Watching the Final Four was a blast and I’m pumped to cheer on Virginia as they take on Texas Tech in the National Championship game tonight!
My excitement level is different from the masses, however, as there is an expectation that the matchup will be boring, low-scoring, slow, and defensive-minded.
Overall, today's basketball is fast-paced with teams trying to take as many shots as possible, including lots of threes. We see tons of coaches telling their players to push the ball up the floor and score quickly, and we also know that the top athletes want to put up big scoring numbers while making flashy dunks.
However, tonight's teams are uniquely different with their programs more focused on the other side of the court. Virginia is the nation's top-scoring defense (55.5 points) and Texas Tech is considered the most efficient defense in the country.
None of the four teams scored more than 65 points on Saturday - the first time that has happened since 1986 (when they added the shot clock). We’re going to witness an extremely rare National Championship with historically dominant defenses going head to head.
I appreciate the perspective of Kyle Guy, the hero who hit the three game-winning free throws for Virginia. He made this comment: “I think it’s a testament to both programs. They take their time developing. They’re not afraid to go against the trend of one-and-dones. … I think both teams have the same sense of it’s not about you. It’s about everyone on the team. I think that’s great for the sport.”
Virginia and Texas Tech have stayed true to their beliefs and principles without getting caught up in today’s basketball culture. They’re not concerned with the one-and-done type players or having a flashy style like so many other teams.
They’ve remained disciplined and committed to their convictions and now they’re getting prepared for tonight’s National Championship.
When it comes to our own lives, are we staying true to our beliefs and principles or are we trying to fit into today’s culture? Are we going against the trends by remaining disciplined and sticking to our convictions or are we getting sucked into “playing” like everyone else?
Acknowledging that our perspective changes as we follow Jesus and yield our lives to Him, we must be willing to stand out...be different...and refrain from going in the same direction as the rest of culture.
Paul gives us this challenge in Romans 12:2 (NLT): "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
The Message paraphrases this verse by saying, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.
"Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Tonight, as we watch Virginia and Texas Tech battle it out in a low-scoring and defensive-minded game, let’s be reminded that their uniqueness and counter-culture approach to basketball has gotten the best out of their players. Likewise, this can encourage us to keep pursuing the Lord and His principles - knowing that His way is best!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to fix my eyes on You as I trust You to change me from the inside out. I don’t want to be conformed to this world, but I desire to stand out as my life represents love and grace. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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