The Morning After…

“There can be only one!” – Connor MacLeod, The Highlander

Monday, April 6, 2009. (JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/DFP)

Well there you go.  The 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball season has come to a close and Spartans everywhere got a huge humbling at the hands of the North Carolina Tar Heels.  Ouch.

All through the day, you start believing, thinking “why not us”. Anticipation starts to build.  The venue looked great. There was a sea of Spartan fans. The noise was terrific during the team introductions.   The teams come to center court, the tip goes up, flash bulbs go off, the hair stands on your arm as the realization that you are at the finals. 

But then, in keeping with an automotive theme, the wheels came off.  Who were these guys?  This wasn’t the same team that beat Kansas, beat Louisville, beat UCONN?  Did the pressure of the moment just catch up with them?  I looked down for a minute and we were losing by 10.  Ouch!  The air came out of the arena.  Sure, there were fleeting moments where the crowd tried to will the team a bucket, but it just wasn’t meant to be.  Down 20.  I feel the anger start to build.  I’m cussing like a sailor.  Better half spent a fortune on these tickets and we’re getting our butts handed to us.  OUCH!

But then you start trying to rationalize things.  If they could just get the lead to 15, maybe get within 10 by half, just go on a small run…

I didn’t want to stay, but I did until 2:00 minutes left.  I just couldn’t watch another team, that team, hold up the trophy and celebrate on what became “our” floor.  I still have avoided media coverage from last night.  I’m just not ready for that.

“So we come, to the end of the road” – Boyz 2 Men

Tell you what though, I really do love my school and this team provided some great memories this year. Friends flew in from all over the country for this Final Four. We drank beer, did shots, sang the fight song, ripped on each other and reminded ourselves just how lucky we are to have each other. For that, I am grateful and I know I’ll look back and only see the great times.

I’m rambling, so I’ll stop.  Thank you Spartans!  Thank you Izzo.  You represented us well and provided a positive spotlight on Michigan all week.  We’ll see you next season!

GO GREEN! GO WHITE!

Related Stories:

• March 29, 2010 -- My School’s in the Final Four…How About Yours?
• April 5, 2009 -- “Spartans, what is your profession?”