Agony

 ag-o-ny: noun \ˈa-gə-nē\ 1. great pain or anguish: intense physical pain or mental anguish 2. intense emotion: a consuming emotion


This about sums it up for me today.  My team lost a heartbreaker in the Elite 8 of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. In the last 36 hours I've experienced both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  After the clock read zero and the game was over, there was this feeling of emptiness, hopelessness, and disbelief.  I was so sure they were going to "Win the Game." Then that damn freshman hit a 3-pointer and leaves Michigan with only 2.6 seconds to tie the game.  I knew the ball was going to be in Nik's hands, and I honestly could see the ball going in and them heading to overtime. 


Not 2 minutes before when the game was tied, my 9 year old said, "No, not overtime, it takes so long." After the shot was made by Kentucky she quickly said, "I guess I do want them to go into overtime." Sorry, honey. No overtime tonight. No game next weekend. No Final Four appearance. No banner. No more time. No shining moment. Nothing. Done. Over. Silence.


I always go through a mini withdrawal when a season ends, but especially when it ends so abruptly like it did tonight.  I'm proud of how far this team went in the tournament and the type of game they played.  NO ONE gave them a chance when McGary went out, let alone losing Burke and Hardaway Jr. I have to admit, I was a little concerned as well., but never gave up hope or believed what they said. I wasn't sure they would fill the voids, get bigger and stronger, and be able to make another run at it.  But they did, because of the guy with the nervous tick that leads this team. 


Those naysayers forgot about the ace in the hole, that is John Beilein. He is one hell of a coach and pulled these kids together to make a run that no one predicted.  I hope he can convince them all to stay and play together for another year. If not, I'm confident that he will compose team 99 and we'll be back in this position next year. But for now, I'm just in agony. 


Forever and always. Win or lose.
Go Blue!
~Bekki