Here’s a brief look back in time for this day, March 29.
In 1973, the final U.S. combat troops leave Vietnam after an eight year long deployment. The majority of these troops were prisoners of the Hoa Lo Prison complex in Hanoi, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”. This wasn’t the end of the conflict in Vietnam, however. Now mostly defenseless, South Vietnam was overtaken by North Vietnamese forces with the fall of Saigon in 1975. Today, it’s known as Ho Chi Minh City.
In 1982, the North Carolina Tar Heels become NCAA champions following their very close 63-62 win over Georgetown. This very intense match pit two of the best NBA players at this time against each other. On Georgetown’s side was Patrick Ewing, a 7-foot-tall center who made 28 of the team’s points during this game. Combined with John Thompson – who finished his career with a 596-239 record – the Hoyas were bound to make their first NCAA championship in the program’s history. However, one player on the Tar Heels’ side makes a game-ending 16-foot jump shot just 15 seconds before the clock runs out. Unable to make up the points in such little time, the Hoyas would have to wait a couple more years to secure the championship. That other player was none other than 19-year-old freshman Michael Jordan.