The graceful sharpshooting of Savage left many opponents wishing they had never attempted to guard him.

Eagles post 10-14 season - decade's best

In a conference where all-Americans are perennial products and each school has a team that others eye warily, the North Texas Eagles surprised everybody this season by producing a 10-14 record.

Coach Charles Johnson's quintet, posting the best record in a decade, was a deciding team in the always-tough Missouri Valley Conference. Led by John Savage, All-MVC forward for the second year, the Eagles disrupted opponents' plans by completing a 4-8 conference record. Vastly improved over last season, the Flock upset Wichita 69-67 in a road game after dropping the first three conference contests.

Savage, 6-foot-5 junior, sparked the Eagles with a 19.8 season and a 21.4 conference average. He was joined on the All-MVC team by All-Americans Ron Bonham and Tom Thacker of Cincinnati, Dave Stallworth of Wichita and Mack Herndon of Bradley.

Aiding Savage were two sophomore standouts, Dave Burns and Carl Miller. Burns, an outside shooting specialist, and Miller were awarded honorable mention. Seniors Normal Colglazier and Oscar Miller completed the starting five, with strong bench support from Bubba Bailey, Dave Ebershoff, Mike Long, Zack Hayes, Jack Plunkert and Wayne Hopkins.

The Yucca, 1963
Page 306