Denver is not known for college basketball, but it knows hoops. The city has a celebrated history with the NCAA Men’s Tournament. For the 11th time, it is hosting March Madness games this week.
From Spud to Rip to Manimal and the Runnin’ Rebels, there have been plenty of memorable highlights. Here’s a look at the top 10 moments in Denver:
Sin City, Win City: The Rebels did not have a moment in 1990; they had an 18-0 run of Anderson Hunt 3s and Larry Johnson jumpers and jams. UNLV’s 30-point margin of victory over Duke — 103-73 — remains the largest in championship game history, the only one played in Denver.
Hunt’s Shot: The Rebels fizzled away a comfortable cushion against Sean Elliott-led Arizona. With 10 seconds remaining, Anderson Hunt took a pass on the right side of the key guarded by Kenny Lofton (yes, future MLB star Kenny Lofton). Hunt elbowed him to the ground with his left arm and sank a game-winning 3-pointer with two seconds left in 1989.
Mullin it over: St. John’s advanced to the Final Four in 1985 at McNichols Arena with a convincing win over North Carolina State. Chris Mullin, dubbed a “once-in-a-lifetime player” by sweater-wearing legendary coach Lou Carnesecca, poured in 30 points. State coach Jim Valvano’s decision to use 5-foot-6 Spud Webb on the star backfired as Mullin sank an 18-foot jumper over Webb to signal the end for the Wolfpack with 5:29 remaining.
Arrival of The Manimal: Future Nuggets standout Kenneth Faried made his debut at the Pepsi Center in 2011 and went from a relative unknown to unreal. The Morehead State star grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the No. 13 Eagles to a 62-61 upset over No. 4 Louisville in the first round.
Hall Pass: Seton Hall tried on the Cinderella slipper in Denver in 1989. And it fit. The Pirates, in only their second tournament appearance, routed UNLV. It was too much Andrew Gaze. The 6-foot-7 ace and the Pirates outscored the Rebels 37-16 over the final 14 minutes.
He went to Jerod: Kansas’ 1996 starting lineup featured NBA players Paul Pierce, Scot Pollard and future Nugget Raef LaFrentz. But point guard Jacque Vaughn went to Jerod. And Jerod Haase delivered the game-sealing 3-pointer from the corner with 38 seconds remaining in an 83-80 Sweet 16 win over Arizona.
Rock this way: Coach Chris Beard’s Little Rock team tied the game at the end of regulation. They did it again with a driving layup at the end of the first overtime. And finally dismissed an exhausted Purdue team 85-83 in double OT in 2016.
Dancing into Final Four: Powered by cJohn Wallace and an effective 2-3 zone defense, Syracuse advanced to the Final Four with a 60-57 win over Kansas in 1996. The celebration was the most impressive moment. Players chanted, “’Cuse in the House, Oh my God! Oh my God!” as former coach and TV analyst Al McGuire danced with them in celebration.
Yes, UConn: Huskies forward Kevin Freeman skied between two New Mexico players for an eye-opening dunk, part of a 17-0 run to start the second-round game in Denver. This NCAA title team was a walking highlight with Richard “Rip” Hamilton and rolly-polly point guard Khalid El-Amin.
The Zoomies: Air Force ended its 42-year drought by reaching the tournament in 2004. And the 11th-seeded Falcons led No. 6 North Carolina by six points with 12 minutes left before falling off in a first-round loss.