78 to 63. Unfortunately for Larry Finch, when he played UCLA in the 1973 title game for the NCAA basketball championship, his 29 points could not overcome the 40+ points of Bill Walton and his "dunks". Dunking was illegal back then, and Walton's 6 inch shots sure resembled dunks. The second half was really painful to watch and the team which carried a city on its shoulders could not overcome the tough Bruins. It's taken 35 years. Thirty-five LONG years. During that time, there have been some great players who have played for the Tigers. I even went to high school with one of them who played with Finch. But finally a team from this university (now know at the University of Memphis) has beaten UCLA in the NCAA tournament. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Joey Dorsey, Derrick Rose, Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and the rest of the team finally lifted that burden off the back of the city. Thank you Tigers for finally beating a Bruin team in the tournament. However, remember you still have one more game to go. Let's win it ALL for Larry, as well as for all of the others who have worn the blue and orange so proudly, as well as for the city. With many of the city remembering, at this time, the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., and the blight this was on the city, my hope is that this team can bring back a crown that will give the city truly something to shout about - together!
