Man, that loss hurt.
Wait. Let me correct that. That loss still hurts.
I wish I could wipe away the memory of that game like I did the snow on my car windshield this morning.
Pitt's basketball team was minutes from a trip to the Final Four on Saturday night. The lead escaped them, but they managed to rally and were mere seconds from sending their regional final against Villanova to overtime.
Then Scottie Reynolds hit the basket of tournament.
It sent Pitt home in defeat, 78-76, and put Reynolds' name right up there in Pittsburgh sports lore with Francisco Cabrera.
The Panthers were good enough to win it all. Instead, we're left to talk about what ifs.
Like, what if Pitt had a timeout left at the end of the game.
Or, what if Pitt had a different defense at the end of the game.
Or even, what if Villanova hadn't made all those darned foul shots.
It seemed that Pitt played this tournament not to lose. Maybe the expectations and the No. 1 seed had something to do with it.
They certainly didn't look like the same team that beat Connecticut twice.
Now, all that's left is to look back.
It's still hard to classify this season.
On one hand, they made it to the Elite Eight for the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. They also were ranked No. 1 -- twice.
Both of those accomplishments would make it easy to call it their best season.
To be seeded No. 1, and to come oh, so close to the Final Four but be denied, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
A disappointment? You bet.
But this team took us on a heck of a ride this winter and spring.
A few weeks down the road and things won't look so bad in the aftermath of defeat.
Wait. Let me correct that. That loss still hurts.
I wish I could wipe away the memory of that game like I did the snow on my car windshield this morning.
Pitt's basketball team was minutes from a trip to the Final Four on Saturday night. The lead escaped them, but they managed to rally and were mere seconds from sending their regional final against Villanova to overtime.
Then Scottie Reynolds hit the basket of tournament.
It sent Pitt home in defeat, 78-76, and put Reynolds' name right up there in Pittsburgh sports lore with Francisco Cabrera.
The Panthers were good enough to win it all. Instead, we're left to talk about what ifs.
Like, what if Pitt had a timeout left at the end of the game.
Or, what if Pitt had a different defense at the end of the game.
Or even, what if Villanova hadn't made all those darned foul shots.
It seemed that Pitt played this tournament not to lose. Maybe the expectations and the No. 1 seed had something to do with it.
They certainly didn't look like the same team that beat Connecticut twice.
Now, all that's left is to look back.
It's still hard to classify this season.
On one hand, they made it to the Elite Eight for the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams. They also were ranked No. 1 -- twice.
Both of those accomplishments would make it easy to call it their best season.
To be seeded No. 1, and to come oh, so close to the Final Four but be denied, leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
A disappointment? You bet.
But this team took us on a heck of a ride this winter and spring.
A few weeks down the road and things won't look so bad in the aftermath of defeat.
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