Whether rooting for underdog Butler or evil empire Duke, that was a great 40 minutes of basketball. There's a reason everyone's still talking about the game today.
The closest NCAA Championship Game since 1989 saw players hustling for every shot, every rebound, every loose ball. This was a low-scoring affair because of spectacular defensive plays, not lackluster shooting or drive.
So it would have been fitting — perfect serendipity — if the foul shot purposely missed by Duke's Brian Zoubek with 3.6 seconds left in order to run out the clock had backfired and opened the door for a game-winning half-court 3-pointer by Butler star Gordon Hayward. The machinations of coach Mike Krzyzewski outdone by a squad that was tougher, scrappier, and playing 5.6 miles from their home court?
It would have almost been worth watching Duke climb through the brackets to get to see the Blue Devils get the title snatched away in the most agonizing way imaginable at the last possible moment.
But it was not to be. They say football is the game of inches, but Hayward's shot was only off by a couple, bouncing off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
It wasn't one for the record books, but it was a damn good game of basketball.
Congrats, Duke. I'm still writing you out of my bracket next year though. I don't want to see Blue Devils at Reliant for the 2011 Final Four.
Time to discuss the final play from this year that won't soon be forgotten, again, though. What do you think? Was Krzyzewski saved from being the ultimate goat by a few inches or did he make the right call all along?
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
