Louisville Cardinals 72 – Florida Gators 68; Season Ends For Basketball Team

It all came to an end in a matter of minutes for the Florida Gators. Leading 65-54 with 8:14 left in the second half, the Gators seemed to be in the perfect position to win the game and head to the Final Four of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Those eight minutes would turn out to be somewhat of a nightmare though. The Louisville Cardinals would outscore the Gators 18-3 to take Florida’s spot in the Final Four and end the 2011-12 season for the orange and blue.

At the beginning of the season, I would have told you I foresaw a Sweet 16 appearance in the Gators’ future. I would have also told you that I would be ecstatic if Florida were to make it to the Elite Eight. One day after the Gators lost to the Cardinals in a game that was given away in the final minutes, I haven’t reached ecstatic. I haven’t reached happy. I haven’t even lifted myself into content. The biggest difference between a journalistic news site and a sports blog is that blogs are typically run by fans. Due to that, we can by as biased as we want to and can also freely voice our opinions. My opinion at this exact moment is that I’m upset.

In reality, I’ll look back at it all in a few days and shift my mind back to that time at the beginning of the season. I’ll be impressed that the Gators made it to the Elite Eight and maybe even a little excited that they had a legitimate chance to reach the Final Four late in the game. That hasn’t hit yet, but it will. What I feel right now is frustration because of what happened after that 8:14 mark when Patric Young dunked to put the Gators up by 11…

Erving Walker missed jumper.
Patric Young missed jumper.
Erving Walker missed free throw.
Erving Walker missed free throw.
Erving Walker missed three-point jumper.
Bradley Beal turnover.
Bradley Beal missed layup.
Patric Young made free throw.
Patric Young missed free throw.
Kenny Boynton made jumper.
Bradley Beal missed jumper.
Kennny Boynton missed jumper.
Bradley Beal missed layup.
Erving Walker missed jumper.
Bradley Beal turnover.
Bradley Beal missed three-point jumper.
Kenny Boynton missed three-point jumper.
Erving Walker missed three-point jumper.

There are two lines in that list in bold. Those two lines represent the three points Florida scored in the final eight minutes. I won’t do Louisville’s list because I want you to still be able to enjoy some of your Sunday morning.

What occurred over those final eight minutes was tragic. Tragic because of what it could have meant for the Gators and what it ultimately did mean. Tragic because only a few weeks ago, many had left for dead the team that finished the regular season and SEC Tournament 4-6 over their final 10 games. Tragic because very few believed Florida could make it to the Sweet 16 (or even the third round). Tragic because after blowing Virginia and Norfolk State out of the building, things were looking up. Tragic because the Gators controlled the game against Marquette and people really started to take notice. Tragic because with Florida up 11 with eight minutes left, many were starting to make plans to travel to New Orleans. Tragic because this team has the talent to compete. Tragic because the end seemed all too familiar.

I’ll be okay; not that you were concerned. My focus will eventually shift to what went right with the season as well as what can be improved upon for 2012-13. I’ll hope for Bradley Beal’s return. I’ll dream about incoming recruits and the hope of Donovan finding big men. I’ll look forward to next season. But for now, I’m like most of you…frustrated. Frustrated at what could have been.

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