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The 1969-70 Purple Eagles made history, becoming the first-ever program to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Purple Eagles, who were coached by Frank Layden and led by tri-captains Calvin Murphy, Mike Brown, and Bob Churchwell, finished with a 22-7 record for the program's first 20-win season in 12 years. Niagara opened its campaign winning 11 straight games, which is a program record, including defeating No. 6 Tennessee in December 1969 en route to winning the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Purple Eagles qualified as an at-large selection in the 25-team field and played in the NCAA East Region in Princeton, New Jersey. Behind All-American Calvin Murphy's 35 points, Niagara advanced to the NCAA East Region semifinals with a 79-69 victory over seventh-ranked Pennsylvania in the first round. The Purple Eagles were defeated by Villanova in the NCAA East Regional Semifinals in Columbia, South Carolina. Niagara finished fourth in the region after falling to North Carolina State in the consolation game.
Niagara, which was ranked as high as 12th in the nation during the season, finished its campaign ranked 17th in both the Associated Press (AP) and the United Press International (UPI) polls.
| 5 |
Peter Aiello |
Sophomore |
Guard |
6-1 |
Olean, NY |
| 10 |
Marshall Wingate |
Sophomore |
Forward |
6-4 |
New York City, NY |
| 11 |
Mike Brown |
Senior |
Guard |
5-10 |
Lockport, NY |
| 12 |
Paul Thornton |
Sophomore |
Guard |
6-2 |
Norwich, CT |
| 15 |
Orlander Harrison |
Sophomore |
Center |
6-5 |
Richmond, VA |
| 22 |
Jim Malfetti |
Senior |
Forward |
6-4 |
New City, NY |
| 23 |
Calvin Murphy |
Senior |
Guard |
5-10 |
Norwalk, CT |
| 24 |
Dennis Kachovec |
Sophomore |
Center |
6-7 |
Piqua, OH |
| 25 |
A. Lynn Gray |
Sophomore |
Forward |
6-5 |
Richville, NY |
| 30 |
Steve Schafer |
Senior |
Forward |
6-5 |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 32 |
Mike Samuel |
Senior |
Guard |
6-3 |
New York City, NY |
| 33 |
Joseph Adomanis |
Senior |
Forward |
6-6 |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 40 |
Michael Whalen |
Sophomore |
Center |
6-7 |
Dayton, OH |
| 35 |
Bill Macready |
Junior |
Forward |
6-5 |
Philadelphia, PA |
| 35 |
Ed Street |
Sophomore |
Forward |
6-4 |
Newark, NJ |
| 42 |
Dick Fitzgerald |
Junior |
Forward |
6-7 |
Whitesboro, NY |
| 44 |
Wayne Jones |
Junior |
Forward |
6-4 |
Hartford, CT |
| 53 |
Bob Churchwell |
Senior |
Forward |
6-6 |
South Bend, IN |
Frank Layden – Head Coach
Richard (Dick) J. Conover – Assistant Coach
Joe DeGregoiro – Assistant Coach
Allan Gray – Varsity Manager
Robert Sprung – Assistant Manager
Mike Gormley – Athletic Trainer
Rev. James C. O'Keefe, C.M. – Moderator
Rev. Joseph P. Wright, C.M. – Assistant Moderator
Dr. Alphonso Bax – Team Physician |
