THIBODAUX, La. – Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its championship season, the Nicholls State University men's basketball program will honor the 1975-76 team during halftime of the Colonels' matchup against Abilene Christian on Saturday, Jan. 9.
 
The '75-76 Colonels, led by legendary Hall of Fame head coach Don Landry, went 22-4 as they captured the Gulf South Conference championship and the NCAA South Central Regional title. After splitting the first two games of the season, the team reeled off 17 consecutive wins, which was a GSC record. They went on to reach the Elite Eight and finished the season ranked second in the NCAA Division II Poll.
 
"The 1975-76 team was and is still the most successful team in Colonels' history.  They achieved things that had never been done before," Coach Landry said. "We had three superstars in: Shelby Hypolite, Richard Polk, and Larry Wilson and a great captain in John Perry. They were very unselfish and really played as a team. It was also a season in which Stopher Gym attracted capacity crowds for every home game. They were a pleasure for our coaching staff to work with."
 
The Colonels were led in scoring that season by Wilson, a three-time All-American, who averaged 21.8 points as a freshman. The Raceland native went on to become Nicholls' all-time leading scorer with 2,569 points, which still stands today. The team's .846 winning percentage is also a program best.
 
Tipoff for the game against Abilene Christian is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. For tickets, please visit geauxcolonels.com or call 985-448-4790.
 
UPCOMING BASKETBALL PROMOTIONS
Jan. 9 -  Men vs. Abilene Christian: 40th Anniversary 1975-76 Basketball Championship
Jan. 23 - Women/Men Doubleheader vs. Central Arkansas: ESPN3 Broadcast - Ticket Holder/Faculty/Staff Appreciation Game
Jan. 25 - Men vs. Northwestern State: Stuff Stopher - Red Out– Biddy Night/Camper Appreciation Night
Feb. 3 -  Women vs. UIW: Football Signing Day - Selfie River Bell CAA Members Only /Football
Feb. 6 - Women / Men Doubleheader vs. McNeese: Mardi Gras Night – Beads Hand Out 
Feb. 20 - Women / Men Doubleheader vs. SFA: Academic Day
Feb. 24 - Women vs. New Orleans: Stuff Stopher/Pink Game- Biddy Night
March 5 - Women / Men Doubleheader vs. Southeastern La.:  Senior Day