“You need a teaching coach who understands the game of basketball, not just some guy coming on the court talking about Xs and Os.”
—Oscar Robertson, a two-time College Player of the Year and the only player in NBA history to average double digits in points, rebounds, and assists for an entire season
7:46 P.M. [CT]
With Roko on the bench, Crispin digs his heels hard into the floor, like the load he’s been carrying is about to get even heavier.
“Stay in character. You can’t wear somebody else’s uniform,” Coach Kennedy calls to his players from the sideline. “Just do your own job. We’ve got a lot of pieces to this team and they all fit. Let’s put this puzzle back together.”
Crispin takes a deep breath, trying to cement Kennedy’s words into his mind.
The Trojans inbound the basketball, and with Roko out, forward Aaron Boyce helps the new point guard handle the rock.
Kennedy had called a set play during the time-out.
So the Trojans know exactly what they want to do on offense.
Crispin sets a screen along the baseline. Then Aaron cuts around him, freeing himself. But the ball doesn’t swing fast enough from left to right, and the pass to Aaron is a full beat too slow, allowing the Spartan defender to catch back up.
Without Roko at the point, the Trojans need to find a new rhythm.
But while they’re still trying to adjust, a pass sails off the court past Crispin’s outstretched arms, and the Spartans take possession.
“We’ll start our run with a stop on defense!” hollers Kennedy. “It’s all about making this stop, and nothing else!”
Crispin watches Malcolm walk the ball up slowly. He understands that for Malcolm it’s a game of cat and mouse against a new defender.
Then, nearing the top of the key, Malcolm flashes his speed, nearly exploding out of his shoes. He zips past his man and into the lane.
In a split second, Crispin makes the decision to challenge Malcolm’s open layup.
He can’t let his team fall behind by another basket.
Crispin plants his feet down an instant before Malcolm collides with him, knocking him over.
Malcolm’s shot goes in, and the ref blows his whistle.
It could be Crispin’s final foul, which would put Malcolm at the line for a free throw and a chance at a three-point play.
From the floor, Crispin sees the ref wind an arm back and then shoot it out in front of him, signaling Malcolm for a charging foul, his fourth of the game. A surge of adrenaline rushes through every part of Crispin’s body as he bounces back up to his feet.
ON A CABLE SPORTS NETWORK PROVIDING LIVE UPDATES FROM THE FINAL FOUR
7:47 P.M. [CT]
Announcer: With barely two minutes remaining in double overtime, the Troy players are fighting for their Final Four lives in the Superdome, trailing Michigan State by five points. The big man in the Trojans’ lineup, center Crispin Rice, has been walking a four-foul tightrope for several minutes now. Seconds ago, he was the beneficiary of a charging call. And just like that, Malcolm McBride picks up his fourth foul, joining Rice on that high wire. Recorded a few days ago, here’s a glimpse at Crispin Rice in a more relaxed setting, without those perilous foul winds blowing. Our Rachel Adams goes one-on-two again, this time with Crispin Rice and his fiancée, Hope Daniels.
On screen, Rachel Adams (left), Hope Daniels (center), and Crispin Rice (right) are sitting on stools, facing each other. Crispin is wearing his Trojans jersey, and Hope is in her cheerleader outfit (a sleeveless red and white one-piece ending in a short frilly skirt that shows off Hope’s shapely, athletic legs), and there is a good three feet in distance between their stools. In the background is a darkened gymnasium basketball court.
Rachel Adams: Well, not only is Troy the Cinderella team of the NCAA tournament, but they also have the Cinderella moment in college basketball this year. (Cutting to the video of Crispin’s game-winning basket and sideline marriage proposal to Hope) So, here we are with essentially the First Couple of college sports, Crispin Rice and Hope Daniels. Hope, let me ask you, when Crispin started over to you that night nearly eight weeks ago, what did you think was going to happen?
Hope: I (hesitating with her mouth open) thought maybe he was running over to me for a hug or something to celebrate that basket. I never dreamed it was going to be a marriage proposal.
Adams: Did you have any indecision when he asked?
Hope: I didn’t. The word yes popped out of my mouth before I could even think about it. Then everyone else standing right around us heard it. They all reacted and started cheering, before it had even sunk in for me (scratching at the painted red T on her right cheek). A few seconds later, my brain caught up to everything. I said to myself, “Hey, I’m engaged. I better start to get excited, too.” It was like being in a dream, and then thinking, Oh yeah, this is real.
Adams: Crispin, you’ve said before that this proposal wasn’t planned. So I guess you didn’t have the words ready either. Do you remember what you said when you asked Hope to marry you?
Crispin: I’ll probably never forget it. I said, “That basket I just scored would mean nothing to me without you. You’re my best friend. You’re my life. Marry me.”
Adams: That’s so beautiful. Tell me more about what the reaction has been. I’ve heard that plenty of businesses want to help you get started as a couple.
Hope: (Excitedly) Some hotels have offered us free honeymoons. A wedding dress company called to say I could choose any dress they had, and a cruise line wanted to give us a trip.
Adams: I suppose there are some NCAA regulations governing what you might be able to accept because of Crispin’s status as an amateur player.
Crispin: Just to make it clear, we haven’t accepted anything.
Hope: We don’t even have a wedding date yet. So if it’s after Crispin’s college career is over this year, it won’t be an issue.
Adams: What about a diamond engagement ring? Has any jeweler offered that? Hope walked in here, and I thought, She’s not wearing a ring. I hope everything’s all right with these two.
Hope: They’re expensive. Any jewelers out there, if you’re listening, this finger’s still bare (holding up her left hand for the camera).
Crispin: (Quickly) But that’s something we wouldn’t accept from anyone else. It’s my job to supply the ring (taking a playful poke in the ribs from Hope, which Crispin doesn’t smile over).
Adams: Now, as an athlete, Crispin is used to people cheering for him. But Hope, you’ve enjoyed a little bit of fame recently as well. It seems that since Crispin proposed to you, Troy hasn’t lost a single game. And especially with this upcoming Final Four contest against the Spartans, the media has taken to calling you Hope of Troy, alluding to Helen of Troy from the Trojan War of Greek mythology. How are you enjoying that role?
Hope: It’s been an incredible amount of fun. I’m very honored. Cheerleaders are supposed to be a source of pride for their team and school. So if people want to focus on me for some inspiration, it’s great. And wouldn’t every woman want a war fought over her (with a huge grin)? I think so.
Crispin: She’s the queen of Troy, Alabama, right now. She can go anywhere she wants and do anything she wants.
Adams: But isn’t it pressure, too, being the team’s good luck charm couple?
Hope: Well, if we were going to have a fight, we wouldn’t do it in public right now. We wouldn’t want to jinx the team, or let down the school or city of Troy.
Crispin: Yeah, we’d have to do it in private. Too many people would be disappointed in us.
Adams: Now Crispin, you have a nickname, too, correct?
Crispin: My teammates call me Snap-Crackle-Pop.
Adams: Is that because your last name is Rice and your first name sounds like “Krispies,” like the Rice Krispies cereal?
Crispin: I always thought it was because of my good shooting. That I could pop in shots anytime. But lately I don’t know. I’ve been in a little bit of a shooting slump. Maybe I’ve been distracted by the engagement.
Adams: Tell me the quality about the other person you love the most. Hope, tell me about Crispin first.
Hope: Definitely trustworthiness. I’ve told him lots of times that for me it’s the most important part of a relationship. And with Crispin, I have that trust in my life. I never doubt him.
Adams: Crispin, how about you?
Crispin: It’s like her name—hope. That’s what she brings into my life every day. There’s the hope that things are always going to get better. And the hope I’ll always be able to see things clearly with her in my life. It’s all positive.
Adams: Win or lose come Saturday night, I’m sure that Hope and Crispin will have plenty to celebrate in the future. I know America wishes you both the best of luck in your lives.