Damnit, Duke over UNLV was considered the biggest college basketball upset of it's time. The fact that Duke went back-to-back shouldn't count against how big an upset it was.
The fact that Duke has been the most dominant college bball program since 1986 shouldn't count against it (if THAT doesn't draw out SethC then I don't know what will). This game was considered a mere formality in the run for back-to-back championships for UNLV and an undefeated season.
As a truly brilliant fan wrote at the game, he had a sign with UNLV Dynasty crossed out to read Duke Destiny. For you youngen's, Duke was one considered the team that "couldn't win the big one." They made Final Four in 86, 88, 89, and 90 before this game with UNLV (along with once in the 70's and a couple in the 60's). In 1990 this UNLV team beat Duke by 30. UNLV lost no one, Duke lost three starters from that team. Duke ended up going to 7 Final Fours in 9 years through 1994, with two championships, but in 1990 no one knew this. This team beat the team no one thought could lose. It's gotta be in the Top 100. But it isn't, and it won't be no.1. That's a damn shame. This win was so much bigger than our win over Kentucky in 1992.
The win over UK in 1992 was a fucking AWESOME game. But it didn't have the upset factor, mainly because UK didn't win. Duke went the whole year ranked no.1 in the polls that year, but they weren't undefeated. That UK game had MANY lead changes, went into OT, had a buzzer-beater etc, but it wasn't a Final Four game, and it didn't feature a huge underdog prevailing over an undefeated powerhouse. The Duke-UNLV rematch MADE Duke what it is today. Because of that game, casual fans actually LIKED Duke for a few years. Duke was once the GOOD GUYS. That game belongs on the list.
