Cliff Grassmick / Staff Photographer)
Time will tell what challenges await Dwight Thorne in a coaching career that still is just beginning.
Regardless where that road takes him, chances are Thorne will carry along the lessons from his leadership role with Team Colorado.
For the second consecutive year, the former Colorado guard has been tasked with providing the courtside leadership for Team Colorado at The Basketball Tournament, the $2 million winner-take-all competition the former Buffaloes stars almost took home last year before a big lead slipped away in the championship game.
By any standard, falling just short of such a significant payoff that seemed well in hand during a dominant first half in the title match provided a unique sort of heartbreak.