UC Irvine nearly pulled off a first-round upset against Louisville in the NCAA Tournament Friday but they fell short and lost 57-55. You could tell how much the defeat impacted head coach Russell Turner, who was choked up while talking at his postgame news conference.
“It’s tough to lose but there’s an incredible positive feeling in that locker room because of the growth in our program and in each of these young men,” Turner said. It’s hard to lose but it’s hard to face these guys who gave everything they got and come up short. Aside from winning that game, that’s about as good of an outcome as you can have. To lay it all on the line.”
This was Turner’s fifth season at Irvine and his most successful. After consecutive losing seasons to start his career with the Anteaters, UCI has posted winning records in three straight seasons and reached the postseason each time. This was his first NCAA Tournament appearance and it obviously meant a lot to him.
