CORVALLIS — As Oregon State's charter plane took off from Indianapolis Monday morning, players sitting in first class rose their arms and started belting the song "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran.
Later that afternoon, the Beavers returned home to Gill Coliseum for one final "8-minute mingle," where fans gathered for autographs and photos and to offer congratulations.
In less than 24 hours, the demeanor had almost completely flipped after OSU's season ended with an 80-51 loss to powerhouse Connecticut in the Final Four. Even with the tiniest bit of distance, the Beavers had already gained perspective on the historic run they just completed.