You Tube Gold: Villanova-Georgetown 1985 National Championship

In the NBA Patrick Ewing became much of an offensively oriented player but in college, he was an unbelievable defender. He could outrun most guards and could block a shot and then run down to the other end and dunk the ball at the end of the break. He was simply brilliant.

In his freshman year he and Georgetown were one mistake away from beating UNC for the national championship. He got one his junior year and Georgetown was heavily favored to repeat.

Unfortunately, Villanova had other ideas. The Wildcats knew Georgetown well, both being in the Big East, and played a nearly perfect game to upset the Hoyas, 66-64. Villanova shot 22-28 for the game.

Years after the stunning upset, point guard Gary McLean revealed that he had played the game high on cocaine. His line: 40 minutes, 3-3 from the floor, 2-2 from the line with two assists and two turnovers. He was certainly wrong to have done it but like Dock Ellis pitching a no-hitter while tripping on LSD, McClain’s performance was a minor miracle. Cocaine has a powerful effect on your heart rate and your breathing. That he could compete in that state suggests one of two things: either he had extraordinary focus or he did enough of it so that it didn't bother him as much as it would the average user.

HBO did a nice documentary on the game which is well worth watching.