Unrealistic Expectations and Heartbreak on the Hardwood

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It’s hard being a fan of a perennial powerhouse of any college sport. Disappointment is almost certain at the end of any season. Just ask any Oklahoma Sooners football fan.

The Sooners start out every season ranked in the top ten, if not in the top five. Most every season they do not finish national champs. It’s the same for my alma mater’s basketball program.

KU spent the season ranked first, second or third in the national polls. This was their year. President Obama had the Jayhawks taking it all in his NCAA bracket.

The Jayhawks stormed through the early rounds in what looked like a roundball version of Sherman’s march to the sea. They had an average margin of victory of 18 points over their foes. KU’s bigs, the Morris twins, were unstoppable. The guard play was consistent with few turnovers and three pointers falling with satisfying regularity.

I had never given Virginia Commonwealth University much thought, until yesterday, when they handed KU’s butt to it on a platter. VCU played with the tenacity of a very good team that had something to prove. And they proved it with shooting lights out from the three point line and with up tempo transition that put KU’s up tempo transition game to shame.

At the final buzzer VCU was the elated victor as one of the Morris twins hid his face under a towel. I felt like crap as did every other Jayhawks fan. Why?

Because we didn’t make it to the final four. If we had made it to the final four, but lost in the semifinals, I’d be equally bummed–maybe more so, but I will not find out.

There are 364 teams playing NCAA D-1 basketball. Only one team gets to win it all. Those are some yucky odds–whether you are a fan of Kansas, Duke (can’t stand them), Kentucky or North Carolina. Out of those four teams, who are considered to be the royalty of college basketball, only Kentucky is still in it.

And when KU fell on its face yesterday, it was the last number one seed left in the tournament.

No problem. The Jayhawks will definitely win it all next year.

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Collin Hinds

Senior Writer and editor.
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lazersedge
12 years ago

I am sorry that I can’t sympathize with you folks but my team was one of the bubble teams that got left out of the tournament. Despite the fact that they had won the western division of the SEC, beaten Kentucky and beaten Georgia twice Alabama was snubbed. They are a team that has been improving as the season progressed after losing some tough games early in the season. VCU is carrying the torch for the bubble teams that got snubbed. Personally, I would like to see them win it all but that would take a super human effort since they had to play out of the first round. They have had to play the extra game and the legs have got to be getting a little rubbery.
Alabama is getting its revenge by going to the NIT final four in Madison Square Garden after going 19 – 0 at home this season. In a real interesting turn of events, Alabama’s coach, Anthony Grant was the VCU coach until two years ago when he came to Alabama. A few of those VCU players were his recruits. It would really be something if VCU won the NCAA and Alabama won the NIT. 🙂 🙂

lazersedge
Reply to  Collin Hinds
12 years ago

I understand Collin. I think that Butler can no longer be considered a “Cinderella” team. I believe they will be considered a major team after reaching the Final Four 2 years in a row. I guess I should be pulling for the SEC but, as I said, people were questioning whether Bama got snubbed in favor of VCU. Personally, I think the selection committee had their heads up their butts this year. With that being said VCU has been on a hot streak winning 5 in a row against some pretty good competition. I don’t see any team that lives or dies with three point shots running the table against the entire tournament. I am disappointed that UConn and Kentucky are playing in the semi finals. I believe that they are the best two teams in the Final Four. Butler will put an end to VCU’s dreams, I would bet on that though.

lazersedge
Reply to  Collin Hinds
12 years ago

OK Collin. My Bama team got the job done tonight in a close win over Colorado 62 – 61. They play Wichita State for the NIT Championship. Now to see if Butler can make it to the finals. I think they will beat VCU by 10 or more.

12 years ago

I watched it, and couldn’t believe KUs timidity, They were out-coached to a degree, VCU would put a small team on the court, then a big team out there. It was painful to see. The whole tournament was there for the taking. I hope the twins decide to come back to finish the job next year.

Reply to  Collin Hinds
12 years ago

Unless KU can maintain a 25 point lead throughout the game, she can barely stand to watch. She took a long, hot bath for the whole of the second half. She had to listen to my shrieking, while she soaked in a pool of dismay.

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