The Kick in the Head the Cats Needed?

After Chase Budinger was inexplicably kicked in the head by Houston's second leading scorer the announcers suggested that it was the type of moment that could turn a season around. The Cats certainly increased the intensity but it didn't seem to matter. With 48 seconds left we were down 7 and couldn't seem to stop the Cougars.

I sat miserably on my couch watching the final moments of the game preparing to write on the blog that the season was over.

Becky sat next to me and asked why the end of basketball games take so long. She was confused how fouling the opposing team and stopping the clock could possibly allow the trailing team an opportunity to catch up. I explained that the hope was that the trailing team could stop the clock and exchange 3 point shots for 2 point shots or force the leading team to miss free throws.

We are all familiar with this strategy but how often have we actually seen it work.

This evening the Cats showed in "text-book" fashion why this strategy should always be used. Houston choked at the line and Wise hit a huge three to end regulation. The colossal improbability of this extra period haunted Houston in the overtime and the Cats went on to an amazing victory.

More important than the win is the sense that the Cats finally had something go their way. After numerous collapses in the final moment throughout this season, including Wednesday night against ASU, they actually overcame adversity at the end of a game.

Is this the kinda game that turns a season around? I don't know we will find out very soon as Washington comes to Tucson with the best record in the Pac-10.

Are we headed for a turn-around?