1954 NCAA Tournament: Indiana Hoosiers Defeat Kansas for Championship
The article discusses the 1953 NCAA Basketball Championship, where the Indiana Hoosiers narrowly defeated the Kansas Jayhawks, 69-68, to secure the title at the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium. Bob Leonard's crucial free throw with 27 seconds remaining clinched the victory for Indiana, avenging their loss to Kansas in the previous year’s championship. This win marked a significant achievement for the Big Ten Conference, as Indiana became the first team from the Big Ten to win the championship since Wisconsin in 1941. Indiana, who entered the tournament as the Big Ten champions, previously defeated Louisiana State and the Southeastern champion in their path to the finals. Kansas had a challenging route as well, overcoming Washington and L.S.U. in earlier rounds.