The Virginia Cavaliers needed the luck of the Irish to be on their side to get to their first National Championship game in school history.
Just when it looked like it was over, Virginia had a little luck on their side to beat Auburn and advance to their first National Championship Game.
For most of the game, the Virginia defense looked every bit as the number one defense in Division 1, clamping down on Auburn’s three-point shooting and getting out to a 12-point lead late in the second half.
Then, Virginia went ice cold from the field.
While the Cavaliers couldn’t buy a basket for over five minutes, Auburn went on a ferocious run to take the lead, 59-57, with under a minute to go. In fact, between 5:21 and eight seconds remaining, Virginia didn’t even score, not from the field nor the foul line.
It looked like Virginia would prove their haters right once again, showing their true colors as a team that just can’t get it done when the lights are brightest, especially in a game in which they mostly controlled.
That’s when Kyle Guy put on his Superman cape and came to the Cavaliers rescue.
Down 62-60, and time ticking down to disappointment, Guy was fouled on his three-point attempt and calmly sank all three free throws with .6 seconds left on the clock. This coming moments after sinking a three to keep their comeback efforts alive. Auburn coach Bruce Pearl vigorously protested, but Guy went to the line with all the weight of the world on his shoulders.
It’s a moment every kid dreams of, and Guy didn’t waste his moment, a moment that was the one shining moment of Virginia’s road to redemption this NCAA Tournament.
Would you rather be lucky or good? Virginia needed both to escape Auburn, and they’ll hope their luck continues against either Texas Tech or Michigan State in the National Championship Game.