March Madness: 15 Greatest Gus Johnson Moments (w/ video)
By Jacob Rude
5. “Pins it home!”
I’m going to be honest and tell you I really don’t know what Gus says at the culmination of the shot. I’m not sure if full words were spoken by Gus, who started to say something then resorted to yelling.
This was a LOADED Ohio State team that would eventually make it to the national title game on the back of Mike Conley and Greg Oden. It was the upperclassmen Ron Lewis who saved them, though, on this day. Down nine points with three minutes to go, the Buckeyes’ dream season was very nearly a nightmare, in danger of not only missing the Sweet 16, but losing to an in-state foe.
The comeback was furious and led to Xavier at the line up two points. In this game, we learned the Law of Gus can favor the favorite team as Xavier missed their second free that would have put them up four points. Conley pushed the ball up-court, handed off to Lewis, and Gus was just a step below Defcon Zero. It’s happening folks.
Next: 2006 - UCLA vs. Gonzaga