The Prime 25 (And 1) largest tales in males’s faculty basketball since 2000

Over the previous 25 years, dozens of tales and moments have considerably added to the lore of males’s faculty basketball. In that span, the game has witnessed a few of its biggest coaches win championships and, inevitably, finish their careers. It is seen some youngsters enter into its arenas and depart faculty as bona fide legends. 

Past the person figures, the contours and definitions of what constitutes what faculty basketball is has drastically modified from what we knew it to be 25 years in the past. The NBA-initiated one-and-done period was born up to now quarter-century. The NCAA Match expanded twice. The principles relating to transfers and the way coaches are allowed to recruit have been rewritten a dozen instances. Largest of all, the amateurism mannequin that existed for greater than 100 years was lastly undone.

There’s been a lot that has occurred to this nice sport over the previous two and a half a long time.

And since I merely can not help myself, with this being the yr 2025, I made a decision to whittle down the 25 — nicely, no, truly, I could not even do this. It is the Prime 25 (And 1) largest tales within the sport since 2000. Hop within the time machine with me as we scan again over the previous 25 years in males’s faculty hoop. 

Plus, if you would like to hear or watch Gary Parrish and I take the scenic route by means of this listing, we recorded a five-episode collection this summer time on Eye on School Basketball. Listed below are the episodes on YouTube: 

And 1. Early convention realignment earthquake. Miami, Virginia Tech bail on Large East for ACC (2004), Boston School follows (2005).

Realignment has all the time been a factor in faculty sports activities, with groups switching leagues for mainly 100 years. One transfer begets one other and one other. Some selections are far more vital than others. In 2004, Miami and Virginia Tech left the Large East for soccer causes, and in doing so set in movement the most important fissures that may come later within the twenty first century. 

A humorous line from The New York Occasions on June 30, 2003: “The addition of Miami and Virginia Tech may rework the A.C.C., finest identified for its prime basketball packages, right into a soccer powerhouse.”

We all know how that turned out.

Again within the early 2000s, the Large East tried to sue to dam the motion and failed. Then-Large East commissioner Mike Tranghese was quoted on the time: “I feel the general public is disgusted with us all to be sincere with you.” The ironic twist: Boston School and Syracuse had been the 2 faculties that labored hardest to get Miami to remain. A yr later, BC left for the ACC and Syracuse would ultimately comply with within the 2010s.

It isn’t just like the Large East suffered within the 2000s. When BC left, the league mutilated Convention USA by poaching Cincinnati, DePaul, Louisville, Marquette and South Florida to type a 16-team convention, the biggest in historical past.

On the ACC aspect, let’s test in Miami’s by no means gained a soccer convention title since becoming a member of, Virginia Tech has been erratic at finest and BC is perhaps the most important loser of any power-conference crew to change leagues up to now 20 years.

25. Villanova coach Jay Wright retires (April 20, 2022).

There have been a variety of notable retirements since 2000, however the shock worth and symbolism of Wright’s outpaces all others. At 60 years previous, coming off the fourth Closing 4 of his profession and nonetheless working in his prime at Villanova, Wright determined the grind was not for him. He noticed the primary season of NIL-affected faculty basketball and did not need any extra of it. (Tony Bennett would retire for related causes in October 2024.)

Wright gained 642 video games, two nationwide championships, 13 mixed Large East titles, was a two-time Naismith Coach of the 12 months and six-time Large East Coach of the 12 months. All of it led to a Naismith Memorial Corridor of Fame induction in 2021. Wright shortly pivoted to tv work, the place he is predictably been terrific and figures to develop into one of many sport’s most distinguished voices on the media aspect.

24. NCAA will get dangerously near increasing event to 96, receives huge pushback, grows from 65 to 68 (April 2010).

As of this story’s publishing, the destiny of the NCAA Match stays twisting within the wind. Any growth is uncalled for, because it stays an unpopular idea for the sporting public, however 96 is on a stage so cartoonish it prompts on the spot mockery.

And but, we got here dangerously near having a 96-school event not so way back. 

That is how an AP story from April 1, 2010 learn: “The NCAA seems to be on the verge of increasing the boys’s basketball event to 96 groups. Insisting that nothing has been determined, NCAA vice chairman Greg Shaheen nonetheless outlined an in depth plan Thursday that included the logistics and timing of a 96-team event, how a lot day off the gamers would have and even income distribution. Shaheen mentioned the NCAA checked out retaining the present 65-team subject and increasing to 68 or 80 groups, however determined the larger bracket was one of the best match logistically and financially.”

Three weeks later, the NCAA wised up and merely determined to go to 68. In doing so, logic gained out, the common season was preserved and the event — although not excellent with a 64-team begin — managed to carry on to a near-perfect form and format. Hopefully, it stays that means into the 2030s.

23. Saint Peter’s turns into first No. 15 seed to make the Elite Eight (March 2022).

We might seen No. 15 seeds win two video games earlier than. There was Oral Roberts in 2021 and Florida Gulf Coast in 2013. Even Princeton made the Candy 16 in 2023. And groups like Norfolk State, Lehigh, Hampton, Coppin State and Richmond had tasted March Insanity glory from the 15-line. 

However the Peacocks had been unprecedented. 

The champs of the MAAC, coached by Shaheen Holloway, upset No. 2 seed Kentucky 85-79 in OT within the first spherical, beating the Wildcats with NPOY Oscar Tshiebwe. Then got here a win over No. 7 Murray State to make the Candy 16, adopted by a definitive upset of No. 3 seed Purdue with Jaden Ivey, Trevion Williams and Zach Edey. 

Doug Edert and firm supplied essentially the most unlikely Elite Eight run in event historical past. It took nearly 40 years (for the reason that 64-team period started in 1985) for a 15 to make the Eight. It might take one other 40 for us to see one thing like this once more, however when it occurs, the rarity of all of it will make it that rather more memorable.

22. Stephen Curry’s legend begins with Davidson‘s Elite Eight run (March 2008).

Earlier than the NBA championships, Olympic gold medals, MVP awards and icon standing because the Biggest Shooter in Basketball Historical past, a lanky child who could not land a scholarship supply from Virginia Tech put Davidson on the map. Curry and the Wildcats had been a No. 10 seed that began the 2007-08 season 4-6 with losses to UNC, Duke, UCLA and NC State. Then they gained 22 in a row heading into the NCAAs. 

Davidson was a classy first-round decide to beat Gonzaga, which it did by six. That was the beginning of probably the most well-known single-player-fueled NCAA Cinderella runs ever. 

Curry totaled 128 factors in 4 video games, averaging 32 factors along with making 23 3-pointers. Davidson knocked off No. 2 seed Georgetown within the second spherical, then booted 3-seed Wisconsin within the Candy 16 — by 17 factors.

Curry and the Wildcats got here oh-so-close within the regional closing, falling by two to Kansas. Davidson completed 29-7, completed eleventh at KenPom and Curry rose to everlasting nationwide star standing due to a four-game run that captured the nation’s consideration. It was an enormous deal then. On reflection, it is change into even larger due to Curry’s ascendance as a top-15 all-time participant in NBA historical past. 

21. UNC faces no punishment after notorious widespread educational fraud case (2010-17).

Here is how I described the tip of probably the most anticipated NCAA rulings in historical past: “A seven-year saga, greater than 4 of which included formal NCAA investigations, with three separate elongated levels, and untold quantities of {dollars} and billable authorized hours put towards it, completes with no sanctions. No sanctions or probation or punishments for a faculty that had inside and impartial studies confirm a whole bunch of scholars — a lot of them athletes — benefitting from a whole bunch of phony programs courting again to 1997.”

A narrative that went public with a probe into improper educational advantages to soccer gamers in 2010 led to publicity of phony courses within the African and Afro-American Research division at UNC, looping within the basketball program and … it led to nothing. UNC was handed three totally different notices of allegations and ultimately charged with 5 Stage I violations. However the faculty was by no means punished as a result of, in the end, it was decided that the College of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had a widespread educational fraud situation that wasn’t solely aiding faculty gamers.

It was an institutional situation, not an athletics one. 

It may be argued {that a} lack of punishment made the story even larger and made the NCAA look even worse than standard — significantly as a result of the decision got here six months after UNC gained a nationwide championship that yr in males’s basketball.

20. JJ Redick and Adam Morrison’s season-long race for Nationwide Participant of the 12 months (2005-06).

This storyline was lined again in February, when Cooper Flagg vs. Johni Broome prompted me to look again at one of the best NPOY races of the previous 40 years. Here is what I wrote: “Given the uncooked scoring prowess of each gamers, that is thought of one of the best trendy NPOY race ever. Redick was acknowledged by all six main retailers, although he break up the vote with Morrison for the Oscar Robertson POY and the NABC ballot. Morrison’s 28.1 factors led the nation in scoring, with Redick second at 26.8. At 139 made 3-pointers, Redick led the nation in beyond-the-arc proficiency. Morrison’s 240 made foul pictures had been tops in hoops. 

Redick’s Duke crew completed No. 2 at KenPom. Gonzaga was a 29-4 WCC powerhouse that completed outdoors the highest 30. Duke was a prime seed, whereas GU was a No. 3. Each groups gained their leagues, however each had been knocked out within the Candy 16 in shocking vogue. Duke was stomped by an ultra-athletic LSU crew, whereas Gonzaga notoriously blew one of many largest leads ever in NCAA tourney historical past, falling to UCLA. Morrison’s profession ended with him crying on the courtroom within the closing seconds.”

It was two scorers from reverse coasts with totally different video games and totally different followings. Redick enjoying for the blue blood with rock star-type adoration and swagger (and that swagger additionally made him straightforward to hate for a lot of). Morrison was a crunchy, mustachioed cult hero out of the Pacific Northwest, the participant who introduced Gonzaga to its subsequent stage of legitimacy. He additionally had the highest sport that season when he scored 43 factors in top-of-the-line video games of the previous 25 years: Gonzaga’s 109-106 win over Michigan State in triple OT on the Maui Invitational.

19. Brad Stevens leaves Butler for the Celtics (July 3, 2013).

A couple of of those tales make the listing due to their shock worth, and this one completely qualifies. On the day earlier than the Fourth of July, simply after 5:30 p.m. ET, Butler and the Boston Celtics collectively introduced that 36-year-old Brad Stevens could be taking the Celtics job. It was by no means hinted at earlier than that second. A surprising information dump heading right into a four-day vacation weekend.

Stevens had been connected to earlier openings in faculty, however he by no means truly engaged in any discussions about leaving Butler. He went 166-49 with BU, together with a 12-5 document within the NCAAs and two title sport appearances (preserve scrolling). His 166 wins is essentially the most for any NCAA Division I basketball coach over the primary six years to begin a profession.

In a testomony to how coveted he was, Stevens’ Butler contract in 2013, when he took the Boston job, lasted all the way in which till this yr, 2025.

Due to Stevens, Butler went from Horizon League to A-10 to the Large East. He holds an distinct legacy within the faculty sport.

School hoops was worse off for not having Stevens in it, as was Butler. However Stevens did OK for himself, successful means as a rule in eight seasons as an NBA coach, earlier than beautiful once more by leaving teaching to run the Celtics’ entrance workplace. He was rewarded there, successful NBA Govt of the 12 months in 2023-24, when the Celtics gained the NBA title.

18. Loyola Chicago makes the Closing 4, Sister Jean turns into a bona fide nationwide sports activities movie star (April 2018).

A cheery nonagenarian nun in a wheelchair was one of many 20 largest tales of this century in faculty basketball — a wonderful reflection of how candy this sport will be. 

This lady, Jean Dolores Schmidt, turns 106 in August! She has been with Loyola Chicago since 1991 and stays the chaplain for the basketball crew. Her function within the Ramblers’ resplendent run to San Antonio in 2018 was so adored, she turned a sports activities icon. The Friday press convention was not like something I’ve ever lined: 50-plus TV retailers and greater than 150 members of the information media all crammed right into a room to listen to a couple of phrases from essentially the most in-demand nun since Mom Teresa.

That Loyola squad went 32-6 below Porter Moser and earned a No. 11 seed as a 28-5 crew out of the Missouri Valley. It gained its first three NCAA tourney video games by a complete of 4 factors: 64-62 over Miami, 63-62 over Tennessee and 69-68 over Nevada. Three gamers had been accountable for the game-deciding baskets, a becoming sharing of the highlight for a crew that captured America’s coronary heart. Relive it right here:

17. Virtually Immortal: 38-1 Kentucky and 31-1 Gonzaga lose their solely video games within the closing weekend (2015, 2021).

The temptation of an undefeated crew in males’s faculty basketball is such an alluring storyline at any time when it makes it to March, however after seeing these two groups fail to run the desk, it is honest to marvel if we’ll ever see an unbeaten nationwide champion ever once more.

That Kentucky crew had Karl-Anthony Cities, the Harrison twins, Willie Cauley-Stein, Trey Lyles, with Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis off the bench. Within the lead-up to the NCAA Match, the one crew that was thought of a real risk to UK’s unbeatable standing was the crew that certainly knocked them out: Wisconsin.

The 38-1 season had an impact on John Calipari’s fame within the all-time teaching dialog. Two NCAA titles is totally different than one. Ask Jay Wright, Dan Hurley, Invoice Self, Rick Pitino — and the blokes with one, like Tom Izzo and Jim Boeheim. It is a notch beneath. If Cal has a 40-0 season on his resume, it undeniably adjustments his legacy. Possibly it is so sturdy, he by no means even leaves Kentucky ultimately? I do not know. However 38-1 got here to suggest one thing of an albatross, unfair as it could be. 

As for Gonzaga, its 2020-21 greatness wants reinforcement, as that season was COVID-riddled, with quite a lot of cancellations. With a 32-game stock, versus 40, Gonzaga’s run wasn’t held as excessive, so here is your reminder. That crew charges as probably the most environment friendly in trendy historical past. The 2021 Zags are alongside the likes of 1991 UNLV, 1999 Duke and 2015 Kentucky as one of the best to not win a championship. 

That title sport loss to Baylor was the fifth in males’s historical past, and first in 20 years, to highlight the preseason Nos. 1 and a couple of. That they had a mixed two losses, the fewest in a championship sport since 1966. Their mixed .967 successful proportion is the very best in a title sport ever.

GU simply completed No. 1 at KenPom regardless of being rolled 86-70. Previous to that, Jalen Suggs’ 37-footer to win it on the buzzer in additional time towards UCLA supplied an all-time second for an incredible crew, however its dominance is overshadowed by dropping so definitively to Baylor. 

16. Florida turns into first crew since Duke to win back-to-back titles (2006, 2007).

One thing we’ll by no means see once more, as long as collective bargaining is not allowable in faculty athletics. I am speaking about this particularly: Joakim Noah, Taurean Inexperienced, Al Horford and Corey Brewer all common between 11.3 and 14.2 factors as sophomores. They win the nationwide title. And this quartet, which entered faculty collectively, decides to return to attempt to win two in a row, bypassing surefire draft-pick standing.

Then they did it. 

We’re not going to see that once more.

In 2005-06, Florida went 33-6, had the third-best SEC document (10-6) and was handed a No. 3 seed. And but, that Florida crew is the one one to complete No. 1 at KenPom. It beat Georgetown (with Jeff Inexperienced and Roy Hibbert) within the Candy 16 by 4 factors, its solely sport in that event determined by single digits. UF knocked out 1-seed Villanova within the Elite Eight; that crew was one of many 5 finest Nova squads below Jay Wright. Florida gained by 13. 

They beat George Mason by 15 within the Closing 4 (preserve scrolling), then trounced UCLA within the title sport by 16.

A yr later, Florida went 35-5 and strutted to the title sport, the place it knocked off Greg Oden, Mike Conley and the Ohio State Buckeyes. They set the usual in Gainesville, a regular matched this yr, in fact. However this yr’s crew did not have the storyline energy of Noah and Co. 

15. UConn dominantly goes back-to-back, ascends to blue blood standing (2023, 2024).

Again-to-back listings for back-to-back championship winners. UConn edges out Florida for the record-setting nature of the Huskies’ struts to their natties. 

The Kemba Walker-led Huskies crew that gained all of it in 2011 was in sturdy consideration for this listing however wound up being one of many closing cuts. 

Reality be advised, UConn’s acquired a much bigger story this century anyway. 

In 2023, Dan Hurley’s program went 31-8 and gained the title as a No. 4 seed, but it surely by no means misplaced to nonconference competitors that season and gained its six event video games by a mean of 20 factors. Within the closing 4 video games of that tourney, UConn held all its opponents below 35% capturing, which had by no means been performed. That group additionally trailed for a complete of 55 seconds within the six second halves of that event.

Outlandish.

The 2023-24 crew was even higher. 

That group went 37-3 and has a robust case as a top-three crew this century. It beat opponents by 23.3 factors within the NCAAs, by no means trailed within the second half and had some extent differential of +140, the very best in NCAA historical past. It added as much as two titles with 12 straight video games of 13-plus level victories. It validated UConn, completely, as a blue blood — giving the varsity its fifth and sixth championships in a 26-year span. It additionally vaulted Hurley to face-of-the-sport standing, the place his perch stays. 

Sure packages successful titles below sure circumstances wind up carrying extra narrative weight. UConn’s destruction of the event two years in a row is a stage of supremacy we could by no means see once more.

14. John Calipari leaves Memphis for Kentucky (March 2009).

Calipari’s departure from Kentucky to Arkansas in 2024 practically made the listing, and for as huge of a narrative as that was, it did not have the profound influence of Cal’s Kentucky flip in ’09. It was the primary faculty hoops teaching change dominated by on-line protection. 

After the disastrous rent of Billy Gillispie flamed out two seasons in — a soon-to-be-fired Gillispie being chased in UK’s amenities by TV reporter Alan Cutler additionally performs into this story — UK was determined to land a coach who may have command of the job, deal with the immense strain of Camelot and produce Kentucky again to the forefront of faculty hoops.

Cal was the right candidate.

After 9 seasons at Memphis with six NCAA bids, 4 journeys to the Candy 16 or higher — together with the ’08 title sport — he was the no-brainer best choice. The search on-line acquired so frenzied, a Memphis information station broadcasted an internet dwell stream of a door at Memphis’ amenities that was presupposed to ultimately present Cal strolling out of the constructing. “The Door” spawned Fb pages and have become one in all Twitter’s first viral moments in sports activities. 

It was additionally presupposed to be the white-smoke sign {that a} change was coming in Kentucky’s favor. Finally, it did.

Calipari’s hiring altered faculty basketball’s recruiting dynamic for a era. He introduced on extra NBA picks, five-stars and one-and-doners than any coach in historical past. He was the right coach on the excellent time. Memphis has by no means recovered. You may make the argument that if Cal hadn’t left when he did, even when he waited two or three extra years, Memphis may/would have been in a distinct convention. 

13. Zion Williamson turns into the most important star this century in faculty basketball (2018-19).

In March, I constructed the listing on which gamers meant essentially the most to the game over the previous 25 years, and it is true: Zion was the most important deal and extra well-known whereas in faculty than anybody else. 

Here is what I wrote: “A supernova. … He performed for Duke, had a celebrity title, megawatt smile, distinctive mix of energy and pop and was the point of interest on a No. 1 seed. … Doing it for 32-6, top-seeded Duke crew within the social media period completely performed a significant component in Zion’s distinctive rise to the highest of American sports activities tradition. It is why I’ve him No. 1, along with his megawatt type of play with the Blue Devils. He was so nice so quick, even lacking 5 video games within the common season to harm did not maintain again his prominence. 

The man acquired Barack Obama courtside for one in all his video games. Zion’s mixture of energy, athleticism, leaping skill and charisma made him the right participant on the excellent time in faculty hoops. His presence was a reminder for school basketball, and sports activities followers, that that is what the game can nonetheless do for gamers making their technique to the NBA. By some metrics he was essentially the most beneficial single-season statistical participant within the sport up to now 25 years. A supernova, and the most important bona fide star, within the truest sense of the phrase, the game has seen this century.”

12. Carmelo Anthony turns into first one-and-done freshman to information a crew to an NCAA title (April 7, 2003).

That Syracuse crew holds a particular place in faculty basketball historical past. Anthony was extremely hyped heading into that season and delivered on expectations in a means that had by no means been witnessed. Like Zion, Carmelo was additionally one of many largest stars of this century, and I wrote this about him in March: “It wasn’t simply that Anthony was a star for a faculty that has broadcast media alumni throughout the sports activities panorama (although that does not damage), he additionally had a signature look: cornrows below an orange headband and a not-too-tight, not-too-baggy Cuse get-up. He was a Vibe. Hakim Warrick’s block vs. Kansas clinched Syracuse’s solely nationwide title, however Anthony (who wasn’t even a First Group All-American that season, exposing a flaw in regular-season award voting) turned the face of Syracuse greatness.”

He acquired Jim Boeheim his solely nationwide title and elevated Syracuse’s model from a program that was Virtually Good Sufficient for 20 years to a program that would win all of it. I preserve his one yr at Syracuse defines him greater than some other a part of his basketball legacy. 

11. Kris Jenkins wins it on the buzzer for Villanova over UNC within the nationwide title sport (April 4, 2016).

Big moments and big tales aren’t the identical factor, however typically a second is so huge it turns into a narrative unto itself. Jenkins hitting that shot in Houston is among the three largest moments in faculty hoops this century, and thus elevates to one of many largest tales. His title is endlessly. That shot will play till the solar swallows the earth. It was a privilege to be within the constructing to witness the best ending in faculty basketball historical past. 

Ryan Arcidiacono took six dribbles, tossed it off to Jenkins, who was prepared and unleashed a parabola that supplied one of many extra memorable moments in American sports activities of the previous 25 years.  

The successful play was aptly named “Nova.” 

It was the primary true buzzer-beating shot ever in a championship sport (Dereck Whittenberg’s airball falling into Lorenzo Charles’ fingers technically would not qualify). The buzzer-beater was enormous for Villanova and for the Large East within the league’s reconstruction after convention realignment. 

To make the ending even higher, Marcus Paige’s circus 3-pointer the play earlier than is on the brief listing of most unbelievable performs in a dropping effort in faculty sports activities historical past. But additionally: the play produced one of many coldest reactions ever to a game-winning end result.

10. Big convention realignment results in Catholic 7, close to loss of life and supreme restructuring of Large East (2010-13). 

It is when faculty soccer redrew the map of faculty basketball endlessly. 

First: Over a 48-hour span in the summertime of 2010, Colorado left the Large 12 for the Pac-10 and Nebraska left the Large 12 for the Large Ten. These had been the dominoes that set into motion motion that redefined the meeting of faculty sports activities than a decade later. 

At one level, the Pac-12 tried to persuade Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State to depart the Large 12, and it could have occurred if not for Texas saying no. Within the course of, the Large 12 practically died. (The irony: The Pac-12 would fall sufferer to near-dissolution greater than a decade later when the Large Ten took its 4 most vital faculties.)

The shuffling included Utah becoming a member of the Pac-10 (and creating the Pac-12). Texas A&M and Missouri left the Large 12 for the SEC. The Large 12 salvaged itself by bringing in TCU and West Virginia. Maryland turned its again on the ACC and Rutgers headed to the Large Ten, all within the title of not simply TV cash, however particularly, the promise of cable TV cash. 

No league underwent a extra dramatic metamorphosis than the Large East, which tried to herald TCU and Memphis at totally different factors — to bolster soccer — solely to see soccer greed practically destroy the convention. West Virginia, Syracuse, Notre Dame and Pitt all left for the ACC, whereas football-playing Large East faculties rebranded because the American: UConn, Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers (for one yr), South Florida.

The Catholic 7 (Villanova, Windfall, St. John’s, Seton Corridor, Georgetown, Marquette and DePaul) managed to carry on to the Large East branding and recruited Creighton, Butler and Xavier into the league, stabilizing one of the best basketball-first convention in faculty basketball. The league has had 4 groups in its ranks win a nationwide title since, earned a mean of 5 NCAA Match bids and in seven of 12 seasons it has ranked both second or third in convention energy at KenPom. 

The realignment earthquake of the 2020s was enormous, but it surely was the tectonic motion of the early 2010s that redrew the map and enabled conferences, faculty presidents and TV networks to desert the idea of geography being a central tenant of convention development. These selections made 16- and 18-team superconferences doable roughly a decade later. 

9. George Mason turns into the primary mid-major to ever make the Closing 4 (March-April 2006).

You may make the case that is the highest feel-good story on the listing. Till George Mason got here alongside, the concept of a mid-major breaking the dam within the trendy NCAA Match to win 4 video games and attain the most important stage felt practically inconceivable. 

Then all of us fell in love with a commuter faculty from Fairfax, Virginia, which knocked off among the largest packages (Michigan State, North Carolina, UConn) en path to an unforgettable Cinderella story. Tony Skinn, Jai Lewis, Folarin Campbell, Lamar Butler and Will Thomas set the template, with coach Jim Larranaga’s easy-going disposition being the important thing ingredient to creating his guys imagine they may slay the giants. 

The Patriots’ 86-84 OT win over UConn stays top-of-the-line video games in NCAA Match historical past, the extent of competitors and thrill we hope each regional closing can present. GMU’s run ended by the hands of eventual champions Florida, however all these years later, George Mason is remembered simply as a lot for the 2006 event because the Gators’ championship run.

If you wish to return and actually perceive what that run was about and a few superb particulars, I wrote a giant function on it in 2016.

8. UNC upsets Duke in Coach Ok’s final sport at Cameron Indoor Stadium and once more on the Closing 4 (March, April 2022).

The height level for one of the best rivalry in American sports activities. 

Half 1: Duke’s residence finale, and the final time Mike Krzyzewski would ever coach at historic Cameron Indoor Stadium, ends with a stunner. Duke has the No. 1 offense, future No. 1 decide Paolo Banchero, is 26-4 entering into and had defeated Carolina by 20 factors a month prior. 

What I wrote then: “This was to be Mike Krzyzewski’s night time. Duke staged one of many grandest send-offs faculty sports activities had ever seen. It was nostalgic. It was elaborate. It was quintessentially Duke. Which implies lots of people cherished it and lots of people hated it. Which implies it was completely performed. All of this created the most important buildup, in all probability ever, to a regular-season faculty basketball sport.

After which the best rivalry in American sports activities added to its legend with one of many extra shocking upsets in its 102-year historical past. 

Unranked, bubble-team-supreme North Carolina 94, No. 4 Duke 81. A Saturday night time stunner at Cameron Indoor Stadium.”

It was surreal to be in that hallowed constructing that night time. And to suppose: Greater drama awaited a month later. 

Within the Closing 4, North Carolina and Duke performed a bona fide traditional, with eighth-seeded UNC holding on 81-77 over No. 1 Duke. The 2 packages had by no means met within the NCAA Match. For it to occur for the primary time below these circumstances felt cosmic. Photos of Caleb Love’s 3-pointer with 24.8 to go from the highest of the important thing put UNC up 78-74 might be proven round Chapel Hill — and banned in Durham — in perpetuity.

What a present it was as sports activities followers to see these two blue blood rivals face one another on that stage. No means Duke followers thought their crew would lose once more to Carolina. However that is sports activities. 

7. Indiana fires Bob Knight (Sept. 12, 2000).

The oldest story on the listing, but additionally clearly one of many largest. Knight had an elongated denouement in Bloomington. After practically 30 years on the job, together with three nationwide championships and 11 Large Ten titles, all of Knight’s brilliance as a basketball thoughts could not out-scheme his dangerous conduct. His misdeeds caught up with him for good in 2000. In March of that yr, CNN/Sports activities Illustrated aired a narrative that centered round former IU participant Neil Reed, who claimed Knight choked him in a observe three years earlier than.

Knight denied the story, solely to seek out out footage of the incident existed — and CNN aired it quickly after its preliminary exposé. At that time, many within the media (even past faculty basketball media) had been weighing in on the saga, with no scarcity of critics calling for Knight’s termination. Due to his energy in Bloomington, he held on to his job below a “no tolerance” stipulation. 

A couple of months later, Knight was performed. His aggressive conduct did not completely cease, the ultimate incident mockingly occurring outdoors the parameters of his work with the basketball program. Knight allegedly grabbed the arm of an on a regular basis pupil after he purportedly addressed the coach with a, “Hey, Knight, what’s up?” 

Twenty-nine years and canned at Indiana. College students on campus protested, with then-IU president Myles Model was the middle of the outrage. You possibly can argue no coach had a stronger drive of character within the historical past of American sports activities than Knight. It introduced him acclaim and criticism. To have his profession at Indiana come undone by his personal bellicosity was as predictable because it was unhappy.

6. The final word NCAA Match redemption story: UMBC upsets Virginia, Virginia wins the nationwide title a yr later (2018, 2019).

School basketball waited eons to see a 16-seed lastly beat a No. 1. On March 16, 2018, the UMBC Terriers turned immortal once they not solely beat No. 1 total seed Virginia, they blew their doorways off, 74-54. Virginia appeared and performed like a crew affected by a voodoo curse within the second half. 

Fortuitously for this system, the one coach within the sport who was wired to deal with such a humiliating loss was Tony Bennett. 

And so, a yr later, Virginia entered the event once more as a No. 1 seed and reeled off one of many extra thrilling title springs in NCAA historical past. Within the Candy 16, UVa beat Oregon 53-49, which put the Wahoos towards Purdue within the Elite Eight. All that transpired was one of many 5 finest video games I’ve ever lined in individual — an 80-75 OT win that was made doable after Mamadi Diakete took a go from Kihei Clark proper earlier than time expired and sank the game-tying shot. Carsen Edwards went for 42, together with 10 3-pointers, in probably the most heroic dropping efforts in NCAA Match historical past. 

Virginia escaped loss of life vs. Auburn within the Closing 4 after Kyle Man hit a nook 3-pointer with 6.5 seconds to go, after which a controversial foul name towards Auburn gave UVa an escape hatch. Within the title sport towards Texas Tech, the circle was made full when De’Andre Hunter hit a nook trey with 12.5 to go to get Virginia to additional time. Then completed off the one-year script flip in OT. 

This brief capsule actually would not do justice how unlikely Virginia’s year-long journey was. As time goes on, its distinctive arc will change into extra appreciated. 

5. The Biggest Shot That By no means Was: Gordon Hayward nearly beats Duke and Butler makes back-to-back title video games (2010, 2011).

How giant should a second be for a shot that did not even go in to change into one of many timeless highlights in a sport’s historical past? In a blink, Gordon Hayward’s 45-foot prayer from a 30-degree angle that smacked off the glass and rolled off the rim after time expired on April 5, 2010 made thousands and thousands blip into an alternate actuality. One other universe the place a mid-major from the Horizon League managed to win a nationwide championship over the most well-liked blue blood in faculty basketball. 

As a substitute, Duke gained 61-59 within the first title sport determined by a bucket in additional than 20 years. Significantly, go to in regards to the three-minute mark of the second half and faucet again into the stress of this title sport. Butler had the sport on its racquet.

Butler was a 33-win 5-seed heading into that title sport, coached by then-33-year-old Brad Stevens, who was in his third season on the job. That was one of the best Butler crew in historical past, with the No. 7 per-possession protection, a future top-10 in Hayward and program legends corresponding to Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard enjoying alongside. Butler rode a 25-game successful streak into that Monday night time. Duke was the No. 1 at KenPom that season, led by Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Brian Zoubek.

The championship sport run was made all of the extra particular as a result of it was staged in Indianapolis — simply miles away from Butler’s campus. It was the smallest faculty (enrollment all of 4,200 then) to make the Closing 4 in 30-plus years.

The following yr, Butler was as a No. 8 seed and nonetheless made all of it the way in which again to the ultimate night time. It escaped a wild first NCAA tourney weekend with grinders towards Outdated Dominion and Pitt. Within the Candy 16, Stevens’ crew knocked off Wisconsin earlier than edging Florida in OT within the Elite Eight. In 2011 it was Butler that was accountable for ending VCU‘s Closing 4 run, then acquired dealt with 53-41 by UConn (giving the Kemba storyline long-lasting energy) in objectively the worst title sport in trendy historical past. 

However for a mid-major to make back-to-back title video games? That’s astounding. I actually do not suppose we’ll ever see it occur once more, and that is why it ranks so extremely right here. 

4. Homicide, an tried cover-up and the near-death of a program: The Baylor basketball scandal (June-August 2003).

The worst story on the listing. A narrative so horrid, it includes homicide and particulars so horrible they practically ended a program.

With two gunshot wounds to the top, one Baylor participant, Carlton Dotson, killed one other, Patrick Dennehy, in June 2003. It took practically two weeks for Dennehy’s physique to be found subsequent to a rock quarry on the outskirts of Waco, Texas. These particulars alone make this such a grim account, but it surely was worsened by then-Baylor coach Dave Bliss, who tried to avoid wasting his job by scheming to painting the slain Dennehy as a drug seller as a means for him to pay tuition. Dennehy “had no alcohol, opiates, amphetamines or barbiturates in his system” after present process an post-mortem.

Bliss was motivated to disgrace a useless man’s title as a result of he paid for Dennehy’s tuition, along with masking up optimistic drug assessments with different gamers. So, Bliss tried to get his assistants and a few of his gamers to deceive NCAA investigators. He was caught on tape when one in all his newly employed assistants covertly recorded conversations between Bliss and the teaching workers. 

“What we have to do right here is create medicine,” Bliss mentioned on the time, including, “It isn’t like we created his state of affairs. We are the victims.”

Terrible.

Making issues worse for the Dennehy household, Bliss reiterated his perception that Dennehy was a drug seller when making the 2017 documentary “Disgraced.” He confirmed that with our Dennis Dodd, who wrote a narrative on it on the time.

In 2003 it was all performed to keep away from NCAA detection. As a substitute, it led to Bliss’ resignation and Baylor practically acquired the loss of life penalty for having its program related to one of many worst scandals in faculty sports activities historical past. Dotson pleaded responsible to the homicide in 2005 and was launched from federal jail within the final yr.  

With all of this as context, it makes what Scott Drew did all of the extra unbelievable. He took the job in 2003 and oversaw probably the most unlikely rebuilds in American sports activities historical past, which culminated with the 2021 nationwide title.

3. FBI investigation into fraud and bribery in faculty basketball makes nationwide headlines and places the game on edge for practically two years (2017-2019).

On Sept. 27, 2017, the FBI arrested 10 folks related to varsity basketball, together with assistant coaches Tony Bland (USC), Chuck Particular person (Auburn), Guide Richardson (Arizona) and Lamont Evans (Oklahoma State). Additionally arrested was Adidas exec James Gatto and an up-and-comer within the recruiting and agent area, Christian Dawkins.

It has been nearly eight years since this story broke, but it surely’s price reminding people who when it got here out, there was zero indication one thing like this was within the wind. And that was in fact as meant. The FBI has one thing of a fame of being covert, in any case.

It was the uncommon story on this listing that actually rocked the school basketball world — and past. A press convention was held that afternoon with a now-infamous flow-chart that laid out how the schemes had been performed and the notorious quote from Joon H. Kim to varsity basketball coaches throughout the nation: “We’ve got your playbook.”

Besides, they actually did not. Most coaches within the sport weren’t caught up within the story or the schemes the FBI was promoting, and in reality numerous the exercise that was caught is now authorized in faculty sports activities. You possibly can argue the entire thing was an enormous waste of time and taxpayer cash, however what’s inarguable is how huge this story was and the way a lot worry it stoked into the game. 

It was thought that this story, when it broke in 2017, would result in dozens of firings and the ultimate publicity on all of the pay-for-play dishonest occurring in faculty basketball. The ending did not come near delivering on the premise.

However there was nonetheless numerous fallout, and I would say that this case assist usher within the participant empowerment period. The most important preliminary teaching casualty was Rick Pitino, whose profession at Louisville couldn’t survive one other scandal. Because of this, this investigation led to an unprecedented motion: the NCAA stripping a basketball championship. Louisville not hangs its 2013 NCAA banner after that verdict was rendered on Feb. 20, 2018.

2. COVID cancels the 2020 NCAA Match (March 12, 2020). 

When one of many largest sporting occasions on the calendar is just not held for the primary time in its 80-plus-year historical past as a result of a worldwide pandemic that places the world in a vice grip, that is an all-time story. 

Each American crew sport, in some unspecified time in the future, a way, discovered a path to stage a championship occasion in 2020 … apart from faculty basketball. No March Insanity for the primary time for the reason that event started in 1939. It is nonetheless a trouble that 2020 has his void that may by no means be stuffed in, all as a result of COVID-19 hit America soil with an more and more aggressive wave simply as the choice committee was assembly to construct out the bracket. 

The NBA’s season was postponed the night time of March 11, 2020, and that was the sign to the nation that all the pieces was about to alter in a significant means. It took lower than 18 hours for the NCAA to make the decision and do the inevitable. If you happen to’re to return and examine what it was like, I wrote a tick-tock account simply days after the event was killed. 

With out a event to determine a champion, followers of three faculties particularly are left to marvel what may have been. Gonzaga (31-2), Dayton (29-2) and San Diego State (30-2) all had lifelike hopes to be nationwide champions that season. And it was all taken away. Fortuitously, a bubble event was salvaged in 2021 earlier than issues had been restored to normalcy in 2022.

1 Ed O’Bannon v. NCAA begins the inevitable: Switch portal, NIL laws and revenue-sharing ends century-old amateurism mannequin (2009-present).

NCAA-affiliated lawsuits are so frequent as of late, they’re virtually anticipated on a weekly foundation. However in July 2009, crucial lawsuit in faculty athletics historical past was filed. Former UCLA All-American basketball participant Ed O’Bannon sued the NCAA over an antitrust violation that stemmed from the NCAA and EA Sports activities utilizing his likeness in a online game — and profiting — with out his consent. 

He was one in all 1000’s. 

It was morally indefensible, and the NCAA was lastly going to pay for it.

The case took loads of turns and stalls, in the end requiring 5 years to maneuver by means of the courts. O’Bannon ultimately gained in 2014. The NCAA appealed. Extra lawsuits got here. The NCAA spent greater than $100 million in authorized prices and lobbying efforts over greater than a decade’s time to limit the incomes capability of faculty athletes. What a waste.

In 2021, the NCAA’s amateurism mannequin was delivered one other enormous blow when the Supreme Courtroom dominated unanimously in favor of the plaintiffs within the notorious Alston case. States handed legal guidelines that had been player-friendly and guarded them from motion by the NCAA, empowering NIL laws. That dovetailed with loosening of switch guidelines, which prompted an period of transactional roster motion that despatched faculty sports activities into chaos. 

Has all of it been for the higher? No. However evolution is messy, and that is essentially the most essential interval in NCAA historical past. As a result of for the primary time, really, gamers’ rights matter. That set the stage for the Home case, which led to the Home case settlement, income sharing and the place we’re right here, in July of 2025. The NCAA has been compelled to alter its philosophy, to bend on what it permits and what it stands for on a elementary stage. Due to it, there is no such thing as a larger story. O’Bannon v. NCAA began the gradual loss of life of amateurism and had a profound influence on all of faculty sports activities. 

And nonetheless this story is just not completed and in some ways will not be till faculty athletes can unionize and collectively discount. 

Each time that day comes, will probably be as huge of a narrative as this one, as it is the final nice frontier in faculty sports activities.