There wasn’t much excitement heading into Monday’s NCAA title game outside of the Virginia and Texas Tech fanbases. It was a matchup of two elite defensive teams along with Virginia’s unbearably slow offensive pace. Expectations were low — like, UConn-Butler low.
Luckily, both teams overcame a slow start to to give college basketball fans an exceptional championship game. It had the drama, individual performances and, yes, controversy that all classic games seem to boast.
But that didn’t mean that Virginia simply forgot about all those complaints people like Stephen A. Smith (and us) made this March.
Ahead of Monday’s title game, ESPN’s Smith ranted about how he didn’t want to see Virginia or Texas Tech in the game. He wanted Zion. He wanted North Carolina. He wanted the starpower that attracts non-college basketball fans.
Well, Virginia’s Ty Jerome didn’t miss Monday’s episode of First Take because he made sure to take a shot at Stephen A.’s remarks after the championship.
Jerome said via Sports Illustrated:
“I just feel so bad for Stephen A. Smith. He said he hated watching us. And he had to watch us every single round of the tournament. I feel so bad for him. It must have been so hard for him.”
To be fair to Smith, a lot of reasonable people hate watching Virginia play basketball. The Cavaliers play the slowest offensive pace in college basketball, rarely score fast-break points and hadn’t put up more than 90 points since Dec. 31.
Smith didn’t exactly go out on a limb to suggest that watching Zion Williamson play would have been more fun. He was right. Duke would have been must-watch TV. But at least Smith sort of ate crow as the game got entertaining in the second half.
Still, I respect that Jerome called Smith out. They just won a title — in a surprisingly fun game — and he should enjoy the moment.
