The 1966 NCAA tournament featured 22 teams from all over the country. Kansas knocked off SMU in the first round, while Texas Western defeated Cincinnati, forcing a regional final between the Jayhawks and Miners.
During regulation, the game went back and forth with stars from both sides taking feature roles. Walt Wesley and JoJo White at Kansas, were huge in keeping the Jayhawks afloat, while tiny point guard Bobby Joe Hill keyed Texas Western’s attack. By the end of regulation, the scoreboard read, 69-69.
For the first overtime, neither team could do anything much. The session ended with the score still knotted up at 71. The extra session ended with some controversy as White drilled a shot as time expired. Though referees ruled he had a foot on the end-line, negating the basket. Controversy still exists over this shot, as it is such a close call.
Texas Western jumped on Kansas then in the second overtime as they were gunning to end the contest. With just over two minutes left, the Miners held a 77-71 lead. Kansas raced back led by forward Al Lopes who scored seven points. Though Kansas could not inch any closer then one point, as they lost 81-80.
Wesley led Kansas with 24 points, while White added 19. Hill scored 22 points to lead the Miners, who went in the championship defeated Kentucky. The Miners tournament run was recently made a movie titled, “Glory Road.”