Discover the David vs. Goliath rise of Catholic college basketball, from Villanova to Georgetown to Gonzaga, where small schools perennially shoot past the big power conference programs.

In MIRACLES ON THE HARDWOOD, author John Gasaway traces the rise of Catholic college basketballfrom its early days (Villanova made an appearance in the Final Four in the first NCAA tournament in 1939) to the dominance of the San Francisco Dons in the 1950s and the ascendance of powerhouses Georgetown, Villanova, and Gonzagathrough their decades-long rivalries and championship games. Featuring interviews with notable coaches, players, alums, and fansincluding Loyola Chicago’s most famous and dedicated fan, 100-year-old Sister Jeanto get at the heart of how these universities have excelled at this sport.

Small in number but devout in the game’s spirit, these teams have made the miraculous a matter of ritual, and their greatest works may be yet to come.