1974 final four NC state vs UCLA ending

Описание: 1975 03 22 Indiana vs Kentucky    • Unforgettable 1975 Clash: Indiana Battles ...  

On March 23, 1974, North Carolina State beat UCLA 80-77 in double overtime in the Final Four at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum, in what is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all NCAA tournament games. The loss also marked the end of the Bruins' seven-year national championship run.

Though UCLA had won every NCAA title dating back to 1967, N.C. State's win in the 1974 final was not necessarily an upset. The Wolfpack came in with a 29-1 record and had gone 27-0 the previous year before being ruled ineligible for the tournament due to NCAA rules violations surrounding the recruitment of All-American David Thompson.

John Wooden's Bruins had won 39 consecutive NCAA tournament games dating back to 1963. Conversely, Norm Sloan's Wolfpack was in the tournament for the first time since 1970.

Thompson, destined to be an NBA All-Star and Basketball Hall of Famer, scored 28 points and snagged 10 rebounds. Burleson added 20 points and 14 board while having guard Walton all night.

In defeat, Walton posted one of the greatest individual efforts in NCAA basketball history, scoring 29 points and grabbing 18 rebounds while playing all 50 minutes. Wilkes -- whom Thompson held to 15 points -- and Tommy Curtis both fouled out, however.

UCLA star Bill Walton calls that game the most disappointing outcome of his entire basketball career, given how UCLA lost a 5-point lead late in regulation and a 7-point lead in the 2nd overtime