Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Sage Advice

Many years ago, a friend told me that the best thing a coach can do is to always come close. As soon as you win it all everybody expects it again, and when you don’t win it all again you’re considered a loser.

If you just come close, everybody gets to say, “Just wait until next year.” Hopes stay high, but expectations don’t become extreme.

My friend meant it in a kidding way, but there is some truth to his words.

In 1974 we got to the Final Four once again and could have won our eighth national championship in a row. However, we lost to North Carolina State, the eventual champion, in the semifinals 80–77 in a double overtime. Our championship streak was stopped at seven in a row.

Twelve months later, on March 29, 1975, we came back ...