History was made in Omaha on Thursday as a BYU basketball player declared that he would lead the university to paradise and a National Championship before their first March Madness game.

“No one in this room can stand against me,” declared point guard Dallin Hall as he took center court before Thursday’s game. “Your mothers warned you about my coming. Fear the moment.”

Mark Pope, BYU’s head coach, quietly mumbled “As it was written. The Player from Another World. The Lisan al-Gaib!”

Approaching the Duquesne bench, Hall shouted “May thy backboard chip and shatter!” This was accompanied by the fanatical chanting of middle aged BYU fans in a language unknown to the Alternate Universe.

Dukes coach Keith Dambrot was taken aback. “This seems pretty confident. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good ballplayers, but I’m not sure they have the spice to go further.”

Joe Harkonnen, a die hard Dukes fan, was mildly concerned as well. “I’m worried that the Cougars have started to see sports as a holy war spreading across the galaxy like an unquenchable fire.”

Sam Ames, of BYU, was enthusiastic. “After the game we’re going to chant at the Shrine of Cosmo’s Skull on Y-Mount. The free throws must flow!”

Fanatical freshman legions, imported from Provo, are reportedly planning to storm the court at the word of Hall.