1958–59 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team
Encyclopedia
The 1958–59 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
team represented the University of Michigan
in intercollegiate college basketball
during the 1958–59 season. The team played its home games at Fielding H. Yost Field House
(renamed Yost Ice Arena in 1973) on the school's campus in . Under the direction of head coach
William Perigo
, the team finished tied for second in the Big Ten Conference
but failed to get an invitation to either the 1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
or the 1959 National Invitation Tournament
. During the season, the team beat two of the four ranked opponents that it faced (#18 in the conference season opener on January 3, 1959 at West Lafayette
and #18 on February 2 in Champaign
). M.C. Burton, Jr.
won the Big Ten Conference statistical championships for both scoring
(22.6 points per game) and rebounding
(249 in 14 conference games for a 17.8 rebound average). The 17.8 rebounds per game was a Big Ten Conference record that lasted one season. Burton was the first player to lead the conference in both scoring and rebounding. Burton and George Lee served as team co-captains
, and Burton earned team MVP.
Burton set numerous school rebounding records that season. Two that continue to stand are the 17.23 single-season rebounds per game average and the single-season record for 20-rebound games with 7. Bill Buntin
surpassed his career total of 831 with 1037 and his career average of 12.59 with 13.13 in 1965. Rudy Tomjanovich
surpassed his February 16 total of 27 with 30 on February 1, 1969. Phil Hubbard
surpassed his single season total of 379 with 389 in 1977. Burton also fell four points shy of Ron Kramer
's 1957 school record career total of 1119. Burton's career free throw
percentage of 79.28 stood as the school record (since records have been available in 1955) until Cazzie Russell ended his career with an 82.65%.
Michigan Wolverines men's basketball
The Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Michigan. The school competes in the Big Ten Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association . The Wolverines play home basketball games at the...
team represented the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in intercollegiate college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
during the 1958–59 season. The team played its home games at Fielding H. Yost Field House
Yost Ice Arena
Yost Ice Arena is an indoor ice hockey arena located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the home of the University of Michigan varsity ice hockey team which plays in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association...
(renamed Yost Ice Arena in 1973) on the school's campus in . Under the direction of head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
William Perigo
William Perigo
William J. "Bill" Perigo was an American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for Western Michigan University from 1931 to 1934 and professional basketball for the Indianapolis Kautskys from 1934 to 1936. Perigo also worked as a basketball coach for more than 25 years...
, the team finished tied for second in the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
but failed to get an invitation to either the 1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1959 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 23 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball in the United States. It began on March 7, 1959, and ended with the championship game on March 21 in Louisville,...
or the 1959 National Invitation Tournament
1959 National Invitation Tournament
The 1959 National Invitation Tournament was the 1959 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition.-Selected teams:Below is a list of the 12 teams selected for the tournament.-Brackets/Results:Below is the tournament bracket....
. During the season, the team beat two of the four ranked opponents that it faced (#18 in the conference season opener on January 3, 1959 at West Lafayette
West Lafayette, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 29,596 people, 12,591 households, and 3,588 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,381.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 74.3% White, 17.3% Asian, 2.7% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.03% Pacific...
and #18 on February 2 in Champaign
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
). M.C. Burton, Jr.
M.C. Burton, Jr.
Memie Clifton "M.C." Burton, Jr. is a retired American basketball player and medical doctor. In 1959, he became the first player in the history of the Big Ten Conference to lead the conference in both points and rebounds...
won the Big Ten Conference statistical championships for both scoring
Point (basketball)
Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals or free throws ....
(22.6 points per game) and rebounding
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
(249 in 14 conference games for a 17.8 rebound average). The 17.8 rebounds per game was a Big Ten Conference record that lasted one season. Burton was the first player to lead the conference in both scoring and rebounding. Burton and George Lee served as team co-captains
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
, and Burton earned team MVP.
Burton set numerous school rebounding records that season. Two that continue to stand are the 17.23 single-season rebounds per game average and the single-season record for 20-rebound games with 7. Bill Buntin
Bill Buntin
William L. "Bill" Buntin was an American basketball player. He played collegiately for the University of Michigan and in the NBA....
surpassed his career total of 831 with 1037 and his career average of 12.59 with 13.13 in 1965. Rudy Tomjanovich
Rudy Tomjanovich
Rudolph Tomjanovich, Jr. , nicknamed Rudy T., is an American retired basketball player and coach who coached the Houston Rockets to two consecutive NBA championships. He is currently a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers.-Early life:...
surpassed his February 16 total of 27 with 30 on February 1, 1969. Phil Hubbard
Phil Hubbard
Philip "Phil" Gregory Hubbard is a former American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association from 1979 to 1989, and former Assistant Coach of the Washington Wizards under Eddie Jordan.Hubbard played high school basketball...
surpassed his single season total of 379 with 389 in 1977. Burton also fell four points shy of Ron Kramer
Ron Kramer
Ronald J. Kramer was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Before embarking on a career in the National Football League, he lettered in football, basketball, and track at the University of Michigan in the 1950s...
's 1957 school record career total of 1119. Burton's career free throw
Free throw
In basketball, free throws or foul shots are unopposed attempts to score points from a restricted area on the court , and are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team...
percentage of 79.28 stood as the school record (since records have been available in 1955) until Cazzie Russell ended his career with an 82.65%.