Cagers go undefeated

The following article appeared in the Winter 1994 of the UNO Alum as a look a the “10 Most Memorable Moments in UNO Sports History.”

 

By Kevin Warneke

Omaha University's men's basketball team, which went 20-0 during the 1931-32 season, was noted for its youth and Iowa talent.

 

The starting five sported just one upperclassman, and one player who wasn't from Iowa. Carroll Sales, a junior, was joined in the starting five by freshmen Lloyd Patterson, Marlin "Wink" Wilkinson, Max Egbert and Lowell Curtis. Egbert was the only non-Iowan on the squad.

 

In those days, basketball was spelled with two words, and the Cardinals won their games through dedication and unselfishness, Curtis recalled.

 

"We had a great bunch," he said. "These men were very dedicated — played for the team and not individual glory."

 

Omaha University's undefeated season was especially noteworthy because the previous four seasons had failed to produce a winning record. The Cardinals went 0-16 during the 1927-28 season, followed by campaigns of 3-11, 2-12 and 6-9.

 

Curtis recalled that the 1931-32 season was not without its share of close moments. The Cardinals trailed Cotner 21-9 at halftime before rallying for a 36-30 victory, and were behind Doane by two points before winning by a basket.