What is March Madness all about? It’s not just about upsets; it’s not just about your office bracket pool; it’s also about players rising to the occasion and showcasing themselves as future stars.
Some of the biggest names in NBA history made their mark in college basketball, and some names flashed big in the tournament only to never reach those heights again. But either way, they deserve their flowers, and we break down the 10 best performances in March Madness history.
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#10 – Danny Manning Carries Kansas to a Miracle
Danny Manning was such a dominant college player that the 1988 Kansas team was nicknamed “Danny and the Miracles.”
He was already carrying the Jayhawks to a surprising March Madness run but then saved his best performance for the National Championship Game against Oklahoma. Manning touched every inch of the box score by dropping 31 points, 18 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks in an upset 83-79 win over the Sooners. It completed a shocking run for a 21-11 Jayhawks team, the most losses for any NCAA basketball champion ever.
It’s no surprise he took home the Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament that year, and he turned his college dominance into being selected with the number one pick in the NBA Draft just a few months later.
#9 – Carmelo Anthony, A Legendary One-and-Done
While the one-and-done rule had plenty of controversy in 2003, we’re sure the Syracuse Orange don’t regret the five months he blazed through college basketball that led to their first-ever NCAA title.
Anthony led the Orangemen in scoring, rebounding, minutes, field goals, and free throws during the tournament. He capped it off with a 33-point performance in the Final Four to push Syracuse past Texas before delivering 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists in the national title win over Kansas.
He wrapped up the season by winning the Most Outstanding Player of the 2003 tournament, and went on to have a Hall of Fame NBA career.
#8 – Jeff Fryer Leads Record-Breaking Lions with 41 Points
The 1990 tournament was marked by the tragedy of Loyola Marymount Lions star Hank Gathers’ passing just weeks earlier.
His teammates honored him with a historic performance against defending champion Michigan – a monster program.
In the second-round matchup, Loyola Marymount exploded on the Wolverines with 149 points – still a tournament record – to eliminate the Wolverines. Jeff Fryer led the charge with a stunning 41 points, including 33 from eleven three-pointers.
#7 – Bo Kimble, the Other Lion That Dominated the ’90 Tournament
Loyola Marymount didn’t rely solely on Fryer’s shooting display.
Bo Kimble delivered an unforgettable performance of his own, scoring 37 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the win over Michigan. He even shot free throws left-handed in tribute to Gathers. Kimble made all three left-handed attempts, creating one of the most emotional moments in tournament history.
Kimble’s onslaught didn’t stop with Michigan; he also scored 42 points against UNLV later in the tournament, though Loyola Marymount fell short in that game.
#6 – Christian Laettner: The Most Hated Man in Kentucky
Although they’ve been a storied program before Christian Laettner got there, they didn’t truly get the spotlight until he shattered Kentucky’s championship dreams. Down by one with 2.1 seconds left, Grant Hill threw a full-court pass to Laettner at the top of the key; Laettner took one dribble, spun, and nailed a jumper from 15 feet to bury Kentucky 104-103.
The game-winner is simply known as “The Shot” — a simple title that’s a telltale sign the moment stands above all others in the history books. Rumor has it that Laettner can never feel 100% safe in Kentucky after crushing their championship aspirations. The Duke Blue Devils went on to be College Basketball’s most hated program, even to this day.
Besides “The Shot,” what’s often overlooked is his flawless overall performance in that game. Laettner shot a perfect 10-for-10 from both the field and free-throw line, finishing with 31 points.
#5 – Ja Morant Drops Highlight-Reel Triple Double
Upsets define March Madness, and Ja Morant authored one of the most electrifying individual performances in tournament history.
Leading 12th-seeded Murray State past No. 5 Marquette in 2019, Morant recorded a triple-double while delivering a two-handed poster dunk that went viral. He upset Marquette with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 16 assists, solidifying his rise toward becoming the second overall pick in the NBA Draft.
#4 – Steph Curry Erupts in 2008 Tournament
While everyone recognizes Curry’s immense talent today, back in 2008, he was widely viewed as a tweener at guard — at 6-foot-2, considered too small for shooting guard yet not polished enough as a playmaker to run point. This became laughable after No. 10 Davidson faced No. 7 Gonzaga in the first round of the 2008 tournament.
Curry dropped 30 second-half points against the Bulldogs, finishing with 40 total. He then followed up with a 33-point performance to advance Davidson to the Elite 8, and another 30 to reach the Final Four.
The highlights contained everything that would translate to the NBA: step-back threes, back-door cuts, and dizzying passes. Watch the highlight reel, and you’ll wonder how he still dropped to seventh overall in the 2009 NBA draft.
#3 – Dwyane Wade Showing the “Flash” for Marquette
Before Dwyane Wade was known as “The Flash” in the NBA, he was shining bright for Marquette in the 2003 tournament.
Wade dropped a triple-double against top-seeded Kentucky, posting 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was only the fourth triple-double in tournament history and propelled Marquette to its first Final Four appearance in 26 years.
#2 – Glen Rice Cooks Up a Record that Still Stands
Glen Rice delivered one of the greatest scoring runs in tournament history during Michigan’s 1989 championship campaign.
Rice poured in 184 points over six games – still a tournament record – including a 36-point outing against South Alabama. His dominant performance earned him Most Outstanding Player honors and national recognition before entering the NBA Draft.
#1 – Austin Carr Drops 60, Still a March Madness Record
Austin Carr produced the most prolific scoring performance in tournament history back in 1970.
The Notre Dame star exploded for 61 points against Ohio in the opening round – still the single-game scoring record in March Madness. Notre Dame scored 112 points in the win, meaning Carr accounted for over half of his team’s offense.
Carr’s historic output, along with several other top tournament scoring performances, helped him become the number one overall pick in the 1971 NBA Draft and launch a decade-long professional career.