Seton Hall Nearly Pulled Off a Miracle Against Villanova

In Wednesday’s Hot Clicks: a wild ending in the Big East, Kyrie’s return to the Nets and more.

Victory literally slipped through their fingers

Critics of college basketball will say that it’s inferior to the NBA because it’s messy, but sometimes that chaos is what makes it entertaining. The final two seconds of Villanova’s win over Seton Hall were sloppy as hell, but you can’t say that it wasn’t fun to watch.

The Pirates and Wildcats were tied at 74 after Seton Hall’s Takal Molson made a layup with 51 seconds to go. After Villanova missed a three at the other end, Seton Hall had a chance to hold for a game-winning final shot. Shavar Reynolds’s attempt at a deep three went begging, and in the ensuing bedlam beneath the basket, Molson was called for a foul with 1.9 seconds left on the clock.

Seton Hall fouled Villanova with .9 seconds left on the clock

Was it the right call? pic.twitter.com/Enstjsm4oU

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2021

The controversial foul call sent Villanova down to the other end for a pair of free throws. Cole Swider made just one, giving the Wildcats the lead but giving Seton Hall another chance to win with a two-point basket.

But in college, unlike in the NBA, you can’t call a timeout to advance the ball to midcourt. If the Pirates were going to get a look at a game-winner, they were going to need a perfect full-court pass to set it up.

Molson threw a flawless Patrick Mahomes–like sidearm pass right into the hands of Seton Hall’s best player, big man Sandro Mamukelashvili. And Mamukelashvili couldn’t corral it.

Seton Hall had a chance at some late game heroics but couldn't secure the ball 😬 pic.twitter.com/e2mkxIrgiJ

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 20, 2021

That’s a brutal way to lose a game, especially one that would have been a major upset. The 9–1 Wildcats are ranked third in the nation and were favored by nine points at home. But they hadn’t played since Dec. 23 after a COVID-19 outbreak forced six games to be postponed. The Pirates were in prime position to pick up a big win, and it literally slipped through their fingers. 

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Steven Adams also had a great full-court pass

Steven Adams doing his best @drewbrees impression! 🎯@PelicansNBA | @RealStevenAdams | #WontBowDown pic.twitter.com/ICWM99BYK8

— Bally Sports New Orleans (@BallySportsNO) January 20, 2021

The way he whipped this ball is ridiculous

What a look from Donovan Mitchell! 👀

He's up to 18 PTS as the @utahjazz lead at the break on NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/sTB7C5C2mn

— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2021

Anybody who thinks like those WFAN hosts is part of the problem

Jeff Passan is really, really pissed at the "irresponsible" WFAN hosts who suggested that ESPN sat on the Jared Porter story for four years.

[@TMKSESPN] pic.twitter.com/bhsWvrUGbl

— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) January 20, 2021

Kyrie is clearly thrilled to be doing press conferences again

Kyrie Irving when asked if he knew he violated the NBA's health and safety protocols:

"It's time to move on. Happy to be back" pic.twitter.com/uNPnj2d2lW

— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021

Sarah Thomas will make history at the Super Bowl

Two takeaways here:

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Sarah Thomas will be the first woman to officiate in the Super Bowl. https://t.co/uKQkpDBTRz

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 19, 2021

He doesn’t actually believe this, but it’s still a stupid thing to say 

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Every promising Delonte West update is welcome news

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— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 19, 2021

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Science is so important

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A good song

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