We’ve been at this for a while. When we started writing “Filling the Void” pieces, I don’t think we really knew what we were diving into. Within the first couple weeks, however, we realized the importance of what we were trying to do. In a time during which live sports were canceled, on hold, or whatever you want to call it, we started exploring games, matches, and rounds of the past.
At first, it was all about what full games we could actually find. Then, as the breadth of what the world was facing came further into focus, leagues with strict copyright laws started loosening restrictions and more and more options landed on our list. Now, here we are, over 100 games later and still going strong.
Today: The University of Rhode Island takes on the Oklahoma Trae Youngs in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament.
Trae Young is one of my favorite NBA players. Why? Because no one puts the entire team on their back the way that he does. Except, in his case, Trae Young has no other choice.
For the last two years, the Atlanta Hawks have failed to support Trae Young with the kind of team a point guard of his caliber deserves. Yes, the Hawks are rebuilding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t give your best player some help.
Being the best player on a bad team is a rough way to begin your NBA career, or really any sports career. Think Mike Trout on the Angels, Evan Longoria on the Rays, or even Kyler Murray on the Arizona Cardinals or more recently, R.J. Barrett on the New York Knicks.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but all of those guys at least have some other names to help out.
Trae Young doesn’t have that, and he never has. Even when playing for his hometown team, the Oklahoma Sooners, Trae was on an island by himself.
In this game, the 10-seed Sooners are coming into the NCAA Tournament 6th in the Big-12 conference and having only spent 9 weeks in the top 25. Their opponents, the University of Rhode Island Rams, have no future NBA players and finish first in the Atlantic 10 conference.
It feels like Oklahoma should have this in the bag, right? It feels like Trae Young, with the help of his teammates, should take them down, right?
… Why not see for yourself?
God Bless You, Trae Young. I hope you one day find the support system that you deserve.
