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That NIT Game yesterday was the most fun I've had watching State play in years

Posted on 3/19/18 at 7:14 am
Posted by The Winner
Member since Nov 2016
7908 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 7:14 am
For years we've been on the wrong side of the buzzer beaters when the games count. I can hardly remember many games where we have made buzzer beaters beyond Weatherspoon quite frankly. But it felt like yesterday signaled that we are out of the dark ages. I know it's the NIT, so it won't get the attention it deserves (although it got quite a lot) but that is single handidly my favorite game in this decade. Here is why:

Mario Keglers trash talking

Yeah he did a great job of trash talking our players and leading X to get a T and make me and several other State fans angry at X at the time. But now that I understand what happened, it's total BS Kegler didn't get a T. Oh well. Keeping him in Whacko or where Baylor is makes me enjoy this win even more than usual.

The comeback

Those last 3 minutes are some of the funnest minutes and what made it even better, is I didn't see it coming. Holman gives us the momentum with the shot &1 to cut the lead, and then we immediately press and get a turnover to cut a 9 point defectit to a 4 point game. And then Q hits 2 huge 3s, including the game winner to get us the win. And of course I would be amiss to not mention Carter's 3 and his huge 3 in the final minutes.

I can't stop watching those final seconds.

I spotted a Baylor fan pushing another one down in anger. I spotted one of our assistants running onto the court before the 3 got in. I spotted our players going over and owning Kegler after the win. It was just an incredible moment for State.

Did blowing a 20 point lead suck? Yeah but getting that lead was good. And those final 3 minutes totally define this team. I know Louisville is going to be tough. I mean we have to have the absolute toughest path to MSG playing all these Power Conference teams. But Baylor was better. So State can beat Louisville as well. Yeah they'll have more fans, but it won't be a full arena. And we certainly have the edge in the coaching department.

All these extra games are bonus for State. It's like the bowl games for football, but only better. Because State is facing similar caliber programs and winning games in a big time stage. We haven't had this opportunity in 6 years, and I think this has been one of our major issues of never beeing able to start out consistently. With a young team and a great recruiting class, the future is bright.

Just made the long rant to show I've not been more excited for State Basketball! Much different than I felt when this team didn't have any fire to it before the Alabama road game in the 2nd half. Plus this board has been a bit inactive. And whoever runs this needs to add in some fellow State fans as I saw some State guy on the main board said he wasn't accepted yet.
Posted by DingLeeBerry
Member since Oct 2014
10891 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 10:47 am to
I gave you an up vote, but 17 of the last 20 minutes were some of the worst I've seen us play including the Rick Ray years. I do appreciate your glass half-full approach, however. If I was the HC, Stapleton wouldn't be on my team.

This post was edited on 3/19/18 at 10:48 am
Posted by yatesdog38
in your head rent free
Member since Sep 2013
12737 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 11:05 am to
X was complaining to the ref about it. Said something the ref didn't like and T'ed him up. Howland, should have grown a pair and brought it to the attention to the refs in the first quarter and it never would have escalated. X needs to learn to control his emotions. Howland needs to learn how to utilize his instead of fighting them back. Malik and Kegler were cancers. I like our chemistry a lot. It might be in his best interest to move on if our incoming signing class will take some of his minutes, but I don't think the feelings will be because of bad blood like kegler and newman
Posted by Allyn McKeen
Key West, FL
Member since Jun 2012
4274 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 11:55 am to
Quick question... Has Q ever missed a game-winning shot? I think he has made 4.
Posted by The Winner
Member since Nov 2016
7908 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 4:32 pm to
It was bad but not that bad. I watched a game at the Hump(not Memorial) where Kevin Stallings and Vanderbilt destroyed us like 70-30 or something. Those Ray years absolutely blew. And while I was expecting a collapse (this doesn't just happen to State MANY teams collapse), watching them recover in the final 3 minutes made it special.
Posted by The Winner
Member since Nov 2016
7908 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 4:34 pm to
I think Kegler helped us play with this fire and have us motivated for this game. Which is how we got the 20 point lead. Thanks to him, we're one win away from MSG NYC. And I don't think it'll take much for us to be motivated against a brand name like Louisville on the road.
Posted by The Winner
Member since Nov 2016
7908 posts
Posted on 3/19/18 at 4:36 pm to
I don't think he has! 3 in one year is amazing. Of course having one his freshman year was good as well.

I hope this NIT game kind of Sparks our fanbase to get excited the rest of the way. LSUs fans are all over the NIT and I really don't see why we shouldn't be either. Because historcially, this NIT run will lead to NCAA Tournament appearances starting next year.
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