CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Charlie Spoonhour, who coached men's basketball at Missouri State, Saint Louis and Nevada-Las Vegas, has died at age 72, school officials said Wednesday.
Spoonhour succumbed after a battle with lung disease at his home in Chapel Hill, N.C.
"The entire Missouri State University family is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Spoonhour," Missouri State Athletic Director Kyle Moats said. "His legacy is one of class, distinction and achievement, and he will be dearly missed by the many lives he touched in his many endeavors."
The author of an uptempo brand of play known as "Spoonball," Spoonhour started at Missouri State in 1983 -- then known as Southwest Missouri State -- and took the Bears to five NCAA Tournament appearances in nine seasons.
He coached Saint Louis for seven seasons starting in 1992, compiling a 122-90 record and three tournament appearances, and mentored UNLV from 2001-2004, leading the Rebels to a 54-31 mark.
Spoonhour racked up a career mark of 373-202 over 19 years as a Division I head coach.
Survivors include his son Jay Spoonhour, the head basketball coach at Moberly, Mo., Area Community College,
