Duke vs. Kentucky 3/28/92

It was 17 years ago today that the greatest basketball game ever played took place in Philadelphia. It was Duke vs. Kentucky for a chance to go to the Final Four. Duke was the favorite to win their second national title. Kentucky was a group of over achievers, known as the unforgettables, that stuck together through the adversity suffered by their basketball program from years earlier.

Through out the game, it seemed every play was bigger then the next. Duke would make a basket, then Kentucky would make a basket. Kentucky would go on a run, then Duke would respond back with a run of their own. It was such a battle that couldn't be decided in regulation and was forced into overtime.

In overtime, every shot, every play was huge. Each team would answer the other team's baskets. Near the end of overtime, Kentucky's Sean Woods made an improbable driving shot that looked to give Kentucky the win.

But then it happened. With 2.1 seconds left on the clock, Duke and it's star player, Christian Laettner, pulled off the greatest play in college basketball.

Down by 1 point and having to go the length of the floor to make a basket, Coach K drew up a play. Grant Hill (another Duke star) threw the ball 3/4 of the way down the court to Laettner. Laettner grabbed the pass, dribbled once, faked right, turned left, and made the game winning shot over two Kentucky players as the clock ran out.

This game represented all that is great with College basketball. Two teams fought their hearts out just for a chance to go to the Final Four. To see two teams give so much and compete so hard, truly made you proud to be a fan of the sport. Sure, Duke won the game, but the biggest winner was College basketball and it's fans.