I did not watch this incredible game because at the time I didn’t have a TV. I was in Nigeria teaching in a school for the children of missionaries, and I was able to borrow a short wave radio to listen to the game. The game was on Armed Forces Radio, which as I understood was beamed into Europe at the time but not into Africa. We could get the signal during daylight hours but not at night. So I was able to listen to the entire semifinal game, presumably on a Saturday afternoon in the US, but I was not able to hear the championship game because it was on Monday night, and Nigeria was 8 hours ahead of PST. But I really appreciate you making this video available on TH-cam. The first time I saw this game was last night. I had a similar experience when I tried to listen to the 1976 Rose Bowl game between UCLA and Ohio St. It started at 2:00 pm PST, which was 10:00 pm where I was in Nigeria. I tried listening for over an hour and all I heard were two words: Sciarra (UCLA QB) and Griffen (OSU RB). I eventually got a video of that game from someone on the UCLA Football Forum. Now it is on TH-cam. Byron Trist, UCLA 1968
I remember watching this game. This is one of those games, especially if you saw it live, that you'll never forget. I don't know how you did it Justin but thank you for letting me and everybody else that remembers re-live this classic.
So many stories in this game. Pete Trgovich and Junior Bridgeman close friends and high school teammates on a legendary undefeated Indiana state champion (which also had Tim Stoddard). Denny Crum as an assistant to John Wooden four years earlier had recruited both of them. He "landed" both, but one for him, one for his future nemesis. Then Junior and Dave Meyers future teammates with the Milwaukee Bucks. And everybody in Louisville knows that Terry Howard stepped to the line 28-for-28 in free throws on the year, and U of L up by one with less than a minute left in overtime, then missed. So, in the 1979-80 season, Denny Crum had Tony Branch deliberately miss a free throw during the season, so that situation would not recur, and his Cardinals then beat UCLA in the clutch for the NCAA title, with Derek Smith stepping to the line with the Cards up by two, and hitting two in the final minute.
Great footage of the game - brings back many memories. Thank you for uploading it. My first 7 years as a Bruins fan resulted in annual Championships. Talk about being spoiled. When Walton's gang couldn't hang on in '74 against David Thompson & Co., I was stunned ( I was only 13). It wasn't until many years later that I understood that there were other good teams besides mine. Whoever originally edited this video, went overboard on showing the same clips of the crowd & cheerleaders over & over again. The pretty blonde cheerleader for the Cardinals has the same expression on her face perhaps more than 20 times. I found it tiresome & would've prefered them sticking mostly to the game. ;-)
This was exactly like the recent Duke-CNF game a day ago. The student, Denny Crum, against the teacher, John Wooden. And a tight, hard fought game to the end, with tons of talent on both teams.
Junior Bridgeman (Louisville) & Pete Trgovich (UCLA) were teammates on the greatest high school basketball team in 1970-71 for East Chicago Washington.
I remember watching that game live like it was yesterday. UCLA could never get a lead more than two points and I don't believe they ever had the lead AND the ball. Louisville once led by 9 early, but never by more than 6 in the 2nd Half. This one was a barnburner all the way. Frankly Louisville gave UCLA the better challenge compared to Kentucky.
I remember watching this game and thinking John Wooden is going to retire without winning a championship. I was ecstatic that UCLA won, but they shouldn't have. What people fail to remember is that if U of L had won, they would have faced Kentucky for the national championship.
With 22 seconds left in OT and Louisville with a 1 point lead, Terry Howard of Louisville gets fouled running four corners. Howard hadn't missed a free throw all year, 28 for 28. What I remember is John Wooden calling two time outs to ice him. Imagine getting iced by Wooden on national television. Howard missed the 1-and-1, but unfortunately, the timeouts are cut out. If someone can find this missing minute, it would be great to see the body languages from the coaches and players between play.
I did not watch this incredible game because at the time I didn’t have a TV. I was in Nigeria teaching in a school for the children of missionaries, and I was able to borrow a short wave radio to listen to the game. The game was on Armed Forces Radio, which as I understood was beamed into Europe at the time but not into Africa. We could get the signal during daylight hours but not at night. So I was able to listen to the entire semifinal game, presumably on a Saturday afternoon in the US, but I was not able to hear the championship game because it was on Monday night, and Nigeria was 8 hours ahead of PST. But I really appreciate you making this video available on TH-cam. The first time I saw this game was last night.
I had a similar experience when I tried to listen to the 1976 Rose Bowl game between UCLA and Ohio St. It started at 2:00 pm PST, which was 10:00 pm where I was in Nigeria. I tried listening for over an hour and all I heard were two words: Sciarra (UCLA QB) and Griffen (OSU RB). I eventually got a video of that game from someone on the UCLA Football Forum. Now it is on TH-cam.
Byron Trist, UCLA 1968
I remember watching this game. This is one of those games, especially if you saw it live, that you'll never forget. I don't know how you did it Justin but thank you for letting me and everybody else that remembers re-live this classic.
I remember watching this game while I was working at St. Anthony's. Trying to work in the EKGs during half-time!!
So many stories in this game. Pete Trgovich and Junior Bridgeman close friends and high school teammates on a legendary undefeated Indiana state champion (which also had Tim Stoddard). Denny Crum as an assistant to John Wooden four years earlier had recruited both of them. He "landed" both, but one for him, one for his future nemesis. Then Junior and Dave Meyers future teammates with the Milwaukee Bucks. And everybody in Louisville knows that Terry Howard stepped to the line 28-for-28 in free throws on the year, and U of L up by one with less than a minute left in overtime, then missed. So, in the 1979-80 season, Denny Crum had Tony Branch deliberately miss a free throw during the season, so that situation would not recur, and his Cardinals then beat UCLA in the clutch for the NCAA title, with Derek Smith stepping to the line with the Cards up by two, and hitting two in the final minute.
The halftime film is a study in cheerleader ass.
Great footage of the game - brings back many memories. Thank you for uploading it.
My first 7 years as a Bruins fan resulted in annual Championships. Talk about being spoiled. When Walton's gang couldn't hang on in '74 against David Thompson & Co., I was stunned ( I was only 13). It wasn't until many years later that I understood that there were other good teams besides mine.
Whoever originally edited this video, went overboard on showing the same clips of the crowd & cheerleaders over & over again. The pretty blonde cheerleader for the Cardinals has the same expression on her face perhaps more than 20 times. I found it tiresome & would've prefered them sticking mostly to the game. ;-)
This was exactly like the recent Duke-CNF game a day ago. The student, Denny Crum, against the teacher, John Wooden. And a tight, hard fought game to the end, with tons of talent on both teams.
You are the best Justin, thanks for taking the time to do this.
Truly painful loss. Will never forget it either. Still not over it.
I felt the same, but I got over it on a Monday night April 1980 after a certain wonderful win at Indianapolis!!
Junior Bridgeman (Louisville) & Pete Trgovich (UCLA) were teammates on the greatest high school basketball team in 1970-71 for East Chicago Washington.
I remember watching that game live like it was yesterday. UCLA could never get a lead more than two points and I don't believe they ever had the lead AND the ball. Louisville once led by 9 early, but never by more than 6 in the 2nd Half.
This one was a barnburner all the way. Frankly Louisville gave UCLA the better challenge compared to Kentucky.
Called "The Greatest Game Ever" for years.
Coach John Wooden announced his retirement at the post-game press conference.
I remember watching this game and thinking John Wooden is going to retire without winning a championship. I was ecstatic that UCLA won, but they shouldn't have. What people fail to remember is that if U of L had won, they would have faced Kentucky for the national championship.
With 22 seconds left in OT and Louisville with a 1 point lead, Terry Howard of Louisville gets fouled running four corners. Howard hadn't missed a free throw all year, 28 for 28. What I remember is John Wooden calling two time outs to ice him. Imagine getting iced by Wooden on national television. Howard missed the 1-and-1, but unfortunately, the timeouts are cut out. If someone can find this missing minute, it would be great to see the body languages from the coaches and players between play.
This game was featured in Nate Aaseng's book
NICE FILM FOOTAGE
Terry Howard chocked about as bad as Linda Lovelace on THE BIG ONE 28 for 28
Most difficult loss in Louisville history. Second loss by Crum to Wooten. A win would have placed UL and UK in final.
Wooden.
Terry Howard probably changed his name ..lol
Sounds like Cawood Ledford (longtime Kentucky radio broadcaster) doing the commentary.
You are correct.
Foghorn Leghorn.
Why isn't the Louisville broadcaster calling the game?
Cawood was probably working for a national radio network. Outstanding basketball announcer.
How about that halftime show!
Missed free throws down the stretch!!
Painful loss. Cards blew it.
Horrible loss for the Cards. Blew the game at the end.
Is that Fred Hesler?
Yes
The cut a ways are annoying as heck!
The better team lost.