NFL
By Jeffrey Newholm
The hedonic treadmill stinks. After just a few moments, when a woman reaches a goal, she’s already over the thrill and seeks another opportunity. But without the lapsing of joy, no one would win more than one NCAA tournament game. And for the Michigan Wolverines, the excitement of the program’s first Sweet 16, by Monday morning, must give way to preparing for an even more significant opportunity. First, sweet, now, elite, and tonight?
Final.
Coyote Season
At first look, perhaps the South Dakota Coyotes (that’s cai-yotes) would be easy prey for the Wolverines. A mid-major hasn’t made the women’s Final Four since Missouri State in 2001.
But 2022 is a new age for the ladies’ tournament.
The era of Uconn’s mind-numbing marches to undefeated seasons passed years ago. In Wichita’s raucous Intrust Bank Arena, a mob of Coyote fans invaded Michigan’s special moment. Although a ten seed, South Dakota represented a new epoch of mid-major tournament success. Although there will always be blowouts in the women’s tournament, a determined under-yote can make an impact, changing the destinies of seemingly superior programs.
Despite Michigan’s impressive composure, the game came down to a final play. A moment so mad, coach Kim Barnes Arico couldn’t even remember it clearly long after the horn.
South Dakota seemingly had one final chance after a favorable out-of-bounds result (see 8:00).
Against the determined Wolverines? After hours of fierce competition, the Coyotes ran out of magic.
But victory’s treadmill turns all too quickly. After heading to the interview room, three proud Wolverine athletes calmly anticipated a greater challenge.
Not Done Yet
Nuts And Bolts Sports asked Michigan what it meant to make the program’s first Elite Eight.
The Wolverines stoically handled the situation while determinedly seeking another triumph.
It was a historic night for @umichwbball earning its first trip to the #Elite8. @JeffreyNewholm asked Leigha Brown(@Leigha32Bown), Naz Hillmon (@nazhillmon), and Laila Phelia (@Lailaphelia) how it feels to make history. #GoBlue #MarchMadness #NCAAWBB #TEAMNBS pic.twitter.com/YKGNqKd5Zn
— TEAM NBS Media (@TeamNBSMedia) March 27, 2022
“It means a lot. Obviously, we’ve made history throughout this entire season,” senior guard Leigha Brown observed. “But we wanted to keep doing things that have never been done before. And just to go through the highs and lows that we did this season. I wouldn’t trade this team for anyone else, wouldn’t trade this coaching staff for anyone else.”
But Brown insisted that there was another goal immediately on the horizon.
“So, super proud of us, super proud of everyone that made it happen, but, yeah, we’re not done yet, so we want to keep making history, for sure.”
Although she expressed herself professionally, senior forward Naz Hillmon unequivocally related her excitement for the special moment.
“Super excited. I feel like every time we make history, about all those people before us. Some of the teammates that we’ve had, who really wanted to get to this point, players that we don’t know but have helped to build and establish what we have, our culture, our system, working towards putting Michigan on the map.”
It turns out it takes multiple hoopers to get momentum’s ball rolling.
“Not only thinking about what we did as a team, but just all the people that came before us, to kind of get this ball rolling.”
Freshman guard Laila Phelia unselfishly deflected the spotlight to her hardworking teammates.
“And, as a freshman coming in, I felt like, just being able to come in and know how hard these girls have worked already.”
Phelia knows there are no shortcuts to success. Instead, hard work alone propels a team to the Elite Eight.
“Right now, I’m just so happy for them because they’ve worked so hard, day in and day out.”
By Monday morning, the Wolverines were already preparing for the biggest game in program history. So who is the next obstacle?
Full Deck Of Cards
As if the Coyotes weren’t enough of an obstacle, at 9 Eastern tonight, mighty Louisville awaits. Although, like Michigan, the Cardinals still seek a first championship, Louisville presents a difficult challenge and fully deserves its #1 seed.
But Michigan won’t stop now.
The hedonic treadmill turns and always keeps a woman racing for fulfillment. But for the NCAA tournament, maybe it’s better never to be sated. Each of the 68 tournament teams won’t achieve satisfaction with one, two, or three wins. Instead, only one goal will do: the Final Four.
For a Wolverine program too long seeking success, its players carefully explained: they’re not done yet. Next stop: Minneapolis.
