1897–98 collegiate men's basketball season in the United States

1897–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season

The 1897–98 collegiate men's basketball season in the United States began in December 1897, progressed through the regular season, and concluded in March 1898.

Season headlines

• In 1995, the Premo-Porretta Power Poll retroactively selected Mount Union as its national champion for the 1897–98 season.^[1]

Regular season

No college basketball conferences existed, but 24 college teams played as major independents. During the season, college teams played against non-collegiate opponents such as athletic clubs, high schools, and Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) teams as well as against other colleges and universities. The only teams to play 10 or more games were Temple (22–5) and Yale (12–9).^[2]

1897–98 collegiate men's basketball independents standings v t e Conf Overall Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT Chicago –   – 1 – 0   1.000 Minnesota A&M –   – 1 – 0   1.000 Mount Union –   – 8 – 1   .889 Savage School of Physical Education –   – 8 – 1   .889 Bloomsburg –   – 5 – 1   .833 Temple –   – 22 – 5   .815 Western Reserve –   – 4 – 1   .800 Penn State –   – 2 – 1   .667 Westminster (PA) –   – 4 – 2   .667 Hiram –   – 3 – 2   .600 Yale –   – 12 – 9   .571 Allegheny –   – 2 – 2   .500 Bucknell –   – 4 – 4   .500 Rose–Hulman –   – 2 – 2   .500 Butler –   – 2 – 3   .400 Minnesota –   – 2 – 4   .333 Notre Dame –   – 1 – 2   .333 Wisconsin–Stevens Point –   – 1 – 2   .333 Macalester –   – 1 – 3   .250 Nebraska –   – 1 – 3   .250 Central Pennsylvania –   – 0 – 1   .000 Iowa –   – 0 – 1   .000 North Dakota State –   – 0 – 6   .000 Wabash –   – 0 – 2   .000

References

1. ESPN, ed. (2009). ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game. New York, NY: ESPN Books. pp. 526, 529–587. ISBN 978-0-345-51392-2.
2. "1897-98 Men's Independent Season Summary". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 16, 2024.