Memorable Games

MEMORABLE GAME NO. 1 No. 2 ARKANSAS 76, No. 6 DUKE 72 NCAA Championship Game April 4, 1994, at Charlotte, N.C.

Despite UA’s incredible basketball success through the years, the Razorbacks had never played for the national championship until their battle with Duke at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Hogs had been ranked No. 1 much of the year, but Duke had won two national titles in the three previous seasons and had defeated Arkansas in the 1990 Final Four at Denver.

Duke controlled the tempo in the first half and Corliss Williamson, who had been nearly unstoppable in the entire tournament, missed his first five shots for the Razorbacks. The Blue Devils led by as many as five points in the opening period, but Scotty Thurman drilled a late three-pointer to give UA a 34-33 halftime advantage.

Corey Beck hit a short jumper early in the second half to give the Hogs a 38-35 lead, but Duke scored 13 unanswered points and suddenly led 48-38 with 17:09 left. While the surge left Duke fans roaring their approval, it also sped up the tempo of the game. The Razorbacks trailed but actually had the Blue Devils right where they wanted them.

Playing at a quicker pace, Arkansas caught up in less than five minutes. When Al Dillard drilled a three with 8:08 remaining to give UA a five-point lead, it looked like momentum had swung to the Hogs for good. Duke fought back and tied the game at 65-65 and finally 70-all with 1:29 remaining. The Razorbacks took a timeout.

When Dwight Stewart fumbled a pass, he quickly passed it out to Thurman with the shot clock winding down. Thurman had no choice but to shoot. As his shot was narrowly clearing the outstretched hand of Antonio Lang, the shot clock hit zero. The shot, though, was true. It was a dagger to the hearts of the Blue Devils and surpassed U.S. Reed’s halfcourt jumper against Louisville as the most famous shot in UA history.

Duke never recovered. Three free throws in the final seconds clinched the 76-72 victory that gave Arkansas the 1994 national championship.

Arkansas 76, Duke 72 Final Four * National Championship Game * April 4, 1994 Charlotte Coliseum * Charlotte, N.C. * Att.: 23,674

Officials: Jim Burr, Jody Silvester, Ted Valentine Technical fouls: None Attendance: 23,674