Hall of Fame
1954-55 Men's Basketball Team
The 1954-55 Western Illinois Men's Basketball team had an incredible year. The team went 27-3 overall, 11-1 in conference play, tying for the second-most wins in program history. Their .900 win percentage is third-best in program history.
The team went on to finish in third place in the NAIA. After falling to Southeast Oklahoma State 68-61 in the semifinals, the team beat Arkansas Tech in the third-place game, 77-74.
The team averaged 83.2 points per game, fifth-highest in program history.
Their +25 rebound margin per game is the highest in Western Illinois men's basketball program history.
Team members include Lupe Rios, Gene Talbot, Marshall Stoner, Charles Schramm, Don Talbot, Ron Nikcevich, Ike Wright, Jim Thornton, Joe Reynolds, John Henson, Frank Hutt, Ed Flynn, Jim Hunter and Charles Behrends. The team was led by coach, Leroy 'Stix,' Morley. Gene Talbot and Schramm led the team in scoring, each averaging over 15 points per game, while Stoner added over 14 per contest. Charles Schramm averaged over 18 rebounds a game.
