Whew!
My heart rate has slowed down enough to enable me to share some praise of the Oregon State basketball team that just beat Oklahoma State -- getting Oregon State into the Sweet 16 round of NCAA's March Madness.
Their first win in the tournament over Tennessee was wonderfully satisfying.
Tonight's win was even better, in part because Oklahoma State has Cade Cunningham, a great player who might be the #1 pick in the NBA draft.
Oregon State is a delight to watch.
The team has great chemistry. When a starter is faltering, or in foul trouble as Ethan Thompson was in the first half against Oklahoma State, a reserve steps up big time.
After Oklahoma State made two three-pointers in quick succession, one after a turnover, it seemed like this might be a close, but not quite game for Oregon State.
But even after a 18-point lead dwindled to just three points near the end of the game, Oregon State pulled things together and ended up with a 80-70 victory.
Ethan Thompson was supremely solid in the final minutes. He made free throw after free throw as Oklahoma State fouled in a desperate attempt to make a comeback.
Thompson also handled the ball really well when Oregon State needed a steady hand against the Oklahoma State press.
It was a great day all around for Oregon State. I watched the women's basketball team win their NCAA tournament opener against Florida State by a score of 83-59.
And the University of Oregon men's and women's teams play tomorrow. Almost certainly an Oregon team will lose eventually, but right now our state is looking good in the NCAA tournaments.
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