Buzzer-Beaters Of The Gods ... Plus, Post-Game Microphone Carnage

Rick Chandler|published: Tue 16th December, 10:00 2008

Who hasn't dreamed at one time or another of doing this? The long 3 to win it ... ohhhhh! They're going crazy at the Carrier Dome! (Your fantasy may or may not include topless cheerleaders).

You may remember Cleveland State from such hits as the 1986 NCAA Tournament, where the 14th-seeded Vikings upset both No. 3 Indiana and St. Joseph. Cedric Jackson, a transfer from St. John's, carved out his own niche in school lore with this beauty; which was only his fourth field goal of the game, and first 3-pointer. Cleveland State wins over No. 11 Syracuse, 72-69.

The shot, with audio commentary.

"Normally, that shot is always just a mess-around shot," Jackson told ESPN afterwards. "You don't practice that at all."

I've never had much love for Jim Boeheim; when I coached, I used his game tapes as examples for my players of what not to do fundamentally. But it's hard not to have some sympathy here, as we see him struggling with the emotions of it all in the post-game presser. I once saw my coaching idol, Bud Presley, lose a JC state championship on a half-court prayer similar to Jackson's. Its no fun when you're on that side of it. And it was even less fun here for the poor unfortunate microphone, which felt Boeheim's ultimate wrath.