[NU Sports] One-and-done instead of won-and-make-a-run

[Weinbaum, Willie]

Watched first half in Orange County Airport, second half on plane (after missing the first few minutes of the second half because of late boarding). But the DirecTV feed went out (airline announcements took over all of the TVs) from about 3-1/2 minutes left in regulation to when Minn had the ball, playing for a last shot with the game tied.  Talk about agonizing - - not being able to watch during that stretch and to have the feed come back on with the lead gone and Minn having a shot to win.  And Sobo's shot felt for a split-second like a storybook ending.

Overall, it was agonizing, terribly disappointing and wholly familiar.  As is most often the case, big or small picture, Cats have and do enough to get tantalizingly close, but are unable (plagued by not "knowing how to win") to overcome decades of tradition and seal the deal.  Cruel.  Brutal.

Underserving, unfortunately, of an NCAA bid...and I felt as though wins vs Minn and Mich were needed.  When Cobb had the great first half that we knew he had in him and showed what the team was missing for so many games, it felt like this could be a winning night.  But he was matched by the Hollins show.  And there just wasn't enough happening from the guys beyond Shurna, even with all the FTs going in (except for Shurna's).

Too disheartened to get into more specifics.  But I have to remind myself and be appreciative of the thrills of this season and the dedication exemplified by John Shurna and his mates and of the Shurna era's stirring four years.  He, like Billy McKinney, have represented NU with class, humility and excellence.

The team will likely get a profoundly anticlimactic NIT bid and I wish the guys the best and will be watching and supporting, as always...and I hope it'll be a better sendoff for Shurna and more satisfying experience for the whole team than the heartbreaking one-and-done conference tourney appearance.

It ain't easy being a Cats fan, as if we didn't know that already.