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"In MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD, author John Gasaway traces the rise of Catholic college basketball - from its early days (Villanova made an appearance in the Final Four in the first NCAA tournament in 1939) to the dominance of the San Franciso Dons in the 1950s and the ascendance of powerhouses Georgetown, Villanova, and Gonzaga-through their decades-long rivalries and championship games. Featuring interviews with notable coaches, players, alums, and fans -- including Loyola Chicago's most famous and dedicated fan, 99-year-old Sister Jean -- to get at the heart of what makes these universities excel at this sport. Small in number but devout in the game's spirit, these teams have made the miraculous a matter of ritual, and their greatest works may be yet to come"--
About the author
John Gasaway writes for ESPN's Bubble Watch column. He is a college basketball analyst at ESPN.com and a lecturer on basketball analytics in Columbia University's Sports Management Master's degree program. Prior to joining ESPN, he teamed with Ken Pomeroy on the launch of Nate Silver's Basketball Prospectus website. He was also a regular contributor to "The Count" feature at the Wall Street Journal.
Summary
Discover the David vs. Goliath rise of Catholic college basketball, from Villanova to Georgetown to Gonzaga, where small schools perennially shoot past the big power conference programs.
In MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD, author John Gasaway traces the rise of Catholic college basketball—from its early days (Villanova made an appearance in the Final Four in the first NCAA tournament in 1939) to the dominance of the San Francisco Dons in the 1950s and the ascendance of powerhouses Georgetown, Villanova, and Gonzaga—through their decades-long rivalries and championship games. Featuring interviews with notable coaches, players, alums, and fans—including Loyola Chicago's most famous and dedicated fan, 100-year-old Sister Jean—to get at the heart of how these universities have excelled at this sport.
Small in number but devout in the game's spirit, these teams have made the miraculous a matter of ritual, and their greatest works may be yet to come.
Foreword
The David vs. Goliath rise of Catholic college basketball, from Villanova to Georgetown to Gonzaga, where small Catholic schools perennially shoot past the big power conference programs.
