Practice Makes Perfect

The consensus among college basketball circles tends to be that there’s really no way to practice hitting game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointers. Well, in some cases, maybe there is.

On the eve of its much-anticipated Sweet 16 matchup with No. 1 seed Kentucky, the men’s basketball team participated in another open media practice. 

Among other drills, the players –– split into Red vs. White –– took turns shooting long 3’s with two seconds left on the shot clock. And although it may have been senior forward Ryan Wittman’s SportsCenter-worthy overtime heroics that saved the day against Davidson last December, the only guys to nail the clutch trey today were senior forward Andre Wilkins, senior center/forward Mark Coury, senior forward Pete Reynolds and sophomore guard Chris Wroblewski. 

'Sweet' Revenge

The squads then matched up in a free-throw contest. With the White team holding a narrow advantage, the pressure was on for the last Red shooter to even the score. 

After much discussion and heated debate, it was determined that junior forward Adam Wire would go to the line. His teammates held their breath as Wire’s free throw hit the backboard and appeared like it was going to drop in, before tipping off the side of the rim. 

The Red squad let out groans of frustration, as Wittman was overheard badgering one of the NCAA’s seven-year-old volunteers, exclaiming, “You jinxed us –– you said it was in!”

With that, the White team avenged last Thursday’s loss to its Red counterparts. The 2010 series media-day practice record now stands at 1-1. 

'Don’t Bet On It' 

Riding on the team bus or observing open practice this past week, one was bound to hear Cornell’s newest celebrities say to each other “Don’t bet on it” throughout the day. 

According to senior tri-captain Jon Jaques, the phrase came from a video that was shown to the team and “Max [Groebe] took it and ran with it.”

Indeed, "Don't Bet On It" appears at the bottom of an NCAA-sponsored public service announcement poster that was featured prominently at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, and now decorates the visiting team’s locker room at the Carrier Dome.

Added senior guard Geoff Reeves, “They have [the posters] everywhere ... Max has asked the NCAA for more –– for the house.”

Perhaps one thing people shouldn’t bet on is an easy Kentucky victory tomorrow night –– at the very least, no one should be drinking any Hatorade against Cornell after its dominating wins over Temple and Wisconsin last weekend.

Quote of the Day

“Our passion buckets are going to be filled to the brim tomorrow.” –– Ryan Wittman, on how the team will be feeding off energy from Cornell fans at the Carrier Dome