Two unforgettable games at Final Four

I have had opportunity to attend more than 20 Final Fours, but I can’t remember two semifinal games with as much excitement and drama as the two games I just witnessed tonight.

Although the favorites prevailed in the end in took a great coaching decision and a miracle for Gonzaga and UNC to eke out victories Saturday night. It sets up a classic battle between two No. 1 seeds, one the bluest of the bluebloods, the other making its first trip to the Championship game.
Gonzaga won by playing the precentages. Under 4 seconds and up by three, foul before your opponent can attempt a three. South Carolina made the first, and purposely missed the second. But Gonzaga grabbed the rebound and won.

In the second game, Oregon, down by just one with under 5 seconds to play, fouled North Carolina. Kennedy Meeks, who otherwise had a great game with 11 points and nine rebounds calmly stepped to the line and missed both free throws. Carolina grabbed the rebound and Oregon fouled again. This time it was Senior mainstay Joel Berry, who had a subpar game, who stepped to the line and HE MISSED, BUT UNBELIEVABLY, Carolina tipped the ball out and the game ended with Oregon never having the opportunity to shoot to win the game. I have seen many basketball games, but I can’t remember the team shooting fouls picking up two consecutive offensive rebounds in the final seconds with the game on the line.

In the first first game, it was South Carolina’s transition game against Gonzaga’s dominant inside play. And it took a little used sub to make two free throws with the game on the line to seal the win for Gonzaga. Killian Tillie played THE LEAST MINUTES OF ANY Bulldog (7), yet made the biggest points of his career but it was Zach Collins, and his double double, along with six blocks, yes, six, that made him the MVP. For the Gamecocks, who rallied from 14 points down late in the second half, to take a short lived two-point lead, Chris Silva also had a double double, but the big Gamecock star, who has had an amazing tournament until tonight, Sindarius Thornwell, was only 4-12 from the field.

In describing the season in the postgame press conference. Coach Frank Martin broke down in tears talking about how the Gamecock run has brought the community, the team, and the University together. Mark Few of Gonzaga kindly dismissed all the Gonzaga doubters who said his team played in a weak Conference. 37-1 in any Conference is amazing.
For Roy Williams and the Tar Heels, who lost a heartbreaker last year, the basketball Gods must have decided to give them another chance. And for Oregon, not making the simplest of plays, spelled defeat.

Now a word about playing these games in an arena 20 miles from downtown Phoenix in a massive football stadium. Not good. The media and fan events are all located downtown so the fan experience on game day is muted. And most of the folks can’t see very much without watching the scoreboard. I was in the third media row behind the student section and I had trouble. But you know what, I was only six seats down from Sports Illustrated.

These games should be played in a Downtown Arena, like in San Antonio (next year) or New Orleans. Although the Stadiums are large, at least all of the activities are within walking distance.

Well tomorrow is an off day, although the Diamondbacks host the Giants on opening day. What a pitching matchup. Greinke vs. Bumgarner. If it’s anything like tonight, it will be an unforgettable game.