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The Dons in 1956-1957 returned to the Final Four, but without their NCAA players Bill Russell and K.C. Jones from the previous season. They finished 22-7 overall and won a third straight CBA title with 12-2. They opened the season with 5 consecutive wins and extended their winning streak to 60 games, followed by an NCAA record. However, they lost to Illinois 62-33 on Dec. 17, 1956. They lost four of its next five games to end the year with 7-5. Then they won 12 of the last 13 regular season games to earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They defeated Idaho State and Pete Newell’s California Golden Bears in the West Regionals to become the first team in NCAA history to appear in three consecutive Final Fours.
They lost 80-56 against the Wilt Chamberlain-led Kansas Jayhawks in the national semifinals, and ended their winning streak. They defeated Michigan State in the consolation game. Forward Mike Farmer was named the CBA’s player of the Year with 12 PPG and 9.1 RPG. Guard Gene Brown earned First Team All-Conference Honors after leading the team in scoring with a 15.1 PPG. Mike Preaseau and Al Dunbar were also standouts. Charles Russell, Bill’s older brother who had his collegiate career interrupted by the Korean War, was a key reserve.
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