Here we go again …
Just two weeks after my investigation into whether Virginia’s spread-covering shot vs. Duke should have counted, I'm BACK with another "Insignificant" Buzzer Beater Investigation™️ and BOY IS IT A DOOZY.
Oklahoma hosted Iowa State on Big Monday as 3-point underdogs, with the over/under set at 146.5. The Cyclones were a popular bet, getting 72% of the tickets.
Iowa State trailed by one at halftime and the second half spread was Iowa State -3.
Fast forward to 3.5 seconds remaining in the game: Iowa State is up 2 points, and Marial Shayok is at the line for two free throws, with the full-game spread, second-half season and over/under hanging in the balance.
He drains both attempts to go up four.
After Oklahoma inbounds the ball for their final "meaningless" possession, Jamal Bieniemy takes the ball the length of the floor and nails a last-second 3-pointer to make the final score 75-74 Iowa State.
Iowa State full game (-3), second half (-3) and under 146.5 bettors all lost their wagers due to this amazing display of sharpshooting and stat padding.
BUT WAIT. Did he get the shot off in time? Absolutely not. See for yourself:
Some have pointed out that the TV game clock still has time on it when the backboard lights up, but remember: the in-arena clock is what's official, not what's shown on TV.
In the aftermath of the Shot Heard Round the (Gambling) World, there was some speculation as to whether the conference would choose to review the play.
PLEASE HOLD ALL TICKETS…I assume they can make change (like Pac-12 did hours later on a USC-Utah football game in 2011: https://t.co/HdoKGhEjAB) but whether they will is another question….I know several people trying to call on the Big 12 @VSiNLivehttps://t.co/vQdJiCeJNz
— Dave Tuley (@ViewFromVegas) February 5, 2019
Others weren't quite as convinced:
Clock, light, horn. That’s the order. Clock says .2. They’re never going to review it, didn’t impact the game. As soon as it happened I said, “uh oh”. This is a mess. I think the clock on the backboard says 0.0. Shouldn’t have counted. But …. 🤷♂️
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) February 5, 2019
If nothing changes, we have an early candidate for one of our worst beats of 2019.
