Heartbreak Hotel....

Arizona: No words can really describe how I feel. Of course I was incredibly disappointed at the way they choked that game away. However, that's the problem with Lute's teams, they are a double-edged sword; they are FULL of talent but have that "on/off" switch I talked about earlier (when I was talking about how I was worried the same could happen to UNC). Still, that loss is one of the hardest losses to take as a fan EVER. You think you have it all locked up, and aren't even REALLY worried until there's about 0:45 left in the game. Then, when you have a chance while it's tied 80-80, you feel like Salim just HAS to take it, then he gives it up. Even though Illinois had the big MO, it was still a 0-0 game with five minutes to play.

The OT period was a great, hard-fought skirmish with neither team willing to relinquish the game. I would even argue UA had the better situation on that final possession, down 1 with the ball (and the most clutch guy this season). But that last play really perplexed me. It wasn't like it was mistake in the heat of the moment, they TOOK A TIMEOUT TO SET SOMETHING UP.

1) How does Hassan get the ball off the inbounds over Salim? I don't care if all of America knew the ball was going to Stoudamire, I don't care if he hadn't had a great game, MAKE ILLINOIS STOP HIM IN CRUNCH TIME. At the very worst he could dribble-drive and kick to Channing for the final shot. There is NO EXCUSE for not giving your seniors a chance to win or lose the game.

2) Getting over the fact that Hassan got the pass (boy did he have a great game, does this guy have upside or what?), what was he waiting for? He just SAT there. I even did a double-take on the clock to make sure I really did know how much time was left. They didn't even run ANYTHING. He ultimately had to throw up a(n) (unanswered) prayer that ended the game, UA's season, Salim and Channing's UA careers, and the last Arizona game I'll see for two years. I kept waiting for Salim to come off a screen or for a lob pass in for Channing. I'm still waiting....

As I said before, this is easily one of the toughest losses to swallow as a fan that I can remember. This is right up there with Richard Park's OT goal against the Avs (Roy's last ever play) and far surpasses the 2001 loss to Duke (I heard more about that one, but this one hurts way more). I thought UA had their tickets PUNCHED and was already looking forward/getting excited for next weekend (so were the Cats I guess). So as it stands now, I'm hoping Francisco Garcia and L'ville SMOKE Illinois next week and am now officially pulling for UNC. Go on Roy, go get that championship....