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Jim Davis | CU Buffs
The Buffs will honor ten players this season.
The Colorado Buffaloes are set to honor ten of the greatest players in program history. These names and numbers will be unveiled throughout the rest of the season, with the first set being honored at tonight’s game against Arizona State (7PM MT).
Now, there is some controversy over the specific names and numbers. There were some players such as Cory Higgins and Richard Roby who had prolific college careers, but were left off in favor of those with more impressive NBA careers.
That said, there should be no such issue with tonight’s honorees: Burdette “Burdie” Haldorson (1951-55), Jim Davis (1961-64) and Cliff Meely (1968-71).
Haldorson was Colorado’s first basketball star. He was named first-team All-American his senior year, when he averaging a ridiculous 21 points and 14 rebounds. The Buffs ripped through the Big 8 that year, going 11-1 in conference to compile a program-record 19 wins. Burdie led them to the national semifinals, fell to Bill Russell and the inevitable San Francisco Dons, then blew out Iowa in the third place game. Haldorson was inducted into the CU Hall of Fame in 1999 and had his number #22 retired, one of three players with that distinction.
Another prolific rebounder, the 6’8 Jim Davis was a presence inside during his three years on the varsity Buffs. Nicknamed “Spider” by his teammates, Davis averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds — 16 and 13 in his last two years — and helped the Buffs to two Big 8 titles and consectuive Sweet Sixteen appearances (only to be undone both times by Oscar Robertson’s Cincinnati). Davis would go on to play eight years in the NBA, the best of which was on the 1969-70 Atlanta Hawks, when he filled in for an injured Walt Bellamy, averaged a near double-double and helped them to a 1st seed in the West.
Only a few years after Davis, the Buffs had another star to lead the frontcourt. That be Cliff Meely, the Chicagoan who Walseth recruited out of Northeastern CC in nearby Sterling. The 6’8, 220-lbs. Meely was bigger, stronger and quicker than just about anyone in the country. CU ran everything through him and for good reason, as the three-year letterman averaged more than 24 points and 12 rebounds in his career. Although they’re best known for their iconic uniforms, Meely’s Buffs won a Big 8 title and reached the NCAA Tournament. Meely would go on to the 7th pick in the 1971 NBA Draft, played six years in the NBA and then bounced around Europe before returning to live in Boulder.
Sadly, none of these men are alive today. They will be represented by their family members and/or former teammates when their names are etched on the walls of the CU Events Center.
by Sam Metivier
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