Men's Basketball Team - 1979 (1999) - Hall of Fame & Jersey Retirements

Men's Basketball Team - 1979

Induction:
1999

The 1978-79 DePaul Men's Basketball team, led by Hall of Fame Coach Ray Meyer and freshman sensation, Mark Aguirre, made the program's first Final Four in over 35 years. Following a 1977-78 season where DePaul made the Elite Eight after beginning the season unranked, the Blue Demons opened the '78-79 season on a mission.

After opening the season 3-2, DePaul would win nine-straight on its way to a 22-5 regular season record. The Blue Demons earned a top-10 ranking and the No. 2 seed in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament. DePaul opened the tournament with a pair of wins over USC and Marquette, setting up a rematch against No. 2 UCLA, who DePaul had fallen to in the regular-season. The Blue Demons defeated UCLA, 95-91, to reach the program's first Final Four since 1943. DePaul fell to the eventual national champions, Indiana State and Larry Bird, in the national semifinal, 76-74, before winning the third place consolation game in overtime, 96-93, against Penn.

The 1978-79 team is the last Blue Demon squad to reach the Elite Eight, and is often credited as bringing DePaul into the national spotlight.

1978-79 Roster:
Mark Aguirre
Clyde Bradshaw
Gary Garland
William Madey
Dennis McGuire
James Mitchem
Curtis Watkins