15 classic March Madness games you need to watch on YouTube

10. Duke vs. UNLV – 1991 Final Four

It’s hard to picture a time where Duke was an underdog, but that was the case here in the 1991 Final Four. That was certainly the case in this matchup, with the Blue Devils entering their matchup with UNLV as decisive underdogs.

The Runnin’ Rebels had easily won the 1990 national championship and looked even better in 1991, racing out to a 34-0 start entering the matchup with Duke. 32 of those wins were by double digits, so no one was even giving UNLV much of a challenge at that point.

Duke was also a talented team featuring Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill among others. These teams actually met in that 1990 title game, with UNLV obliterating Duke 103-73 in the process.

UNLV entered this game as 8-point favorites and the complete opposite of what Duke stood for, so the game was a true contrast in styles. Duke was able to control the tempo, however, maintaining their poise and discipline to score a 79-77 upset win on their way to the national title.

This game sent the two programs in completely different directions. Duke would claim the first of Mike Krzyzewski’s five national championships on their way to becoming a modern dynasty while UNLV sank under the weight of NCAA sanctions, making just one trip to the Sweet 16 since 1991.