What was the closest 1 vs. 16 game?

[uk78]

I see that Xavier may be a 1 seed and this year there are a number of highly ranked teams that don't seem head and shoulders over anyone else. I doubt we will ever see a 16 beat a 1, but it seems like if it were to happen, it could be this year. What has been the closest that has ever occurred?

 

[gbl97]

1996: Purdue over Western Carolina. WC missed a shot to win in the closing seconds.

 

[docholiday51]

Was G-town and Princeton a 1-16 seed match-up back in the day.I think that was a 1 or 2 point game.

a quick check shows 1989,Princeton got off 2 shots that would have won the game but Alonzo Mourinig blocked both

 

[NCukcat62]

Unc-Asheville and Syracuse a couple years ago was an absolute war. Of course UNCA got screwed by the refs down the stretch

 

[Neue Regel]

1986 # 1 Duke 85, # 16 Mississippi Valley State 78. MVS led by 3 at half-time. Duke had their hands full until Johnny Dawkins took over late.

2006 #1 UCONN 72, # 16 Albany 59. (deceptive because Albany led by double figures in the second half. They were up 50-38 with 11:34 remaining. UCONN finally took the lead with 5:49 left to play.

 

[tHeFeVeR_23]

I remember some 1 vs 16 matchups that have gone to the wire. I think it will happen at some point. Perhaps sooner rather than later.

 

[JustBlue]

1990 - Michigan State 75, Murray State 71 (OT) Murray State tied it with a 3 in the closing seconds of the game but fell in overtime.

JB

 

[docholiday51]

1990 - Michigan State 75, Murray State 71 (OT) Murray State tied it with a 3 in the closing seconds of the game but fell in overtime.

JB

Racers lost by 4 in OT

 

[Blueaz]

Was G-town and Princeton a 1-16 seed match-up back in the day.I think that was a 1 or 2 point game.

a quick check shows 1989,Princeton got off 2 shots that would have won the game but Alonzo Mourinig blocked both

that was an awesome game!!!

 

[Smashcat]

When it does happen, it would certainly be more entertaining if it's Duke or KU that flames out.

 

[docholiday51]

When it does happen, it would certainly be more entertaining if it's Duke or KU that flames out.

Maybe add UNC as well,however after this year it will be a while before UNC or UL is a 1 seed in anything except the NIT

 

[LineSkiCat14]

2006 #1 UCONN 72, # 16 Albany 59. (deceptive because Albany led by double figures in the second half. They were up 50-38 with 11:34 remaining. UCONN finally took the lead with 5:49 left to play.

I remember that game.

It was Friday night, St. Patrick's Day, and being the first year I could legally-illegally drink with a fake ID, I was in Albany's longest standing and most popular Irish Bar.

That bar, The Washington Tavern, is smack dab in the middle of UAlbany's "Student Ghetto", the same place that exactly 2 years later became infamously known as "The Ualbany St. Patricks Day Riots". The funny thing about that video, is the student area looked very close to that the few years leading up to the incident. Everyone knew it was going to boil over.

People were excited to see Ualbany in the tournament, but no one expected anything. Especially then, because this was at a time when I think only one or two #15 seeds ever won, as opposed to today, we have seen another three pull the upsets. Needless to say, no one expected anything and were content on celebrating St. Patrick's day.

But they made a game of it, and when you're up by 12 at the half, chances are, you're going to win that game. While I think Gonzaga had a closer call in recent years, I'm not sure there was ever a #16 seed up that many points, especially at the half. The place was going nuts. All those factors brewed up one wild environment.

 

[bluinbville]

1996: Purdue over Western Carolina. WC missed a shot to win in the closing seconds.

I remember that game, thinking that a #1 was finally going to bite the dust. That Purdue team was highly suspect and I had UGA beating them in the second round anyway. IIRC, WC had two shots to tie it in the last 10 seconds of the game.

 

[KingsportKat]

1989 Oklahoma 72, ETSU 71. Bucs had 4 chances at hitting the winning shot at the end.

 

[lawrencekash]

It will happen-be patient!

 

[JDHoss]

1989 Oklahoma 72, ETSU 71. Bucs had 4 chances at hitting the winning shot at the end.

The ending was painful. The Bucs outplayed them for most of the game, but let it get away in the final moments. Of course, State wasn't your run of the mill 16 seed either. Very athletic, physical inside, great PG play and had some shooters. Probably were as or more talented than some of the 12 seeds that year.

 

[Estil]

Isn't it interesting that local Murray State of all places is the only 16 seed to make a one seed go the distance? And imagine if Princeton in 1989 (they'd have better luck seven years later) did finish the job against Georgetown just four years after G-town was victim of what is arguably the mother lode of all upsets in 1985. They'd end up being called Choketown!

 

[bthaunert]

1986 # 1 Duke 85, # 16 Mississippi Valley State 78. MVS led by 3 at half-time. Duke had their hands full until Johnny Dawkins took over late.

2006 #1 UCONN 72, # 16 Albany 59. (deceptive because Albany led by double figures in the second half. They were up 50-38 with 11:34 remaining. UCONN finally took the lead with 5:49 left to play.

I was at the UCONN/Albany game as I believe we played UAB in the second game. The place was going NUTS for Albany in the second half...it was a fun environment.

 

[Blue ice]

When it does happen, it would certainly be more entertaining if it's Duke or KU that flames out.

Please.......

 

[*Bleedingblue*]

What was Murray St seeded when they lost in the second round to KU? KU went on to win the title, think it was 87??

 

[bigbluelou]

What was Murray St seeded when they lost in the second round to KU? KU went on to win the title, think it was 87??

No, IU won it in 87. However, KU did win another Helms title that year.

 

[JPScott]

I was at the UCONN/Albany game as I believe we played UAB in the second game. The place was going NUTS for Albany in the second half...it was a fun environment.

Was at that game too. Albany played well while UCONN looked uninterested until about the last 10 minutes.

Moved over to the Albany section in the second half to be in better position to scalp tickets at the end of the game (unfortunately didn't work for me.)

 

[JStaff2187]

Unc-Asheville and Syracuse a couple years ago was an absolute war. Of course UNCA got screwed by the refs down the stretch

I remember watching this game. A ball that was clearly off Syracuse was reviewed and given back to Syracuse. I don't know how some of these officials sleep at night.

 

[Graves51]

What was Murray St seeded when they lost in the second round to KU? KU went on to win the title, think it was 87??

maybe 13 or 14, they beat North Carolina State in first round and took eventual winner Kansas to the last play.

 

[bthaunert]

Was at that game too. Albany played well while UCONN looked uninterested until about the last 10 minutes.

Moved over to the Albany section in the second half to be in better position to scalp tickets at the end of the game (unfortunately didn't work for me.)

I actually bought my tickets through the UAB athletic department. I knew they wouldn't sell that many, so was able to get 4 together in a good spot.

 

[KingOfBBN]

The Purdue/Western Carolina game and Gtown/Princeton, obviously but people are forgetting 2012 when the refs helped Syracuse avoid losing to 16 seed UNC-Asheville.

 

[Graves51]

maybe 13 or 14, they beat North Carolina State in first round and took eventual winner Kansas to the last play.

It was 1988

 

[W2R]

Murray state has had some classic nail biters in the tourney

Michigan state OT

UNC twice both were close games

Duke

Kansas

All the games were close. Sometimes Murray was a 14-15 seed but stood toe to toe

 

[Teachable Moe]

Was G-town and Princeton a 1-16 seed match-up back in the day.I think that was a 1 or 2 point game.

a quick check shows 1989,Princeton got off 2 shots that would have won the game but Alonzo Mourinig blocked both

I remember that game. My memory is that Princeton got fouled and nothing called. The shots were from pretty far away and unlikely to go in, but Princeton didn't get the breaks that day.

 

[Estil]

I guess the 1990 Murray State team took a page out of the first Rocky movie. They figured they probably won't be able to beat Michigan State but wanted to at least go the distance.

 

[mj2k10]

I remember that game. My memory is that Princeton got fouled and nothing called. The shots were from pretty far away and unlikely to go in, but Princeton didn't get the breaks that day.

No, Mourning just pulled an AD on them. Very clean blocks.



go to about 1:13:00 to see the end.

 

[Teachable Moe]

No, Mourning just pulled an AD on them. Very clean blocks.

View embedded media

go to about 1:13:00 to see the end.

The 2nd one is clean?

 

[EvilMD]

Dean Smith's second to last game, UNC trailed 11-18 Fairfield by like eight points well into the second half. That win either tied or brought Smith to within one of Adolph Rupp's win total.

 

[mj2k10]

The 2nd one is clean?

You think that commonly gets called a foul?

I don't. There's absolutely 0 body contact, and if Mourning does get some hand, he also gets a lot of ball.

I watched it in as slo-mo as I could possibly get it, and I can't even say for sure that Mourning makes any contact at all, hand or ball.

 

[Neue Regel]

Was at that game too. Albany played well while UCONN looked uninterested until about the last 10 minutes.

Moved over to the Albany section in the second half to be in better position to scalp tickets at the end of the game (unfortunately didn't work for me.)

Calhoun (As much as Ioathed him) is a great Coach, though I think even he would admit that he might like a do over of that 2005-2006 season. A loaded Basketball team with a lot of good players. Laptopgate with Marcus Williams started the first big distraction for that team that season. Jimmy never quite found the collective pulse of that squad.

 

[JohnnyGentle]

that 2006 uconn team was talented, but had totally tuned calhoun out. gay's motor was always a question mark, though, and williams and boone look to have been pretty overrated, in retrospect

i was at the uab game in philly as well. uconn looked like they didn't want to be there. they didn't come out firing against uk on sunday, either. pretty much came out flat every game and eventually went out to mason

i think that albany coach got run after an ncaa scandal involving malik alvin


mourning block was clean. i think people remember it as a foul because of carril's reaction. he seems like a real prick. my uncle recognized him at all-star weekend when he was an assistant with the kings. man was he sour

 

[Bkocats]

Unc-Asheville and Syracuse a couple years ago was an absolute war. Of course UNCA got screwed by the refs down the stretch

yeah they did - was so angry for UNCA

 

[Neue Regel]

that 2006 uconn team was talented, but had totally tuned calhoun out. gay's motor was always a question mark, though, and williams and boone look to have been pretty overrated, in retrospect

i was at the uab game in philly as well. uconn looked like they didn't want to be there. they didn't come out firing against uk on sunday, either. pretty much came out flat every game and eventually went out to mason

i think that albany coach got run after an ncaa scandal involving malik alvin


mourning block was clean. i think people remember it as a foul because of carril's reaction. he seems like a real prick. my uncle recognized him at all-star weekend when he was an assistant with the kings. man was he sour

The George Mason-UCONN Regional Final almost didn't happen, Washington had UCONN beat in the sweet 16 at one point it looked like before the game went to Overtime where UCONN prevailed 98-92. Kentucky gave the Huskies a tough battle as well in the second round. (4 point game)

People started to take notice of that UCONN team and their lackadaisical atitudes. Rudy Gay particularly received some of the harshest criticism for appearing uninterested at times. I can't remember the game, but during the regular season UCONN had a CBS game and the camera caught Rudy yawning from the bench and Verne Lundquist remarked "As if on cue, there is Rudy Gay yawning."

 

[YouKay]

1986 # 1 Duke 85, # 16 Mississippi Valley State 78. MVS led by 3 at half-time. Duke had their hands full until Johnny Dawkins took over late.

2006 #1 UCONN 72, # 16 Albany 59. (deceptive because Albany led by double figures in the second half. They were up 50-38 with 11:34 remaining. UCONN finally took the lead with 5:49 left to play.

I was at that UCon-Albany game. It sure looked like UCon was going down until very late. Then they barely beat a 10-loss UK in the second round, and then lost to George Mason in the regional final. Laziest team I ever saw in person. That team had Mo Williams and Rudy Gay but they played totally indifferently. Jim Calhoun almost had a coronary trying to get them to play hard in that tournament.

 

[Neue Regel]

I was at that UCon-Albany game. It sure looked like UCon was going down until very late. Then they barely beat a 10-loss UK in the second round, and then lost to George Mason in the Sweet Sixteen. Laziest team I ever saw in person. That team had Mo Williams and Rudy Gay but they played totally indifferently. Jim Calhoun almost had a coronary trying to get them to play hard in that tournament.

YOUKAY! one of my favs, hope you've been well.

G Mason loss was in the elite 8 but UCONN was dead in the water vs Washington in the Sweet 16. That game went to overtime. Seems like that damn Rashad Anderson hit a big 3 when it looked like UCONN was about to go down. He was deadly from long range and bailed them out many times. They were down 8 with like 3:50 to go in the 2004 Final Four against Duke and he hit a key 3 pointer to cut it to 5. No question they were the most talented team 1-12 in the country in 2005-2006 but they never meshed together while that Florida team and it's very talented starting five did mesh well, came on strong and won the 2006 National Championship.