The Tournament

Although the Rutgers players were doubtless excited about the trip to Atlanta, some of the glamour probably wore off during the 30 hours it took them to reach the Gate City.  The challenges of travel may at least partially explain why they declined numerous invitations to play games in route in places such as Nashville or Louisville.  Regardless, it must have been a tired group that arrived in Atlanta at 6:30 am on Wednesday morning where they would be hosted by George Harrington RC of 1898, a "staunch and enthusiastic alumnus."  After checking in at the Ansley Hotel, the team practiced, enjoyed a tour of the city and took in an movie on their one free night.  During the stay in Atlanta graduate manager Frederic Heitkamp planned to tour area high schools to promote Rutgers and encourage applications from area residents.  The collegians from New Brunswick were one of five college teams in the tournaments along with 11 AAU clubs, many boasting former college players on their roster.  The presence of so many veteran players may explain why Rutgers was the youngest (average age 20) and lightest (average weight 155) in the event.

Home News - March 2, 1920

To date Rutgers had played only two road games, short train rides from New Brunswick. Now over 800 miles from home, at a supposedly neutral site, their opener would be a virtual road game against the University of Georgia.  It was probably no surprise therefore that Rutgers got off to a slow start in the game at the Atlanta Auditorium, trailing by three points at halftime, down six with 10 minutes left and still behind in the "last few minutes."  At that point, however, the northern squad made a"wonderful spurt," led by Benzoni who "time and time again" avoided the Georgia defense, making "spectacular shots from difficult angles."  According to Atlanta sportswriter Gene Hinton, on one occasion, the Rutgers forward with his back to the basket, "flung the ball over his head" and through the net.  Also making a major contribution was Taliaferro who, in spite of a leg injury, contributed 14 points towards Rutgers 36-33 win.  Hinton called the game the "most heart fought battle of the first round."

Edward Benzoni

The following evening the Rutgers squad was back on the court to take on an undefeated Utah team, although the Salt Lake contingent had only played five games.  Once again Rutgers fell behind in a game Gene Hinton of the Atlanta Constitution called "equally as bitter" as the Georgia contest.  Utah's lead grew to eight points, but late in the second half, "a young cyclone," named Edward Benzoni erupted.  The Rutgers freshman standout had been shut out in the first half, but he went on a 10 points tear to lead his team to a 35-32 victory.  Also making a major contribution on offense was Leland Taliaferro who score 17 points including making 11 of the teams 17 attempts from the free throw line.  It was wrote Hinton "a hard game to lose" for Utah and an equally "hard game to win" for Rutgers.  With two close wins in two games, Rutgers was now in the semi-finals.

Walter French 

In the first two games, the five Rutgers starters had played all 40 minutes.  Now faced with their third game in three nights, they had to stop the two top scorers of the Detroit AAU team, Joe Dermody, who had averaged 23 points in the first two games, and Walter Voss who had put in 18 per game.  While Taliaferro and Benzoni continued to lead the offense, Walter French keyed the defense which put the clamps on the Detroit stars.  Gene Hinton claimed "the white jerseys of Rutgers were everywhere"  and Detroit seemed "powerless," against "the leech-like tactics."  Whatever the strategy it clearly worked since Dermody managed only nine points while Voss was held scoreless.  All five starters went the distance for the third consecutive night and Rutgers earned the right to play "for the championship of the United States."

While not of high quality, this picture shows the Rutgers team at the championship banquet with the second place trophy.  The trophy was most likely destroyed by a fire at Ballantine Gym in 1930.

Atlanta Constitution - March 17, 1920

Rutgers had one unexpected benefit in the final game.  After seeing their local school fall to Rutgers, students from Georgia and Georgia Tech decided to root for Rutgers assisted by graduate manager Heitkamp who "taught them the old familiar college yell and they used it with a vengeance."  Unfortunately all the moral support in the world wouldn't have mattered as waiting for Rutgers in the championship game was NYU.  Although Rutgers was in the game at halftime, NYU broke it open in the second half, winning 49-24.  After the game both teams attended a banquet at the East Lake County Club where Rutgers received the second place trophy.  Shortly thereafter, the Rutgers party left for the return trip to New Brunswick, arriving for noon chapel services on Monday where they were warmly received by their fellow students and President William Demarest.   Rutgers received no end of accolades from the Atlanta media beginning with Keller Morton of the Atlanta Constitution who claimed there was "no doubt but that Rutgers was the most popular team" in the event.  Although he mixed metaphors (or sports), Morgan Blake, the paper's sports editor said "Rutgers will fight with a superb courage until the last man is out in the ninth inning."