charity stripe n.— «In basketball parlance, it’s called the charity stripe. And China Spring was loving that line at the Class 3A basketball state tournament. The Lady Cougars were nearly automatic from the free-throw line, nailing 18 of...
shoot-around n.— «Teams in the NCAA Tournament have been allowed to conduct what’s called a “shoot-around”—a short practice—at the tournament site the morning of their game.» —“No conspiracy, just a bad assumption on my...
dodgepot n.— «In Scotland’s last lament, all the commentators and pundits concentrated on the dodgepot Moroccan keeper. He did indeed have many eccentricities but he pulled off the reflex save of the tournament.» —“Chris Lloyd’s...
big dance n.— «[Jim] Valvano was not totally disappointed. “I feel we deserve a spot in the N.C.A.A. tournament next week,” he said. “I think it would be a shame with 22 victories not to be invited to the big dance...
big dance n. an important event, esp. when the culmination of long preparation or a series of smaller events; (hence) in sports, a tournament or championship game. Editorial Note: Usually constructed with the definite article: the big dance...
grinding n.— «I wanted so hard to hold my head up. I was grinding. I was shellshocked. I’d been on the verge of winning a tournament that puts me in the history books.» —“One Man Put His Stamp on This Open, a Proud One” by...