After a few years of mid-major party crashing, this year’s NCAA Final Four is exclusively for blue bloods. Here are five Final Fours in the past that included programs with rich traditions: 5. UNC, Kansas, San Francisco, Michigan State (1957) » In one semifinal, Wilt Chamberlain and Kansas toppled two-time defending champion San Francisco. In the other, UNC went three OTs to beat Michigan State, then three more to edge Kansas in the final.
4. UNC, Kentucky, Michigan, Kansas (1993) » In a title game best remembered for Michigan’s Chris Webber calling a timeout his team didn’t have, UNC won as Donald Williams was a surprise MOP in a Final Four.
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3. UCLA, Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse (1975) » UCLA’s semifinal victory on a buzzer-beater by Richard Washington in OT came over Louisville coach Denny Crum, a former UCLA assistant. In the finals, John Wooden captured his 10th NCAA championship with a win over Kentucky.
2. Kansas, Memphis, UNC, UCLA (2008) » It was the only time in history that all No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four. Kansas and Memphis won their semifinal games in routs, setting up a highly anticipated title game that lived up to the hype. A 3-pointer by Kansas’ Mario Chalmers sent it to OT, where the Jayhawks prevailed.
1. Duke, UNLV, UNC, Kansas (1991) » In the semifinals, Duke pulled off one of the greatest upsets in tournament history, toppling undefeated defending champion UNLV. The other semi was significant, too, as Kansas coach Roy Williams beat his UNC mentor, Dean Smith. Duke went on to win the title game behind MOP Christian Laettner.
– Kevin Dunleavy
