Final Four Memories: A look back at the Tigers’ 1973 NCAA Tournament run
Memphis State guard Larry Finch in action during the 1973 National Championship game against UCLA. (Courtesy Phyliss Massey)
In this series, The Daily Memphian’s veteran sportswriters Tim Buckley and Phil Stukenborg take an in-depth journey through the inspiring 1972-1973 Memphis State Tigers basketball season.
Lee Hunt left his mark on the 1972-73 Tigers
Fifty years ago, the Memphis State assistant coach was both a tactician and a friend for an NCAA Final Four team.
The fabled Memphis State Tigers from 1972-'73. (Courtesy Memphis Athletics)
Gene Bartow ‘loved being the head coach’
Memphis won the heart of coach Gene Bartow despite coaching just four years here. Tim Buckley interviews Bartow’s son, Murry in this story.
The Tigers experienced March Madness before it was a thing
In the early days of March Madness, Larry Finch and Larry Kenon led the Memphis State basketball team to the 1972-73 NCAA Tournament.
March Madness, as it is known now, wasn’t really a thing yet when the Memphis State basketball team made it to the championship. (The Daily Memphian)
Black. White. Memphis was whole, for at least a moment.
The 1972-73 Memphis State Tigers NCAA Tournament team’s impact on the city still is examined and debated 50 years later.
With Larry Kenon in place, Memphis State made magic
A transfer from Amarillo (Texas) College, Kenon was the missing piece the Tigers needed to make the 1973 NCAA Tournament run.
Meeting expectations, Memphis State made it to St. Louis
Even before the 1972-73 season began, many figured the Tigers had something special brewing. Did they ever. This story features historic photos from Memphis State photographer Phyliss Massey.
Three Memphis State University players, forward Wes Westfall (42), forward Larry Kenon (35) and center Ronnie Robinson (33) are hawking a rebound as the fashion a 98-85 win over Providence College in semi-final game of NCAA championship on March 26, 1973 in St. Louis. Memphis State will meet UCLA in finals Monday. (AP Photo)
The cutting room floor
During research for this series, all too many memories and anecdotes were left — in movie-making parlance — on the cutting room floor. Here’s a look at those stories.