Gonzaga's Suggs gives new meaning to March Madness and sets internet ablaze

April 04, 2021 - 12:12am

Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (1) celebrates making the game-winning basket against UCLA in the 2021 Final Four. (Michael Conroy/AP)

March Madness remains undefeated – as do the No. 1-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, thanks to Jalen Suggs and arguably the best shot in NCAA men’s college basketball history.

If you missed Saturday’s Final Four clash between Gonzaga and No. 11 UCLA, you missed out on an all-time game. The semifinal had it all: it was tightly contested all game long, there were plenty of lead changes, loads of drama, an overtime period and, of course, the buzzer-beater to top all buzzer-beaters.

As the first OT was winding to a close, and with a second frame seemingly inevitable, the unthinkable happened.

We could describe the sequence for you, but it’s better if you just watch it yourself.

JALEN SUGGS WITH THE OVERTIME BUZZER BEATER TO SEND GONZAGA TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

: @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/jTjWmJ1nFX

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 4, 2021

Are you kidding me?!?!

Unsurprisingly, Twitter went berserk after Suggs banked in the winner from well beyond the three-point line. In the wake of every single person watching the game simultaneously tweeting “WOW”, here are just some of the best reactions.

THE MOMENT pic.twitter.com/CaSU1Lm0bC

— Gonzaga University (@GonzagaU) April 4, 2021

I said SUGGS about to hit this as soon as he crossed half court. GAME!!

— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 4, 2021

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!? #FinalFour

— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 4, 2021

Christian Laettner + Jalen Suggs = MADNESS pic.twitter.com/I0LuYZ5IRt

— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) April 4, 2021

What a game. So proud of both teams tonight. One of those games when there’s not a loser – only a winner. This was college athletics at its finest. Congratulations Coach Cronin and UCLA on one great season! Hats off to Gonzaga.

— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) April 4, 2021

Jalen Suggs that dude for that!! OMG WHAT A SHOT!! https://t.co/UFHoWz9iJP

— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) April 4, 2021

Wow what a game!!! Jalen Suggs for the game winner!! #Gonzaga

— Aaron Hicks (@AaronHicks31) April 4, 2021

I see you Suggs! #Zags #finalfour2021 What a game! https://t.co/fIYtsaJLyR

— Drew Brees (@drewbrees) April 4, 2021

Suggs right now pic.twitter.com/ZV2N7dhWAU

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 4, 2021

OMG I still can not believe this instant classic we just watched Tonight demonstrated what is defined as @marchmadness Just an amazing competition & a salute to both teams for playing their hearts out for 45 minutes . @Gonzaga truly SURVIVES & ADVANCES !

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 4, 2021

If Tony Romo had been in the booth with Jim Nantz for Jalen Suggs’ buzzer beater to win the game for Gonzaga against UCLA pic.twitter.com/QTjMcqxvke

— Frank Caliendo (@FrankCaliendo) April 4, 2021

Gonzaga had a time out left. Mark Few didn’t use it. Let’s hope everyone has learned their lesson. pic.twitter.com/D53IeNDBh3

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 4, 2021

suggs made the play of the tournament with the block-to-assist transition and then like fifteen minutes later he went and made the new play of the tournament lol that young man is as built for the moment as it gets

— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) April 4, 2021

The thing about Suggs is that every scout I talk with mentions the “It” factor with him. He has a presence on both ends. So many huge plays tonight with a hurt hand. Block, passes, half court buzzer beater. He’s made a very strong case why he should be the No.1 pick in the draft https://t.co/W4OALrkxuk

— Chad Ford (@chadfordinsider) April 4, 2021

Suggs 2021 to Laettner 1992 not apples-to-apples. Suggs much more unlikely make from distance, but Hill pass and Laettner catch were remarkable elements of the 92 play.

— Tim Layden (@ByTimLayden) April 4, 2021

On replay Suggs didn’t call bank. 2OT

— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) April 4, 2021

Suggs life.

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) April 4, 2021

Suggs started to run it off before the ball even got to the backboard. #Heknew pic.twitter.com/A4OqOxg0Cd

— J.A. Adande (@jadande) April 4, 2021

Have often said if Gordon Hayward made that shot against Duke, it would be known as the greatest in NCAA history. Well, 11 years later, a few miles from Hayward’s college gym, Jalen Suggs earned that distinction. Wow.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 4, 2021

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! WHAT. A. FINISH!! How many better NCAA games ever?! 19 lead changes. I’ve seen 40 yrs worth. Never gonna forget this one. Two Suggs sequences live forever: block at the rim, floor length bounce pass for a dunk, bomb to win it. @ZagMBB @UCLAMBB thanks for that!

— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) April 4, 2021

Jalen Suggs, instant NCAA tournament legend.

That shot will be popping up in highlights for decades, like ones from Christian Laettner. Tyus Edney, Bryce Drew et al. Epic shot. Classic game. UCLA did everything it could. Just might be the Zags’ year. Wow. #FinalFour

— David Haugh (@DavidHaugh) April 4, 2021

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