1950 Dixie Classic Explained

Type:Dixie
Gender:Men's
Year:1950
Season:1951
Teams:8
Finalfourarena:Reynolds Coliseum
Finalfourcity:Raleigh, North Carolina
Champions:NC State
Titlecount:2nd
Runnerup:Colgate
Gamecount:1st
Coach:Everett Case
Coachcount:2nd
Mop:Sam Ranzino
Mopteam:NC State
Attendance:54,200
Topscorer:Dick Groat
Topscorerteam:Duke
Points:71

The 1950 Dixie Classic was a mid-season college basketball tournament held December 28–30, 1950 at NC State's Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was the second iteration of the Dixie Classic and it was part of the 1950–51 NCAA men's basketball season.

Coming into the tournament, reigning champion NC State was the clear favorite, but undefeated Navy and 7–1 Duke were noted as possible dark horses.[1] [2] [3] NC State defended their title, beating Colgate Raiders 85–76 in the final.[4] In the consolation bracket final, Duke recovered from a 29-point deficit at halftime to beat Tulane 74–72.[5]

NC State captain Sam Ranzino was voted most outstanding player of the tournament. Dick Groat of Duke led the tournament in scoring with 71 points, 32 of them coming in the final game. Across the three days of six double-headers, the total attendance was 54,200.[6]

Teams

Each year, the Dixie Classic included the "Big Four" teams (Duke, NC State, North Carolina, and Wake Forest), as well as four other invited teams. The 1950 teams were:[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Tourney Teams Slate Practice Drills . The News and Observer . 27 December 1950 . 8 . en.
  2. News: Navy Will Bring Perfect Mark Into Dixie Classic This Week . Durham Morning Herald . 26 December 1950 . 15 . en.
  3. News: Moore . Robert . West Virginia Lone Unbeaten Quint In Conference . Durham Morning Herald . Associated Press . 26 December 1950 . 15 . en.
  4. News: N.C. State Checks Colgate by 85–76 . The New York Times . Associated Press . 31 December 1950 . sec. 5 p. 1–2 . en . subscription . .
  5. News: Here Are Notes From Tournament . The News and Observer . 31 December 1950 . sec. II p. 3 . en.
  6. News: Allen . Eddie . Horvath Hits 25 Against Colgate . The Charlotte Observer . 31 December 1950 . 20 . en.
  7. News: Pairings, Brackets, Second Annual Dixie Basketball Classic . The News and Observer . 24 December 1950 . 9 . en.