NCAA at 75 - College Basketball
62. Utah, 1944
World War II sent a multitude of college athletes overseas. So it wasn't exactly a typical year for college basketball. But Utah's title run was impressive because the Utes earned the crown with five freshman starters. They beat Dartmouth 42-40 in the title game on a buzzer-beater. Arnie Ferrin scored 22 points in the championship matchup. Their path to the crown was an odd one. After losing a first-round matchup in the NIT, the Utes replaced Arkansas after the latter pulled out following a serious car crash involving players. The Utes went on to defeat Missouri, Iowa State and Dartmouth to seize the crown. And then they defeated St. John's, the NIT champion that season, 43-36, in a matchup following their NCAA title victory. One of the most peculiar trips to the national title in NCAA history.
-- Myron Medcalf
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