The 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game was the final round of the 1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. It determined the national champion for the 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, and was contested by the East Regional Champions, No. 3-seeded Duke Blue Devils and the West Regional Champions, No. 1-seeded UNLV Runnin' Rebels. Both teams were seeking their first national title. The game was played on April 2, 1990 at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Runnin' Rebels defeated the Blue Devils, 103–73, to claim their first, and only, NCAA title. It was also the first title for head coach Jerry Tarkanian. UNLV guard Anderson Hunt was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP). The 30-point margin of victory remains the largest in championship game history. Participating teams This was the first national championship game between the two schools. Duke was playing in the Final Four for the fourth time in five seasons, and was playing in the championship game for the fourth time (1964, 1978, 1986). UNLV was playing in the championship game for the first time. Duke East Duke (3) 81, Richmond (14) 46 Duke 76, St. Johns (6) 72 Duke 90, UCLA (7) 81 Duke 79, Connecticut (1) 78 Final Four Duke 97, Arkansas (4) 83 UNLV West UNLV (1) 102, Arkansas-Little Rock (16) 72 UNLV 76, Ohio State (8) 65 UNLV 69, Ball State (12) 67 UNLV 131, Loyola Marymount (11) 101 Final Four UNLV 90, Georgia Tech (4) 81 Starting lineups Game summary Duke won the jump ball to begin the game and Phil Henderson put up a three-point shot attempt that hit off iron and was rebounded by Stacey Augmon. After the teams traded turnovers, Greg Anthony opened the scoring with a 17-foot jumper from the top of the key. After a low-post bucket by Larry Johnson put the Rebels up 4–0, Duke got on the board with a pair of free throws by Alaa Abdelnaby. UNLV maintained a slight lead for the next few possessions. Around the 17-minute mark, Duke's Robert Brickey scored inside and was fouled for a chance to tie the game at 7 with a free throw. Brickey missed the foul shot and that is as close as the Blue Devils would get for the remainder of the ballgame. UNLV led 11–6 at the under 16 media timeout. Augmon forced Duke's 7th