What a win for the Crocs
TweetIT was everything you want in a basketball game, and a little bit more last night for the Townsville Crocs in Melbourne.
Humilated there by 31 earlier in the season after being whipped at home by 15 to open 2015-16, there wasn't a lot of reason to believe the Crocodiles could perform a miracle in Melbourne.
After all, United had gone 9-0 before slipping on the orange peel in Cairns to drop their first match last round.
Surely at home, where they were unbeaten through a six-game stand - then additionally won a seventh homer after a brief trip north to slap away Sydney - United would not be touched.
They would be fired up to bounce back after their touch-up by the Taipans.
And to make matters even more unpalatable for Crocs fans, centre Luke Schenscher was out injured and the league's 2014-15 MVP, Brian Conklin suspended for one game after being found guilty of striking Adelaide's Mitch Creek last round.
Come on. Let's be honest here. All United had to do was turn up to add this to the "W" column.
Don't you just hate it when no-one gives Townsville the script and instead they come in and improvise?
Mitch Norton (above) was acting captain and it was a pretty convincing act in his 100th NBL game.
From their first offence when Mitch Young, then Nick Kay grabbed offensive rebounds, it was clear the boys from the Ville were going to work.
Melbourne's turnovers were loose and awful and Townsville's confidence grew as Shawn Dennis' young men hustled defensively and played smart offensively.
At one point in front of the dumbfounded Hisense crowd, Townsville was ahead by 22 points but everyone knew that wasn't going to last.
Chris Goulding cut it back to two at 78-80 when he was fouled on the play below.
But from there, Clint Steindl, ice-water in his veins and the benefit and comfort of years of repetition and muscle memory - free throws win games folks, we all know it - slotted two for the final 82-78 scoreline, Melbourne's last play irrelevant.
THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT: Clint Steindl and years of practice, made the winning FTs look easy.
It was a great win and easily the upset of the season. Those who want to rate the Crocs' win over the Wildcats in Perth earlier in the season above this due to the recovery from 20 down (8-28) can make a solid case.
But then look again at all the factors piled against this result as last beat first.
Tonight: HAWKS coach Rob Beveridge coaches his milestone 200th NBL game and his 18th against Adelaide's Joey Wright, leading that head-to-head count 9-8. It's also the 100th game between these two clubs (Adelaide ahead (61-38). Mitch Creek (concussion) returns for the 36ers who need more players stepping up when the game is there to be won. At home at Titanium Security Arena, I'm tipping that's what will happen, but not with a great deal of confidence.
Last night: CROCODILES 82 (Norton 15, Kay 14, Steindl 13, Jett 11; Kay 9 rebs; Kay, Steindl 3 assts) d UNITED 78 (Goulding 22, Kickert 17, Holt 15; Blanchfield 10 rebs; Holt 8 assts) at Hisensitive Arena.
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Sixers-Hawks tonight: http://bit.ly/1HdQTVB