From agony to ecstasy for Virginia
No one is the same after failure. It is motivation or regret, a part of you, or a part of your triumphant tale.
It is Nick Anderson missing four straight free throws in the ’95 NBA Finals, or Kobe Bryant shooting repeated airballs in a playoff debut. It is Maryland blowing a 22-point Final Four lead and Indiana falling to a 14-seed — both returning the next year to win the national championship — or John Thompson III getting knocked out by a double-digit seed in four straight years.
Virginia suffered a humiliation unlike any team in college basketball history, losing one of the last sure things in sports as the Cavaliers became the first 1-seed to lose to a 16-seed (UMBC) last year. History will never forget. And Tony Bennett ultimately will never forget that loss is why his team finally broke through to its first Final Four since 1984, its first national championship game, its first Shining Moment.
Most look at the Cavaliers’ repeated NCAA Tournament failures as an indictment of their methodical system, but it is that philosophical foundation which preaches patience, which teaches not to overreact.
Virginia (29-3) is a top-seed for the fourth time in six years but better than it has ever been. The defense remains the envy of all. The offense ranks second nationally in efficiency, featuring a group hitting 41 percent from the perimeter. Its soon-to-be lottery pick (De’Andre Hunter) is healthy this year, unlike when the Retrievers broke everyone’s bracket last year. And its region is favorable, filled with teams of similar style.
Jay Wright was a “fraud” until three years ago, repeatedly following dominant regular seasons with early tournament exits. Now, he is one of three active coaches with multiple national championships.
Duke is the biggest favorite since Kentucky’s undefeated team of 2015, but the Wildcats fell short, one of 11 top-overall seeds to end up without a title in the past 14 years.
Who could beat the Blue Devils? Perhaps a team that’s familiar with them, that lost by two in Durham, N.C., that could have won a second meeting if not for the uncharacteristically brilliant shooting from a Duke team which is seeking to become the worst 3-point shooting national champion ever?
Sure, Duke also just won the ACC Tournament. Guess what? Virginia did last year. Four of the past five national champions have failed to win its conference crown.
It is Virginia’s time. Last year will be why.