ITH Super Happy Fun Time Top 10 List: Kent Benson

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By Alex | August 11, 2008

The ballots have been counted and it’s time for Inside the Hall’s countdown of the greatest Indiana players of all-time. Today: No. 7: Kent Benson.

Years at Indiana: 1973-1977

The numbers: 1,740 points (15.3 average); 1,031 rebounds (9.1 average); 1,346 field goals; 53.6 field goal percentage

Career highs: 38 points (February 9, 1976 vs. Michigan State); 23 rebounds (March 22, 1975 vs. Kentucky)

Notable achievements: 42 career double-doubles; All-American (1975, 1976, 1977); First team All-Big Ten (1975, 1976, 1977); Big Ten MVP (1977); Indiana team MVP (1977); Academic All-American (1976, 1977); Indiana Hall of Fame (1989); Big Ten champion (1974, 1975, 1976); NCAA Tournament Most outstanding player (1976); National champion (1976)

The case for Benson: The New Castle native was a centerpiece of the last undefeated team in college basketball alongside Scott May and Quinn Buckner in 1976. The three-time All-American’s 25 points led Indiana to a 86-68 route over Michigan in the national championship game in Philadelphia.

Tags: Kent Benson

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JerryCT 3 months ago 1 point
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I cannot remember having an effective post player since Benson. Maybe I just have a failing memory.

For those that did not actually see McGinnes his greatest play of his college career was not a scoring one. .......................................At 6'8" and 250lbs he took a charge in open court against the smallest player in the B10, Gary Ganakas ( 5'5" ) of MSU. Funniest IU play of all time as George pretended that 5'5" could knock him 15 feet backward. Maybe ITH can get the video............I'd love to see it again

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kate545 3 months ago 1 point
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One problem I have with Kent Benson is the rumor that he hazed Larry Bird off the team. Is this widely accepted as true?

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DJW 3 months ago 1 point
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If the rumor is true (Benson Hazing) then that alone should disqulify Benson from consideration for any accolades at IU. What a disservice that would have been.

I'm not sure I believe the rumor. I read "Drive" and dont remember the incident in the book. A shame if it is true, though.

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CutterInChicago 3 months ago 1 point
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I think a case can be made for Ray Tolbert and Dean Garrett in terms of effective post players at IU. Not in the same league as Kent (IMO) but still effective.

Other effective post players (not from center position) would be a much longer list (i.e. Daryl Thomas, DJ White, Kirk Haston (though possibly a "Center")

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DJW 3 months ago 1 point
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Wow! I have to say Benson's stat's are impressive... More impressive then I remember.

Maybe because he was surrounded by such an amazing group, much of his value was overshadowed by the likes of Buckner, Green, May and the others players that were part of that amazing 2 yr run and Nat. Championship.

Should have been 2 Nat. Championships actually. Was it 76-1?

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plane1972 3 months ago 1 point
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Yes, it is widely accepted as true, at least in the eyes of Larry Bird. He talks about it in his biography entitled 'Drive'. I also remember Quinn Buckner saying it is his biggest regret (presumably, sports-related regret) not having been in Bloomington that summer to welcome Bird to the team. He was playing either in the Olympics or the Pan Am Games and Bird had come and gone before he made it back to campus.

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Millport 3 months ago 1 point
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The game I'll always remeber is the Alabama game in the NCAA's. I believe the Alabama center's name was Douglas. Benson totally dominated him and the game.
As for the Bird situtation. It was always my understanding that Bird left over Thanksgiving break. If that's the case Buckner would have been back on campus.
Benson tried to intimidate Jabbar, that lead to a broken jaw or orbit. Benson was never the same.

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JHoosiers77 3 months ago 1 point
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Benson played most of his junior year with his wrist in a soft cast/sleeve. He had surgery when the season ended which makes his accomplishments even greater - he had nobody around him in 76/77 except underclassmen. Bird was at IU for about a month in 1974 - Buckner was on the USA Mens World Championship team that summer in Puerto Rico - he and May played on the Olympic team in 1976. Or at least that's my memory of those years.

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Hoosiergirl 3 months ago 1 point
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Hey, just got back late last nite from TN. Question: We were directly east of Bloomington on 55 and there was this motel by the road called "Knight's Inn." That got me totally pumped(: Anyway, anybody know anything about this place?

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Sallad 3 months ago 1 point
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It's a chain.

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Hoosiergirl 3 months ago 1 point
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Shoot, oh well, name is cool! heh heh

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MikeinNC 3 months ago 1 point
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My source tells me he was a legendary horses butt as a player...especially regarding Larry Bird...but I suppose only he and Larry know for sure

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