Motivation logo

10 Jaw-Dropping Moments of March Madness 2023

Reliving the Most Unforgettable Plays, Upsets, and Buzzer-Beaters in NCAA Tournament History

By KrishPublished about a year ago 3 min read
Like

March Madness is the most exciting time of the year for college basketball fans. Each year, the NCAA Tournament brings us some of the most memorable moments in sports history. With the 2023 tournament quickly approaching, it's a perfect time to reflect on the greatest moments of March Madness.

Here are 10 jaw-dropping moments from past tournaments that will never be forgotten.

"The Shot" by Christian Laettner - Duke vs. Kentucky, 1992 :

In what is widely considered the greatest moment in NCAA Tournament history, Duke's Christian Laettner hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer to beat Kentucky in the Elite Eight. Laettner finished with 31 points and the Blue Devils went on to win the championship.

Villanova's Shocking Upset - Villanova vs. Georgetown, 1985 :

Villanova was the No. 8 seed in the 1985 tournament, but they pulled off one of the biggest upsets in sports history by beating the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas in the championship game. Villanova shot a remarkable 79% from the field in the game, and the victory is still remembered as one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Mario Chalmers' Game-Tying Three - Kansas vs. Memphis, 2008 :

With just 2.1 seconds left in regulation of the 2008 championship game, Kansas' Mario Chalmers hit a game-tying three-pointer to send the game into overtime. Kansas went on to win the game and the championship, thanks in large part to Chalmers' clutch shot.

Jim Valvano's Celebration - North Carolina State vs. Houston, 1983 :

In one of the most iconic moments in NCAA Tournament history, North Carolina State head coach Jim Valvano ran around the court in celebration after his team pulled off a stunning upset over Houston in the championship game. Valvano's celebration has become a symbol of the joy and excitement that March Madness can bring.

Gordon Hayward's Near-Miss - Butler vs. Duke, 2010 :

In one of the most heart-wrenching moments in NCAA Tournament history, Butler's Gordon Hayward missed a half-court shot at the buzzer that would have won the championship game against Duke. The shot hit the backboard and rimmed out, giving Duke the victory.

Loyola-Chicago's Cinderella Run - Loyola-Chicago, 2018 :

As a No. 11 seed in the 2018 tournament, Loyola-Chicago became the Cinderella story of the tournament. They made it all the way to the Final Four before ultimately falling to Michigan. The team captured the hearts of fans across the country with their underdog story.

UConn's Buzzer-Beater - UConn vs. Villanova, 1996:

In a thrilling Sweet 16 matchup in 1996, UConn's Ray Allen hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to beat Villanova. The shot is still remembered as one of the greatest game-winners in NCAA Tournament history.

Bryce Drew's Miracle Shot - Valparaiso vs. Ole Miss, 1998 :

In one of the most improbable moments in NCAA Tournament history, Valparaiso's Bryce Drew hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to beat Ole Miss in the first round of the 1998 tournament. The shot has become known as "The Shot" and is still remembered as one of the greatest buzzer-beaters in sports history.

Kemba Walker's Incredible Run - UConn, 2011 :

In the 2011 tournament, UConn's Kemba Walker put on one of the greatest individual performances in NCAA history. He led the Huskies to 11 straight wins, including five wins in five days to win the Big East Tournament, and ultimately the national championship. Walker scored a total of 130 points during the tournament and was named the Most Outstanding Player.

La Salle's Last-Second Upset - La Salle vs. Mississippi, 2013 :

In a thrilling first-round matchup in 2013, La Salle's Tyrone Garland hit a game-winning layup with just 2 seconds left on the clock to upset Mississippi. The shot has become known as "Southwest Philly Floater" and is still remembered as one of the greatest game-winners in NCAA Tournament history.

Christian Watford's Buzzer-Beater - Indiana vs. Kentucky, 2011 :

In a highly anticipated matchup between No. 1 Kentucky and No. 5 Indiana in 2011, Indiana's Christian Watford hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to upset Kentucky. The shot sent Assembly Hall into a frenzy and is still remembered as one of the greatest moments in Indiana basketball history.

These are just a few of the many incredible moments that have occurred during March Madness over the years. With each new tournament, we can only hope to see more unforgettable moments that will go down in NCAA Tournament history.

advicesuccessself helpquoteshappinessgoalscelebrities
Like

About the Creator

Krish

I am a FULL TIME DIGITAL MARKETER for past 7 Years ... So I will give the Free Tips and Tricks about DIGITAL MARKETER in this WEBSITE through my STORIES.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.