An intense competitor, McCracken earned the nickname, "Big Bear" for his ferocious style of play and his game-face scowl. A "big man" for his era, the 6'4" McCracken played for Indiana University under Hall of Fame coach Everett Dean. McCracken led the Hoosiers in scoring for three years from 1928-1930, and was named Big Ten Conference MVP in 1928. He was selected to the All-Big Ten First Team from 1928-30 and set the Big Ten record for points with 147 in 1930. That year he was also named a Helms Foundation All-American. He was one of the first eight players to be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Died on June 4, 1970