Anatomy Of Rodney McGruder’s Buzzer Beater Against Baylor

When you watch this video, notice where McGruder starts. Standing in the bottom right corner, he fights to run between Gipson and a defender. It appears as though Walton and Franklin are responsible for guarding this section of the court, and Franklin stays with Gipson (awful size mismatch – Gipson would have won that one), while Walton starts to shadow McGruder but stops under the basket, going back to pressure Rodriguez on the inbound. At this point, McGruder is left completely alone, which is insane. If you want to play zone, that’s fine, but someone still needs to be specifically responsible for Rodney. Pierre Jackson, Baylor’s most athletic defender who received McGruder duty all night, was on the other side of the court, in the corner and guaranteed to be away from the action.

McGruder completed a magician’s act on this play. He completely disappeared behind the 6’9″ Jefferson, then sprinted to a completely open spot on the court. Disappear, reappear, one second to catch and shoot, swish. Rodney McGruder may be a warlock.

When you watch this video again, pay attention to how that spot opens up. Southwell is stationed around the middle – literally standing on the middle of the free throw line. Isiah Austin has this assignment, and there’s no way
Angel Rodriguez will attempt to throw past his outstretched arms to Shane. Yet just as McGruder comes flying around Jefferson, Southwell jukes to the far side of the court, forcing Austin to follow. With no one on Rodney, Southwell has pulled his defender away from the spot to give McGruder an open shot. Replay that sequence 100 times, and I honestly can’t tell you how many times he nails that basket – Gipson also has to secure that screen – but he certainly did last night. Rodney McGruder has been looking for a signature moment this year. And when the opportunity presented itself, he didn’t flinch. He won’t put up 20 points a night, but this is still a special player.

Mar 02, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; The Kansas State Wildcats bench celebrates after Kansas State Wildcats guard Rodney McGruder (not pictured) hits the game winning shot against the Baylor Bears during the second half at the Ferrell Center. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 02, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats players celebrate on the floor after guard Rodney McGruder (not pictured) hits the game winning shot against the Baylor Bears during the second half at the Ferrell Center. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports