If I had had someone near me, I’d jump into their arms! I had to watch the game with my brother and sister-in-law, both Aubrin grads. They were very cool and actually liked our team and the 04’s (even though we ripped their hearts out in the semi-final game) I was unusually stoic during the championship game but after we won, I stood up with my hands raised in triumph. I think we WON the game, we were aggressive in lock-down defense and forced them into confusion. Watching the last play, we were aggressive without fouling and had all of their scoring options shut down. We needed one more last shutdown and we made the plays unafraid and undaunted. That’s why we are WINNERS and CHAMPIONS!
I don't have words that do it justice but what an unbelievable run - I think about all the things that had to go our way for us to win this. It washes away that feeling I had that we were cursed somehow with our setbacks in FB and BB. All gators should feel privileged to have watched scintillating game after game and then winning it all under historically challenging circumstances. I'm still buzzing and watching those replays like everyone else. What an incredible season!
April 2025 went by too fast. Still got 11 more months to reign as champs and a lifetime of rubbing the title in our rivals’ faces. Go Gators!!!
I p I opt for a more sanguine approach around rivals (of which there are many in Knoxville) with a studied aloofness since, as Gators, we aren’t surprised at such excellence. It seems to irritate them in a more subliminal way.
Well, we take Final Fours as a matter of routine, whereas UT's next Final Four will also be their first. Currently, they're averaging zero per century.
I just saw this last night, it's a recap from immediately after the game that I thought was interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_7WipqIP-U
It was strange and impressive that the Gators never played their best for a full game in the tournament, but still won every game. Some of the turnovers were mystifying.
It was humorous re-listening to Gator basketball podcasts afterward and so often hearing "If we keep playing like this, we will get bounced." Then they kept playing like that and still won.
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Some feel driven to show their expertise by projecting every mistake from the past as if it is then destined to be repeated, and finally, wrapping it all up with a prediction of failure, doom and a loss. When the loss happens, they parade that around as their vindication as being a true maven of the sport. Don’t you know how smart they are? In your previous line of work, you discussed and trained for many eventualities so they could be overcome in your mission, with the eye on success. That is positive planning. not negative bs.
Actually, that is the essence of being a human being, IMO. Patton may have said "Never take counsel of your fears." but he certainly did not mean do not be aware of them.
