Texas Western Basketball: A History of Success

Texas Western Basketball has a long and storied history of success. From their early days as a small college team to their NCAA championship win in 1966, the Texas Western Miners have always been a force to be reckoned with. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the team’s history and some of the Key Players and coaches who have helped make them one of the most successful programs in college basketball

Texas Western’s first championship

In 1966, Texas Western became the first team with an all-black starting lineup to win a NCAA Division I Basketball Championship Led by legendary Head Coach Don Haskins, the Miners defeated Kentucky 72-65 in the title game, finishing the season with a record of 28-1. The game was played on March 19th, just two days afterKentucky’s star player Jerry Carroll, had been killed in a car accident

The team that changed college basketball

In the 1966 NCAA Championship game Texas Western made history by starting an all-black lineup against an all-white Kentucky team. The Miners went on to win 72-65, becoming the first team with an all-black starting lineup to claim a national title in men’s college basketball

This game is often cited as a watershed moment in the history of College Basketball as it helped break down racial barriers in the sport. Prior to this game, it was very rare to see black players on major College Basketball teams. After Texas Western’s victory, however, more and more schools began recruiting black players and today the sport is far more integrated than it was in the past.

Texas Western’s success was not limited to that one game, however. The team went on to have one of the most successful seasons in college basketball history, finishing the year with a record of 28-1. To this day, the 1966 Texas Western team is considered one of the greatest college basketball teams of all time.

The game that changed the sport

On January 20, 1966, Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) played an away game against the University of Kentucky This was a big game for both teams — Kentucky was the defending National Champions and Texas Western was undefeated. But what made this game truly special was that it would be the first time that an all-white team would face an all-black team in a NCAA Division I championship.

Texas Western won the game 72-65, making them the first team with an all-black Starting Lineup to win a NCAA Division I title. This victory not only proved that black players could compete at the highest level of college basketball but it also showed that racial barriers could be broken in America. The win also had a lasting impact on the sport of basketball — after this game, more and more colleges began recruiting black players

Today, the University of Texas at El Paso is still considered one of the premier programs in college basketball They have made it to the NCAA tournament 17 times and have produced some of the best players in the history of the sport, including NBA legends such as Tim Hardaway and Nate Archibald.

The legacy of Texas Western

In 1966, Texas Western made history by being the first team to ever start an all-black lineup in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game This game was significant because it was against the Kentucky Wildcats who were coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp and were considered to be one of the best teams in the country. Texas Western went on to win 72-65, and this victory is often cited as a key moment in the civil rights movement.

In the years since, Texas Western (now known as UTEP) has continued to field successful basketball teams In 1992, they reached the Final Four and in 2010, they won the Conference USA tournament. Today, UTEP is home to some of the best college basketball players in the country and continues to be a force to be reckoned with on the court.

The impact of Texas Western’s success

In 1966, Texas Western made history by becoming the first team with an all-black starting lineup to win the NCAA men’s Basketball Championship This victory proved to be a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, and changed the face of college basketball forever.

While the impact of Texas Western’s success on the civil rights movement cannot be understated, it is also important to remember that this team was an exceptionally talented and hard-working group of young men. Their story is one of dedication, talent, and passion for the game of basketball

In the years since their historic victory, Texas Western has continued to field successful basketball teams. They have won numerous conference championships and made several appearances in the NCAA Tournament The impact of Texas Western’s success extends far beyond their 1966 championship season; they continue to be a source of inspiration for athletes and fans alike.

The influence of Texas Western’s style of play

In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins started five African American players in the NCAA Championship game against Kentucky, a team that started five white players This was a watershed moment in college basketball history. Up until that point, it was generally accepted that white players were superior to black players and that black players were not suited for the intellectual rigors of playing big-time College Basketball

Texas Western’s starting five changed all that. They used a fast-paced style of play that was predicated on speed and quickness, and they ran their opponents off the court. They won the NCAA championship that year, and their style of play has been copied by many successful teams since then.

The importance of Texas Western’s victory

The 1966 NCAA men’s Division I Basketball Tournament is remembered for two things: it was the first time that an all-black starting lineup played in the NCAA championship game and Texas Western (now UTEP) won the title. The game was played on March 19, 1966, between Texas Western (25-1) and Kentucky (27-2), at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. Texas Western’s 72-65 victory over Kentucky is considered one of the most important games in the history of College Basketball It proved that an all-black starting lineup could win the NCAA championship, and it helped to break down racial barriers in college basketball

The long-term effects of Texas Western’s success

In 1966, Texas Western became the first team in NCAA history to win a National Championship with an all-black starting lineup. This victory signified a shift in the way college basketball was played and recruited. Prior to Texas Western’s success, college basketball was a predominantly white sport. After their victory, more and more black athletes began to be recruited by colleges across the country.

Texas Western’s success had a lasting impact on the game of basketball Their victory proved that black athletes could compete at the highest level and succeed. This opened up opportunities for black athletes that had previously been unthinkable. Today, college basketball is a racially diverse sport with players of all backgrounds competing at the highest level.

The place of Texas Western in college basketball history

Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso) made history in 1966 when it became the first team with an all-black starting lineup to win the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament The game was played against the Kentucky Wildcats who were heavily favored to win and had an all-white starting lineup. The victory by Texas Western was a watershed moment in the civil rights movement, and the film Glory Road (2006) recounted the events of that season.

Texas Western had a long history of success in college basketball before its historic win in 1966. The team was founded in 1915 and began competing in intercollegiate basketball in 1917. They joined the Border Conference in 1931 and won their first conference championship in 1934. The teamwon 15 more conference championships over the next 31 years, including 11 consecutive titles from 1954 to 1964. In all, Texas Western won 14 regular season championships and 15 conference tournament championships prior to 1966.

The 1966 NCAA tournament was not the first time that Texas Western had made history. In 1961, they became the first team to ever win an NCAA tournament game as a #10 seed when they defeated #7 seed Temple in the Opening Round They would go on to lose to Ohio State in the second round, but their place in history was secure.

The Texas Western team of 1965-66 was one of the best teams in school history, but they were not expected to win the NCAA tournament They entered the tournament as a #3 seed and were not even ranked in the Top 20 of either major poll at any point during the season. But they proved their doubters wrong by winning four games en route to becoming national champions.

The significance of Texas Western’s success

In 1966, the Texas Western Miners made history by becoming the first team with an all-black starting lineup to win the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament The victory was significant not only for the racial progress it represented, but also for the basketball legacy it cemented.

Texas Western’s success marked a turning point in the history of college basketball Prior to their victory, it was widely believed that Black players were not intelligent enough to compete at the highest levels of the sport. Texas Western’s success proved that this belief was wrong, and opened up opportunities for black players across the country.

In the years since their historic victory, Texas Western has continued to be a powerhouse in College Basketball They have made 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 5 Final Fours and 2 National Championship games. They have produced dozens of NBA players including such stars as Tim Hardaway and Carmelo Anthony

Texas Western’s success on the court has had a lasting impact on the sport of basketball. Their 1966 victory proved that black players could compete at the highest levels of the sport, and paved the way for racial progress in College Basketball Today, Texas Western remains one of the most successful programs in all of college basketball