Posted March 25, 1998

Having one of these guys on your team almost guaranteed a win:

1. Lew Alcindor, UCLA.
The 7'2" center is the only three-time Most Outstanding Player in tournament history. He totalled 304 points (25.3 ppg) and 201 rebounds (16.8 rpg) in just 12 postseason games—every one a Bruin victory.

2. Bill Russell, San Francisco.
The Dons won back-to-back titles (the second without KC Jones) and 55 straight games to close his career. Individual game statistics from Russell's career are not readily available, but the 6'10" center was never just about numbers. A sampling: 23 points, 25 rebounds, 11 blocks in the 1955 title game and 26 points, 27 rebounds in the 1956 final.

3. Bill Walton, UCLA.
Walton wasn't able to capture a third title, and his teams were so good his minutes were limited in early rounds, but the 6'11" center always came up big in the Final Four, where he averaged 28.8 points and 17.8 rebounds in five games (not including the 1974 consolation game). And let's not forget his 21-for-22 performance in the 1973 final vs. Memphis State.

Previous 3-Pointers:
March 24 -- These schools pulled off the biggest shockers in tournament history
March 23 -- Hitting the greatest shots in tournament history
March 20 -- Taking aim at greatest shooting performances in tournament history
March 19 -- Throwing down the most impressive dunks in tournament history
March 18 -- Blowing the whistle on the biggest mistakes by players in tournament history
March 17 -- Blowing the whistle on the biggest coaching blunders in tournament history
March 16 -- Pulling down the most critical rebounds in tournament history
March 15 -- The most spectacular drives in tournament history
March 14 -- The most dramatic three-pointers in tournament history
March 13 -- Although passing is a subtle art, it can have spectacular results
March 12 -- Introducing the members of our tournament swat team
March 11 -- Pointing out the perpetrators of the greatest steals in tournament history
March 10 -- Tossing up the greatest free throws in tournament history
March 9 -- The greatest games in tournament history