How One Final Minute Turned a Heated Rivalry Upside Down — The Shocking Sequence College Basketball Fans Still Can’t Believe Happened
Few rivalries in college basketball have carried the intensity, emotion, and sheer unpredictability of Duke vs. Maryland in the early 2000s. But on one unforgettable night in 2001, the two programs delivered a finish so stunning that it has since been immortalized as the “Miracle Minute.”
The Setup: A Rivalry at Its Peak
At the time, Maryland and Duke weren’t just battling for ACC supremacy — they were waging war for national respect. Both programs were loaded with future NBA talent, both were guided by Hall of Fame-caliber coaches, and every matchup promised fireworks. But on January 27, 2001, inside Cole Field House, the fireworks turned into a full-blown explosion of basketball drama.
The Impossible Situation
With just one minute left to play, Maryland appeared to have sealed the win. The Terrapins held a commanding 10-point lead, and their fans were already celebrating what looked like a statement victory over the Blue Devils. Duke, rattled by turnovers and Maryland’s relentless energy, seemed destined to walk away defeated.
What happened next, however, rewrote the script.
The Miracle Minute
Led by senior star Shane Battier and sophomore sensation Jason Williams, Duke unleashed one of the most improbable comebacks in college basketball history. The Blue Devils forced turnovers, hit contested shots, and suddenly cut the lead down possession by possession. Maryland, caught between panic and disbelief, crumbled under the pressure.
Incredibly, within 60 seconds, Duke had erased the entire 10-point deficit. The building that had been roaring in Maryland’s favor moments earlier fell silent as the game shockingly headed into overtime.
Overtime Glory
Once the game reached overtime, momentum belonged entirely to the Blue Devils. Duke rode the energy of their unbelievable rally, tightened up defensively, and pulled away for an incredible victory that left fans — and even seasoned analysts — speechless.
For Maryland, it was a gut-wrenching collapse. For Duke, it was a season-defining moment that added another dramatic chapter to their storied rivalry.
Legacy of the “Miracle Minute”
The comeback quickly earned its name — the Miracle Minute — and has since been etched into NCAA lore. Analysts still point to it as one of the greatest turnarounds in college basketball history. More than just a win, it symbolized the relentless fight and poise of Duke’s program under Mike Krzyzewski.
Maryland, meanwhile, used the heartbreak as fuel. Just a year later, the Terrapins reached the 2002 Final Four and captured the school’s first national championship — proving that sometimes, even the most painful losses can lay the groundwork for greatness.
Still Unmatched
Over two decades later, fans still replay those final moments in disbelief. The “Miracle Minute” wasn’t just about points scored or a deficit erased. It was about the drama, the rivalry, and the reminder that in college basketball, no lead is ever truly safe.
And so, the night Maryland thought it had conquered Duke became the night Duke staged one of the greatest escapes in the sport’s history — a sequence still talked about, still debated, and still impossible to believe.
