Hall of Fame
Seven years after joining the West Coast Athletic Conference, Pepperdine won its first league title with an 11-1 mark and the ensuing spot in the 25-team NCAA Tournament. The Waves received a first-round bye in the West Regional, held in Provo, Utah, and would end up facing Oregon State in the regional semifinal. The Beavers would eke out a two-point victory, 69-67, despite a game-high 23 points from All-American Bob Warlick. In the consolation game, Pepperdine earned its first NCAA Tournament victory with a four-point win, 75-71, over Utah State. Tim Tift scored 22 points and Lee Tinsley added 19. Robert “Duck” Dowell, the all-time winningest coach in school history, had taken the Waves to three NAIB Tournaments early in his career but this would be his only NCAA Tournament appearance. He was named the conference’s coach of the year in 1962. Warlick led the senior-laden team with a 17.3 scoring average. Harry Dinnel was the WCAC’s co-Most Valuable Player.
