1976 NCAA Final Four Indiana vs UCLA

Indiana’s ability to play to its potential was immediately tested in the national semifinal contest at the Spectrum in Philadelphia.

IU All-Big Ten starting center Kent Benson picked up two very early fouls and had to leave the game. Benson had the assignment of stopping 6-foot-11 Bruin All-American Richard Washington, and without him, Knight turned to a senior for the challenging duty.

All 6-foot-8 forward Tom Abernethy did was hold Washington scoreless for 26 minutes while going 7-of-8 from the field himself for 14 points.

After twice overcoming UCLA five point leads, the Hoosiers took a 34-26 edge into halftime.

IU jumped out to a 12 point advantage early in the second half and the Bruins never got closer than six points the rest of the way as the Hoosiers ended the UCLA dynasty, 65-51.

Benson led IU with 16 points, while Scott May added 14 and Quinn Buckner chipped in 12.

Bobby Wilkerson set a program record for guards with 19 rebounds for the game. He also had 7 assists. Behind Wilkerson’s extraordinary effort on the glass, IU held a 44-34 rebounding margin over UCLA