Where Do We Go From Here?

Isn't it amazing how a basketball team can play with your emotions? One week you beat Duke and are seriously believing that this team should and will make the NCAA Tournament. Three straight losses later and all of those dreams are gone, replaced by the depressing thought of heading to the NIT.

Obviously Wake is not mathematically eliminated - the beauty of being able to win the ACC Tournament - however baring that semi-miraculous run the Deacs 2008 Tournament hopes are finished. Yesterday's 87-79 overtime loss at Georgia Tech put the final nails in that coffin.

Wake didn't really even deserve to take the game to overtime. The Deacs shot 39% from the field and were 5-26 on 3-pointers (19%). They also missed their first four freethrows and four of their last five. All of a sudden a team that had made so many strides looked like the team we watched play games in December and early January.

It was a very physical game (and in most cases Wake came out better than GT in the fouls department) and plenty sloppy. Had it not been for Chas McFarland's career afternoon (28 points and 12 rebounds) Wake wouldn't have even been in position to make a run and send the game to OT.

Any time James Johnson picks up 3 fouls in the first six minutes of the game and then plays ineffectively in the second half (only scoring 4 points to go along with his 7 rebounds) Wake is going to be in trouble. Other than the aforementioned play of Chas as well as a pretty solid game from Jeff Teague there were not many bright spots for Wake.

So back to the question in the title: Where do we go from here? The obvious first step is to go win both of the games this coming week and be in the best shape for the ACC Tournament as possible. The team has to know they're basically out of it now, so we have to wonder whether or not they will throw in the towel or keep competing at a high level. I believe Dino can keep them competing, but with all these young players I'm not 100% confident they will.

As fans, I think it is important to not write this season off as a disaster. As disappointing as this 3-game collapse has been, the team has done things most of us didn't anticipate they could or would do. The development of the freshman class has been incredible and the valuable experience they've gained this season will serve them well in coming seasons.

Lastly, we can all enjoy whatever the post season does hold. Even though we wont be heading to March Madness and will have to put our hopes of shelling out for Final Four tickets on hold until next year, an NIT run can still be fun and I hope everyone will full support the team through it.

Yesterday's loss was tough and painful. Unlike the last couple of losses we can't just say "move on and get the next one because we'll still be okay if we do." This one cost a bit more, and that sting doesn't just go away.