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1932

Bob Houbregs is born in Vancouver, Canada.

1936

Eddie Sutton is born in Buckland, Kansas.

1966

Grant Long is born in Wayne, Michigan.

1971

Isaiah Rider is born in Oakland, California.

UCLA defeats USC 73-62 at Pauley Pavilion in the final regular season game for both teams, clinching the Pac-8 title for the Bruins. It’s only the second loss of the season for the Trojans, both of which came at the hands of their cross-town rivals. But despite a 24-2 record and a #5 ranking in the final AP poll, USC cannot participate in the NCAA Tournament, as at-large bids did not exist until 1975.

1972

During “Bill Russell Day” at the Boston Garden, the all-time legend helps lift his #6 jersey to the rafters to be retired. But he does so in front of a mostly empty arena, as Russell refused a public ceremony due to his lingering disappointment with the racist treatment he received from Boston fans. Russell does receive a standing ovation from the Boston faithful later that night when he enters the arena for his job broadcasting the Celtics game.

1985

Larry Bird sets the Celtics single game franchise record with 60 points in a 126-115 victory over the Hawks. It breaks the record set by Kevin McHale just nine days earlier, with 57. At the time, Bird became just the 11th player in NBA history to reach the 60 points threshold in a single game.

1994

Jerami Grant is born in Portland, Oregon.

The NCAA women’s tournament gets underway and features 64 teams for the first time ever, expanding from 48. This is also the first women’s tournament without byes.

2009

The second longest game in college basketball history takes place in the Quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament, as Syracuse defeats Connecticut 127-117 in six overtimes. The Orange managed to win the game without leading at any point during the first five overtimes.

2020

The NCAA announces that the remainder of the ’19-’20 men’s and women’s basketball seasons are cancelled, including the NCAA Tournaments, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

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