Scott Van Pelt is a man of his word.
The last time Purdue superfan Tyler Trent -- a Purdue student battling bone cancer who became an inspirational figure for thousands across the sports world this season -- was on SportsCenter, he and Van Pelt entered into a bet centered around the Maryland-Purdue basketball game. If Maryland -- Van Pelt's alma mater -- won, Trent would have to paint a giant "M" on his head.
If Purdue won, Van Pelt would have to paint a giant "P" on his head -- just like Trent has famously done for Purdue football games.
Purdue edged out No. 23 Maryland 62-60 on Thursday night at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind.
So, Van Pelt paid up.
"I lost a bet, and it's time to pay up," the SportsCenter anchor said in a Twitter video. "So, we'll do that on the show ... Did you see it? It's on there. It'll be on there the whole show."
And, true to his word, Van Pelt kept the giant Purdue "P" painted on the side of his head for his entire SportsCenter show Friday night.
"Haha I love you," Trent tweeted. "Thanks for being a man of your word! That (Purdue) P looks amazing on you! Boiler Up and Hammer Down!!"
Although Trent certainly would have paid up if Maryland would have prevailed, there is something so much more satisfying about Van Pelt sporting the results of a bad bet on ESPN's flagship program.
Drive stopped
Nicole Kornet accomplished what most halftime contestants can't.
The former UCLA player made a layup, a free throw, a three-pointer and a half-court shot consecutively during halftime of UCLA's game against Fresno State at Pauley Pavilion on Friday night, expertly dominating the classic halftime mini-game.
Instantly, she went crazy. Kornet sprinted around the court before celebrating with her friend who was rebounding for her. She had just won a new car.
As a former player, though, Kornet wasn't actually eligible for the prize. So, she had to walk away empty-handed.
UCLA let her know beforehand that she couldn't actually win a prize, but let her participate in the game anyway because it was her birthday.
"Nicole was selected to do the supershot game at halftime, but there was no prize on the line, and the game was not represented as such," a UCLA spokesman wrote in an email to ESPN. "They were aware all along that she was ineligible for any prize, as was Nicole. She did not sign a contract, and there was no mention of her playing for a car -- or any prize -- during the game."
Kornet, who transferred to UCLA from Oklahoma, finished her career with the Bruins after the 2016-2017 season, where she averaged 7.7 points per game and had seven starts. Her brother, Luke, played at Vanderbilt and is currently on a two-way contract with the New York Knicks.
And while many would be upset about not being allowed to walk away with the car, Kornet has no complaints.
"UCLA let Kari and I know beforehand we would not be receiving the car if we were to make the half court shot. They allowed us to participate in such a fun half time tradition and for that I am very grateful. It was an amazing birthday! I love being a Bruin!" she tweeted Saturday.
SPORTS TRIVIA
Who is the men's basketball coach at Maryland?
ANSWER
Mark Turgeon has led the Terrapins since 2011.
Sports on 12/09/2018