Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh Proves His Invincibility in Win against Kansas

When Northern Iowa’s Ali Farokhmanesh nailed a three—point shot with 35 seconds left in the game, the vein in Bill Self’s forehead nearly exploded.

With a one—point lead and 32 seconds left on the shot clock, Farokhmanesh really had no business spotting up for a three—point shot.

Most coaches would say he should have held on to the ball, waited for the team to catch up and run out the time left on the shot clock.

But why run out the clock when there’s a wide open look at a basket he has made almost 150 hundred times in his career?

“You can’t be serious with that shot,” shouted CBS broadcaster Dan Bonner.

He was and he made it look easy. Some say it might be the gutsiest shot ever.

“I was open on the corner again and they kind of stepped back,” he told reporters after the game. “I just shot it. It was actually an out of body experience. I don’t remember it going in. I just remember seeing it go through the net and that was it.”

The basket ensured that the entire world of college basketball needs to learn how to say the name Farokhmanesh before the Sweet Sixteen starts. The 69-67 win over No. 1 overall seed Kansas ensured No. 9 seed Northern Iowa their biggest win in the history of the program.

The senior went a perfect 3—for—3 from behind the arc in the first half, but cooled off a bit for much of the second half. He heated up when he needed to and finished the game with 16 points.

The son of an Iranian Olympic volleyball player, Farokhmanesh started his UNI career last season after transferring from Indian Hills Community College. In his first season as a Panther, he managed to finish with the second highest number of three—point baskets in a season in school history (75).

Farokhmanesh is definitely comfortable shooting the pressure shot, as it is the second time in as many games that his basket has guaranteed a victory.

With seven seconds remaining on the clock, the fearless guard nailed a deep three—pointer against UNLV to give the Panthers a 69—66 edge over the Rebels.

Maybe he should think about changing his name to Swishmanesh .