It took 136 attempts, but a number 16-seed finally defeated a 1-seed in the Men’s NCAA Tournament!
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) stunned the number one overall seed Virginia in their first-round match-up by the score of 74-54. How in the world did this happen?
Short answer: UMBC made more shots at a higher rate than Virginia, and protected the ball when they needed to.
Long answer: UMBC had the opportunity, and made the most of it. The only chance they had of making the tournament was by winning their conference tournament, the America East Conference. They won that championship game on the last play of the game via a buzzer-beater. Since that game, they seized the moment against Virginia.
Sometimes we shy away from opportunities or open doors because they look bigger than we are and we feel unqualified to proceed. But this is often because we fear we will fail and we tend to think God will only call us to something we are capable of doing. But God often calls us first and then equips us for the task. What if UMBC played scared because they knew they barely got into the tournament? More than likely they would have lost.
James 4:14 reads “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Don’t let your moment pass you by.
Next time an opportunity presents itself, rise to the occasion, and never look back. God has put you in that position for a reason.
