With conference tournaments in full swing, March is here and Madness has begun to ensue. Headlining today’s madness, so far, is the Radford Highlanders.
March Madness ..it’s here .. 🏀 #Radford pic.twitter.com/w6thHQ4a6F
— Maximiliano Bretos (@MaxBretosSports) March 4, 2018
With a little over 11 seconds left, Radford had the ball at halfcourt with the score tied at 52-52. Coach Mike Jones drew up a play to create a driving lane and basket opportunity for freshman point guard Carlik Jones.
The pre-designed play broke down, leaving Carlik Jones with the ball; Carlik decided to pull up from NBA range and with the confidence of a champion, nail a buzzer-beating conference winning bucket as time expired.
Watch it here:
“It has always come naturally to me being fearless,” Jones told Yahoo Sports. “I feel like I live for moments like this. The play broke down. There were two seconds left and I had to let it go. Luckily, the shot fell.”
This thrilling victory gives Radford its first bid to the NCAA Tournament since 2009, when they lost to eventual champion North Carolina.
Well, now the Highlanders can relax on Selection Sunday and set sights on their upset target.
https://twitter.com/RadfordMBB/status/970405312829313029