In And Out...Twice

For the second time in 58 days, a team from Indianapolis took a deliriously happy community on its back to a championship game. Also for the second time in 58 days, a team from Indianapolis fell just short of bringing home the ultimate prize. Twice we've brought home an adorable puppy from the shelter, just to watch someone else smash its face in with a brick.

God: Shhh, shhh, shhh...watch this! Watch what I'm about to do here! Oh, little Butler, here's your little halfcourt heave...alright, off the backboard, the front of the rim, and...OUT! HA! Go Duke!

I'm still proud of you, Brad. I'm still really damn proud.

I don't care that Matt Howard missed 25 shots from within 2 feet of the basket, or thought "don't foul" meant "foul", or that he looks like Ug from Salute Your Shorts. They wouldn't have made it that far without him.

And what can you say about Gordon Hayward? If you just looked at the box score, you'd think he didn't necessarily play a good game, but add in his tenacious rebounding, basketball IQ (driving it to the hole to get fouled, right when the Bulldogs really needed a spark), perfect free throw shooting, and solid D, and you have a kid who will go down in Indiana history. I just wish it was on the right end of it. At the end of the game, you want the ball in your best player's hands, and I don't think anyone can argue those shots belonged to Hayward. And goddamnit, they both looked right on line.

Yes, you have to take your hat off to Duke. Kyle Singler really, really impressed me, and other than the near-airball in the last minute, played the game of his life. Brian Klopek Zoubek dominated the offensive glass, and Scheyer and Smith did what they do. And with that said, fuck Duke.

Thanks for the ride, guys. It was really, really special.