Most "spectacular" plays in UConn histiory

[AZHuskiePop]

Shabazz against Fla was a wide open 10 footer nothing spectacular.
The great play was DD beating 5 Florida players to the ball and tapping it out to a wide open Bazz. That gave Bazz a second chance after his original prayer was off the mark . Bazz could have made that shot with his eyes closed .
It was an easy shot in a home win of only some significance. I think Bazz’s dramatic exit magnified that play . In retrospect he was celebrating getting a second chance.
Ray‘s shot against Georgetown was nothing spectacular in fact it might of been the ugliest shot of his career, but it was for the Big East Championship.
Kemba on the other hand created his own shot against Pitt and it was huge because Pitt was a terrific team that year and it was a key win in that unprecedented 11 game win streak. It was a thing of beauty truly spectacular.
Burrell’s pass and the catch were just as big as Tate’s shot simply an amazing play that works only one in ten tries.
Adam’s shot was just a prayer but what made it great was the Cincinnati players prematurely celebrating a win. That was classic It also lead to our only AAC championship.
Wasn’t Rip‘s shot against Washington immortalized in a commercial years later.

 

[Palatine]

I think it was the 1998 Second Round NCAA versus Indiana.

El Amin has a break away, he throws the ball off the backbord for the trailer (Doug Wrenn) for a two handed flush. I was there. Awesome, the place went nuts.

 

[Palatine]

This is the Burrell steal. You'll watch it many times.

 

[Shine33]

 

[Shine33]

Some of the Dyson dunks are up there too imo

 

[huskyinfl]

80s + 90s high lights - the new highlights are great and might be athletically superior but seeing us grow as a team when everyone thought it was impossible except for fans... And it actually came true beyond our wildest expectations.

 

[UCLJ0211]

Taliek’s pass at the 1:50 mark is one of the best passes I’ve ever seen

 

[ELHusk]

Burrell’s pass and the catch were just as big as Tate’s shot simply an amazing play that works only one in ten tries.

I would guess more like 1 in 1,000 for completing the pass and making the shot in 1 second.

 

[Dove]

The Dove beats Rick Barnes' PC team with a rare trey...



I still hear the clank of the rim in my sleep. And then I cry cuz he didn't come back the following season.

Then keep watching.

 

[bluestreak]

Great move! I hadn't seen this before. An unusual play. Watched it ten times at least.
The first time I watched it, it looked to me like Burrell took Rodgers head off when he leaped over him and dribbled it away! I spit my beer out!! Is it just me? Watch it again I dare you.
I love this thread. Kemba v Pitt is still my favorite.

 

[mussels]

Not the best, but memorable/funny - Taliek Brown's 30 footer as the shot clock expired essentially sealing a double OT win over Pitt in the 2002 Big East Finals.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Great move! I hadn't seen this before. An unusual play. Watched it ten times at least.
The first time I watched it, it looked to me like Burrell took Rodgers head off when he leaped over him and dribbled it away! I spit my beer out!! Is it just me? Watch it again I dare you.
I love this thread. Kemba v Pitt is still my favorite.

For those who are too young to remember, Rogers was a manchild. About 6'7" and 250lbs. And he could sky. So Scotty B looking like he was playing hopscotch at recess while leaping Rogers, was a big deal.

 

[sledog]

There was a still photo of the Kemba step-back taken from more-or-less behind the basket that showed the event as a scene form a clasical tragic painting. Pitt man down, looks of anxs on faces, eyes searching the heavens, etc. Should be hung in the Louvre.

 

[AreBee1969]

Not the best, but memorable/funny - Taliek Brown's 30 footer as the shot clock expired essentially sealing a double OT win over Pitt in the 2002 Big East Finals.

While a collective "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOYESSSSSSSSSSSSS!" rang out through out the state.

 

[AdamaNation]

Kemba vs Pitt is the best UConn play I have ever seen. Arguably the best game winner in CBB history, not because of meaning but because of just complete embarrassment to another player. Every time I see that video I rewind it 10 or so times.

And Calhoun drew that up counting on the mismatch

 

[jibsey]

Kemba vs Pitt is the best UConn play I have ever seen. Arguably the best game winner in CBB history, not because of meaning but because of just complete embarrassment to another player. Every time I see that video I rewind it 10 or so times.

Just saw Kemba win a game with that same step back. Guy didn't fall down but he was faked about 5 feet away.

 

[Calhoun's Court]

While not spectacular Josh Boone's tip to Emeka late in the National Semi Final n 2004 against Duke as a huge play. Thought it was worth a mention.

 

[jibsey]

Its hard to top MakersMuppet thread in 2011.

That's the best thread in the history of sports.

 

[ZenConn]

For those who are too young to remember, Rogers was a manchild. About 6'7" and 250lbs. And he could sky. So Scotty B looking like he was playing hopscotch at recess while leaping Rogers, was a big deal.

Yup. A roommate in college played AAU ball vs Rodgers and he said he was one of the best athletes with size he's seen. (Also played vs Montross and Damon Bailey among others in the same summer)

 

[nadav]

Best game winner in CBB history? You can’t be serious. It was the second round of the big east tournament. The game was tied. Heck, that play was vintage Kemba, brilliantly called by Calhoun, and a great memory because of what followed it, but it doesn’t even make the top three game winners in Uconn history. Tate George, Rip vs. Washington, Shabbaz over Florida, Jalen Adams, and Ray Allen winning the 1996 BET over Georgetown are all better.

No chance Napier’s winner was even close to the Cardiac Kemba Pitt shot. Come on

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Maybe not the most spectacular play (I'd give Kemba's game winner over Pitt the nod) but certainly the best run off...

Has GP been that lit since that game?

 

[MilliniumPrince]

How the hell did I forget about that play.

The answer is the Shot. Everything the followed happened because of that season.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Vital and Bouk combined for a fabulous play on Sunday. But you can't compare it to fabulous plays that won post-season games at the buzzer. Just enjoy it for what it was.

The answer is it was Tate George's shot. Between the importance to the program, the importance to the season and the uniqueness of the play, it has to win. Although I like the thought of putting Ricky Moore's 1 on 1 defense on Langdon up there, the truth is Moore keeps him from getting a good shot off most of the time, while Burrell and George executed a 1 in 25 to 1 in 50 moment.

I agree with The Shot being #1. And most of your posts are usually spot-on, but I have to disagree with these odds. I know Laettner did it as well, but 25/50-1 is far too low.

 

[businesslawyer]

I agree with The Shot being #1. And most of your posts are usually spot-on, but I have to disagree with these odds. I know Laettner did it as well, but 25/50-1 is far too low.

You are probably correct. I was trying to miss low so as not to exaggerate. But the point is that it was an exceptionally low percentage play which is part of what makes it so special.

 

[OkaForPrez]

There was a still photo of the Kemba step-back taken from more-or-less behind the basket that showed the event as a scene form a clasical tragic painting. Pitt man down, looks of anxs on faces, eyes searching the heavens, etc. Should be hung in the Louvre.

I have it framed. Next step is a sensor that automatically plays cardiac Kemba does it again every time you walk past it.

 

[WlfdHusky]

How about Caron Butler behind the back pass from near half court?

 

[Chin Diesel]

How about Caron Butler behind the back pass from near half court?

Anyone who thinks that play belongs near the top of this list needs their head examined.

 

[TGW93]

This is totally from memory, but there was a game during the 98/99 (I think) season (perhaps @WVU?) where Uconn scored 9 points with 1 second left in the first half.

The sequence was something like:
- Rip fouled while taking and making a three (3)
- WVU coach t'd up - 2 shots + ball
- Rip makes foul shot (4)
- El Amin sinks both technical free throws (6)
- Inbound to El Amin (I think) for a three (9)

Total elapsed time - 1 second.

I know it happened. I know it was a Saturday day game. And I know it was spectacular.

 

[Spaceman213J]

Further back, Taliek Brown's shot clock beater in the BET against Pitt also comes to mind.

Ray Allen's shot against Georgetown. 1998 Rip vs Washington in the NCAA's. Both classics.

And although we eventually lost the game, Denham Brown's layup at the end of regulation against George Mason somehow seemed to defy gravity and send the game to OT.

I've wondered how many kids tried to copy Ray's flailing feet on that shot and hurt themselves in their driveways.

 

[dante]

2011 Big East Tournament , Kemba steals the ball from Peyton Siva and dunks it.