The NCAA Men’s Final Four semi-finals and championship were games of legend — just what a national tournament should be. In the Duke-Houston semi, Duke had a healthy lead for almost the entire game and was up by six with 34 seconds remaining — yet lost. In the final, Houston was the team ahead for all but 17 seconds — before the final minute. Then Florida ironically showed the Cougars the same final-play heartbreak they had caused Duke by taking the lead in the final 19 seconds and winning. Thrillers!
I’m sure coaches in years to come will remind their players of these outcomes as well as the importance of never giving up. It may seem daunting, but persistence until the final moment matters. Poise under immense pressure matters. Judgment and instinct matter — on the court, in the office, at home, and just about everywhere in between.
For Duke and Houston, their spectacular, #1 ranking, conference-winning season will be remembered by an increment shorter than a TV commercial. For those watching, it’s a reminder that on any given day, it’s not over until the final buzzer sounds, even if the previous 39 minutes would lead you to believe otherwise.
Worth watching the final two minutes here: Duke-Houston and Houston-Florida.
