Where do we go from here?

I’m gonna find me a hole in the wall,
I gonna crawl inside and die
- Marshall Tucker Band, Can’t You See

If you are reading this, I think that about sums up how you are feeling right now.

The good news is, life will go on.

I promise.

I consider myself a subject matter expert on historically bad losses for my teams. I’m an Atlanta Falcons fan. I’m an Atlanta Braves fan. If I was to claim an NHL team, it would be the Washington Capitals. And of course, I am a Virginia Cavaliers fan.

I lived through the Braves run of a million NL East titles and only one World Series ring. Yes, 1995 was great, but you can’t be a Braves fan and not hear about “well, you underachieved.”

The Caps have put together some historically great teams to never make it to the Stanley Cup Finals with Alex Ovechkin. There have been some brutal, mind blowing losses in the playoffs.

The Falcons are now forever known as the chokers. I was there. In the stands watching my team seemingly put Tom Brady in the grave. And then I watched the miracle comeback to let down America. Let me know the last time you heard or saw a “28-3” joke. It was probably last week.

My college team, up to this point, had been known for the greatest upset in college sports. The Chaminade loss. Not to mention, blowing an impossible lead in an ACC Tournament game to Miami a few years ago and the wonderful loss to Syracuse in the Elite 8 we are all still trying to forget.

And now this.

Prepare yourself, because as I hear “28-3” during every Falcons football game, Super Bowl, and “historic loss” specials, we will now get to hear “16 over a 1,” UMBC Retrievers, and something to the effect of “UVa can’t win in March”.

It’s going to take some time to heal. I recommend staying off social media, avoid ESPN, and maybe listen to Pandora for awhile because sports podcasts and talk radio is off limits. You’ll have to hear it from coworkers, friends, and family at least during this NCAA Tournament and every NCAA Tournament for the rest of your life.

The good news is life will go on. UVa will enter next year likely ranked in the top 10. We’ll love the regular season and pray for just a regular loss in March.

Prepare yourself for some anger. Limit your intake of the opinions of others. Know Virginia will be back.