UCLA has become a powerhouse in not only the Pac-12 but the entire NCAA over the course of their existence, largely in part to legendary head coach John Wooden and several NBA-caliber stars
UCLA Bruins Men’s Basketball is a program filled with championship history, ideals that transcend the game, and a legacy of winning under one of the most beloved coaches in college basketball history.
The Bruins have been part of many NCAA records since the program was established in 1920. The Bruins have the most NCAA titles, 11, and a record 18 final four appearances. The Bruins have a record that may never be broken – an 88 straight wins streak that began in 1971 and didn’t end until 1974. Throughout all these accomplishments and records there are a few squads that stand out a bit more than the others:
3.) 2007-08, (35-4, 16-2 Pac-10)
Talent-wise this was arguably the best roster the Bruins have had in recent memory. The only difference between these 35-4 Bruins and the other teams on this list is that they weren’t national champions. The 2007-08 Bruins fell short in the NCAA Final Four to the Derrick Rose-led Memphis Tigers. Head coach Ben Howland made the Final Four for three straight years and this was the last Bruins team to do it. The talented roster consisted of: Darren Collison, Kevin Love, Josh Shipp, Russell Westbrook, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute. Love and Westbrook were both taken in the Top 5 of the 2008 NBA Draft. Mbah a Moute was selected with the 37th pick later in the draft. Collison was selected 21st in the 2009 draft, a year later.
2.) 1968-69 Bruins (29-1, 13-1 Pac-8)
It is difficult to pick from the dominant John Wooden teams in the 1960’s, but the 1968-69 Bruins top them all. Two words that led to all the Bruins success: Lew Alcindor.
Their only loss in a 29-1 season came to Houston University, whom they later faced in the tourney semifinal and demolsihed them by 32 points. Alcindor, who is considered the best player in NCAA basketball history, averaged 26 points and 16 rebounds. They beat North Carolina in the final by 23. Alcindor would later change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in honor of his family’s Islamic heritage, and would go on to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
1.) 1971-72 (30-0, 14-0 Pac-8)
The 30-0 National Champion Bruins were led by red-headed sensation Bill Walton. Walton averaged 21.1 points and 15.5 rebounds per game. The Bruins were so perfect that Walton was disappointed after a 5-point win in the National Title game against Florida State.
“I’m really embarrassed,” Walton said (via the ESPN archives). “I can’t believe how bad I played. I’d have to say it was one of my worst games. We should have beat these guys with ease. I guess I should be happy that we won, but, in all honesty, I’m not.”
Henry Bibby, Keith Wilkes, and Larry Farmer also averaged double-digit scoring for the Bruins that season.
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