19 years ago today. A lot of the old timers like me on here might have seen the game on CBS. I remember I was a senior in high school channel surfing on a Saturday night and stopped on the game for lack of choices. I don't recall if Michigan played that day or if it was the next day. I was lucky enough to catch the second half. IMO, 1988 to about 93 was college hoops last golden age and this was the best game.
The play by both teams was brilliant, you had the controversial coaching decision by Pitino, Laettner's perfection, his clutch shot entwined with a despicable act in the second half, and the hollywood back story of the rise of the scandal decimated Kentucky program taking the far more talented Duke team to the brink. The impossible was done: for a night the corporate Big Blue program was sympathetic.
I like to give it a mention on March 28th chatting with sports fans. It always sparks great discussion and memories. Alexander Wolff of SI brings the game and back story to life in this awesome piece.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004691/index.htm
Figured this might be a decent topic for late March pre-Final 4. If the mods think it is soaking up Michigan related space with Hockey looking strong, cyber kill it with my apologies.
I remember watching that game. I was 9 years old at my grandmother's house and I had a small rubber basketball that I was bouncing around during the commercials. That is one of my earliest memories of sports.
I was rooting for Duke because no one had told me yet that they are evil.
"fumbles the snap, takes off. . ."
(9/5/09)
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