Mario's shot
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@wissox83 my argument is that Mario had no other option. Had to be a 3. Opponent set up D for it. We already had expended tremendous energy getting back to that point too. The deficit overcome should count too.
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Maybe possible to isolate factors for a formula...
- Shots that win (the team was behind or tied) the national championship at or near the buzzer (~3 sec or less)
- Shots that force any OT in the national championship
- Shots that win the Regional Finals at or near the buzzer
- Shots that force any OT in the Regional Finals
- Shots by underdogs that win NCAA Tournament games at or near the buzzer
etc...
Some context should also be considered to rank within those categories -- For instance,
- What kind of shot (3pt, 2pt, free throw?) and how far? (logo? beyond midcourt?)
- Size of the deficit overcome
- How little time the winning team led in the game.
- How many lead changes
- How high was the probability of winning for the losing team during the game and especially at the end of the game.
- Number of OTs
etc....
Given that UConn was 19 down, there were only 2 lead changes and they led less than a minute (~50 seconds), made this game all the more sensational.
Duke's probability of winning peaked at 98.7% with about 1:30 left in the first half. It was 95.3% with 5:03 left in the game. And it was 89.6% with 6 seconds left, when the turnover was committed.
While the UConn win was one for the ages, I think fantastic finishes in a National Championship have to be considered greater than fantastic finishes in lesser games.
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@bskeet I like the formula. FF games deserve even more 'points' than regional finals! Suggs shot was awesome. Harrison knocked out the 2014 Badgers with a do or die 3 for Kentucky. FAU had a FF buzzer beater just a couple of seasons ago.
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Speaking of Mario's shot, how many had turned the game off? Be honest, we won't kick you out! I stuck with it but I do know some who had turned it off.
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Not me!
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I'm faithful to a fault. I'm there 'til the end.
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I was all in
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@wissox83 I don't remember about the Mario game, but I went to bed at halftime of the 2022 Championship. You're all welcome. I stay up - we lose.
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Mario's shot wasn't a buzzer beater and it didn't win the game. That's why it's not as high up as other moments.
"Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -
@Texas-Hawk-10 Mario’s shot was the clutchest shot on the biggest stage. The fact that he could only tie with a 3 should be the reason he is number 1, not a detractor.
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@approxinfinity the shot also wasn't a buzzer beater. There was still 3 seconds on the clock and Memphis had a decent half court look to win it.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 sure but these things dont disqualify it for me. If he hadnt made it the extra time almost certainly wouldnt have mattered for us. It was make 3 or go home.
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@Texas-Hawk-10 I know we're picking hairs here, but a shot where the other team has to throw it from almost full court to win is a buzzer beater. And we lose if he misses. It was epic but somehow a quarterfinal shot like Laettners gets venerated as some sort of shot from the gods and Marios gets people saying well because it wasn't this or that it's not "as high up...."
Bull biscuits. Horsehockey. Mule Muffins! Marios and Keith Smarts and Lorenzo Charles are the only true epic buzzer beaters in NCAA tournament history.
