THOUGHTS FROM A SEPTUGENARIAN. In 1975 when I first started coaching at the ripe old age of 22 it was important to get input from other members of the coaching fraternity. Not just positive reinforcement but also honest critiques. It all helped in my development as a coach as I moved up from high school to college then the professional ranks before morphing into sports media.

I won’t belabor how Duke completely imploded in the last 1:30. We all saw how it transpired on whatever screen you were viewing along with the 68,000 plus at the Alamodome. What I will try to explain to my loyal readers and viewers is why it happened and what you may not have seen with the help of my Roundball Triumvirate.

My Hoops Trio of experts starts with John Lentz. The second member of the threesome is Larry DiBiase. Last but certainly not least is Troy Odegaard. Between the four of us there’s just south of a combined century of experience on the bench. If you need more info on my illustrious colleagues just Google it,

After many communications both verbal and by text between this quartet of former collegiate coaches here’s our analysis as to how Houston may have completed the most unexpected comeback in NCAA Final Four history.

#1-The Blue Devils offense went stagnant in the last 8:17 of the contest. One three-point field goal and five free throws was all the Dukies could muster. Credit a stifling Houston defense for a lot of that. The Cougars play every possession like it’s the last seconds of a tie game. Uber intensity to say the least.

#2-The play that was the turning point doesn’t even show up on the scoresheet. Coming out of a time out after a three-pointer cut the Blue & White lead to 67-64 Houston knocked an inbounds pass out of bounds under their basket. That forced the Duke inbounder into a stationary inbounds pass and the Red & Blue defender was all over that forcing a turnover that led to a follow dunk of a missed three to cut the lead to 67-66.

#3-Houston made clutch free throws and Duke did not. The Cougars were 4-of-4 in the last 19 seconds to turn a one-point deficit into a three point lead while the Blue Devils missed a crucial front end of a 1-and-1 with 20 ticks left.

#4-Duke HC Jon Scheyer used his last time out at the 17 second mark. Could not set up a last second play after Houston hit two free throws to push the lead to 70-67.

#5-What all four of us have preached for the last 40 plus years was played out in real time and that’s ALWAYS guard the inbounder. Make it extremely difficult to put the basketball into play. Just a quick reminder it’s what Purdue failed to do allowing the Cougars to make the trek to San Antonio.

There you have it. Our fistful of scenarios that turned into The Perfect Storm for Houston. Now it’s wait and see who emerges victorious Monday night between the Cougars and the Florida Gators.

I know I’ll be glued to the TV for that one. How about you?

Book it Dano!