Ranking the top 10 all-time March Madness buzzer-beaters

Wisconsin Badgers guard Bronson Koenig gave us one of the smoother game-winners in recent memory.

Down by two, he caught an inbounds pass near the sideline before taking a single dribble and knocking down a three in the corner to take the lead. The stunning shot sent Wisconsin to the Sweet 16.

Chris Chiozza, Florida vs. Wisconsin (2017 Sweet 16)

The Badgers found themselves on the other side of a game-winner the following season. Down by two with four seconds to play, Florida’s Chris Chiozza caught the ball in the backcourt before sprinting down the court for an off-balance three-pointer.

The rainbow shot was nothing but net and the Gators moved on to the Elite 8.

Donte Ingram, Loyola Chicago vs. Miami (FL) (2018 First Round)

Loyola Chicago found themselves in a First Round matchup against Miami in 2018. While Donte Ingram had struggled to score much for most of the game, that didn’t matter when it counted the most.

As the final seconds ticked away, the Ramblers were down by one. That’s when Ingram caught a pass near halfcourt and let it fly from the logo. The long-range bomb hit nothing but net the buzzer, pushing the Ramblers into the second round.

10. Jordan Poole, Michigan vs. Houston (2018 Second Round)

In 2018, the Michigan Wolverines found themselves down by one to the Houston Cougars in the second round.

With less than four seconds to work with, the Wolverines got the ball past halfcourt before finding Poole. After the catch, he knocked down a three from nearly 30 feet out with a defender in his face.

The incredibly difficult shot found the mark and sent Michigan to the Sweet 16.

9. Mike Miller, Florida vs. Butler (2000 First Round)

In the first round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament, Florida was caught up in a tight overtime battle with Butler.

After a missed free throw, the Gators had the final possession down by one. That’s when Mike Miller took two dribbles to the rim and finished a tough layup at the buzzer to win it for the Gators.

Miller’s circus layup is still regarded as one of the greatest shots in Gators history as it propelled them to a national championship appearance.

8. Bryce Drew, Valparaiso vs. Ole Miss (1998 First Round)

Valparaiso was the major underdog against Ole Miss in the opening round of the 1998 tournament, but they faced just a two-point deficit as Ansu Sesay went to the free throw line for the Rebels.

He missed both attempts, giving Valpo a chance to win with a three. After a full-court pass was tipped, Drew caught the ball and let it fly from long-range at the buzzer.

The shot found the nylon, cementing one of the greatest upsets of all time and Drew has forever been entrenched in March Madness lore.

7. Richard Hamilton, UConn vs. Washington (1998 Sweet 16)

Before he was an NBA star, Richard Hamilton had an all-time game-winner for UConn in the Sweet 16.

The Huskies were down by one in the final possessions. After they missed two tough floaters and grabbed two offensive rebounds, Hamilton pump-faked before sinking a highly contested fadeaway shot just outside the restricted area.

6. Luke Maye, UNC vs. Kentucky (2017 Elite Eight)

In 2017, Carolina and Kentucky were exchanging clutch shots in a tight battle for a spot on the Final Four. Luckily for the Tar Heels, Luke Maye showed up when it mattered most.

With a tie game in the final seconds, Theo Pinson drew in multiple defenders as he ran down the floor before finding Maye just inside the arc.

Maye set his feet as a he made the catch and knocked down an iconic jumper to secure the victory.

5. Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga vs. UCLA (2021 Final Four)

UCLA’s Johnny Juzang had just sank the game-tying layup against Gonzaga with less than four seconds left to play.

With a spot in the National Championship on the line, Suggs wasted no time getting the ball up the floor.

After receiving the inbounds pass, he sprinted up the floor and let it fly from 40 feet out. The long-range heave rattled off the glass and through the net, completing one of the greatest buzzer beaters in recent memory.

4. Lorenzo Charles, NC State vs. Houston (1983 National Championship)

In 1983, Houston and NC State were locked in a gritty battle for the National Championship. Tied at 52 in the final seconds, NC State’s Derrick Whittenburg put up a 30-foot shot that missed to the right.

Luckily for the Wolfpack, the shot narrowly missed the rim and Lorenzo Charles soared for the rebound before throwing down the putback dunk.

NC State had won the National Championship in possibly the most dramatic way possible. College basketball fans can still picture Jim Valvano frantically searching for someone to hug after this iconic moment.

3. Braylon Mullins, UConn vs. Duke (2026 Elite Eight)

In this year’s Elite Eight matchup between Duke and UConn, it looked like the Blue Devils had all but secured the win.

With 10 seconds to play, Duke inbounded the ball up by two. But as Cayden Boozer tried to force a pass up to his teammates, UConn got a hand on the ball.

Mullins grabbed possession of the ball before putting up a prayer from nearly halfcourt. The incredible shot found the target to help the Huskies complete a 19-point comeback and reach the Final Four.

2. Christian Laettner, Duke vs. Kentucky (1992 Elite Eight)

In 1992, Christian Laettner had the Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight against the Kentucky Wildcats. As the defending champions, there was a heightened pressure to secure a win.

With 2.1 seconds to erase a one-point deficit, Grant Hill launched a perfect full-court pass to Laettner near the free throw line.

He took one dribble before sinking a turnaround fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to grab the win. Perfection underscored this entire game for Laettner as he was a perfect 10-of-10 from the field and 10-of-10 from the free throw line.

The incredible play has since become iconic, simply known by college basketball fans as “The Shot.”

1. Kris Jenkins, Villanova vs. UNC (2016 National Championship)

In what would have been remembered as an iconic shot, North Carolina’s Marcus Paige sank a three to tie the game with six seconds left in the 2016 National Championship against Villanova.

But Kris Jenkins had something else in mind. With precious time ticking away, Villanova’s Ryan Arcidiacono ran the ball up the court and drew in multiple defenders. That’s when he found Jenkins just outside the arc.

His feet were already set as he caught the ball and landed. In what felt more like a dream scenario than reality, Jenkins sank the pull up three to win it all for Villanova as the confetti rained down.

College basketball is rich with a history of incredible moments that defined programs’ entire season.

While Mullins is the newest player to achieve this feat, he almost certainly won’t be the last.

James Parker and Brandon Williams contributed to this story.