2023 is about to end. And this has been the NCAA basketball year for many reasons. Firstly, it registered a record 9.9 million viewers in the NCAA 2022-23 Women’s Final. Secondly, it had a lot of top moments that would go down the memory lane with the fans. From Bronny James’ much anticipated debut to the Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark moment, the excitement this year was unparalleled.

Here we have compiled 10 best moments from the NCAA basketball that would take the viewers on the aisle of remembrance.

1) Angel Reese- Caitlin Clark Trash Talk

The Louisiana State University Lady Tigers won the NCAA 2022-23 championship by a margin of 102-85 against the Iowa Hawkeyes. The LSU star player Angel Reese then did the ‘you can’t see me’ gesture against the Iowa Hawkeyes veteran Caitlin Clark. Notably, Clark had used the same antic in Elite Eight. Reese then went on to point to her ring finger apparently signaling where the NCAA ring would go.

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The internet seemed to be divided over the fight with some coming to advocate for Clark while others assisting Reese. In the end, Clark came to express her stand on the issue stating “I don’t think Angel should be criticized at all,” as per ESPN (h/t: Sportskeeda).

2) Bronny James debut

After suffering a cardiac arrest in July during a practice workout in the USC Trojans’ campus, he came back to the hardwood. Bronny made his much-anticipated debut against the Long Beach State. His father LeBron James was present to cheer him up along with his family.

Bronny made the most of the 16 minutes he played in the game, basketing 4 points and grabbing 3 rebounds along with 2 assists. He though isn’t the central player for his team, but fans are rooting for him as he can become an efficient third or fourth player overtime. Looks, like he has embided a selfessness from his father.

3) UConn winning men’s title

The University of Connecticut Huskies outfoxed their opponents the San Diego State by a 76-59 margin in the championship Finale. With this the UConn won their fifth title since 1999. Their guard Tristen Newton besotted a game-high of 19 points, propelling his team to win the sixth game in the tournament by an average of 20 points.

Overall, it was an exemplary moment for the head coach Dan Hurley and his team and the UConn proved their mettle. The defending champions have come back this season and are performing sensationally this season. Perhaps, they might advance to the knockouts once again.

4) Angel Reese exclusion and comeback

A controversy erupted in the NCAA basketball world when the LSU star Angel Reese played for 14 minutes against the Kent State and was benched in the second half. The media speculation reached its zenith when Reese was nowhere to be found in the next four games.

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While some circulated rumors that she had been suspended over low grades, others blamed her for having a fiasco with the head coach Kim Mulkey.

Reese however came back stronger against the Virginia Tech Hokies, basketing 19 points with 9 rebounds. Reese also shut down all hearsay stating “My mental health is the most important thing for anything.”

5) Zach Edey lifts the Maui Invitational

The Purdue Boilermakers were able to undo their Walk of Shame from the previous season as they clinched the Maui Invitational. Their center Zach Edey gave them the impetus to outclass the Gonzaga, the Tennessee, and the Marquette in the process.

Overall, Edey is a major contender for the NPOY awards this season and averages a double-double with 24 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per contest. He has shown the world what a tough center can do for his team.

6) MiLaysia Fulwiley breaks A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston’s record

The South Carolina Gamecocks’ freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley shattered the former Gamecocks’ star A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston’s record by besotting 47 points in her first three games for the Gamecocks.

Notably, Wilson and Boston had smashed an equal 37 points. This announced Fulwiley’s coming on the NCAA stage and established her as the player to watch out for in the current NCAA season.

7) Rise of JuJu Watkins

The USC Trojans freshman JuJu Watkins was the breakout star for the NCAA 2023-24 season. She dropped an average of 26.8 points per game only second to the NCAA veteran Caitlin Clark. She is thus a prominent name in all the major NPOY awards this season.

Watkins has displayed her ability to be an all-around player for the Trojans and going forward she will play a pivotal role if her team are to advance to the knockouts.

8) Jim Boeheim retires

After an exceptional 47 years as the head coach of the Syracuse Orange, Boeheim decided to hang his boots in the NCAA 2022-23 season. He helped the Syracuse win the national title in 2003 apart from making 35 NCAA tournament appearances and 5x Final Four occurrences.

The 79-year-old ended his tenure as the second-most winningest coach in Division 1 basketball only behind the legendary Coach K. Going forward he will always be remembered for helping the Syracuse build a formidable team in every season.

9) Rick Pitino returns

The veteran coach Rick Pitino made a comeback to the Big East by being the head coach of St. John’s Red Storm this season. He had a difficult time at the Louisville and was fired following a scandal.

Fortunately, Pitino proved his mettle by coaching the Greece national team and then being a member of the Iona. With an 8-4 tally, the St. John’s occupy the third place in the Big East. 

10) Colorado upset the defending champion LSU

The Colorado Buffaloes outfoxed the defending champions LSU Lady Tigers by a 92-78 margin in their game at the T-Mobile Arena. Their guard Frida Formann smashed the team-high 27 points while their forward Aaronette Vonleh soused 24 points.

Overall, a spectacular performance by the Colorado that gave the season’s first upset this year. They have a compelling 10-1 stat this season and carried their brilliance from there on.

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