Wow! What an epic finish at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse last night, in the National Invitation Tournament men’s basketball final between Indiana State’s Sycamores and the Pirates of Seton Hall.
It was tied at halftime, then back and forth through the second half. The Sycamores were down slightly with only a few minutes left but went on an 8-nothing run that put them ahead, 77-70. With less than 3 minutes to go, it looked like they were in command, but the Pirates had other ideas. They found the ball in a scramble on the floor and put in a short 2 to start cutting that lead, then after clawing to within 3 points with just over a minute left, a Seton Hall 3-pointer tied the game at 77. With 20 seconds to go, the Pirates’ Dre Davis drove thru a crowd for a tough spinning layup, putting Seton Hall in the lead. Surely the Trees could bounce right back after that 9-nothing run… but with 10 seconds on the clock, a 3 was blocked, then on the rebound a second 3 was tipped to bounce high off the rim, and the effort to tip it back to tie at the horn bounced off the backboard. The final, Seton Hall 79, Indiana State 77. The Pirates get their second NIT championship in program history, and the Sycamores end up without the title, but with their second-most wins in a season, the record 32 & 7. Isaiah Swope led ISU with 19 points, 16 of them in the second half. It was the Sycamores’ first trip to the NIT championship game, and those 32 victories the most since Larry Bird’s ISU racked up 33, back in 1979. Congratulations to Indiana State, for a mostly super season.
Tonight, the N-C-Double-A women’s Final Four games will be played, matching up number 1 seed Iowa and Caitlin Clark against Number 3 UConn, and undefeated overall Number 1 South Carolina facing North Carolina State.
The men’s Final Four plays Saturday– Number 1 UConn versus Alabama, and overall Number 1 Purdue taking on Number 11 NC State.
Congratulations to South Decatur basketballer Jacob Scruggs. He’s one of the top 60 senior boys in the state, on a list compiled by “Hoosier Basketball” magazine. They were selected from among some 15 hundred senior players statewide, and will be honored by taking part in a top 60 Senior Workout, this Sunday at Marian University. Jacob’s one of only 8 of those honorees who averaged more than 20 points a game all season, with 24.8. The players will get additional coaching at the workout to prepare them for college.
In the NBA, the Pacers are back home tonight, hosting the Thunder.
And after a night off to travel, the Reds are back on the radio this evening, hosting the New York Mets. Join us for the broadcast, beginning at 6:10, only on the Sports Voice, 103.9 FM WRBI.