It’s a tough task to attempt to narrow down all of the outstanding efforts in final four history to just the five greatest individual final four performances, but big time players tend to shine when the spotlight is on them. The overwhelming majority of the five greatest individual final four performances belong to legends of the college game that went on to become household names as professionals, and even includes one Ivy Leaguer that became a United States Senator when his playing days finished.
Subject to debate, discussion and opinion, ere are the five greatest individual final four performances:
Bill Russell – In the 1956 NCAA National Championship game against a scrappy Iowa team Russell controlled the game on both ends of the floor, finishing with 26 points and 27 rebounds.I found some more information here. Russell’s San Francisco team won it’s second consecutive title with a 83-71 win.
Bill Bradley – As a senior playing for Princeton in 1965, Bradley scored an amazing 58 points in a semifinal game versus Wichita State with 39 coming in the second half. Bradley’s performance was a mere precursor of things to come, as he went on the win an NBA Championship with the New York Knicks and later to become a United States Senator from New York.
Oscar Robertson – In the 1959 final four “Big O” put up the first ever triple double with 39 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists. Robertson’s Cincinnati team defeated Louisville by a score of 98-85.
Freddie Banks – Although his UNLV team lost to Indiana in the 1987 semifinals by a score of 97-93 Banks had an outstanding game scoring 38 points including ten 3-pointers to go along with 8 rebounds and an assist.
Bill Walton – In the 1973 NCAA Championship game against Memphis State Walton made 21 of 22 shots from the floor to score 44 points to go along with 13 rebounds in a 21 point UCLA victory.
