Simmons-inspired: 5 incredible performances by college basketball greats

LSU's Ben Simmons turned in a performance for the ages Wednesday, dropping 43 points and posting a ridiculous stat line that hasn't been matched in 20 years of major college basketball.

Where does the freshman phenom's masterful game rank among other prominent players?

Let's take a look at five unstoppable outings.

2008 - Davidson's Steph Curry vs. Gonzaga

Simmons wasn't the only player going off on Wednesday, as Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was busy exploding for 40 points, including 28 in the third quarter, at the same time.

Before he was dominating the NBA, Curry was starring for Davidson, and in a game that made the future MVP a household name with hoops fans, he dropped 40 in the 2008 NCAA tournament against Gonzaga.

Curry would take Davidson on a deep run before losing to eventual champion Kansas in the Elite 8.

1973 - UCLA's Bill Walton vs. Memphis

These days, Bill Walton's connection to the college game is as perhaps the most entertaining broadcaster on the planet, but he starred at UCLA in the early 1970's as a dominant center.

In one of the most ridiculous performances in college basketball history, Walton torched Memphis in the 1973 final for 44 points on 21-of-22 shooting, leading the Bruins to the title.

2010 - BYU's Jimmer Fredette vs. Florida

Despite a well-traveled NBA career, Jimmer Fredette was an absolute rock star in college. The former BYU great won the Naismith award for player of the year as a senior in 2010-11, but his performance during the NCAA tournament as a junior is what put him on the map.

Fredette lit up Florida in the first round of the 2010 tournament to the tune of 37 points, including two crucial 3-pointers in double overtime to help the Cougars knock off the Gators.

1988 - Kansas' Danny Manning vs. Oklahoma

The 1988 NCAA championship saw Kansas meet Oklahoma for the third time that season, and Naismith award winner Danny Manning made sure the Jayhawks won when it mattered.

The future first overall NBA draft pick poured in 31 points and added 18 rebounds in a dominating performance that gave Kansas its second NCAA title.

1970 - LSU's Pete Maravich vs. Alabama

As impressive as Simmons 43-point night was, it pales in comparison to the type of numbers former LSU legend Pete Maravich put up. The remarkable 'Pistol' averaged 43 points per game or more in all three seasons with the Tigers.

While posting absurd figures was commonplace for Maravich, he was never finer then a 1970 matchup with Alabama that ended with a 69-point effort, including 47 in the second half. Important to remember there was no 3-point line at this time either.