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Monday, June 15, 1998

Championship remains memorable

RESULTS: 1995 NCAA title still No. 1 sports moment for UCLA fans, students

by Evan Lovett

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

In a landslide victory, the 1994-1995 men's NCAA basketball championship was chosen as the most memorable sports moment of the last four years by UCLA students.

Led by seven future NBA players, the '94-'95 Bruins could be considered one of the deepest teams ever fielded by UCLA. Coach Jim Harrick was able to find the perfect combination of youth and experience in molding this team into a champion.

NCAA player of the year Ed O'Bannon, inspirational leader Tyus Edney and the always consistent George Zidek were all graduating seniors bound for the NBA. J.R. Henderson, Toby Bailey and Kris Johnson were the heart of a highly touted freshman class. Charles O'Bannon and Cameron Dollar were valuable role players just becoming comfortable within the system. This star-studded team had the tools to win it all.

The talented Bruins took the heavy expectations on to their shoulders and never looked back. They stormed through the Pac-10 and ended regular season play with a 25-2 record, a No. 1 ranking overall and a No. 1 seed in the West bracket of the NCAA tournament.

The first round shellacking of Florida International was followed by the game that provided the one moment that propelled UCLA to the title. With 4.8 seconds to go and down by one against Missouri, Tyus Edney made a mad full-court dash and drained a six footer over three Missouri defenders.

The improbable shot gave the Bruins the momentum necessary to sweep through the rest of the tournament, defeating Mississippi State, University of Connecticut and Oklahoma State before matching up with Arkansas in the finals.

The Corliss Williamson-led Razorbacks were a team to fear, especially with the heart and soul of the Bruins, Tyus Edney, questionable due to a sprained right wrist. Edney started the game with a cast but was forced to leave the game after three ineffective minutes. Not to fear, Cameron Dollar stepped in and played the game of his life. His career-high 36 minutes and 8 assists allowed freshman sensation Toby Bailey and John Wooden award winner O'Bannon to flourish. UCLA maintained control of the game throughout and won their first title since 1975, 89-78.

With the national title in hand, the Bruins reestablished their proud tradition as the elite team in college basketball.

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