Sports have a way of creating unforgettable moments that stay with us for years, even decades, after they happen. These moments can be incredibly emotional, inspiring, or simply awe-inspiring, and they often capture the imagination of people around the world.
Here are highlights of classic moments from past March Madness tournaments that have captured the hearts of college basketball fans around the world:
1. Christian Laettner's Buzzer Beater
In the 1992 East Regional Final, Duke's Christian Laettner hit a buzzer-beating jumper to beat Kentucky 104-103 in overtime. It's considered one of the most iconic moments in college basketball history.
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2. Villanova Upsets Georgetown
In the 1985 National Championship Game, eighth-seeded Villanova pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tournament history by defeating top-seeded Georgetown 66-64.
3. Lorenzo Charles' Game-Winning Dunk
In the 1983 National Championship Game, NC State's Lorenzo Charles grabbed a missed shot and dunked it at the buzzer to give the Wolfpack a 54-52 win over heavily favored Houston.
4. Mario Chalmers' Clutch Three-Pointer
In the 2008 National Championship Game, Kansas' Mario Chalmers hit a game-tying three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left to send the game into overtime. The Jayhawks went on to win 75-68 over Memphis.
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5. Bryce Drew's Miracle Shot
In the 1998 NCAA Tournament, Valparaiso's Bryce Drew hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to lift the 13th-seeded Crusaders over fourth-seeded Ole Miss 70-69 in the first round.
6. NC State's Cinderella Run
In 1983, NC State, led by head coach Jim Valvano, won the national championship as a sixth seed. They upset several higher-seeded teams along the way, including Houston in the championship game, thanks to a last-second dunk by Lorenzo Charles.
7. Danny Ainge's Game-Winning Shot
In the 1981 NCAA Tournament, BYU's Danny Ainge hit a game-winning, length-of-the-court layup to beat Notre Dame 51-50 in the opening round.
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8. UMBC Stuns Virginia
In 2018, the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Retrievers stunned the overall no. 1 seeded Virginia Cavaliers, the first time that a 16 seed has ever upset a 1 seed in the men's tournament (and busting countless brackets in the process).
These are just a few of the many classic moments that have taken place during March Madness. The tournament has a rich history of thrilling games and unforgettable performances, and it's always exciting to see what new moments will be added to the tournament's lore each year.
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Image Credit: SBNation/FanBuzz/Chron/ESPN
* Originally published on March 14, 2023, by Kelly Wick
