Quick Facts
- Date: March 26, 1973
- Location: St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
- Result: UCLA 87, Memphis State 66
- Halftime: 39–39 tie
- Head coaches: Gene Bartow (Memphis State), John Wooden (UCLA)
- Memphis State leaders: Larry Finch 29 points; Larry Kenon 20 points
- UCLA leader: Bill Walton 44 points (21-of-22 FG), NCAA title-game record; Most Outstanding Player
Main Story
On March 26, 1973, Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) played in its first NCAA men’s basketball championship game, meeting dynasty-era UCLA at St. Louis Arena. The Tigers’ path ran through South Carolina, Kansas State, and Providence to reach the final—a breakthrough moment for the program and the 901. Behind hometown guard Larry Finch and frontcourt standout Larry Kenon, Memphis State battled the Bruins to a 39–39 halftime tie.
After the break, UCLA center Bill Walton delivered one of the most efficient performances in NCAA championship history. He scored 44 points on 21-of-22 shooting as the Bruins pulled away late to win 87–66. Finch led the Tigers with 29 points, while Kenon added 20. Despite the result, the Tigers’ poise on the sport’s biggest stage—far from Beale Street—announced Memphis State as a national contender.
Legacy
The 1972–73 season remains one of the most celebrated in Memphis history, placing the Tigers permanently on the national map and inspiring generations of Bluff City fans. Gene Bartow’s work with Memphis State helped propel him to succeed John Wooden at UCLA two seasons later, while Larry Finch’s leadership cemented his status as an enduring local icon. The university continues to commemorate the team’s runner-up finish and its significance to the program’s identity. Fifty-plus years on, the memory of this run still echoes across the 901.
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