March Madness: 25 greatest buzzer-beaters in NCAA Tournament history
By Nick Villano
2. Kris Jenkins: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Villanova – 2016 National Championship Game
It’s just something that feels like it could never happen. A shot with the clock running to zero and the championship hanging in the balance. For 1.7 seconds, the collective fanbases of Villanova and North Carolina were holding their breath.
The Tar Heels’ Marcus Page just hit a 3-pointer with six seconds left to tie the game. Villanova calls a timeout to get the right play down. Ryan Arcidiacono runs the ball up the court and gives a light, underhanded pass to Jenkins well outside the edge of the three-point line, but he got an open look.
That look ended with a National Championship win.
There are so many epic March Madness moments but the aftermath of this one sticks out. People crying in the stands. The benches-clearing with some quickness. Streamers falling down as players hugged each other on the hardwood. Roy Williams patiently waiting for an end-game handshake while the Villanova coaches were jumping around.
The play was insane. The aftermath was even better.