Thanks to so many wins by basketball and baseball the past few years (and to a lesser extent other programs like tennis, lacrosse, and soccer), we hadn't had to deal with many losses period, much less "tough" losses. ACC championships, ACC tourney success, NCAAt wins, CWSs and, of course, last year's championship breakthrough for baseball.
I think the most stunning thing about this past weekend is that it was the second stunning season ending in a row in tough fashion. Most here wouldn't have complained about a two to four point loss in the Elite Eight in hoops, nor would they be surprised to not make the Supers in baseball given the injuries and pitching problems this season. To be up double digits in the second half in hoops and to be up three in the bottom of the ninth of the winners' bracket game 2 of the regional though? We haven't had to deal with losses like this in a while.
For the record, I do not mean this disrespectfully for these young men, because in a lot of respects they overachieved to reach the spots they did. It was well documented that we had the least "star" power of any team to reach the Sweet Sixteen, much less the Elite Eight. They were amazing. The baseball team made a great run in the second half of the season and, unfortunately just didn't have enough left. The fact that they put themselves in these situations should be applauded, regardless of outcome. I just feel bad for our fanbase and more importantly the players/coaches that the losses came in such brutal fashion.
I think the most stunning thing about this past weekend is that it was the second stunning season ending in a row in tough fashion. Most here wouldn't have complained about a two to four point loss in the Elite Eight in hoops, nor would they be surprised to not make the Supers in baseball given the injuries and pitching problems this season. To be up double digits in the second half in hoops and to be up three in the bottom of the ninth of the winners' bracket game 2 of the regional though? We haven't had to deal with losses like this in a while.
For the record, I do not mean this disrespectfully for these young men, because in a lot of respects they overachieved to reach the spots they did. It was well documented that we had the least "star" power of any team to reach the Sweet Sixteen, much less the Elite Eight. They were amazing. The baseball team made a great run in the second half of the season and, unfortunately just didn't have enough left. The fact that they put themselves in these situations should be applauded, regardless of outcome. I just feel bad for our fanbase and more importantly the players/coaches that the losses came in such brutal fashion.
