Jacob Pullen, you will be missed

I may only be a blogger, but I take this blogging gig seriously. I like to consider myself a journalist, even though I spend the vast majority of my time writing in the small corner of the internet I've carved out for myself.

And as a journalist, I am supposed to remain impartial. I'm not supposed to have a rooting interest. I am not supposed to root for teams or players. As difficult as it is for a person that is, first and foremost, a fan of the sport, I am not supposed to be a fan of a specific player or team.

I'll admit it -- I am a fan of Jacob Pullen. I rooted for Jacob Pullen. And it kills me to see a competitor of his ilk go out the way he did.

Pullen had 38 points against Wisconsin, but his Wildcats still lost to the Badgers 70-65 in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. But despite his 38 points, Pullen came one shot -- one free throw -- short of getting this win. Down three with less that 20 seconds left, Pullen drew a foul on Jordan Taylor while shooting a three. He hit the first free throw, but missed the second, meaning that Kansas State was still losing to the Badgers after he hit the third.

Following two free throws from Wisconsin at the other end, Pullen had a potentially game-tying three get blocked by Taylor.

Obviously, Pullen was crushed. (Jump to the 2:30 mark.)



My heart goes out to him.

Here's a kid who came in with the reputation of being a gunner, of being a bit wild, that grew and matured into one of the best guards in the country. Pullen developed the reputation of being a big-time scorer that thrived in the clutch. He was the biggest reason that Kansas State came into this season as a favorite to reach the Final Four.

Pullen didn't have the ideal senior season. With all the suspensions and the early season struggles, it took a miracle finish -- and an offensive explosion from Pullen late in the season -- for the Wildcats to even make the tournament.

He threw his team on his back and carried them all the way to a five seed.

Unfortunately, he came up one shot short of carrying them to the Sweet 16.

Pullen probably doesn't have the NBA in his future. For the casual fan, Pullen will in all likelihood slide into the depths of the memory bank, next to the likes of Mateen Cleaves and Trajan Langdon and Chris Lofton. Guy that were a tremendous pleasure to watch play in college.

So Jake, thanks for the memories, bro. Your effort competitiveness did not go unappreciated or unnoticed.

I think all of Manhattan, KS, will agree with me when I say that you will not be easily forgotten.