AS IT IS 2016-04-06 Best College Basketball Game Ending Ever?

AS IT IS 2016-04-06 Best College Basketball Game Ending Ever?

This is What’s Trending Today.

It may be the month of April, but Americans are still talking about March Madness.

March Madness is the nickname¹ for college basketball tournaments each year. They start in March and end in early April.

The men’s game on Monday night for the championship was between  the University of North Carolina and Villanova University, a school near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fans are calling it one of the best finishes ever.

But was it as good as the game in 1983 between North Carolina State and the University of Houston?

Both games had surprise endings. Tense fans watched the final seconds, sitting on the edge of their seats. Both games featured last-second, game-winning shots. And both games even featured teams from the state of North Carolina!

In fact, the games were played on April 4th, but 33 years apart.

The magazine Sports Illustrated² has called the 1983 game one of the “100 Greatest Sports Moments.”

In that game, North Carolina State was winning against Houston, which was the favored team to win. Houston had many players on that team who became professional basketball players. They were known for their exciting slam-dunk shots. Those shots are when players push the basketball through the net with their hands very powerfully.

But in the end of that 1983 game, North Carolina State won, with a score of 54-52. The team made a basket with less than one second left on the game clock. The lasting³ image from that game was of North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano running around, celebrating. He was looking for someone to hug.

Now on to this year’s game.

The University of North Carolina is one of the most famous college basketball teams in the United States. Michael Jordan went there before starring in the NBA (National Basketball Association).

North Carolina moved through the college tournament by winning five games by more than 10 points. Villanova was also a very good team this year.

But going into the championship game, North Carolina was the favorite.

Right after halftime, North Carolina was ahead by seven points. Then with five minutes left, Villanova was ahead by 10 points. It went back and forth⁴ in a duel⁵ for the win.

With only four seconds left, a player from North Carolina made a difficult shot to tie the game at 74 points each team.

There was one second left. Villanova player Kris Jenkins stood at the edge of the zone where a ball through the net is worth three points. He reached up with the ball and launched⁶ his throw to the net.

His ball flew in the air as the time ran out and a loud buzzer⁷ filled the court. But a ball in play before the buzzer meant it could count if the ball successfully went in the net. Jenkins three-pointer sailed right into the net.  He scored!  

Villanova became the college basketball champion for the first time since 1985!

Even former North Carolina player Michael Jordan was impressed.

But was it the best finish to a national championship game ever?

Words in This Story

madness – n. behavior or thinking that is very foolish or dangerous

feature – v. to have or include (someone or something) as an important part

slam-dunk – v. to jump high in the air and push (the ball) down through the basket

back-and-forth – adj. between two places or people

hug – v. to put your arms around someone in order to show love or friendship

impress – v. to cause (someone) to feel admiration or interest

1 nickname   

n.绰号，昵称；v.给...取绰号，叫错名字

参考例句：

• She called me by my nickname.她叫我的外号。
• Why do you fasten such a nickname on her?你为什么给她取这样一个绰号？

2 illustrated   

adj. 有插图的，列举的 动词illustrate的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• His lecture was illustrated with slides taken during the expedition. 他在讲演中使用了探险时拍摄到的幻灯片。
• The manufacturing Methods: Will be illustrated in the next chapter. 制作方法将在下一章说明。

3 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

4 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

5 duel   

n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争

参考例句：

• The two teams are locked in a duel for first place.两个队为争夺第一名打得难解难分。
• Duroy was forced to challenge his disparager to duel.杜洛瓦不得不向诋毁他的人提出决斗。

6 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

7 buzzer   

n.蜂鸣器；汽笛

参考例句：

• The buzzer went off at eight o'clock.蜂鸣器在8点钟时响了。
• Press the buzzer when you want to talk.你想讲话的时候就按蜂鸣器。