This week will mark the 10th time Denver has hosted March Madness since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The Denver Post has compiled a handful of players, teams and moments to remember from the previous nine tournaments:
All-Denver NCAA starting 5
PG — Jimmer Fredette, BYU, 33.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.0 apg
SG — Anderson Hunt, UNLV, 19.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg
SG — Richard Hamilton, UConn, 27.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 apg
SF — Chris Mullin, St. John’s, 27.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.5 apg
PF/C — Domantas Sabonis, Gonzaga, 20.0 ppg, 13.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
– At least two games played.
All-Denver NCAA second 5
PG — Gerry McNamara, Syracuse, 28.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
SG — Andrew Gaze, Seton Hall, 17.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.5 apg
SF — Georges Niang, Iowa State, 28.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg
PF — John Wallace, Syracuse, 22.5 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
PF/C — Kenneth Faried, Morehead State, 12.0 ppg, 15.0 rpg, 1.0 apg
* At least two games played.
5 (ish) most successful programs
Seven schools have played three or more NCAA tourney games in the Mile High City since 1985. But only one, the Orange, remains unbeaten:
1. Syracuse (4-0) — Appearances: ’96, ‘04
2. UNLV (3-1) — ’89, ‘90
3. Gonzaga (3-1) — ’11, ‘16
4 (tie). BYU (2-1) — ’04, ‘11
4 (tie). Seton Hall (2-1) — ’89, ‘16
4 (tie). St. John’s (2-1) — ’85, ‘11
5 biggest upsets in Denver
1. No. 13 Morehead State 62, No. 4 Louisville 61, 2011
The Manimal, Kenneth Faried, introduces himself to Denver. And to the world.
2. No. 12 Richmond 69, No. 5 Vanderbilt 66, 2011
Kevin Anderson’s floater with 18.7 seconds left capped a 25-point performance and March shocker.
3. No. 12 Little Rock 85, No. 5 Purdue 83 (2 OT), 2016
Guard Josh Hagins nailed a half-court prayer to force overtime and a bank shot to force a second extra session and stun the Boilers.
4. No. 11 Gonzaga 86, No. 6 St. John’s 71, 2011
Marquise Carter’s 24 points lifted the Bulldogs and capped the third bracket-busting upset of the day on Chopper Circle.
5. No. 9 New Mexico 61, No. 8 Missouri 59, 1999
Lamont Long’s game-winner with 5.5 seconds left Mizzou players and fans furious as the clock kept running after the Lobos’ make.
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