The Last Night of the College Basketball Season

It's the final game of the 2009-2010 season. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

I get so excited for the National Championship game, until I realize that tomorrow I’m going to have to start counting down the days until basketball season once again begins.

While a lot of people complained that there was no stand-out team, I’m celebrating this season for more exciting games than we have seen in quite some time. I also love that this season stumped everyone, even the analysts. Remember when the Texas-UNC game in Dallas Cowboy Stadium was touted as the Game-of-the-Year? Remember Northeastern’s 11-game winning streak, the longest in the country at the time. Remember Northern Iowa beating Kansas (you should, it like, just happened).

Butler and Duke battled it out the entire 40 minutes. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

This season, no matter what the outcome tonight, will be memorable. But for those of us (like me) who’s teams may have not performed up-to-snuff, “tonight’s the night the world begins again.”

Update, 10:13 p.m. EST: We have a one-point game at the half, ladies and gentlemen.

Update, 11 p.m. EST: Butler is tenacious. A gnat flying around Duke’s National Championship ear. 51 to 47 49 Blue Devils, with 9 minutes left.

Update, 11:04 p.m. EST: I feel like I’m watching a hard-fought, on-the-floor, gym-rat AAU game.

Update, 11:26 p.m. EST: Duke up five with two minutes left.

Update, 11:32 p.m. EST: Timeout Butler, down one with 13 seconds left. This is the best National Championship in a while. Even better than Memphis-Kansas.

Jeff Haynes/Reuters

Update, 11:34 p.m. EST: Butler can’t inbound, has to use another timeout.

Update, 11:36 p.m. EST: Hayward misses, Duke rebounds with three seconds left. Butler fouls to put Zoubek on the line. He makes first foul shot.

Update, 11:37 p.m. EST: WOW. Zoubek misses second foul shot intentionally. Hayward almost makes half-court launcher. Duke wins its fourth national championship!

If you had told me 10 years ago that Chris Spatola (Duke DOBO, former Army point guard) would be a national champion, I would have asked you what drugs you were one. It’s funny the twists and turns life can take, and the way a journey can bring you down a great road if you just let it. Congrats to Duke, and congrats to Butler. I don’t think anyone lost this game tonight. I think time just ran out. (I know that last part took a sentimental turn, but March Madness is over, and College Basketball is my First Love).

To Keep You Entertained Until Next October