They were led by John R. Wooden in his 27th and final season as UCLA head coach.
In the West Regional, UCLA beat Montana and Arizona State to advance to the Final Four.
Richard Washington scored 26 points to give UCLA an overtime victory over Louisville, 75–74, in the national semifinal.
It was a team without superstars, in fact, but it turned out to be one of Wooden's favorites,[citation needed] for it sent him into retirement with a 92–85 victory over Kentucky in the 1975 National Title game behind center Richard Washington’s 28 points.
Geno Auriemma of Connecticut broke the overall basketball record by winning his 11th title in 2016.