Notre Dame Laughs Last in 79-63 Upset
Monty Williams has always been known for more than just his talent on the court. His leadership, resilience, and character have defined every stage of his career — from his playing days at Notre Dame to his success as an NBA coach. With Williams recently honored with the prestigious Coach Wooden “Keys to Life” Award, it feels fitting to take a moment to look back at one of the early glimpses of the qualities that continue to set him apart.
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, we revisit one of Monty’s most unforgettable performances in a Notre Dame uniform — the Fighting Irish’s thrilling 79-63 upset of No. 4 UCLA in 1994. It was a night that wasn’t just about scoring points, but about sending a message: Notre Dame basketball was back, and Monty Williams was leading the charge.
Below is an excerpt from the February 7, 1994 issue of The Observer, written by Associate Sports Editor Jason Kelly, capturing all the emotion and energy of that iconic night at the Joyce Center.
Notre Dame Laughs Last in 79-63 Upset
by Jason Kelly, Associate Sports Editor
It will forever be known as the Tavares two-step.
Tavares Montgomery Williams shuffled to center court when Saturday’s 79-63 upset of No. 4 UCLA was secure.
It was a dance of equal parts relief, revelry and ridicule.
“It was a moment we haven’t had a chance to feel in a long time,” said Williams, who scored 28 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists. “When (UCLA) came out before the game, they were laughing and giggling and making fun of us. They weren’t taking the game seriously.”
Williams took the opportunity to throw some of that laughter back at the Braggin’ Bruins, but this game meant more to Notre Dame than bragging rights.
It meant the right to be respected.
Near-misses against Duke and Providence made some waves, but Saturday the Irish fmally made a splash.
“It’s a great victory for Notre Dame,” Williams said. “It was on national television and it was a chance for us to show people that the basketball program is on the rise again.”
Tired from travel and emotionally spent from a Thursday night tussle with arch-rival USC, the Bruins weren’t exactly at full strength.
Backup center Rodney Zimmerman, bothered with a nagging back injury, didn’t even dress because it was a non-conference game.
“We needed another day after an unbelievably emotional game against Southern Cal,” UCLA coach Jim Harrick said. “But that’s no excuse, you have to come to play everyday.”
After falling behind 7-2, the focused and fresh-legged Irish took advantage of the sluggish Bruins.
A Williams dunk off a pretty pass from freshman Admore White tied the game at 15 and Notre Dame trailed for just 16 seconds the rest of the way.
Notre Dame even had chances to break the game open, but some minor Bruin bursts kept the game from getting out of hand.
But UCLA was never closer that seven points in the second half, thanks to Keith Kurowski, who scored 15 of his career high 19 points in the final 20 minutes.
“When somebody has a career night against you, what can you do?” Harrick wondered. “We warned our guys about that and that’s what happened.”
Nobody in baby blue could equal Kurowski or Williams.
Each UCLA player scored below his average except junior point guard Tyus Edney, who led the Bruins with 17.
They shot a woeful 20-for-63 from the field, including 0-for16 from 3-point range. Leading scorer Ed O’Bannon had just 14 points on 6-for-18 shooting and his brother Charles played just 14 minutes due to a sprained wrist.
That offensive absence was clear in the second half, when UCLA couldn’t put much of a dent in Notre Dame’s expanding lead.
“We were fortunate to catch UCLA on a night when they didn’t shoot well,” MacLeod said. “We were razor-sharp from the field and our defense was really effective at times and that was essential against such a formidable offensive group.”
The lead grew to 15 after Lamarr Justice found Marcus Hughes for a dunk, but Notre Dame couldn’t relax. UCLA has too much firepower, and the Irish have seen big leads vanish too many times.
“They went on a huge run and we flattened out,” MacLeod said. “I was afraid at that point that it might be slipping away. I never really felt comfortable until about the last minute.”
In that last minute, Williams, Justice and Kurowski-the most noticable in a flock of heroes-each scored one last basket to put their signatures on the victory.
“They were keying more on Monty and Ryan and it was my opportunity to fill in,” Kurowski said. “I think I took advantage of that.”
Saturday’s game was all about taking advantage of opportunities.
It was an opportunity to erase the memories of the bad times that now seem far away. It was an opportunity to prove that they are capable of playing with college basketball’s best.
And it was an opportunity to deflate the Bragging Bruins, who left with big heads hanging.
“I told them ‘We have to stand tall and be proud,’” Harrick said. “‘As long as you play this game, you’re going to have days like this.”’
Notre Dame has had plenty of days like that.
“We needed this one,” MacLeod said. “Badly.”
Thirty years later, the 1994 upset of UCLA still stands as a defining moment for Monty Williams and Notre Dame basketball. It was a night when grit, pride, and perseverance triumphed over the odds — and a glimpse of the leadership qualities that would come to define Williams’ career on and off the court.
As Monty continues to inspire future generations, both in coaching and life, this victory remains a lasting reminder of the heart and spirit he brought every time he wore the blue and gold.
Cheers & GO IRISH!