The game of basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith at Springfield college in 1891. In a mere five years, the sport grew in popularity to the point that college teams began to emerge. In the early years, college teams played YMCA teams to participate in the sport, but basketball eventually became an intercollegiate sport.

On this day December 10th, in 1896, the first ever college basketball game was played. The game was played in New Haven, Connecticut between Wesleyan University and Yale with Wesleyan winning 4-3.

College basketball is now one of the most watched sports in America. Every year, millions of viewers tune in to watch the single game elimination March Madness tournament, as college’s best basketball team is crowned.