Darling’s Buzzer-Beater Stuns Kansas, Sends St. John’s to Next Round

Darling’s Buzzer-Beater Stuns Kansas, Sends St. John’s to Next Round

The roar of the crowd was still echoing, but Dylan Darling was already the hero. With seconds ticking away in a nail-biting NCAA Tournament game against Kansas, Darling, who had a quiet scoring night, took matters into his own hands. He called his own number, driving to the basket and laying in the game-winning shot as time expired, stunning the Jayhawks and sending St. John’s to the next round. The final score was not explicitly mentioned, but the impact of Darling’s play was undeniable.

A Play Called ‘Power’ for the Ages

In a moment that will be replayed for years, Darling’s decision to override the coach’s initial play call was bold. With only four seconds left on the clock and St. John’s needing a miracle, the coach signaled for a different play. But Darling, sensing the urgency and perhaps a missed opportunity with the clock winding down, approached his coach. He suggested running ‘power,’ a play that would allow him to get to the basket quickly.

“I went up to coach and I was like, ‘I think we should run power,'” Darling explained. “You know, there’s only 4 seconds left and that wasn’t enough time for what he was trying to have us run.” He didn’t wait for full approval, instead pulling the coach aside and sprinting back onto the court to set up the play.

A ‘Blackout’ Moment at the Rim

The execution was textbook, even if the decision to call it was unconventional. St. John’s inbounded the ball, and Darling received a screen at the top of the three-point line. Instead of pulling up for a shot, he drove hard to the rim. What happened next was a blur of instinct and adrenaline. “Honestly, I kind of just blacked out,” Darling admitted. “I got the ball. I was way more open than I ever thought I would be.”

Despite being a left-handed player, Darling powerfully finished with his right hand, a move that proved unblockable. “I really wasn’t even thinking,” he said. “And I think that’s why I use my right hand because if you know me, you know I’m not, I don’t love the right hand, but I’m up with the right hand today.” The shot swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, igniting pandemonium.

From Zero to Hero, with Family in Mind

What made the moment even more remarkable was Darling’s performance leading up to the final play. He had scored zero points before that crucial possession. The pressure could have been immense, but Darling embraced it. “I think if I called my own number like that and missed, I think he would have had me buy my own commercial flight back,” he joked, showing his relief and gratitude that the shot fell.

After the buzzer, Darling’s immediate reaction was pure elation. He turned to the stands, yelling, “Yo, come see your boy!” It was a moment of pure joy, acknowledging the support and the incredible feat he had just accomplished. “It was crazy,” he recalled. “I had my family there so just having you know my mom, my dad, my grandparents, all that. It was just super special to have all them there for that.” He emphasized his gratitude, especially for his grandparents, his longtime biggest fans.

Looking Ahead to Duke

While Darling and the Red Storm are still basking in the glow of this monumental upset, the NCAA Tournament waits for no one. Their next challenge is a formidable one: a matchup against Duke. “Enjoy this and good luck,” the interviewer told Darling as he headed into the next phase of his tournament dream.

Darling, still processing the flood of messages, highlighted a special moment with his grandfather. “Just to see him as happy as he was, and my grandma who’s, you know, they’ve just been my biggest fans for so long. Just to have them here and for them to get to see that was pretty cool.” The win against Kansas, fueled by Darling’s clutch performance, sets the stage for an exciting showdown with Duke, with St. John’s carrying newfound momentum and confidence.

“I kind of just blacked out. I got the ball. I was way more open than I ever thought I would be.” – Dylan Darling on his game-winning shot

The victory over Kansas, a storied program, signifies a major achievement for St. John’s in the tournament. Darling’s heroics, born from a moment of bold decision-making and clutch execution, have firmly planted him as a breakout star. As they prepare to face Duke, the Red Storm will look to carry this improbable magic forward.

Source: Dylan Darling talks buzzer-beating win for St. John's vs. Kansas in NCAA Tournament | SportsCenter (YouTube)