The Biggest Comebacks in NCAA Basketball History

College basketball is known for its unpredictability, and the possibility of a team overcoming a significant deficit to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat is one of the most thrilling aspects of the sport. These comebacks, fueled by a combination of strategic adjustments, individual brilliance, and sheer determination, create unforgettable moments that resonate with fans long after the final buzzer.

Defining the Comeback

A comeback in basketball, or any sport, signifies a team or athlete overcoming a substantial disadvantage in points or position during a competition. The challenge in basketball, particularly with a game clock, lies in the limited time available to erase a significant point deficit. Yet, history is replete with examples of teams defying the odds and achieving remarkable turnarounds.

Monumental NCAA Division I Comebacks

Only a select few teams in NCAA Division I history have managed to surmount deficits of 30 points or more to secure a win.

Drexel vs. Delaware (February 2018): A Record-Breaking Rally

Drexel University etched their name in NCAA history by achieving the largest comeback, overcoming a 34-point deficit against the University of Delaware in February 2018. Drexel, on a four-game losing streak, was staring down the barrel of a fifth consecutive loss. Enter Tramaine Isabell. The junior guard ignited a spark, nearly outscoring Delaware single-handedly in the second half. Isabell poured in 22 points and dished out six assists with only one turnover. Drexel's field goal percentage soared to 57 percent as they closed the game on a 22-6 run. Isabell punctuated his performance by scoring seven of the Dragons' last nine points, including the game-winning free throws with just 2.2 seconds left on the clock.

Pittsburgh vs. SMU (January 12, 2025): A Historic Women's Basketball Comeback

The Pittsburgh women's basketball team matched the largest comeback in NCAA Division I women's basketball history on Jan. 12, 2025, rallying from a 32-point deficit to stun SMU 72-59. The Panthers trailed 46-14 late in the second quarter and went into halftime down 49-18 on their home floor. But Pittsburgh woke up in the second half, dominating the Mustangs to the tune of a 28-0 third quarter and cutting the score to a single possession. Pittsburgh didn't let up in the fourth, outscoring SMU 26-10 in the final quarter to secure the win. The 32-point rally matched the largest comeback in NCAA Division I women's basketball history, tying Texas State in 2006.

Texas State vs. UTSA (February 18, 2006): Tying the Record

On February 18, 2006, Texas State also overcame a 32-point deficit to beat UTSA 73-71 in overtime, further solidifying the rarity and impressiveness of such comebacks. Texas State trailed 40-8 with 2:18 remaining in the first quarter.

Other Notable Comebacks

While overcoming a 30-point deficit is exceptional, numerous other comebacks in college basketball history deserve recognition for their drama and significance.

Duke vs. Tulane (December 1950): Overcoming a Halftime Deficit

Before Drexel's incredible rally, Duke University held the record for the largest halftime deficit overcome, against Tulane in December 1950. Trailing Tulane by three points in the first half of the 1950 Dixie Classic, Duke went cold from the floor for more than seven minutes. The Blue Devils trimmed the lead to 20 with eight minutes to go before Dick Groat took over. Groat netted 24 of his 32 points in the second half, including 12 in the last four minutes. Tulane attempted 105 shots for the game, fatigue may have affected Tulane.

Kentucky vs. LSU (February 15, 1994): A Second-Half Surge

Kentucky overcame a 16-point halftime deficit against LSU on February 15, 1994. LSU led Kentucky by 16 points at the half in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kentucky began to fire away from deep, closing the gap by connecting on 12 of 23 triples in the second half. After falling behind 31, UK scored 24 of the next 28 points. LSU, despite missing 11 free throws over the final 12 minutes, pushed the lead back to five in the closing minutes before Tony Delk and Walter McCarty nailed back-to-back 3-pointers that put the Wildcats in front.

Nevada vs. New Mexico (January 2018): A Late-Game Heroics

Jordan Caroline fueled Nevada's comeback against New Mexico in January 2018, scoring 32 of Nevada's 63 second-half points, including a game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds of overtime. In addition to Brown's previously mentioned free throws, UNM went 6-for-15 from the line in the final five minutes. In that same timeframe, Nevada drilled eight 3-point shots - four from Marcus Marshall and two by Caroline - to erase the deficit and force the extra period.

Read also: Overview of College Rivalries

Texas A&M vs. Northern Iowa (2016 NCAA Tournament): Anarchy in the Final Minute

Texas A&M's improbable comeback against Northern Iowa in the 2016 NCAA tournament epitomizes the "anything can happen" mantra of March Madness. Northern Iowa led 69-57 with 44 seconds to go in the second round of the 2016 NCAA tournament. Jeremy Morgan pushed the lead to 12 points with a pair of made free throws before Texas A&M roared back in a way few could predict. Out of an A&M timeout, Jalen Jones stole the inbounds pass and flushed it, cutting the lead to six before a Danuel House 3-pointer made it a one-possession game. The Panthers scored once more, but Alex Caruso answered with a 3-point play and Gilder picked up another steal along the baseline before tying the game at 71. The game needed double overtime to be decided.

UNLV vs. San Diego State (February 2005): A Last-Second Miracle

UNLV pulled off a stunning victory against San Diego State in February 2005, thanks to a last-second three-pointer. Odarty Blankson - who finished with a game-high 23 points - started a rally with five quick points, first putting back an offensive rebound before a quick change of possession and a foul while attempting a 3-pointer. With the deficit halved and 13.6 seconds to play, SDSU's Trimaine Davis missed a pair of free throws and Jerel Blassingame buried a triple. SDSU had one more opportunity to push its lead back to two possessions but Davis split free throws, allowing Curtis Terry to get up the floor and knock down an off-balance 3 as time expired.

New Mexico State vs. New Mexico (December 2003): Overtime Heroics

New Mexico State overcame a nine-point deficit in the final minute of regulation against New Mexico in December 2003, ultimately prevailing in double overtime. Keith Johnson's 26 points helped New Mexico State extend the game before fouling out in the first overtime. Without its leading scorer and a seven-point hole to close, NMSU turned to Corey Rogers, Skip McCoy and Lance Jackson as each drilled a 3-pointer in the final 40 seconds to force a second extra period.

New Mexico State vs. Bradley (January 2002): A Slow and Steady Climb

New Mexico State demonstrated resilience in their game against Bradley in January 2002, overcoming a significant early deficit after failing to score for the first several minutes of the game. Notie Pate ended the Aggies' scoring drought with 13:33 to go in the first half and NMSU used two big stretches - a 17-2 run and a 16-6 run - to trim the deficit to seven points by halftime. Roger Paggley, who finished with 40 points, kept Bradley ahead before Billy Myers pulled the Aggies level with 9:57 to go. In a back-and-forth contest that was tied seven times in the half, NMSU took its first lead with 3:20 remaining on a layup by Richard Robinson and went ahead for good on a Robinson jumper with 1:53 to go.

March Madness Miracles

The NCAA Tournament, often called "March Madness," is a hotbed for dramatic comebacks. The single-elimination format amplifies the importance of every possession, creating an environment ripe for unexpected turnarounds.

Read also: Explore HBCU legacies

BYU vs. Iona (2012 First Four): The Biggest March Madness Comeback

BYU's rally from 25 points down against Iona in the 2012 First Four stands as the largest comeback in NCAA Tournament history. Iona entered the game with a 25-7 record, winning the MAAC’s regular-season title. The Gaels averaged 83 points per game, which led the nation in 2011-12. Iona had three players average double-digit points and was led by Scott Machado, who would have a brief NBA stint. BYU came in with a 25-8 record, finishing third in the West Coast Conference. The Cougars were trying to adjust to life post-Jimmer Fredette who won the Naismith Player of the Year award the season prior before being drafted by the Sacramento Kings. BYU had four players averaging 11+ points per game and was just outside the top 10 in points per game (77.9). Iona dominated the first 15 minutes of the game, scoring 49 points and taking a commanding 25-point lead. BYU clamped down defensively and began to feature two upperclassmen bigs (Noah Hartsock and Bradon Davies), to turn the game around. The Cougars held Iona scoreless for the final four minutes of the first half and the Gaels never got it figured out. The Gaels opened the second half slowly but came to a complete halt as BYU held them scoreless for more than nine minutes, cutting the lead to 62-61. Machado completed a three-point play with about five minutes remaining, pushing Iona’s lead to 70-64 before Hartsock answered with a 7-0 run of his own, giving BYU its first lead with just 2:26 remaining. The Cougars wouldn’t look back, winning 78-72 and completing the biggest comeback in NCAA tournament history.

Duke vs. Maryland (2001 Final Four): A Blue Devil Demolition

The 2001 Final Four witnessed Duke's remarkable comeback from a 22-point deficit against Maryland. Duke had five future NBA players on the roster (Jay Williams, Shane Battier, Mike Dunleavy, Carlos Boozer and Chris Duhon) and Maryland would go on to win the national championship in 2002. Maryland surged to a 39-17 lead in the first half and took a double-digit lead into halftime against the top team in the nation. Duke’s head coach, the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, stopped calling any plays. He told the team they knew how to play Duke basketball and let them go about it. That’s precisely what the Blue Devils did, winning by 11 and moving on to the national championship game against Arizona.

Kansas vs. North Carolina (2022 National Championship): Defense Wins Championships

No. 1 Kansas trailed No. 8 North Carolina by 16 points in the first half of the 2022 national championship game. The Jayhawks were down 15 at the half, with UNC pounding the ball inside and leading in rebounding and second-chance points. To battle back, Kansas would need to start playing much tougher defense. Head coach Bill Self challenged his team to do so, which is exactly what happened. The Jayhawks held the Tar Heels to just 29 second-half points, clogging up passing lanes, forcing rushed shots and turnovers. Just halfway through the second half Kansas had turned a 16-point deficit into a six-point lead.

Comebacks Beyond Basketball: A Wider Sports Perspective

The phenomenon of the comeback extends beyond basketball, captivating audiences across various sports.

American Football: "The Comeback" and Super Bowl LI

In American football, "The Comeback" is synonymous with the Buffalo Bills' historic rally from a 32-point deficit against the Houston Oilers in a 1993 playoff game. The Bills recovered from a 32-point deficit shortly after halftime to win in overtime, 41-38, the largest comeback in terms of points (at that time) in NFL history, postseason or regular season. The record was later broken by the 2022-23 Vikings in a Week 15 game coming back from a 33 point deficit at halftime and later scored 32 unanswered points outscoring their opponent, the Indianapolis Colts 39 to 3 breaking the 1992-93 Bills record for either playoffs or regular season. Super Bowl LI witnessed another iconic comeback, as the New England Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime.

College Football: The Insight Bowl and Alamo Bowl

The 2006 Insight Bowl saw the Texas Tech Red Raiders complete the largest comeback in NCAA Division I-A Bowl Game history, overcoming a 38-7 deficit. The 2016 Valero Alamo Bowl witnessed TCU tying the record, rallying from a 31-0 deficit against Oregon.

Association Football: Champions League Miracles

Association football boasts its share of remarkable comebacks, particularly in the UEFA Champions League. FC Barcelona's 6-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, overcoming a four-goal deficit, stands as a testament to the sport's capacity for dramatic turnarounds. Liverpool F.C's come back from 3-0 against FC Barcelona to win 4-3 on aggregate in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League Semi-finals. Real Madrid completed three successful comebacks in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League knockout phase.

Baseball: The 2004 ALCS

The 2004 American League Championship Series, where the Boston Red Sox overcame a 3-0 series deficit against the New York Yankees, is often hailed as one of the greatest comebacks in sports history. The Red Sox became the first, and to date, only team in MLB history to come back from a 3-0 series deficit and ultimately win a best-of-seven series.

NBA's Greatest Comebacks

Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets (November 27, 1996): A 36-Point Swing

The Utah Jazz hold the distinction of the largest NBA comeback, overcoming a 36-point deficit against the Denver Nuggets on November 27, 1996.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Washington Wizards (January 25, 2022): A 35-Point Turnaround

The Los Angeles Clippers stunned the Washington Wizards on January 25, 2022, erasing a 35-point deficit to secure a remarkable victory. Nearing halftime, the Wizards had a commanding lead over the Clippers, as they led by as much as 35 in the quarter. Despite a commanding lead and 23 points by leading scorer Bradley Beal, the Wizards gave up 80 points to the Clippers in the second half, including a 4-point play with 1.9 seconds to go by Luke Kennard. Kennard scored the final 7 points for the Clippers in 9 seconds.

Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls (December 21, 2009): A Royal Rally

The Sacramento Kings matched the 35-point comeback mark, defeating the Chicago Bulls on December 21, 2009, after trailing by 35 points in the third quarter.

Other Notable NBA comebacks

32 points - Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs (November 2024)
30 points - Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics (February 2024)
30 points - Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks (December 2019)
30 points - Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers (2002)
29 points - Milwaukee Bucks vs. Atlanta Hawks (November 1977)
29 points - Dallas Mavericks vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (December 2008)
29 points - Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs (December 2022)
28 points - Brooklyn Nets vs. New York Knicks (February 2024)
28 points - Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings (April 2019)
28 points - Sacramento Kings vs. Brooklyn Nets (March 2019)
28 points - Los Angeles Clippers vs. Boston Celtics (February 2019)
28 points - Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics (November 2017)
27 points - Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (March 2017)
27 points - Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors (January 2017)
27 points - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (February 2023)
26 points - New Jersey Nets vs. Washington Wizards (November 2002)
26 points - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers (April 2017)
26 points - Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia Sixers (November 2023)
26 points - Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (November 2023)
25 points - Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs (March 2018)
25 points - Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz (April 2018)
25 points - Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors (January 2019)
22 points - Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (December 2019)

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