University of Northern Iowa 69, University of Kansas 67 - by John Marshall, AP, March 21, 2010
Leading by one against the colossus of the bracket, Ali Farokhmanesh stood at the 3-point line, no one around.
The prudent play? Pull it out, burn some clock.
Not a chance.
Taking his shot at history, Farokhmanesh let fly from the wing.
Swish!
The biggest upset in a tournament full of them was done. Northern Iowa had taken down mighty Kansas.
Playing with poise down the stretch and getting another big 3-pointer from Farokhmanesh, Northern Iowa pulled off one of the biggest NCAA upsets in years by knocking No. 1 overall seed Kansas from the bracket with a program-defining 69-67 win on Saturday.
“If anybody’s going to shoot that shot, I want it to be Ali,” UNI’s Jake Koch said.
This year’s NCAA tournament has been defined by its upsets. Eight double-digit seeds got through the first round. No. 10 Saint Mary’s beat Villanova on Saturday and No. 11 Washington shoved aside New Mexico.
This was the biggest shocker of all.
Winning the tempo tug-of-war, ninth-seeded Northern Iowa (30-4) grounded the high-flying Jayhawks with in-their-jersey defense, then withstood a furious rally for the first win over a No. 1 seed in the second round since UAB and Alabama did it to Kentucky and Stanford in 2004.
First-round hero Farokhmanesh had the biggest play of all.
With Kansas charging and its fans roaring, the fearless son of an Iranian Olympic volleyball player caught the ball on the wing after the Panthers broke Kansas’ press. The shot clock still in the 30s, he hesitated for just an instant, then cast his bracket-busting shot with 34 seconds left in the game.
Trailing 66-62, Kansas had one last chance, but Tyrel Reed was called for an offensive foul and Farokhmanesh sealed it with two free throws with 5 seconds left, sending the Panthers to the round of 16 for the first time.
...Farokhmanesh, who finished with 16 points, jumped into a huddle of teammates, and Koch embraced older brother Adam to a chant of “U-N-I!” ...
Yes, this was monumental....
unfortunately Iran volleyball NT never qualified for the olympics (I hope to see them in London) and also Iran didn't even compete in Moscow 1980 Olympics !!!