* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Creator/GeneHackman was convinced the film would be a flop. According to Angelo Pizzo, on the last day of filming, Hackman said, "I just want you to be prepared for the fact that this movie might get on a few screens here in Indiana, but then it will end up in the dustbin of films that never made it, and the only people who will remember it are you two. And I hope I forget it when my plane lands in Los Angeles." Commented Pizzo, "Gene had a lot more experience in filmmaking than we did, so we thought his assessment was probably accurate."
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: Music/JerryGoldsmith's Academy Award-nominated score.
* HeroOfAnotherStory: The film is a fictional story inspired by real life events. But the cameo by [[https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/03/09/ray-crowe-indiana-high-school-basketball-coach-hall-of-fame/9441430002/ Ray Crowe]], the legendary coach at [[https://www.wfyi.org/programs/attucks Crispus Attucks High School]] brings to mind the team that would go on to win the next two State Championships. Sadly a movie about their inspirational story has never been made which is a shame as it would’ve been a wonderful SpiritualSuccessor.
* OnceOriginalNowCommon: Virtually every sports movie convention known today can be found here. Whether this is either a testament or a detriment to the lasting legacy this film has is up to personal opinion.
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