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Ranking the five best March Madness epic game winners that weren't

No one remembers second place, but around here we do. Let's take a look at the best five almost game-winners of all time.
ByDrew Holbrook|
March 1992; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dukes player Christian Laettner gets off a last-second shot to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament in Philadelphia. Dukes Christian Laettner gets off a last second shot to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament, in Philadelphia. By Stewart Bowman, The Courier-Journal. Mandatory Credit: Stewart Bowman-USA TODAY NETWORK
March 1992; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dukes player Christian Laettner gets off a last-second shot to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament in Philadelphia. Dukes Christian Laettner gets off a last second shot to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA tournament, in Philadelphia. By Stewart Bowman, The Courier-Journal. Mandatory Credit: Stewart Bowman-USA TODAY NETWORK | The Courier-Journal-USA TODAY NETWORK

March Madness is renowned for its dramatic buzzer-beaters that have etched unforgettable moments into NCAA tournament history. However, preceding many of these iconic shots were pivotal plays that momentarily seemed destined to secure victory. Let's delve into the crucial moments that set the stage for some of the most legendary game-winners in NCAA history.​ Here are the top five epic game-winners that weren't:

Kentucky basketball fans skip number 1

1. Sean Wood's Floater

In the 1992 East Regional Final between Duke and Kentucky, with the game in overtime, Kentucky's Sean Woods made a remarkable running one-handed bank shot over Christian Laettner, giving the Wildcats a 103-102 lead with just 2.1 seconds remaining. This shot appeared to seal Kentucky's victory and a trip to the Final Four. We all know what happens next: Grant Hill's full-court pass found Laettner, who hit a turnaround jumper at the buzzer, clinching a 104-103 win for Duke.

2. Julian Winfield's bank shot

Before Tyus Edney went the distance to secure 1 seed UCLA's victory, it was Kendrick Moore finding Julian WInfield cutting to the basket. Winfield turned and banked in a shot with just 4.8 seconds left, giving 8 seed MIssouri an all but certain win. No way UCLA could go the length of the court and score in just under 5 seconds, right?

3. Kelly Tripuka's baseline jumper

Before Danny Ainge's full court drive, and before DIgger Phelps was an analyst; there was Kelly Tripucka. Phelps called a timeout down 1, and ran a play Tripucka who pulled up from the baseline to give the Irish the lead with 8 seconds to go.

4. Shandon Anderson's corner 3

Syracuse's John Wallace put the Orange up 2 with a great post move. Georgia raced down the court and and found Shandon Anderson in the corner who drained a 3. 7 seconds was too much time for Syracue as John Wallace once again stepped up, draining a 3 for his 30th point and a 1 point win.

5. Aaron Craft's layup

Fewer images are as iconic as Aaron Craft laying on the court after missing a potential game winning shot against Dayton. Rewind just 20 seconds earlier and things looked much different. With Ohio State down 1 to in-state rival Dayton, Craft took it to the rack and made an up and under layup to put the Buckeyes up 1. Dayton quickly answered and that left it up to Craft one again. However, the layup clanged off the rim and Ohio State went home.

There you have it, the five best almost game winners in March Madness history. Which one tops your list?