A deep Arkansas squad had been playing the best basketball in the nation, coming into the tournament and continued to do so during it and reached the championship game. Duke was led by their senior forward Grant Hill, who was playing in his third championship game in four years. The game stayed close before Scotty Thurman hit a three pointer, to break a tie game in the final minute. Blue Devil guard Chris Collins missed a three pointer on the following possesion and Arkansas had the game.
