March Madness Memories: Princeton pulls off the upset over UCLA

In our last edition of March Madness Memories, we featured the Princeton Tigers almost pulling off an upset against the Georgetown Hoyas in 1989.

Well, we will flashforward from that game to the year of 1996 where the #13th ranked Princeton Tigers took on the defending National Champion UCLA Bruins who were a 4th seed.

Pete Carill who coached the Tigers in that near upset of Georgetown had announced his retirement weeks earlier before this NCAA tournament game. This also marked CBS sports announcer Gus Johson first year calling the tournament.

UCLA quickly jumped out to an early lead in the first half and Princeton continued to stay with them by using their offensive repertoire of three-point shots and back-door cuts.

The Tigers had a chance to break a deadlock at 41. Then a backdoor cut which lead to a lay-up gave the Tigers a 43-41 lead.

UCLA had one last chance but Tobey Bailey's jumpshot did not hit. Pete Carill finally got his upset and rode off into the sunset with his signature win.

CBS announcer Gus Johnson reflected on the win in a CBS production for the tournament by saying, "If every year was going to be like this, I think I'm going to like this job."

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March Madness Memories: The day Princeton almost beat Georgetown

In this edition of March Madness Memories, we flashback to the 1989 NCAA Tournament where the #1 seed Georgetown Hoyas faced off against the 16th seed Princeton Tigers. In the history of the tournament, no number one seed has been upset by a 16th seed and it appeared at the beginning of this game that history was unlikely to be broken.

ESPN was covering the first round coverage with John Saunders and Dick Vitale who stated that if Princeton was to pull off the upset, he would hitch-hike to Providence and be there ball-boy for their next game. He would also change into a Princeton Tigers cheerleader outfit and lead the cheers. Quickly after that, he stated that it would never happen.

Well, the only problem with that was no one told Princeton. They were coached legendary basketball architect Pete Carrill whose offense slowed the game down and started to befuddle the Georgetown Hoyas. At the half, Princeton led 29-21.

As they went back to the studio, John Saunders and Dick Vitale were in complete shock. Vitale who at the time was beginning to sweat stated that the tempo belonged to Princeton.

However, Georgetown reverted to their play of "thug-ball" in the second half and eventually creeped back into the game. They took a 50-49 lead in the final seconds when Princeton had a chance to win it but Kit Mueller's shot was off the mark. (Also listen to the boos after Georgetown has won.)

They sent it back to the studio and a much relieved Dickie V started to chant for the Princeton Tigers.

As for Princeton and Pete Carill, this was only the beginning and seven years later had another chance to pull off an upset. That one will be chronciled in our next edition of March Madness Memories.

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