The Shot

 


((photo owned by marchmadness IG, we do not own the rights)

Holy shit.... What actually just happened? My SDSU Aztecs were up against in Saturday night's Final 4 matchup versus the FAU Owls. Down 14 with 13:53 left in the 2nd half it started to feel like the end to a historic run. A team that would've been remembered for going the furthest of any SDSU team in history (Final 4), taking down the #1 overall seed Alabama in the Sweet 16, and a nail biting Elite 8 win over Creighton. That would've been a lot to be proud of on its own but what happened is what makes college basketball so great. The Aztecs started to chip away at the lead with some 3 pointers by Micah Parrish and Matt Bradley, followed by a flurry of offensive rebounds that continued to give the Aztecs extra possessions.

It was an extremely physical matchup to say the least and SDSU couldn't buy a foul or a bucket under the rim for the longest time. WAR. That's the only thing that comes to mind. FAU was a hell of a team by the way, wow. They were no fluke to make it to the final 4 with the most wins in the NCAA this year (35-4 overall) and were shooting lights out in the first half putting up 40 on a SDSU defense that up to that point had been dominant against every team they faced in the tourney. Give credit where credit is due. I said to my constituents that if FAU plays like that for 2 halves then you have to tip your cap and accept defeat. That "would've" been a hell of a performance. But damnit I had faith that the 2nd half would prove different and I placed a responsible 2nd half wager that as we know would later cash.

THE END OF THE GAME SEQUENCE  

Chaos is how I would describe it. Multiple, multiple times the Aztecs were at the free throw line with a chance to either tie the game or cut the lead to a 1 possession game and were bricking everything. They finished the game 13/22 (59.1%) from the FT line and I was thinking if FAU wins this that is what we'll point too as the deciding factor. Also a ill-timed technical foul by Micah Parrish which gave FAU 2 free throws and the ball (which resulted in 5 points) was massive. All of that aside, the score was 69-68 FAU with under a minute to play and FAU's Alijah Martin scored an unbelievably athletic reverse layup to put the Owls up 3 again. Aztecs had to respond and Jaedon LeDee, who had struggled from the elbow all night, clutched up and buried one from the elbow to put the Aztecs down 1 with 38 seconds left.

During the timeout as a fan you wonder how are we going to pull this off? Is it even possible? Will we have time to even get a high percentage shot off? All these things running through my head. The Aztecs elected not to foul and Arop forces FAU PG Johnell Davis into an awkward layup attempt to which he missed and Mensah grabbed the rebound. He outlets to Butler and this was the moment. Agony or defeat. Which is it going to be? Butler attempted to drive but was cut off by the FAU defender, hesistated, faked right, went left, pulled up........... 


(photo owned by marchmadness IG, we do not own the rights)

GOOD! GOOD! HE DRAINS IT! AZTECS WIN! "THE SAN DIEGO STATE MIRACLE". ARE YOU KIDDING! The euphoria and shock of that shot going in was incredible. One of the biggest moments in San Diego sports history. That just doesn't happen to our teams, historically. An absolutely unbelievable clutch shot and moment that will live in San Diego and NCAA history forever. The world will always remember the buzzer beater made by SDSU's Lamont Butler, forever. Just incredible.




 
 
Timothy Burke
⁦‪@bubbaprog‬⁩
AS CALLED BY:

1. Rafael Hernández Brito on Westwood One
2. Kevin Kugler on Westwood One
3. Ted Leitner on SDSU Aztecs radio
4. Ken LaVicka on FAU Owls radio

All of them as heard on the ⁦‪@varsity‬⁩ app! pic.twitter.com/w4KnbhyqfQ
 
4/1/23, 9:21 PM
 
 

This team man. It's hard to put into words what that shot and moment meant. Winning is great but it isn't just about the score. What I thought of was all of the people and parents who either went to SDSU or support SDSU that were able to experience that moment. That's what it's all about. A moment that people will remember exactly where they were for the rest of their lives. Butler's game winning jumper solidified the 5th largest comeback in Final 4 history and the 1st National Championship appearance for San Diego State basketball. I will watch that highlight 100,000 more times at least and it will never get old. What an unbelievable run this team is on and I'm so happy for everyone involved. The Padres beat the Dodgers and made it to the NLCS and the Aztecs are in the National Championship in the same year. 

What an unbelievable time in San Diego sports history. This is awesome.

-Peanut

IG: @_sportsbanter

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