NCAA at 75 - College Basketball
16. Dream game
For 24 long years, the anger and frustration had festered in the city of Louisville. The hometown Cardinals had become a basketball power but were denied the chance to prove just how powerful because the ultimate measuring stick, the Kentucky Wildcats, refused to play them. The rejection was about basketball but included so much more -- race, demographics, country, city, tradition and the nouveau. Then, thanks to the serendipity of the NCAA tournament bracket, there was no choice. In March 1983, the two met in the regional final in Knoxville, Tenn., dubbed the "Dream Game" by Louisville fans. The Cardinals' overtime win officially signified their arrival not just nationally but also within their own commonwealth and ushered in an annual game between the two rivals. -- Dana O'Neil
Advertisement
ESPN Video
- 00:43
High schooler with Down syndrome sinks 3-pointer
Leslie County (Ky.) High School's Ethan Wolfe, who has Down syndrome, checks into the game and knocks down a 3-pointer.
- 02:04
Hurts surprises family with donation toward a new home
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts surprises a family, whose child is battling cancer, with a $30,000 donation to go toward a new home.
- 01:25
Ron Rivera rings the bell after final day of cancer treatment
Washington coach Ron Rivera receives an ovation as he walks down the hospital hallway to ring the bell after his final day of cancer treatment.
