Phillips: Big Shot Rob saves my job

Whew! So that's what it's like to have a team in the NCAA tournament, huh? Let me just say, I like it. \nPlaying in their first tournament game since I've been on campus, the Hoosiers were matched up against a team from my hometown. Needless to say, this was an awkward night for me. Can you imagine the level of crap I would have gotten from my friends at home if IU had come up short? But thanks to some inspired last-minute play, a lucky bounce and sweet jumper, IU knocked off San Diego State 87-83, sparing me hundreds of drunken "how do you like me now?" phone calls. Personally, I think Robert Vaden just felt sorry for me -- that's why he hit the game-winning shot. \nPlus, if they lost, the season would be over and I would no longer be their columnist. The "Phillips-Era" (or the "Reign of Terror," as some refer to it) would be over.\nThose players worked their tails off last night, and they did it all because they didn't want this to end. The relationship that exists between columnists and athletes can never be understood by those outside the press room. Regardless of a team's results, you can't help but become close to those that affect your life on a day to day basis. That's why they are all so sad to see me go. But I felt like it was time to move on, allowing the IU community to come together and unite behind another columnist.\nBut the end was not to be last night. Playing a talent-laden San Diego State team at high altitude in Salt Lake City -- the most boring city on the planet -- the Hoosiers refused to lose. The Aztecs bested IU in nearly every statistical category as they out-rebounded, out-shot, out-assisted and out-played the Hoosiers for most of the game's first 39 minutes. \nTrailing 83-80 with 52 seconds on the clock it looked to be the end of a long and tumultuous season for the Hoosier nation. But with the season on the line, the team's most reliable members stepped up and took over the game. \nEarl Calloway harnessed the mystical power of his moustache and finished an incredible lay-up with 42 seconds on the clock, giving him 18 points on the night and cutting the SDSU lead to one. Then IU desperately needed a stop. \nAt this point I flashed back to the greatest sports movie of all time, "Hoosiers." In the official state flick of Indiana, the Hickory Huskers who had struggled all year long amid speculation their coach would be fired, were facing the more athletic South Bend Central Bears, who simply looked unbeatable all throughout the final game. Sound familiar?\nI saw it all unfolding in front of me. Marshall Strickland played the role of Rade Butcher, Robert Vaden was sharpshooter Jimmy Chitwood, Earl Calloway was point guard Buddy Walker, and of course Adam Ahlfeld as the indispensable Ollie McClellan. \nAs the Aztecs tried to run the clock out, Strickland reached in forcing the ball away from SDSU's Brandon Heath, leading to a jump ball situation after a scrum on the hardwood. The arrow favored the Hoosiers and after the ensuing timeout. IU took the floor with one goal: win and extend my career by one more game. \nThe play worked just like they drew it up … OK, not really, but after an errant pass from Rod Wilmont found it's way into Vaden's hands, the super-sophomore nailed a three-pointer with 3.3 ticks left on the clock. 85-83 Hoosiers. It was their first lead of the second half. \nAfter an errant Aztec inbounds pass that gave me flashbacks to the Matt Lovecchio era --it not only missed every SDSU player on the court, it actually missed the court -- all that remained were two Rod Wilmont free throws and a desperation heave. 87-83 Hoosiers, good night folks, drive home safe, and enjoy your time in America's dullest city. \nJust to know that the players wanted to continue the season that badly, that they are that attached to me, that we have a connection that goes beyond basketball, it really warmed my heart. \nThat they would give their all to extend their coach's -- errrrr -- columnist's job, was truly amazing to watch. I'm glad I could be a part of it.