In preparation of the 20th anniversary celebration of Georgetown’s National Championship on Saturday, we’re going through Five Things Every Hoya Fan Should Know about the 1984 team. We’ve already told you things #1 and #2; now we’re giving you the third thing you should know.

Too Close for Comfort

Georgetown’s 1984 NCAA tournament was almost cut short after one game. In their opening game of the tournament, Georgetown faced Southern Methodist led by Jon Koncak. The Mustangs played a very tight zone defense and used a very deliberate pace. In those days, there was no three-point line and no shot clock. SMU led the Hoyas at halftime 24-16. The Hoyas stormed out in the second half to take a six point lead, but the Mustangs tied the game in the final minute. The Hoyas’ senior co-captain and defensive specialist Gene Smith went to line for a one-and-one with the score knotted at 34. A defensive rebound would have given SMU a chance to hold for the final shot to upset the Hoyas. Smith was a 59% free throw shooter. Smith missed the front end, but in a remarkable yet characteristic display of his unparalleled combination of grace, athleticism, and determination, Patrick Ewing tipped in the rebound to put the Hoyas up by two. The Hoyas added a free throw seconds later, and an inconsequential last second basket for SMU made the final score 37-36.