With 1 second left and down 70-69 to Clemson in a 1990 Sweet 16 tournament game, Scott Burrell threw a 3/4s court pass to Tate George who hit a turn-around jumper to win the game for UConn.
It's late, it's Tate, it's great. We were watching this game on a 13-inch TV in our door room (Fairfield Hall in the Jungle) with about 20 other people packed in. When Tate hit the shot everyone went crazy. The next game was heartbreaking, but this game and this season were so great to experience.
I had a bunch of friends over and we watched it with my Dad. Pop was upset and thought it was over so he went to the kitchen to get a drink. Then he heard all of us flipping out and ran back into the living room and couldn't believe it! He watched the replay(we taped it on a VCR,do kids even know what that is?)about 20 times!😊
100% not. The clock was at 0:00 for a split second before the ball left his hand. There is absolutely no way this shot would count if it happened today, not even close.
Any UConn fan alive in 1990 will remember this shot! Hard for me to believe it was 20 years ago yesterday (3/22/90) - wow, time flies! I was in high school, I remember jumping up and down throughout my house! My parents must have thought I was mad!!
The fucking dream season, first season Uconn was at the top of the National pecking order. 3 championships later they are one of the best programs of all time.
That's not the rule. It does start when the player catches it. Rule 5, Section 9, Article 4 of the official NCAA rulebook: When play is resumed by a throw-in, the game clock and shot clock shall be started when the ball is legally touched by or touches a player on the playing court. I don't know where people come up with some off this crap.
This never gets old. I remember watching that game while in high school. Strange story -- I shared an Algebra class with Scott Burrell when he was a senior in high school, and a few years ago I connected with Tate George and designed his website.
This is probably the most scrutinized and controversial of all the NCAA buzzer-beaters. If this happened today, they would review it for 5 minutes before ruling on it. Pretty certain that it would not have counted because if you freeze it at 5:15 it appears the ball is still on his fingertips at 0.0. Still - letter-perfect execution of the play and the inbound by Burrell has to count as one of the greatest inbounds passes ever made.
Ball was still in his hands. But UConn got their comeuppance the very next game. Laettner beat them at the buzzer. What a crazy couple of games to sit through, my gosh.
The most ironic part of this shot for UConn was that they played Duke the very next game, and they became buzzer-beater victims themselves by you know who....Mr. Christian Laettner!!!
How about the fact that the very next game Christian Laettner beat UCONN at the buzzer! Two of the most famous buzzer beaters in NCAA history in back to back games!
This shot counted, and indeed should have. From what I recall, as this was before the light-up backboards, the key is that you get the shot off before the buzzer/horn sounds. Even now, it doesn't matter if the clock says 0.0 unless the lights around the backboard have gone on. I believe there are still hundreths of seconds remaining until the buzzer/lights go on.
@Tyrone181 It's funny you mention the horn because you're right, the horn definitely sounds after the clock hit 00:0, instead of simultaneously to it. Kudos to Scott Burrell, the guy who passed the ball in from out-of-bounds. Without such an amazing pass down-court, this play never happens.
Elden Campbell's facial expression is utterly classic...just shocked like it couldn't have happened...and yes that shot was in time and good! it's out of his hands before all zeros hit the clock.
@vanni9283 I remember that game well too... what a disappointment after the Clemson game but Laettner was pretty lethal. I believe this was also the game where UConn's Toraino Walker stepped on Laettner's head in a memorable but somewhat dirty move... it cost him a one game suspension I believe. I can only imagine how history would have been different if not for Laettner's magic. UConn in the Final Four, possibly to meet UNLV in the final, and Laettner's career with one minor black eye...
@wizeman5974 Good eye! Also of note is the fact that on the replay (pause it @ 3:50), the *red light wasn't on yet*, because the "tenth second" rule had been introduced the season before, and the clock wasn't calibrated correctly (as evidenced by the horn sounding .2-.3 seconds after the clock hit "00.0").
I "freeze-framed" it and if you freeze it at just the right point at 2:08, when the clock first hits "00:0" the ball is still in Tate George's hand. Good thing there was not instant replay back then because there is a very fair chance this shot would not have counted. Nonetheless, it still is probably the best "buzzer-beater" shot ever.
Remember when the best people could muster when a buzzer beater was hit was to raise both arms and shake their fists? Before dabbing, before the gritty, people just living their lives.
@smitcha2 Maybe for you it's impossible to conclude that, but it is not for me. You have a right to your view, as do I. And I choose to leave it at that. I don't wish to go back and forth on a debate here as I've seen too many of them on UA-cam get nasty. Thank you and take care.
@fredact How did the clock start late.It is suppose to statrt when the ball is first touched and that is what it did.And if you listen the shot went off before the buzzer.And how could the coach cheat?
I think the ball was barely in his hands as the clock hit 0:00,but even today the refs go by the light on the backboard and not the clock so it is fair game
I was in a poll for the ncaa tournament in wich my girlfriends dad and I had the only sheets with clemson winning it all. I was with another girl that night in a park trying to listen to the game on the radio and thought we were on our way to winning a poll worth in excess of $18,000 since we had clemson on all our pools.God punished me I guess for cheating that evening.
@smitcha2 Freeze it at 2:08, it will clearly show the ball in George's hand at 00:0, though it may take awhile to freeze at just the right moment. At the time, however, the clock was not the official ender of a game, it was the horn and the horn sounded after the clock went to zeros. Ball was still in his hands at 00:1 and that freeze frame is not as hard to find. Unbelievable shot though and the Huskie running around like a madman is too funny!
Freeze the video at 4:04 He's catching the ball facing almost completely opposite the basket. Are you sure the rule is the clock doesn't start until the player touches the ground? I thought it starts when the player catches it.
You are incorrect. That shot by Anderson to beat Michigan St. was in the sweet sixteen in 1990. Georgia Tech tied the game on that shot and went on to win in Overtime. I KNOW CAUSE I WAS THERE! Tech went on to beat Minnesota and advance to the Final Four. You are welcome for the history lesson of facts.
That SUCKS, you come back by outscoring UConn 30-10 in the last 12:30, just to lose like that. Awful. For Clemson, that is. Classic buzzer beater for anyone else.
Given UConn's repeated basketball scandals, I wouldn't be surprised if they paid off the refs. This video proves he didn't get the shot off in time. Clemson was cheated out of this win.
It's late, it's Tate, it's great. We were watching this game on a 13-inch TV in our door room (Fairfield Hall in the Jungle) with about 20 other people packed in. When Tate hit the shot everyone went crazy. The next game was heartbreaking, but this game and this season were so great to experience.
I will never forget this play. Was a great night on campus for sure!
I had a bunch of friends over and we watched it with my Dad. Pop was upset and thought it was over so he went to the kitchen to get a drink. Then he heard all of us flipping out and ran back into the living room and couldn't believe it! He watched the replay(we taped it on a VCR,do kids even know what that is?)about 20 times!😊
Uconn has brought so many thrills to the tournament. This was one of the best EVER!
I don't think this shot woulda counted with today's technology and standards for referee use of replay.
100% not. The clock was at 0:00 for a split second before the ball left his hand. There is absolutely no way this shot would count if it happened today, not even close.
Any UConn fan alive in 1990 will remember this shot! Hard for me to believe it was 20 years ago yesterday (3/22/90) - wow, time flies! I was in high school, I remember jumping up and down throughout my house! My parents must have thought I was mad!!
Kinda sounds like the reaction at my house. Amazing memory, that's for sure.
Coming up on 34 years ago, man time sure does fly.
The fucking dream season, first season Uconn was at the top of the National pecking order. 3 championships later they are one of the best programs of all time.
Add 2 more titles since you posted this comment and a very good chance it's going to be 3 after the 2023-24 season tournament is over!
First Uconn game I ever saw. I was 12 years old.
That's not the rule. It does start when the player catches it. Rule 5, Section 9, Article 4 of the official NCAA rulebook:
When play is resumed by a throw-in, the game clock and shot clock shall
be started when the ball is legally touched by or touches a player on the playing court.
I don't know where people come up with some off this crap.
Dont know why this doesn't top the top shots list for college ball ever, everyone loves Laettners shot the game after this
This never gets old. I remember watching that game while in high school. Strange story -- I shared an Algebra class with Scott Burrell when he was a senior in high school, and a few years ago I connected with Tate George and designed his website.
If they had to look at the shot clock like today, we might still be waiting
It's Late, It's Great , It's Tate!!
Remember watching this is West Campus Shakespeare dorm. Everyone in the room went crazy. Then everyone ran into the hallway to scream. Then outside….
This is probably the most scrutinized and controversial of all the NCAA buzzer-beaters. If this happened today, they would review it for 5 minutes before ruling on it. Pretty certain that it would not have counted because if you freeze it at 5:15 it appears the ball is still on his fingertips at 0.0. Still - letter-perfect execution of the play and the inbound by Burrell has to count as one of the greatest inbounds passes ever made.
The light behind the goal is also late going off.
Clueless LOL
Ball was still in his hands. But UConn got their comeuppance the very next game. Laettner beat them at the buzzer. What a crazy couple of games to sit through, my gosh.
The most ironic part of this shot for UConn was that they played Duke the very next game, and they became buzzer-beater victims themselves by you know who....Mr. Christian Laettner!!!
Coincidental, yes. Ironic, no.
Jim Calhoun-Great comeback, Clemson
Scott Burrell-Be a real shame.....
Tate George-If someone ruined it😁
haha you gotta love calhouns reaction, he jumps all the way down the court, sees the clemson coach, stops, shrugs, shakes his hand....fuckin classic
NCAA sent the official evidence to Cliff Ellis which proves the shot was good
How about the fact that the very next game Christian Laettner beat UCONN at the buzzer! Two of the most famous buzzer beaters in NCAA history in back to back games!
Awesome, 20 years later and people still talking, awesome.......!
This shot counted, and indeed should have.
From what I recall, as this was before the light-up backboards, the key is that you get the shot off before the buzzer/horn sounds. Even now, it doesn't matter if the clock says 0.0 unless the lights around the backboard have gone on. I believe there are still hundreths of seconds remaining until the buzzer/lights go on.
i love watching coach jump up and down then reach for the hand shake
@Tyrone181 It's funny you mention the horn because you're right, the horn definitely sounds after the clock hit 00:0, instead of simultaneously to it. Kudos to Scott Burrell, the guy who passed the ball in from out-of-bounds. Without such an amazing pass down-court, this play never happens.
Elden Campbell's facial expression is utterly classic...just shocked like it couldn't have happened...and yes that shot was in time and good! it's out of his hands before all zeros hit the clock.
The greatest buzzer beater of all time?
@vanni9283 I remember that game well too... what a disappointment after the Clemson game but Laettner was pretty lethal. I believe this was also the game where UConn's Toraino Walker stepped on Laettner's head in a memorable but somewhat dirty move... it cost him a one game suspension I believe.
I can only imagine how history would have been different if not for Laettner's magic. UConn in the Final Four, possibly to meet UNLV in the final, and Laettner's career with one minor black eye...
it´s not a legal absket if you see it slowly man!!
but scott burrell made a great pass, he played here in bilbao, with the best team, BILBAO BASKET!!
You are correct. It was in his hand.
The clock on the screen was a camera shot of the scoreboard clock.
i cant believe this wasnt even on whos number 1 on espn classics
@wizeman5974 Good eye! Also of note is the fact that on the replay (pause it @ 3:50), the *red light wasn't on yet*, because the "tenth second" rule had been introduced the season before, and the clock wasn't calibrated correctly (as evidenced by the horn sounding .2-.3 seconds after the clock hit "00.0").
Tate released the ball before
the buzzer sounded. The shot was
definately good!!
It all started here.
This was great,but winning the NIT in 1988 really got everything in motion for the Huskies.
@awalkb A very astute observation because you are right, there was a lapse between the clock going 00.0 and the horn sounding.
I "freeze-framed" it and if you freeze it at just the right point at 2:08, when the clock first hits "00:0" the ball is still in Tate George's hand. Good thing there was not instant replay back then because there is a very fair chance this shot would not have counted. Nonetheless, it still is probably the best "buzzer-beater" shot ever.
It’s very close but at the last possible frame before 00.0 it’s out of his hand. Until 1993-94 the horn ended the game not the clock.
Remember what happened 9 years later and then exactly 5 years later. So, UConn obviously has the advantage over Duke.
@RoadCone411 I enjoyed reading your memory.
Remember when the best people could muster when a buzzer beater was hit was to raise both arms and shake their fists? Before dabbing, before the gritty, people just living their lives.
Brought back mad memories. #fireOllie
Clock doesn't start until the player touches the ground. He had already turned most of the way around by the time he landed.
@smitcha2 Maybe for you it's impossible to conclude that, but it is not for me. You have a right to your view, as do I. And I choose to leave it at that. I don't wish to go back and forth on a debate here as I've seen too many of them on UA-cam get nasty. Thank you and take care.
@wizeman5974 It seems like it beat the buzzer but not the clock if that makes sense...
I'm not a Duke fan at all. I am just stating history. By the way Duke has three national championships since 1990. UConn has two.
@fredact
How did the clock start late.It is suppose to statrt when the ball is first touched and that is what it did.And if you listen the shot went off before the buzzer.And how could the coach cheat?
2:04 if you want to see the shot.
I think the ball was barely in his hands as the clock hit 0:00,but even today the refs go by the light on the backboard and not the clock so it is fair game
Exactly, the red light does not come on until just after the ball left Tate's hands so it was a good call to count it.
I was in a poll for the ncaa tournament in wich my girlfriends dad and I had the only sheets with clemson winning it all. I was with another girl that night in a park trying to listen to the game on the radio and thought we were on our way to winning a poll worth in excess of $18,000 since we had clemson on all our pools.God punished me I guess for cheating that evening.
@alexrgs2
o yeah thanks
@smitcha2 Freeze it at 2:08, it will clearly show the ball in George's hand at 00:0, though it may take awhile to freeze at just the right moment. At the time, however, the clock was not the official ender of a game, it was the horn and the horn sounded after the clock went to zeros. Ball was still in his hands at 00:1 and that freeze frame is not as hard to find. Unbelievable shot though and the Huskie running around like a madman is too funny!
It was out in time
@mvpleet imagine that ..if it was taken away..then this wouldnt be "the shot" instead noone would remember it
By George! UCONN wins it!
Freeze the video at 4:04 He's catching the ball facing almost completely opposite the basket.
Are you sure the rule is the clock doesn't start until the player touches the ground? I thought it starts when the player catches it.
Maybe, but the clock didn't start when it should have. Nobody can turn and shoot in under 1 second.
Love Dick and Hubie on the PBP
I was gonna write the same thing! LOL
it was good.
that should have never counted. ball is still in his hand when the clock hits zero. clemson got screwed.
that shot was all net!
Would not have counted in this age. Bot even close
Who won the championship this year
I thought The Shot was Jordan's jumper over Ehlo in the 1989 NBA playoffs.
how do you let them catch it that deep down the court
wheres gus johnson when you need him
He didn’t get it off in time.
That 1.0 seconds took a really long time! Clock starts late, and even with that it's not clear he gets it off in time. Start of Calhoun's cheating?
been 10 years you over it yet? lol
You are incorrect. That shot by Anderson to beat Michigan St. was in the sweet sixteen in 1990. Georgia Tech tied the game on that shot and went on to win in Overtime. I KNOW CAUSE I WAS THERE! Tech went on to beat Minnesota and advance to the Final Four. You are welcome for the history lesson of facts.
now tate on his way 2 jail
he didnt get the shot off
dick stockton! my favorite!
tate george is goin to prison -.-
That SUCKS, you come back by outscoring UConn 30-10 in the last 12:30, just to lose like that. Awful. For Clemson, that is. Classic buzzer beater for anyone else.
one of the all-time screw jobs.
Given UConn's repeated basketball scandals, I wouldn't be surprised if they paid off the refs. This video proves he didn't get the shot off in time. Clemson was cheated out of this win.