Congrats John, just like I said last week, I'll go to my grave rooting for you. I will admit it was a tad bittersweet watching you win in Kentucky though. Moving on to bigger and better things has been great for your career, but a large part of me wishes you'd just stayed here and built a superpower out in Amherst. You were ours, you were a difference maker, you could have been the king here as well...and I think that means a little more than some people think.
In Kentucky, whoever the current head coach of the Wildcats is (assuming its not Tubby Smith) is king. It's just a given, the crown comes with the position. In Mass? College Basketball is an afterthought, has been since the mid-90's. There were a couple of decent BC teams, but no one roots for BC who didn't go there or isn't Irish and over the age of 55.
But UMass? UMass could have been it, a team the whole state, hell even NH and Maine too, could have gotten behind. But you left, and I'm glad you've finally won, and I'm fortunate to have the memories of the guys above, and I'm especially glad for this little piece of history:
