YouTube Gold: UCLA-Notre Dame 1974

In today’s game, power is distributed across the country and programs like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Kansas, Villanova, Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee and Gonzaga are at the top of the NCAA basketball world.

In the late 60s and early 70s, it was very different. John Wooden, with some thoughtful help from booster Sam Gilbert and his UCLA slush fund, had a stranglehold on the sport that was incredible.

Between 1967 and 1974, UCLA lost 12 games.

In eight years, 12 games.

From 1964 to 1974, 22 games.

Wooden had four undefeated teams and three one-loss seasons.

In 1974, the Bruins had an 88-game win streak going. Can you imagine? But that team was vulnerable for some reason and developed a habit of giving up leads as it did to the Irish.

These are highlights from the game but it’s interesting to see and it was 45 years ago today.