Top 25 March Madness heroes of all-time

Remember when I said Shabazz Napier’s run to the Final Four with the Huskies in 2014 was the second-best of any point guard in Connecticut history? Well, here’s the first. Kemba Walker put together one of the most astounding string of games in NCAA Tournament history, and that was after the Huskies had to go through a grueling stretch of playing five straight conference tournament games.

Walker’s heroics actually came slightly before the NCAA Tournament as the Huskies won a game in five straight days to put together one of the most memorable Big East Tournament title runs in the history of the conference. Walker averaged 26 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists to piece together the incredible run.

Five days later, the third-seeded Huskies defeated Cornell in the opening round, showing that fatigue wasn’t an issue. Walker scored 18 and dished 12 assists in that win.

Connecticut then beat Cincinnati comfortably thanks to Walker’s 33 points. He dropped 36 against San Diego State in the Sweet 16 and 20 versus Arizona in the Elite Eight. He combined for 34 points in the two Final Four games, obviously both wins, capping off a history run to the 2011 national title.

Walker won the Most Outstanding Player award and his performance set the standard for heroic showings in March.