Best and Worst NCAA Tournament memory (For any team)

[BKLYNCyclone]

worst was losing to Michigan State because we probably would have won the national title if we had won that game

I was there... for all intensive purposes, that game was the NCAA Finals. It was a long drive home with face paint on (we left directly from the arena). Somehow, Hampton still seems worse though.

My best experience was the 2001 KU game at home. Great game, and it was so cold outside waiting in line that the donuts, coffee and orange juice all froze.

 

[jdoggivjc]

I was there... for all intensive purposes, that game was the NCAA Finals. It was a long drive home with face paint on (we left directly from the arena). Somehow, Hampton still seems worse though.

My best experience was the 2001 KU game at home. Great game, and it was so cold outside waiting in line that the donuts, coffee and orange juice all froze.

I think the big reason why MSU isn't the worst, at least for me, is put both losses in context. We weren't supposed to be as good as we were either year, but we were expected to be a lot worse in 1999-2000. And instead we go 32-5, made a championship run, for all intents and purposes lost the "championship game" to Michigan St, and finished 3rd in the nation in polling that season. Not to mention had it not been for fouled-up officiating (which I am normally hesitant to go that route, but was obviously the case that game), we likely win that game. While it sucks to have lost that way, there were so many "goods" that occurred that season that it helps alleviate a lot of the ills of that game.

2001-02, on the other hand, you could see the season start to spiral out of control starting with the Texas game. We performed way above expectations the entire season, and were in the conversation for a #1 seed much of the year. And then it was as if we hit a brick wall against Texas, and we never recovered. The media expected us to make a tournament run that year - hell, Dan Patrick had us in his Final Four, and Mike Greenberg admitted to the world this morning that he had us winning the whole blasted thing (which, if you know his history with picking champions, we were doomed to lose to #15 Hampton after he picked us to win the NCAA Tournament - anybody he picks to be champion is inherently cursed). Not to mention it was our own bloody fault we allowed Hampton to be in that game in the first place, and Tinsley rims out a fairly easy layup that he never misses. Not to mention we are mercilessly reminded of this every year come tournament time, which is why every single year I root for a #1 and/or a #2 to go down, as it will take a lot of the limelight off of this game. I mean, really - how many people remember #2 Arizona losing to #15 Santa Clara in 1993, now that CBS' focus is on the Iowa State-Hampton travesty? (I even had to look it up - I knew it was Arizona, but I forgot it was Santa Clara and it was back in 1993)

While the Detroit Screwjob might have cost us a National Championship in 2000, we shot ourselves in the foot in 2001. Failure to live up to expectations will always be more painful to me than

 

[Cyclonestate78]

I think the big reason why MSU isn't the worst, at least for me, is put both losses in context. We weren't supposed to be as good as we were either year, but we were expected to be a lot worse in 1999-2000. And instead we go 32-5, made a championship run, for all intents and purposes lost the "championship game" to Michigan St, and finished 3rd in the nation in polling that season. Not to mention had it not been for fouled-up officiating (which I am normally hesitant to go that route, but was obviously the case that game), we likely win that game. While it sucks to have lost that way, there were so many "goods" that occurred that season that it helps alleviate a lot of the ills of that game.

2001-02, on the other hand, you could see the season start to spiral out of control starting with the Texas game. We performed way above expectations the entire season, and were in the conversation for a #1 seed much of the year. And then it was as if we hit a brick wall against Texas, and we never recovered. The media expected us to make a tournament run that year - hell, Dan Patrick had us in his Final Four, and Mike Greenberg admitted to the world this morning that he had us winning the whole blasted thing (which, if you know his history with picking champions, we were doomed to lose to #15 Hampton after he picked us to win the NCAA Tournament - anybody he picks to be champion is inherently cursed). Not to mention it was our own bloody fault we allowed Hampton to be in that game in the first place, and Tinsley rims out a fairly easy layup that he never misses. Not to mention we are mercilessly reminded of this every year come tournament time, which is why every single year I root for a #1 and/or a #2 to go down, as it will take a lot of the limelight off of this game. I mean, really - how many people remember #2 Arizona losing to #15 Santa Clara in 1993, now that CBS' focus is on the Iowa State-Hampton travesty? (I even had to look it up - I knew it was Arizona, but I forgot it was Santa Clara and it was back in 1993)

While the Detroit Screwjob might have cost us a National Championship in 2000, we shot ourselves in the foot in 2001. Failure to live up to expectations will always be more painful to me than

Just to add 1 thing... I think our loss to Hampton is worse then Arizona's loss to Santa Clara. Santa Clara had a guard by the name of Steve Nash that tore Arizona a new ******* in that game. Hampton had..... well..... nobody special. :sad:

Edit... how brutal is this for Arizona....

Arizona's lead had been cut to 3 points, 52-49, when Mills came back in with 5:21 left. The Wildcats went more than 15 minutes without scoring a field goal until Mills hit a 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds left that drew Arizona to 64-61.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Just to add 1 thing... I think our loss to Hampton is worse then Arizona's loss to Santa Clara. Santa Clara had a guard by the name of Steve Nash that tore Arizona a new ******* in that game. Hampton had..... well..... nobody special. :sad:

Edit... how brutal is this for Arizona....

Arizona's lead had been cut to 3 points, 52-49, when Mills came back in with 5:21 left. The Wildcats went more than 15 minutes without scoring a field goal until Mills hit a 3-pointer with 8.4 seconds left that drew Arizona to 64-61.

Wow - never knew that. At least he's spent the last decade or so making it up to the entire state of Arizona with his play for the Suns...

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Wow - never knew that. At least he's spent the last decade or so making it up to the entire state of Arizona with his play for the Suns...

I guess that means the little fat troll coach from Hampton needs to take the Iowa Energy gig and bring Des Moines at least 10 D-League titles? :biglaugh:

 

[JUKEBOX]

Best: Beating Michigan to get to the Sweet 16, 1986

Worst: Hampton, 2001

UCLA 2000 was huge (and sweet payback for '97), but I didn't actually get to see much of that game. .... and other than the scoring margin, it was an expectation as a 2 seed to win that game and reach the Elite 8. I admit I was a little nervous after what UCLA did to Maryland in the previous round.

Nothing comes close to the '01 low. MSU '00 was gut-wrenching, considering ISU had them by the throat before it all unwound. In retrospect it's more painful. At the time I did think we may never get a better Final Four chance, but I also thought, "this program has officially arrived" and Sweet 16/Elite 8 seasons might become common.

http://vault.ncaa.com/?game=306SR157_s01&timecode=00:00:01:00

 

[gocubs2118]

Best: Illinois comeback vs Arizona

Worst: Illinois losing to UNC in championship game.

I wasn't an Iowa State fan when we lost to Hampton or Michigan State, so I can't say those are my worst memories.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Best: Illinois comeback vs Arizona

Worst: Illinois losing to UNC in championship game.

I wasn't an Iowa State fan when we lost to Hampton or Michigan State, so I can't say those are my worst memories.

Consider yourself lucky.

FYI... that Illinois vs. Arizona game was epic. Great college basketball game.

 

[cyguytillidie]

Worst: Either Hampton or MSU.

Best: Don't really have that great of memories from ISU's run in 2000 since I was 10 but I would probably say that run, or Iowa getting beat by Northeastern State.

 

[Sobchakcyclone]

The MSU loss is the worst. My melt-down was worse than Larry's. I was "removed" from the bar I was in. Nice to be around a bunch of KU fans. I tried to bridge a gap I couldn't.

This is going to be weird, but I think one of the best games I saw one of our teams play was '91-92, losing to #6 Kentucky 106-98. We were semi in it, and shouldn't have been. The 3's rained down in that game, amazing shooting and distance.

 

[ISUChippewa]

The MSU loss is the worst. My melt-down was worse than Larry's. I was "removed" from the bar I was in. Nice to be around a bunch of KU fans. I tried to bridge a gap I couldn't.

Funny story...I actually watched that game in East Lansing, Michigan with a bunch of MSU students. I was well into my cups when the "blarge" happened, so I didn't see it at the time for the travesty it was. There was some light-hearted trash talk, but for the most part the students were pretty cool, and there were some hotties at the party as well. I actually met Mateen Cleaves later on in the evening (more like morning by that time) and in my drunken stupor told him that MSU was going to have to win the whole thing now that they had beaten Iowa State (confessing to him that I was a Cyclone fan, as if my t-shirt didn't give it away). He was a pretty nice guy and even took a group photo with us. Very fun evening all around, except for the next day when I heard about the "blarge" and realized the screwjob we had been given.

 

[kilroy]

For little bro up north

2010 Uni v Mich St: UNI no FG in last 10:21

 

[craigbrackins21]

Worst: Either Hampton or MSU.

Best: Don't really have that great of memories from ISU's run in 2000 since I was 10 but I would probably say that run, or Iowa getting beat by Northeastern State.

I remember the Iowa-Northeastern State game very well. Sitting in 5th grade English class and hoping they would lose. Our teacher getting a call saying they won like 40 to 36 and I just sat there and denied it. She called me a bad sport but little did she know that I was actually right. It was the best feeling ever when I got home and found out the truth.:yes:

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

Just want to know. If you cheer for any other team you can post as well.

Best Memory: ISU beating Cincinnati in the Tournament. My favorite memory because I was in an apartment in Minneapolis cheering along with friends and family. We were jumping up and down on the floor and their neighbors were getting ******.

Worst Memory: ISU losing to UCLA the next round. Main reason was because this was the first time my parents allowed me to stay up late to watch tv. I was so depressed the next day at school. I HATE UCLA TO THIS DAY!

I agree with all of this. That UCLA loss was just as painful as Hampton or Mich. St. because after UCLA I think we had a great draw. That loss to UCLA was one of the few that had me balling all night. Even though we drubbed UCLA in 99-00 it still doesn't take all the pain away.

 

[CycloneRulzzz]

WBB best - Beating UCONN. Was there and it was GREAT!

WBB worst - Losing to Rutgers at Hilton. My kids were even crying.

I agree with your Best. Nothing better than beating UCONN. I was there as well. Worst was loss to BYU. Had a chance to play Tenn IN HILTON. Hilton would of been soldout for a WBB game.

 

[cyclones500]

Not to mention we are mercilessly reminded of this every year come tournament time, which is why every single year I root for a #1 and/or a #2 to go down ...

I've done it every year since then, too ... I was even doing it w/ the remaining 1's & 2's that very year (while assuming lightning probably wouldn't strike twice; and I was right).

The Hampton upset would probably be closer to footnote territory, except:
1. No 2 has lost since then
2. ISU has won only one tournament game, in only one appearance, since then.

My opinion is, if ISU had returned to the tournament the next season (or perhaps even 2002-03) and gotten a win, then possibly made multiple appearances or at least one Sweet-16 run, the Hampton debacle might have some balance — even without another 2-15 shocker.

The only silver lining (and it was nearly invisible lining) that I could find after that loss was, "Wow, bball has reached the point where beating us is actually a monumental upset." That part seemed OK, but that was with the assumption that we'd actually stay near that level.

Example, comparing ISU-Hampton w/ Arizona-Santa Claras. I think UA lost a 3-14 and a 4-13 right around that same year (possibly right before and right after, or in consecutive years) (and had the 1-8 upset in '00) ... but also reached 3 Final Fours, eventually had the 25-year tournament streak and won the national title only 4 years after the 2-15 loss.

 

[nileo]

I remember the Iowa-Northeastern State game very well. Sitting in 5th grade English class and hoping they would lose. Our teacher getting a call saying they won like 40 to 36 and I just sat there and denied it. She called me a bad sport but little did she know that I was actually right. It was the best feeling ever when I got home and found out the truth.:yes:

Iowa was like a 3 or 4 seed, but that team was not impressive. Brunner, Horner, Haluska were all good players, but not good enough for a 3 or 4 seed.

The Hampton loss was difficult to swallow as a Cyclone fan. That team just self destructed the last 2 games they played that year.

I also hated seeing Drake lose to W. Kentucky a few years ago.

 

[Al_4_State]

I don't know how any Cyclone fan can say anything other than Hampton.

I mostly agree, but I can make an argument for UCLA '97. It was the first really clear memory I have of ISU ripping my still beating heart out of my chest.

But Hampton was worse.

Best NCAA moment: Getting revenge on UCLA in 2000/Beating Cincinnati in '97.

I also hated seeing Drake lose to W. Kentucky a few years ago.

Me too. I was watching that up at the High Life, and the place was PACKED. People were going nuts. Once that shot drop, everyone silently filed out and never spoke of Drake basketball again.