1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament

Schedule and venues

The following are the sites that were selected to host each round of the 1990 tournament, and their host(s):

First and Second Rounds

• March 15 and 17
  • East Region
    • Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut (Host: University of Connecticut)
  • Midwest Region
    • Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (Host: University of Texas at Austin)
  • Southeast Region
    • Thompson–Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee (Host: University of Tennessee)
  • West Region
    • Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (Host: University of Utah)
• March 16 and 18
  • East Region
    • Omni Coliseum, Atlanta, Georgia (Host: Georgia Institute of Technology)
  • Midwest Region
    • Hoosier Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana (Hosts: Butler University, Midwestern Collegiate Conference)
  • Southeast Region
    • Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia (Hosts: University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University)
  • West Region
    • Long Beach Arena, Long Beach, California (Host: Long Beach State University)

Regional semifinals and finals (Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight)

• March 22 and 24
  • East Regional, Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey (Hosts: Seton Hall University, Big East Conference)
  • Midwest Regional, Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas (Host: Southwest Conference)
• March 23 and 25
  • Southeast Regional, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana (Hosts: Tulane University, University of New Orleans)
  • West Regional, Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California (Host: University of California, Berkeley)

National semifinals and championship (Final Four and championship)

• March 31 and April 2
  • McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado (Hosts: University of Colorado Boulder, Big 8 Conference)

Teams

Bracket

East Regional – East Rutherford, New Jersey

| RD1-team01=Connecticut | RD1-score01=76 | RD1-seed02=16 | RD1-team02=Boston University | RD1-score02=52 | RD1-seed03=8 | RD1-team03=Indiana | RD1-score03=63 | RD1-seed04=9 | RD1-team04=California | RD1-score04=65 | RD1-seed05=5 | RD1-team05=Clemson | RD1-score05=49 | RD1-seed06=12 | RD1-team06=BYU | RD1-score06=47 | RD1-seed07=4 | RD1-team07=La Salle | RD1-score07=79 | RD1-seed08=13 | RD1-team08=Southern Miss | RD1-score08=63 | RD1-seed09=6 | RD1-team09=St. John's | RD1-score09=81 | RD1-seed10=11 | RD1-team10=Temple | RD1-score10=65 | RD1-seed11=3 | RD1-team11=Duke | RD1-score11=81 | RD1-seed12=14 | RD1-team12=Richmond | RD1-score12=46 | RD1-seed13=7 | RD1-team13=UCLA | RD1-score13=68 | RD1-seed14=10 | RD1-team14=UAB | RD1-score14=56 | RD1-seed15=2 | RD1-team15=Kansas | RD1-score15=79 | RD1-seed16=15 | RD1-team16=Robert Morris | RD1-score16=71 | RD2-seed01=1 | RD2-team01=Connecticut | RD2-score01=74 | RD2-seed02=9 | RD2-team02=California | RD2-score02=54 | RD2-seed03=5 | RD2-team03=Clemson | RD2-score03=79 | RD2-seed04=4 | RD2-team04=La Salle | RD2-score04=75 | RD2-seed05=6 | RD2-team05=St. John's | RD2-score05=72 | RD2-seed06=3 | RD2-team06=Duke | RD2-score06=76 | RD2-seed07=7 | RD2-team07=UCLA | RD2-score07=71 | RD2-seed08=2 | RD2-team08=Kansas | RD2-score08=70 | RD3-seed01=1 | RD3-team01=Connecticut | RD3-score01=71 | RD3-seed02=5 | RD3-team02=Clemson | RD3-score02=70 | RD3-seed03=3 | RD3-team03=Duke | RD3-score03=90 | RD3-seed04=7 | RD3-team04=UCLA | RD3-score04=81 | RD4-seed01=1 | RD4-team01=Connecticut | RD4-score01=78 | RD4-seed02=3 | RD4-team02=Duke | RD4-score02=79OT

Regional Final summary

End of Regulation: 72–72

Midwest Regional – Dallas, Texas

| RD1-team01=Oklahoma | RD1-score01=77 | RD1-seed02=16 | RD1-team02=Towson State | RD1-score02=68 | RD1-seed03=8 | RD1-team03=North Carolina | RD1-score03=83 | RD1-seed04=9 | RD1-team04=SW Missouri State | RD1-score04=70 | RD1-seed05=5 | RD1-team05=Illinois | RD1-score05=86 | RD1-seed06=12 | RD1-team06=Dayton | RD1-score06=88 | RD1-seed07=4 | RD1-team07=Arkansas | RD1-score07=68 | RD1-seed08=13 | RD1-team08=Princeton | RD1-score08=64 | RD1-seed09=6 | RD1-team09=Xavier | RD1-score09=87 | RD1-seed10=11 | RD1-team10=Kansas State | RD1-score10=79 | RD1-seed11=3 | RD1-team11=Georgetown | RD1-score11=70 | RD1-seed12=14 | RD1-team12=Texas Southern | RD1-score12=52 | RD1-seed13=7 | RD1-team13=Georgia | RD1-score13=88 | RD1-seed14=10 | RD1-team14=Texas | RD1-score14=100 | RD1-seed15=2 | RD1-team15=Purdue | RD1-score15=75 | RD1-seed16=15 | RD1-team16=Northeast Louisiana | RD1-score16=63 | RD2-seed01=1 | RD2-team01=Oklahoma | RD2-score01=77 | RD2-seed02=8 | RD2-team02=North Carolina | RD2-score02=79 | RD2-seed03=12 | RD2-team03=Dayton | RD2-score03=84 | RD2-seed04=4 | RD2-team04=Arkansas | RD2-score04=86 | RD2-seed05=6 | RD2-team05=Xavier | RD2-score05=74 | RD2-seed06=3 | RD2-team06=Georgetown | RD2-score06=71 | RD2-seed07=10 | RD2-team07=Texas | RD2-score07=73 | RD2-seed08=2 | RD2-team08=Purdue | RD2-score08=72 | RD3-seed01=8 | RD3-team01=North Carolina | RD3-score01=73 | RD3-seed02=4 | RD3-team02=Arkansas | RD3-score02=96 | RD3-seed03=6 | RD3-team03=Xavier | RD3-score03=89 | RD3-seed04=10 | RD3-team04=Texas | RD3-score04=102 | RD4-seed01=4 | RD4-team01=Arkansas | RD4-score01=88 | RD4-seed02=10 | RD4-team02=Texas | RD4-score02=85

Regional Final summary

Southeast Regional – New Orleans, Louisiana

| RD1-team01=Michigan State | RD1-score01=75OT | RD1-seed02=16 | RD1-team02=Murray State | RD1-score02=71 | RD1-seed03=8 | RD1-team03=Houston | RD1-score03=66 | RD1-seed04=9 | RD1-team04=UC Santa Barbara | RD1-score04=70 | RD1-seed05=5 | RD1-team05=LSU | RD1-score05=70 | RD1-seed06=12 | RD1-team06=Villanova | RD1-score06=63 | RD1-seed07=4 | RD1-team07=Georgia Tech | RD1-score07=99 | RD1-seed08=13 | RD1-team08=East Tennessee State | RD1-score08=83 | RD1-seed09=6 | RD1-team09=Minnesota | RD1-score09=64OT | RD1-seed10=11 | RD1-team10=UTEP | RD1-score10=61 | RD1-seed11=3 | RD1-team11=Missouri | RD1-score11=71 | RD1-seed12=14 | RD1-team12=Northern Iowa | RD1-score12=74 | RD1-seed13=7 | RD1-team13=Virginia | RD1-score13=75 | RD1-seed14=10 | RD1-team14=Notre Dame | RD1-score14=67 | RD1-seed15=2 | RD1-team15=Syracuse | RD1-score15=70 | RD1-seed16=15 | RD1-team16=Coppin State | RD1-score16=48 | RD2-seed01=1 | RD2-team01=Michigan State | RD2-score01=62 | RD2-seed02=9 | RD2-team02=UC Santa Barbara | RD2-score02=58 | RD2-seed03=5 | RD2-team03=LSU | RD2-score03=91 | RD2-seed04=4 | RD2-team04=Georgia Tech | RD2-score04=94 | RD2-seed05=6 | RD2-team05=Minnesota | RD2-score05=81 | RD2-seed06=14 | RD2-team06=Northern Iowa | RD2-score06=78 | RD2-seed07=7 | RD2-team07=Virginia | RD2-score07=61 | RD2-seed08=2 | RD2-team08=Syracuse | RD2-score08=63 | RD3-seed01=1 | RD3-team01=Michigan State | RD3-score01=80 | RD3-seed02=4 | RD3-team02=Georgia Tech | RD3-score02=81OT | RD3-seed03=6 | RD3-team03=Minnesota | RD3-score03=82 | RD3-seed04=2 | RD3-team04=Syracuse | RD3-score04=75 | RD4-seed01=4 | RD4-team01=Georgia Tech | RD4-score01=93 | RD4-seed02=6 | RD4-team02=Minnesota | RD4-score02=91

Regional Final summary

West Regional – Oakland, California

| RD1-team01=UNLV | RD1-score01=102 | RD1-seed02=16 | RD1-team02=Arkansas–Little Rock | RD1-score02=72 | RD1-seed03=8 | RD1-team03=Ohio State | RD1-score03=84OT | RD1-seed04=9 | RD1-team04=Providence | RD1-score04=83 | RD1-seed05=5 | RD1-team05=Oregon State | RD1-score05=53 | RD1-seed06=12 | RD1-team06=Ball State | RD1-score06=54 | RD1-seed07=4 | RD1-team07=Louisville | RD1-score07=78 | RD1-seed08=13 | RD1-team08=Idaho | RD1-score08=59 | RD1-seed09=6 | RD1-team09=New Mexico State | RD1-score09=92 | RD1-seed10=11 | RD1-team10=Loyola Marymount | RD1-score10=111 | RD1-seed11=3 | RD1-team11=Michigan | RD1-score11=76 | RD1-seed12=14 | RD1-team12=Illinois State | RD1-score12=70 | RD1-seed13=7 | RD1-team13=Alabama | RD1-score13=71 | RD1-seed14=10 | RD1-team14=Colorado State | RD1-score14=54 | RD1-seed15=2 | RD1-team15=Arizona | RD1-score15=79 | RD1-seed16=15 | RD1-team16=South Florida | RD1-score16=67 | RD2-seed01=1 | RD2-team01=UNLV | RD2-score01=76 | RD2-seed02=8 | RD2-team02=Ohio State | RD2-score02=65 | RD2-seed03=12 | RD2-team03=Ball State | RD2-score03=62 | RD2-seed04=4 | RD2-team04=Louisville | RD2-score04=60 | RD2-seed05=11 | RD2-team05=Loyola Marymount | RD2-score05=149 | RD2-seed06=3 | RD2-team06=Michigan | RD2-score06=115 | RD2-seed07=7 | RD2-team07=Alabama | RD2-score07=77 | RD2-seed08=2 | RD2-team08=Arizona | RD2-score08=55 | RD3-seed01=1 | RD3-team01=UNLV | RD3-score01=69 | RD3-seed02=12 | RD3-team02=Ball State | RD3-score02=67 | RD3-seed03=11 | RD3-team03=Loyola Marymount | RD3-score03=62 | RD3-seed04=7 | RD3-team04=Alabama | RD3-score04=60 | RD4-seed01=1 | RD4-team01=UNLV | RD4-score01=131 | RD4-seed02=11 | RD4-team02=Loyola Marymount | RD4-score02=101

Regional Final summary

Final Four – Denver, Colorado

| RD1-seed1=E3 | RD1-team1=Duke | RD1-score1=97 | RD1-seed2=MW4 | RD1-team2=Arkansas | RD1-score2=83 | RD1-seed3=SE4 | RD1-team3=Georgia Tech | RD1-score3=81 | RD1-seed4=W1 | RD1-team4=UNLV | RD1-score4=90 | RD2-seed1=E3 | RD2-team1=Duke | RD2-score1=73 | RD2-seed2=W1 | RD2-team2=UNLV | RD2-score2=103

Game summaries

National Championship

Main article: 1990 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Game

Announcers

CBS

CBS and NCAA Productions broadcast all tournament games.

• Jim Nantz and James Brown served as hosts for the first-round games, while Mike Francesca served as analyst for the remaining rounds of the tournament.
• Brent Musburger and Billy Packer – First round (Ohio State–Providence) at Salt Lake City, Utah; Second Round at Austin, Texas and Richmond, Virginia; West Regional at Oakland, California; Final Four at Denver, Colorado. Musburger's final games for CBS.
• Dick Stockton and Hubie Brown – Second Round at Atlanta, Georgia; East Regional at East Rutherford, New Jersey
• James Brown and Bill Raftery – Second Round at Hartford, Connecticut and Indianapolis, Indiana; Midwest Regional at Dallas, Texas
• Greg Gumbel and Quinn Buckner – First round (New Mexico State–Loyola-Marymount) and Second Round at Long Beach, California; Southeast Regional at New Orleans, Louisiana
• Brad Nessler and Tom Heinsohn – Second Round at Knoxville, Tennessee
• Tim Brant and Len Elmore – Second Round at Salt Lake City, Utah

ESPN/NCAA Productions

This would be the last year that ESPN would be involved in broadcasting games of the tournament, as CBS took over exclusive coverage of the tournament the following year.

• Bob Carpenter and Clark Kellogg – First round (Indiana–California, Clemson–Brigham Young) at Hartford, Connecticut
• Mike Gorman and Ron Perry – First round (La Salle–Southern Mississippi) at Hartford, Connecticut
• Fred White and Larry Conley – First round (St. John's–Temple, Kansas–Robert Morris) at Atlanta, Georgia
• Ralph Hacker and Dan Belluomini – First round (UCLA–UAB) at Atlanta, Georgia
• Ron Franklin and Bob Ortegel – First round (North Carolina–SW Missouri State, Arkansas–Princeton) at Austin, Texas
• Frank Fallon and Jack Corrigan – First Round (Dayton–Illinois) at Austin, Texas
• Tom Hammond and Gary Thompson – First round (Georgetown–Texas Southern, Georgia–Texas) at Indianapolis, Indiana
• Mick Hubert and Jim Gibbons – First round (Xavier–Kansas State) at Indianapolis, Indiana; First round (Arizona–South Florida) at Long Beach, California
• Mike Patrick and Dan Bonner – First round (Missouri–Northern Iowa, Syracuse–Coppin State) at Richmond, Virginia
• Bob Rathbun and Bucky Waters – First round (Minnesota–UTEP) at Richmond, Virginia
• Bob Rathbun and Mimi Griffin – First round (Virginia–Notre Dame) at Richmond, Virginia
• John Sanders and Bruce Larson – First round (UNLV–Arkansas-Little Rock, Oregon State–Ball State) at Salt Lake City, Utah
• John Rooney and Bob Weltlich – First Round (Michigan St–Murray State, LSU–Villanova) at Knoxville, Tennessee
• Brad Nessler and Jack Givens – First Round (UCSB–Houston, Georgia Tech–East Tennessee State) at Knoxville, Tennessee
• John Sanders and Len Elmore – First round (Louisville–Idaho) at Salt Lake City, Utah
• Barry Tompkins and Mike Rice – First round (Alabama–Colorado State, Michigan–Illinois State) at Long Beach, California

Tournament notes

• Loyola Marymount's Jeff Fryer made 11 of his 15 three-point attempts against Michigan to set the NCAA tournament record.
• Loyola Marymount's 149–115 win over Michigan set a new tournament record for most combined points (264).
• UNLV at the time had the largest accumulated victory margin (112 points), over the entire tournament by a championship team that played 6 games. To date, it is the fifth-largest.
• UNLV's 103–73 win over Duke marked the first (and to date, only) time in the history of the tournament that at least 100 points were scored by one team in the championship game.
• UNLV's 571 points over six games set the record for most points scored by a single team in any one year of the tournament.
• UNLV is the only team in tournament history to average more than 95 points per game, over six games. In six tournament games, they won three by exactly 30 points, while scoring more than 100 points in each 30-point victory.
• UNLV and UCLA in 1965 are the only teams in tournament history to win three games all while scoring at least 100 points in each win. (Loyola Marymount also scored at least 100 points in three games in the 1990 tournament, but lost their last game, where they scored 101 points, to UNLV, by 30 points. UNLV also scored at least 100 points in three victories in the 1977 tournament, but their last one was in the Final Four consolation game.)
• UNLV's 30-point margin of victory in the championship game is also a tournament record. ESPN called it the 36th “worst blowout in sports history.”
• , UNLV remains the only team from a non-power conference (AAC, ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) to win the national championship, since Louisville in 1986. Louisville was in the Metro Conference in 1986, which was considered a major basketball conference throughout its history, 1975–1995.)
• The championship game was UNLV's eleventh consecutive win. They would eventually run the win streak to 45 games. That is the fourth-longest win streak in NCAA Division I basketball history, and the longest win streak since the longest ever, by UCLA from 1971 to 1974.

References

References

1. Nehus Saxon, Lisa. (March 6, 1990). "Winning and losing: Players, friends believed Gathers was invincible". The Vindicator.
2. (March 19, 1990). "This Bo knows heartache, happiness". The Argus-Press.
3. [https://fs.ncaa.org.s3.amazonaws.com/Docs/stats/m_final4/MFFBook.pdf#page=60 2025 Men's Final Four Records Book]. National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).
4. Nagel, Cody. (April 7, 2024). "March Madness: College basketball's most dominant NCAA Tournament champions since 1985".
5. (6 April 2017). "Which is the only basketball team to have scored over 100 points in a NCAA championship game?".
6. "The Tournament".
7. "The highest-scoring men's basketball games in NCAA March Madness history | NCAA.com".
8. "March Madness History".
9. (15 September 2015). "100 worst blowouts in history: Nos. 50-26".
10. "The longest winning streaks in college basketball history | NCAA.com".