Last-Second Heroics: A History of Buzzer-Beaters in the Final Four

From Vic Rouse's championship-clinching layup to Jalen Suggs' miracle heave, the NCAA Tournament has witnessed some of basketball's most iconic final-second shots.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 2:20pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in the act of shooting a last-second shot, with the figure broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors like blue, orange, and purple.The drama and energy of a Final Four buzzer-beater captured in a cubist, geometric interpretation.San Diego Today

The NCAA Tournament has been the stage for countless dramatic moments over the decades, with buzzer-beaters playing a starring role. This article takes a look back at the five instances where a Final Four game has been decided by a last-second shot, including Lamont Butler's game-winner for San Diego State in 2023, Jalen Suggs' deep three for Gonzaga in 2021, and Kris Jenkins' championship-clinching triple for Villanova in 2016.

Why it matters

Buzzer-beaters are the stuff of basketball legend, capturing the hearts of fans and players alike with their ability to produce unforgettable, game-changing moments. These clutch shots not only determine the outcomes of high-stakes games, but also cement the legacies of the players who hit them. Revisiting these iconic Final Four buzzer-beaters reminds us of the sheer drama and excitement that makes the NCAA Tournament one of the most captivating sporting events in the world.

The details

The article delves into the details of each of the five Final Four buzzer-beaters, describing the game situations, the players involved, and the thrilling final moments that led to the dramatic shots. It covers Lamont Butler's jumper that gave San Diego State a 72-71 win over Florida Atlantic in 2023, Jalen Suggs' 37-foot heave that lifted Gonzaga over UCLA 93-90 in 2021, Kris Jenkins' championship-clinching three-pointer that gave Villanova a 77-74 victory over North Carolina in 2016, Jerome Whitehead's last-second layup that secured a 51-49 win for Marquette over Charlotte in 1977, and Vic Rouse's overtime game-winner that gave Loyola-Chicago a 60-58 triumph over Cincinnati in 1963.

  • In the final seconds of the 2023 Final Four matchup between San Diego State and Florida Atlantic, with the score 71-70 in favor of FAU.
  • With 3.3 seconds remaining in the 2021 Final Four game between Gonzaga and UCLA, the score tied at 90-90.
  • With 4.7 seconds left in the 2016 national championship game between Villanova and North Carolina, the score knotted at 74-74.
  • In the final 3 seconds of the 1977 Final Four game between Marquette and Charlotte, with the score tied at 49-49.
  • In overtime of the 1963 national championship game between Loyola-Chicago and Cincinnati, with the score deadlocked at 58-58.

The players

Lamont Butler

A guard for San Diego State who hit the game-winning jumper to defeat Florida Atlantic in the 2023 Final Four.

Jalen Suggs

The Gonzaga point guard who banked in a 37-foot shot at the buzzer to lift the Bulldogs over UCLA in the 2021 Final Four.

Kris Jenkins

The Villanova forward who drilled the championship-clinching three-pointer to defeat North Carolina in the 2016 national title game.

Jerome Whitehead

The Marquette center who scored the game-winning layup to give the Golden Eagles a 51-49 victory over Charlotte in the 1977 Final Four.

Vic Rouse

The Loyola-Chicago center who scored the overtime game-winner to lift the Ramblers to a 60-58 win over Cincinnati in the 1963 national championship game.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

These iconic buzzer-beaters in the Final Four have cemented their place in NCAA Tournament lore, providing unforgettable moments that capture the sheer drama and excitement of college basketball's biggest stage. From Vic Rouse's championship-clinching layup to Jalen Suggs' miracle heave, these last-second heroics have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring generations of players to dream of hitting the game-winning shot on the biggest of stages.