On March 31st, 2017, an overtime buzzer beater was the perfect ending to one of the greatest upsets ever. Mississippi State ended UConn’s 111 win streak in Dallas at the Final Four semifinal. No one outside of the MSU fanbase and the basketball program itself believed that it could be done. The bulldogs were the biggest underdog but they showed up and showed out.

After a 38-98 blowout loss to UConn the year prior in the Sweet 16, the Bulldogs had a lot to prove. They came back the next year and dramatically redeemed themselves on the biggest stage in college basketball.

Morgan William hit the shot that will go down in history.

A sold out American Airlines Arena crowd saw what became the best moment many basketball fans have ever experienced. Everyone was on their feet counting down the final seconds in overtime. The shot went up and for a split second everything was silent. We all watched as the ball flew through the air and make its way into the basket. The buzzer went off and the crowd went nuts.

As the UConn players made their way to their bench and locker room, the Mississippi State team ran onto the court. Jumping and screaming while hugging one another in disbelief. They had taken down the Huskies and were on their way to the programs first ever national championship game appearance.

The game was wild and many different emotions were expressed.

The first half was filled with nerves, first time jitters and excitement. But somehow the dawgs did not let emotions get the best of them. They came out strong during the first quarter leading 22-13 and UConn realized quickly that it would not be an easy battle. Just when everyone thought that MSU had adjusted, UConn came and outscored the bulldogs 15-14 after during the second quarter.

At the half MSU lead 36-28 and had some momentum in their favor. After a good second quarter from UConn, Mississippi State had to regroup and settle down. The game itself took a lot of work and the Bulldogs were not backing down. They showed relentless effort and made a statement that they were not going to go out without a fight.

With six minutes left in the third quarter, UConn gained its first lead of the game and was trying to make a comeback. MSU never let up though, they kept pushing and did not allow for UConn to pull away. Throughout the whole fourth quarter the score went back and forth. UConn would score then the bulldogs would answer with shot of their own. The 40 minutes were up and the score was tied.

Overtime was underway. Five more minutes were added to the clock and we had some free basketball to watch.

Everyone was on their feet and anxiety was through the roof. Again the score going back and forth, no one really taking the lead. As the minutes died down nerves were beginning to emerge. Time was winding down but Mississippi State wanted it badly and they kept pushing. 13 seconds were left in the game and UConn tried to put a shot up but turned the ball over. Mississippi State has the ball for the final shot. Morgan William pulls up takes the jumper and wins the game.

Epic.

Fans were going crazy, everyone in disbelief of what Mississippi State had just done. People from all over were talking about the shot. Pro athletes were tweeting and congratulating the team. It was historic. A moment that will live forever.

Dak Prescott, former MSU football player and current Dallas Cowboys QB1 could not contain his excitement. Jumping up and down, throwing his hat, Dak was the biggest fan there that night. He was interviewed later on with Morgan William and you could see the bond between the two.

“Its family.” -Morgan William

The family atmosphere and all the support MSU got from Dak and all the fans was expressed that night in Dallas. No one believed that it could be done. State fans were alone on Friday night at tipoff. The only ones cheering for the bulldogs were… the bulldogs. But not even halfway through one of the best games ever played, MSU gained thousands of fans from all over.

Millions saw how great the team, coaching staff, and fans were. From then on people knew who we were. The shot put MSU and women’s basketball on the map.

The game that will forever be talked about. To this day Mississippi State is known as the school that ended a four year win streak. Crazy. The best game ever watched. Whether you watched it live or on tv, it was without a doubt one of the best moments ever.

As people were walking out of the arena the famous “Go State” was chanted through the concourse and lobby. You could wrap that Friday night in maroon and white, Mississippi State had taken over Dallas, Texas.

Texas is back. Many would say that after going 10-4 and becoming Sugar Bowl champs during the 2018-2019 season, Texas Football had found its groove again. The Longhorns have always been one of the most highly regarded and historic programs of all time and have national titles to prove it. However, their success on the field is not the reason why they have been trending lately.

The University of Texas Football twitter account posted a graphic that included their semester GPA along with a statement stating that it was the highest semester GPA in program history. Awesome right? Recognizing hard work and a congratulations to current players was expected. But unfortunately that was not the case.

The GPA that shocked everyone!

With a listed 2.89 GPA, Texas Football had recorded their highest semester GPA ever. The average falls a little below a B and the twitter world went for their throats. While very little defended the program, many bashed and laughed at what seemingly looked like a low GPA.

Some joked about CTE being a factor while others expressed their opinion to bench players with low academic performance. Alumni and even current students were upset and looked down on the program and their “so called” achievement.

Former and current players took matters into their own hands and responded to the naysayers that talked bad about current student-athletes at UT.

Former player James Locke and current Texas tight end Jared Wiley expressed themselves by letting people know that it’s not easy to be a student-athlete with the busy schedule and rigorous academic work that they encounter on a daily basis. Wiley then went on and implied that Texas is a top university and not everyone is able to attend.

The University of Texas at Austin is arguably the best public institution in the state and a very highly accredited university. Making it one of the most difficult schools to get an acceptance from and the class work in itself is not a walk in the park. If students alone struggle to maintain a decent GPA, imagine how much harder it is for a student-athlete.

Student-athletes don’t have it easy. Not everyone can do what they do and do it well.

Being a full-time student and participating in extracurricular activities still gives the average non student-athlete more time during the day to dedicate to their studies. Not having a rigorous schedule should insure the success of these students and help them achieve academically. Right?

Well Kind of.

One would think that with the amount of time available an average student would come out on top with a 3.0 and above. However, that is not the case. A normal college student averages about a 2.67 GPA; not as high as people expect.

The average GPA for a Division 1 athlete is a 2.379. Many don’t understand the amount of work that student-athletes undergo, especially during their sports season. Between class, meetings, workouts, practice, tutoring, and film study the players have it rough. Having so many athletes on a team, its hard for an accurate representation of academic performance to be obtained for each individual player.

So an average GPA of a B- is not bad.

Not to say that there are no slackers on the team, that happens without a doubt at every school. But there are players that make the honor roll each semester and even deans list. These athletes work hard for numerous hours a day and should not have an academic achievement laughed at.

Having a football team that is made up of about 90 men all averaging a low B is an achievement that coaches, personnel staff, athletes, and fans should all be proud of.

Historically this is a huge success for the team. They have never achieved anything as high and it just shows how hard they are working to bring it up. There is absolutely no way that the coaches are content though, they want to keep pushing and keep making history. It will work its way up but as of right now, its huge news and people should acknowledge it.

These men work hard on and off the field and it should be recognized. They have a lot on their plate and will do anything they can to succeed academically and athletically. Players sacrifice their bodies everyday to play the sport they love all while getting a degree.

No one forces them to play and give up their time but they do it anyways. They do it for the fans, for the love towards the school and the game, and because it gives them an opportunity that is life-changing. A once in a lifetime opportunity that not everyone is offered and gets to experience.

Everyone will cheer and clap for them come early September when they run out of the tunnel and step on the field at DKR. The same energy should be given to them for their academic performance that at the end of the day made history.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton