Celebrating The 75th Anniversary Of Wyoming’s Last National Champion
This month marks the 75th anniversary of the greatest moment in Wyoming sports history. March 30th, 1943, the University of Wyoming defeated Georgetown to claim the NCAA Championship.
The Pokes were led by College Basketball Player of the Year Kenny Sailors, who was famously credited with inventing the jump shot. Sailors scored 16 points in the title game and was named the Most Outstanding Player.
In those days, there was more than one national champion in college basketball. After St. John's claimed the NIT Tournament title, Wyoming coach Everett Shelton challenged the Red Storm to play a benefit game to crown an outright champion and raise money for the Red Cross war effort.
On April 1, 1943, the two title teams squared off at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The back-and-forth battle went into overtime before Wyoming eventually prevailed 52-47.