1957 California Basketball Association Champions
Overall Record: 22-7 | CBA Record: 12-2
Head Coach: Phil Woolpert
Overall Record: 22-7 CBA Record: 12-2
All-WCC Team: Gene Brown, Mike Farmer (POY)
Top Scorer: Gene Brown (15.1) Top Rebounder: Art Day (10.0)
USF Hall-of-Famers: Gene Brown, Mike Farmer, Phil Woolpert
The Dons won the 1957 California Basketball Association with a 12-2 record and outscored league opponents by almost 12 points per contest. The Dons opened league play dropping a 51-47 decision to long time Bay Area rival Santa Clara, then won 12 of their final 13 games to close out the regular season. Dons forward Mike Farmer was named league MVP while averaging 12 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest. Guard Gene Brown led the Dons in scoring at 15.1 points per game.
The Dons 60 game winning streak ended on December 17th, 1956 with a disappointing loss at Illinois. At the time – the Dons streak was the longest winning streak in college basketball history – a record that would stand for almost 20 years. Although surpassed by UCLA in 1974, the 60 game win streak carried the Dons to two national titles. It still ranks as the second longest streak in college basketball history.
USF won its third straight NCAA Regional Championship with a 60-56 over California. The win over the Golden Bears vaulted the Dons to their third straight Final Four. USF thus became the first team in NCAA history to advance to three straight Final Fours. The Dons were upended by Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain 80-56 in the semifinals. The loss to the Jayhawks ended an 11 game NCAA tournament win streak for the Dons. USF defeated Michigan State 67-60 in the consolation game.
Did You know? The West NCAA Regional Championship game between USF and California came right down to the wire. The Bears trailed by just two points with six seconds remaining when Bears coach Pete Newell went to his bench for Joe Kapp, the great quarterback for California and later the Minnesota Vikings. Kapp’s job was to pick out a ‘receiver' from his position at the baseline and throw a long pass that would give the Bears a last second shot. But alas, USF’s 6’8” ‘defensive back’ Mike Farmer intercepted Kapp’s pass and was fouled as time ran out. He added two free throws and the Dons advanced to their third straight Final Four.
They Said It: “Playing on the 1957 team was in some ways more satisfying than the previous season when we won the championship. We suffered through a lot of injuries and a lot of sickness. The guys just hung together. I played on a lot of teams over the years, but I most remember the 1957 team,” USF forward Mike Farmer.
