Florida Gators Lose in Elite Eight Round

The University of Florida men's basketball team, anxious to make the NCAA Tournament's Final Four after being eliminated in the "Elite Eight" round in each of the last two seasons, once again fell...this time to a surging Michigan team.  The Wolverines had mounted an improbable last minute comeback against top-seeded Kansas in the previous round and defeated them in overtime.  They obvious carried on their momentum to the game with the Gators.  Unfortunately, Florida didn't, missing shot after (easy) shot, repeatedly turning the ball over, failing to cover on defense, and falling behind quickly 13-0.  It was a blowout, with Michigan trouncing them by 20 points.  But still, I think the UF fans generally came away from this negative experience with a sense of finality: they really didn't deserve to be in the Final Four after all.  The previous two seasons had the Gators losing heartbreakers, leaving lingering "what if" scenarios in their distraught fans' imaginations.

The NCAA tournament began with 68 teams and is now down to four.  That means that 64 games have already been played, with 64 corresponding losers...disappointing ends to what in retrospect should be considered successful seasons by each of these teams.  Besides these were many, many more who felt that THEY deserved to be in the tournament but were slighted by the selection committee.  And three of the four top seeds in the tournament didn't make it to the Final Four either.

Sure, Florida and its fans, coaches, and players will feel a little down for a while.  But looking back, they should feel good about about extraordinarily well they did this year.  I wish those graduating Gators the best with their futures and for those staying on...there's always next year!