March Madness Moments and Performances That Are Impossible to Recreate in Video Games

It’s that time of year for basketball fans because March Madness is here! We all love the tournament, with its great historical runs, gigantic upsets, and the overall craziness of the games and moments. But let's take a moment to remember the days of huddling around the TV, engrossed in the games, or playing video games made by EA or 2K, having a blast as our favorite team, and leading them to the title.

These shared experiences, these nostalgic moments, are what make March Madness truly special. There have been a lot of moments and performances in the NCAA March Madness history, even some that will probably never be recreated, even in video game form. Here are few that I believe are way too impossible to do.

Getting the Ball Stuck on Top Of The Backboard and Having Cheerleaders Help Get It

Let's start with a truly unique moment that’s almost impossible to replicate. In the 2022 NCAA tournament, we witnessed not one but two instances of a ball getting stuck on top of the backboard. The first occurred in a Round of 64 game between the underdog Indiana Hoosiers and the powerhouse Saint Mary’s Gaels. The second, nine days later, in an Elite 8 matchup between the perennial contenders Arkansas Razorbacks and the perennial favorites Duke Blue Devils. In both cases, play was halted as the teams scrambled to retrieve the ball. Indiana's solution was particularly memorable-they enlisted the help of a cheerleader, who stood on the shoulders of a male cheerleader to reach the ball. This unexpected turn of events was met with awe from the players, crowd, and commentators, making it one of the most unforgettable moments in the tournament's history.

The reason why this seems impossible to do is that, usually, in basketball games, the programming doesn’t allow the ball to get stuck on top of the backboard. Most of the time, the ball bounces off the rim or misses entirely. Even if you turn the sliders down or make any change, the chance of you getting the ball stuck on the backboard is near impossible. Even if you somehow get it, all that would happen is that the play would stop, and it would transition to a jump ball, so you wouldn’t get a cheerleader trying to get it. This moment, however, was not just about the ball getting stuck but about the ingenuity and teamwork displayed by the Indiana Hoosiers, which is why it's considered a unique and impossible moment to recreate.

Fred Cohen’s 34 Rebound Game in 1956 vs UCONN

Rebounds are a game-changer in basketball, and the record for the most rebounds in a single game is a staggering 36. Fred Cohen achieved this feat in the 1956 NCAA Tournament between Temple and the University of Connecticut, which went into triple overtime. While there's no video evidence, the fact that a player managed to secure 36 rebounds in a game, especially in a high-stakes tournament, is a testament to his skill and determination. This record still stands today, making it a truly remarkable achievement. While it's not impossible to break this record, it's certainly a difficult task. Most basketball games are timed, usually ending at around 20 minutes, and the trajectory of a rebound is unpredictable, making it a matter of luck to secure one. This makes Cohen's record all the more impressive and unlikely to be surpassed.

Bo Kimble’s Left-Handed Free Throw Attempts

One of the most emotional moments in NCAA March Madness history is the tribute paid by Bo Kimble to his late teammate, Eric Hank Gathers. In the 1990 West Coast Conference tournament, Gathers tragically passed away after a dunk. This loss deeply affected the Loyola Marymount community, especially Gathers' teammate, Bo Kimble. In their first-round game against New Mexico State, Kimble was fouled. In a touching tribute to Gathers, he decided to shoot the free throw left-handed, a move that was met with a strong reaction from the crowd and the Loyola bench when the shot went in. This emotional run continued in their next game against Michigan, where Kimble was fouled again and, with the crowd's support, shot the ball left-handed, scoring once more. This heartfelt tribute propelled Loyola to the Elite 8 that year, making it a truly unforgettable moment in NCAA March Madness history.

This moment is very special, but it is very impossible to do in any college basketball game. Usually, you can create your own guy to shoot left or right-handed in the game, but unfortunately, you cannot set it to a feature that makes you shoot left-handed with only one arm. Every free throw attempt is always made with two hands. The only way you can implement this is if they make it a memorable moment you can complete in a game, like the college classics from NCAA March Madness 2005.