I've never felt anything in sports like this win today, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. There have been better moments, for sure, but the odd combination of emotions from the way that went down is hard to describe. 'Cuse was down so much today, so late, against such a seemingly solid/fundamental/indestructible team with a big lead, there was just no way.
Emotionally, you go in with the total house money feeling, but believing it's possible. Then you're down big and you're still hoping, but you're slowly settling into the, "Well, if we lose to a better team after this run, it was still a hell of a tourney for this team... they gave us a fun ride, no matter what."
They start to chip away a bit, and the hope returns in a big way. You're telling me there's a chance? Maybe just a couple more stops? Just a little more luck?
Then, as exciting as the comeback is, you expected it to take a lot longer to get the lead if they were pulling it out. You're looking at the clock thinking chip X points away in Y minutes and have a chance in the final few minutes. Then suddenly, you're realizing they can tie the game on this trip... They can take the lead on this trip...
The feeling when we took the lead was completely shocking and surreal. I actually hurt my hand pounding the floor in excitement. My eyes teared up a little, I'll admit it. I texted someone, "Is this real life?"
Then realizing that not only were we ahead, it was time to start wasting shock clock was the weirdest feeling in the world. I texted someone else, "Oh my God, we're a 10 seed and we're minutes away from the Final Four. A 10 seed!"
I don't think I've ever had a team go from desperate comeback mode, just hoping to have a chance to maybe have a shot at the end, to the nerve-racking don't blow this mode wishing the clock would tick just a little faster... To dividing the clock by 30. OK, three more possessions. OK, two more possessions. OK, they're going to start fouling us.
I completely expected UVA to do something to force us to hit another shot at the end, so when they didn't and we were going to the line to ice it, I was so shocked, so confused, all I could do was raise my hands and look around in disbelief. For the first time in my life, a monumental win for my team ended with my hands on my head in complete and utter shock.
It was the most surreal win I've seen. It was shocking, it was thrilling, it was exciting, it was glorious, and it still wasn't sinking in. Finally, the most insane sports-fueled emotional roller coaster ride of my life had come to an end, and the safety bar was up, and I was staggering away from the ride looking back in disbelief. My hands were still on my head, trying to process all of the information. That team cutting down the nets, they look really familiar. That's Michael Gbinije, he's the point guard on my team. Why's he on a ladder holding scissors? Why's he cutting down the nets? That's Tyler Lydon, he hit that huge 3 during the comeback, but why's he cutting down the nets? That's Jim Boeheim, that guy should be the coach of the year. He's got a goofy looking blue and yellow hat on, those aren't our colors. He doesn't wear hats. That hat doesn't say Syracuse.
Why is all of this happening? Oh, wait, I know now... It finally hit me. SYRACUSE IS IN THE FINAL FREAKING FOUR!
Emotionally, you go in with the total house money feeling, but believing it's possible. Then you're down big and you're still hoping, but you're slowly settling into the, "Well, if we lose to a better team after this run, it was still a hell of a tourney for this team... they gave us a fun ride, no matter what."
They start to chip away a bit, and the hope returns in a big way. You're telling me there's a chance? Maybe just a couple more stops? Just a little more luck?
Then, as exciting as the comeback is, you expected it to take a lot longer to get the lead if they were pulling it out. You're looking at the clock thinking chip X points away in Y minutes and have a chance in the final few minutes. Then suddenly, you're realizing they can tie the game on this trip... They can take the lead on this trip...
The feeling when we took the lead was completely shocking and surreal. I actually hurt my hand pounding the floor in excitement. My eyes teared up a little, I'll admit it. I texted someone, "Is this real life?"
Then realizing that not only were we ahead, it was time to start wasting shock clock was the weirdest feeling in the world. I texted someone else, "Oh my God, we're a 10 seed and we're minutes away from the Final Four. A 10 seed!"
I don't think I've ever had a team go from desperate comeback mode, just hoping to have a chance to maybe have a shot at the end, to the nerve-racking don't blow this mode wishing the clock would tick just a little faster... To dividing the clock by 30. OK, three more possessions. OK, two more possessions. OK, they're going to start fouling us.
I completely expected UVA to do something to force us to hit another shot at the end, so when they didn't and we were going to the line to ice it, I was so shocked, so confused, all I could do was raise my hands and look around in disbelief. For the first time in my life, a monumental win for my team ended with my hands on my head in complete and utter shock.
It was the most surreal win I've seen. It was shocking, it was thrilling, it was exciting, it was glorious, and it still wasn't sinking in. Finally, the most insane sports-fueled emotional roller coaster ride of my life had come to an end, and the safety bar was up, and I was staggering away from the ride looking back in disbelief. My hands were still on my head, trying to process all of the information. That team cutting down the nets, they look really familiar. That's Michael Gbinije, he's the point guard on my team. Why's he on a ladder holding scissors? Why's he cutting down the nets? That's Tyler Lydon, he hit that huge 3 during the comeback, but why's he cutting down the nets? That's Jim Boeheim, that guy should be the coach of the year. He's got a goofy looking blue and yellow hat on, those aren't our colors. He doesn't wear hats. That hat doesn't say Syracuse.
Why is all of this happening? Oh, wait, I know now... It finally hit me. SYRACUSE IS IN THE FINAL FREAKING FOUR!
