As sports fans, we rely a lot on statistics. We talk about free-throw percentage, three-point percentage, field goal percentage. We look at series history, records, and winning streaks. We live by statistics. I, myself, am a mathematician, so I know better than most the importance of numbers. Numbers are our friends. But, sometimes, they can be fair-weather friends.

Here’s an example: Georgetown was in the midst of a slugfest with the Univeristy of Virginia at University Hall in the 2000 NIT. With the end of the third overtime nearing, the score was deadlocked at 109. Georgetown had the ball with less than a minute left, and someone had to take a shot. Kevin Braswell was having an MVP night, with 39 points shooting 44% from the field on the night. Gharun Hester, on the other hand, was a walk-on to the Georgetown Basketball squad. He had played in 8 games in the 1999-2000 season, and was averaging .375 going into that game. That was not field goal percentage. That was points per game. So, based on the numbers, you might think that letting Hester, instead of Braswell, attempt a three pointer with the game on the line might not be the best way to win the game. But, you would be wrong. Hester made the jumper to put Georgetown up 112-109, and the Hoyas went on to defeat the Cavaliers in one of the most exciting games in recent history.

My point is this: Sometimes, statistics don’t matter. I am not saying statistics never matter. For the most part, the numbers give us insight into a matchup. They help us see what we need to improve on, which of our opponents we need to watch out for, or how to play to our strengths. And some of the Hoya Hoops Team, including myself, will be referencing these numbers as if they are the be-all-end-all. And, while they might be good indicators most of the time, we have to try not to get carried away by them. Think of it like this: It’s highly unlikely, almost impossible, to flip a coin and have it land on heads one thousand times in a row. But, if you have already flipped the coin 999 times, and it has come up heads every time, what are the chances of it coming up heads again? 50%. So, while in general, statistics help us understand the game, in a specific game at a specific time in a specific scenario, you can toss the numbers (and your coin) out the window. Just ask Gharun Hester.