The University of Louisville's 1974-75 men's basketball team which reached the NCAA Final Four will be honored at halftime of the Cardinals' Feb. 6 game against Rutgers on the 35th anniversary of reaching the national semifinals.
The third of eight U of L teams which have reached the Final Four, the 1974-75 Cardinals posted a 28-3 record, won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship and beat three top-15 ranked opponents to reach the national semifinals, including a 96-82 victory over fourth-ranked Maryland in the Midwest Region championship in Las Cruses, N.M.
Led by senior All-Americas Junior Bridgeman and Allen Murphy, the Cards fell 74-75 in overtime to top-ranked UCLA in a classic national semifinal game. Murphy was the Cards' scoring leader for three straight seasons while scoring in double figures a school record 57 straight games, averaging 16.3 points and 4.3 points as a senior. A two-time Missouri Valley Conference MVP, Bridgeman averaged 16.1 points and 7.4 rebounds as a senior. Louisville was ranked fourth in the final AP poll that season.
The team will be available to sign autographs in the KEC South Wing following the game at The Caper, a benefit for the Family and Children's Place which supports families and children affected by violence, abuse and neglect.
