Notre Dame's "Farrell" Electrifies Crowd with Crazy Shot

With a little over three minutes to play in the second half of the Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame Men's College Basketball game, Notre Dame guard Matt Farrell hit an insane shot to beat the shot clock buzzer. With Notre Dame leading by four, Farrell's impressive three-pointer sent the fans at Purcell Pavilion into a frenzy. 

At first glance, I didn't understand the hysteria surrounding the Farrell's shot. It just looked like to me something a college basketball player should be able to do. It was just a simple jumper to beat the shot clock. What was the big deal? It's what is expected from a Division I player. But then, I watched the slowed-down replay. 

Wow.

Let me break it down. 

1. Farrell's body is at a complete 90 degree angle to the hoop. When he grabs the ball, he is facing toward the baseline.  At this point, there is 2 seconds left on the shot clock. In a matter of a second, he has to turn his body to square up to the hoop which isn't easy to do. 
2. Momentum is against him. Farrell is leaning back, fading away from the hoop. He has to have enough strength to fight against his momentum and put up the shot.
3. Quick release. Farrell knows that he can't shoot the ball and follow through like he normally does. He has to release the ball quick in order to get it off before the shot clock expires. 
4. Place of the shot. Farrell is stuck in the corner of the court. There isn't much room to work with there. So he has to keep is feet in bounds, while dealing with the backboard getting his way. 
5. Pressure of the situation. Farrell knows that a shot clock violation is waste of a possession. Leading by four with only a few minutes left to go, every possession counts. He knows has got to get this shot off.

It seems like all odds were against Farrell when he pulled up for three. There was no reason that shot should've went in. Matt Farrell's "Larry Bird esc" shot would prove to be big. The three-pointer gave Notre Dame a seven point lead with just three minutes to play. The Fighting Irish went on to defeat the Yellow Jackets 64-60. 

- H²