Top 10 Memorable Moments in NCAA Final Four History
The Final Four rarely disappoints. The games are usually close, many times coming down to the final seconds leading to frantic finishes, buzzer beaters, and upsets. It’s these memorable moments that make it one of the most unpredictable and exciting sporting events in the US.
As we get ready for the 2024 Final Four, I looked back at some of the wild times that earned this time of year its March Madness moniker and found some of my favorite moments. I was fortunate to watch many of them live, while I’ve experienced others through replays or highlight shows.
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The Most Memorable Moments in Final Four History
10. The Battle of Unranked Teams for the 2014 NCAA Title
UConn and Kentucky are considered college blue bloods, with long traditions of excellence. However, in 2014, neither team was ranked in the AP Top 25 and they entered the NCAA Tournament as the 7 and 8 seeds respectively. But both teams got hot at the right time, and busted their way through the brackets, until they met for a classic Finals matchup. It was a close game from start to finish, with UConn pulling away at the end for a 60-54 victory.
9. Magic vs. Bird for the 1979 NCAA Title Game
This game isn’t defined by clutch plays or last second shots, as Magic Johnson’s Michigan State Spartans easily beat the Larry Bird led Indiana State Sycamore 75-64. However, it was one of the highest rated basketball games of all time, as nearly 25% of all TV sets in America tuned in to watch these two future Hall of Famers. It was Magic’s flash against the “Hick from French Lick.” Unfortunately for the fans, Bird was playing with a broken thumb that limited his productivity, but Magic was magic leading his Spartans to victory.
8. Harrison Twins Propel Kentucky over Wisconsin in the 2014 Semi Finals
It was the type of play you drew up in your backyard as kids, the things dreams are made of, but for twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison it was the reality. The 8th seeded Kentucky Wildcats were down 2 points to the number 2 seeded Wisconsin Badgers. After a huge missed free throw that would have put the Badgers up 3, Andrew passed the ball to Aaron, who hit the biggest shot in a career filled with clutch shots to send the Wildcats to the championship game.
7. Chris Webber Calls a Time Out He Doesn’t Have in the 1991 NCAA Championship Game
The Fab Five were more than just a great basketball team – they were a cultural phenomenon. They were back in the Final Four for a second year in a row, going back and forth against the favored North Carolina Tar Heels. With 13 seconds left and down two points, Chris Webber grabbed a missed free throw, dribbled past halfcourt and frantically signaled to the ref for a TO. The problem was the Wolverines didn’t have any, and they were assessed with a technical foul, giving the Tar Heels 2 free throws and the ball, to seal the game.
6. Last Second Basket by Wil Bynum Puts Georgia Tech in the 2004 Finals
No one expected Georgia Tech to beat Oklahoma State in the 2024 Final Four. However, they jumped out to an early lead and held onto it for most of the game, until the 4th quarter. John Lucas capped off a frantic comeback with a 3-point shot to tie the game with just over 25 seconds left.
That’s when Wil Bynum etched his name in Final Four lore. He got the ball at the top of the key with 10 seconds left and drove past John Lucas for a game winning layup. Just like that Lucas went from hero to goat, and the little known Wil Bynum became a household name.
5. Duke Stuns Undefeated UNLV in the 1991 Semi Finals
It’s easy to hate on Duke, but even the haters can’t deny that what Coach K’s squad did to UNLV in 1991 was unbelievable. After losing to UNLV by 30 in the 1990 Final Four, the Blue Devils found themselves double digit underdogs in 91. The Runnin’ Rebels had multiple future NBA all stars and hadn’t lost a game all season.
None of this mattered to Christian Laettner, who had 28 points and dominated the game on both ends of the floor. It was a close game the entire time, and in the end, Duke pulled out a 79-77 victory that no one could have predicted. Duke won the NCAA Championship that year, and went on to win another 4 titles under the legendary Coach K.
4. UCLA Beats Louisville in OT in John Wooden’s Final Game
John Wooden was able to finish his legendary coaching career with one last championship. After losing the year before, and ending an unbelievable run of 7 straight championships, it looked like 1975 was going to end with another disappointment. However, the Bruins wouldn’t let their coach go out that way. Capped by a comeback to tie the game in regulation, the Bruins won 75-74 in overtime, thanks to a last second basket by Richard Washington.
3. Jalen Suggs Hits 40 Foot 3 Pointer to Beat UCLA in the 2021 Final Four
After UCLA scored a basket with 3.3 seconds left in OT, it looked like the Bruins were going to push the 31-0 Gonzaga Bulldogs to double OT. Instead of coach Mark Few calling a TO and setting up a play, Corey Kripert quickly inbounded the ball to Jalen Suggs. He took 3 dribbles and pulled up just past half court and banked it home, sending the Zags to the championship game.
2. Villanova Hits a Buzzer Beater to Win the 2016 NCAA Championship
The final 5 seconds of the Villanova vs. North Carolina Final Four Championship game is one of the greatest endings to a basketball game. Down by 3 points, Marcus Paige hits a crazy off balance, double clutch 3 pointer to tie the game with 4.7 seconds left in regulation. Instead of playing for OT, Villanova opted to go the length of the court, and Kris Jenkins hit a championship winning shot as the buzzer sounded.
1. NC State Caps Cinderella Run With a National Championship in 1983
Perhaps one of the most iconic moments in NCAA men’s basketball history is coach Jimmy Valvano running on the court after his team upset the heavily favored Houston “Phi Slamma Jamma” team that featured future NBA Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Sometimes lost in the celebration is how NC State ended the game. The game was tied at 52 with 45 seconds and NC State had the ball. They passed the ball around the backcourt for about 40 seconds, nearly turning it over several times under heavy defensive pressure. Finally, with about 5 seconds left, NC State airballs a long 3 pointer. Lorenzo Charles was in the right place at the right time, he caught the ball and dunked it home as time expired for the win.
Top Moments in the 2024 March Madness Tournament
March Madness hasn’t disappointed fans, with plenty of early round upsets and fantastic finishes. Here are some of the top moments we’ve seen:
- NC State back to the Final Four as an 11 seed: The (11) NC State Wolfpack are playing the familiar role of Cinderella as they took down the surprising Oakland Golden Grizzlies, easily handled (2) Marquette in the Sweet 16, and then beat Duke in the Elite 8.
- (14) Oakland beats (3) Kentucky: The biggest upset in the first round saw the Horizon League’s Oakland Golden Grizzlies stun the Kentucky Wildcats behind Jack Gohike’s 32 points.
- (12) Grand Canyon upsets (5) St. Mary’s Gaels: The battle of two mid-majors went to the 12 seeded Antelopes. However, their Cinderella run was cut short when they faced Alabama in the second round.
- Alabama rallies to beat North Carolina in final minutes: Down a few points in the final 1:20 of the Sweet 16 matchup against the #1 seed, Alabama went on a 7-2 run to close out the game.
- UConn scores 30 points in a row: The Huskies showed again why they’re the favorite to win it all. They didn’t just beat the Fighting Illini in the Elite 8, they went on a 30-0 run to seal a 25 point victory and stamp their ticket to the Final Four.
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Don’t Miss the Next Memorable Moment in the Final Four
There’s a reason the NCAA Tournament is known as March Madness. There isn’t another tournament where an unknown team like Oakland can beat a top-tier program like Kentucky. These moments define the tournament, making every game a must-see event.
History has shown over and over that you never know what will happen in the Final Four. Some players can’t handle the moment and make unforced errors, while unknown or overlooked players step up and etch their names in the lore of March Madness.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of a specific school, your bracket is still alive in the office pool, or you just like the excitement of college basketball there’s no excuse to miss the Final Four. Whether you’re studying or traveling abroad, or dealing with local network restrictions, PIA VPN is with you from the opening tip until one team cuts down the nets while One Shining Moment is blaring over the loudspeakers. We have VPN servers in all 50 states, so you can live stream the magical moments that make March Madness so special.
FAQ
In 2018, the 16-seed University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers blew out the number 1 seeded Virginia Cavaliers by 20 points. It marked the first time a 16 beat a 1 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
There have been three 11 seeds to make it to the Final Four; Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (2018) VCU Rams (2011), George Mason Patriots (2006). Of those 3, VCU has to be the biggest surprise, as they had to play in the First Four just to get into the tournament. They beat (6) Georgetown, (3) Purdue, (10) Florida State, and (1) Kansas before losing to (10) Butler in the Final Four.
The Maryland Terps built a big 22-point lead in the first half, and went into the half with a double digit lead. However, the second half was all Duke Blue Devils and as they erased the deficit en route to an 85-74 victory.
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