This Day in History, March 29, 1982: Michael Jordan takes game-winning shot in NCAA title game originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Before March 29, 1982, Michael Jordan was an unknown college basketball player. The North Carolina freshman, who was averaging 13.5 points per game, trailed 62-61 with 32 seconds left in the NCAA national championship game.
“Coach (Dean) Smith looked up at them and said, ‘Guys, we’re in good shape. This is exactly where we want to be. We’re going to decide who wins this game.'” Roy Williams, then -Tar Heels assistant coach in a 2020 interview with current NBA player Danny Green.
The plan after the timeout was to find star forward James Worthy to catch the lob. Smith knew Worthy, who had already scored 28 points, would probably double, so he grabbed Jordan and let him shoot.
“Coach Smith kicked Michael in the back and said, ‘Michael, if you make the shot, make it,'” Williams recalled.
He did get the ball. With 17 seconds left, he hit a 16-foot jumper from the left side of the basket.
The Hoyas had a chance to win the final possession, but they committed a truly horrific turnover when point guard Fred Brown passed the ball directly to Worthy, mistaking him for his teammate.
This is how the legend of Michael Jordan began. His name is forever etched in basketball history.
And then there are some.