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Furman and Virginia provided viewers with the most exciting game of March Madness’s opening weekend, kicking off the action on Thursday afternoon.
The Paladins pulled off an improbable upset over the fourth-seeded Cavaliers, with JP Pegues drilling a last second three-pointer to give his team the lead and a win.
On the play, Virginia senior Kihei Clark made a boneheaded play to set Furman up with a chance to win. The guard made errant pass down the court after being trapped by a pair of Paladin defenders.
The pass sailed wide of his intended target, getting picked off by the Furman defense. The ball was quickly pushed up the court, leading to the immaculate final shot.
The unbelievable sequence of events had viewers stunned, maybe none more so than the three men on the call for CBS Sports. That trio of announcers consisted of Kevin Harlan, Stan Van Gundy, and Dan Bonner.
The booth couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed, resulting in an epic call.
On Monday, a sideline view of the play-by-play was released on social media. Fans and media are now posting their reactions to the call online.
“DID WE JUST SEE WHAT WE THINK WE JUST SAW?!” 🤯
Kevin Harlan’s call during Furman vs. Virginia was ICONIC
(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/lpGyO7ZEjd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 20, 2023
The CBS account wrote, “Kevin Harlan nearly FELL OUT OF HIS CHAIR. Dan Bonner and Stan Van Gundy were STUNNED.” The Athletic posted, “The Virginia-Furman ending was an emotional roller coaster for the broadcasters as well.”
I need a camera on Kevin Harlan at all times in close games pic.twitter.com/SppBWGtASu
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) March 20, 2023
Protect Kevin Harlan at all costs
(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/g0XlaC9FIR
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) March 20, 2023
An epic call for an even more epic game. With the Sweet 16 approaching this weekend, college basketball viewers will hope for more March Madness finishes like this.