The Sweet 16 begins later today and features No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 3 Gonzaga from the West. That matchup has some people recalling an iconic moment from the great Gus Johnson.
Today marks the 17-year anniversary of the UCLA-Gonzaga game in the Sweet 16 of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. Johnson was on the call for that fateful game.
Considered one of the all-time classics in NCAA Tournament history, the Bruins overcame a nine-point deficit with just a few minutes to play. Trailing by one with less than 20 seconds remaining, UCLA got a steal and scored a layup to take a 72-71 lead over the Bulldogs and national player of the year Adam Morrison.
Gonzaga got the ball back and tried to make one last run at a field goal but lost control of the ball. UCLA jumped on it and the game was over. Then Johnson made his masterpiece:
“What a game! Oh. What. A. Game! UCLA! Unbelievable! After being down by 17! Heartbreak city!” Johnson said in his iconic voice.
Basketball fans are commemorating the iconic moment and wish that Johnson were back for the repeat 17 years later:
UCLA & Gonzaga play in the Sweet 16 tonight 17 years to the day after they faced off the 2006 Sweet 16 that ended with Adam Morrison crying + Gus Johnson painting us his Sistine Chapel. pic.twitter.com/v8Nmm89wp1
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) March 23, 2023
And now we get the exact same matchup 17 years later to the day. Sports are insane.
— Sean Miller Lover (@TheRealCD11) March 23, 2023
Gus Johnson not being promoted to the Final Four instead of Jim Nantz is one of the biggest misfires in sports broadcasting history. I’m not even that much of a Gus fan, but March Madness isn’t the same without him. https://t.co/0S9pdhzmC8
— Carson Cunningham (@Carson_OKC) March 23, 2023
Imagine if Batista had made the shot to tie it. Gus’s call would have been so legendary
— Mlb spring training is here (75) (@ATLthechamp2021) March 23, 2023
Gus Johnson now works for FOX, so there won’t be any NCAA Tournament games in his future.
But the game that he left us with is one that will be cherished (especially by Gonzaga fans) for years and years to come.