Greatest Teams 2 mod info

[NCAAhoops]

Thought I would make some posts about a mod that has been 2 years in the making that is nearing the finish line. My plan is to release this the week DDSCB25 is released.

Greatest Teams 2 (Teams of the 2 point era) will include real teams and players from 1946 to 1986 seasons. They either had to be considered one of the top teams ever or on occasion a few teams with a great player but so so otherwise as a team. There are a many current day coaches that are players on some of the teams included but the focus was on best teams and players. I started with 1946 as it is very difficult to find info or stats on teams before then. They did not keep a lot of stats back in those days such as minutes, steal, assists and only kept total rebounds without the Offensive-defensive splits. So some ratings had to be figured out the best I could. Before 1946 some teams didn't even keep points scored.
I'll make a post about each decade with a little info on each starting with this post.

Teams 1940's with notable players and season result

YEAR-TEAM - Noted Players - W L - Result
1946-Oklahoma A&M - Bob Kurland, JL Parks - 31 2 - National Champs
1948-Holy Cross Bob Cousy, George Kaftan - 26 4 - Regional Final
1948-Kentucky Alex Groza, Ralph Beard - 36 3 - National Champs

1946 Oklahoma A&M now know as Oklahoma State with coach legendary Henry Iba. Bob Kurland their starting center at 7' 0" (rare in the 40's) was a 2 time champion with back to back 1945 & 1946 championships averaged 24 points a game and was tournament MVP during the 1946 tournament run. He was also a defensive post player as he change the thinking in the day from defense in depth to defense in height. Kurland was know as "Meaner than a yard dog in protecting the basket"
JL Parks strength was handling the ball, getting it down the floor safe without turning it over. They practiced and practiced and practiced on bringing the ball in under a full court press … he could cover pretty well on defense. they didn't shoot much. Kurland did most of the shooting, along with the forwards. The rest were ball handlers and defensive people. Back then, the game dictated big centers … Our offense was built around getting the ball inside and playing good defense. Of course, you didn't have to shoot the ball in 30 seconds. They could handle the ball for two or three minutes without even taking a shot if they had to. Mr. Iba believed in good defense, handling the ball and not turning it over.

1947 Holy Cross with Bob Cousey & George Krafton. Krafton was only a 6' 3' center as back then there were not a lot of real tall centers, Kurland with Oklahoma A&M was an exception. Krafton averaged 15.6 points a game. Bob Cousey changed the game. In the 40's players shooting stye was the sit shot. Cousey with his athleticism left his feet shooting. Nicknamed the "Houdini of the Hardwood" by sportswriters, Bob Cousy was best known for his razzle-dazzle, ball-handling abilities. With exceptional peripheral vision, large hands, sloping shoulders, and extremely sturdy legs, Cousy was an outstanding all-around player and is considered by many to be one of the best play makers ever.

1948 Kentucky with legendary coach Adolph Rupp, Alex Groza & Ralph Beard. Groza a 6' 7" center had very graceful moves and was the feeder in Coach Adolph Rupp's offense. If they had tracked assists and rebounds in those days, he would have ranked high in both. In Mr. Groza's four years at UK, the Wildcats won 112 and lost only eight. His jersey, No. 15, was later retired. His records, however, were tarnished and his NBA career was ended by a point-shaving scandal that erupted in 1951. Groza and other NBA players who were accused were banned from the league for life.
Ralph Beard, Ralph was the playmaker and floor leader of the UK teams that won back-to-back NCAA championships in 1948 and '49. Known as the "Fabulous Five, A lightning-quick guard famous for his ability to hit the driving layup with either hand, "Rapid Ralph" was a dogged defender who taught himself to be a competent two-handed set shooter. Beard was also part of the scandal admitted he took money. But he also insisted that he never did anything to affect the outcome of a basketball game. He was also banned for life.

That cover the 1940's teams. Not as many as other decades in the mod mostly due to lack of info before 1946. Next up the 1050's. Will do a breakdown of those teams and players.

[PointGuard]

Hey guys! I've done some pre-testing of this mod and what a blast. So cool to watch Elgin Baylor lead previously unheralded '58 Seattle U to victories, Patrick Ewing of '85 Georgetown DOMINATE the boards, Dave Bing of '66 Syracuse dish out assists, and Pete Maravich of '70 LSU pour in points from outside. So many fantastic players on a long list of great teams of the past. I'm sure you're gonna love it when NCAAhoops is ready to release this outstanding mod.

[jlemmen43]

Hey guys! I've done some pre-testing of this mod and what a blast. So cool to watch Elgin Baylor lead previously unheralded '58 Seattle U to victories, Patrick Ewing of '85 Georgetown DOMINATE the boards, Dave Bing of '66 Syracuse dish out assists, and Pete Maravich of '70 LSU pour in points from outside. So many fantastic players on a long list of great teams of the past. I'm sure you're gonna love it when NCAAhoops is ready to release this outstanding mod.

I had no idea Elgin Baylor played for Seattle U.

[PointGuard]

I had no idea Elgin Baylor played for Seattle U.

Yeah, Elgin Baylor and the Chieftains (as they were then known) got to the 1958 NCAA Tourney championship game where they lost to Kentucky. Baylor was the tourney's Most Outstanding Player. Baylor was a senior and he averaged 32.5 ppg and 19.3 rpg (yeah 19.3 rpg !) throughout the season. I'm sure the GT2 Mod will give most DDSCB players a new perspective about the history of college basketball and so many outstanding players of the era prior to the 3-point rule.

[NCAAhoops]

Next up the 1950's teams of the Greatest Teams 2 mod. With Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain considered two of the top centers to ever play the game, they both changed the way the college game was played and even caused the NCAA to make rule changes.

1953 - Louisiana State - Bob Pettit - 22-3 - National Semi Final
1953 - Washington - Bob Houbergs - 30-3 - National Semifinal
1954 - Kentucky - Cliff Hagan, Jack Ramsey - 25-0 - was on probation for point shaving listed in the 1940's teams.
1954 - La Salle - Tom Gola - 26-4 - National Champs
1956 - San Francisco - Bill Russell, KC Jones, Mike Farmer - 29-0 - National Champs
1956 - Temple - Hal Lear, Guy Rodgers - 27-4 - National Semifinal
1957 - Kansas - Wilt Chamberlain - 24-3 - National Final
1957 - North Carolina - Lennie Rosenbluth, Tommy Kearns - 32-0 - National Champs
1958 - Seattle - Elgin Baylor - 23-6 - National Final
1959 - Kansas State - Bob Boozer - 25-2 - Regional Final


1953 LSU with Bob Pettit lean, graceful, and always well-conditioned, Bob Pettit's physical build made him one of the first big men to play facing the basket. But Pettit's resolve set him apart from his peers; he simply would not be outworked by his competitors. He was a three-time All-SEC center with an average of 27.8 points per game.

1953 Washington A hook shot specialist Bob Houbregs tacked the University of Washington program on the national map changing the importance of West Coast basketball forever. Houbregs, one of only two players in the University of Washington's history named a consensus All-America, remained Washington's all-time leading scorer (1,774 points) for more than 30 years after he graduated. He still holds Washington's top three single game scoring records, all 40-point plus efforts.

1954 Kentucky Cliff Hagan is one of only a handful of basketball players in history to win a league championship in every level of the game. Cliff helped each of his teams achieve greatness at Owensboro High School, University of Kentucky, St. Louis Hawks in the NBA, and a gold medal in the Olympic games. The combination of Cliff’s quickness, strength, and one of basketball’s most devastating hook shots led him to become an outstanding athlete.
Jack Ramsey know more for his coaching after playing for Kentucky inspired greatness in his teams. A teacher, motivator, and true basketball aficionado, Ramsay created a lasting legacy at the collegiate and professional level. His preparation for games was impeccable and attention to detail extraordinary. A Jack Ramsay-coached team was always well-seasoned and well-drilled, exceedingly ready for the task ahead.

1954 La Salle Tom Gola nicknamed "Mr. All-Around" by Hall of Fame coach Ken Loeffler, Tom Gola was a Philadelphia folk hero. Gola's angular build, which enabled him to play every offensive and defensive position on the court, made him an instant star. While an offensive whiz, Gola's quick hands and deceptive speed made him a defensive stalwart.

1956 San Francisco Bill Russell in his early years, he was a runner and a track jumper, and was cut from the basketball team at Herbert Hoover Junior High School. Struggling to learn the necessary skills for basketball, he was nearly cut from his high school team, but his coach encouraged him to work on his fundamentals, and he accepted that challenge. Coupled with a growth spurt, he started to improve his defense by learning to jump to make and block shots, which was not mainstream at the time. In high school, he began studying the footwork and court plays of other players in order to improve his floor skills. Despite being an All-Conference in high school, he was overlooked by most college recruiters. His only scholarship opportunity was with USF, and Russell accepted. His talent blossomed on the Hilltop as he established a legacy of excellence due to his defensive skills, shot-blocking and rebounding. He combined the speed of a guard with the skills of a center. He brought his marvelous defensive and shot-blocking skills to basketball, the game focused primarily on offense. Russell reversed the trend, initiating a defensive mentality that remains a focal part of championship basketball. Considered the greatest defensive center in basketball history, the agile Russell was a dominant collegian. Coach John Wooden of UCLA called him the “greatest defensive man” he had ever seen.
KC Jones was a hard-nosed, playmaking guard and defensive specialist, it would be hard to find a basketball personality who achieved more as a player and a coach than K.C. Jones. What he gave his teams on the court did not always show up on the stat sheet, but certainly translated into championships. Jones enjoyed a phenomenal collegiate career playing with fellow Hall of Famer Bill Russell
Mike Farmer played well at the backboards and extended his RPG to 9.1 and his scoring to 12.0 PPG. In his final year, Farmer was named an All-American as the team finished with a 25-2 record. Setting a record with 29 consecutive free throws, he finished his USF career as the third-leading scorer, and second-leading rebounder. In addition to his offensive skills, he was also considered the best defensive man in the nation. His jersey (#17) has been retired.

1956 Temple Hal Lear the fourth highest scorer in Temple basketball history, Hal Lear was the leading point-maker on 1955-56 team that compiled 27-4 record and finished third in NCAA Tournament after his 48 point outburst against Southern Methodist gave the Owls third place. He combined with Guy Rogers, another Temple Hall of Famer, to form one of basketball's greatest fast-break combinations.
Guy Rodgers was a playmaker extraordinaire – the type of point guard and floor general that always looked to pass first and score second. The three-time Big 5 Most Valuable Player and Temple University All-America handled the basketball like the leather was part of him. He changed direction, flew by defenders, and dissected the lane like few before him. Rodgers liked to score, but he loved to set up his favorite targets for easy baskets.

1957 Wilt Chamberlain was big, strong, fearsome, and determined, few athletes have matched the fantastic abilities of Wilt Chamberlain. An offensive force who could single-handedly take over a game. Chamberlain's skills were so far beyond his competitors that rule changes were enacted to harness his awesome abilities. Consensus All-American in 1957 and 1958 … Most Outstanding Player of the 1957 NCAA Tournament … All-Big Seven selection and conference scoring champion in 1957 and 1958 … Owns Kansas single-game scoring (52), rebounding (36), field goals made (20) and free throws made (18) records.

1957 North Carolina Lennie Rosenbluth at 6 feet 5 inches, averaged 28 points per game in the 1956-57 season and beat out Chamberlain for the Helms Foundation College Basketball Player of the Year award. His Tar Heels went 32-0 and capped their season with a 54-53 triple-overtime victory over Kansas, with Rosenbluth scoring 20 points before fouling out late in regulation.
Tommy Kearns McGuire, always looking to challenge his players, cornered Kearns at the pregame meal. “Are you afraid of Chamberlain?” McGuire asked Kearns. “No, sir,” his point guard replied. “Good,” the head coach said. “Then you’re jumping center against him.” Kearns was 5-foot-11. Chamberlain was seven feet tall. As McGuire expected, the sight of Kearns lining up in the jump circle against Chamberlain caused a ripple to go through the Kansas City crowd. And perhaps it put just the slightest bit of doubt into Chamberlain’s mind. On a night that was decided by the smallest of margins – the Tar Heels won a 54-53 decision in triple overtime – McGuire knew he needed every possible advantage.

1958 Seattle Elgin Baylor Basketball purists sum up Elgin Baylor's game with one word: unstoppable. Baylor was an innovative offensive force never before seen. The 6-foot-5 Baylor possessed tremendous body control and could suspend himself in air, causing many to say he was "the man with a thousand moves." With his slashing drives to the hoop and his springboard-like jump shots, he dominated his opponents. He had a strong first step, and he used it creatively. Baylor was the first athlete to play above the rim, paving the way for future leapers like Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, and Michael Jordan.

1959 Kansas State Bob Boozer played three years for Hall of Fame head coach Tex Winter from 1956-59, helping the Wildcats to an incredible 62-15 record, a trip to the 1958 Final Four and consecutive Big Seven/Eight titles in 1958 and 1959. A two-time consensus first-team All-American at Kansas State, Bob Boozer averaged a double-double in his 77-game career with 21.9 points and 10.7 rebounds from 1956-1959. He averaged 25.6 points as a senior, leading the Wildcats to an undefeated Big Eight record and the final No. 1 ranking in the AP poll.

Many great players in the 1950's. Next up will be the 1960's with many more great teams and players as the mod contains more 60's and 70's teams than any other decades as the college game became watched by the fans.

[jbmoore0468]

Thanks for all your hard work and dedication on your mods, I enjoy playing them, wish we didn't have to wait for 2025 version, but I am sure it will be worth the wait, Thanks again.

[NCAAhoops]

Thank you.
A couple of us have been doing some beta testing under DDSCB24 but there is still some work to be done for the finished product, so I don't expect to have a completed mod until about the time DDSCB25 is released. I expect to have Greatest Teams 2 (2 point era), Greatest Teams 3 (3 point era) and the College Mod 2024-25 season ready when DDSCB25 is released. I have released Greatest Teams 3 before for earlier versions of DDSCB but it is under going major overhaul to improve player ratings and applying many facegens to the players.