In 1953-’54, the Colonials went 23-3, notching the best winning percentage in school history. For the only time in NCAA history, teammates Joe Holup and Eliot Karver were first and second in the nation in field goal percentage. The team climbed to No. 7 in the Associated Press poll and finished at No. 12. GW won the Southern Conference Tournament and advanced to the school’s first NCAA appearance, a loss to N.C. State University.

The next year, GW went 24-6, a school record for wins. The team climbed to No. 5 in the AP Poll but finished at No. 14.