The history of college basketball is filled with countless legendary moments that have become etched in the minds of fans and players alike. These pivotal moments have shaped the sport into what it is today, and continue to inspire generations of athletes to push themselves to new heights. From buzzer-beating shots to record-breaking performances, here are some iconic moments that will forever be remembered as legends of the court.

One of the most iconic moments in college basketball history took place in 1992 during the NCAA Championship game between Duke University and the University of Kentucky. With just 2.1 seconds left on the clock, Duke’s Christian Laettner received a full-court pass and hit a turnaround jump shot at the buzzer to secure Duke’s spot in the Final Four. The crowd erupted into chaos as Laettner was swarmed by his teammates – a moment that has been replayed countless times since then.

35 years earlier, Wilt Chamberlain made history on March 3rd, 1957 when he scored an unbelievable 100 points for his team, University of Kansas against Oklahoma State University – setting a record that still stands today. This moment cemented Chamberlain’s name as one of basketball’s greatest players and remains an unforgettable feat NBA picks info in college basketball history.

A few decades later, Michael Jordan made his mark on college basketball during his time with North Carolina State University when he hit “the shot” against Georgetown University during the NCAA National Championship game in 1982. The then-freshman guard received a pass from teammate James Worthy and sunk a 17-foot jumper at the last second to win North Carolina their first national title under coach Dean Smith’s leadership.

In recent years, another unforgettable moment occurred when Villanova faced off against North Carolina during their NCAA Final match-up in 2016. Trailing by three points with only seconds remaining on the clock, Villanova’s Kris Jenkins took control and buried a three-pointer at the buzzer to defeat North Carolina 77-74 and give his team their first title since 1985.

Another historic moment that is too brutal to forget is during the NCAA tournament in the mid-90s when Loyola Marymount University faced Michigan in a high-scoring game. With just over twelve minutes remaining, Hank Gathers, LMU’s star player, collapsed on the court and tragically died from an undiagnosed heart condition. The loss of Gathers rocked the college basketball community and resulted in new regulations for pre-season physical exams for players.

These are just some of the countless iconic moments that have shaped college basketball into what it is today. From record-breaking performances to heart-stopping buzzer-beaters, these moments will continue to inspire future generations of athletes to strive for greatness and leave their own mark on this beloved sport.