The year 1935 was a turning point for basketball. The sport was evolving. New tournaments emerged. The world courts were the place where stars were born. This was the period of tremendous growth. It provided the foundation of the present-day basketball. The game took over imaginations in Europe and America. We shall look at the most important event in basketball in 1935.
The 1935 basketball was one of the turning points in the history of basketball. It was one of the years of international development, and new tournaments and new stars influenced the game. The sport was developed as indicated by events such as the first EuroBasket Championship and drastic changes in American college basketball. Therefore, this era provided the groundwork for the change of basketball into a global phenomenon.
This has been observed to be significant in the development of basketball in 1935, as noted by researchers and analysts. Research also points out the impact of the first EuroBasket Championship on the international competition. Another focus of scholars is the effect of the change of rules on college basketball during this period. Thus, these innovations affected tactics and led to the advancement of new ways of playing. Historical narrations usually also glorify the emergence of such players as Sparky Wade, who made a difference on the court through their distinct styles.
The First EuroBasket Championship
The year 1935 saw a significant advancement in international basketball. The first European Championship of FIFA was held in Switzerland. Therefore, this game was usually referred to as EuroBasket 1935. It was also held in Geneva. The event was a kind of trial by fire. It had gone before the inaugural Olympic basketball competition in 1936. Ten national teams were also involved. All these teams belonged to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
The competition was fierce. It represented the increased talent in European basketball. Before the main tournament qualification game took place. Madrid was also defeated by Spain against Portugal. The final score was 33-12. Thus, this was the end of the championship that Spain was in.
The type of tournament was a single-bracket tournament. Latvia became the unexpected winner. During the event, they were a formidable force. Latvia played three games. Therefore, they won all three. Thus, their way of winning was remarkable. They also won over Hungary 46-12 in the quarterfinals. They then defeated the host country, Switzerland, 28-19 in the semis. The last game was with Spain. Latvia won by a margin of 2418.
Spain became the second-place finisher. Czechoslovakia was ranked number three. Therefore, they won the bronze medal over Switzerland 25-23. Thus, the tournament was a success. It also created a new trend of European basketball. The Latvian team’s story was so convincing. It subsequently gave rise to the 1935 film Dream Team of 2012. Thus, the EuroBasket held in the very first instance was not just a game. It was also a statement of the attractiveness of basketball all over the world.
American College Basketball Heats Up
It was a changing season in the NCAA men’s basketball season with the 19351936 season. Thus, the season began in December 1935. It concluded in March 1936. One major change in the rules was presented. The free-throw lane could be held by offensive players for no more than three seconds. This was even in the absence of the ball. However, it changed offensive tactics. Thus, the competition in conference play was very stiff. Close championships were witnessed in many conferences.
Big 10 Conference:
Indiana and Purdue ended up as co-champs. The two teams were 11-1 in conference records.
Southeastern Conference (SEC):
The University of Tennessee was the champion of the SEC tournament. This was on top of their title in the regular season.
Southern Conference:
Washington and Lee were good in the regular season. North Carolina, however, emerged as the champion in the conference tournament.
Southwest Conference:
The University of Arkansas ruled. They left an 11-1 record in the conference. New stars were also born during the season. One student at Stanford, a sophomore by the name of Hank Luisetti, started establishing himself. He would later make a revolution in the game with his one-handed shot. The All-American team of 1936 was unbelievably talent-endowed. Such players as Vern Huffman of Indiana, Robert Kessler of Purdue, and Ike Poole of Arkansas were known to play very well.
It was not an official NCAA Tournament. The selection of national champions was based on retroactive choices. Notre Dame was subsequently given the Helms Athletic Foundation national championship by the Helms Foundation in the 1935- 36 season. Long Island University was selected by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll. These choices showcase the controversy on the best team in the country before the conclusion of a concrete tournament.
LSU’s Claim to a National Title
Although other teams were also contenders for the top position, Louisiana State University (LSU) put forward a strong argument. The LSU Tigers of 1935 had an excellent season. The team ended up with 14-1 under the coaching of Harry Rabenhorst. They were co-champions of the Southeastern Conference. Sparky Wade was the first team All-American.
Wade was a phenomenal player. He was a talented showman and ball-handler, but only 5-foot-6. His play style provided a future glimpse of other future legends, such as Pete Maravich. The only defeat the Tigers suffered was against Rice. Most of the games of the team were played in the Gym-Armory of Baton Rouge.
There was no SEC tournament that season. LSU and Kentucky were not playing. They had not been beaten in the conference. After the regular season, LSU was given a special invitation. They were to play the University of Pittsburgh in the American Legion Bowl. This was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was sold as a national championship game. Pittsburgh was the Eastern Conference champion.
A Historic Moment in LSU Basketball
The game was a classic. It was held on April 13, 1935. LSU started slowly. They were at one point trailing Pittsburgh 18-4. By halftime, the Tigers were trailing 2617. The latter half was otherwise. It was replaced by the fast-break offense of LSU. They rallied back. Buddy Blair was the hero. He also shot a long distance to score for SU 35-33. He followed by scoring the next six points for the team.
LSU won the game 41-37. Blair was the highest scorer with 20 points. The appearance of Sparky Wade and his ball-handling skills played a vital role in the victory of the comeback. It was the national championship of LSU. The team was awarded by the university in 1994. A banner was hoisted in the Maravich Center in honor of their success. This match is one of the magic moments in the history of LSU basketball.
A Legacy of Transformation
1935 was not just a bunch of games. It was a ground-breaking year. The inaugural EuroBasket provided a platform on which international competitions were to be witnessed. It assisted the popularization of basketball on the continent. The changes in the rules and the emergence of new talents in the NCAA season in America took place. This provided the way forward for the future of the game in colleges. The passion and drama the sport would generate were demonstrated through LSU winning the championship. It placed a southern school in national glory.
Basketball in 1935 was not what it is now, fast-moving and flying. It was a grittier sport. Scoring was lower. Playing style was more conscious. However, in this year, the seeds of the modern game were planted. The creation of large tournaments, the appearance of individual stars, and the struggle for titles were all signs of a bright future. This year alone marked a one-year outlook of a sport that was about to become a worldwide sport. It was a period during which local games began forming a global community.
