The cruelest defeat in March has to be the almost-upset.
If you get blown out, that’s fine. You probably didn’t belong in the tournament, to begin with. You live, you learn and you appreciate the experience of postseason basketball. If you’re the team on the receiving end of an upset, yeah it stings, but life goes on. If you come within inches, fouls or one shot of glory, I don’t know how you even fathom getting out of bed the next morning.
It’s a reality that No. 13 Chattanooga (+8) has to stomach after just barely falling short to No. 4 Illinois, 54-53, in a Men’s NCAA tournament matchup on Friday.
