Elite 8 loss tough pill to swallow

Coaches Bill Self of Kansas and Roy Williams of North Carolina can sympathize with Davidson’s Bob McKillop this week after his loss in the Midwest Regional Final.

The National Association of Basketball Coaches convention is held every year at the Final Four site. When you lose in a regional final – especially by a small margin – you attend the coaches’ convention and wander through the Final Four hoopla feeling like your team should be a part of it.

“Next to losing the championship game, I can't imagine there's a tougher game to lose than the Elite Eight game,” Self said.

I’m not sure if McKillop will attend the convention after his narrow defeat this season. Traditionally he meets George Mason coach Jim Larranaga and Michigan coach John Beilein for lunch at some point at the Final Four site.

Three years ago, Beilein missed the Final Four at West Virginia when Louisville staged a comeback and won in overtime in a regional final. Two years ago, George Mason defeated Connecticut in overtime to reach the Final Four.

On Sunday, Davidson lost 59-57 to Kansas. If they get together, all three coaches will be able to commiserate about how razor thin the difference between fulfilled dreams and shattered dreams can be in the Elite Eight. – Ken Tysiac