Redeeming Idiocy

Old Dominion was the 5 seed; Virginia was the 4. But for some reason the NCAA tournament game was being played on ODU's homecourt.

ODU had a three-point lead with time running out. Virginia tried to get a quick two and foul to keep the game going. Instead, Virginia missed. They got the ball back, but time was running low. They had to kick the ball out and attempt a three.

They didn't. Instead, they shot and missed and grabbed the offensive rebound about 6 times. On the final shot, less than two seconds were on the clock. Virginia had stupidly blown the game by not going for three. Aisha Mohammad threw up a shot, from point blank range, that finally went in. The whistle blew. ODU had fouled Mohammad on the shot! With 1.4 seconds left, Mohammad had a chance to tie the game from the free throw line. Looking anxious, but focused, Mohammad, a 60% shooter from the line, put up her left-handed attempt and it went in. A clutch shot.

The entire episode was astonishing. None of the 10 players on the floor were aware of time and score. That's an indication of abhorrent coaching. The ODU players would've done better to run off of the floor instead of play defense at that moment. It might be the greatest amount of stupidity at one time that I've ever witnessed on a basketball court.

In overtime, ODU redeemed themselves. Jazzmin Walters, standing at 5'2", hit an amazing three-pointer from 25 feet away to take a three point lead with 4 seconds left. I was sure ODU would find away to steal defeat from the jaws of victory once more. Instead Tiffany Green blocked Lyndra Littles' three-point attempt to win the game.