Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Memory Lane: Christian Laettner's Other Buzzer-Beater

Duke basketball legend Christian Laettner was experienced in ripping out hearts before the Kentucky game.
Matt Giles|
Duke Basketball Memory Lane: Christian Laettner's Other Buzzer-Beater
Duke Basketball Memory Lane: Christian Laettner's Other Buzzer-Beater

In this story:

Duke Blue Devils

Christian Laettner, who turned 54 on Thursday, is best known as one of the most hated players by opposing fanbases in college sports history. One reason for that is the dramatic way he ended opponents' seasons on his way to four Final Four appearances and back-to-back Duke basketball national titles as a junior and senior.

RELATED: Why Duke Target Caleb Wilson Likes Christian Laettner

His most replayed buzzer-beater came in No. 1 seed Duke's 104-103 overtime win over No. 2 seed Kentucky in their 1992 East Regional Final clash, arguably the most entertaining college basketball game ever played:

But the Duke basketball program reminded folks of another all-time Laettner moment via a "Happy Birthday" post on social media. Yes, Laettner's overtime dagger two years earlier for No. 3 seed Duke to sink No. 1 seed UConn in the East Regional Final at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., is also worth remembering from time to time:

Trailing by one at 78-77 (where the score had stood for a minute and a half) with only 2.6 ticks remaining on the clock, and with the Blue Devils lucky to have another chance following Bobby Hurley's nearly intercepted pass, head coach Mike Krzyzewski drew up a masterpiece for the sideline inbounds in front of the Duke bench.

Standing unguarded, Laettner inbounded to roommate Brian Davis, whose subsequent return toss to Laettner was so quick and slick that it is difficult to see on the grainy replay.

One confident dribble forward. Smooth in-motion pump fake and soft release. The bottom of the net. Blue Devil pandemonium. Thanks to Laettner.

Unlike his 31 points against Kentucky on 10-for-10 shooting from both the field (1-for-1 from three) and charity stripe, Laettner's shooting night against UConn wasn't perfect. Yet it was close: 23 points on 7-for-8 shooting and 9-for-11 at the foul line.

That 1989-90 Duke basketball squad next defeated Arkansas at the Final Four in Denver before falling to utterly unstoppable UNLV, 103-73. The 30-point Blue Devil loss remains the most lopsided score in any national championship bout.

No worries. Christian Laettner was only a sophomore. And his shot against UConn provided just a taste of the oh-so-clutch brilliance to come en route to his 12-0 NCAA Tournament record, including revenge against UNLV, across the remainder of the eventual one-time NBA All-Star's storied college career.

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for daily doses of Duke basketball news.

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Published
Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

Share on XFollow MattGilesBD
Home/Basketball