UConn's Historic Game-Winning Buzzer-Beaters

From Tate George's iconic shot to Kemba Walker's Big East heroics, the Huskies have delivered some of college basketball's most memorable last-second finishes.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:36pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic, multi-angled moment of a UConn basketball player taking and making a game-winning buzzer-beater shot, with the court and players fragmented into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors.UConn's storied history of dramatic, last-second game-winning shots has cemented the program's legacy as a college basketball powerhouse.East Rutherford Today

The University of Connecticut men's basketball team has a storied history of game-winning buzzer-beaters, including Tate George's iconic shot in the 1990 NCAA Tournament, Richard Hamilton's clutch basket in the 1998 Sweet Sixteen, and Kemba Walker's step-back jumper to defeat Pittsburgh in the 2011 Big East Tournament. These dramatic finishes have cemented UConn's reputation as a program capable of delivering unforgettable March Madness moments.

Why it matters

UConn's history of game-winning buzzer-beaters not only provides thrilling highlights for fans, but also underscores the program's ability to perform under immense pressure and on the biggest stages. These shots have become part of the Huskies' enduring legacy and have helped solidify the team's status as one of college basketball's premier powerhouses.

The details

Tate George's shot in the 1990 Sweet Sixteen against Clemson is considered the previous gold standard for best shot in UConn history, as it capped off the Huskies' 'Dream Season' and arrival on the national stage. Richard Hamilton's game-winner against Washington in the 1998 Sweet Sixteen was another memorable buzzer-beater, while Kemba Walker's step-back jumper to defeat Pittsburgh in the 2011 Big East Tournament helped propel the Huskies to the national championship that year.

  • In the 1990 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, Tate George hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Clemson.
  • In the 1998 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, Richard Hamilton hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Washington.
  • In the 2011 Big East Tournament quarterfinals, Kemba Walker hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Pittsburgh.

The players

Tate George

A former UConn basketball player who hit an iconic game-winning buzzer-beater against Clemson in the 1990 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.

Richard Hamilton

A former UConn basketball player who hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Washington in the 1998 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.

Kemba Walker

A former UConn basketball player who hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Pittsburgh in the 2011 Big East Tournament quarterfinals, helping lead the Huskies to the national championship that year.

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What they’re saying

“Tate George's shot in the 1990 Sweet Sixteen against Clemson is simply called 'The Shot' and is considered the previous gold standard for best shot ever in UConn's history of men's basketball.”

— Joe Morelli, Author

The takeaway

UConn's history of game-winning buzzer-beaters, from Tate George's iconic shot to Kemba Walker's heroics, have cemented the program's reputation for delivering unforgettable March Madness moments and solidified its status as one of college basketball's premier powerhouses.