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Hardest Day of the Year

T

Tampa_cat54_rivals112262

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
25,749
14,375
0
Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

 
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F

FitchandMurray29

All-Conference
Dec 11, 2021
2,161
4,398
61
Tampa_cat54 said:
Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Click to expand...
Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.
 
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DaDirtyLeb69

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
40,182
62,392
113
Tampa_cat54 said:
Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Click to expand...
Worst part is we gotta wait 7 months for Kentucky basketball again
 
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O

ORCAT10

All-Conference
Mar 16, 2011
2,909
4,236
0
FitchandMurray29 said:
Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.
Click to expand...
Well said.
 
UK67KU59

UK67KU59

All-Conference
Apr 9, 2020
762
1,686
93
Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.
 
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kyblue'92

kyblue'92

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2018
3,947
4,729
113
I really feel bad for Butler. Played his *** off with a banged up shoulder. He will be missed. This is the hardest part of College Basketball. Getting invested into a team, have high hopes and it comes to a sudden end in a win or go home single-elimination Tournament.
 
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T

Tampa_cat54_rivals112262

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
25,749
14,375
0
UK67KU59 said:
Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.
Click to expand...

Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.
 
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DaDirtyLeb69

DaDirtyLeb69

Heisman
Jan 4, 2022
40,182
62,392
113
Tampa_cat54 said:
Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.
Click to expand...
I see Luka maye in public it’s a punch to the face
 
B

BCD

Senior
Dec 30, 2002
673
666
93
UK basketball is a family tradition. I learned to cuss from my Grandma watching Gimel Martinez. I passed that on to my grandson watching Garrison at times.
 
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UK67KU59

UK67KU59

All-Conference
Apr 9, 2020
762
1,686
93
Tampa_cat54 said:
Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.
Click to expand...

That one was brutal! That was a great team and Hayes is a legend.
 
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U

ukcatz12

Heisman
Mar 27, 2009
5,199
12,325
0
Tampa_cat54 said:
That is BY FAR the worst part. Such a big part of our lives just gone, and we have to wait 7 months to see it again
Click to expand...
I think it's even worse this year because almost everyone's a senior. It was an awesome group of guys on the team this year and if we could look forward to running it back with the majority of them next year it would be a little easier.
 
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T

tls

Heisman
Nov 7, 2007
7,804
14,422
81
You’ll survive. This one is actually an easy one. This was not a possible title team. Absolutely reached their ceiling with Jax going down.

And the loss was not one where a play or two made the difference

First Sweet 16 in 6 years so the previous 5 were easily worse.

If CMP could get this far with a short roster you have to like the Cats’ future
 
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darkshadesofblue

darkshadesofblue

All-Conference
Aug 18, 2015
3,120
3,401
103
Butler will always be a fan favorite. Wish him success wherever he goes or whatever path he chooses
 
K

kyhoward

All-Conference
Feb 3, 2018
861
1,333
0
Tampa_cat54 said:
Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Click to expand...
Great post Tampa Cat. I echo your sentiments.
These guys will be remembered by me as the 21st century Unforgettables! No supersta
A very special group of coaches and players that bonded so fast and well to become a TEAM.
FitchandMurray29 said:
Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.
Click to expand...
Great synopsis. We had good “B” players that are “A” superstar human beings. I think of them as the 21sr century Unforgettables. Not many were wanted by big schools but they overcame their talent deficit with big hearts. Truly an unforgettable TEAM!
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,952
76,440
113
UK67KU59 said:
Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.
Click to expand...
I feel him, I remember going to bed crying the night we lost in 1997, Epps was a hero that night and didn’t go out the way he should have either.
 
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A

AJG-15

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
1,447
2,469
78
Pope’ s job as a healer was masterful.., he healed BBN for. The Cal’s years…. Offered the illusion that we are going to win big,,,, his healing of player’s emotions also great……

He will need 3 more years to build a program….hopefully during this time he will also learn and improve.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
42,952
76,440
113
Kyhoward said:
Great post Tampa Cat. I echo your sentiments.
These guys will be remembered by me as the 21st century Unforgettables! No supersta
A very special group of coaches and players that bonded so fast and well to become a TEAM.

Great synopsis. We had good “B” players that are “A” superstar human beings. I think of them as the 21sr century Unforgettables. Not many were wanted by big schools but they overcame their talent deficit with big hearts. Truly an unforgettable TEAM!
Click to expand...
I agree this team was a group of unforgettables.
 
MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
10,306
19,626
66
This is the worst day of the sports season unless it ends with a championship.

Does anyone else have levels of grief?

For example, the tournament losses in 1995, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019 kept me up all night replaying things that could've gone differently in my head and I would generally be upset for days. (I have blocked 2022 and 2024 from memory)

Other years, say 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2016 or 2023 were disappointing but I went on with life as normal the next day.

This year is somewhere in between those. Tonight's game sucked, but I liked these guys and will miss them.
 
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