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Elam Ending: Ball State professor's basketball idea to be featured on ESPN this summer

MUNCIE, Ind. — The idea finally popped into his head March 10, 2007. Nick Elam remembers the exact day and the exact game, because it has changed his life.

For years, Elam watched basketball games and wondered why the last part of the game is so often the least exciting part. As an undergrad at University of Dayton, he would get with his friends and watch the NCAA Tournament, but he found it strange how slow the game gets at the end. One team continually fouls the other in hopes it will miss its free throws and it can mount a comeback.