 | - 1926 - | |
First Round: (Friday, February 26, 1926)
Game 1: North Carolina State 32, Auburn 26
Game 2: Kentucky 32, Virginia Military 25
Game 3: Mississippi A.&M. 22, Maryland 19
Game 4: Virginia 29, Tulane 25
Game 5: North Carolina 52, Clemson 21
Game 6: Mississippi 50, Sewanee 16
Game 7: Georgia 48, Tennessee 25
Game 8: Georgia Tech 30, Alabama 27
Quarterfinals: (Saturday, February 27, 1926)
Game 9: Mississippi A.&M. 32, North Carolina State 29
Game 10: North Carolina 25, Virginia 23
Game 11: Mississippi 36, Georgia Tech 24
Game 12: Kentucky 39, Georgia 34
Semifinals: (Monday, March 1, 1926)
Finals: (Tuesday, March 2, 1926)
Game 15: North Carolina 37, Mississippi A.&M. 23
 |
With twenty-two teams in the conference, six teams would not be invited to the event. The teams were expected to play a minimum number of eight league games during the regular season to be eligible for the tournament. Drawings originally were to be held February 20 by the tournament committee of A.A. Doonan (Atlanta Athletic Club), H.J. Stegeman (Georgia), Wilbur Hutsell (Auburn) and W.A. Alexander (Georgia Tech), however given that not all teams had paid their $100 entrance fee, the drawing was pushed off a few days.
After a boxing match in the Auditorium, workers got busy building the basketball court for competition which began Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. The court itself was constructed for $2,000 (less than previous years) with the floor 75 feet wide by 100 feet in length to accomodate the 50 foot by 82 foot court.
The lead official was Stanley Sutton of Virginia. He was joined by Paul Menton (a sportswriter with the Baltimore Sun) and Ed Thorp. Originally Ed's brother Tom Thorp, who had officiated the tournament previously, was scheduled to referee the tournament but he was involved in an automobile accident and could not fulfill the commitment.
Teams were housed in the Ansley Hotel on Williams Street. Practice courts were made available to the teams at Georgia Tech and the Atlanta Athletic Club. All team arrived in the city by Thursday night, with only V.M.I. scheduled to arrive Friday morning ahead of their scheduled 2:00 afternoon game.
Given their success in the tournament in the past along with a 7-0 undefeated regular season record, the Tar Heels of North Carolina were a favorite. They were led by All-American Jack Cobb.
 |
Another favorite for the crown were the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats were composed of a nucleus of players who played together at Lexington High School, where in 1922 they not only won the Kentucky State championship but went on to win the National Tournament in Chicago. Burgess Carey was their All-American back-guard (he generally stayed back to defend the opponent's goal so he rarely scored.) Gayle Mohney of Winchester KY was the leading scorer for the team.
The Wildcats entered the tournament with a 13-2 record, which included a perfect 8-0 record against Southern Conference foes. This would be their final season playing together.
Other contenders were Mississippi (8-1 in the regular season) and Maryland (7-1 in the regular season).
Friday, February 26, 1926 - First Round
 |
Game 1: North Carolina State 32, Auburn 26
|
|
"Jack McDowell, of N.C. State, is playing his first year as a regular on a quintet. He is a great grid star. His dribbling was the sensation of N.C. State's narrow victory over Auburn." - ("Tournament Notes" by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
 |
Game 2: Kentucky 32, Virginia Military 25
|
|
"TO TELL THE TRUTH, no team in the tournament showed any more speed in traversing indoor territory than Tech Friday, unless it was Kentucky. We are speaking now of just sheer speed. The Wildcats have three of the fastest traveling basket ball players we ever saw on one team." - ("Sportanic Eruptions: Birds-Eye View of Tourney" by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
Game 3: Mississippi A.&M. 22, Maryland 19
|
|
"Maryland was one of the big favorites of the tourney, but the fast pace set by the Aggies in the second half was more than the boys from the northern extremity of the Conference could stand. No team has ever battled with a greater spirit than those Mississippi lads, in the second half. They seemed to be inspired, especially a red-headed, skinny, pug-nosed guy named Ricks. The Aggies looked mighty good Friday, and it will take a real great team to put them out." - ("Sportanic Eruptions: Birds-Eye View of Tourney" by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
 |
Game 4: Virginia 29, Tulane 25
|
|
 |
|
|
"The Tar Heels made a vaudeville entertainment of their contest with Clemson college, winning 52 to 21, and probably could have won by a greater score. The amazing speed with which the champions from last year's tournament got under the basket and dropped the ball through the hoops was far too much for Clemson, which scored only five points in the second half. The work of Cobb, Newcombe and Dodderer was particularly effective, and the Carolina guards absolutely smothered attempts of the Clemson forwards to get anywhere." - ("Tech, Georgia Basket Teams Reach Second Round" by H.C. Hamilton, Atlanta Constitution, February 27, 1926.)
"Devin, the Tarheels' wheelhorse on defense, was not among those present, remaining in the seclusion of his hotel room while his teammates cake-walked over the prostrate forms of the Clemsons. He may not get into the tournament, which would severely hamper the Carolinians, although they played to perfection without him Friday. The hard games are ahead, and he may be needed." - ("Maryland's Defeat by Aggies Only Big Upset of Opening Play" by Guy Butler, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
Game 6: Mississippi 50, Sewanee 16
|
|
"OLE MISS CAME under the wire second, and was well oiled machinery against Sewanee. But an injury to E.J. Traxler, a regular, may play havoc with its championship hopes." - ("Maryland's Defeat by Aggies Only Big Upset of Opening Play" by Guy Butler, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
 |
Left to Right: Cutrer, Burke, Bryson, Winters, Terry, E. Johnson, Lee, R. Johnson, Traxler and Brinson |
Game 7: Georgia 48, Tennessee 25
|
|
 |
Sitting (l to r): Hoyt Turner, Harrell Huguley, George Keen, unknown Standing: Walter Forbes, John "Hoss" Harris, Head Coach Herman Stegeman, Nolen Richardson, George "Babe" Florence |
Game 8: Georgia Tech 30, Alabama 27
|
|
"Of the day's game that which took place in the final hour of the program, between Georgia Tech and Alabama, was the most spectacular. Tech, counted out of the tournament by all kinds of guessers, made the going very rough for Alabama by completely changing its style of offense. Nick George, whose presence in the Yellow Jacket lineup as a guard and a guard only, has been embarrassing the teams in the conference during pre-tournament contests, Friday night was turned into a running guard whose business it was to fire at will from any section of the court. He scored four points from the center of the floor, and the four represent the difference between victory and defeat for the Jackets." - ("Tech, Georgia Basket Teams Reach Second Round" by H.C. Hamilton, Atlanta Constitution, February 27, 1926.)
Saturday, February 27, 1926 - Quarterfinals
 |
Mohney (Kentucky); Huguley (Georgia); Bryant (Miss. Aggies); Wilde (Ga. Tech); Forbes (Georgia); George (Ga. Tech); Jenkins (Kentucky); Dickens (N.C. State) |
 |
|
|
"History was written Saturday in the staid old Auditorium in the greatest game five big tourneys have produced.
Every one thought the ultimate in basketball thrills was reached several years ago when Kentucky won a championship by shooting a foul goal after the final whistle to beat Georgia.
That was the ultimate until Saturday, the ultimate until Mississippi Aggies used up two full extra periods in defeating North Carolina State, 32 to 29. Ten extra full-sized minutes were clicked off - but that was not the thrill.
Brown Ties Game
As Dick Tichenor raised his gun to end the game, the Aggies were two points out front. As the pistol thundered Brown shot the field goal which tied the game. The score was 26-26.
They played slightly more than four and a half minutes of the first period.
The Aggies were leading by one point. A foul was called and as Spence shot the typing point the pistol again was fired.
Enter "Naturals"
Now the score was 29-29. Enter the "naturals"
Number Seven of the Aggies, Mr. Jones, shot a field goal.
Number Eleven of the Aggies, Mr. Hartness, shot a foul goal.
The second extra period was over and the Aggies had won. It required two extra period and two naturals to turn the trick. There is much, however, in superstition." - ("Virginia, Tech, Georgia and N.C. State Eliminated" by Charles Shonesy, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1926.)
 |
Game 10: North Carolina 25, Virginia 23
 |
|
|
"VIRGINIA'S SECOND HALF comeback against North Carolina will stand out as one of the big thrills of the tournament. The Cavaliers appeared hopelessly outclassed in the first half, scoring but six points. But in the final period they staged a brilliant rally and had the Tarheels on the ropes and stalling frantically for time as the gun sounded. But two points separated the two teams at the finish." - ("Kentucky Licks Bulldogs, Ole Miss Ousts Jackets" by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
Game 11: Mississippi 36, Georgia Tech 24
|
|
"The Johnson boys, of Mississippi, wrecked Tech, as the saying goes. E. Johnson was particularly a thorn in the Jackets' side. He shot 10 points, but his following, passing and floorwork was even prettier and perhaps of equal value to his team.
"Tech suffered from fouling a lot, both technical and personal. Wycoff, playing his last basketball game for Tech, collected 11 points to lead his team. George, with three long ones to his cred, was next." - ("Virginia, Tech, Georgia and N.C. State Eliminated" by Charles Shonesy, Atlanta Georgian, March 1, 1926.)
"Georgia Tech did as well as was expected against the University of Mississippi. The Jackets made a much better showing in the tournament than their season's record led the folks to expect. The Mississippians had all the advantage of the home boys in height and they took full advantage of it. Ole Miss is a good team but its real test in the tourney won't come until Monday when they tackle the Tarheels. Then we'll see just how good they are." - ("Kentucky Licks Bulldogs, Ole Miss Ousts Jackets" by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
Game 12: Kentucky 39, Georgia 34
|
|
"Alberts and Mohney, of Kentucky, pulled the two prettiest plays of the tourney. Mohney shot one going at full speed down the sidelines, while Alberts shot one from over his head backwards in the closing minutes of the Georgia-Kentucky game." - ("Tournament Notes" by Walter Schwam, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
"THE NICKNAME of the University of Kentucky is "Wildcats." In the second half of the game with Georgia Saturday night the large crowd of people gathered int he city auditorium realized that the visitors were rightly named. They were wildcats with an inbreeding of tigers, and rattlesnakes. It must have been rattlesnakes because they were certainly poisonous.
". . .
"THE COMEBACK OF KENTUCKY was one of the bravest rallies we have ever seen. We had been informed that the Wildcats were known as a second half team. We had seen them prove this against V.M.I. But we never dreamed they could spot a splendid team like Georgia such a margin and then overcome it, yet that is just what they did, and they deserve all the credit that such a splendid performance entitles them to. It was not so much that Georgia wilted, although of course the Bulldogs slumped considerably from their first half form. But it was Kentucky's fine playing that was mainly responsible." - ("Kentucky Licks Bulldogs, Ole Miss Ousts Jackets" by Morgan Blake, Atlanta Journal, February 27, 1926.)
 |
Monday, March 1, 1926 - Semifinals
 |
Game 13: Mississippi A.&M. 31, Kentucky 26
|
|
"The Untamed Felines of old Kentucky staged another gallant rally Monday night, but it was too late; the speed of the Mississippi Aggies proved too much for them and the Wildcats faded out of the Southern Conference picture, along with 14 other association members.
. . .
"We were sorry to see Kentucky - Danforth's Alma Mater - go out. We wanted him to be in a good humor when he returns from his vacation Friday." - ("Wildcats and 'Ole Miss' Are Beaten in Semi-Finals Monday Night," by Julian Griffin, Atlanta Georgian, March 2, 1926.)
Game 14: North Carolina 38, Mississippi 23
|
|
"The other team to survive the semi-final contests was North Carolina, of course. "Ole Miss" was unable to furnish interesting oppostion for [the] Tarheels, who won, 38 to 23, from force of habit as much as for any other reason." - ("Wildcats and 'Ole Miss' Are Beaten in Semi-Finals Monday Night," by Julian Griffin, Atlanta Georgian, March 2, 1926.)
 |
Tuesday, March 2, 1926 - Finals
Game 15: North Carolina 37, Mississippi A.&M. 23
|
|
 |
"These 'STarheels" have done it again.
"Today, for the fourth time in the last five years, the Tarheels of North Carolina made their departure for Chapel Hill, where they will be met with open arms, a brass band and the college president, who again will receive the emblem of the basketball championship of the Southern Conference.
"The last lap of the fourth championship journey was completed Tuesday night at the Auditorium when Jack Cobb, thrice All-Southern forward, shot 19 points to lead his team to a 38-to-23 victory over the tenacious Mississippi Aggies in the final round of the tourney.
. . .
"An entirely new regime is in vogue at the North State institution, but an inherent ability to win games is still there. In fact, the very spirit of that famous team of 1922 that boasted the incomparable Carmichael brothers must have ridden with Cobb and Newcomb Tuesday night. The smooth, nonchalant manner in which they outclassed everybody on the court was strikingly similar to that of the former team, which instilled the championship element as a tradition at Chapel Hill." - ("With Score 15-All at Half, N. Carolina Speeds to Title," by Julian Griffin, Atlanta Georgian, March 4, 1926.)
1926 All-Tournament Team
First Team
Jack Cobb - North Carolina
Bunn Hackney - North Carolina
Earl Johnson - Mississippi
Artie Newcombe - North Carolina
H.L. Stone - Mississippi A.&M.
Second Team
William Dodderer - North Carolina
George Florence - Georgia
Nick George - Georgia Tech
Paul Jenkins - Kentucky
Nolen Richardson - Georgia
 |
This was North Carolina's third straight tournament championship, and fourth in five years.
 |
 |  |  |
| 1925 | Main | 1927 |
Please send all additions/corrections to