Diary Series: Michael Cotton, Asst. Coach - Bucknell

(Courtesy Bucknell Athletics)

The non-conference portion of our schedule is over, which means that there are no more ‘guarantee’ games on our schedule.  As a staff, we instill into our players that anytime we take the floor we expect excellence and we expect to win.  At Bucknell, we have a history of performing well against schools in the power 6 conferences.  More than a few times we’ve left the ‘guarantee’ game with both a handsome pay check and a hard earned ‘W’…but those wins are hard to come by.  The process that we go through to play a ‘guarantee’ game is very similar to the process that I go through when playing the lottery. 

I am not a regular lottery participant, but about twice a year as I’m driving the nation’s interstates in search of future Bison; I notice a billboard with a bunch of zeroes on it (I mean, I’m not playing for a measly $5 Million jackpot.  $50 Million or more for me to play….big money no whammies!).  Then a few miles later I notice another billboard, but this one has a slogan: “Imagine what a buck could do” or “Gotta be in it to win it” and the one that really resonates the most, “Dream Big. Win Big”.  The next time the tank is low, I usually splurge on a ticket.

Each time I stop, I find myself with a new dilemma.  Which game should I play?  There are about 20 ticket choices to choose from – ‘Cash 5’, ‘Play3’, ‘Play4’, ‘Hot Lotto’, and so on. It can be a bit overwhelming, and it seems a few new games pop up between each time I play.  The impatient cashier at the counter and the ever growing line of patrons anxious to pay for their ‘Now-n-Later’ and ‘Hubba Bubba’ make the process a tad more stressful.  After a quick ponder, my choice comes down to either Powerball or Mega Millions (remember: Big Money, No Whammies!).  I’m too frugal to purchase both so I perform a quick cost-benefit analysis comparing the ticket cost, the likelihood of winning, and the potential payout of each game.  Our guarantee game selection strategy follows a similar process. We schedule about two ‘guarantee’ games each season and though there are a few variables that go into the decision of whom we play, the dollar amount weighs heavily in our choice.  When choosing a ‘guarantee’ opponent, the cost (both travel costs and potential costs to the teams psyche) must be considered.  Additionally, the opponent’s style of play and the degree to which the game is winnable are also paramount. 

With recently purchased ticket in hand, I’m in front of the tube watching the results show.  I’m in the game and things have to work perfectly for me to win.  The first ball is up.  I can’t make out the number.  Is it upside down? (Why are they always upside down?) It’s 11.  Dang, I’m out of the game early.  I finished strong though picking 3 correct of the six total including the Megaball.  If I had just used Isiah Thomas’ number instead of my high school jersey number I would have gotten off to a better start, then you never know what could have happened.   We got good looks early.  Missed some shots we normally make. Had we made those shots early and kept it close…maybe they would have gotten tight and we would have been in the game down the stretch…sound familiar?

Here in the state of Pennsylvania, the proceeds from the state’s lottery are used to benefit the elderly citizens of the Commonwealth.  It’s good to know that even in a losing effort, I’m contributing to programs that help a portion of my community that is in need.   The Bison were 0-2 this year in our ‘guarantee’ games.  Had a chance to win late in one, not so much of a chance in the other.  They are a gift and a curse.  They give our players a shot at the big boys and help our program and departmental budgets.  “Dream Big, Win Big”.  Here’s to big dreams and bigger wins…the journey continues. 

* * *