In 1979, before Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson was a household rivalry, America was given a taste of what was in store when the two superstars entered the NBA.
Bird was the college player of the year, while Johnson put on an MVP performance in what was the most watched game college basketball game ever at the time. The No. 2 seeded Michigan State went on to beat Bird and Indiana State 75-64 in a game that had more star power than some of today’s NBA games.
Some argue this is the biggest upset college basketball has ever seen. One thing is for sure, it was a special run for the 1966 Western Texas University Miners (now known as UTEP). In a field of just 22 teams, the Miners were huge underdogs against the No. 1 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, but beat them in decisive fashion, 72-65.
The importance of the team and the game was much more than on the court, as the Miners became the first team ever to win the tournament with five African-American starters – and was even the inspiration for the 2006 film Glory Road.
During the mid-1980s the Georgetown Hoyas were good – like real good. But the Villanova Wildcats were a team of destiny in 1985, thanks to an improbable run that ended with a 66-64 win over Georgetown and an NCAA title, which came after Villanova knocked off top-seeded Michigan and No. 2 seed North Carolina.
The Wildcats, led by Ed Pinckney – who earned the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player Award – put on a shooting clinic, shooting 75 percent from the floor, among the best percentages to date in the tournament. It remains the Philadelphia-area school’s most proud moment – and its only National Championship.
Recently the subject of one of ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries, NC State didn’t seem to have a chance against the University of Houston in the 1983 title game. With such superstars as Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Houston was the No. 1 seed, boasting a 31-2 record, a 26-game winning streak and they were expected to run the table against the No. 6 seed.
In the biggest college basketball moment up to that time, the Wolfpack won 54-52 thanks to a last second prayer answered by a buzzer beating dunk by Lorenzo Charles. Coach Jim Valvano was so stunned he didn’t know what to do as time expired. The story of the 1983 NC State Wolfpack remains the most improbable tournament run in history.
The greatest shot ever made in college basketball – plain and simple.
No. 1 seeded Duke had to get through No. 2 seeded Kentucky in the 1992 Regional Finals to make it to the Final Four, although it proved to be a challenge as the game was back and forth.
The Wildcats took the lead with 2.1 seconds left and it appeared as though the Blue Devils’ defeat was imminent. Inbounding the ball behind his own basket, Grant Hill launched it down the court to Christian Laettner who was at the top of the key. Laettner faked one way and then spun back and sunk a fade-away jumper from near the foul line as time expired. Duke went on to win the tournament, though it has since been overshadowed by Laettner’s legendary shot.
Ed is an MMA/Extreme Sports contributor for CraveOnline Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @PhillyEdMiller, and subscribe on Facebook @ CraveOnlineSports.
Photo Credit: Getty
