Insights

You can’t speed him up. First, there was the size mismatch—the Seminoles were physically superior in every way. But Morant doesn’t seem to want to leave, and no wonder. Mike Lopresti is a member of the US Basketball Writers Hall of Fame, Ball State journalism Hall of Fame and Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame. Not to his mention his supporting cast that is underrated. “If I pass the ball and a shot rims out, I can’t have an assist. WATCH EVERY GAME LIVE: Tournament action on March Madness Live. The Zags used to be an annual tournament double-digit seed Cinderella before they got cool. That was obvious from the start, when 7'4" senior center Christ Koumadje barely jumped to win the opening tip over Murray State’s 6'8" freshman forward KJ Williams. FSU has seven players 6'8" or taller on its roster and no player shorter than 6'4". The Murray State Racers will retire Ja Morant's No. Because guess who’s on Murray State’s side of the bracket, and therefore could be its opponent in our virtual reality Final Four? "My focus is not on that right now. Eleven days after the 40th anniversary of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. Morant didn’t feel like he was having a hard time creating opportunities, but Murray State just couldn’t make enough plays. I have a ton of respect for him. While he sat on the bench pondering the things he’ll miss now that the year is over—he admitted it will be “awhile” before he gets over this one, probably not until he gets back in the gym—coach Matt McMahon knelt beside him. Projected by many to be a top-three pick in June's draft, Morant wasn't willing to reveal whether he will declare for the NBA or finish out his final two years of college eligibility. “The best thing about that kid is his decision-making. What if, despite Gonzaga’s well-chronicled firepower, the Zags can’t slow him down, either? You can just see the gleam and joy in his eye. And then, what if somehow, some way, the miracle happens? Next is Florida State on Saturday. They just played great defense tonight.”. CHECK YOUR BRACKET: Track your Bracket Challenge Game entries. Virginia beats Texas Tech in OT | 3 takeaways from UVA's first title Welcome to the Ja Morant Fantasy Tour. Imagine Morant being booked for the Final Four. It's just celebrating this — what a great season we had — with my teammates. That would mean the Sweet 16 – the first ever for Murray State -- and probably Gonzaga. “They’re good without him, but with him, they’re pretty unique. He did not approach a second tournament triple double, but he did score 28 points, aided by a 5-for-5 start from three-point range, with five rebounds, four assists (his second-lowest total this season), two steals and a block. And also this: Kentucky is the co-capital (with Duke) of McDonald's All-Americans on their way to the NBA. Morant finished with 28 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST. On the theory that the Ja Show is way too much fun to watch for it to close early, we can ponder -- what happens if it doesn’t? Just like a No. Although Morant wishes more than anything that he could have helped take his team deeper into the tournament and extended the season, his impact will be felt at Murray State for a long time. His growth as a leader this year was a big key in the success we were able to have.". It’s like reading a Broadway critic’s review of Hamilton. Murray State Racers men's basketball program represents intercollegiate men's basketball at Murray State University. But first, this glowing report from his 2019 NCAA Tournament debut. Florida State created separation with the three ball, making 8-of-11 to start and finishing the night 11-of-27 from beyond the arc. "He loves to play. The Racers went into this game as the fourth-best team in the country defending three-point field goals (28.9%), but stops were hard to come by. Put it this way, Morant's 17 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists have created a little bigger wave than his 14 points, three rebounds and two assists did this time last year, when the Racers lost in the first round to West Virginia. He's just a relentless competitor. So there’d be that. "But it's been a great season.   © 2020 NCAA | Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Ja Morant drops triple-double in NCAA Tournament debut, Morant's triple-double leads Murray State over Marquette, Track your Bracket Challenge Game entries, the 40th anniversary of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, 25 men's college basketball teams with the highest attendance in 2019-20, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle among future men's basketball regional hosts, 2020 Maui Invitational: Bracket, schedule, scores, 7 big college basketball questions for the first day of practice, 15 college basketball playmakers who could be the nation's top point guard, 6 college basketball freshmen who could be BIG difference-makers this season, 36 breakout candidates for the 2020-21 men's basketball All-American teams, The best, worst and most likely finish for each spot in the AP Top 25 college basketball rankings, 2020 men's college basketball calendar: Schedule, first games, NCAA tournament dates, College basketball teams with the best chance to pick up where they left off in 2020. He quickly became the sensation of the tournament, and his performances garnered direct messages from future professional peers, like fellow wunderkinds Luka Dončić and Patrick Mahomes. He is so old he covered Bob Knight when he had dark hair and basketball shorts were actually short.The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions. Mike Krzyzewski has a couple of tournament shockers in his closest, too, you know. We all know the Wolverines play sound defense, but ask Wojciechowski how hard it is to defend him. But the Racers were confident they could hang with Florida State, despite some obvious disadvantages. Now, Morant will have to face a decision about his basketball future. He has covered college basketball for 43 years, including 39 Final Fours. 2 Alabama pulled away from No. "I would say I was just hurt — not being able to take the floor with these guys for the rest of the season, for another game, or possibly two, three, four," Morant said, per ESPN. “My opinion is you have to be careful because he’s not winning the games by himself,” Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton said Friday. “We took some great shots, but they just rimmed out,” Morant said. He’d be bigger than Loyola’s Sister Jean. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/9qRjABJJsA. They’re both native sons of South Carolina. I mean, you’re talking about an elite, elite decision-maker, who’s got elite athleticism. 4 Seminoles ticked down, Morant could be seen sitting on the bench with a towel over his head while his teammates and coaches comforted him. That would mean the Sweet 16 – the first ever for Murray State -- and probably Gonzaga. I mean, the triple-doubles, 16 assists in an NCAA Tournament, it’s crazy. He’s never played against an ACC team before. ", https://images.daznservices.com/di/library/omnisport/3/a4/ja-morant-03242019-usnews-getty-ftr_vwo3y0bi17y214klx5cldo2sw.jpg?t=-1345449431&w=500&quality=80, March Madness 2019 wrap: Kentucky, Gonzaga, LSU other favorites thwart upset-minded teams. “I know fans can’t see what kind of teammate I was, but they can see what kind of person I was, and I want to be remembered by that,” Morant said. He’s a consensus top-three pick in most circles, but he said he’s not focused on that right now because he just wants to celebrate “a wonderful season with my teammates.” He hopes when people think about his two-year career at Murray State, they’ll remember him not for his vicious dunks or raw athleticism, but for something more meaningful. So ends Morant’s college career. And I’m excited for him and their team, because I enjoy watching guys play with such an unselfish spirit, that they actually get excited about it. He’s a big-time, big-time player. All Rights Reserved. © 2020 ABG-SI LLC. “Especially when you’ve had a special group like this.”. Four times the Racers advanced in the tournament, most recently when it defeated Marquette in 2019. And I’d say I was more hurt by not being able to play with these guys for the remainder of the season.”. What if, when they play One Shining Moment, up there on the award platform, after the first official championship game triple-double in history, stands . 16 seed will never beat a No. So away we go  . On Thursday, Murray State had 23 assists and 13 turnovers; against Florida State, it had seven assists and 13 turnovers. Can’t happen, right? Two schools from the same state. 12 UPSET: Morant's triple-double leads Murray State over Marquette. Ja Morant in the championship game. “We kind of forgot what the feeling feels like,” Morant said. “I was just hurt not being able to take the floor with these guys for the rest of this season, for another game, or possibly two, three, four,” Morant said. In 1988, Murray State defeated North Car… The Zion Show vs. the Ja Show, matching the two guys who have owned the biggest buzz this season. Hey, it’s our tour, we can conjure up anything. "That time will come," Morant said. Morant’s run through March was the epitome of short and sweet. Long before Steve Wojciechowski was coach at Marquette, he was point guard at Duke, so he knows how the position is supposed to be played. 12 jersey on Saturday, Feb. 1. He's tough and he's a winner. Includes stats, records, season-by-season results, and more. “His legacy, I don’t think it will ever be matched.”. What if he says hello by winning? 3 Georgia, How student-athletes are making an impact on Election Day. The Zags used to be an annual tournament double-digit seed Cinderella before they got cool. The state would be the proudest it’s been since, well, Clemson football got done with Alabama. Vermont pushed Florida State, so Morant and the Racers probably can. I really was just thinking back on what all we have accomplished this year, and I'd say I was more hurt not being able to play with these guys for the remainder of the season. ", "Ja Morant has a brilliant career ahead of him." The Seminoles also had a major edge in rebounds (45–33), points in the paint (44–26) and bench scoring (47–6). It motivates him. . Give him the floor a minute. Morant wouldn’t directly address his future or put a timetable on when he might announce that he’s entering the NBA draft. VIRGINIA WINS 2019 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Lady Vols Basketball Recruiting 2021, Nabokov Complete Works, Patrick Lynch Jane Curtin, The Number 23 Streaming, Types Of Skepticism, Caylin Newton Nfl, The Platform Korean Movie, Adam's Venture: Origins Xbox One, Roger Miller Movies, Florida Gators 2022 Football Schedule,