Larry Cole, Mens Basketball (1974-76)
3/22/2010 8:03:00 PM | Athletics
Larry Cole lettered in basketball from 1974-76, establishing himself as a primary factor in UT's success during that era. He played on Rocket teams that may have been the best never to win a MAC title, as UT went 54-25 during his three seasons yet finished second twice and third once. An unselfish player, Cole's dead eye shooting nonetheless made him a standout scorer." He's one of the best pure shooters I've ever seen," said head coach Bob Nichols after Cole's last-second heroics versus MAC opponent Miami his junior year. With stellar performances in the Rockets' two previous games in which he scored 17 and 28 points, Cole put on an amazing 32-point display against the Redskins, including the game-winning basket at the buzzer. He was named MAC Player of the Week for shooting an amazing 63 percent during his three-game run of 77 points. Cole finished his career fourth on the all-time scoring list at UT with 1,325 point, a career scoring average of 14. 1 points per game. He still holds the record for the most field goals in a game with 16 versus Miami his junior year. His 12-for-12 free throw performance against Ohio in 1975 places him on top of the list of single-game free throw percentage, while he also ranks among the all-time free throw percentage leaders with a career mark of 81 percent. Cole served as a team captain for the 1975-76 season. He received first-team MAC honors in 1975, repeating the feat in 1976. AS a sophomore, he was named to the All-Tournament Team at the postseason Commissioners' Tournament in St. Louis.
