Georgetown University, the No. 3 seed in the Southwest Region, had been sent packing early. Now UConn, the No. 4 seed in the West Region, was also in serious danger. Providence College's big victory a few days ago had merely been an illusion created by home-court advantage. The Big East Conference really was not very good this year.
"Come on, San Diego State!"
Williams was not the only one thinking that way. San Diego State's fans felt the same. They had seen a chance to win from their team's first half performance, and as soon as the second half began, they erupted in cheers for San Diego State.
The cheers echoed through the arena, carrying tremendous momentum.
"Connecticut has made a very risky adjustment," the courtside commentator said when he saw UConn's starting lineup for the second half.
Putting in a fringe bench player at such a tense point in the game was a highly risky move, whatever the reasoning behind it.
If he performed poorly, they could easily be buried by a single devastating run.
San Diego State attacked. Franklin drove to the basket with the ball, and Majuk's leaping block attempt hit his hand, drawing a foul.
San Diego State's fans burst into cheers, while UConn's fans stirred uneasily.
Ollie could only shake his head from the sideline.
When Cahoon said he wanted to put Majuk in, Ollie had been the first to object. Too inexperienced, too foul-prone, virtually no offensive ability... he could have found a hundred reasons why Majuk should not play.
But Cahoon was still the Head Coach, and Majuk ultimately took the court.
However, the very first possession showed that Majuk truly could not handle a game of this level.
"Art, don't jump. Just stand your ground. If he makes it, let him make