The top 5 greatest NCAA March Madness Championship games

March Madness
Stars are born
The greatest games
North Carolina vs Georgetown, 1982 (5)
Jordan winner
Worthy
Michigan State vs Indiana State, 1979 (4)
Johnson on top
NBA Finals
Texas Western vs Kentucky, 1966 (3)
History in America
Beating Kentucky
North Carolina State vs University of Houston, 1983 (2)
Upset
Villanova vs North Carolina, 2016 (1)
Buzzer-beater
March Madness

The March Madness Championship game has provided fans with some of the greatest moments in sporting history.

Stars are born

The championship game has birthed some of basketball's best, including the likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.

The greatest games

Off the back of the March Madness final game between the UCONN Huskies and San Diego State, let's look at the greatest championship matches in history.

North Carolina vs Georgetown, 1982 (5)

The 1982 NCAA championship game between North Carolina and Georgetown is known for the first-ever iconic Michael Jordan shot with 14 seconds remaining to win the game for North Carolina.

Jordan winner

Michael Jordan's shot from the left elbow put the 'Tar Heels' up by a point. However, drama followed, with Georgetown player Fred Brown, throwing a poor pass under pressure to NC's James Worthy and losing the game.

Worthy

North Carolina won the game 63-62, with James Worthy named the NCAA Most Outstanding Player.

Michigan State vs Indiana State, 1979 (4)

The 1979 championship game between Michigan and Indiana was the birth of the greatest rivalry in NBA history between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

Johnson on top

Bird had helped his Indiana team to a perfect 33-0 record, while Johnson's side was 25-6. In a fascinating finale, Johnson shocked the country, beating Bird and Indiana 75-64.

NBA Finals

The two legends dominated the NBA in the 1980s, playing each other in three separate NBA Finals.

Texas Western vs Kentucky, 1966 (3)

The 1966 game between Texas Western and Kentucky is arguably the most historic game in American history. Texas coach Don Haskins became the first to start five black players in NCAA tournament history.

History in America

Haskins's efforts in starting five black players marked a major milestone in basketball and helped to eradicate segregated teams in Southern states.

Beating Kentucky

The Texas Western team beat the all-white Kentucky team 72-65, creating one of the most historic sporting events of the 20th century.

North Carolina State vs University of Houston, 1983 (2)

One of the biggest upsets in NCAA championship games history is when NC State beat the mighty University of Houston 54-52 in 1983.

Upset

Houston was the clear favorite, possessing Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Despite that, NC's Lorenzo Charles dunked a missed shot with a second remaining to win it for the underdogs.

Villanova vs North Carolina, 2016 (1)

Ranked number one on this list is the thrilling final between Roy Williams' North Carolina and Villanova. Carolina was the favorite to win, but in the dying seconds, Villanova won their first title in 31 years.

Buzzer-beater

Villanova forward Kris Jenkins hit a three-point shot on the buzzer, claiming a shock 77-74 win over the 'Tar Heels,' making for an iconic moment in the tournament's history.

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