Part Three: The 1976 Indiana Hoosiers National Championship Team a.k.a. “The Perfect Season”

Check out the other parts of Bill’s five-part series:

Part One: The 1940 Indiana Hoosiers

Part Two: The 1953 Indiana Hoosiers

Written by: Bill Murphy (@Williamindiana2)

It was suppose to happen the year before. The 1974-75 team was loaded. They would defeat eight top-20 teams, coupled with an overall winning margin of 23 points (88-65) over the season.  On February 22, the team had suffered a huge blow as All-American Scott May had broken his arm in a 83 to 82 victory over Purdue.  Yet, they still won their next five games before losing to Kentucky 92 to 90 in the elite eight held in Dayton, Ohio. 

So, the challenge was on, as Coach Knight would tell his team he expected them to not just win the Big Ten championship, or the NCAA championship, but to go undefeated in the process.  

On November 3rd, at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, the Hoosiers would take on the Sovìet National team that had captured the 1972 Olympics. Behind Scott May 's 34 points on 13 of 15 shots from the field, the Hoosiers would emerge victorious 94 to 78. Next, Indiana traveled to Saint Louis to take on the #2 ranked UCLA. The Bruins were the defending National Champions, an honor Indiana had expected to own the year before.  The Hoosiers would run away with the game 84 to 64.

After a win over Florida State, Indiana beat #8 Notre Dame 63 to 60. The Hoosiers traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to take on the Kentucky Wildcats who were ranked 14th in the country at the time. A Kent Benson tip-in tied the game in regulation at 64-64. The Hoosiers would go on to capture the win 77 to 68 in overtime.  

They would win their next five non-conference games including a 76 to 69 victory over St. Johns.

They started conference action on the road in Columbus, Ohio with a 66 to 64 win. Eight more victories would follow including a 80 to 74 win over # 19 Michigan.  The winning streak and perfect season would be challenged on February 7th in Bloomington as the now #16 Wolverines came calling.

Despite the best efforts of sub Wayne Radford Indiana trailed by 2 with seconds remaining.  Quinn Buckner's jump shot missed, but Jim Crews’ tip was captured by Kent Benson who layed in the shot at the buzzer tying the game and sending it into overtime where Indiana prevailed once again.  For the second year in a row, Indiana finished the regular conference perfect 18 and 0. 

The nation's #1 team would go into the tourney facing a gauntlet of top ranked teams in their quest for greatness.  First on the list was a rematch with #17 St. Johns. Indiana dispatched them 90 to 70. 

The regionals were held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  IU faced #6 Alabama and led at half 37 to 29, but the Crimson Tide came roaring back. It took a 17-foot jump shot by May with two minutes remaining to push the Hoosiers back on top. Led by Scott May's 25 points and 16 rebounds, Indiana won 74 to 69. Next up was #2 Marquette, the nation's #2 team stood between Indiana and a trip to the Final Four. Early foul trouble by May kept the game close. IU led at the half by one, 36 to 35. The Hoosiers would pull away in the second half to win 65 to 56. Benson led the way with 18 points while Buckner added nine points, eight rebounds, and five assists.  

The Final Four was held in Philadelphia and #5 UCLA would come calling.  This was the same team Indiana had defeated by 20 the first game of the season.  Knight would start Kent Benson on UA All-American Richard Washington,  Benson picked up two quick personal fouls so Tom Abernathy got the assignment of guarding Washington and held him to just 13 points. Indiana would win 65 to 51 as Bobby Wilkerson had 19 rebounds to go along with 7 assists. 

 On the 29th of March, Indiana would be matched up for the 3rd time in the season against Michigan.  The Wolverines jumped out in front early aided by the injury to Bobby Wilkerson which seemed to put the Hoosiers in a state of shock.  Trailing at the half, the Hoosiers came out roaring in the second half. They would score a record 57 second half points to capture the title 86 to 68. Benson was named the tourney MVP as the Hoosiers completed Knight's challenge for an undefeated national championship. They would go on to be named later as the all-time tourney team. Perfection never felt so great.