1947–48 Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team

American college basketball season March 2026 August 2023 1947–48 Holy Cross Crusaders Basketball Independent 26–4 Alvin "Doggie" Julian Hop Riopel NCAA tournament Third place The 1947–48 Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team represented the College of the Holy Cross (located in Worcester, Massachusetts) in NCAA competition in the 1947–48 season. The Crusaders, behind coach Alvin "Doggie" Julian, George Kaftan, Joe Mullaney and sophomore point guard Bob Cousy, reached the Final Four for the second straight season before losing to Kentucky in the National semifinals. Holy Cross defeated Kansas State in the Third place game. Previous season The Crusaders, who played their home games at Boston Garden and the South High Community School in Worcester, Massachusetts, won their first four games of 1946–47, tripped through a three-game losing streak, then finished the year with 23 straight victories.https://www.telegram.com/sports/20170402/70-years-ago-cinderella-kids-from-holy-cross-won-ncaa-title 70 years ago, 'Cinderella kids' from Holy Cross won NCAA title The team entered the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament as the last seed in the 8-team tournament. In the first match, Holy Cross defeated the United States Naval Academy in front of a sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden by a score of 55 to 47. Mullaney led the team in scoring with 18 points, mostly in part to Navy coach Ben Carnevale's decision to have his players back off from Mullaney, who was reputed as being more of a playmaker than a shooter.Reynolds, p51. In the semi-final match, Holy Cross faced the City College of New York (CCNY), coached by Nat Holman, one of the game's earliest innovators. The Crusaders, led by Kaftan's 30-point game, easily defeated the Beavers 60–45.Reynolds, p52. In the championship game, Holy Cross faced the University of Oklahoma, behind coach Bruce Drake, in another sold-out game at Madison Square Garden. Kaftan followed up the semi-final match with 18 points in the title game, leading the Crusaders to a 58–47 victory against the Sooners. Holy Cross became the first school from the New England area, as well as the state of Massachusetts, to win a national college basketball title. The Crusaders finished the 1947 season with 23 straight wins. Afterward, 35,000 people watched a parade in the team's honor on Holy Cross Day in Worcester. Future NBA legend Cousy was named AP and UP player of the year, and George Kaftan was voted to the all-decade team of the 1940s by the NCAA in 1989. Roster 1947 Holy Cross Crusaders y Bob Cousy G 6 1 170 So New York, New York y Joe Mullaney G 6 0 165 Jr y basketball George Kaftan F 6 3 190 Jr y Doggie Julian Schedule and results |- !colspan=9 style=Holy Cross Crusaders| Regular season |- !colspan=9 style=Holy Cross Crusaders| NCAA tournament Mar 19, 1948 yes yes Michigan Madison Square Garden New York, New York East Regional Semifinal Elite Eight 63–45 25–3 Mar 20, 1948 yes yes Kentucky Madison Square Garden New York, New York National Semifinal 52–60 25–4 Mar 23, 1948 yes yes Kansas State Madison Square Garden New York, New York National consolation game 60–54 26–4 References Holy Cross Category:Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball seasons Holy Cross Category:NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament Final Four seasons