The Greatest College Basketball Game Ever Played. You can't overstate the importance and impact of this epic win. First, most people probably don't know that Notre Dame was the last team to beat UCLA back in 1971 before they started the 88 game streak. Second, ND and UCLA were by 1974 arch rivals. ND played UCLA home and away every year under Digger, as he knew that the best way to gain recruiting attention and establish a great program was to play the best teams, so as an Independent they had a brutal schedule. Third, college basketball back then had no national TV contract. There was no ESPN and Dickie V, there was no weekly national Game of the Week, but for a few select games. Most of college bball was regional TV broadcasts like this one. This monumental upset got so much attention and was so epic because of the 88 game streak being broken, it led DIRECTLY to NBC deciding to do a weekly Game of the Week on Saturdays, which led eventually to the famous Enberg, Packer, Al McGuire broadcast team. THIS game from a TV standpoint put college bball on the map. Fourth, Notre Dame was no slouch in college basketball by 1974. Digger had built ND into a national power, they recruited nationally not just regionally, and had beaten UCLA in 1971. In this game, ND was also undefeated and ranked #2. So it was a monumental college bball clash. It was no fluke that ND won, it was just a huge upset because UCLA hadn't lost in 3 years. Fifth, remember as you watch this, that ND came back down 11 with 3 minutes left when there was NO shot clock and NO 3 point shot to make comebacks easier. UCLA could have slowed the pace down but the only way ND could have won is to make those 3 quick steals. Plus they didn't miss a shot the last 3 minutes. Sixth, NDs student body became famous for this game, and all during the 70s and 80s ND was the hardest place to play in the country many years. NDs student body made the small ACC a madhouse, and they affected the game so much that the student body was named MVP of this game. This also made ND #1 in both College Football (they had just beaten Alabama to win the Nat Champ in football) and College Basketball. A truly legendary epic game. Bill Walton, to this day, still says this was his toughest and most crushing loss he ever suffered. It was also his FIRST LOSS EVER in HS or college. He literally had not tasted defeat since grade school in a basketball game.
I was there. I was a senior. Worked for the Notre Dame athletic Dept. Sold programs at all events at the ACC. That day I got to meet John Wooden as we sold his book "They Call Me Coach" throughout the building. A thoroughly good and kind man. Was on the court when time ran out. My brother and I helped cut down the net. Also won the National Football Championship my senior year. Beat Alabama by 1 pt. thanks to a miracle pass by Tom Clements to get us a new set of downs deep inside our own territory with maybe a minute left in the game. Everyone thought Alabama was going to get the ball back, kick a field goal, and win. I lived down the hall from Tom Clements and Gerry DiNardo. What a grand time it was to attend Notre Dame.
This was Bill Walton's first game back after breaking his back in a game twelve days earlier and having back surgery. UCLA led by 17 at halftime, and by 11 with just three minutes and fifteen seconds left.
I remember watching that game when was 12 years old going on 13 at the time and I use to think that nobody can beat the Bruins because they were winning all the time but when Clay hit that shot I was scared that we could lose and unfortunately we lost the game but you have to give ND credit.
You would think to call a T.O. would've been the right decision, it is. If you look at Walton he signaled the bench but Coach Wooden thought that calling T.O. was a sign of weakness.
UCLA's first loss since January 23, 1971 which was against Notre Dame. Just like in football, Notre Dame was the bookend of the longest unbeaten streak in college basketball.
Digger:"it made Digger Phelps, It made Notre Dame basketball." Not sure what he meant...? If he means having teams loaded with NBA talent and getting beat in 1st/2nd round of tournament every year then yes I agree.
I believe ND football when they ended Oklahoma's 47 game win streak, that they were also the last team to beat Oklahoma so the bookend the longest College football win streak.
Walton panicked. He could have set up, squared up and taken a decent look. Or, better still a lane opened like the Dead Sea and he could have taken it to the hole. Instead he threw up a rushed brick.
If they keep shooting in 1971 vs Villanova and the Howard Porter team, they'd lost that title game. they held the ball for long stretches in the 2nd half to secure a win
UCLA destroyed ND @ Pauley 94-75 at the end of the month with Wooden pulling his starters out early in the second half. Wilkes charge was a phantom call that Digger Phelps made a few jokes about. Meyers missed some shots that were very easy & Walton should have dribbled and set himself instead of that twisting shot. Clay couldn't hit anything until the end. ND played so amazing. UCLA lost in the semi's to NC State in Double OT with David Thompson leading the way. An amazing game
BS about Wilkes charge. Watch it in slo mo, Wilkes clearly hooks the Irish player as he tries to go around, thats an off foul, and the TV analyst says right away its the right call. Quit your crybaby whining and take it like a man. Notre Dame the only team to beat them (twice) between Jan 71 and Jan 74. Booya!
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The Greatest College Basketball Game Ever Played. You can't overstate the importance and impact of this epic win.
First, most people probably don't know that Notre Dame was the last team to beat UCLA back in 1971 before they started the 88 game streak.
Second, ND and UCLA were by 1974 arch rivals. ND played UCLA home and away every year under Digger, as he knew that the best way to gain recruiting attention and establish a great program was to play the best teams, so as an Independent they had a brutal schedule.
Third, college basketball back then had no national TV contract. There was no ESPN and Dickie V, there was no weekly national Game of the Week, but for a few select games. Most of college bball was regional TV broadcasts like this one. This monumental upset got so much attention and was so epic because of the 88 game streak being broken, it led DIRECTLY to NBC deciding to do a weekly Game of the Week on Saturdays, which led eventually to the famous Enberg, Packer, Al McGuire broadcast team. THIS game from a TV standpoint put college bball on the map.
Fourth, Notre Dame was no slouch in college basketball by 1974. Digger had built ND into a national power, they recruited nationally not just regionally, and had beaten UCLA in 1971. In this game, ND was also undefeated and ranked #2. So it was a monumental college bball clash. It was no fluke that ND won, it was just a huge upset because UCLA hadn't lost in 3 years.
Fifth, remember as you watch this, that ND came back down 11 with 3 minutes left when there was NO shot clock and NO 3 point shot to make comebacks easier. UCLA could have slowed the pace down but the only way ND could have won is to make those 3 quick steals. Plus they didn't miss a shot the last 3 minutes.
Sixth, NDs student body became famous for this game, and all during the 70s and 80s ND was the hardest place to play in the country many years. NDs student body made the small ACC a madhouse, and they affected the game so much that the student body was named MVP of this game. This also made ND #1 in both College Football (they had just beaten Alabama to win the Nat Champ in football) and College Basketball.
A truly legendary epic game.
Bill Walton, to this day, still says this was his toughest and most crushing loss he ever suffered. It was also his FIRST LOSS EVER in HS or college. He literally had not tasted defeat since grade school in a basketball game.
And number 7
The charging call on Wilkes was pure ND home cooking
@@cnhendricks
Waaaaahhhh!!! Waaaaahhh!!
You've got to be kidding me. 🤣
I was there. I was a senior. Worked for the Notre Dame athletic Dept. Sold programs at all events at the ACC. That day I got to meet John Wooden as we sold his book "They Call Me Coach" throughout the building. A thoroughly good and kind man. Was on the court when time ran out. My brother and I helped cut down the net. Also won the National Football Championship my senior year. Beat Alabama by 1 pt. thanks to a miracle pass by Tom Clements to get us a new set of downs deep inside our own territory with maybe a minute left in the game. Everyone thought Alabama was going to get the ball back, kick a field goal, and win. I lived down the hall from Tom Clements and Gerry DiNardo. What a grand time it was to attend Notre Dame.
That last shot and the numerous attempted rebound taps damn near put me in the morgue.
This was Bill Walton's first game back after breaking his back in a game twelve days earlier and having back surgery. UCLA led by 17 at halftime, and by 11 with just three minutes and fifteen seconds left.
The great Dick Enberg calling the game. I'd forgotten that. But it makes this Irish win even sweeter.
I remember watching that game when was 12 years old going on 13 at the time and I use to think that nobody can beat the Bruins because they were winning all the time but when Clay hit that shot I was scared that we could lose and unfortunately we lost the game but you have to give ND credit.
UCLA 82 at Notre Dame 89 F (January 23 1971)
Austin Carr 46 points for Fighting Irish🏀
One of the great calls by one of the best announcers in sports history.
Moral of the story -- call time out BEFORE your team gives up 10 straights points, not after.
You would think to call a T.O. would've been the right decision, it is. If you look at Walton he signaled the bench but Coach Wooden thought that calling T.O. was a sign of weakness.
@@regionvoices6607
And his team had won 88 straight games. His philosophy was that he already taught the team what to do, now just go do it.
I remember this all too well watching with my Dad as a fifteen year old.
I too was 15, and to this day I can’t believe how that game ended.
UCLA's first loss since January 23, 1971 which was against Notre Dame. Just like in football, Notre Dame was the bookend of the longest unbeaten streak in college basketball.
Dick Emberg with the Call.RIP Dick.
Digger:"it made Digger Phelps, It made Notre Dame basketball." Not sure what he meant...? If he means having teams loaded with NBA talent and getting beat in 1st/2nd round of tournament every year then yes I agree.
I believe ND football when they ended Oklahoma's 47 game win streak, that they were also the last team to beat Oklahoma so the bookend the longest College football win streak.
Correct. Amazing.
The streak had to end sometime.
Walton panicked. He could have set up, squared up and taken a decent look. Or, better still a lane opened like the Dead Sea and he could have taken it to the hole. Instead he threw up a rushed brick.
UCLA could've ran the clock but chose to keep shooting.
ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO A END . ENUFF SAID .
If they keep shooting in 1971 vs Villanova and the Howard Porter team, they'd lost that title game. they held the ball for long stretches in the 2nd half to secure a win
They also had the ball stolen 3 times in the last 3 min. Without those crucial steals, ND can't win. ND also did not miss a shot in the last 3 min.
UCLA destroyed ND @ Pauley 94-75 at the end of the month with Wooden pulling his starters out early in the second half. Wilkes charge was a phantom call that Digger Phelps made a few jokes about. Meyers missed some shots that were very easy & Walton should have dribbled and set himself instead of that twisting shot. Clay couldn't hit anything until the end. ND played so amazing. UCLA lost in the semi's to NC State in Double OT with David Thompson leading the way. An amazing game
BS about Wilkes charge. Watch it in slo mo, Wilkes clearly hooks the Irish player as he tries to go around, thats an off foul, and the TV analyst says right away its the right call. Quit your crybaby whining and take it like a man. Notre Dame the only team to beat them (twice) between Jan 71 and Jan 74. Booya!
PHANTOM CHARGE ON WILKES!!! IT WAS A HOME COOKING FEAST!!!
And NC State put an end to the 8 NCAA title run UCLA had.