Lions
Columbia Lions
General Team Information:
NCAA Division: Division I
Conference: Ivy League
Past Conferences: Ivy and Ind
City: Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Stadium: Levien Gymnasium
NCAA Tournaments:1948, 1951, 1968
Championships:
National Championships: 0
Conference Titles: 0
Team History
Columbia University was originally founded as King’s College in 1754. On record, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York and the fifth oldest institution in the nation. The Columbia Lions men’s basketball team would be established centuries later, as it began as a varsity intercollegiate program in the 1900-01 season.
The Columbia University Men’s Basketball program was led by head coach Harry Fisher, but the teams worked to establish themselves over several decades. All things considered, Columbia’s performance as a member of the Ivy League and in the postseason, in general, does not appear to the program as particularly successful, since many other Ivy League schools have stronger resumes. Still, the program was Pre-tournament Premo-Porretta champions during the 1904 and 1905 seasons.
Regardless of the struggles in recent years, the men’s basketball team received some honors throughout its history. Revisiting the history of colligate basketball, Helms Athletic Foundation was a sports organization that operated from 1936 to 1961.
Before the inception of the NCAA Tournament in 1939, the Lions were named Pre-tournament Helms champions in 1904, 1905, and 1910. Several changes and modifications have been made to the NCAA Tournament since it was first held in 1939. It had a different structure in its early years than it does today, as fewer institutions had athletic departments.
Since its inception, the school’s men’s basketball program has had several coaching changes as it sought stability. Head coach Gordon Ridings led the team to a 20-3 regular season record in 1948, following a successful debut season in 1947 (Regular-season champions). As there was less competition that year, the odds were better.
Always in the School Records
This season will always be in the school’s record books, but the talent compared to other teams was a key distinction. The Lions lost to the Kentucky Wildcats in the Regional semifinals (first round), and suffered the same fate in the third-place game against the Michigan Wolverines, as their talent was miles behind.
Despite all the internal and external factors, this would be the best outcome for the school. Columbia finished in the “Elite 8” as they would never achieve this feat again. The team’s second appearance in a major tournament was not as successful as their previous one. Unfortunately, they lost in the opening round against the Illinois Fighting Illini in 1951; resulting in a “Sweet 16” finish under head coach Lou Rossini.
The Lions experienced a post-season drought for over a decade and a half until the 1968 season, with head coach Jack Rohan leading the program. Based on the Columbia team stats, the Lions’ run in the dance was their most successful to date, since they played cohesive basketball.
In the opening round of the tournament, the squad would cruise past the La Salle Explorers. Unfortunately, the team lost in the second round of the tournament against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a close, one-possession game. However, they ended their run on a high note by dominating the Saint Bonaventure Bonnies in the third-place game; they performed well on both sides of the court as they won by a 20-point margin, a “Sweet 16” result. Columbia has tried to make it again ever since but has failed to keep up with the top teams in the Ivy League.
Even though Columbia has failed to make it to March Madness, the program made its opportunity count in the CIT. The Lions lost in the quarterfinals in 2014 to their conference rival the Yale Bulldogs, with head coach Kyle Smith calling the shots.
Striving to make the best of the situation, the Lions would receive an invitation to compete in the CIT once again in 2016. During their run, the team was named CIT champions as they defeated UC Irvine Anteaters in the Championship game.
Head coach Jim Engles is currently coaching his fifth season with the program. In the preseason, Columbia had the worst NCAAB odds to win the Ivy League conference. The team’s NCAA Tournament drought will likely continue in the foreseeable future.
All-Time Records
Points Scored
- Buck Jenkins 1,767
- Jim McMillian 1,758
- Maodo Lo 1,756
Rebounds
- Jack Molinas 1,051
- Frank Thomas 1,020
- Jim McMillian 743
Assists
- Mike Smith 393
- Brian Barbour 346
- Tony Chiles 323
Steals
- Gary Raimondo 209
- Maodo Lo 181
- Sean Couch 177
FAQs
What Is the Worst Season in Program History?
Who Is the Winningest Coach in Program History?
Who Is the Greatest Player in Program History?