BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Before Cinderella stories became a staple of March Madness, legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown and his Tigers pulled off one of the most unlikely runs in NCAA Tournament history.
The Tigers accomplished the feat by defeating the top three seeds in their region, including a Kentucky team that had already beaten LSU three times that season.
As LSU remembers Brown following his death Friday, Oct. 23, at age 90, the Tigers’ 1986 NCAA Tournament run remains one of the defining achievements of his 25-year coaching career.
Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown has died at 90, just days after receiving a major coaching honor. Remember his 25-year career, legacy and impact.
Just two days before Dale Brown's death at 90, LSU announced the legendary basketball coach would receive the 2027 John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award.
A chance meeting at a military base in Germany began a decadeslong relationship between the LSU basketball coach and future NBA superstar.
LSU stuns Kentucky to reach the Final Four
On March 22, 1986, LSU faced top-seeded Kentucky in the Southeast Regional final at the Omni in Atlanta.
The Wildcats entered the game having won 14 straight games, including three victories over Brown’s Tigers earlier that season.
Kentucky jumped out to an 11-4 lead, but LSU fought back, keeping the game close through the first half.
With the game tied at 43 midway through the second half, Kentucky went on a 4-0 run, prompting Brown to call a timeout.
FILE - In this March 22, 1986, file photo, Kentucky's Winston Bennett (25) tries to move the ball around LSU's John Williams (24) during the southeast regional finals of the men's NCAA college basketball tournament at the Omni in Atlanta. Former LSU coach Dale Brown knows a thing or two about leading an underdog deep into the bracket. Back in 1986, he led LSU, the first No. 11 seed team to reach the Final Four.(AP Photo/File)(AP)
According to an account published by LSU Athletics, Brown told his players they were exactly where they needed to be.
The Tigers responded, eventually taking the lead on two free throws by Ricky Blanton with 2:31 remaining.
With 17 seconds left, Don Redden found Blanton open underneath the basket for a layup that gave LSU a 59-55 advantage.
Kentucky answered with a basket, but a last-second attempt from halfcourt missed.
LSU won 59-57, sending the Tigers to the Final Four.
“I guess it’s the highest moment I’ve ever had,” Brown said after the victory, according to LSU Athletics.
Former Louisiana State player Shaquille O'Neal, left, and former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown, right, talk about their careers during a news conference before a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction event, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)(Colin E. Braley | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
In this March 22, 1986, file photo, LSU coach Dale Brown and members of the team celebrate on the floor of the Omni in Atlanta, after they defeated Kentucky in the NCAA college basketball game tournament southeast regional finals. The former LSU coach knows a thing or two about leading an underdog deep into the bracket. Back in 1986, he led LSU, the first No. 11 seed team to reach the Final Four. (AP Photo/File)(Anonymous | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Louisiana State player Shaquille O'Neal, left, and LSU coach Dale Brown, right, talk about their careers during a press conference before a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction event, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)(Colin E. Braley | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
As former Louisiana State basketball player Shaquille O'Neal, left, looks on, former Louisiana State basketball coach Dale Brown, right, jokes about O'Neal's retirement income during a news conference before a National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction event, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)(Colin E. Braley | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
LSU coach Dale Brown walks off the court with player Clarence Ceasar after Ceasar injured a groin muscle during their NCAA first round tournament game against California on Thursday, March 19, 1993 in Rosemont, IL. (AP Photo/Mark Elias)(Mark Elias | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
LSU coach Dale Brown watches as time winds down against Georgia in their SEC game action Thursday, March 6, 1997 in Memphis, Tenn. This was Brown's last game coaching LSU after Georgia defeated. Brown is flanked by Maurice Carter, left, and Nick Sheppard. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)(MARK HUMPHREY | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
FILE - In this March 29, 1986, file photo, LSU coach Dale Brown yells to his team from the sideline during a national semifinal at the Final Four of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament at Reunion Arena in Dallas. The former LSU coach knows a thing or two about leading an underdog deep into the bracket. Back in 1986, he led LSU, the first No. 11 seed team to reach the Final Four. (AP Photo/David Longstreath, File)(David Longstreath | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
LSU coach Dale Brown yells to his team from the sideline during the game against Louisville in Reunion Arena, Saturday, March 29, 1986, Dallas, Tex. Louisville defeated LSU 88-77. (AP Photo/David Longstreath)(David Longstreath | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former LSU coach Dale Brown, center, gives Oscar Robertson a hug as they talk with Kentucky forward Anthony Davis, right, at the U. S. Basketball Writers Association NCAA college basketball player of the year on Friday, March 30, 2012, in New Orleans, La. Davis was voted the player of the year. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)(Mark Humphrey | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall, left, and former LSU coach Dale Brown talk during an NCAA college basketball game between Kentucky and LSU Saturday, March 5, 2016, in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky won 94-77. (AP Photo/James Crisp)(James Crisp | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown, left, and Texas A&M assistant coach Rick Stansbury, right, chat before the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016. LSU won 76-71. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)(BILL FEIG | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shaquille O'Neal, left, is greeted by his college coach, LSU's Dale Brown, right, before a press conference to announce his retirement from NBA basketball at his home in Windermere, Fla., Friday, June 3, 2011.(AP Photo/John Raoux)(John Raoux | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shaquille O'Neal's college coach, LSU's Dale Brown speaks before O'Neal announces his retirement from NBA basketball at a news conference at his home in Windermere, Fla., Friday, June 3, 2011.(AP Photo/John Raoux)(John Raoux | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Louisiana State coach Dale Brown watches Friday’s practice at Reunion Arena in Dallas with guard Neboisha Bukumirovich, March 28, 1986. (AP Photo/David Breslauer)(David Breslauer | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Shaquille O'Neal, left, listens as his college coach, LSU's Dale Brown, right, speaks at a press conference to announce O'Neal's retirement from NBA basketball at his home in Windermere, Fla., Friday, June 3, 2011.(AP Photo/John Raoux)(John Raoux | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Letting out a final breath, Louisiana State head basketball coach Dale Brown happily prepares to cut the last thread of the net of his final regular season game for the Tigers against Arkansas which LSU won 66-64 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Saturday afternoon March 1, 1997, in Baton Rouge, La. Brown retires at the end of the season after coaching the Tigers for 25 years. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)(Bill Feig | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Former LSU men's basketball coach Dale Brown died Friday, Oct. 23, at age 90. Brown coached the Tigers for 25 seasons, led LSU to two Final Four appearances and recruited Shaquille O'Neal.(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Louisiana State University head basketball coach Dale Brown jumps for joy after the Tigers defeated Memphis State on a last second shot, Saturday, March 15, 1986, Baton Rouge, LA. LSU advanced to further tournament play with the 83-81 victory in the second round of the NCAA Southeast regional tournament. (AP Photo/Stan Alost)(Stan Alost | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal, right, greets former LSU basketball coach Dale Brown, left, before the Lakers NBA game against the New Orleans Hornets in the New Orleans Arena on Wednesday night, Jan. 15, 2003. O'Neal played under Brown while he was at LSU. (AP Photo/Andrew J. Cohoon)(ANDREW J. COHOON | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
NBA star Shaquille O'Neal poses with his former college coach Dale Brown after graduation ceremonies at LSU Friday morning, Dec. 15, 2000, in Baton Rouge, La. O'Neal, 28, left LSU in 1992 after three years to turn pro, but he kept his promise to his family and himself to continue his education. Brown, now retired, stopped by to wish O'Neal congratulations. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)(BILL HABER | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
L.S.U. basketball coach Dale Brown is given a ride off the court of Atlantas Omni after his Tigers defeated Kentucky in the Southeastern NCAA Regional Tournament by a score of 59-57, Saturday, March 24, 1986, Atlanta, Ga. (AP Photo)(Anonymous | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Louisiana State University coach Dale Brown, right, and team members on the sidelines raise their arms in victory after defeating Kentucky in NCAA southeast finals, March 22, 1986. LSU will now go to Dallas for the Final Four. (AP Photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Louisiana State University coach Dale Brown shouts final plays as members of the team start to celebrate on the sideline as LSU defeated Georgia Tech during NCAA southeastern regional play at the Omni in Atlanta, March 20, 1986. (AP Photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
LSU coach Dale Brown waves to the crowd after his final game coaching Thursday, March 6, 1997 in Memphis, Tenn. LSU lost to Georgia in the SEC tournament. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)(MARK HUMPHREY | ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A Cinderella run nobody expected
LSU entered the 1986 NCAA Tournament as the No. 11 seed in the Southeast Region after struggling through the final stretch of its regular season.
The Tigers had lost eight of their final 13 regular-season games and barely received an at-large invitation to the tournament.
But LSU had an advantage few lower-seeded teams receive today: The Tigers played their first two NCAA Tournament games at home in the Assembly Center.
The tournament opened with a 94-87 double-overtime victory over sixth-seeded Purdue on March 13.
That set up the Elite Eight showdown with Kentucky.
Brown’s unconventional defensive approach, known as the “freak defense,” played a significant role in the run. The Tigers also relied on players adapting to unfamiliar positions, including Ricky Blanton, a guard who moved to center.
The victory over Kentucky made LSU the first No. 11 seed ever to reach the Final Four.
Louisiana State University coach Dale Brown, right, and team members on the sidelines raise their arms in victory after defeating Kentucky in NCAA southeast finals, March 22, 1986. LSU will now go to Dallas for the Final Four. (AP Photo)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The historic run ended March 29 when LSU lost 88-77 to eventual national champion Louisville in the national semifinals in Dallas.
A moment that defined Brown’s legacy
The 1986 Final Four appearance was Brown’s second at LSU, following the Tigers’ trip in 1981.
Years later, Brown remembered the 1986 team not just for its victories but for the bond between its players.
“Never have I had a team that was so close-knit and (the players) loved each other,” Brown said in remarks published by LSU Athletics.
Brown finished his LSU career with 448 on-court victories, four Southeastern Conference regular-season championships and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances.
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