The Days Hoosier Nation Saw Double

Written By:  Bill Murphy   8/3/2018

Generations of Indiana fans have long coveted Indiana high school basketball greats such as Romeo Langford, Cody Zeller, Damon Bailey, Steve Alford, and Kent Benson. For fans in the early 1960s, it was two blond twins from Indianapolis that won the hearts of Hoosier faithful, Tom and Dick Van Arsdale. Hoosier fans hearts jumped with joy when they announced they were traveling south to Bloomington to play their college basketball. 

They were born on Washington's birthday February 22,1943 (the same day although not the same year as another Indiana great Archie Dees). Tom was born first, so he laid claim to be the oldest. Both boys weighed less than 5 pounds and spent their first six weeks of their lives in the hospital. They were as identical as identical twins could be and although their family lived in Greenwood, Indiana they would attend Indianapolis Manual High School where their dad was both a teacher and coach.

Those small underweight babies would grow into 6-5 220 lbs. Young men who would dominate the Indiana hardwoods.  In their senior year, they took Indianapolis Manual to the Indiana State basketball championship game against Kokomo.

The road to the state finals would be a tough one. To win the Southport Sectional they had to defeat in order New Palestine, Greenfield, Franklin Central, and Vernon Township. In the regional after dispatching Plainfield they faced Crispus Attucks the #3 team in the state. Manual prevailed 55 to 44 with the Vans outscoring Attucks by one 45 to 44. In the semi-state, Manual beat both Connersville and powerhouse Muncie Central to advance to the state finals.

In the afternoon secession Manual defeated Tell City 70 to 55. That night in the championship game against Kokomo, Tom led all players with 18 rebounds although he fouled out with 3 minutes to go in regulation. Dick led all scorers with 24 points, but Manual lost to #1 Kokomo 68 to 66 in overtime. After the game, the two twins were honored as the Treater award winners, never in the history of the award had it been shared, but who in their right mind could separate the two. They would also become the first ever to share the title of Mr Basketball for the state of Indiana. As Mr Basketballs, the twins led the Indiana All-Stars against the Kentucky All-Stars with both scoring 26 points in the first game and 14 in the second as Indiana split the series with Kentucky. 

Their college fate had long been decided since the twins were very young going up and watching the Hoosier win a national title in 1953, trips in the fall to watch IU play football, and having an uncle who was friend of Branch McCracken.

Coach McCracken said, "They are one of my greatest recruiting jobs ever." "They're two of the finest we've ever had."

Indiana fans had to wait a year since freshman were not eligible to play at the time. Their first game for the Hoosiers came on December 1, 1962 against Virginia.  Indiana would win 90 to 59 behind All-American seniors Jimmy Rayl and Tom Bolyard while Dick scored 11 and Tom 9. Their sophomore year saw Indiana finish 3rd in the Big Ten while knocking off the top two teams Illinois and Ohio State in Bloomington.  

Their junior year was disappointing from a team perspective, but the Vans continued to shine. In the second game of the season, Indiana traveled to Fort Wayne to take on the Irish of Notre Dame. Indiana trailed by seven at the half 47 to 40. However, the Hoosiers behind Dick Van Arsdale's 24 second half points and Tom's 20 scored 68 second half points to win 108 to 102. For the game Dick scored a career high 42 on 15 field goals and 12 free throws. Tom also registered a career high of 34 points on 15 field goals and 4 free throws.

On February 17th for only the fourth time in Hoosier history Indiana played in a double overtime game against Wisconsin.  With time running out Dick Van Arsdale tipped in a missed Steve Redenbaugh shot to give Indiana the two-point double overtime victory. Both Tom and Dick ended the game with 21 points apiece.  On the season, Dick averaged 22.3 ppg while Tom contributed 21.3 ppg.
 

rsdale's 24 second half points and Tom's 20 scored 68 second half points to win 108 to 102. For the game Dick scored a career high 42 on 15 field goals and 12 free throws. Tom also registered a career high of 34 points on 15 field goals and 4 free throws.

On February 17th for only the fourth time in Hoosier history Indiana played in a double overtime game against Wisconsin.  With time running out Dick Van Arsdale tipped in a missed Steve Redenbaugh shot to give Indiana the two-point double overtime victory. Both Tom and Dick ended the game with 21 points apiece.  On the season, Dick averaged 22.3 ppg while Tom contributed 21.3 ppg.

Their senior year was full of hope as all of Indiana's starters from the 1964 season returned for one more year. McCracken installed a 2-2-1 full court press and Indiana took off winning their first 9 games including the Memphis State Classic. Both Tom and Dick (along with the "third twin" Jon McGlocklin) made the All-Tourney team. The Hoosiers would finally lose in Champaign, Illinois. Then, they would proceed to run off three more wins before falling in a game marred by the fire marshals order to cut the attendance from 10,000 to 3,278.

Indiana climbed to #2 in the nation on January 5th. This would lead up to a February 15th showdown with All-American Cazzie Russell and the #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines. The Hoosiers would fall that night in double overtime 96 to 95. Tom would out duel Russell 27 to 23 on points.  IU would go on to finish the season with a 19-5 record sending Coach McCracken out with a home win over Purdue 90-79 behind Tom's 19 and Dick's 14. In their remarkably similar careers in 72 games, Tom would score 1,252 points while Dick scored 1,240. Tom would have 723 rebounds while Dick had 719 boards. Both were All-Americans in their senior year and gave fans three wonderful years to enjoy their remarkable skills. 

In 1965, Dick was drafted #10 by the New York Knicks and Tom #11 by the Detroit Pistons both would make the NBA All Rookie first team. In 1968, after three years in New York, Dick became the first overall pick in the expansion draft making him the "Original Sun" while Tom would be dealt to the Cincinnati Royals. The moves proved great for both brothers as both Tom and Dick would go on to be named to three All-Star teams each.

On a snowy night in January 6, 1970. Tom faced Dick as Phoenix visited Cincinnati in a star-studded game that featured the likes of Oscar Robertson, Bob Cousy, Gail Goodrich, and Connie Hawkins. Tom's 24 points led the Royals to a 128-124 victory over the Suns. While Dick led Phoenix with 30 points that night.

Tom changed uniform numbers in his last season going from 5 to 4 for good reason as he joined the Suns where Dick was already wearing number 5. In their 12 seasons in the NBA, Dick scored 15,079 points while Tom scored 14,232. After their professional basketball careers, they remained with their families in Phoenix. Today the twins are still very close as they work on their art and enjoy their children and grandchildren.

Hoosier fans past and present should never forget the impact the cream and crimson one-two punch known as the Van Arsdale twins had on the program and their success thereafter.