Story Book Ending

Photo: John Biever/SI


A little less than a decade ago I stood hunched over, with tears streaming down my face, as my story book ending ended with sour twist. Many years before, I had dreamed and even practiced that last second shot, turning around time after time in my basement as the clock struck zero and the ball went through the hoop.

I pictured being jump on in celebration as the fans cheered my name. For that moment in time, when I was a little kid everything seemed to fit into place. Unfortunately that day never came. Instead, a game that I had been playing since was old enough to dribble a basketball was over for me (at least competitively).



By Eileen Blass, USA TODAY


Last night we had quite the fairytale before us. You had the evil villain Duke and their crazed master Mike. Coming up to slay the Devil, was a young knight that wore no pervious college amour. All he had was a piece of Hay and sledge named Mack.

In the heart of battle we had a Kyle, Slinging his way through a Fort of Jukes and Veasley’s. Shot after shot rang out through the night’s sky, until a final horn sounded. For this night it was the devil that would be dancing, and a bull that was no underdog fell to their knees in defeat.


Photo: John Biever/SI


Folk’s college basketball treats us year in and year out with great moments but last night truly was special. Five years from now you won’t remember either starting lineup or who scored the game winning basket for Duke. Nope, all you will remember is that Duke won another national championship.

This championship though made me question why I never liked Duke. You see, this game had the great story in Butler. A team that stood in with the Giants of basketball and showed the public that dreams can come true.

But still... I am fixated on Duke. This is a program that has now won four national championships under Coach K and it seems like there is no stop in him. Would he like to have 15 million dollars a year to coach the Nets, yes but will he leave No. Instead, he has a home and a place that worships his every move.

Yes, Duke is a program that brings in the cream of the crop, but coach K molds these gentlemen into the best basketball players they can be. You can have all the talent in the world, but as we saw last night it takes 5 men to win you a championship (hey Kentucky take the hint).

For 40 minutes on the basketball floor we had two teams put on a free clinic on how offenses and defenses should be run. You don’t get this from going out and playing. It is the teachings of a young wizard in Stevens and an old but masterful general in Krzyzewski that showed us the heart of basketball.


Photo: John Biever/SI


The game has had it far share of flash over the last decade, but last night we were taken back to a time when each possession was coveted. When each time down the floor, you work ass off just to get a look.

Last night truly was the game of basketball at its purest.

The ending of the story has been writing, and Duke stands atop the pedestal a national champion once more. For Butler, they will go back to trying to write a sequel to a story that came ohhh so close to having its fairytale ending.