Washington State University Athletics

After back-to-back 23-10 seasons, legendary head coach Jack Friel topped himself in 1940-41 with a 26-6 mark as the Cougars became NCAA runner-up. The starting lineup featured four seniors, including center Paul Lindemann, converted forwards Dale Gentry and Vern Butts and guard Ray Sundquist, along with sophomore Kirk Gebert. Friel, who consistently used 11 players in his rotation, also incorporated Marv Gilberg as his 'sixth man.' The Cougars dropped their first two Northern Division games to Oregon State on the road before reeling off 13-straight wins, a conference record, to claim their first title since 1937. WSC then beat Southern Division champion Stanford twice in Pullman for the Pacific Coast title and the right to advance to the Western United States Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. WSC dumped Creighton, 48-39, in the opening round, before upsetting previously unbeaten and tournament-favorite Arkansas, 64-53 in a semifinal. The win earned the Cougars the title as the best team in the West and propelled WSC into the NCAA Championship game against the East Champion Wisconsin. WSC fell to the Badgers, 39-34, earning runner-up status.