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The 1969 Championship Team

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In 1969, the Bruins finally lost a game at Pauley Pavilion. They lost their last game before the NCAA tournament to USC by two points. This came days after two consecutive close overtime vitories, over Cal and USC, so The Bruins looked vulnerable to hungry tournament opponents. Though John Vallely was a pretty good shooter and Kenny Heitz was an excellent defender, they didn't have the experience of Lucius Allen and Mike Warren, who graduated in 1968, and it showed.

[1969 Championship Team]
TOP (l to r): Lynn Shackelford, Curtis Rowe, Steve Patterson, Lew Alcindor, Sidney Wicks, John Ecker, Bill Seibert. MIDDLE: George Farmer, Bill Sweek, Ken Heitz, John Vallely, Terry Schofield. BOTTOM: Ducky Drake, Denny Crum, John Wooden, Gary Cunningham, Bob Marcucci (manager).

Contrary to the hints that UCLA could actually lose, the 1969 NCAA Tournament turned out to be "No Chance Against Alcindor," just like the previous two. Other than a three point scare against underrated Drake, UCLA blew out their opponents. Through his three years of varsity, Alcindor led the Bruins to a record of 88-2. In 1969, he won the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament for the third sraight year. John Vallely joined him on the All Tournament team.

March 13: NCAA West Regional semi-final at Pauley Pavilion:

UCLA 53

New Mexico State 38

Leading Scorers:

Alcindor 16
Heitz 9

Lacey 11
Collins 11

March 14: NCAA West Regional final at Pauley Pavilion:

UCLA 90

Santa Clara 52

Leading Scorers:

Alcindor 17
Sweek 12
Vallely 11
Wicks 11

Awtrey 14
Ogden 9

March 14: NCAA Championship semi-final in Louisville, Kentucky:

UCLA 85

Drake 82

Leading Scorers:

Vallely 29
Alcindor 25
Rowe 14
Heitz 7
Shackelford 6

McCarter 24
Wise 13
Zeller 12
Pulliam 12
Draper 12

March 14: NCAA Championship final in Louisville, Kentucky:

UCLA 92

Purdue 72

Leading Scorers:

Alcindor 37
Vallely 15
Rowe 12
Shackelford 11

Mount 28
Keller 11
Johnson 11
Gilliam 7
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