Thinking Back Before Looking Ahead
With Davidson advancing to the NCAA Tournament last night for the third straight year after beating Elon in the Southern Conference Tournament championship game, it’s hard not to immediately start ruminating on potential seedings and opponents in the “Big Dance.” Surely, this tlog will be rife with thoughts, analysis, links and other various paraphernalia over the next two weeks as we anticipate Davidson’s first-round tournament game. For today, though, it’s worth taking a minute or two to reflect on the 2007-08 Davidson season thus far.
The first month of the season was an emotional roller coaster more turbulent than any other I have experienced in the context of sports. I knew we had a good team, but I was still in shock when the Wildcats very nearly completed the opening game upset over #1 ranked UNC. When the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll reacted to Davidson’s stellar effort by awarding the team a spot in the Top 25 for the first time in over 30 years, my developing obsession with this year’s Wildcats was complete. Every big game last fall felt just like those first round games in the NCAA Tournament the previous two years. I was emotionally exhausted after each loss to UNC, Duke, UCLA, and N.C. State. But unlike past years when my emotions for Davidson peaked in March, this was only November and December – we still had two months of conference games to go.
I remember following the Western Michigan fiasco through ESPN’s live stats feed, and then sharing my disappointment over the unfortunate loss with my fellow tlogger on the phone. Then, after predicting a blowout win over UNCC, I listened to Kilgo and Logan on the internet in disbelief as Davidson dropped yet another winnable non-conference game. Davidson’s solid play against UCLA restored my faith in the team, and I decided to put my obsession to good use by creating this tlog with my fellow Davidson alum Base Rich. We were and remain dedicated to consistently following the team until season’s end.
But after the 1 point loss to N.C. State in the final seconds of that game, this once hopeful season seemed to have unraveled completely. Davidson had played admirably against some of the nation’s best teams, but the reality was a 4-6 record entering the holiday break. I knew that Davidson had its work cut out for it to earn its way back into the national spotlight.
When Davidson began 2008 with a resounding and somewhat unexpected obliteration of Georgia Southern in Belk Arena, it was clear that this team had refocused and was determined not to let those early season losses get in the way of the team’s annual Socon demolition project.
The conference wins continued with little drama excepting the close games against Elon and UNCG. By February, it was clear that this Davidson team was on a relentless mission for perfection. The easy dispatching of Winthrop proved that Davidson’s bourgeoning dominance was not just exclusive to games with the Socon toileteers. Then this past week, Davidson finally earned itself a spot back in the Top 25. A tragic fall from grace in the early goings was finally righted through the astounding accomplishment of a 20-0 Socon season.
I can’t explain how proud I am of this team. I’ve always been a big sports fan, but nothing in sports compares to seeing your alma mater’s teams achieve success in the national spotlight. The team has really come together in the previous few weeks. While Curry and Richards have played at a high level all year, Lovedale, Rossiter, Meno, and Gosselin have improved their games dramatically over the course of the season. It’s been a treat to watch these players grow from game to game.
No matter what happens in the NCAA Tournament, this season will go down as one of the best memories of my life. I’ll never forget Curry’s smile last night after he sank the final long 3-pointer to send Elon to the showers. This team has a confidence and determination about it right now that seriously makes me believe that the best of this special season still lies ahead.
4th Watts