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Bryce Drew's shot to lift Valparaiso over Ole Miss was one of the most iconic shots of March Madness history. AP Photo/John Gaps III
On March 13th, 1998, Bryce Drew etched his name into college basketball folklore with a buzzer-beating shot that propelled the #13 Valparaiso Crusaders to a stunning victory over the #4 Ole Miss Rebels in the NCAA Tournament. This iconic moment - dubbed “The Shot” by many in the college hoops community - not only secured a memorable win for Valparaiso but also stands as one of the most unforgettable plays in March Madness history.
Facing off against a formidable Ole Miss team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Midwest Region, #13 Valparaiso entered the game as underdogs. The Rebels, led by coach Rob Evans, boasted a talented roster and were considered strong contenders for a deep tournament run. However, Valparaiso, under the guidance of coach Homer Drew, was determined to make a statement on the national stage.
From the opening tip-off, both teams engaged in a fiercely competitive battle, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The game remained tightly contested throughout, with momentum swinging back and forth as the clock ticked down in the second half.
As the final seconds of regulation approached, Valparaiso found themselves trailing by two points, 69-67. With just seconds remaining on the clock, the Crusaders were left with one last opportunity to salvage the game and keep their tournament hopes alive.
In a moment that would be etched into college basketball history, Bryce Drew, the star guard for Valparaiso, received an inbound pass near midcourt with just 2.5 seconds remaining. With the weight of the game on his shoulders, Drew dribbled frantically towards the three-point line, evading defenders with swift moves. As the buzzer sounded, Drew launched a desperation three-point shot from beyond the arc.
In a scene almost too reminiscent of a Hollywood script, the ball sailed through the air, arcing towards the basket as the crowd held its breath. And then, in a moment of pure magic, the ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, sending the Valparaiso faithful into a frenzy of jubilation.
Here was the call from CBS play-by-play announcer Ted Johnson.
“The inbound pass will be thrown by Jamie Sykes. Carter is pressuring. It’s to Jenkins, to Drew, for the win! GOOD! HE DID IT! BRYCE DREW DID IT! Valpo has won the game! A miracle! An absolute miracle!”
Drew's miraculous buzzer-beater sealed a 70-69 victory for Valparaiso and instantly became a defining moment in NCAA Tournament history. The image of Bryce Drew triumphantly raising his arms in celebration as his teammates rushed onto the court has since become an enduring symbol of March Madness magic, playing every year on the CBS family of networks when the tournament comes around.
The victory catapulted Valparaiso into the national spotlight and paved the way for an improbable tournament run. Although their journey would eventually come to an end in the Sweet 16, the memory of Bryce Drew's heroics continues to resonate with college basketball fans to this day.
Valpo ended up as 1998’s “Cinderella team.” #12 Florida State, who had knocked off #5 TCU in a similar upset the same day, was their next victim - Valpo defeated the Seminoles in overtime, 83-77, for their second upset in a row. Valpo’s magical run came to an end in the next round, when Rhode Island beat them 74-68.
March 13th, 1998, will forever be remembered as the day Bryce Drew and the Valparaiso Crusaders defied the odds and etched their names into the pantheon of NCAA Tournament legends.