1987-1992 CBS College Basketball Theme Music

[chippewaman1975]

Does anyone have the NBC college basketball theme song from the 1970s? It was used in the epic '79 Bird vs. Magic national championship game. It was also used for NBC's coverage of Notre Dame basketball through part of the 70s.

[trent100100]

when I think of this theme, I think of the epic battle between Duke and Kentucky in 1992

[dweinberg345]

one person hates college basketball

[dweinberg345]

my older friends were born during this theme

[dweinberg345]

that song is amazing but this song was current before i was born and they changed it the same year i was born

[scottp1001]

Nice. Miss the cheerleader being tossed up through the middle of the theme opening.

[BradJamesRocks]

Tark the Shark and Nolan Richardson's 40 minutes of hell. Once in El Paso, I lived by Nolan Richardson Junior High!

[jets6898]

NICE

[dolphinbuc]

this when I knew all the players on all the teams..now I don't care.

[bulls7123]

There's the pass to Laettner... puts it up... YESSS!!!!

[juan833cheer]

Duke winning back-to-back national titles in 1991 and 1992; they remember this theme that's for sure.

[BigStud72]

Excellent find! Does anyone know where I can find the theme music for NCAA College Basketball on NBC from the 70s? Al McGuire and Dick Enberg were the announcers. Loved that intro.

[Jakesta152]

Back in the day, they would use this theme during the tournament only. The animation sequence would be a basketball with the CBS Sports logo flying through the air, hitting center court, leading to a live picture of the skyline of the city in which they were playing. Cbs used to have such epic openings to all its sporting events, not just college basketball. Now all they try to do is out-Fox Fox.

[icebergfrostbidden]

this is my official theme of March madness. Even though UNC didn't cut down the nets during these days.

[juan833blue]

Greatest CBS College Hoops theme, EVER, Period!!! Luv it!!

[marquettefootball]

@juan833blue No, it's not the best, because it reminded me of when my alma mater SUCKED! ;) (I know it's unfair to judge it based on my alma mater, but still, it brings back memories of my favorite team NOT being in the tourney. Thankfully, that's changed.)

[diceros]

WOW, been searching youtube every few months for THIS EXACT SONG!!! Obviously my ability to type in keywords is highly suspect. Thanks!

[Slohci]

Wow. This is the best of all time, IMO. If this doesn't give you chills and recall college basketball supremacy, nothing will!

[confroom1973]

The first NCAA tourney I watched was in 87 and I have always thought the opening music intro was the best I have ever heard. Also, brings back memories of team bands like UNLV playing the song as part of their set list.

[prose00]

THE MEMORIES!!!!

[dolphinbuc]

Yeahhh! This is an all-time classic!

[Reed488]

I was too young to remember this theme (born in the late 1980s), but I just had the opportunity to listen to it here on YouTube. Shivers ran down my spine when I heard it.

[steadfastcoward]

Memories! It backs up my earlier thought about CBS always being top-notch at basketball coverage, if not all college sports.

[thatdudecozz89]

yeah, same here, Reed488. But, I first heard it on YouTube, when some user had posted up old College Basketball games b4 his account was taken down for some lame reason.

[icebergfrostbidden]

@Reed488 mine too this was the days!!!!

[CasterJam]

Favored one of all time

[daboys1215]

This is the theme CBS had when I "discovered" this little thing called the tournament. Best one CBS ever used. I've listened to them all. The current one is good but this one rocks!

[bduddy55555]

Seriously? You guys like this theme better then the current one? I mean, there's nothing wrong with this music, but the later ones are awesome.

[mrmonty86]

THEY BRING THAT THEME BACK IT'S COOL

[fearthehawksndcavs24]

someone PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAASE POST THE REAL ONE!

[blue67ccm]

This IS the best one CBS ever used. No doubt about it.

[ace11rothstein]

Those people who worked in the CBS Sports' music department between 1987 and 1994 are geniuses! Not a bad song in the bunch!

[reimold34]

I like this theme more than the current one. This music is from an era where all the best 18-22 year olds were in college, not the one and done garbage we have today. The music is flat out great. Ahhhhhhhhh the memories.

[manlyman1229]

I don't even remember this theme. I only remember the current one. Well, I don't think I didn't start gatting into sports until '93 or '94 anyway. So, that would explain it.

[leoncbssports]

Reminds me of how college basketball used to be

[mrwrestlingtape1]

Rare I know but in this case the current theme is actually the best.

[macauplus]

Someone needs to upload the current theme!

[frizzylizzy562]

does anybody know a basketball player named demetrius born in 1964??

[mexpn]

What I remember is Tark the Shark.... UNLV Numero Uno!!!!!!!

[prose00]

wow this brought back old memories, my winter saturday mornings wasnt complete without hearing this. 90s college ball was the best!!!somebody post up a clearer version with the actual footage. thanks

[dpinzow]

Lots of CBB moments during those years:

Keith Smart's shot

Danny Manning's one-man show

Michigan's OT win over PJ Carlesimo and Seton Hall (which some claim was decided by a phantom foul

Tark the Shark, Larry Johnson, Anderson Hunt and the "amoeba defense"

Duke's dynasty, including beating Tark the Shark and UNLV

Christian Laettner's shot to beat Kentucky and that entire regional semi (which also relaunched Kentucky as a national power, even though they lost)

[rgmillikan]

I'm a homer here... Ball State Sweet 16 beating Gary Payton in the 2nd rd and losing to UNLV by only 2 in 1990. One of the best theme songs ever.

[jbeiter53]

they beat Payton in Round at the buzzer, beat Louisville in Round 2. Great Tournament!

[JZ2001JC]

I agree with this Millikan guy here, NCAA needs Ball State back to NCAA Mid-Major Dominance. This theme is classic but the current one is great too. I miss the NCAA Hoops on ESPN theme from 2001-2004.

[pawtdtmd]

This is the last significant sports theme that I could not find which I have been looking for

[sportshistorian]

Of the three themes CBS has used for NCAA basketball...this ranks first to me, the 1982 version is second and current is last.

[pawtdtmd]

They are all good but I would totally agree. However the visuals are better for '82 I think

[djackino]

What about the 1987-1992 theme? Total of four themes CBS has used since 1982.

[JSlice234]

Anyone have the current intro on You Tube? I can't find it.

[marcus813]

I remember hearing this when I was growing up. I'm so glad CBS took the rights from NBC in '82.

[LosFace55]

Yes!!! I remember this good theme song. I like the current one. But this one gets the nod though.

[RodPower78]

What a timeless classic theme. I would love to see CBS play it again during March Madness.

[Cubfan20032000]

I love watching NCAA on CBS the best!