USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) shoots the game winning shot over UCLA Bruins guard David Singleton (34) during the overtime in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) shoots the game winning shot over UCLA Bruins guard David Singleton (34) during the overtime in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Suggs hit one of the greatest game-winners in NCAA history to book a Finals berth for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Along with that, he saved the Bulldogs from possibly losing their season-long undefeated streak in 2OT against the surging UCLA Bruins.
The shot has been replayed all over the internet for the last few days. Iconic NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith has taken notice of it as well, lauding the shot alongside some of the greatest game-winners in March Madness history.
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“When I thought about Jalen Suggs hitting that game-winner, I loved it. I thought about Jenkins hitting the shot to win a national title for Villanova. I thought about Christian Laettner hitting his shot over Kentucky to go to the Final Four. It’s one shining moment, it’s march madness, it’s what everything is about.”
He added, “That shot epitomized what March Madness is all about. The first thought that really came to my mind was ‘this is why you love march madness so much’. This is what you don’t get watching college football, this is what you don’t get watching tennis, it’s what you don’t get even watching NBA basketball. You may get moments, but what I’m talking about is with so much on the line, that kind of stuff you just don’t see.”
Jalen Suggs: Immortalized by a shot?
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USA Today via Reuters
Apr 3, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrate making the game winning shot against the UCLA Bruins in the national semifinals of the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
This shot will be replayed for years. While many shots in the history of the NCAA have been considered iconic, not many can hold a candle to this. Suggs hit a near half-court three at the end of OT to help his team win the game. Along with the win, the Bulldogs solidified entering the championship game as an undefeated team.
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There hasn’t been a team in 45 years to win the NCAA title undefeated. However, Suggs making that bucket have given the Bulldogs an opportunity at becoming an undefeated champion.
While the Bruins fought well, the game will always be remembered for how the Bulldogs extinguished years of March Madness demons. All because of this one shot by Suggs. But will he be able to deliver in the Finals? One more game till we find out.
