Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
INDIANAPOLIS – The memories are coming at him now, striking him in soft and vulnerable spots, and LaVall Jordan is no longer seeing the empty walls of his office at Butler. He’s seeing Jan. 6, 2001.
It’s Tuesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse, but for the Butler basketball coach it’s 2001 at the Nutter Center in Dayton, home of the Wright State Raiders. LaVall Jordan is a senior. It’s a Saturday night.
“I can see it right now. I can still see my hand on the ball,” Jordan is telling me in his office, straightening out his right arm and cupping his hand as a 6-6 Wright State forward named Kevin Melson rises 16½ years ago for the game-winning jumper.