News

Watch: Northwestern Tops Michigan 67-65 With Amazing Full-Court Pass, Buzzer-Beating Layup

The Northwestern Wildcats pulled off a thrilling victory over Michigan on Wednesday night thanks to a spectacular last-second play that drove the crowd at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston wild with joy.

Northwestern Beats Michigan with Amazing, Last-second Play

With 1.7 seconds remaining, Northwestern senior forward Nathan Taphorn tossed a lobbing pass the full length of the court to sophomore center Dererk Pardon, who caught the ball right under the basket and scored a layup at the buzzer to lift the Wildcats to a 67-65 home win over the Wolverines.

The home crowd immediately jumped their feet and stormed the court in jubilation. The victory also gave Northwestern its first winning record in the Big Ten Conference since 1967-68 and its first 10-win season in the conference since 1932-33, according to ESPN.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.

“I was looking around, I didn’t have anyone to hug. …I was looking for my family because it was a (pauses) special moment,” said Northwestern coach Chris Collins, choked up and emotional. “It was surreal the way it happened. It’s almost kind  of fitting when you’re trying to do something really hard. It takes exceptional things. …There’s always some luck involved. Guys got in the right spots. And Nate threw a great pass. Don’t the (Chicago) Bears need a quarterback.”

Pardon said he was stunned the play actually worked.

“This was just amazing for us and this program,” Pardon said. “I thought it was long, thought it was going out of bounds at first. When I caught it, I was like, ‘the rim is right there.’ We’ve never practiced that.”

Taphorn, meanwhile, said the following of the highlight-reel play, which was drawn up by assistant coach Brian James: “I just had to put my trust in Dererk. …My goal was to find him and give him the biggest hug ever.”

Although nothing is official until Selection Sunday, the momentous victory had several analysts stating the Wildcats (21-9, 5th in Big Ten) could make a legitimate run at this year’s national title.

Northwestern next host Purdue (24-6) on Sunday, while Michigan will visit Nebraska that day.

MADISON, WI – FEBRUARY 12: Vic Law #4 of the Northwestern Wildcats is fouled by Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the first half of a game at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.

Recent Posts

Paul George Exits With Knee Injury As 76ers Fall To 2-12 In Loss To Grizzlies

With their big three finally back in action Wednesday, the Philadelphia 76ers suffered another setback…

8 hours ago

VIDEO: Nike Pays Tribute to Rafael Nadal With 30-Foot Projection In Front of Eiffel Tower

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tny--EWynOQ Nike paid tribute to Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal with a 10-meter-tall animated display…

1 day ago

VIDEO: Rafael Nadal Gets Emotional Tribute as He Retires From Tennis

https://youtu.be/dtJoJz9hC48 Tennis legend Rafael Nadal bid a heartfelt goodbye to his devoted Spanish fans as he brought…

1 day ago

VIDEO EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Fencer Eli Dershwitz Explains The Art Of Fencing

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DQ9Rxhnuer4 U.S. Olympic fencer Eli Dershwitz shed light on the critical skills necessary in fencing…

2 days ago

Two Bears Offensive Linemen Return To Practice, Caleb Williams Desperate For Blocking

Two offensive linemen for the Chicago Bears returned to practice, a massive step in the…

3 days ago

VIDEO: UFC Heavyweight Champion Performs Viral Trump Dance In New York

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s2g9t_33Myw President-elect Donald Trump received a warm welcome from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Jon…

4 days ago