Many in Florida State’s increasing basketball fan base weren’t around or can’t remember it taking place, but they’ve heard about it. And it happened on this day 45 years ago.
On March 25, 1972, Florida State arrived in Los Angeles to take on UCLA for the national championship. The Seminoles were 16-point underdogs and in many’s eyes, a surprise just to be there. But throughout the night, they fought valiantly in an 81-76 loss.
Florida State had reached the title game with surprise upsets over the likes of Kentucky and Bob McAdoo’s North Carolina Tar Heels. UCLA however, was in a league of its own.
Coached by the legendary John Wooden and led by center Bill Walton, the Bruins were college basketball’s preeminent power. UCLA arrived for the contest a perfect 29-0 and in search of its sixth straight national championship and eighth in nine years.
Early on however, Florida State showed that it would be no cake walk. The Seminoles led 21-14 in the first half when Lawrence McCray, a 6-11 center for FSU, picked up his third foul.
That served as the turning point as FSU had no answer for Walton, who finished with 24 points and 20 rebounds. Keith Wilkes added 23 points and Henry Bibby 18 as the Bruins led 50-39 at the half and maintained a double-digit lead for a large portion of the second half.
FSU’s Ron King wasn’t intimidated by college basketball’s Goliath, finishing with a game-high 27 points. Ron Harris added 16 for the Seminoles in the loss while Reggie Royals chipped in with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Poor foul shooting down the stretch allowed Florida State to make the final score look respectable, but when all was said and done, the better team won. The 5-point loss however, was the closest any team had come to beating UCLA all season.
Though FSU was unable to take down the greatest dynasty in the history of college basketball, just getting the opportunity remains one of the proudest moments in program history. It happened on this day 45 years ago.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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