Every year, the NCAA Tournament leaves huge moments in our memory. Most of them are epic shots like the one that Otega Oweh hit for Kentucky or, going back, the one Christian Laettner hit against the Wildcats in 1992. We still talk about that one.
There are also often lovely, small moments that resonate too. Sometimes they’re sad, and you see players and coaches coming to terms with a loss or sometimes their careers being over.
But sometimes, they’re radiant. And the moment that Eddie Munyak had for
Long Island was truly lovely.
Munyak had only gotten into one game before his coach, former NBA star Rod Strickland, put him in at the end of the game against Arizona.
And Munyak made the most of his opportunity, draining a three, banking it in for style points, too.
When he ran down the court, Munyak got very emotional. In many ways, it encapsulated the majesty of the event. Guys work for years to get there, and some never even get off the bench as their teams lose.
Munyak got off the bench, and he’ll remember it for the rest of his life. So will a good many other people.
