Prior to Hampton’s 74-64 First Four win over Manhattan, head coach Ed Joyner  told the assembled media that if the Pirates were to meet No. 1 Kentucky in the next round he would need to call upon divine intervention to pull off the greatest upset in sports history.

“I’m going to give you the truthful answer — I believe everybody has thought about that,” Joyner said on Monday. “I’d say 1 percent of me has thought about it. And I say (if we do), I’d probably have Jesus on speed dial. I hope he’s hot that night, if we play.”

A man of his word, Joyner — during the post game press conference in the interview room inside UD Arena in Dayton Tuesday night — pulled out his iPhone and placed a call to the man himself.

Or at least he tried to.

Hampton coach Edward Joyner Jr. just tried to call Jesus in press conference. "Hello? Hello?"

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) March 18, 2015

Joyner, whether still excited over the school’s first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2001, or just trying practice his comedic talent, was holding the smartphone backward while talking to Jesus.

“I guess he’ll get back to me,” he said.

I’m sure Joyner hopes so before Thursday’s tip.