Most of the city is in a daze. I am busy with work, but every 7-8 minutes it hits me again and I groan aloud, "Ohhh mmmyyy Goddd." People around me ask what's wrong. All I have to say is, "the game," and they understand.
If you've read this blog recently or live in Memphis, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I won't recount the details because anyone who is in any way connected to any level of interest in college basketball knows what happened. All I can say is... we hurt.
We hurt for our city who has been so delighted and excited over the past weeks and months with the success of our Tigers. We hurt for every fan who has waited and wished for a championship for so long. And we hurt especially for the Memphis players because we know how badly they wanted to show their fans the championship trophy when they stepped off the plane today and we know how excruciatingly close they came to doing just that. We hurt for them because they have thrilled us, entertained us, united us, represented us, and, in some ways, grew up before our very eyes - as individuals and as a team.
From a sports perspective, it was one of the most brutal defeats I can recall, and not just because it was my team. It was as cruel a way to lose a game, a champioship, a goal, and a place in history as I can really imagine. Being blown out would have been easier because we (players and fans) would never have to live with knowing we could have done it. Even more than "could have" - we did it and lost it. It was an absolutely perfect storm. There are probably 10 things - shots, plays, moments - that all had to happen just as they did for things to go the way they did. I can't help but keep reading and listening to the terrible story as it is recounted today. As awful as it was, it's an amazing story.
If there are positives (and while I always tend to find them, I'm not completely sure here), they might include: 1) The team lost as a team - the same way they won 38 games. It wasn't one big mistake by one poor guy. The responsibility can be shared completely. I can name something every player and the coach did in those horrifying two minutes that contributed to the loss. 2) They had the chance to prove themselves again, and this time as people rather than just players, during the post-game. They were classy, they took responsibility, they dealt with it as well as anyone ever could. 3) It's easy for fans to show support when a team is winning. I saw a lot of Memphis shirts around town today, even after the... thing. I saw cars with windows painted with blue and white statements of support, saying things like "Cal 4 Mayor." Still. Commitment is commitment. People here have it for guys who've earned it. Unwavering support of those we love is something good for all of us to practice.
We hurt, but we're proud, and with good reason. It was a fantastic season and long after the pain is gone (or at least reduced by time) we will remember how excited we were and how much we loved this team.
I realize that this is all very dramatic for a reaction to a basketball game, but these feelings are real and it's great how passionate we can be about people and goals and journeys. It is a fantastic illustration of why so many people love sports so much. It's not life and death, but "it's just a game" just doesn't cover it.
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being blown out is definitely not easier, especially when you know you're the better team. (see: memphis v. texas, march 30, 2008.)
i wish i had seen that whole game, because it was probably the most exciting ncaa title game in at least a decade, but i fell asleep at halftime after a weekend in birmingham and an overnight trip to detroit rock city for work. a great season for the tigers, though, nothing to be ashamed of.
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