In these troubled and tumultuous times, it’s nice to have the pleasant diversion of sports to lift our spirits and remind what optimism and joy feels like.
Say, how went the collegiate basketball contest at Viejas Arena this fine afternoon?
Oh. I see.
The coast-to-coast villain in the video above was Colorado State’s Gian Clavell, who torched the Aztecs for 37 points in the Rams’ 78-77 comeback victory. Clavell celebrated his heroics by continuing to openly taunt The Show, which had initiated back-and-forth throughout the second half with chants and signage referencing his second domestic violence arrest. At one point, Clavell smiled and laughed in response to the students’ chant of “HE HITS WOMEN.” Not a great look, Gian!
Let’s just say the postgame walk to the tunnel was … tense.
My god I need a new phone. And a new hobby.
I say this sincerely: I hope Clavell has received the help he needs, got his anger issues in check and – most importantly – is no longer a threat to any of the women in his life. That said, his chest-puffing starring role in this debacle added another level of real-life grossness to yet another gross second-half SDSU meltdown.
Yes, another one. The Aztecs are now 0-6 in games decided by six points are less. They haven’t won a single game decided by single digits. They have lost two straight games in which they led by 10 at the half. They have blown sizable second half leads at home to Arizona State, New Mexico and now Colorado State – a team with literally eight damn players suited up because of academic issues.
The Splash Brothers Rams scored 55 (55!) points in the second half, shooting 61 percent and draining 7-of-8 treys. Honestly, I just looked up those stats and I’m shocked in was only 61 percent. Forward Emmanuel Omogbo added 24 points (including four 3s) to augment the Clavell onslaught.
Malik Pope returned from his scary neck injury against Air Force to contribute a team-high 19 points and 7 rebounds in 22 minutes, so enjoy that if you’re part of the silver linings crowd. If you’re not, you might note that Trey Kell and Jeremy Hemsley combined to shoot 10-of-29 and clank a bunch of key free throws down the stretch.
As someone with zero access, I’m not informed enough to point fingers, but there is clearly some leadership and intestinal fortitude lacking here. I don’t necessarily want to lay it all at the feet of the players, but I tend to think that Steve Fisher and Justin Hutson and friends have not forgotten how to coach over the past two years. So players it is!
Speaking of players …
Go ahead and fave that Tweet. I’ll wait.
Maybe it would have been a different story today with Zylan Cheatham and his boundless energy not in street clothes on the bench (his foot injury is not looking so hot btw). But let’s be real: They probably still would have found a way to fuck it up.
This team is now 11-9 overall and 3-5 (tied for seventh) in a garbage conference. This team is officially bad, friends, and there’s no hiding that fact from anyone.
RIP dubious sellout streak. The 20-win streak is probably the next one to fall.
The good news is that this nightmare will all be over in a month and a half.
Or sooner! You just never know these days.
KABEER THIRTY 