3. Xavier and Kansas State’s double-overtime thriller – 2010
Most of the items on this list involve a buzzer beater or a clutch shot of some sort. Even though Xavier and Kansas State didn’t have a buzzer beater, it went to double overtime because each team kept hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. It’s also one of the many reasons why Jordan Crawford has earned the nickname Steezus.
The game went to overtime because Terrell Holloway drew a foul on a 3-point shot, then hit every shot to tie it at 72. In overtime, both teams scored 15 points each, but Jordan Crawford’s game-tying shot was the best one. Down 87-84, he hit a 35-foot shot which elicited a very primal reaction from Gus Johnson.
Jacob Pullen redeemed himself for missing the game-winning shot at the end of regulation by hitting two clutch 3-pointers in double overtime. Pullen, who was “fear the beard” before James Harden made it cool, finished the game with 28 points, and brought Kansas State to their first Elite Eight since 1988. If this game hadn’t taken years off the players, they probably would’ve beat Butler, but there’s no shame in losing to the eventual finalists.
While the game itself was one of the best, Gus Johnson’s call of it was absolutely incredible. It may have been even more memorable than the game, and it was the reason why CBS struggled to keep him.
Kansas State hasn’t gotten back to the Elite Eight since 2010, and have even missed the Tournament a couple of years. Xavier, meanwhile, is back in the Sweet 16 this year. If they find themselves in a game like this against Florida, it’ll be great for the neutral spectator, but the Musketeers will hope to be on the winning side of it this time.