9 of the best NCAA Tournament performances ever

March Madness makes memories. Shining team moments, sure, but also incredible individual performances. Here are nine of the finest.

March Madness makes memories. Shining team moments, sure, but also incredible individual performances. Here are nine of the finest.

9. Bo Kimble, Loyola Marymount, 1990

Hank Gathers. Bo Kimble. Who can forget that Lions team that overcame Gathers’s shocking, tragic death on the court in a WCC tournament game?
Kimble led No. 11 seeded LMU to the Elite Eight after beating New Mexico State, Michigan and Alabama, before being bounced by UNLV.
Kimble’s first left-handed free throw to honor Gathers remains an iconic moment in NCAA basketball history.

The 10 best Cinderella stories from March Madness

In all the magic of the NCAA Tournament, let’s consider the glorious tall-bodied tales that have challenged the imagination which later became animated and then … well, they don’t resemble the titles or stories of fairy tales at all. However, we …

In all the magic of the NCAA Tournament, let’s consider the glorious tall-bodied tales that have challenged the imagination which later became animated and then … well, they don’t resemble the titles or stories of fairy tales at all.

However, we keep calling them Cinderella stories.

Fine.

Sure.

Because you have to admit it, these teams are charming—unless they crush your bracket and bank account and alma mater’s spirit, all at once. And if that’s the case, well then, I understand.

And some of these splendid squads didn’t even reach the Sweet 16. A one-and-done run was fun enough for most of us to remember these teams and their shining moments.

Loyola University Chicago (2018)

(Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports)

Who can forget Sister Jean, the team’s chaplain who many believe inspired the 11th-seeded Ramblers to reach the Final Four?

Loyola Chicago knocked off Miami, Tennessee, Nevada and Kansas State before losing to Michigan in the Final Four.