In my estimation, Seattle native Nate Robinson best summed up Washington Huskies guard Isaiah Thomas' buzzer-beating, dream-ending, off-balance jumper to win the Pac-10 Title 77-75 over Arizona best.
I have no better words than that.
After a season filled with so much frustration, so much unmet potential, and - just last Thursday night at halftime - perhaps even doubts about whether this team would be in the tournament, that's all that moment could possibly be.
Pure elation.
There's not even any need to address those haters who questioned Thomas' basketball and leadership ability - that, in general, is what haters do. But when it mattered most, the facts should speak for themselves: 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals in 45 minutes...and, most importantly, game-winning shot.
Arizona's Derrick Williams was outstanding in his own right with 24 points on 8-for-14 shooting and 11 rebounds and general unstoppability for most of the game. The loss does not diminish the fact that he is still one of the most talented players in the nation.
Thankfully, we get to see more of these teams in the tournament.
The Huskies just enter with post-season crunch-time bragging rights for the second year in a row.
pac10conference Live 2011-03-12 20:47:00 (via pac10conference)