OTD (On this day) is a series that explores the top three moments of a particular day in sports history. With the sports world on hold from the threat of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this series will attempt to provide reading material during a confusing time. On March 29, we explore the largest point spread upset in March Madness championship history, the resignation of an all-time NFL coach, and a national championship game winner.

3. Jimmy Johnson resigns as Dallas Cowboys head coach on March 29, 1994

Johnson quit as head coach of the two-time defending champion Dallas Cowboys after a period of tension between himself and owner Jerry Jones, who lobbied to gain greater control over the Cowboys’ football operations being controlled by Johnson. Dallas went on to win its fifth super bowl two years later, and its third in four years, but the franchise has yet to reach its former glory since. As of the 2019 season, Dallas remains one of three NFC teams (Lions, Redskins) to have yet to reach the NFC Championship game this century, and despite Johnson’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jones still refuses to induct him into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor.

2. UConn stuns Duke for its first national championship as a 9.5-point underdog on March 29, 1999

Duke entered the 1999 national championship game as the No.1 team in the country sporting a 37-1 record as 9.5-point favorites over No.3 ranked UConn. The Huskies were no slouches themselves, having stayed at the No.1 ranking for three months during the season and racking up 33 wins versus just two losses. Despite this, Duke entered the game as the second-largest point spread favorite in championship history, having already tied the record (at the time) for wins in a season with 37. Nevertheless, UConn rode a 27-point MOP performance from Rip Hamilton to a 77-74 win, the largest point spread upset in national championship game history.

1. Michael Jordan hits game winner for UNC to win national championship against Georgetown on March 29, 1982

The moment at which Jordan himself later stated was the turning point of an all-time great career, No.1 North Carolina trailed 62-61 versus the Georgetown Hoyas following a shot from Eric Floyd. Led by center Patrick Ewing, the Hoyas would go on to win a national championship in 1984 and reach the deciding game in 1985, but this would not be their year. The following possession brought forth the start of Jordan’s reputation as a big-game player, as he caught a pass just below the left wing and pulled up to give UNC the lead with 15 seconds to go. The Tar Heels went on to win the game and the title, and the legend of His Airness was born.