An adept ballhandler with a good outside shot, Tom McBride joined the Hoyas from a successful career at Red Bank (NJ) High school and a prep year at Staunton Military Academy. "McBride averaged 15 points a game the last two years, but it is his ballhandling and floor leadership that will be crucial for future Hoya teams," wrote the HOYA prior to the 1969-70 season.

Following a 14.4 average on the 1969-70 freshman team, McBride spent his sophomore season as a reserve to a veteran Hoya backcourt. McBride averaged just eight minutes a game and a 1.9 points per game average. In his junior season, McBride averaged 6.8 points with a team-best 85 percent (29-34) from the foul line.

McBride's college career was cut short by an off-season leg injury, and as such he was not able to play as a senior under new coach John Thompson.