The 5 Greatest Final Four Games
The Finals Four has been setting for some of the greatest games in sport’s history. Drama filled battles that left us on the edge of our seats and will live forever in history.
Here are the 5 greatest Final Four Games in the history of men’s college basketball. Check out the list below and remember fans can explore different March Madness betting sites to get the best odds for upcoming games.
5. 1985 National Championship: Georgetown vs. Villanova
In 1985, the Georgetown Hoyas looked nearly unbeatable going into the championship game against #8 Villanova. It was going to take a perfect game to beat Georgetown and that’s just what Villanova did.
The eighth seed shot lights out from the floor with am astonishing 78.6% field goal percentage. Ed Pinckney outplayed future Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing to lead Villanova to a 66-64 win.
It was an incredible game and one of the 5 greatest Final Four Games ever.
4. 1991 Final Four: Duke vs. UNLV
In 1991, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels were the best team in the country. Going into the Final Four, they were riding a 45-game winning streak.
They already beat Duke by 30 in their previous meeting, but made the crucial mistake of underestimating them. Duke’s Bobby Hurley and Christian Laetner led the Blue Devils on a late run to shock UNLV 79-77 to advance.
3. 2008 National Championship: Kansas vs. Memphis
For the 4th pick on our 5 greatest Final Four games list, we’re going to the 2008 national championship. Kansas took on Memphis in a highly-anticipated matchup between equal foes.
Memphis was up 60-51 with 2:12 left in regulation, but Kansas mounted a comeback. Mario Chalmers hit a game-saving three to tie the game and end it to overtime.
In overtime, Memphis succumbed to the pressure and the Jayhawks took the national title 75-68.
2. 2016 National Championship Villanova vs. North Carolina
The 2016 national title game between Villanova and North Carolina was filled with back-and-forth action. It quickly turned into one of the 5 greatest Final Four games of all time.
Both teams were neck and neck the entire game Kentucky’s Marcus Paige tied it up with 4.7 seconds remaining. Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono then drove the length of the court and passed to Kris Jenkins, who hit a game-winning buzzer beater.
The crowd erupted as they won their second national title in dramatic fashion.
1. 1983 National Championship: North Carolina State vs. Houston
Of all of the greatest Final Four games, the one that epitomizes the beauty of the games is the 1983 championship. Houston was a powerhouse of a team going into this game led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.
Despite being outmatched, NC State had the game of their lives. With the game tied at 52 and only a few seconds left, Dereck Whittenburg hurled a 30-foot shot.
It came up short but Lorenzo Charles was right there to tip in the game winner. The image of NC State coach Jim Valvano frantically running down the court celebrating became the lasting image of the Final Four.
