FanPost

NCAA madness

It's that time of year again.  time to fill out your brackets and watch endless games and look at possible draft picks...

I thought it would be fun to reminisce about some past tournaments, and I specifically wanted to examine contributions to NCAA lore by current and former Suns.

Two of the most amazing moments in NCAA history featured current Suns players prominently.  Here are some moments featuring current Suns players:

  1. In the 1993 tournament, Steve Nash led 15th seeded Santa Clara to a 64-61 upset of the 2nd seeded Arizona Wildcats.  Chris Mills and Damon Stoudamire could not stop the 'Cats from choking even though Nash missed two free throws in the final minute as the Broncos hung on.  This was especially memorable to me as I was rooting for the 'cats, and they had been knocked out in the first round the year before.  I remember exactly where I was since I was in Puerto Vallarta on a sailboat, which is why I couldn't watch it.  After this, Olson went out and got the recruiting class that won it for him in 1997.
  2. In what some say is the greatest college basketball game of all time, Duke stunned Kentucky 104-103 in a third round game in the 1992 tournament.  Christian Laettner's turnaround jumper from the top of the key with 2.5 seconds left stunned the Wildcats.  The play was practiced by the Blue Devils for weeks after it failed in a game with Georgia Tech.  The passer of the 3/4 court bomb to Laettner?  None other than our own Grant Hill.
  3. Also in the 1993 tournament, Shaquille O'Neal led perhaps his best LSU team toward a much hyped game against Georgetown and Alonzo Mourning.  Alas, Bobby Knight had other ideas.  Although Shaq scored 36 points, the Hoosiers choked off the other Tigers and advanced, spoiling the sportswriter's dream matchup.
DJ has played in four tournament games, two each in 2004 and in 2007.  He shot 8-27 in 2 2007 tourney games, so nothing to write home about.  He was a sub for the 2004 Terps team that made the NCAA.

Tucker has played in eight NCAA games, winning 3.  I cannot find any write up about his performance.

I can't think of any former Suns that have been tournament heroes except Steve Kerr, who had quite a career down the road from Phoenix.  Maybe someone else can dig up his stats.

Feel free to add your memories. Also, go ahead and use this space to post your observations on this year's tournament.