Southern Arkansas University Athletics

When you talk about the most dominant teams in department history, the Muleriders of the mid-60s hardwood are certainly a part of the conversation. When you discuss the greatest teams in Mulerider Men's Basketball program history, the conversation must start with legendary head coach W.T. Watson's 1965-66 and 1966-67 squads.
 
Over two seasons, Watson's 'Riders combined for 48 victories (.842), which remain the most over any two-year span in program history and were the first 20-win campaigns by the Muleriders. Thirty-two of those wins were against Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference competition as SSC posted a 32-4 AIC record over two years to capture consecutive AIC regular season and invitational tournament championships. In both campaigns, the Muleriders earned berths into the NAIA National Tournament picking up opening round wins in each trip: a 72-67 victory over Guilford (N.C.) in '65-66 and a 75-62 decision against East Montana in '66-67.
 
Undoubtedly, Watson was named AIC Coach of the Year both seasons and also garnered NAIA District 17 Coach of the Year honors as well. Watson had quality assistance on his bench as future SAU Sports Hall of Famer Bobby "Cotton" Staten aided Watson in 1965-66, while future SAU Sports Hall of Famer Calvin Neal assisted in 1966-67.
 
The Muleriders' AIC title win in 1965-66 was the first for the program in 31 years and came behind the efforts of four All-AIC players in Bill Burson (1^st), Donnie Denton (2^nd), Charles Jones (HM) and Bill Askew (HM). Jones (12.6 ppg), Burson (12.5 ppg) and Denton (11.3 ppg) all eclipsed the 300-point scoring mark that campaign. Defensively, the group set the program record for FG% defense at 40.9% and it held the top spot for over 50 years and remains in the top ten today.
 
Getting to the top isn't easy. Staying at the top is even more difficult. However, the 1966-67 Muleriders continued their dominance of the AIC posting a single-season program record for wins with 25 which stands today. Behind a starting five that all received AIC recognition: Denton (1^st), Jones (1^st), Burson (2^nd), Hancock (HM) and Price (HM), the Muleriders repeated as AIC champions and earned the program's third overall and second-consecutive national tournament appearance.  
 
Denton (13.9 ppg), Jones (13.5 ppg), Burson (11.5 ppg) and Price (11.3 ppg) all averaged double figures in scoring and each eclipsed the 300-point scoring mark.
 
As much as scoring was distributed among multiple players, Watson's bunch continually dismantled opponents by utilizing top rebounding and a tough effort on the defensive end of the floor.