March 14, 1953 – During the National Invitation Tournament (N.I.T.) at Madison Square Garden, Walter Dukes scored 21 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead Seton Hall over St. John's, 58 to 46. Dukes, a huge star in the years before Bill Russell, set the collegiate single-season record for rebounds (734), which still stands today. To put this in perspective, Marvin Barnes of Providence is in second place with 597. This is a record that may never be broken.
Walter Dukes Seton Hall Highlights:
- Walter Dukes led Seton Hall to a 31-2 record and the NIT championship in 1953. The Pirates defeated St. John's 58-46 in the NIT final.
- Seton Hall was 56-5 in Dukes' two varsity seasons.
- Dukes' freshman team at Seton Hall went 39-1 in 1950-51. (Freshmen were ineligible for varsity teams.)
- He set the NCAA's single-season rebounding record with 734 in 1952-53.
- Dukes averaged 23.5 points during his two varsity seasons at Seton Hall.
