Larry Finch

Position:
G
Ht./Wt.:
6-2 / 180
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Memphis, Tenn.

One of the greatest players in the history of the program, Finch signed with the Tigers in the late 1960s, an event that re-established then-Memphis State as a national power. Finch averaged 18.8 points in his three seasons – including 24 as a senior – and helped the Tigers to their first NCAA tournament finals appearance in 1973 against UCLA.

A graduate of Melrose High School, Finch played for the Tiger freshman team in 1969-70 and made his first varsity appearance in the fall of 1970. He played in all 26 games for the Tigers and scored 479 points. Behind his 18.4 points-per-game scoring average, he led the team to a 18-8 record.

As a junior, Finch increased his scoring average to 23.9 points per game, which was a school record for a single season.

The sharp-shooting guard poured in 723 points as a senior for a record scoring average record of 24.0 points per game. He helped the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament in 1973 and a directed a deep tournament run that included a win over Providence in the national semifinals.

Finch finished his career with a then-school record of 1,869 points.

He was drafted by the both the NBA and the ABA and opted to remain in Memphis and play professional basketball for the Memphis Tams and Pros of the ABA.

Finch entered the coaching profession with his former Memphis coach Gene Bartow at UAB and returned to Memphis as an assistant under Dana Kirk in 1978. Finch took over as head coach for Memphis in 1986 and remained as the head coach until 1997 compiling an overall record of 220-130.