Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 10 No. 4 | March 2018

inside.hokiesports.com 11 they were selected for the NIT. I remember thinking they had lost to Princeton and the unapologetic celebration when they didn’t. I remember landing in Utah and the walk into the arena at BYU. I remember eating at PF Chang’s with the team and Devin Johnson playing “One Shining Moment” before the film session prior to BYU. My mind kept racing, and the recollections of last year became even more vivid. I have the shovel in my living room that Williams handed out to family members at the team Christmas party as a reminder to keep digging. I remember LeDay’s meanmugs after dropping his hesitation hooks on ACC bigs who had underestimated him. I can picture Allen’s posture after hitting a dagger 3 at Clemson and the same stature when he did it again to the Tigers at the Cassell. Of course, I have a mental snapshot of London Perrantes’ shot staying on the flange. I remember being crushed when Clarke lay injured on the floor. Not because of our chances to win the game, but because I remember him (at 19) giving me life advice, and how much I was hurt that he was hurt. I’m still a little embarrassed that I unprofessionally threw my arms up in triumph from radio row when the Hokies survived at Pitt. This year, the moments have been seemingly even more volatile—the lows of Syracuse and UVA at home, the defensive metamorphosis after Miami and before NC State, the stunned silence of John Paul Jones arena in Charlottesville. The point is, if I can remember those moments, and how stressful some of them have been, imagine what it has been like for the people who really play parts in this story. The reps in the weight room, the lessons in practice and film session. The time spent with Buzz’s Bunch and on a #getBETTER tour. The grind of boot camp. The initial conversations in recruiting that led to these guys being here. Buzz Williams being here. All of them adding up to something that hopefully we won’t take for granted in hindsight because it is undoubtedly hard to make up ground. Harder than you can imagine, and certainly not in a linear line of ascension. I’m happy for my memories of the journey, but here are a few numbers that I think point out the volatility of it—and the faith necessary to take it. Over the past two seasons (2016-17 and 2017-18), the Hokies are 8-1 in games decided by three points or less (one possession), and 4-0 in games decided in either single or double-overtime. The last time they lost a one-possession game, in fact, was against Texas A&M on Nov. 25, 2016, away from prying eyes at the Wooden Classic in Fullerton, California. Since then, they have won nine such games in a row, including 3-0 this year (Ole Miss, Virginia and Duke). What does that say? It says the journey has hardened the whole. It says this team is defined by its character and heart. It says they run to the fight and embrace the difficult. It says that in the biggest moments they have been first to the floor and trust their training. It says that if you have been paying close enough attention, that recent night at Cassell was never promised, but also not completely unexpected. It says don’t bet against this team (in a figurative sense) once the madness of March begins. It says it has been tremendously difficult for the family to get to this position, and that the pursuit should be appreciated. I have no doubt that Hokie Nation shares my pride in the accomplishments of Williams’ family and is eager for the moments that will come. Because every moment, positive or negative, is only another opportunity to say “Nunc Coepi,” a phrase the family has adopted. It’s Latin for, “Now I begin.” Indeed, now they begin again, having climbed confidently through their work to new heights. A week after that night at Cassell, I had answered my initial questions and had also eventually gotten some sleep. But now Hokies, I have one for you—wanna dance? Buzz Williams and the Hokies have run to the fight all season–a trait that helped them earn a second straight NCAA Tournament bid.