Jim Valvano's North Carolina State team, made history in 1983, to give Valvano the most improvable championship in NCAA tournament history. It would also go down as the final with the most improvable ending, a put back slam by N.C. State's Lorenzo Charles. You had to love Jim Valvano. He was colorful and filled with one liners. A trait that he carried throughout his career until he died from Cancer 10 years later in 1983.
This game, which North Carolina State won 54-52 over Clyde Drexel led Houston, is one a the great games in the annuals of the NCAA tournament. This game defined Valvano, who was so excited after the Lorenzo Charles put back, that he ran around the court uncontrollably, seemingly looking for someone to hug.
Valvano went on a crusade to fight cancer and no one will ever forget the emotional speech that Valvano gave at the 1993 Espy awards, shortly before he died. It was at this speech that he announced the forming of the V Foundation to find a cure for cancer. The Coaches vs Cancer tournament is a pre-season staple at Madison Square Garden each year. To raise money for the V Foundation. Sphere: Related Content
