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When you think about all the history of college basketball, there are many moments that have defined the sport. As we at Sporting News celebrate the 140th anniversary of being in existence as a trusted news source, we've put together the top stories of our time as a publication.
Within the historic list are 11 moments that changed the game of college basketball in both men's and women's competition. Dr. James Naismith invented the game in December 1891. While the first, though often disputed, intercollegiate game occurred in early 1893.
Here are 11 college basketball moments from Sporting News 140 Greatest Sports Moments: Celebrating the games we've covered since 1886.
No. 138 - Texas Western beats Kentucky for NCAA title in game that changed basketball, 1966
Texas Western's all-Black starting five defeats all-white Kentucky in a historic, barrier-breaking national championship game
No. 132 - Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record with 'logo 3', 2024
As Magic and Bird changed the NBA, Caitlin Clark changed the whole of the women’s game
No. 129 - Villanova stuns No. 1 Georgetown in legendary NCAA final, 1985
David slayed Goliath (and Patrick Ewing) to cap the most stunning Cinderella story in Final Four history
No. 122 - No. 16 seed UMBC routs No. 1 Virginia in NCAA's biggest upset, 2018
It finally happened. Prior to UMBC's upset of the ages, 16-seeds were 0-134 all-time against 1-seeds
No. 115 - Notre Dame rallies late, ends UCLA's 88-game winning streak, 1974
The Bruins built an 11-point lead with a little more than 3 minutes left, but a furious Irish run made history
More: 2026 NCAA March Madness bracket: Travel distance from host sites
No. 87 - Bo Kimble shoots free throw left-handed to honor fallen teammate Hank Gathers, 1990
Just 12 days after Hank Gathers tragically died on the court, his best friend honored him with a unique NCAA tournament tribute
No. 71 - Mississippi State defies governor to compete in NCAA Tournament, 1963
"The Game of Change" against Loyola. Mississippi State used decoy cars to defy an order blocking them from playing against Black players
No. 67 - Kris Jenkins beats the buzzer and UNC with title-winning 3-pointer, 2016
We had never seen a true buzzer-beater win an NCAA title — until Kris Jenkins
Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
No. 26 - Lorenzo Charles dunks air ball to lift Cinderella NC State past Houston, 1983
There was a loose ball, an air ball, and suddenly Jim Valvano running around the court looking for someone to hug
More: Why Percy Miller is ready for a major college basketball head coach or GM role
No. 17 - Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese spark record TV ratings in NCAA title game, 2023
In 40 minutes, the game did more to advance women’s basketball than any in the previous 40 years
No. 13 - Duke's Christian Laettner beats the buzzer and Kentucky in epic March Madness game, 1992
Of all the greatest plays in American sports history, this might be the only one without a nickname
Thanks for reading. Here's to another 140 years and beyond.
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- March Madness upset predictions for 2026 NCAA men’s basketball bracket
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