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Throwback Thursday: Thrill of victory and agony of defeat

Mar 20, 2025 | 2:32 PM

By Chris Marler

I have a lot of flaws. I’m bad with names, have a terrible memory, and through 38 years of life I have yet to figure out square foot math. 

However, what I’m about to tell you is not going to be well received, and is easily my biggest flaw. 

I grew up in a household of Alabama fans. 

I know, I know that probably explains the issues with square foot math. 

There is one thing that bothers the crimson colored glasses fanbase even more than math, and that is all the historical moments that are forever ingrained into the lore and fabric of college football – at Alabama’s expense. 

Other fans see the Kick Six or Mason Taylor’s overtime touchdown and remember celebrating vicariously through whatever underdog took down the Tide. Alabama fans see pain, PTSD, and a season down the drain because of *gasp* a second loss and subsequent non-national title finish to the year. 

I say none of that for sympathy. There should be none. I say it because it reminds me of the same situation in March Madness. It’s something that is probably lost on everyone except the teams and fanbases it happened to. But, some of the biggest moments in March Madness have been at the expense of SEC teams. 

So, in honor of the Final Four season that’s upon us here are the four most heartbreaking iconic moments for SEC teams during March Madness.

Valparaiso’s last second three from Bryce Drew back in 1998 for one of the most memorable 13 versus 4 upsets ever? That came against Ole Miss.

That historic run to the elite eight by 15 seed St. Peter’s in 2022? That started with a first round overtime win over No. 2 seed Kentucky.

How about Tyus Edney’s last second layup for UCLA in 1995? If that shot doesn’t fall, the Bruins don’t win the national title. Also, if that shot doesn’t fall, then a No. 8 seed Missouri advances to the Sweet 16. That UCLA team went on to beat three SEC teams that year en route to their first national title since the Wooden era.

Virginia double dribbled. These weren’t listed in order, but if they were this would take the No. 1 spot and it wouldn’t be close. Regardless, of what I said in the opening about my inherited allegiances, that 2019 Auburn run was incredible. That team started SEC play by losing four of their first six. They later lost to Kentucky by 27 on the road.

However, after that Kentucky loss they caught fire. They won 12 straight games and made the first Final Four in program history. They ran through the SEC tournament as the No. 5 seed and went on a bloodlust rampage in the tournament of College Basketball Bluebloods beating UNC, Kansas, and Kentucky. 

Auburn ultimately lost in the Final Four to the eventual national champions, Virginia. That was thanks in part to a missed double dribble call and six points that Virginia scored in the final seven seconds after an unbelievable foul call on sharpshooter Kyle Guy. Auburn fans still haven’t recovered. I honestly don’t blame them.

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