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  Lane Stewart

Michael's miracle

Jordan defies the odds to claim college hoops victory

You might not have believed Michael Jordan would be voted the Century's Best college basketball player by CNN/SI users, but Jordan destroyed some very formidable competition in Oscar Robertson, Lew Alcindor and Bill Russell. Was Jordan's big shot for the Tar Heels a defining moment in his career? Jordan's NBA feats probably earned him extra votes, but it was clear to anyone who watched him jam in Chapel Hill that he had the look of a winner from the start.

  • Photo gallery: Jordan in the 1980s
  • SI Flashback: Jordan, Perkins towering twosome
  • MJ Timeline

    Alcindor vs. Chamberlain Robertson vs. Jordan Walton vs. Luisetti Russell vs. Thompson Alcindor vs. Jordan Walton vs. Russell Jordan vs. Russell

    This is the first part of an interactive series in which you will team up with Sports Illustrated's experts to decide the Century's Best athlete.

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    1999 NCAA Men's Tournament 1999 NCAA Women's Tournament

    Century's Best Guidelines
      • How to pick a champ


    From Sports Illustrated
      • Top 20 dynasties
      • SI's Hoffer: Favorite dynasties
      • Bill Russell speaks out


    SI's Leigh Montville
      • Who is the Century's Best?


    SI's Frank Deford
      • The Best Years of Our Lives


    SI's Alex Wolff
      • The best games in tournament history


    From Sports Illustrated
      • 10 Greatest Tournament Upsets


    Your Responses
      • Who should have made the Top Eight
      • Century's Best college basketball coaches

    Archive
      • Round of two
      • Round of four
      • Round of eight
      • Jordan vs. Maravich
      • Pro vs. College hoops
      • Adding new rules
      • Best rule change


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