A smart player, Gene Englund made good use of his brains as well as his brawn. Gene Englund played a major role in helping the Wisconsin Badgers win the 1941 NCAA Championship. As a senior in 1941 he was the first Wisconsin player chosen the Big Ten MVP, as well as named All-Big Ten and first team All American.
In Wisconsin’s Championship season of 1941, sports writers referred to 6 ft 4 inch center Gene Englund, a senior, and 6 ft 3 inch forward John Kotz, a sophomore, as Wisconsin’s 1-2 Punch. Wisconsin finished the 1940-1941 Big Ten season at 11-1, and were 20-3 overall.
In the 1941 NCAA Tournament Games Gene Englund led the Badgers with 18 points in an opening postseason round win over Dartmouth, and scored a total of 42 in that tourney. He led Wisconsin twice in scoring, 1940 and 1941, and set a school record with 304 points in 1941. Gene Englund scored a career high 27 points against Butler in 1941.
Member Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Gene Englund was an all-around player in the pro leagues prior to the start of the NBA. |