Finally, all those missed Illinois free throws paid off for me.
In case you missed the end of Indiana's 83-79 double overtime win over Illinois Thursday, local product Shaun Pruitt was the goat.
With the score tied 63-63 with four seconds left in regulation, Pruitt missed the front end of a one-and-one that could have won the game for the Illini. History repeated itself in the first overtime as Pruitt bricked two more charity tosses with 2.2 seconds left and the score tied at 69. Even one make, and Illinois secures the upset. Not a chance.
Prior to Pruitt's second miss, Beacon Sports Editor Todd Adams said that Pruitt would make the free throw and win the game and offered to bet me a dollar. I quickly accepted.
Easiest dollar I ever made.
Pruitt finished the night 1-for-7 from the line. Brutal. Missed free throws are the reason Illinois is 10-14. At minimum, foul shooting has cost the Illini six victories this year.
As a disclaimer, The Beacon News does not condone gambling in any way, shape or fashion.
I had the misfortune of watching the end of the game last night. Two seconds left in OT and all Shaun has to do is make one of two chances. As you say, Jase, brutal.
I love the hometown kid, but he really did look like a deer in the headlights on that freethrow line. I felt bad for him and worse for the Illini, who had a chance to beat a ranked team and maybe turn the season around.
For the sake of transparency, this comment is coming from an Illinois alum and the editor-publisher of The Beacon.