I'm surprised people weren't aware of the Virginia-Chaminade game. It's still probably considered the biggest upset in CBB history. I mean it's even in the running for biggest upset in sports history.
The result of the game initially was not widely reported in the U.S. media, as it concluded after 3:00 in the morning on the East Coast.
[4] The only sportswriter at the contest who was not based in Hawaii was Michael Wilbon, who had been dispatched by the
Post to cover the
Aloha Bowl, which featured the
University of Maryland; he decided to make a side trip to the Virginia–Chaminade game.
[10] In addition, the matchup was not televised.
[11] As it drew to a close,
Chris Berman and
Tom Mees were about to conclude a telecast of
SportsCenter on
ESPN. The anchors received the initial report of the final score from a wire machine, then reacted in disbelief. Shortly afterward, a second bulletin confirming the result was given to them. According to Berman, the viewing audience was then informed: "We can't tell you what happened, but the No. 1 team in college basketball has lost to—we don't even know who they are."
[12]
Sports Illustrated and the
Los Angeles Times later identified the game as the greatest upset in the history of college basketball.
[2][3] Author
Chuck Klosterman went further, calling the Silverswords' win "the biggest upset in collegiate sports history".
[13] Chaminade gained increased prominence after the game, which caused the school to cancel a plan to change its name to the University of Honolulu.
[1] The Silverswords finished the 1982–83 season with a record of 33–2.
