Minnesota Basketball: Dead Rivalries University of Chicago #TBT

Both programs which probably saw their highest level of success in the early 1900s. Minnesota was one of the only teams to beat Chicago during its three year stretch of back-to back-to back championships from 1907 to 1909. The Gophers beat the Maroons early on during its dynasty in 1907 by a score of 21-10, Chicago would only lose 3 games in the next 3 years. By 1911 the Maroons seemed poised for another title until Frank Lawler  and the Gophers beat them at the end of the season to steal the conference title.

The 1907 Champion Chicago Maroons.

Minnesota's great 1918-1919 undefeated season was undoubtedly helped by the fact that Chicago was not on its schedule.

Maroons vs Gophers 1942 via MNHS

Anyway this is just to share this photo with ya'll from January 19th of 1942. The Gophers crushed Chicago 52-28. It was near the end of Chicago's affiliation with the Big Ten. By the 1930s Maroons basketball had fallen on hard times, between 1931 and leaving the conference at the end of 1946 Minnesota had won 21 out of 22 games. But I do think it's a neat photo.