Quantum basketball? The ball in a superposition of both going and not going through the hoop? No, a new movie: Quantum hoops about the Caltech Basketball team:
While most sports films celebrate the quest for a championship, “Quantum Hoops” follows a team that is searching for a single win. The documentary chronicles the final week of the 2006 Caltech basketball season. The team is currently in the midst of a 21 year losing streak – over 240 consecutive conference losses. Caltech is annually considered one of the top 5 academic institutions in the world yet its athletic department always takes a back seat to the achievements of its world renowned faculty, Nobel prize winners, and advancements in the world of science and technology. The film “Real Genius” was a not-so-subtle take on Caltech life.
To the casual fan, the team might sound like a bad joke. There are more valedictorians on the team than players with high school basketball experience. In fact, the 5 seniors did not play high school basketball, yet all five are major contributors to the team. They are roundly mocked by opposing fans as “nerds playing basketball” (the few fans that decide its even worth it to show up). However, this season would mark an amazing turnaround from just two years ago when the team would lose by an average margin of over 60 points per game. Against remarkable odds and adversity, the players and coaches dedication, discipline, heart, and yes, SKILL would make for one of the most exciting seasons in school history. The final home game of the year would give the 5 seniors one last shot at that elusive win and an entry into the history books of college athletics.
Note that they do occasionally get non-conference wins, against schools like Life Bible College.
Indeed going to Life Bible College games is great. You get to shout out “Darwin was right!” as a taunt.
Man, you jinxed them
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/01/07/bc.bkc.caltechwins.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
Beckman and I (and some others from work) just watched this tonight at the SB Film Festival (with, as it turns out, the Caltech basketball team!) – we both thought it was really, really good.
I also just saw it today at the SB Film Festival. It was GREAT!!!! Although I knew the outcome, I couldn’t help but pull for them anyway… Some of the old basketball players were also in attendance. I’m ready for the sequel. 🙂
I also just saw it today at the SB Film Festival. It was GREAT!!!! Although I knew the outcome, I couldn’t help but pull for them anyway… Some of the old basketball players were also in attendance. I’m ready for the sequel. 🙂