Ramblers

Today basketball is played above the rim by athletes of all backgrounds and colors. But 50 years ago it was a floor-bound game, and the opportunities it offered for African-Americans were severely limited.A key turning point was 1963, when the Loyola Ramblers of Chicago took the NCAA mens basketball title from Cincinnati, the two-time defending champions. It was one of Chicagos most memorable sports victories, but Ramblers reveals it was also a game for the history books because of the transgressive lineups fielded by both teams. Ramblers is an entertaining, detail-rich look back at the unlikely circumstances that led to Loyolas historic championship and the stories of two Loyola opponents: Cincinnati and Mississippi State. Michael Lenehans narrative masterfully intertwines these stories in dramatic fashion, culminating with the tournaments final game, a come-from-behind overtime upset that featured two buzzer-beating shots. While on the surface this is a book about basketball, it goes deeper to illuminate how sport in America both typifies and drives change in the broader culture. The stark social realities of the times are brought vividly to life in Lenehans telling, illustrating the challenges faced in teams efforts simply to play their game against the worthiest opponents.