"Louisville vs. Duke March 31, 1986 — Dallas, Texas The 1986 NCAA National Championship was battled out at Reunion Arena in Dallas Texas between two of college basketballs elite teams. The game featured the #2 seed from the west bracket, the Louisville Cardinals and the #1 seed from the east bracket, the Duke Blue Devils. After knocking off #1 seed Kansas Jayhawks in the Final Four the Duke Blue Devils came up short that night in Dallas, as the Louisville Cardinals pulled out a 72-69 victory, after trailing at halftime, to claim their second NCAA title in 6 years. This clash between the east and west brackets featured some stellar talent as recognized by the 1986 All Tournament Team roster. The 1986 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team honors were awarded to two Louisville Cardinals, “Never Nervous” Pervis Ellison and Billy Thompson. Pervis Ellison was also named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player. The remaining three spots on the All Tournament Team roster were filled by Duke Blue Devils, Mark Alarie, Tommy Amaker, and Johnny Dawkins. Highlighted by the veteran like performance by freshman Pervis Ellison, the 1986 Louisville national championship victory will go down as one of the greatest nights in the history of Louisville basketball. "