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In the early game on Saturday, Ohio State traveled to East Lansing to take on a Michigan State team in need of a resume boost. Prior to Saturday’s game, Michigan State had not taken down a ranked opponent this season. Michigan State was able to defeat No. 23 ranked Ohio State at home, improving its standing for March.
Sam Thompson was able to knock down a three to tie the game. Immediately after Thompson’s equalizer, Tom Izzo elected not to call a time out and let his team play. Michigan State would dribble the clock down to roughly 10 seconds and run a dribble-handoff — as soon as Denzel Valentine received the handoff from Tum Tum Nairn, he pulled up with alacrity. Valentine wanted that shot on Valentine’s Day. It would be his day indeed, as the ball fell through the bottom of the net with 3.2 seconds left. Ohio State’s ensuing possession would result in a turnover that ended the game.
How fitting, that Valentine would hit the game winning shot on Feb. 14. Is there a more fitting storyline? Dana O’Neil weighed in.
National title game day after Easter. Any guys named Bunny or Cottontail or Easter out there?
— Dana O’Neil (@ESPNDanaOneil) February 14, 2015
This is the sort of narration that only seems to happen in fiction. But make no mistake, this is the reality of college basketball. These are the sort of anecdotes that make college basketball fun to watch — not just that Valentine was able to connect on Valentine’s Day, but the sort of play that comes down to the wire we see time and again in college basketball.
The only way this story could have been any better is if Marc Loving were to tie the game before Valentine’s game-winning shot. But give credit to the basketball gods and Michigan State. Well played, Valentine. Well played.
James Szuba is a college basketball writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesSzuba.
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