Xavier bounces the ball off the floor and into the basket
Xavier got a basket Saturday in the Elite Eight, and no one’s sure who scored it. Check out the highlight here
Xavier and Gonzaga matched up in the Elite Eight on Saturday, and with the winner set to secure the first Final Four appearance in program history. It’s been a back and forth battle so far, with Gonzaga keeping the upper hand but Xavier still trailing closely.
The Zags have been burying 3-pointers against Xavier’s 2-3 zone, but Xavier’s still managing enough points in transition and at the foul line to stay within striking distance.
RELATED: Updated 2017 NCAA Tournament Bracket
Toward the end of the first half, Xavier scored one of the more unusual baskets you’ll ever see. After a miss by team talisman Trevon Blueitt, Gonzaga had seemingly secured the rebound. But as Xavier’s J.P. Macura and Rashid Gaston swiped Gonzaga’s Johnathan Williams, something unusual happened.
The ball bounced off everyone’s hands, off the floor and into the basket.
OFF THE FLOOR AND IN! #Elite8 pic.twitter.com/3hXUWUI6P1
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2017
You never see the ball bounce off the floor and in, which is about as unusual as no one on the scoring team apparently taking the shot to begin with. The Bulldogs apparently agreed, shaking their heads at each other as they grabbed the ball for the inbound.
Quicker on the uptake, and apparently with a sense of humor even in this serious Elite Eight game, Xavier’s Rashid Gaston raised his hand to take credit for the two points. Gaston would add the basket to his five-point total, to go along with three rebounds. Go ahead and take them, young man – college basketball fans will be the winners no matter what.
Next: 12 Biggest Cinderellas In March Madness History
Quickly after that bizarre basket, Xavier almost scored another of the more unlikely buckets in the game – a three-quarters court buzzer-beater by Macura. Although the basket was eventually waved off, Xavier’s last two swishes make it seem like at least some of the basketball gods are on their side. They’ll try to keep them there as they attempt a comeback in the second half.