BY ANDREW OWENS
N
o sequence better displays the impact senior guard Jer-
ian Grant's return has had on Notre Dame than the final
two plays that sealed a thrilling 77-73 win over Duke at
Purcell Pavilion Jan. 28.
With Notre Dame protecting a 71-70 lead and the shot clock
about to expire, Grant momentarily lost the ball at the top of
the key before recovering it and hoisting a jumper that sunk
to the bottom of the basket for a three-point lead.
"I was thinking about what moves to do," Grant said. "I
wasn't paying attention to the defender too much. I was just
figuring what move I wanted to do — step back or go past
him. I lost the ball, but I had time to gather and get a shot up."
The next possession, Grant again whittled down the shot
clock. With everyone in the arena expecting the future NBA
player to hold onto it, he dished it to sophomore guard Steve
Vasturia in the corner for a game-clinching three-pointer.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS
In his return, Jerian Grant has
made himself a player of the
year candidate and his squad
one of the best in the country
