The Columbia Lions and Cornell Big Red are two of the oldest and most storied college basketball programs in the United States. The two schools have met on the hardwood over 200 times since their first meeting in 1897, and the rivalry is one of the most intense in the Ivy League.
Historical Overview
The Columbia-Cornell rivalry has been marked by periods of dominance by both schools. Columbia won the first six meetings between the two schools, but Cornell went on to win 11 of the next 12 contests. In the early 20th century, Cornell was the more dominant team, winning 15 of the 20 meetings between 1907 and 1926.
Columbia regained the upper hand in the rivalry in the 1930s and 1940s, winning 10 of the 12 meetings between 1932 and 1943.Cornell bounced back in the 1950s and 1960s, winning 14 of the 18 meetings between 1951 and 1968.
The rivalry has been more evenly matched in recent years, with each school winning about half of the meetings. Columbia has won the last two meetings, including a 70-69 victory in 2023.
Key Players
Some of the most famous players in Columbia and Cornell basketball history have played in this rivalry. For Columbia, some of the most notable players include:
- Lou Gehrig
- Sid Luckman
- Bob Cousy
- Jim McMillian
- Chris Mullin
For Cornell, some of the most notable players include:
- Ed Smith
- Bob Boozer
- Dave Wohl
- Rich Dean
- Jason Hart
Memorable Moments
There have been many memorable moments in the Columbia-Cornell rivalry over the years. Some of the most notable include:
- In 1901, Columbia defeated Cornell 11-0, the only time that either team has held the other scoreless.
- In 1923, Cornell defeated Columbia 61-59 in triple overtime, the longest game in the history of the rivalry.
- In 1943, Columbia defeated Cornell 49-48 in the first game played at Madison Square Garden.
- In 1962, Cornell defeated Columbia 93-91 in Madison Square Garden, the highest-scoring game in the history of the rivalry.
- In 2019, Columbia defeated Cornell 68-66 in the Ivy League tournament, the first time that Columbia had beaten Cornell in the tournament since 1979.
Impact on College Basketball
The Columbia-Cornell rivalry has had a significant impact on college basketball. The two schools have produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game, and the rivalry has helped to shape the Ivy League into one of the most competitive conferences in the country.
The rivalry has also helped to promote the game of basketball. The two schools have played in some of the most memorable games in the history of the sport, and the rivalry has helped to generate interest in college basketball among fans of all ages.
Conclusion
The Columbia-Cornell rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in college basketball. The two schools have met on the hardwood over 200 times, and the rivalry has been marked by periods of dominance by both schools. The rivalry has produced some of the greatest players in the history of the game, and it has helped to promote the game of basketball among fans of all ages.