As I sit here and write this a full 24 hours after the game,
I don’t think I fully comprehend what I witnessed yesterday. And it’s probably
more painful to think about the shot now than it was during the actual game.
After Michigan scored on its final possession, I was both ecstatic and shocked
at the same time, as we had come back to tie the game after seemingly having no
chance minutes earlier. I braced myself for any scenario possible, whether it
be forcing the game into overtime or losing in regulation. I didn’t expect us
to be in this situation. Down 72-65 with just over three minutes left, Kentucky
had full control of the game. But like every obstacle Michigan faced throughout
the season, they overcame these obstacles and defied the odds. After a wild possession
that saw Michigan tip the ball in with 27 seconds left to tie the score at 72,
you had the feeling that Michigan might get that crucial stop on the defensive
end that had eluded them all day.
This did not happen. Aaron Harrison, a middling, 34% three
point shooter, faded away from 25 feet with Caris LeVert directly in his face.
This did not matter, as Harrsion buried the shot, reminiscent of Trey Burke
against Kansas in last year’s Sweet 16. Nik Stauskas heaved a desperation
attempt from half court as time expired, but it barely grazed the backboard.
Kentucky players ran across the floor to greet the bench after the clock hit
zero, as it had just punched its ticket to Dallas next weekend. Michigan
players, from what I could see, looked just as shocked as the Wolverine
faithful. You almost got the sense that this magical season wasn’t ready to
come to an end.
I said earlier that I thought I had prepared myself for any
outcome. As the shot went in for Kentucky, I crumpled to my knees in absolute
disbelief. Both my friends and I ask myself sometimes why I care so much about
something I can’t control. These are college athletes, kids my age that go
through the normal ups and downs that regular college students go through on a
daily basis. But college basketball is unlike any sport in the world. College
students feel one with the team. We win with the team, and lose with the team.
At home games we sit 15 feet from the court, listening to the coaches and
players in the heat of the game. We feel included with them, because we can
relate to them, and even recognize how hard it is to do what they do. This is what
makes cheering for them fun; we understand that they carry a heavy workload as
student-athletes, and that they are just normal kids like us. They have to
appease an entire fan base of kids and adults alike that are more than willing
to dish out criticism without fully understanding all that these student-athletes
must deal with athletically and academically.
I care so much about this team because I miss the
camaraderie that sports used to provide me prior to college. My senior baseball
season was extremely special, not because of the games we won or lost, but
because of the friends I was able to share some incredible experiences with. We
had fun, whether it be at practice, during games, or during winter
conditioning. When I watched Michigan this year, the team reminded me of my
senior year baseball team. You could tell these guys truly cared about each
other. They were entirely selfless; all they cared about was winning for
Michigan. That’s why I feel so proud right now to be able to call myself a fan
of this incredible school and basketball program.
How can you not feel happy for the team? Facing adversity
early in the season, they banded together and were determined to prove
outsiders of the locker room wrong. They accomplished so much; they won
Michigan’s first outright Big Ten title in nearly three decades, played in the
Big 10 tournament championship game, and reached its second consecutive elite
8. Quite the list of accomplishments for a team many predicted wouldn’t make
the NCAA tournament in late December.
I’m so disappointed by the way the season ended, but so
proud of the program Michigan Basketball has become. Sure, I wanted to go to
Dallas next week, as I was ready to purchase my airline tickets directly after
the game. But like in life, sometimes we can learn what things are truly
important even through loss. This team stuck together, defied the odds, and had
a fantastic season that most schools dream about. How am I supposed to stay
upset? Every player should hold his head high, as they won and lost the right
way; with class and dignity, representing the University of Michigan well every
step along the way. John Beilein has cemented himself as a premier coach in
college basketball, and we’ll be back on this stage again, I have no doubt. And
next time, we’ll come through, and win the right way.
It’s been so fun covering this season and writing, so I just
want to thank everyone who has reached out to me. I truly hope you enjoyed
reading my thoughts on Michigan basketball just as much as I had writing them.
As always, Go Blue!
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