1. During this afternoon's NCAA men's championship semifinal game between Florida Atlantic University and San Diego State, I kept thinking that the Aztecs wear opponents down by being physically relentless, particularly on defense and with their fierce pursuit of offensive rebounds. In the second half of today's game, as San Diego State began to put dents in FAU's fourteen point lead, as they began to more powerfully assert themselves on the boards, especially on their own end of the court, and even as they missed a string of free throws, I had this sinking feeling that FAU might not hang on, that SDU might just power their way to a win.
But there's no way that I saw the thrilling end of this game coming. With a one point lead and the shot clock winding down, FAU missed a short, well-defended shot, SDSU rebounded, and with about seven seconds left on the clock, the Aztecs did not call a time out but put the ball in Lamont Butler's hands. Butler tried to drive to the iron, but, with time almost expired, he rose up for jump shot from about seventeen feet and buried it, giving San Diego State a breathtaking, heart stopping 72-71victory.
2. Just like they did against Gonzaga a week ago, UConn put the clamps on Miami's high scoring, efficient offense, and held the 'Canes to their lowest point total all season -- just like they did to the Zags. While the Huskies margin of victory against Miami was not as vast as their win over Gonzaga, UConn dominated most of this contest and secured a 72-59 victory.
In Monday night's final, we'll see two teams with stubborn defenses and deep benches clash. I would imagine UConn will be favored (I see the early line from Caesar's Sports Book has UConn a 7.5 point favorite), but I'm not ready to count San Diego State out. The Aztecs possess great will power. They are determined, hard playing and, while I don't disagree with those who predict a possible UConn blowout nor with those who predict a UConn victory, I wouldn't be surprised if San Diego State hangs around in this game, keeps UConn from running away, and gives themselves a chance to win it late.
3. Once the two semifinal games drew to a close, Debbie and I decided to watch another episode from Season 10 of Columbo. I had no idea that Faye Dunaway appeared as a guest star in an episode and that's the one we watched tonight. The story centers around two women (one of them Dunaway) who discover they are both being played by a young Casanova who enjoys nibbling on each of their ears.
So, they join forces and murder him.
What transpires then, as Lt. Columbo investigates the murder, is, to me, one of the most surprising storylines in the entire Columbo canon. I won't give any of the details away, but I will say that this episode, written by Peter Falk, astonished me and, in the end, moved me. I'm not quite sure what to make of what happened in this story, but the feelings it stirred in me have endured.
(By the way, for whatever it's worth, Faye Dunaway won an Emmy for her performance in this episode.)
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