In the 1973 NCAA title game against Memphis State, Walton had arguably the best NCAA championship game ever played. On March 26, 1973, at the St. Louis Arena, Walton scored 44 points on near perfect 21 of 22 shooting. He added 13 rebounds, 2 assists and one block, in leading the UCLA Bruins to the championship, their seventh straight. UCLA defeated coach Gene Bartow and Memphis State with Larry Kenon and Larry Finch 87–66. Walton set the record for most points in an NCAA Championship game, which still stands. Walton was named the 1973 NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player.