March Madness is much more than a basketball tournament. It’s filled with high-drama, heart-stopping finishes and underdog triumphs.
From buzzer-beaters to jaw-dropping performances, let’s count down the top 10 moments in NCAA Tournament history.
10. Gordon Hayward’s Half-Court Heave (2010)
In the championship game, Butler came within inches of an all-time upset when Gordon Hayward’s half-court shot at the buzzer narrowly missed. Duke survived 61-59, but Hayward’s near-miracle remains one of the most dramatic endings in tournament history.
9. Kris Jenkins’ Championship Winner (2016)
Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beater three-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in a tied championship game to give Villanova an exhilarating 77-74 win. Known as one of the most iconic moments of March Madness, this shot changed how the world viewed every other NCAA battle.
8. Bryce Drew’s Buzzer-Beater (1998)
Valparaiso, a 13 seed, went up against Ole Miss in the first round. Down by two with seconds to spare, Bryce Drew caught a full-court pass, took one dribble, and sank a miraculous three-pointer at the buzzer, paving the way for his team to victory.
7. Villanova’s Perfect Game (1985)
Villanova, at the time the eighth seed, pulled off perhaps one of the best, if not the best, upsets in NCAA tournament history, defeating the high-powered Georgetown team with 78.6% FG shooting.
6. Stephen Curry’s Cinderella Run (2008)
Stephen Curry became a huge name during Davidson’s magical run to the Elite Eight. The sophomore guard averaged 32 points per game, scoring 40 points against Gonzaga and putting on impressive clutch performances against Georgetown and Wisconsin. Though Davidson lost out to Kansas, Curry’s brilliant game engraved him into March Madness history.
5. Magic vs. Bird (1979)
Magic Johnson and Larry Bird met in the championship, which marked the beginning of the greatest rivalry in basketball history. Magic eventually led Michigan State to victory in what continues to be considered one of the most-watched games in NCAA history.
4. Chris Webber’s Timeout Blunder (1993)
In the final moments of the championship, Chris Webber called a timeout that his squad did not have, which led to a technical foul that sealed North Carolina’s victory. The mistake still ranks among the most famous moments of March Madness.
3. NC State’s Miracle Dunk (1983)
Lorenzo Charles’ last-second slam-dunk off an airball gave NC State an improbable championship victory over heavily favored Houston. Jim Valvano’s elated celebration of the moment is as iconic as the play itself.
2. Christian Laettner’s Shot Heard ’Round the World (1992)
With just 2.1 seconds left in overtime, Grant Hill launched a length-of-the-court pass to Christian Laettner, who leaped for a turnaround jumper at the buzzer that sent Duke to the Final Four.
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Often cited as the greatest play in tournament history, it cannot help but embody March Madness drama.
1. UCLA’s Dynasty Under John Wooden (1964-1975)
Twelve seasons at UCLA brought Coach John Wooden an unrivaled 10 national championships, including a record seven in a row from 1967 to 1973. Therefore, by this, the team made UCLA college basketball royalty and set a golden standard that may never be equaled.
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