You play to win the game
December 19th, 2007, 2:25 am · Post a Comment · posted by Mark Heller
An interesting question was brought up to Arizona State coach Herb Sendek following Tuesday’s win against Montana State.
The Sun Devils led 65-62 with 12 seconds left. The Bobcats had the ball and were 12 of 22 from 3-point territory.
Was there ever a thought to fouling the Bobcats and sending them to the free throw line instead?
Answer: “No.”
Sendek referenced his time at Kentucky, when it led Tennessee on the road by three points in the final possession. Kentucky fouled Tennessee, the Volunteers made the first free throw, intentionally missed the second (obviously), still got the offensive rebound and turned it into a three-point-play. Kentucky lost.
Then he referenced a game when he was North Carolina State. The Wolfpack trailed Clemson by three points and were fouled. They made the first, missed the second, got the rebound and tied the game. N.C. State won in overtime.
“I’ve been on both sides,” he said. “Flip a coin. … A lot of things happen sometimes when you extend the game.”
