From the Cedar Rapids Gazette...

Results of big game still unknown
By Mike Deupree, Gazette columnist, December 12, 2000 09:49 AM

We should have realized what would happen when we saw the man with
thinning hair and an off-the-rack suit sitting behind the Iowa State
bench Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. It was super-lawyer David Boies,
and sure enough, on Monday he contested the result.

"First," he told a press conference, "we are asking the court to set aside
the score of 80-68, which we believe was prematurely and erroneously
reported, and to order the game continue. The idea of arbitrarily stopping
play after 40 minutes and declaring one team the winner, when the other
team might have scored more points with more time, flies in the face of any
concept of fairness."

Boies said thousands of people who arrived early could testify that Iowa
State players made many baskets before the official start of the game.
Those baskets, however, were never counted.

"Second," he continued, "once the game technically began, the officials
counted only shots that went through the hoop. They gave no credit for
shots that nearly went through. This put Cyclone players at a
disproportionate disadvantage."

The intent of the players was clear, he said. "Would any rational person
think these players would get on a bus, travel all the way to Iowa City and
expend a great deal of energy to propel the ball toward the hoop if they
had not intended the ball to go through it?

"Finally," he concluded, "we believe the statistical evidence is
overwhelming that the score is incorrect. Dean Oliver, averaging eight
points a game, suddenly scores 22? Kantrail Horton, who usually makes half
his three-point shots, misses every one he attempts? The numbers here
clearly indicate something is very, very wrong."

Boies suggested if it is impractical to resume the game, two alternatives
would be acceptable. Under one alternative, statisticians could adjust the
numbers of Saturday's game to reflect the probable result based on previous
performance.

Under the other, a panel of judges would review videotape of the game and
determine which Cyclone attempts should count, depending upon which part of
the rim the ball touched.

Asked why the examination would be limited to Cyclone attempts, he
explained that the Hawkeyes did not ask for a similar procedure.

"They could have done the same thing we did," he said. "Their plan is to
stonewall, because if they can limit the points to those scored during the
game, they will be able to claim victory."

Any disagreement among the judges, he said, would be appealed to Cy the
Cardinal.  "Because Cy is traditionally mute," he explained, "he is a
perfect choice as arbiter in that he could not be drawn into lengthy
arguments."

The Rev. Jesse Jackson supported Boies.  "Count every shot, or fair it is
not," said Jackson. "To live by the clock is really a crock. Don't tally
the score when one team needs more. We must judge by intent, not by where
the ball went."

OH, ALL RIGHT. It's a bit of a stretch, but at least I understand how Al
Gore feels. Losing is no fun.

Great job by the Hawks, especially Oliver. Doggone it.