New Orleans: Where Final Fours Become Classics

We’ve all heard the stories of The Big Easy. From Bourbon Street to the French Quarter, there’s so much to see, so much to taste, so much trouble to be had. But that’s for those who are looking for a particular type of fun. A type of fun that may leave you looking a little rough on a Monday morning.

For fans of college basketball, and sports in general, New Orleans represents something different. It’s not Mardi Gras or the beignets. It’s the Superdome, where some of the greatest college basketball moments in the history of the sport have taken place.

The 2022 Final Four is the sixth time that the city of New Orleans has hosted the Final Four, and all who attend will be hoping for just a little magic of Final Fours past.

In 1982, it was Michael Jordan, not yet the global superstar we know today, knocking down the game-winning jumper to defeat Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas, securing Dean Smith his first national championship. In 1987, Indiana legend Bobby Knight won his third and final title. The 1993 Final Four holds one of the more memorable moments in college basketball history, when Michigan forward Chris Webber called a timeout the Wolverines didn’t have with 11 seconds remaining in the national championship game against North Carolina, warranting a technical foul and the end of the Fab Five’s national championship hopes.

But wait, there’s more.

In 2003, it was the freshman sensation Carmelo Anthony leading Syracuse and head coach Jim Boeheim to their first title. And in 2012, freshman sensation Anthony Davis went berserk on the defensive end, grabbing 16 rebounds and blocking six shots to give John Calipari his one and only national championship.

You can feel the history when you enter the Superdome, and as Saturday rapidly approaches, the teams of the 2022 Final Four understand the significance.

“This is the one you see the Super Bowls in and Final Fours in,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said on Thursday. “It is really special playing here. And like I’ve said, I’ve been here as an assistant coach, even as a head coach, at Final Fours. This is one of my favorite towns to come to the Final Four — good restaurants, good music. Usually you’re out of it so you’re here for a good time. But you’re watching games in here.”

First year North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis understands what New Orleans means to college basketball, in particular what it means to his university.

“Well, I have told the team that we’ve won, this program has won two championships here in this building, and there’s significance to that,” Davis said in his Thursday press conference. “I remember the ‘82 championship game, and me only being able to see the second half because I had a boy scout meeting and I missed the first half. I remember on ‘93 it was a group of guys that I had played with. I was a rookie in the NBA, and we were playing the Atlanta Hawks, and I was on the road with my New York Knicks team watching the Carolina team play Michigan. I remember feeling two powerful emotions, joy and happiness because they won, but also sadness because I wanted to be there.”

There’s certainly potential for more classics as this year’s Final Four features four of the most storied programs in the country. Duke and North Carolina will square off for the 258th time — and for the first time in the NCAA tournament. Kansas enters their 16th Final Four, seeking their sixth national championship, their second under head coach Bill Self. Villanova has reached the final weekend for the fourth time since 2009, and have a chance to win their third national championship in their last six tries.

Is another college basketball memory soon to be etched in our memories? We’ll know soon, but if it was to happen anywhere, New Orleans would be a good bet.

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Enter for the chance to hang out with Gina Carano at the premiere of her new Daily Wire movie, Terror on the Prairie! Two lucky Daily Wire members will be given the complete red carpet treatment – free airfare, hotel, premiere car service, and exclusive merch. Daily Wire members can click here to enter for a chance to win. If you’re not a Daily Wire member yet, click here to join us so you can win this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases