Working Overtime

Did you see Saluki men's basketball player Bryan Mullins make that spectacular fall-away half-hook shot in Saturday's televised 55-46 overtime victory vs. Northern Iowa in the MVC Tournament semi-finals in St. Louis? Maybe you attended the game in person, or saw it on television.

I bet you didn't see Erin Pauk make a running layup off the glass with two seconds left in overtime, giving the Saluki women's basketball team a thrilling 59-58 win over Illinois State in the MVC finale at the SIU Arena.

The win gives the Dawgettes eighth-seed for next week's MVC Tournament in Springfield, Missouri. The women play ninth-seeded Creighton in the first round Thursday.

Today at 1 p.m., the men will play the Braves of Bradley in St. Louis -- televised nationally on CBS.

Going against the MVC Defensive Player of the Year Patrick O'Bryant, and second team All Conference Marcus Sommerville, Salukis Mullins, Young, Tatum, Shaw, Falker and company will have their work cut out for them today. Me too.

Basketball provides an excellent metaphor for business: members of a business team can strive to make a maximum number of "baskets" (definable) while dealing the competition and other obstacles. Each player on the business team has skill and talent to contribute to the effort, from accounting to advertising; from product development to presentation. On the court, I'm an above-average passer, but (like Mullins) sometimes overpass. Nevertheless, the freshman's heroics reminded me: If no one else is open, and the clock is running out . . . you've got to take it to the hoop yourself.