That's Why They Play the Games

BEVERLY HILLS (MI) -- Friday night, Class of 2010 UD recruit Juwan Staten and his #7 ranked Oak Hill Academy squad were on national TV via ESPNU facing a perennial HS power, the #6 rated St. Patrick’s of New Joisey.

For you “Jersey Shore” fans, here is “The Situation”:

.4 seconds left in regulation.

Oak Hill leads 79-78.

A kid from St. P’s is at the line to shoot 2 freebies.

Unfortunately the player in question is not Kyrie Irving, the do-everything PG headed to Duke next year.

Nor is it Michael Gilchrist, the top ranked junior in the country.

It’s Derrick Gordon.

The 40% FT shooting Derrick Gordon.

One to tie, two to win.

Derrick clanks the first.

Gordon bricks the second.

Ballgame.

Maybe Gordon missed the FTs out of sheer embarrassment. When I plugged his name into the “Jersey Shore Nickname Generator” his came out as “The Sausage Party.”

Try it yourself: http://www.unlikelywords.com/2009/12...ame-generator/

Fast forward to the UD/SLU game Saturday afternoon.

44 seconds left in regulation.

UD leads 54-49.

Paul Williams at the line for UD with a one-and-one opportunity.

PW misses the front end.

26 seconds left in regulation.

Flyers up 54-51.

Williams again at the line for a one-and-one.

Paul misses the front end again.

And eventually, as we all know, Kwamain Mitchell drained the “Mission Impossible” bank shot three pointer with 2 seconds left to send it into OT.

UD goes on to lose in double overtime, 68-65.

My point?

You win some.

You lose some.

And some get rained out.

If you are thinking to yourself “Hey Swamp, there are no rainouts in basketball” I’ll tell you about the Cincinnati Royals/Boston Celtics exhibition game Mrs. Swampy and I attended way back when. That tilt got called due to condensation on the floor from the hot air melting the ice under the floor in the dumpy old Cincy Gardens.

My other point?

Going to the FT line with the outcome of the contest in the balance is why they play the ****ed things.

You can’t phone in the results.

Or fax ‘em.

Or Tweet them.

Or even blog them.

As that eminent philosopher, Jedi Master Yoda put it:

Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'

Paul tried.

Twice.

He failed.

Twice.

So how did he react?

PW made a three pointer in the first OT to re-tie the score.

The next time UD finds itself in “The Situation” I don’t know about you, but I want Paul Williams at the line.

Georgia Tech game, anyone?

UD lost the St. Louis tilt, not the 2010 season. There are still six regular season games, plus the A-10 Tournament left to play.

Beat LaSalle.

As a post script, I’m hardly one to bust Derrick Gordon for his “Jersey Shore” ‘nickname.’

When I plugged Jim “Swampy” Meadows into the Jersey Shore Nickname Generator, I got “J-Muscle.”

That’s it “From the Swamp.”
You can email me at: swampy@udpride.com

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.