Spring Break
The Daily OrangeUnpopular tourney consolation games long gone
By Ethan Ramsey
Posted: 3/22/05, 12:34 AM EST Section: Sports
Thirty years ago to the day on March 22, 1975, all four NCAA Tournament regional finals were played. But those games were only half of the NCAA slate that day. There were also four regional consolation finals between the two Sweet 16 losers in each region.
Nine days later, a national consolation game was held between the two Final Four losers.
Back in the day, third place games were common in the NCAA Tournament. That means six teams every year won their last tournament game, yet only one was crowned champion.
While this concept seems unfathomable today, it was actually just as nonsensical to the players and coaches at the time.
Louisville players in 1975 discussed not playing against Syracuse in the national consolation game. Senior guard Junior Bridgeman, who went on to enjoy a 12-year career in the NBA with Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers, said NCAA officials were forced to nudge the Cardinals to play.
"Everybody's hopes and dreams are to play for the championship," said Bridgeman, who also played in a regional third place game in 1974, losing to Creighton. "That's the only thing that matters. The games were more like an obligation.
"Once the game gets going, you do get caught up in the competition."
However, after defeating Syracuse, 96-88, in overtime, Bridgeman said the locker room felt more like a loss. Players showered and dressed in silence. Nobody offered any congratulatory remarks. With little else to do, the players numbly filed into the stands to watch UCLA and Kentucky play for the title. Like a session in today's tournament, the championship game started 30 minutes after the third place game ended.
The decision to schedule consolation games was a no-brainer when the tournament began in the 1930s. In fact, longtime NCAA executive Wayne Duke said it was necessary. The former Big 8 and Big Ten conference commissioner said the primary intention was to entice fans to attend the event. Guaranteeing a team at least two games helped fill the seats, which was hard early on.
Nine days later, a national consolation game was held between the two Final Four losers.
Back in the day, third place games were common in the NCAA Tournament. That means six teams every year won their last tournament game, yet only one was crowned champion.
While this concept seems unfathomable today, it was actually just as nonsensical to the players and coaches at the time.
Louisville players in 1975 discussed not playing against Syracuse in the national consolation game. Senior guard Junior Bridgeman, who went on to enjoy a 12-year career in the NBA with Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers, said NCAA officials were forced to nudge the Cardinals to play.
"Everybody's hopes and dreams are to play for the championship," said Bridgeman, who also played in a regional third place game in 1974, losing to Creighton. "That's the only thing that matters. The games were more like an obligation.
"Once the game gets going, you do get caught up in the competition."
However, after defeating Syracuse, 96-88, in overtime, Bridgeman said the locker room felt more like a loss. Players showered and dressed in silence. Nobody offered any congratulatory remarks. With little else to do, the players numbly filed into the stands to watch UCLA and Kentucky play for the title. Like a session in today's tournament, the championship game started 30 minutes after the third place game ended.
The decision to schedule consolation games was a no-brainer when the tournament began in the 1930s. In fact, longtime NCAA executive Wayne Duke said it was necessary. The former Big 8 and Big Ten conference commissioner said the primary intention was to entice fans to attend the event. Guaranteeing a team at least two games helped fill the seats, which was hard early on.
