College basketball is a sport that never fails to delight fans with its intensely competitive nature, high-flying dunks, and nail-biting buzzer-beaters. But every so often, a rare individual comes along and produces a performance that leaves even seasoned fans in awe. Here, we take a look at some of the greatest scoring performances in college basketball history that left us scratching our heads in disbelief.
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game
On March 2, 1962, in a game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks, Wilt Chamberlain set a record that still stands to this day by scoring an incredible 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain shot 36-of-63 from the field and an impressive 28-of-32 from the free-throw line to lead his team to a 169-147 victory.
Pete Maravich’s 69-Point Outing
Pete Maravich is perhaps one of the most talented players to have ever played college basketball, and his scoring prowess is legendary. On February 10, 1970, while playing for Louisiana State University against Alabama, Maravich scored an astounding 69 points on 27-of-57 shooting from the field. This performance helped cement Maravich’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest scorers.
Kevin Bradshaw’s 72-Point Effort
Few people had ever heard of Kevin Bradshaw before March 7, 1991, when he put on one of the most impressive scoring performances in college basketball history. Bradshaw, a player for U.S. International University, scored an incredible 72 points while shooting 23-of-67 from the field in a game against Loyola Marymount. Despite his efforts, Bradshaw’s team lost the game 186-140.
Jack Taylor’s 138-Point Game
On November 20, 2012, Grinnell College’s Jack Taylor set an NCAA scoring record by putting up a mind-boggling 138 points in a game against Faith Baptist Bible College. Taylor scored 52-of-108 from the field, including 27-of-71 from beyond the three-point line. This performance truly defies belief and remains one of the greatest scoring feats in basketball history.
These performances, among others, highlight the incredible skill and talent that exists within college basketball. They are testaments to the sheer determination and hard work required to become one of the greatest players in the sport. And as we continue to witness new records being broken and new stars being born, it’s clear that the rich history of college basketball will continue to inspire generations of players and fans alike.