UCLA can only hope College World Series imitates 1975 basketball

This is the College World Series?

The eight-team tournament, which begins Saturday in Omaha, could be the 1975 NCAA basketball tournament.

UCLA 1975: John Wooden’s last title, as Bruins survive Louisville in semifinals. Richard Washington saves UCLA with jumper in overtime.

UCLA 2013: Bruins looking for Coach John Savage’s first title and could get Louisville final. Reliever David Berg saves games for them nightly.

Louisville 1975: If only Terry Howard could make a free throw. He was 28 for 28 on the season, but missed the front end of a one-and-one late in regulation.

Louisville 2013: Cardinals pitcher Jeff Thompson (6 feet 6, 248 pounds) looks like he could play for Rick Pitino. He is 11-1 with 109 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings.

Indiana 1975: The undefeated Hoosiers were on their way, until star Scott May was injured. They lost to Kentucky in regional final, denying Bobby Knight his first title.

Indiana 2013: Hoosiers survive catcher Kyle Schwarber’s injury in April. He returned, finishing with 18 home runs to get Indiana to its first College World Series.

North Carolina 1975: Freshman Phil Ford bested North Carolina State’s David Thompson in ACC title game. Tar Heels lost to Syracuse.

North Carolina 2013: Kent Emanuel gets another shot at North Carolina State on Sunday. Syracuse joins ACC in 2013, but doesn’t have a baseball team.

Oregon State 1975: Beavers become first Pac-8 team not named UCLA to go to NCAA tournament since 1966, then lost to Indiana in regional semifinals.

Oregon State 2013: Beavers are ahead of UCLA in NCAA baseball titles with two (Bruins looking for first). OSU could get Indiana in second round.

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