UCLA's Winning Streak Lasted For Three Years

Published on November 24th, 2023 3:05 pm EST
Written By: Dave Manuel


One of the most unbreakable records in men's college basketball remains the incredible 88 game winning streak that the UCLA Bruins put together from 1971-1974.

Undefeated seasons are practically unheard of in college basketball - to put together a winning streak that lasts three years defies comprehension.

From 1971 - 1974, the UCLA Bruins won 88 straight basketball games.

This streak included three NCAA championships and a total of two undefeated seasons.

Given the parity in college basketball and in college basketball recruiting, it is almost a certainty that this record is never broken.

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The UCLA Bruins didn't just win - they dominated.

In the 1971-72 season, for instance, the team posted an average winning margin of over 30 points.

The team was led by Bill Walton, who proved to be nearly unstoppable in the paint.

A number of other very solid players - including the likes of Keith Wilkes and Henry Bibby - made the Bruins a very solid and well-rounded team without any weaknesses.

UCLA's winning ways spilled over into the next season, as the team ran the table once again, led by coach John Wooden and superstar Bill Walton, who was now a junior.

Want an example of how dominant Bill Walton was? In the championship game in 1973, Walton put up 44 points and 13 rebounds against a very good Memphis State team.

The team's winning ways would end in 1974, as they would lose 71-70 to Notre Dame. UCLA would not win a title that season, as they lost to North Carolina State in the Final Four.

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After that, Bill Walton would leave for the NBA, though the Bruins would remain very good, as they finished the 1974-75 campaign with a record of 28-3.