In hockey-focused Minnesota, it's easy to forget the state has a strong tradition in any other sport. But in 1895, the first college baskeball game in the country was played at Hamline University against the St. Paul Agriculture School. The game took place in a rundown basement with 9 foot ceilings. The final score was just 9-3. Ross Bernstein tells the story of that game- and the countless high school, college and professional basketball games played in the state since- in his new book, "Hardwood Heroes." He says his favorite chapter in the book is on the Minnesota Lakers.

This file was digitized with the help of a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC).