On March 31, 1980, one of the most memorable college basketball games in history took place: the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship game between the Louisville Cardinals and the UCLA Bruins. The game was played at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Louisville Cardinals, led by future NBA star Darrell Griffith, were making their first appearance in the national championship game. On the other hand, the UCLA Bruins, coached by the legendary John Wooden, were seeking their eighth national title in the last ten years.
The game was a closely contested affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. Louisville's Darrell Griffith, nicknamed "Dr. Dunkenstein" for his impressive dunking abilities, scored 23 points in the game. However, it was UCLA's Kiki Vandeweghe who stole the show, scoring 16 points in the second half to lead the Bruins to victory.
The turning point of the game came with just seconds remaining on the clock. With UCLA leading 59-54, Louisville's Wiley Brown missed a crucial free throw that could have cut the deficit to three points. UCLA's Kiki Vandeweghe then sealed the victory with two free throws of his own, giving the Bruins a 60-54 lead with just two seconds left.
The victory marked UCLA's tenth national championship overall and coach John Wooden's final game as head coach. Wooden, who had announced his retirement before the season began, ended his coaching career with an incredible 620-147 record and ten national titles in his 27 years at UCLA.
The 1980 NCAA Championship game between Louisville and UCLA is remembered as one of the most exciting and memorable games in college basketball history. It was a fitting end to John Wooden's coaching career and a testament to the talent and determination of both teams on the court that day.
