Lato’s Lens: Tyler Lato’s Top Three Most Unforgettable March Madness Memories of the Last Decade

‘Tis the season.  

With conference tournaments in full swing and a few teams already having punched their ticket to the Big Dance, I could feel the aura of the NCAA Tournament creeping upon us. I am always extremely nostalgic and reminiscent around this time of the year, as the tournament has provided viewers and college basketball junkies alike with countless fond memories season after season.  

Though I’ve been watching the tournaments religiously since my adolescence, the last ten years stood out vividly in my memory. From the countless upsets to the inspiring Cinderella stories to the jaw-dropping buzzer-beaters, each tournament has delivered moments that practically define the month of March for me. That said, I think you all know the route Lato’s Lens is taking this week.  

Here are my top three most favorite and unforgettable moments of the NCAA Men’s March Madness Tournament from the past decade in no particular order: 

“FDU Believe It?” 

The 2022-23 Purdue Boilermakers were one of the most heralded college basketball teams of the past decade. Led by 7-foot-4 big man and current Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, the top-seeded Boilermakers were widely expected to make a deep tournament run.  

Then there was Fairleigh Dickinson University. A tiny mid-major school in New Jersey, FDU wasn’t even supposed to be in the tournament. The Knights lost to Merrimack in the Northeast Conference championship game, which grants the winner an automatic bid. However, since Merrimack had recently transitioned from Division II to Division I, they were ineligible for the tournament. As a result, FDU was awarded a berth in the tournament.  

For these reasons, the first round of the 2023 tournament was a match of David versus Goliath as 16th-seeded FDU squared off against Edey and the No. 1 Boilermakers.  

Surprisingly enough, FDU’s lineup of smaller guards was able to hold Purdue at bay, just barely squeezing onto a 32-31 halftime lead. The Boilermakers, however, would fight back, taking a 47-41 lead halfway through the second half.  

FDU never backed down. After hitting plenty of clutch three pointers and snatching several rebounds late in the second half, the Knights of FDU would go on to stun Purdue by a score of 63-58. This marked the second time in the history of the tournament that a 16-seed defeated a one-seed in the tournament. Although FDU would go on to lose in the following round, this stunning upset is regarded by many as the best upset in the history of March.  

While tuning this game on in my bed while being homesick with the flu, I couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of the upset that was taking place before my eyes. For this reason, the 2023 FDU Knights were easy to put on my list. 

Suggs’ Half Court Heave vs. UCLA 

What’s March Madness without Gonzaga? 

Under the helm of Head Coach Mark Few, the Zags have been a traditional household name in college basketball, producing several NBA talents each year while making deep runs in the tournament for as long as I can remember. 

In 2021, the top-seeded Zags squared off against the eleventh-seeded UCLA Bruins in the Final Four. The Bruins were embarking on nothing short of a Cinderella run, upsetting No. 2 Alabama in the Sweet Sixteen and No. 1 Michigan in the Elite Eight, an impressive feat for an eleven seed. Meanwhile, the Zags were 30-0 and two games away from a perfect season. 

The game proved to be a back-and-forth affair, highlighted by stellar guard play from UCLA’s Johnny Juzang, as well as dominance in the paint from one of the best players in Gonzaga history, Drew Timme. At the end of the fourth quarter, the score remained deadlocked at 81, sending the game into overtime. 

With three seconds left, Juzang drove to the basket, making a layup to tie the game. It looked as if the game would go into a second overtime. 

Or so we all thought. 

Gonzaga guard Corey Kispert inbounded the ball to current Orlando Magic star Jalen Suggs. Suggs dribbled down the court, pulled up from near halfcourt and drilled the game-winning shot to give Gonzaga a thrilling 93-90 victory over the Bruins. 

Although rooting for a UCLA victory, I’ll admit that seeing such a bizarre buzzer beater like that of Suggs’ is something that I’ll never forget. 

DJ Burns Mania 

I vividly remember watching the 2024 ACC Championship while sitting on the couch at my aunt’s house during St. Patrick’s Day dinner. In NC State’s upset win over top-seeded UNC, I witnessed something — something that was none other than NC State center DJ Burns. That’s why I picked the eleventh-seeded Wolfpack to go all the way to the Final Four in my 2024 tournament bracket pool. 

The Wolfpack, coincidentally, did just that.  

In their Cinderella run to the Final Four, it was Burns who would capture the eyes of viewers all over America. Burns, the 6-foot-9 big man weighing in at 275 pounds, was perhaps one of the most likeable players in the tournament. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the nation in such awe over a college basketball player in my whole life.  

Highlighted by his charisma and contagious smile, Burns was an electric force in the paint throughout the month of March. He utilized his strength and gigantic, similar to that of an offensive lineman, to bully opposing defenders in the post to finish with ease. The lefty also showcased a great touch around the rim, utilizing crafty post moves and hook shots to boost his point totals.  

His most impressive performance of them all came from the Wolfpack’s upset victory over Archnemesis and four-seed Duke in the Elite Eight. In the win, Burns recorded a whopping 29 points while holding opposing center and eventual second-round draft pick Kyle Filipowski to just 11. Burns’ smile said it all after the win, skipping off the court and celebrating with his team after beating their rivals twice in a row. NC State would go on to lose at the mercy of No. 1 Purdue in the Final Four, however, Burns’ heroics will surely be remembered.  

Although my bracket ended up finishing in second place, predicting the success of Burns and eleventh-seeded NC State is something I brag about on a daily basis. Not to mention, I still won 100 dollars.  

Honorable Mentions 

• Kris Jenkins’ three-point buzzer beater in the 2016 National Championship 

• Sister Jean and Loyola Chicago’s Cinderella run to the Final Four (2018) 

• Jack Gohlke’s 32-point performance in Oakland’s upset win over Kentucky (2024) 

• St. Peter’s 15-seed trip to the Elite Eight (2022) 

The upcoming March Madness Tournament looks to be one for the record books. With games starting next week, be prepared to sit down, buckle-up and enjoy the ride.