Heinz Kluetmeier/ Sports Illustrated

Story by Scott Gummer

For two weeks every spring, the sporting world revolves around the college basketball phenomenon known as March Madness. “With 48 games played in the opening two rounds, March Madness is like having the Super Bowl for four days straight,” says Robert Walker, director of race & sports book for MGM MIRAGE. “By 6:30 in the morning the joint is already jumping.” Still, save for a coveted courtside seat, the best place to catch the action is in one of MGM MIRAGE’s sports books, where the TVs are both giant and numerous, the atmosphere is electric, the action intense, and the odds of the unforgettable happening are a stone cold lock. Here are 10 of the tournament’s most memorable games.

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1982 National Championship North Carolina 63, Georgetown 62 A freshman by the name of Michael Jordan gave the world a taste of things to come when he coolly swished a 16-foot jump shot with 16 seconds remaining to give the Tar Heels the lead. Three minutes earlier, Jordan banked in a runner to put North Carolina ahead after they had trailed most of the game. Georgetown was down but not out—until guard Fred Brown tossed an errant pass to North Carolina’s James Worthy as time expired. Legendary coach Dean Smith, 0-for-6 in Final Fours, finally earned his first title.

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1987 National Championship Indiana 74, Syracuse 73 The very definition of a seesaw game, this wild tilt saw 13 ties and 19 lead changes all leading up to a buzzer-beating climax. Syracuse swarmed around Indiana all-American Steve Alford, who managed a team-high 23 points while drawing attention—and defenders—away from teammate Keith Smart, who delivered 17 of his 21 points in the second half and drained six of the Hoosiers’ final seven baskets. The final nail in the Orangemen’s coffin came when Smart sealed the deal with a heart-stopping 17-footer from the baseline with five ticks to go.