive squads in the country, scoring 100 points or more in 20 of its 28 contests. The Blue Tigers averaged 108.3 points per game which, at the time, was the second-highest PPG average in NCAA history. It was also a record-setting squad, making 46.9 field goals per game, which still stands as the milestone in the Division II record book. Lincoln led the country in scoring margin, holding opponents to 82.2 PPG to win by an average of 26.1 PPG. The Blue Tigers were also the Division II scoring leader in 1966-67, finishing with 2,925 points.
That season, the Blue Tigers went 24-2 in the regular season, ultimately finishing with a 25-3 overall record. That team still holds the school record for regular season and total victories. Lincoln went undefeated at home and ranked in the NCAA Division II Top 10 in eight of the 11 weeks of the season, including holding the No. 3 ranking in the country during the poll's final three weeks. The Blue Tigers' season ended in the NCAA tournament, as Lincoln advanced to the regional finals before falling to Southwest Missouri State College, the eventual national runner-up that year.
The 1966-67 men's basketball team was coached by Jonathan L. Staggers. Making up the roster of that team were Howard “Buzz” Anglin, William Benford, James Jervey Brown, Nathaniel Byrd, Homer Cavitte, Marshall Evans, Ed Franklin, Steve Hannett, Larry “Snake” Howard, Arvesta Kelly, Clinton Smith, James Vick, Willie Watts and Milton Williams. Ed Hamilton and Robert Newton were both student trainers and statisticians for that squad while John Kelly was the third student trainer. Wayne O'Reilly was the squad's bus driver.
