1946–47 Syracuse Nationals season
| Company type | Professional basketball team |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founder | Danny Biasone, George Mingin |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York , United States |
Key people | Danny Biasone (president), George Mingin (general manager), Bennie Borgmann (head coach) |
| Products | Basketball games |
The 1946–47 Syracuse Nationals season represented the franchise's debut campaign in the National Basketball League (NBL). This season introduced the NBL's inaugural draft system, designed to regulate player salaries and prevent bidding conflicts, with each team operating under a $6,000 budget cap. Franchise founder Danny Biasone established the team after an unsuccessful effort to organize an exhibition featuring the Rochester Royals, which unexpectedly led to an offer for an NBL franchise.
Founding of franchise and season highlights
In May 1946, Danny Biasone alongside George Mingin submitted a $1,000 deposit to the NBL to secure a Syracuse franchise. They planned to host games at the West Jefferson Street Armory or potentially compete independently if denied league entry. Syracuse competed with St. Louis, Milwaukee, Toledo, and Anderson for a single expansion slot within the NBL. After reviewing ownership credentials and facility standards, Syracuse was recommended for inclusion, with support from reigning champions Rochester Royals who anticipated a regional rivalry.
The NBL's objective was to expand its roster from eight to twelve teams for the 1946–47 season. Prior to the July league meeting, franchises in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Detroit were either reactivated or newly established. Although Anderson initially received the expansion franchise, openings later appeared in Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Biasone and Mingin acquired the franchise rights of the Cleveland Allmen Transfers for more than $2,500; however, this purchase excluded player contracts, rendering former Cleveland players free agents. Despite this transaction, the Nationals did not inherit any historical records of the Allmen Transfers. Alternate venue options included the East Genesee Street Armory.
Danny Biasone assumed the role of president while George Mingin took on general manager responsibilities. Lou Zara, previously an athletic director on Long Island, joined as business manager and public relations director. The team arranged a 44-game schedule within the league—22 games at home—primarily held on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. They anticipated participating in approximately 110 games total including exhibitions over five and a half months. Western teams were planned to make combined visits to Syracuse and Rochester.
On August 7, 1946, former professional athlete and baseball manager Bennie Borgmann was appointed head coach. Borgmann resigned his managerial position with the Rochester Red Wings minor league baseball team later that year to serve as a scout for the St. Louis Cardinals.
By August 1946, media outlets commonly referred to the squad as the Nationals or Nats. Preseason training commenced on October 21 with thirty players reporting.
A New York Guard regulation prohibited armory use for competitive sports on Sundays after scheduling had been finalized; this impacted ten home games. The Nationals’ appeal against this ruling was rejected, necessitating adjustments to their schedule. In response, Syracuse’s mayor established a committee to explore solutions regarding armory access for sporting events.
The Nationals began their NBL campaign on November 7, 1946, suffering a 57–43 defeat against the Toledo Jeeps despite holding a late lead; Bob Nugent scored a team-high 11 points for Syracuse. Their home opener followed against the Youngstown Bears; after trailing by seven points at halftime, Syracuse rallied to win 67–64 with Johnny Gee contributing 17 points.
Playoffs
Eliminated in the Eastern Division Opening Round by the Rochester Royals with a series score of 3-1
World Professional Basketball Tournament
The Syracuse Nationals took part for the sole occasion in the World Professional Basketball Tournament held from April 7 to 11, 1947, in Chicago. This 14-team competition included a combination of independent squads and National Basketball League (NBL) teams, alongside the American Basketball League's reigning champions, the Baltimore Bullets, as well as the Portland Indians representing the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League.
During their opening matchup, the Nationals competed against Midland Dow Chemicals, a company team from Dow Chemical Company based in Midland, Michigan. The Midland roster featured future NBL/NBA player Paul Cloyd, who was honored with All-Tournament Second Team recognition. Despite Syracuse’s postseason experience, Midland dominated the contest, securing a 71–39 victory and eliminating Syracuse from further play.
Midland progressed to the quarterfinals but was defeated by the Toledo Jeeps, who advanced to the final after upsetting the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons, three-time defending champions. The tournament title was claimed by the Indianapolis Kautskys, marking their inaugural WPBT championship. Of note, Julie Rivlin of the Jeeps earned tournament MVP honors even though his team fell short of winning.
Game Played
- Defeated in first round (39–71) by Midland Dow Chemicals