The game is going down to the wire, the clock is ticking down like a sluggish metronome and only a 3-pointer can tie the game.
Who gets the ball?
If the MSU men's basketball team is the squad in need of a trey, then the ball is likely to end up in the hands of sophomore guard Chris Hill, MSU's deadliest and most consistent 3-point threat.
Hill has made his career as a Spartan by banking on his long range shot. He established MSU freshman records in last year's campaign for most 3-pointers made (66) and 3-point field goals attempted (148). Barring injury, he stands to destroy those marks.
This season, the 6-foot-3 Indianapolis native has connected on 60 treys, which is tops in the Big Ten. He also is netting 43.5 percent (fourth in the conference) of his attempts, making him the linchpin in MSU's conference-leading 38.7 percent 3-point accuracy.
This year, Hill has had more 3-point attempts than two-pointers. Of 204 shot attempts, he has aimed 138 of them from beyond the arc - 105 more than freshman guard Maurice Ager's 33 attempts, which is second on the team. His 66 3-pointers last season ranked seventh in MSU single-season history, and his career 3-point accuracy (44 percent) is tied for fourth on MSU's all-time list.
But Hill has it all broken down to a science. He knows where he likes to get the ball, how he likes to release and most importantly - when the shot feels good.
"I like to get the ball right here," Hill said, his hands gripping an imaginary basketball over his right hip. "Right in my shooting pocket. I can shoot better with (the ball) coming from the inside out."
As Hill mimicked the mechanics of his shot, he broke down what he considers the key feature of a good launch from behind the arc - footwork.
"And if I can kind of, hop into my shot a little bit," Hill said, going through his shooting motion and kicking his feet towards the basket, "it helps my rhythm and the shot flows better. A lot of times, like in the Indiana game, every shot I took felt good, like it was going in. But if it feels good, that's the main thing - keep shooting."
However, as Big Ten foes have learned to respect Hill's outside shot more and more, opportunities to release from long-range can decline. He explained that those are the times when penetrating off the dribble and taking the ball to the rim is his most valuable asset.
"I think it's kind of important to be a little more aggressive," Hill said. "Teams are pressing down on me a lot more now, and (driving to the basket) really opens the outside.
"Outside of practice too, I've been working really hard on creating off the dribble."
As far as coaching Hill's shot, the MSU coaching staff is taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality.
"They haven't messed with (my shot) too much at this point. Coach Izzo thinks it's something I obviously do well," Hill said. "Although if I'm not shooting well a couple of games, all the coaches offer advice."
Izzo said that dealing with Hill's misses can be frustrating, but it's hard to discount such a valuable shooting touch.
"I'm mad at Chris every time he misses a shot," Izzo jokingly said of his marquee 3-point marksman. "Even when he doesn't get a good look."
Teammates lauded Hill's offensive skills as well. Despite moving out of the starting lineup for the past four games, Hill's replacement - sophomore guard Tim Bograkos - said Hill's new role brings even more of a charge to the Spartan offense.
"I think I bring a little more energy at the beginning and Chris brings that offensive spark off the bench," Bograkos said. "So it's that one-two punch.
"Then Chris comes in off the bench fresh. It takes a little pressure off him, and he can come in and get a couple."
But all the statistics, career lists and accolades aside, even Hill knows his range is lacking just one thing - the one shot that brings the house down almost every time.
"Yeah, I can dunk," Hill laughed, denying any rumors to the contrary. "I'm going to bring it out. I will bring it out."
