This is going to be a tough year for the Lunatic’s expert opinions. Lets face it – the whole family wants to see Purdue win. Charlie is 17, and so he would rather play video games with his friends than play HORSE with his dad to help him with his crazy blog. And if we did do that like last year, he would want to be Purdue – could the Lunatic honestly try his best to beat his Boilermakers. What is a Lunatic to do?
Well, this afternoon, I got my cracked tooth fixed at the dentist (by the way, it was fantastic that he was able to get me in so quickly – I was very grateful). So, I got home at 5 pm and thought to myself what should I do – the NIT games aren’t for a few hours. I am home early – lets exercise. That is the only sensible thing to do after having a dentist put on a crown and your jaw is starting to hurt after the anesthesia wears off. And that exercise needs to have a purpose. So, the Lunatic will shoot against himself.
So, I quickly came up with a game plan – one that I thought I could complete without having a heart attack, and yet would be fun to see if I could still shoot. That would also make me want to compete for both teams – I want to see if I can still be a decent shooter, so I want my percentage to be good. So, I decided I would shoot 10 free throws for each team worth 2 points, and 10 three pointers for each team worth 3 points. I thought it would be an advantage to shoot last and know what I had to do, and so I decided the better seed would shoot last.
In honor of the NCAA, I didn’t bother finding a tape measurer, I simply stepped out 15 feet and 22 feet and put some soccer cones down. Who cares if the lines are at the real places – it is fair for everyone. And of course, playing on our basketball rim which is a little bent is interesting – and I apologize in advance for the later games as it was clear that shooting from 22 feet after shooting a basketball for over an hour was maybe not the best choice.
Women’s Final Four
NC State vs South Carolina – the Wolfpack hit 7 free throws, but the Gamecocks nailed 8. From the three point line, it was a 4 to 4 tie (although SC had things already won before missing their last 3 shots). South Carolina advances.
Connecticut vs Iowa – the Huskies took a lead from the FT line 7 to 6. The Huskies kept my consistent 4 for 10 – but the Hawkeyes went crazy, hitting 7 of 10. This was the first moment that I realized how streaky of a shooter I was. Iowa advances.
Men’s Final Four
NC State vs Purdue – the Wolfpack hit 8 making me nervous. But I was able to really focus for my Boilers hitting 9. Then, from the three point line, NC State hit 5, but I had a good streak at the start to hit 5 for Purdue (before the pressure would have started effecting me). Purdue advances.
Alabama vs Connecticut – this was my proudest moment of the day. Alabama led things off hitting all 10 free throws. With the pressure on, UConn could only make 6. This was also when I started to realize that I was getting tired. Alabama only hit 3 three-pointers with multiple shots falling short, but UConn couldn’t take advantage of the second chance and also only hit 3. Alabama advances.
Women’s Championship
Both Iowa and South Carolina hit 8 free throws – so it would come down to the three pointers. Iowa hit 4. South Carolina started cold, made a few in a row, but couldn’t hit the last two shots, and fell a shot short – only making 3. The Iowa Hawkeyes are the women’s champion.
Men’s Championship
Alabama continued their hot free throw shooting making 9. Purdue could only hit 8 as the last shot to tie went in and out. However, the poor three-point shooting continued. Alabama could only hit 2 three pointers, as multiple shots went in and out. Purdue took advantage of this, and when they hit the last shot of the night, their 4 three pointers won the game. The Purdue Boilermakers are the men’s champion.
So, lets figure out the numbers the Lunatic cared about (other than the fact that he is thrilled Purdue won). I made 94 of 120 free throws (78.3%). I only made 48 of 120 three pointers (40%). To be honest, I think that is pretty good for an old guy who hasn’t really serious shot baskets since the last time I did the Ball Don’t Lie HORSE game against Charlie. Of course, I have no clue if they are really where the free throw line and three point line was.