Game of the Century in Astrodome lifted status of college basketball

As we phase into March Madness, I reflect back to a matchup in college basketball history some considered the greatest game of all time of the same magnitude as a heavyweight boxing title bout.

Here’s the odd part of the story. It had no significance in regard to a team advancing toward the Final Four. It was not an NCAA Tournament matchup or even a big conference game.

It was over a half century ago on January 20, 1968 when “the Game of the Century” took play. The site was the somewhat brand new Houston Astrodome which had just opened its doors April 9, 1965. The combatants were top two ranked teams in the college basketball polls.

The top-rated UCLA Bruins were sporting a 47-game winning streak. With three of the previous foue national titles in hand, the Bruins were 13-0 at the time. The host Houston Cougars were 12-0.

It was the largest live audience to ever witness a college basketball game in person at the time wiht 52,693 in attendance. Regardless of your sporting preference, nearly every set of eye balls in the nation were glued to the TV screen that Saturday evening. Dick Enberg was the play-by-play announcer and LSU legend Bob Pettit served as the color analyst on TVS Network, a production company whose broadcast was carried over 120 stations. For some, it was the only basketball game at any level they watched that year. Nationally, it was a must see event.

Game promoters shelled out $125,000 to each team. NCAA tournament teams received $31,781 per team at that time. UCLA athletic director J.D. Morgan had to convince head coach John Wooden to play the game. It wasn’t a given as program-promoting event because the concept was so foreign to the game.

The contest was spiced with excellent defensive play, good ball movement and star players. The mighty Bruins could not slow down Elvin “Big E” Hayes, a Rayville, Louisiana native who dominated with 39 points and 15 boards. His counterpart, Lew Alcindor, was sporting a patch over his left eye after suffering a scratched cornea the week prior against California. Hayes blocked three of Alcindor’s shot attempts during the game and helped hold the 7’2″ sophomore sensation to 15 points on the night.

The SEC did not experience integration until 1966, which played a role in three Louisiana products filling out Houston’s strong starting lineup. Hayes was joined by guard Don Chaney, a McKinley High School (Baton Rouge) product, and forward Theodis Lee out of Carroll High School in Monroe. Hayes and Chaney went onto to lengthy NBA Careers. Lee played 10 seasons with the Harlem Globetrotters before he tragically died at age 33.

Houston
G-Don Chaney (6-5, 210, Sr.) 13 points, 5.8 rebounds
G-George Reynolds (6-4, 205, Jr.) 10 points, 5 rebounds
C-Ken Spain (6-9, 230, Jr.) 14,2 points, 12.8 rebounds
F-Elvin Hayes (6-8, 235, Sr.) 36.8 points, 18.9 boards
F-Theodis Lee (6-7, 210, Jr.) 13.9 points, 8 rebounds.
Reserve-Carlos Bell (6-5, 215, Jr.), a future New Orleans Saints fourth round selection in 1971 as a tight end.

UCLA
G-Mike Warren (5-11, Sr.) 12 points
G-Lucius Allen (6-2, 175, Jr) 15 points, 6 rebounds (had team-high 25 points vs. Houston)
C-Lew Alcindor (7-2, 225, Jr.) 26.2 points, 16.5 rebs. (three years later changed name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971)
F-Lynn Shackleford (6-5, 190, Jr.) 10.7 pts, 5 rebs.
F-Edgar Lacey (6-6, Sr.) 11.9 pts., 7.9 rebs.(quit team three days later after Wooden benched him 11 minutes into game)
Reserves G-Kenny Heitz (6-3, Jr.) 5.3 points; F-Mike Lynn (6-7, Sr.) 10.3 pts, 5.2 rebounds.

Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, was a five-time National Coach of the Year who went on to win 10 national championships. Guy Lewis patrolled the sideline for the Houston Cougars, sporting red and white polka dot towel over his shoulder.

Houston led 46-43 at the half and celebrated at the final horn with a thrilling 71-69 victory. UCLA gained revenge in the ’68 semifinals March 22nd with a 101-69 win. Hayes only managed 10 points in the rematch.

The Astrodome game had lived up to its heightened billing and opened the door to college basketball hosting mega crowds. It also demonstrated that games of this immense proportions could be played in larger arenas. It set a standard and shaped college basketball as we know it today.