Has UK basketball ever had a Michigan punter moment?

[EvilMD]

Our football team has one or two every year, but I was trying to think if our basketball team has ever had a bonehead play that cost us a game against a rival like that play today. We've had a couple of close calls...DeMarcus almost cost us a game against Stanford in Cancun. Andrew almost blew the first Wisconsin Final Four game. We didn't foul in the Watford Indiana game.

Considering that Michigan State came in having won six of the last seven games, it would be like Louisville leading us by two with 10 seconds left, dribbling the ball off their leg, then giving up a three at the buzzer.

 

[catben]

We've done it to UofL twice.
1. Patrick Sparks getting fouled on a 3 pointer from the corner and canning all 3 after the Cards led the whole game.
2. Cedric "Swoop" Jenkins with the tip in at the buzzer to beat the Cards in Rupp.

 

[JerseyCat84]

Not boxing out Qualls vs Arkansas a couple of years back. Led to game winning dunk.

 

[jamo0001]

Sheray Thomas against Miss St in the SECT

 

[UK90]

An example that comes to mind was not fouling Verdell Jones when he was bringing the ball up the court on the final play of that Christian Watford IU game. We were still under the limit, had extra fouls to give, and thus should've jumped all over him right after the ball came inbounds.

Instead we let him bring it up, he passes it Watford at the final moment and ....well, you know....

 

[UK90]

And, oh yeah, not guarding the inbounds pass OR contesting the shot on the final play of a certain 92 tourney game against Duke is probably worth a mention as well.

I'm actually surprised Duke 92 wasn't the first one mentioned here.

 

[EvilMD]

And, oh yeah, not guarding the inbounds pass OR contesting the shot on the final play of a certain 92 tourney game against Duke is probably worth a mention as well.

I'm actually surprised Duke 92 wasn't the first one mentioned here.

Thought about it, but really it was a heck of a play by Duke. And they had possession of the ball.

 

[mj2k10]

No. And the examples being given really aren't all that close.

I think the basketball equivalent would be trying to inbound the ball, ahead by 3, with less than 3 seconds to play, then proceeding to throw the ball away, having the opponent hit a 3 pointer, and fouling him while he was shooting.

The closest I remember to that was when UK lost at UT in 93. UK fouled Allen Houston on purpose, ahead by 3, less than 10 seconds to play. Houston made the 1st, missed the second on purpose, UT got the rebound, scored, and was fouled. But I don't think even that is really similar to what happened to Michigan. The fluke element wasn't as high. You had 4 very unusual things happen with Michigan: You had the fumbled snap, you had the punter completely panic, when all he had to do was fall down on the ball, you had the ball go directly into the arms of a Michigan State player, and you had him return it for a TD in a situation where that was the only way Michigan State could win. I really can't remember anything like it, in any sport.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

Came close in Cal's first year. Called a TO against Vanderbilt that gave them time to draw up a play to win. Even Calipari said it was stupid.

 

[O'boro Cat]

The closest I remember to that was when UK lost at UT in 93. UK fouled Allen Houston on purpose, ahead by 3, less than 10 seconds to play. Houston made the 1st, missed the second on purpose, UT got the rebound, scored, and was fouled.

But this an example of us getting screwed by the officials not calling a blatant lane violation, not a legitimate play.

 

[EvilMD]

What about when Georgetown threw the ball to James Worthy down by one with eight seconds left on the clock?

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

What happened? I only watch college FB when UK plays.

 

[mj2k10]

What happened? I only watch college FB when UK plays.

This

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Crazy. Imagine if that happened in a UK/UL game!

 

[EvilMD]

It kinda did in a UK/UL football game. We were about to score on them one time and the ball popped out and they went 98 yards the other way for six. We score on that play and the game was over.

 

[screwduke]

Hiring BCG as coach.

 

[Ripcord65]

I agree 100% with UK90. It seems to me that Pelphrey's non-guarding of Laettner in the 1992 Regional Final - just a despicably pitiful effort - is almost perfectly equivalent to the Michigan punter's "play" today.

 

[tbone.ky]

MJ2K10: "... But I don't think even that is really similar to what happened to Michigan. The fluke element wasn't as high. You had 4 very unusual things happen with Michigan..."

Yea, this scenario is hard to compare to basketball. Lot's of great victories have happened in basketball (and many sports) from great shots or offensive plays. But, this series of events had like a .02 percentage of happening, according to ESPN. Not only did it take a remarkable offensive play to win; but, this also required the most unlikely turnover to occur in order to win with time running out.

Feel bad for the punter who will always be remembered for this. Would hate to be him going to class on Monday.

Oh, the poor dude (with glasses, hands on top of his head, and a a WTF? look) will probably become the newest photo shop and Youtube sports clip sensation to be associated with a team-- Just like the small Duke kid/fan crying on TV.

 

[EnglandWildcat]

No. And the examples being given really aren't all that close.

I think the basketball equivalent would be trying to inbound the ball, ahead by 3, with less than 3 seconds to play, then proceeding to throw the ball away, having the opponent hit a 3 pointer, and fouling him while he was shooting.

The closest I remember to that was when UK lost at UT in 93. UK fouled Allen Houston on purpose, ahead by 3, less than 10 seconds to play. Houston made the 1st, missed the second on purpose, UT got the rebound, scored, and was fouled. But I don't think even that is really similar to what happened to Michigan. The fluke element wasn't as high. You had 4 very unusual things happen with Michigan: You had the fumbled snap, you had the punter completely panic, when all he had to do was fall down on the ball, you had the ball go directly into the arms of a Michigan State player, and you had him return it for a TD in a situation where that was the only way Michigan State could win. I really can't remember anything like it, in any sport.

Agreed, it's not exactly he same because of the way points are scored.

This wasn't the type of close game you're referring to, but it is the most boneheaded thing I can remember a kentucky player/coach doing: BCG telling Perry Stevenson (I think it was him) to block a FT. I mean......wtf?

 

[EvilMD]

Wetzel has a good story on it at yahoo. Said basically five or six things had to go wrong for it to happen. Michigan punt team was clueless, not realizing that Michigan State had no one back to field the punt. They actually had guys just half block their guy and run downfield. Those guys who were barely blocked swarmed the punter when he bobbled the snap. Since he bobbled it forward, it put him even further in jeopardy. Then, of course, he inexplicably tried to kick it while four guys were tackling him.

There was a college hoops game not too long ago where a team screwed up like three times in the last five seconds to blow a five-point lead. That would proabably be the equivalent. They weren't on national TV though.

 

[preacherfan]

No. And the examples being given really aren't all that close.

I think the basketball equivalent would be trying to inbound the ball, ahead by 3, with less than 3 seconds to play, then proceeding to throw the ball away, having the opponent hit a 3 pointer, and fouling him while he was shooting.

The closest I remember to that was when UK lost at UT in 93. UK fouled Allen Houston on purpose, ahead by 3, less than 10 seconds to play. Houston made the 1st, missed the second on purpose, UT got the rebound, scored, and was fouled. But I don't think even that is really similar to what happened to Michigan. The fluke element wasn't as high. You had 4 very unusual things happen with Michigan: You had the fumbled snap, you had the punter completely panic, when all he had to do was fall down on the ball, you had the ball go directly into the arms of a Michigan State player, and you had him return it for a TD in a situation where that was the only way Michigan State could win. I really can't remember anything like it, in any sport.

I would add at least one more to your life of "4 very unusal things." You also had half the Mich St football team on top of the punter. Where was the blocking?

 

[preacherfan]

Wetzel has a good story on it at yahoo. Said basically five or six things had to go wrong for it to happen. Michigan punt team was clueless, not realizing that Michigan State had no one back to field the punt. They actually had guys just half block their guy and run downfield. Those guys who were barely blocked swarmed the punter when he bobbled the snap. Since he bobbled it forward, it put him even further in jeopardy. Then, of course, he inexplicably tried to kick it while four guys were tackling him.

There was a college hoops game not too long ago where a team screwed up like three times in the last five seconds to blow a five-point lead. That would proabably be the equivalent. They weren't on national TV though.

In other words, not only did the players screw this up but the coaching staff obviously didn't have them properly instructed on what they should do.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Harbaugh handled it well in the postgame.

 

[Joneslab]

The Sheray Thomas debacle is a good one (most infuriating game I've ever seen live), but I actually thought of this game.

 

[EvilMD]

In other words, not only did the players screw this up but the coaching staff obviously didn't have them properly instructed on what they should do.

Exactly. The punter is getting death threats and being asked to commit suicide on twitter.

This will be a 30 for 30 some day.

 

[EvilMD]

The Sheray Thomas debacle is a good one (most infuriating game I've ever seen live), but I actually thought of this game.

If that was Louisville instead of St. John's, that would be your answer to my original question. Yikes. I had forgotten all about this debacle.

 

[Aike]

The Sheray play and St. John's games are great examples.

Wasn't there a game where we were down 3 with the clock running out and Sean Woods dribbled in and shot a 2 at the buzzer?

I may be remembering that wrong - help me out.

 

[EvilMD]

The Sheray play and St. John's games are great examples.

Wasn't there a game where we were down 3 with the clock running out and Sean Woods dribbled in and shot a 2 at the buzzer?

I may be remembering that wrong - help me out.

It was an SEC game. I remember it. Thank God that layup didn't affect the spread. Would have been very controversial.

 

[UK90]

Wetzel has a good story on it at yahoo. Said basically five or six things had to go wrong for it to happen. Michigan punt team was clueless, not realizing that Michigan State had no one back to field the punt. They actually had guys just half block their guy and run downfield. Those guys who were barely blocked swarmed the punter when he bobbled the snap. Since he bobbled it forward, it put him even further in jeopardy. Then, of course, he inexplicably tried to kick it while four guys were tackling him.

Yep, it was an amazing confluence of "everything that possibly could go wrong did" on just one play. And you could add the incredible luck of the ball bouncing right into the hands of a guy running toward the end zone with a clear path so that he could keep running without even breaking stride.

I'd say it also didn't help that the punter was an Australian kid who never played HS football. If he'd had more of a FB background I suspect he might've had a better idea what to do when those defenders swarmed on top of him (like just.fall.down, which is really all he needed to do).

The statistical odds of all the things that needed to happen for MSU to score on that play actually happening are damn near unimaginable.

 

[EvilMD]

It was like the Garo Yepremian Super Bowl play, only on the last play of the game with a two point lead.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Exactly. The punter is getting death threats and being asked to commit suicide on twitter.

This will be a 30 for 30 some day.

Now that is sad. People are so cruel.

 

[Blueaz]

Yep, it was an amazing confluence of "everything that possibly could go wrong did" on just one play. And you could add the incredible luck of the ball bouncing right into the hands of a guy running toward the end zone with a clear path so that he could keep running without even breaking stride.

I'd say it also didn't help that the punter was an Australian kid who never played HS football. If he'd had more of a FB background I suspect he might've had a better idea what to do when those defenders swarmed on top of him (like just.fall.down, which is really all he needed to do).

The statistical odds of all the things that needed to happen for MSU to score on that play actually happening are damn near unimaginable.

I saw the it was 0.2.%

 

[EvilMD]

If the gunners on Michigan's punt team had stayed in, one of them probably could have caught him. He came within two yards of being tackled at the one. Time expired. Game over.

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

2005 v ironically Michigan St. In elite eight game. Happened twice, Azubuike running the clock out and not getting a shot off in 1st OT.
Then in 2nd OT with UK leading we allowed State 2 or 3 offensive rebounds that resulted in a gm tying 3 which UK never recovered from.

 

[Zakk Wyldcat]

The Sheray play and St. John's games are great examples.

Wasn't there a game where we were down 3 with the clock running out and Sean Woods dribbled in and shot a 2 at the buzzer?

I may be remembering that wrong - help me out.

Mississippi St, 1991.

 

[FFWhite]

Sheray's lane violation. A self inflicted loss.

 

[preacherfan]

2005 v ironically Michigan St. In elite eight game. Happened twice, Azubuike running the clock out and not getting a shot off in 1st OT.
Then in 2nd OT with UK leading we allowed State 2 or 3 offensive rebounds that resulted in a gm tying 3 which UK never recovered from.

Maybe my memory is faulty but I swear it was more like 5 offensive rebounds. At least, it sure seemed like 5 or 6!

 

[warddr]

It wasn't against us and not nearly as high profile of a game but I remember in the early 90s when UL missed a game winning breakaway dunk against WKU just as time was running out.

 

[Nuke99m]

While not the magnitude of the Michigan game, The one WTF moment of the BCG era was having Stevenson block the free throw against Georgia.

 

[WildMoon]

this isn't UK, but wasn't there like butler or gonzaga game. I forgot which team, but the opponent were up 1 point and then they fouled them on FT, when all they had to do was let them rebound and they would have won. But they tried to get offensive rebound and fouled the opponent putting them on free throw line.