'This One Hurts the Worst'

One month ago in Chapel Hill, N.C., North Carolina demolished Virginia Tech, 92-53, the Hokies' third straight loss. The Hokies responded with five wins in six games, putting the blowout in the past.

"I heard a lot of people say we were going to get beat by 30 again," said guard A.D. Vassallo, who led the Hokies with 17 points. "We thought we had a chance to win."

The Hokies set the pace, holding the run-and-gun Tar Heels to 21 points less than their season average. Virginia Tech led by eight with 13 minutes left, but Carolina possessed too much talent to fade away.

Virginia Tech held the ball with less than 30 seconds remaining and the score tied.

Forward J.T. Thompson set a screen for Vassallo, who was swarmed by both defenders. He passed to Thompson, wide open on the right wing, 15 feet from the basket. Thompson never hesitated. He lofted a high-arcing shot, "a great look," Vassallo said. But it clanged off the front rim.

Carolina charged down the court. Ty Lawson, one of the country's fastest point guards, drove to the basket on Thorns, a 5-foot-7 freshman. Thorns shadowed Lawson and forced him into a contested layup that caromed off the rim with four seconds remaining.

Vassallo leapt for the ball and, for a fleeting moment, held it in his hands. With arms flailing around Vassallo, the ball squirted loose and bounced toward the right corner. Hansbrough bolted for the ball, and Thorns bolted at Hansbrough.

Thompson saw Hansbrough's body turn awkwardly as he cocked the ball. "There's no way he's going to make that," Thompson thought. Thorns lunged toward Hansbrough and thought he fouled him.

"I just caught it and let it fly," Hansbrough said.

All net, the final two of Hansbrough's game-high 26 points. Hansbrough high-stepped down the court, furiously pumping his fists before his teammates mobbed him.

Greenberg called timeout and told the Hokies, "Let's be Minnesota," referring to the Gophers' miraculous game-winner against Indiana on Friday. But Wayne Ellington swatted Delaney's inbounds heave and the clock expired, leaving the Hokies to wonder whether time has run out on their season.

"I'd be devastated right now if we didn't make the NCAAs," Thompson said. "I feel like the way we played today and the way we played yesterday should give us a chance to get in there."

So close to ensuring themselves a spot in the tournament, the Hokies now have only one recourse.

"We just got wait until 6 o'clock," Vassallo said.