HBO Documentaries: Perfect Upset: Villanova vs. Georgetown

[@BeyBrightOfficial]

Man o man! You really had to be there in the 80’s to understand and appreciate how great college basketball was and the superstars it produced! The Big East today is a shell of what it once was! The Gods in no particular order.. Mullin, Pearl, Ewing, Berry, D-Train, Coleman, Sherman “The General” Douglas, Pinckney, Jerome Lane, Sleepy, Charles Smith, Thompson, Boehiem, Lou, Rollie, Life goes on and things change.. but, those will forever be special times. Feels good going down memory lane with this documentary! 🙂😢💯

[@youalreadyknow4740]

I agree Totally Fam....100

[@RobbieStacks90]

UConn over Duke was the greatest upset in championship game history. That was the Langdon, Brand, Avery, Maggette, Battier Duke team that went undefeated in the ACC and would have gone down as the clear best team ever if they had won.

[@nilsdekau8239]

I am a Big 10 fan, but the Big East of the 80's had no equal. Those Big Monday games on ESPN were flat out wars. They made what college basketball is today.

[@bradlewis6514]

@@RobbieStacks90 I disagree because, like so many, your totally discrediting how good that UConn team was, combined with the experience they had (several upperclassmen) and that for one-third of that season they were the other #1 ranked team (several weeks)! Plus Duke took full advantage of what was an overall down year for the ACC historically to that point (only two even decent teams besides Duke)! Duke's immaturity of being in a pressure situation came to the forefront in the final (close game down the stretch against a team that was way better than anyone we'd played and it showed) ! I'm a die-hard Duke fan and have been for the last 39 years (since '81-'82)! UConn totally outplayed (especially Rip Hamilton) us and deserved to win and they've never gotten the more than just due they should be given! That was nowhere near as big an upset as people make it out to be! In fact, I thought the 9-pt spread was completely absurd! NC State '83 over Phi Slama Jama is head and shoulders above as the biggest upset in FF history! They had to win their conference tournament at that time just to get in the field because leagues weren't allowed more than two bids besides the conf tournament champion! UConn proved, without a doubt, they were Duke's equal! And in March Madness, it only takes one game!

[@ig6894]

@@RobbieStacks90 Nobody cares about UConn, the Big East is about the Hoyas, the Orange men, Vilanova, St John, Boston College, UConn is not really what people think about when the Big East comes to mind.

[@chrisuncleahmad666]

People forget that 85 Villanova title team was composed of battle tested seniors that as underclassmen got close to the FF but ran up against Worthy/Perkins/Jordan UNC AND Phi Slama Jama in back to back Elite 8's

[@jimkhana007]

Missed one shot in the second half, even when it came down to pressure shots and pressure free throws... Thats just unbelievable... 😯

[@onetruehitman7623]

MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Dude you post this on almost any basketball related comment section, just stop already...

[@MGAF688]

St. John's had Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, Bill Wennington, and Walter Berry. G-Town had Patrick Ewing, Reggie Williams, David Wingate, and Michael Jackson. Those two teams were loaded with talent.

[@OrionOodama]

Whoa, as in namesake Michael Jackson? That's cool.

[@Tyrunner0097]

Man, the early 1980's were full of legendary sports upsets. The Miracle on Ice, NC State over Phi Slamma Jamma, WA Little League beating Taiwan, and Villanova over Georgetown.

[@RJC96cj]

I remember that game. I was in the Air Force stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City Louisiana. Everyone in the dorm thought Georgetown was going to win. I didn't have a dog in the fight but I just watched the game. Like they said Villanova played the game of their lives. There was this one person who lived downstairs and he was from Philly. He was running outside with his Villanova pennant. I remeber that to this day.

[@IceManLikeGervin]

I picked Villanova in this game and won a soda pop from my friend Alonzo Scott (RIP)...

[@Napoli41482]

#RIP Rollie Massimino...one of the greatest college basketball coaches ever. 😔

[@vinceniederman3235]

Yup He Was a Good HC For Nova!

[@ceofounder]

The NCAA of the 1980s and 1990s was must see TV!

[@Kaddywompous]

Then came 1 and done, then straight out of high school, then it was over. Never the same since.

[@bradlewis6514]

@Kevin Prima Especially with the NBA era that was in! With Magic, Bird, Dr J and Isiah!

[@thenumberquelve158]

Really cool how Georgetown isn't presented as a generic "superpowered villain" team here, and there were so many layers of circumstances that just went together to make them such a dominant and fearsome team. And at the same time we're still thrilled for the underdog.

[@Tyrunner0097]

The problem with Thompson is that he just never showed even a bit of humility. Jon Chaney of Temple was just as intense a competitor and preached domination, like Thompson, but Chaney had humility.

[@brandonmaddox4862]

Ewing was my favorite player growing up when he played for the knicks, I still think it’s a crime he never won a title

[@bnegs521]

Well there was a guy named Michael Jordan ya know

[@OrionOodama]

Well, I said it to various NBA-related KZbin channels. If not for that improbable 1999 Knicks Playoff run, should they let it slide instead, reports were swirling Phil Jackson is waiting in the wings to be NYK coach the next season. Patrick Ewing should have won at least a couple of "Larrys". Ewing definitely deserves an NBA ring more than the arrogant Shaq and Kobe.

[@brandonmaddox4862]

@@bnegs521 a lot of guys from that era can say that

[@bnegs521]

@brandonmaddox4862 yep. There was a series where the Knicks had the Bulls down 2 to 0 but lost the series. There are A LOT of players who have rings who aren't better than Patrick. He was on the original DREAM TEAM. One of the greatest college basketball players ever. It's all good

[@AHMAD-2324]

He wasn't good enough, '94 Finals he only averaged 18ppg. No team can win an NBA Championship with their best player averging 18ppg...🤷🏾‍♂️

[@meharinationsportspodcast2582]

This is when the Big East, ACC, and the Big Ten were at the greatest period in college basketball. EVER!!!

[@vivekkumarmatieda6532]

MehariNation Sports Podcast &0-aa

[@blackcobra9465]

True that

[@juliansmith4352]

@Kevin Prima The Big East college basketball conference was tough aggressive basketball in the 80s with the Georgetown Syracuse rivalry that put the conference on the map with St John's,Villanova and uconn better than the Atlantic Coast Conference once

[@dennissmith9294]

Never again will you see 3 big east teams in the final four

[@juliansmith4352]

@@dennissmith9294 the new big East basketball conference doesn't have a villain like the old one did plus lovable louie and rollie Massimo on the sidelines also georgetown with it's hoya paranoia coach big John Thompson and rough tough hoyas

[@carsonc29]

I miss these days..the 80's and 90s NCAA superstars stayed 3-4 years. Fans got to see so many big matchups..nowadays, even high profile schools are lucky to keep even a decent player past a year. The NCAA and NBA have suffered for it

[@kennethbrady]

Great point. You could actually see the players mature.

[@ThomasFromTN]

@@kennethbrady You could also see players get robbed by playing for free while EVERYONE else made butt loads of money. Now - they're finally gonna get rid of the one and done rule. So...goodbye exploitation. Fuck you if you have a problem with that.

[@pomerlain8924]

Couldn't agree more. Because guys stayed 3 and 4 years, you saw rivalries develop and players mature. Guys in the same class in the same conference see each other at least twice as a freshmen, twice as a sophomore, twice as a junior and twice as a senior. And the rivalries made the players and the teams better. And then when they did come into the NBA, they were fully developed and it made the NBA that much better. Michael stayed 3 years. Barkley stayed 3 years. Clyde and Hakeem stayed 3 years. Ewing stayed 4 years. Mullin stayed 4 years. I remember when Shaq and Mourning were both rookies. They were fully developed and played like seasoned vets and their early match-ups were very well played. You don't get that now. Rivalries don't mean much because the players change every year. You can't build a hatred for one another after just one year. And when they come to NBA, they're not fully developed. They can't shoot, can't defend.

[@jwainer4397]

@@ThomasFromTNNo one is being robbed, that is ridiculous to suggest. Pros play for money. Amateurs don't. Pretty simple. Sounds like your suggesting that these simple definitions don't apply. I'm sure that a degree from Nova or Georgetown was well earned and something to be proud of.

[@uncleloof]

Because they stayed, those weren't games, they were blood feuds, period.

[@ireneduke5022]

I watched this game live ... I was 33. I was for the underdog. I watched this video May 04, 2019. Man! Time flies😳

[@endlesssummer64]

My friends and I were sitting at the bar at Kelly's that night( actually started that day). Was such an amazing time, still remember it as if it was yesterday. After the win, cruising up and down Lancaster Ave with people jumping in my car, just celebrating. So much joy! The Cats weren't afraid of them that night. Was so good when they won last year again. My wife and I went downtown to the parade, brought back so many memories!!

[@JW-yb8du]

William Murphy , fuck Villanova. The Hoyas should have kicked their ass. Villanova sucked ass and got as lucky as can be. Fuck that team and pickney

[@robertcruice1801]

@@JW-yb8du your use of anglosaxon english identifies you as a georgetown grad as well as a sore loser

[@robertcruice1801]

also go fuck yourself and the horse you rode in on gtown drop out

[@davidstahl3274]

Great documentary very well put together. RIP ROLLIE

[@trumetalheadonmauiey9715]

This was my favorite era of College Basketball.Me and my brother would watch the Big East games on TV.Growing up in Big 10 land, (Michigan) and watching Bobby Knight,s Indiana teams battle Michigan St, the Big East games were always exciting.Only Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, remains from that era.

[@shannonprince4602]

It was for me too, this era imo proved then, that college ball was way better than the pro level. Also being from NJ, I was truly spoiled being able to watch Big East basketball. Great times.

[@JB-vc5re]

The Big East glory days. A great time to be a hoops fan.

[@wmden1]

I wasn't a very demonstrative, emotional person, at the time, but I jumped and yelled when Villanova won this game. All had heard and seen on TV, for months, was Georgetown this, and Ewing that and was tired of hearing about it. This was and is the best college basketball game I have ever seen on TV, or live.

[@danieldobrosky8378]

running home after practice for Big Monday great memories.

[@buckeyewill2166]

Unforgettable game

[@sandyacombs]

It was truly the greatest performance I have ever seen in team sports, a perfect game, they just couldn't miss.

[@good03boy]

RIP John Thompson! You were a true legend.

[@rockvilleraven]

Patrick Ewing is keeping his legacy alive, someday he’ll become a coach in the NBA, but he has unfinished business at Georgetown.

[@bradlewis6514]

​@@rockvilleravenNot really! They won the natty in '84 my man!

[@bnegs521]

Why did he only roster black players?

[@good03boy]

@@bnegs521 I saw a special on ESPN that said that Mr. Thompson did recruit white players as well as black ones. Unfortunately, coaches from other basketball teams (programs) would say to that white recruit, "If you go to Georgetown, you'll be the only white player on the team. You'll never start or play". In his 27 years coaching Georgetown, Mr. Thompson only started 3 white players.

[@OrionOodama]

Arguably his best contribution is he himself confronted "a godfather" and directly told him "hands off" to his players. Having said that, imagine Steve Fisher did that too. (To be fair to Mr. Fisher, he might not aware of Ed Martin's intrusions.)

[@lamontwalley3599]

If a fight broke out we accommodated you. Love John Thompson!!!

[@do_not_replytothisemail1421]

After NC St., second best upset ever in NCAA finals. Both this team and NC St. had similar runs, basically changing their complexion by adding a knockdown outside shooter late in the season, going on a run, NC St. to just get into the tourney, and a huge upset at the end

[@prestontownsend862]

WOW! How I remember watching this game in my "cubicle" at Marine Corps base in Okinawa Japan(Camp Hansen, 3rd combat engineer battalion,3rd med batt). Wanting Villanova to win because I always root for the underdog and happened to be from Camden, NJ. a town next to Philly.

[@lasmlps08]

Thank you I've been looking for this documentary everywhere! 👍🏼

[@brianbaker3654]

Thank you for the upload. I'm so grateful.

[@rgnr7343]

I watched the game as a Nova freshman in Connelly Center... a once in a lifetime experience... got me hooked on Villanova basketball ever since

[@joemarucci182]

Greatest played game I ever seen!! 79% shooting!! Missed 1 shot the entire 2nd half.. what a great memory!!

[@duftyboxing]

I was aware that they had a super high field go %, but never knew they only missed 1 shot in the entire 2nd half. That's incredible! 👏

[@kevinburke6055]

And still only won by 2. Shows how good Georgetown was. Nova shoots 75 percent which is still unheard of they lose

[@bradlewis6514]

​@@kevinburke6055Georgetown shooting 55% in that final certainly helped keep it entirely close

[@charliecarrillo565]

I have literally been looking for this documentary for ever. I don't know how you found it but thank you!!

[@Bart848]

Charlie Carrillo I remember seeing this on hbo

[@kentuckyman21]

me too.

[@Bassmanhill84]

Charlie Carrillo me three.

[@klumszy]

I remember being bummed that Michael Graham was no longer on GTown. He was a beast.

[@Biggdoom344]

Vertical GG they missed him that night. Teams were scared to death of him.

[@BAYAREA-kd1ig]

He was such a Bad Ass. Arguably him and Benny Anders could have played in the pros. If Graham was on that team they could have been undefeated or 1 loss

[@Biggdoom344]

AVC IV they missed graham in games like this. Nova collapsed on Ewing, something they could not have done if graham had played. You had to account for him on the inside. They could have also put Graham on Pinckney when Ewing was out, a much tougher matchup than Dalton. Finally although Ewing intimidated some, teams were scared Shitless of Graham. There was something about him that just took teams hearts.

[@BAYAREA-kd1ig]

@@Biggdoom344 This was one of my favorite quotes from Chuck D talking about Michael Graham “He was a bald head in the middle of everybody wearing the Jheri curls, the Afros, the shags,” Public Enemy frontman Chuck D once told me. “That was a f-in’ statement.”

[@mikeonthemccomedy2465]

GRAHAM WAS THE TRUE ENFORCER AND INTIMIDATOR FOR THE HOYAS!! PAT EWING WAS A FORCE! HOWEVER, MIKE GRAHAM PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN PLAYERS! ANYTHING AROUND THE RIM WAS A FEROCIOUS DUNK OR A GUARANTEED REBOUND!!

[@acharleyhorse1]

I was at that game with two fiends of mine from Maryland. Even though we wee ACC fans, we rooted for Villanova. The person who got us tickets was the strength and conditioning coach for Georgetown. It was unreal!!!!

[@cryptohalloffame]

very cool

[@novaWRX]

The best thing to happen to Villanova that season was losing two close games to Georgetown during the season. Hoyas underestimated them & didn't prepare any harder than for a team they felt they had a handle on. Villanova had to obv feel confident by that point, knew the Hoyas game plan which didn't change, and had barely lost so they knew if they kept in it they had a chance. Classic trap game

[@blkprl34]

BULLSHIT! you obviously don't realize nova's seniors split the previous 3 years against the hoyas. that year was the only sweep and both games were close. the hoyas knew nova could beat them. so, NO they didn't underestimate them....

[@Biggdoom344]

I don’t think GTOWN underestimated them. Nova was the only team that really gave the Hoyas consistent trouble the Ewing years. But when you shoot 90% from the field the second half, and 78% for the game...and yet win by two. That tells you how good that Hoyas team was. Anybody else that’s a twenty point blowout.

[@MadAngel209]

I had a Georgetown Starter Jacket, and I was a Cincinnati student.

[@roybuford7538]

i bet you had respect from everyone

[@MadAngel209]

@@roybuford7538 everybody, that were in their 20's, and black, were wearing them. Teams, like The Georgetown Hoyas, and The Miami Hurricanes (They were both in The Big East), were pretty popular. When the late '80's were rolling in The UNLV Runnin' Rebels were making noise, but that's another story.

[@emptyhand777]

Pasty white high school student here, and I had a Hoya jersey I wore in basketball practice. I hated this game.

[@VinnieBoombatz374]

@@MadAngel209 Miami didn't join the Big East until the '90s, but your point is still valid.

[@Divisiononebasketball]

Back in the day when you really only saw a couple of conferences on tv. I saw guys walking around with Hoya Starter jackets and they had no idea where Georgetown was. Players stayed in school for 3 and 4 years so you knew who these guys were. Did you see how that woman grabbed her purse and her husband when she saw Ewing walking down the street. For the record I played Division One Basketball 3 years after the Villanova upset, and no one then and no one today thinks about Gary ‘s drug use. That team was a team of destiny and was not tarnished by Gary’s admission of drug use. Greatest upset ever to this day.

[@rjam1974]

I have to go back and check that out I didn't pay attention to that until you mentioned it

[@jackedwards7909]

Some people used to call this the biggest upset ever in the NCAA championship game, which I absolutely dispute. Villanova had battled Georgetown tough in 2 games in the Big East that season, and they knew how to play the Hoyas. On their march to the title game, they had taken down the #1 team in the nation, Michigan, as well as a very good North Carolina team. I wasn't shocked by the outcome at all. If anyone wants to speak about the biggest upset, it occurred 2 years earlier: NC State over Houston. State had no business even being in that game. It never should have happened.

[@dalepress1581]

State had no business in the tournament. They won one amazing comeback after another. That run will never be matched.

[@BDQ1975]

I remember Big John Thompson saying the aura and intimidation was gone when they face in the Nat'l Title game in 1985 due to Nova knowing G-Town so well

[@matthewcole9418]

There was also no shot clock in college basketball at the time. Both NC State and Villanova would not have won national championships with it.

[@blkprl34]

this run was nowhere near what nc state did 2 years earlier.

[@blkprl34]

people forget that georgetown's seniors and villanova's senior were 3-3 until that season head to head. georgetown swept nova but they were close games. nova knew they could beat georgetown and georgetown knew nova could beat them. this game isn't the great "upset" the media has made it out to be....

[@benwilliams3027]

I remember this game like it happened yesterday..2things stood out.. Villanova shot incrediblely from the floor and Gtown couldn't clamp down on them defensively. The following yr the NCAA brought in the shot clock 😎

[@robocop581]

What is also impressive is Villanova shot 90% for the game and Hoyas only lost by a few points.

[@ThatBrothaBill]

This may sound strange as I have only a small interest in the NCAA but when GT lost this game the way they did I thought of Ewing and I cried.

[@larrytornetta9764]

No 3 pt line

[@bradlewis6514]

@@robocop581 Robert, it was 90% in the second half, 79% for the game! Georgetown forced that superb shooting pct, in a way, because they shot 55 percent from the field themselves!

[@bradlewis6514]

Ben if u had closely noticed, it wasn't that Georgetown didn't play solid defense! Remember my man, they forced alot of Nova's shots and they were still going in! One of those nights where no level defensively cancels out crazy shots! That near perfect game was the only thing to beat Georgetown! Proof that the planets were aligned that night for 'Nova - it was April Fool's Day! The other thing was the fear factor - Nova wasn't intimidated going in! I remember reading a book where Dwayne McClain stated they were glad they got Georgetown because they matched up better than against St John's! In hindsight both Nova Georgetown games that year had gone near or to the wire (57-50 and 57-52)! Had we all been more insightful to that back then instead of anointing the Hoyas; those close scores should have been more of a sign! And the one always consistent fact when it comes to March Madness - it's all about matchups! So McClain's assessment ended up being spot on

[@jerronameersidner16]

The ESPN 30 for 30 about the old Big East used a lot of material from this documentary

[@marvinhunt117]

The Big East was crazy back then.

[@philliplyn2692]

Loving this one thanks for sharing very information blessed love to all knowledge is power hopefully everyone pays attention keep up the good work 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

[@PimpCoop]

Living in the suburbs of Philadelphia PA and watching Villanova win again North Carolina. Was the greatest college sports moment in Philadelphia imo

[@mansamusa2012]

Better than the sixers sweeping the Lakers?

[@PimpCoop]

@@mansamusa2012 College Sports as I said

[@OrionOodama]

Thank you for sharing. :) Just few weeks before finally watching this (algorithm kept suggesting), I shared an FB post about "upset." That we are either in the favored or unfavorable position of "upset." Thankfully, I'm neutral here (I am barely 4 years old at this time) and yet inspiring knowing modern-day "David wins over Goliath" stories do and still happen.

[@revpgesqredux]

i wonder if you took these guys a month later and let them take every shot they took in the game, but with no defense whatsoever, if they could score as many points. I don't think they would. it was insane shooting. just nuts. It couldn't last for even one half, but it lasted ALL GAME LONG

[@swingtrade2]

That was a great basketball season. The Beast of the East.

[@jerryschutte6970]

Another Great video from JD!!

[@angelzayas1007]

Well put documentary didn't think it was going to be this great I really enjoyed it

[@cowboy68]

That was a shocking game. Villanova could not miss a shot

[@russellhammond2946]

thanks so much for posting this I have been looking everywhere for this since last June hahahahahah

[@charlesbragg8678]

Patrick Ewing never won another championship in the USA again after that but he did win two gold medals.

[@KWCline91]

@Reginald Lovely That was one of his two gold medals.

[@larrytornetta9764]

His number hangs in MSG

[@Redmenace96]

Have to say, the founding of the Big East, and being on TV each week, made me a fan. In the '80s it was the best basketball you could watch. High level.

[@pretorious700]

One of my favorite games of any sport, all time. They played as close to a perfect game as I have ever witnessed.

[@rockysmith371]

please try and put the battle for tobacco road on

[@robertmorrissey6583]

John Thompson was a class act who demanded that his players be true scholar/athletes. Gtown had an excellent player graduation rate. (Even though Villanova had a 100% graduation rate) He did not abide stupid press questions but did not antagonize them. He was too classy to be brought down to their level.

[@shinrips]

Marginal coach especially with the 2 foul rule. You sat if you got your second in the first half, regardless of how you were playing. Remember Thompson was the reason that the college guys lost to the pros from Europe which changed how the Olympics got the pros from the NBA to play. Not a great coach. Great recruiter but marginal coach.

[@mikelynch7271]

Patrick Ewing was illiterate WTF are you talkin about ?

[@mahlonthomas1775]

shinrips no it wasn't there team of grown men was just better then r boys

[@jwainer4397]

@@shinrips Yes indeed. Horrible coaching record. Pfft. Ridiculous. The international game had caught up, which was becoming clear after the 1987 loss to Brazil in the Pan-Am games. I suppose your also going to suggest that Denny Crum was also "marginal"? Did you see the '87 roster? Holy cow. Stacked. I didn't like the Olympic loss either, btw, but blaming Thompson as you described is inaccurate.

[@mansamusa2012]

He built the Hoyas from the ground up and won championships what the fuck are you talking about it!!!! Yeah the college guys lost to the pros ! They’re pros!!!!!

[@maddymud]

they missed one shot in the second half. one. good lord.

[@theloverswineverytime1625]

Only took ten shots the whole half.

[@dazeja]

theloverswineverytime exactly, today one player will take ten shots.

[@italianwaterice9594]

@Andrew Layton yes georgetown was mugging them all game

[@italianwaterice9594]

@ihategooglespooks 40minutes...what sport

[@italianwaterice9594]

oh college

[@stevenmccart8502]

Holy cow ! I can't be the only one noticing how much the game has changed in so little time. You don't see anyone palming the ball and the amount of steps allowed before traveling was called was still normal.

[@threerings1345]

The game has changed in a small amount of time? 2025 will be 40 years since Nova's run to the title without a shot clock or 3 pointers. NIL money has transformed college basketball, and the transfer portal is basically used as free agency. It took decades of battles with the NCAA for all of this to occur.

[@jamiemartinez8674]

I saw this game live...it was Amazing..

[@ig6894]

Amazing and heart broken.

[@vinceniederman]

It's Crazy That Nova Went 19-10 in The Season Somehow and Upsetting Georgetown in a Stunning Upset!

[@PeteMcCorvey]

Can we please get a 30 for 30 about the 80s Hoyas?

[@joseacastillo205]

We need more hbo college basketball documentaries

[@russellhammond2946]

I watched it as a kid, but watching it now, Reggie Williams injury was key in that second half.. That's why they play the game Chris Berman style i guess.

[@michaelcavallacci2945]

Harold Jensen was the key for Nova in this game. Came off the bench 5-5 on long jumpers and hit 4 clutch free throws in the last 2 minutes. What a great game. And don’t forget the year before in 1983 NC State upset Houston at the buzzer on the dunk by Lorenzo Charles.

[@lurchlogan]

"He Wanted to Smack Reagan in the Back of the Head"!! 😂😂 Cocaine's a helluva drug!!😨

[@rjam1974]

Literally lol

[@hannahrebbeca217]

That NIKE ✅ jacket 🧥 36:20 issa CLASSIC 🔥🔥🔥 #OldSkool #Original

[@R.POliver]

At 46:00 minutes in, you will see what I think is the the play of the game and changed the entire momentum. Georgetown up one, and had the ball with three and half minutes left. Theoretically, with no shot clock, Georgetown could have held it as long as they wanted here and forced a foul while in the four corners. Martin then throws it off Broadnax shin and Villanova has life. They talk about Fred Brown’s bad pass in 82. But Bill Martin’s bad pass in 85, possibly cost them another title.

[@paulwisham5943]

That game and the big east that year, amazing!

[@camoss3724]

Villanova shot 78.6 percent (22-for-28) from the field for this game, and 81 percent from the line (22-of-27). They also took just 10 shots from the field in the second half and made nine. It wasn't a "perfect game" for Villanova by any means, however. That type of shooting usually buries an opponent, but the Wildcats also turned the ball over 17 times. That's what kept the game close from start to finish.

[@acsmooth110]

Well it was close to perfect.

[@zt1053]

No way they would have shot like that without a shot clock

[@wreckanchor]

I swear college Basketball was so good from 1980 thru 1990. Never has been as good in my opinion.

[@marvinhunt117]

Actually you can go back through the 70's

[@bradlewis6514]

It was superb from Magic-Bird in 1979 up until the official one and done era! The only thing since that still makes it superb is the alternative that the one and done presented us - leveling out of the playing field between the Power 5's and the mid-majors!

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

St. John's was #1 for a week but seemed outclassed by Georgetown, then THIS happened while I was home on spring break.

[@davidsiqueiros2691]

Georgetown was The Best College Team , In the Land . Villanova Played a Perfect Game , Slowed the Game Down , Shot the Ball Great . I still think if there was A Shot clock at the Time Hoyas Would won their 2 straight NCAA Title ! Best of times

[@italianwaterice9594]

@John Cool it was 3rd time they played that year,,,,villanova figured it out......get fouled or take high pct shots

[@bradlewis6514]

Familiarity breeds contempt and that game (April Fool's Day 1985) is the truest definition of that phrase! 'Nova was probably the worst possible matchup for that Georgetown team because of not only having played them twice already (both times close and Nova got the Hoyas to play their game and their pace despite both being losses), but also Nova could play freely since no one was giving them a snowballs chance in u know what! I've heard Dwayne McClain say several times since that night that they matched up better with Georgetown than anyone else they played at the time

[@italianwaterice9594]

@@bradlewis6514 yes and ed pinckney wasnt scared of ewing...i was in high school .. incredible memory..also they were on every loose ball

[@shinrips]

Loved that team. I had them all the way-D train, Gary Maclain, Easy Ed Pickney,Harold Jensen could shoot the lights out, Harold Pressley (came later) and even the year before w/ John Pinone, I loved how they played. When Ewing went up against Pickney it was reminiscent of Elvin Hayes against Lew Alcindor. Hoya paranoia was in full swing. Ewing played the intimidation game right off the bat goal tending the first 3 shots? I think it was the first 3. The way Gary Maclain controlled the game. Lucky no shot clock.

[@waxwewenes4251]

That was the ⁸² championship ⁵ goal tends

[@bellahoughton84]

George Brett! Grew up watching him play for Royals. ONLY player is history win a batting Title in 3 different decades. (1976/1980/1990.) Hit +3000 hits. I went to his last game at Kauffman Stadium Sep1993. I was 16yrs old

[@MGAF688]

I'm not sure most people thought Georgetown was a school of thugs. I never heard that analogy. Georgetown was a great team of players who had the ability to win and go pro. If a young man went to Georgetown, John Thompson would coach them up so that he had a realistic chance to advance to the pros.

[@SS-th9wz]

Luke Enno - I agree in part. As a high school kid in the northeast during the 80s (and one who played HS basketball at the time).....nobody I knew thought of Georgetown as thugs. Just great players. Funny thing is though.....other than Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.....nobody during John Thompson’s career did anything worthwhile in the NBA. Wingate and Reggie Williams were names only diehard NBA fans knew. Bill Martin had a cup of coffee with Phoenix and Indiana. Funny how people think Thompson put a lot of players in the NBA when in reality he didn’t.

[@raymondkeilman2316]

So in your eyes Allen Iverson isn't even worth a mention.....come on..get real

[@aaronjackson9385]

@@raymondkeilman2316 exactly..i guess Mutombo sucked too, huh?? Sleepy Floyd was a very good pro also.

[@BAYAREA-kd1ig]

@@SS-th9wz Man there starting 5 of pro players is worthy. You get a back court of Iverson and Floyd Frontcourt of Ewing. Mourning and Mutombo With Williams and Wingate off the bench

[@bradlewis6514]

People judge far too often when it comes to perception over reality! And Georgetown was the poster child for perception! It seemed in those days people rushed to perception! My thing is and always has been - don't judge something or someone if u don't know or haven't experienced the reality! It's a simple concept but the percentage always make the simple difficult because of what they believe! They'd rather form an immediate opinion! Georgetown got a bad rap due to ignorance and perception!

[@VicInNocal]

In the credits it says Liev Schreiber is the narrator but it doesn't sound like him at all...Also, it says ARIEL HELWANI was a production assistant lol

[@stansmad]

It is Schreiber, he done most all HBO documentaries. Sometimes I believe it's how the engineer produces the sound.

[@christophermarston4491]

I lived in king of Prussia Pennsylvania had friends who graduated from Villanova that year I was 19 use to drink at a bar call the Radnor hotel on the main line which was were all Villanova students hung out got to be friendly with ed pickney and Dwayne McClain great memories great game this was college basketball at its best never to be seen again

[@todkowallis7719]

The 80's were the zenith of college basketball. Never to be repeated again. 3-point shot, hand-checking, shot clock, conference realignment, one and done, transfer portal, etc., have all ruined what was great.

[@revpgesqredux]

If GTown had won, I would have won a campus wide bracket contest. Over 1500$ back in those days. I love a Cinderella story tho...so couldn't lose really. I hope they talk about Dean Smith being a big John Thompson supporter and friend. That relationship always encourages me.

[@markfroman738]

Oh you lost. Lol

[@angelomccurdy]

My senior year in high school and I think I was the only guy at school that rooted for Nova.🏀

[@ChristineCAlb1]

Great story. Lol at Chris Mullins' hair. Did not know about McLain's cocaine use-I hope he was able to overcome it later.

[@80srocknroller]

Louisville in 1980 and 1986; Indiana in 1981 and 1987; North Carolina in 1982 and 1993; NC State in 1983; Georgetown in 1984; Villanova in 1985; Kansas in 1988; Michigan in 1989; UNLV in 1990; Duke in 1991 and 1992; Arkansas in 1994; UCLA in 1995; Kentucky in 1996 and 1998; Arizona in 1997 and Connecticut in 1999 what a time to be a NCAA basketball fan

[@michelleowens2757]

Coach Thompson was a great coach

[@sincitysinner9239]

when did college ball institute the shot clock? What about the three point line? They held the ball for damn near two whole minutes to end the first, wtf.

[@thescatman5029]

1987

[@paulsonj72]

1985-86 for the shot clock(the next season) and 1986-87 for the 3 pointer(two years a fter this game)

[@mookeychase0907]

It was I believe a conference thing after I think 83. I remember seeing 3 pt lines all over some at the top of the key some inside the key. As for the shot clock it was 45 seconds late 80s. N Carolina had the "four corners." The last 4 minutes of a game they'd put four guys in the corners and give Phil Ford the ball,he'd dribble and run the clock out or go one on one, score, get an assist, or pass it and get it back,that was late 70s . Then the game sped up but teams would still sit on the ball when they had a lead but as the game sped up teams caught up because the team with the lead often lost momentum and got cold... kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6XcqoGaaqqipdk

[@peterjudahisrael]

SinCity Sinner you can thank Dean Smith for the shot clock

[@christophermorris2434]

Because that great georgetown coach got outcoached and if i remember right pickney was on the bench w 2 fouls .that was the hoyas best chance for a run .and nova lost 2 close games to them in reg season

[@mookeychase0907]

Grew up in West Bmore also lived on NY and trust me from DC to Boston from 82 to 85-86 three Championship games 1 title, Georgetown wasn't just a b ball power house it was a culture signature shoes, T shirts and Pat Ewing was responsible for wearing t shirts under tank tops… RIP Big John Thompson my Moms loved him…

[@Redmenace96]

Was a big fan of Big East and college ball from 1980 onwards. It was the defense, and the post play conference. Rough league! There is so much hype in our current age (2020), but you can't imagine how heavily favored Gtown was. They steamrolled teams. They crushed St. Johns!!! Villanova was nothing, an 8 seed. Watching game and just moaned and yelled and eyes got bigger and bigger with every Villanova J. They could not miss!!! Wildly exciting and one of the best college games in history.

[@denniscampbell242]

Excellent. You aren't going to see better.

[@nickstoli]

I was a huge Georgetown fan, my friends all cheered for Villanova. That night was painful. They absolutely gave it to me. I couldn't do anything but take it. Over a decade later, and I mean this literally, one of those guys broke his hand punching a wall because his team lost on Monday Night Football. The first thing I told him was, "this is payback for Georgetown!" I'll never forget the look of surprise, bewilderment, and pain on his face. Life is beautiful.

[@paulsteezo1772]

Gay Bruh...

[@bnegs521]

On April Fools Day 1985. People opened the newspaper in the morning and thought it was an April Fools Joke.

[@ryansullivan5575]

I like this doc so much I watch it every March! Who's the narrator anyway? Voice sounds damn familiar.

[@lurchlogan]

Ryan Sullivan ... it's Liev Schreiber. He narrates just about all of the HBO & ESPN Sports Documentaries!!

[@ryansullivan5575]

Liev Schreiber? The actor from Hurricane? Good call by you....and by him!

[@whatsthebigfndeal]

I was 13 years old and didn't even watch this game because I was still salty about Villanova beating my beloved Heels.

[@bradlewis6514]

That's extremely sad considering Villanova more than proved that their win over the Tar Holes was no fluke when they backed it up beating both Memphis (with Keith Lee) and seemingly invincible Georgetown at the FF! Probably a blessing that season u lost to Nova because Georgetown was a better team in '85 than the one Carolina had beaten three yrs before and I didn't see them beating Memphis even had they beaten Nova because Carolina wouldn't have matched up with them! '85 Carolina was one of Dean's better than already superb coaching jobs! That team was Kenny Smith, Brad Daugherty and a bunch of inconsistency! And not very good field goal pct as a team either! It caught up to them against Ga Tech in the ACC final and then again in the second half against Nova! Both teams had been lights out defensively in the tournament but Nova was better for one half more and that was the difference! I also think that Carolina team got their max considering their lack of quality depth

[@bradlewis6514]

And I was also in junior high at that time! NCAA tournament pre one and done era was the best! Still good at times, but not the level it used to be! The must-see TV back in the day has declined some! One main bright spot is the mid-majors having made the tournament field more balanced over the years

[@lordcarl4584]

Yeah they did....because they were HIGH on Coke!!!!!!!

[@larry45044]

COLLEGE BALL SO GREAT BACK THEN!!!!!

[@johntheprofessional5039]

Bill Wennington at 15:24. Who knew!!!!

[@hippie564]

A great story and it was just about as big a story in College hoops as Magic and Bird's NCAA Championship game!

[@Deadprez41]

When college basketball ruled. The big east put 3 teams in the final 4. What a great time that was!

[@70skid99]

I remember the game commentator saying wait for and the coach would take his jacket off and throw it on the floor he would be so frustrated it was priceless lol

[@Gnofg]

Villanova played them even all year. One game was a 3 point victory and on went to overtime. It was less of an upset than people think.

[@b.h.8423]

Man..... I'm still sick to my stomach after this game

[@rjam1974]

I cried. I was soooo frustrated that Nova not only couldn't miss but they kept stalling . I wish Coach pressured them more and not allow Nova to play keep away. That was why the HOYAs especially Ewing were annoyed. When they stopped holding the ball they made the basket smh.

[@BaseFury]

The game that brought the shot clock to college basketball the very next year. Because of money. Because of Vegas. I never watched another college basketball game at that level after that.

[@davidkuhlman8004]

Jake reminds me of Sister Jean of Chicago Loyola

[@michaelwills3311]

The Greatest College Basketball Ever Played. Made Patrick Ewing Eat Humble Pie and Broke His Heart. I coverd every bet in my Battalion as I was stationed in West Germany at the time and won every one. I always root for the underdog.

[@chrismadison80]

Well he's in the hall of fame now. Ed pickney selling shoes

[@ivandesantis858]

It's simple that Georgetown team played a hellacious brand of defense and they intimidated a lot of teams with their length and athleticism and constant pressure and that caused teams to get tight and that led to turnovers . Problem for them was Gary McClain wasn't bothered or worried by their press or intimidated by them in the least so that allowed the rest of their team to relax and they just shot the lights out. Ballgame!

[@bear5700whk]

RIP coach