PRAYING FOR HAMPTON

There is Kentucky, 34-0 and the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. There is Hampton, 17-17 and a No. 16 seed. They’ll play on Thursday night in a second round game and it’s easy to say Hampton doesn’t have a prayer.

Hampton coach Edward Joyner Jr. puts in a personal call to Jesus for advice.

The Pirates earned this date with the Wildcats by upsetting Manhattan on Tuesday night in a First Four matchup. Afterwards, coach Edward Joyner Jr. was asked how his team could compete against mighty Kentucky. Joyner took out a cell phone and pretended to call Jesus Christ (I’m not kidding).

Joyner said Jesus would not be able to suit up for the Pirates and then, Joyner added, Jesus hung up.

Funny bit. And yes, it would take a miracle for the Pirates to beat the Wildcats. No 16^th seed has ever beaten a No. 1 seed and Kentucky is favored by 32 points. Yet the Wildcats will be a bit wary.

Hampton was 12-17 and looking at a lost season when it suddenly found itself and got on a roll. The Pirates beat Delaware State to win the MEAC tournament and earn the automatic NCAA bid. The win over Manhattan was its fifth in a row and got the team back to .500 for the first time since it was 8-8.

There is always hope in the NCAA tournament. And prayer. Hope only goes so far, and not every prayer is answered.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .