Folks, it's truly a shame that with less than 3 seconds left in the game -- and the IRISH down two at the free throw line...
A referee's whistle -- ends the 2011 - 2012 basketball season for our Fighting Irish.
I don't know if it rivals the call made by the first base umpire taking the PERFECT GAME away from the Detroit Tigers' pitcher two seasons ago -- but, it's usually an "un-written" rule that you let the PLAYERS PLAY at the end of the game -- especially an NCAA Tournament game.
Not tonight. Big East referee Mike Stuart
(who's one of the best in the business) made two "back to back" calls that decided the outcome of the game:
- With Eric Atkins at the free throw line with 2.8 seconds remaining and the IRISH down by 2, Stuart blows the whistle after Atkins made the first free throw -- calling Jerian Grant for a violation -- even though he's almost 20' away from the basket. Taking the point away from Notre Dame and giving the ball to Xavier...
- Then, on the in-bounds play that followed -- Stuart blows the whistle before the ball is thrown in, calling an INTENTIONAL FOUL on our IRISH -- awarding two free throws and the ball out of bounds to Xavier -- GAME OVER...
Mike Stuart took CONTROL AWAY FROM THE PLAYERS -- of the final 2.8 seconds of the basketball game -- ultimately making the decision that Xavier WOULD WIN and our IRISH WOULD GO HOME...
Ironically, I found this interview of Mike Stuart (January 2011) talking about the end of games (see cover photo of Stuart above) where he makes this quote -- and I swear I'm not making this up -- click on the article below:
“That game was really a great game where both teams competed at their highest level, and they decided the game,” he said. “At the end of the day, that is our goal.” -- Mike Stuart.
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP!!!
Sleepless in South Bend...
LINK:
MIKE STUART -- LETTING "PLAYERS DECIDE THE GAME..."
