Finality

**khaal53** · 03-19-2012, 01:40 PM

enCYCLONEpedia: Finality | Cyclone Fanatic

Guys, just some thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head after Saturday night and this season as a whole. Any comments or add-ons to this would be welcomed.

It has been a great year...just the 5th ISU team to reach 23 wins, t-11th best overall win % in school history, and t-7th best conference win % in school history.

**VeloClone** · 03-19-2012, 01:49 PM

Great column, Kirk. I just take issue with one thing. The NIT champion doesn't get "that feeling" at the end of the season, either.

They get it when the NCAA tournament field is announced.

**khaal53** · 03-19-2012, 01:51 PM

Ha! Yeah yeah, I know.

Thank you.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-19-2012, 01:55 PM

As a fan, that moment of finality is really harsh, especially with a team that really got you excited, and particularly with players you really loved. I can't imagine what it must be like for coaches and players.

**kucyclone** · 03-19-2012, 02:12 PM

A three minute stretch in a game we lost by 16 is the best basketball moment we've had in at least seven years (and probably longer). Don't read that last sentence again; it's quite depressing. But you have to believe that we just took a big step toward more of these great moments in the future, and isn't that the exciting part?

It was a great season, and I can't wait for more to come.

**khaal53** · 03-19-2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by kucyclone

A three minute stretch in a game we lost by 16 is the best basketball moment we've had in at least seven years (and probably longer). Don't read that last sentence again; it's quite depressing. But you have to believe that we just took a big step toward more of these great moments in the future, and isn't that the exciting part?

It was a great season, and I can't wait for more to come.

While somewhat depressing, the greatness of the moment was not what the team was doing right then. It was the immediate hope that beating the #1 team in the country in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a very real possibility.

There have been equally as exciting moments over the past few years, but nothing has come close to that ceiling that seemed to be raising higher and higher on Saturday on the front of hope, ya know?

Thanks for the comments guys.

**VeloClone** · 03-19-2012, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by khaal53

While somewhat depressing, the greatness of the moment was not what the team was doing right then. It was the immediate hope that beating the #1 team in the country in the second round of the NCAA tournament was a very real possibility.

There have been equally as exciting moments over the past few years, but nothing has come close to that ceiling that seemed to be raising higher and higher on Saturday on the front of hope, ya know?

Thanks for the comments guys.

Agreed. And if you want more moments, there was an about 10 minute stretch in the UCONN game that was pretty sweet as well. Less from the standpoint of the competition level - more from the standpoint of excellent sustained basketball.

**Bewilderme** · 03-19-2012, 02:39 PM

Great article, as always. Keep it up!

**Chizit** · 03-19-2012, 03:28 PM

The feeling sucks, especially if you're like me and get way more hyped for Basketball. This team was FUN to watch, and brought excitement back to Hilton. Already can't wait for next year.

**greatshu** · 03-19-2012, 04:19 PM

Sucks for not being able to watch the 2011-2012 MBB squad compete ever again. As much as I am excited about next year, I am just sad for letting go of this team. This team was so special and gave all of us a reason to believe in Cyclone basketball one more time.

**cyclones500** · 03-20-2012, 01:11 AM

Excellent read.

Good work as usual.

Although there's also a little bit of

that goes along with it, too — good point about feeling the pit in the stomach. Short of winning a championship, we all know it's coming, yet it's impossible to prepare. You can only delay it.

**JoshTheCyclone** · 03-20-2012, 01:33 AM

Great read!

**khaal53** · 03-20-2012, 08:31 AM

Thanks for all of the comments guys, I appreciate the feedback.

**Cyclophile1** · 03-20-2012, 09:23 AM

I know what you mean about that feeling of the first thee minutes of the second half. We had the #1 team in the nation on the ropes and their coach needed to bail them out with a timeout with only a minute to go before the first media timeout. It was beautiful - I hadn't felt that good during an ISU basketball game since taking a 8-9 point lead on Michigan State in 2000.

Of course, the Wildcats didn't just roll over like a litter of new kitties. However, for that moment is was GRAND and great to be a Cyclone. Overall, we couldn't hang with UK in the backcourt where we couldn't make 3s or keep their guards in front of us (which has been our downfall in other losses). Even as time expired, I was pleased that we fought and played pretty well in spurts.

For the first time in many years, I was able to enjoy a team for what it was without having to say in the back of mind "Well, there's always next year."

**cy1010** · 03-20-2012, 09:49 AM

When we went on the little run to tie it at 42 we were cheering so loud where I was watching that I was becoming light headed. So maybe the silver lining is that the loss prevented me from having a brain aneurysm.