But Syracuse's loss to Oklahoma in the Sweet Sixteen turned my tournament experience from sweet to sour. It's not really that I'm upset. I'm just disappointed. I'm disappointed at how poorly Syracuse played and how they failed to show their talent on the grandest stage. For the first time, my school went deep in the tournament, and now their run is over.
Like Scott has mentioned in the podcast and in a post last week, it's satisfying just to know that this team made it to the Sweet Sixteen. I expected less at the beginning of the year. So the reality of seeing them in this game tonight was enough. Really.
Yet I raced home from work, listening to the game on the radio as I weaved through highway traffic like Jeff Gordon at Daytona, (like the NASCAR reference? Honestly, it took me a couple seconds to think of a driver to use here.) and made it to the sports bar with four minutes left in the first half. I saw the Orange down by four at the time, and then watched their deficit balloon to thirteen at halftime.
The second half was just heartbreaking. Oklahoma's lead swelled and I learned that Betty Crocker not only is a great cook but she also has a jump shot. Blake Griffin killed the Orange as was expected. It wasn't an enjoyable experience.
When the game ended, I barely noticed. My attention diverted to the other hoops games and the Blackhawks hockey game on the adjacent TV. I sat through two baseball games Friday afternoon anticipating the opportunity to watch Syracuse play for a chance at the Elite Eight. I didn't even watch it until the clock hit triple zeros.
And after a couple short hours, Syracuse's run was over.
That's how the tournament goes. But it's tough when your team gets trounced. Syracuse had a great year. I know that. They played the best college basketball game I have ever seen this year, won it, and went to the second weekend of March Madness. Next week I'll be excited to watch the Final Four, no matter who advances.
For the rest of this weekend though, it's going to be tough to watch college basketball. The Sweet Sixteen turned sour.
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