The Enigma of Wake BBall

I am a diehard fan, yet will never understand the curse that is Wake Forest basketball.  The Wall Street Journal analyzed the last 20 years of the NCAA Tournament and determined that we are the biggest underperformer in the entire field.  And yes, we are a small school of 4,000 kids and it is recognized that we perform at a high level in relation to student body, but so does Duke.

But it's not only the wins and losses, it's how we win and lose.  Tonight was the fifth overtime game of this season for the Deacs.  Fifth.  All of which we held a lead and let a team back in the game.  We were beating Texas handily late in the second half by 12, then let them all the way back to tie it up and go to overtime.  Then, instead of coming out and reasserting ourselves, we let them go up by 8.  Luckily this team found its heart.  Last year, when the going got tough in the tourney, the team (2 of whom are now in the NBA) packed it in and decided that the Final Four wasn't worth fighting for.  But this team has Ish Smith.  Not since Taron Downey have I believed in a Wake player so much.  Ish and Taron have that Brad Pitt as a gypsy in an underground fight in Snatch quality where they never realize they're down and should be out, but instead pop right back up swinging and take you to the brink before sinking a dagger in your heart.  And tonight, Ish's dagger found its mark and sunk the Longhorns in OT.  So while I will always be puzzled by Wake's uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and choke at the highest level, tonight I will bask in the happiness that accompanies a solid NCAA Tourney victory.  At least until Saturday when we face #1 seed Kentucky...