INDIANAPOLIS – As the clock inched toward zero with the score knotted at 68 in Saturday’s Crossroads Classic matchup against Butler University, junior guard Devonte Green was trapped.
IU Coach Archie Miller wanted a catch and shoot for freshman guard Romeo Langford on the final play of regulation. But, he was bottled up.
Option two was senior do-it-all forward Juwan Morgan who had totaled a career-high 35 points on the afternoon. No dice.
Nearing midcourt, Green looked destined to finish regulation with the ball in his hands.
Tick, tick, tick.
Green then dished the ball to freshman point guard Rob Phinisee with just seconds remaining.
Hoisting from just inside the half-court circle, Phinisee released a wishful dagger over two defenders with just 0.4 seconds remaining.
“Obviously it wasn't drawn up like that, but I saw Devonte holding the ball,” Phinisee said. “I slid over, put it up, prayed to God it went in.”
His prayer was answered.
“He got it!” screamed CBS play-by-announcer Brad Nessler as Phinisee’s heave splashed through the netting.
Thanks to the freshman’s last second shot, the Hoosiers escaped Bankers Life Fieldhouse with a gritty 71-68 win over the Bulldogs.
“I'd be lying if I said when he shot it, I didn't think it had a chance to go in,” Miller said.
While he’s played just 11 games for IU, Phinisee has already earned the moniker “Big Shot Rob.”
Despite going on to lose, it was his three-pointer that tied the game against the University of Arkansas on Nov. 18 at 72 with 48 seconds remaining.
More recently, Phinisee made a go-ahead three pointer at the top of the key with 1:28 left to sink the University of Louisville on Dec. 8 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall.
But Saturday was the Lafayette, Indiana, native’s biggest moment as a Hoosier.
“Phinisee has been as impressive as any guard I've seen,” Butler Coach LaVall Jordan said. “He's poised, a tough kid. He ended up with it. I thought we did a good job containing, didn't let Langford get the ball, he heaved one in.”
And though Phinisee will be remembered for the game winner, Morgan’s performance cannot be understated.
The senior forward battled, clawed and willed his team in contention for the win Saturday, finishing with 35 points on 12-14 shooting. Morgan also became the 52nd player in program history to score 1,000 or more career points with his performance.
“It means I guess I join a list of great players to have scored a thousand before me,” Morgan said. “It's a great honor.”
He also made all eight of his two-point shots and all seven of his free throws.
“I've changed my free throw up a lot this year,” Morgan said. “I think I found something that really works for me. As you can see from tonight, I just stepped up with confidence, knocked them down.”
IU has made a habit of winning close games of late.
Saturday marks IU’s fourth-straight win by three points or less. It’s the fifth straight game in which the Hoosiers overcome a deficit.
Morgan quipped postgame IU would love to get a few wins they aren’t sweating out in the waning moments.
Yet when things have gotten rocky, Morgan’s veteran play persists and Phinisee has risen to the occasion.
Moments after the win, Phinisee was asked if that was the biggest shot he’s ever hit. Flashing his bashful demeanor, Phinisee was concise in response.
“Yeah, so far.”
