MINNEAPOLIS -- Amidst the heartache and anger and realization that an NCAA title was there for the taking, Texas Tech coach Chris Beard delivered a timely message.
"This is life. We'll bounce back," Beard said shortly after a gut-wrenching 85-77 overtime loss to Virginia in the national title game.
"In terms of Texas Tech basketball, we're not going anywhere. We'll be back in this tournament sooner than later, and we intend to be a part of college basketball as we build the program."
Before moving on, Beard paid an emotional tribute to his current group.
Tech's senior class of Norense Odiase, Brandone Francis, Matt Mooney and Tariq Owens had contributed way too much to be dismissed easily, taking the program where it had never gone before.