Dear Kihei, I am sorry.

My Dearest Kihei Clark,

I am sorry.

The jokes and the outrage have flowed like water over the last 12 months. I have used the term “Ewok.” I have constantly referred to your set-shot from three as if you are a middle school JV player just trying to see if you can get it to the hoop. I grew constantly frustrated by your driving to the hoop, into the mountains and trees, only to have a 6’2 guard block your layup against the backboard.

As the CEO of the Jay Huff fan club, I just wanted to see the Chef make a few more threes or have him take two strides from the three point line and dunk it a few more times.

I am a hater. I admit that.

I am also sorry.

Those were not fair.

The heart, passion, and shots you gave your team on Thursday were a thing of beauty. Every shot that you hit keeping the Virginia Cavaliers in the game made my heart grow a little fonder. Without you on Thursday, the Hoos would not be in the Elite Eight and we all would be sad again.

The defense you put on Payton Pritchard was fantastic, holding him to 1-6 from three and 2-6 from the floor for only 11 points after he came in averaging 19 over his last 5 games.

I only have one request: do it again.

Do it one more time on Saturday. Carsen Edwards is only 6’1. He’s an upperclassman that has carved up Tennessee, Villanova, and Old Dominion over the last week and a half.

I don’t care.

We’ve got Kihei Clark.

Lock him up. Lock him down. The Final Four waits.