1.) Bearcats Defeat No. 1 Ranked Duke Blue Devils To Win 1998 Great Alaska Shootout 77-75. (November 28, 1998)
Nothing like an early in season tournament on a neutral court against the No. 1 ranked team in the country to gauge what type of team you have right? The Cats’ ranked No. 14 in the nation themselves respectively advanced to the Great Alaska Shootout Final, where they squared off against No. 1 Duke led by future 1999 NBA Draft No. 1 overall pick Elton Brand. The Cats’ led by senior guard Melvin Levett were up to the task from the start and with no disparity in talent actually led the Blue Devils by double digits for the majority of the first half.
Duke under the guidance of coach Mike Krzyzewski would not be vanished easily and stormed back in the second half making it a close game down the stretch. Adding to the angst in the final period was how late at night all of us Cats’ fans were up watching the game, since Anchorage, AK is four hours ahead of Cincinnati time. Duke leaned on point guard William Avery’s 30 points, who’s floater with three seconds left on the clock tied the game at 75-75.
Bob Huggins called a timeout and drew up one of the most famous plays in Bearcats basketball history. Former all-state high school quarterback Ryan Fletcher inbounded the ball throwing a 3/4 length of the court pass to Kenyon Martin, who jumped up and touch passed to a streaking Melvin Levett headed toward the basket. Levett caught it and slammed the dunk home with 1 second remaining on the clock. Duke responded with a length of the court pass from Shane Battier to William Avery who banked in a potential game tying bucket. However the bucket was waved off as Avery had not released the ball prior to time expiring and the Cats’ knocked off No. 1 Duke 77-75. The loss would be Duke’s only of the regular season as they finished with a 32-1 record and would not lose again until the Uconn Huskies upset them in the National Championship Game. Levett was the hero for UC leading the Cats’ with 25 points including his game winning dunk.
#BearcatNation, I have many more fond memories provided by our beloved Cats’, but those are my Top 5 favorite moments to occur during my lifetime. I hope my stroll down memory lane also reminded you of your own top moments in UC sports history. Here’s hoping for more epic moments and continued success for the University of Cincinnati athletic program in the future.
Alex, Dave would be so proud just as I am. Great writing keep up the good work.
Good list, only thing I’d have to add to this is Pike to Bings in ’09… I don’t know what I’d remove, but that would be No. 1 or 2 for me.