The Quotable Steve Lavin

Bri Moore is a sportswriter for The Daily Journal in Johnson County, Indiana–it may or may not be on a map–as well as the managing editor for High School Sports The Magazine in Central Indiana.  He’s also a soon-to-be father of three, as more Moores are expected within the next few months.  Please give him your utmost attention, even if he rambles irreverently with little sense.  The man has no life.

After watching the incredible college basketball duel between No. 24 Arizona and Illinois, in which the Lute-less Wildcats overcame a 13-point first half deficit to win 78-72, I don’t know what impressed me more: Arizona’s young, athletic team winning a tough road game at the United Center, or  Steve Lavin’s colorful color commentary.

In case you missed it, it was nothing short of a revelation - like watching “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” for the first time.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present, the quotable Steve Lavin.

On Wildcats’ star Chase Budinger, who shot an atrocious 2 of 8 from the field:

“He’s lacking some vitamins or minerals. Looks like he needs some porridge.”

And after Arizona’s Jerryd Bayless took the ball from the top of the key and imitated the Dominque Wilkins, taking off from just inside the paint for a dunk with less than a minute left in over time, Lavin was nearly speechless, but managed to muster the ever-popular:

“With authority!”

(Say, where’s Bill Walton’s “Throw it down, big man, throw it down” when you need it?)

And despite Googling every overused phrase imaginable, Lavin even had time with 50 seconds left in OT to offer some love:

“…shout-out to Walt Simon [father of Arizona assistant coach Miles Simon] who’s recovery from surgery in Anaheim Hills.”

But the crème dele crème came at after Illini guard Trent Meacham hit a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left in OT, to cut Arizona’s lead to 74-72:

“That’s why Illinois was so frustrated when Meacham was trying to put the ball on the floor like a hound dog or a hamster.”

I can’t tell you what any of this meant - I’m not sure anyone can - but I can tell you it was highly entertaining.  Thank you for failing so miserably at UCLA, Steve.  The Bruins loss is our gain.