When the month of March arrives, it's not just about preparing your brackets and college attire; it's about embracing the madness!
The NCAA tournament showcases fierce competition and excitement, pitting teams like the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels against each other. With 68 top teams, the tournament progresses through the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and Championship Game, building up to the ultimate crowning of a champion. The anticipation and excitement of this tournament are unparalleled, making it a must-watch for all sports fans.
To commemorate this year's history-making win for UConn, we will retrospectively examine some of the most memorable moments in March Madness games and streaks from previous decades.
UConn Makes History (2024)
As the old saying goes, ‘There’s no time like the present,’ and as the UConn Huskies just triumphed in the 2024 NCAAB Championship, there’s no better place to start our list.
The UConn Huskies achieved a remarkable victory and displayed complete control, solidifying their place in collegiate basketball records by winning their first consecutive NCAA men's basketball championships since 2007. Their unwavering commitment to achieving the highest standards resulted in a decisive triumph against Purdue, securing a 75-60 victory in the NCAA championship game earlier this month.
As the last buzzer resounded and confetti showered the floor, the significance of UConn's achievement started to be fully appreciated. Not only did they establish their deserved position in the history of college basketball, but they also broke records and exceeded expectations along their journey. The Huskies are now focused on the future and ready to begin their pursuit of a third consecutive championship. This challenge has proven difficult for even the strongest teams in NCAA history.
Attempting to win three back-to-back championships is unthinkable, and already we’ve witnessed the best sports betting NZ sites place UConn as the second-best betting favourites (12/1) to accomplish this feat, as Duke (10/1) is the only team above them in the sports wagering running’s for March Madness 2025.
Michael Jordan's Infamous Jump Shot (1982)
Michael Jordan, a renowned figure in basketball, made his mark on NBA history as a 19-year-old freshman guard at the University of North Carolina. He began his legendary journey by creating a breathtaking shot to defeat Georgetown in the NCAA championship game on March 29, 1982.
The Tar Heels secured a 63-62 victory against the formidable Hoyas with a precise 16-foot jump Jordan jumper from the left side of the basket, made with just 17 seconds remaining in the game.
A staggering 62,000 spectators saw the live performance in the Louisiana Superdome, while over 17 million people tuned in to see it on television.
Steph Curry Begins His Legacy (2008)
Stephen Curry has won championships in both collegiate and professional basketball (NBA). In 2008, however, the superstar gained significant recognition when he scored 33 points by making 11 out of 22 shots for Davidson in a game against Wisconsin.
Curry propelled the Wildcats to the Final 8 with his exceptional long-distance shooting, making him one of just four players in the history of the NCAA tournament to achieve this feat. The other players who accomplished this are Clyde Lovellette from Kansas, Jerry Chambers from Utah, and Glenn Robinson from Purdue.
An Underdog Shocks the World (2023)
Purdue didn’t just have their hearts broken this year, as a familiar tale of disappointment actually took place in last year’s tournament. They were expected to win the championship in 2023 and secure their first crown. They were the highest-ranked team, consistently excelling throughout the season, and ultimately secured the No.1 seed in the Big 10.
It was all good until a little school named Fairleigh Dickinson appeared. Dickinson wasn’t even originally intended to participate in the event, and Merrimack defeated them in the final game of their conference. However, Merrimack was transitioning from Division II to Division I, which made them ineligible to participate in the tournament. The Knights were granted a second opportunity and made good most of it by defeating Purdue in the first round.
This victory became just the second occurrence of a 16-seed defeating a 1-seed in March Madness history.
Loyola Chicago’s Final Four Run (2018)
We may never know whether it's the skill or Sister Jean's influence; however, we can say with certainty that the 2018 tournament run by Loyola Chicago was absolutely spectacular.
This team shot over 50% from 2 and 37% from 3 in their victories against sixth-seeded Miami and third-seeded Tennessee. They were playing effective ball, and the Ramblers were completely engrossed. Even though the Volunteers took them to overtime, Clayton Custer scored the game-winning buzzer-beater.
Then, they advanced to the Final Four by defeating Kansas State in the South Division. It was a magical run, up there with the finest in recent memory, even if they couldn't beat Michigan and go on to challenge for the coveted title.
NC State’s Cinderella Run (1983)
After his squad stunned the strongly favoured Houston "Phi Slamma Jamma" squad—which included future NBA Hall of Famers Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon—coach Jimmy Valvano ran onto the floor, creating what is perhaps the most famous event in men's college basketball history.
The way NC State concluded the game occasionally gets buried in the jubilation. The clock read 45 seconds, and NC State had the ball as the score remained tied at 52. They exchanged passes around the backcourt for about 40 seconds, coming dangerously close to losing possession on many occasions due to intense defensive play. In the last seconds of the game, NC State missed a long 3-point attempt. Just as the clock ran down, Lorenzo Charles pounced on a loose ball and slammed it home to seal the victory.
