Last season, the University of Chicago men’s basketball team experienced the heartbreak of a last-second loss to St. John’s in the Division 3 tournament, marking their first appearance since 2007.

“We just lost the ball, lost our balance… I just kind of dropped my head afterwards… It was crushing. But after a day or two, I realized this might pay us dividends in the future,” reflected Mike McGrath, now in his 27th year as head coach.

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McGrath’s optimism proved prophetic. The Maroons boast a 16-2 record this season and hold the top spot in Division 3 rankings for only the second time in their history, driven by a mix of graduate transfers and an unwavering determination.

“We want to go far and do it. We feel that every day in practice,” remarked Nick Roper, a graduate student and guard transfer.

“We loved making it to the tournament… a little bit of success and… build on it this year,” added senior guard Joe Berry.

The last time the Maroons were ranked number one, none of the current players were even born. Yet, they share the same foundation: a commitment to academic excellence and athletic prowess, a combination that defines their program’s identity.

“You want to give more than you take, and our guys take that seriously,” McGrath said.

“There’s a really special culture. Everybody wants to come together and accomplish great things,” Roper said.

“I think it’s a lot about loyalty. Student section, guys are great,” Berry said.