Tough loss for Xavier alumni, fans

Xavier vs. Arizona: Extended Game Highlights
CINCINNATI

Many Muskie fans and alumni packed downtown bars for Xaviers Elite 8 game in the NCAA men"s basketball tournament.

Xavier nation watched intently, hopeful that its team could finally make history and punch a ticket to the Final Four this season. Instead, the X-Men met their match Saturday night against Gonzaga and walked away with a loss, 83-59.

The madness of March caught up with the Musketeers, leaving alumni sad to see the spectacular run come to an end.

I can"t be upset with it, they came out in this tournament and they showed really well. They definitely exceeded my expectations for them, alumnus Dave Rinck said.

You know, we played very good. I"m so proud, so proud, Xavier senior Lauren Uttam said.

The Queen City Exchange filled with a sea of blue Saturday. Two 2013 Xavier alumni co-own the downtown bar on Court Street.

Their 41 taps change prices just like the stock exchange, depending on what drinks are hot and which ones are not.

It"s really cool, to think that I get to watch Xavier, my alumni, in my own bar, it is a lot of fun to think about. And really to be able to offer a location to Xavier to host young alumni, things like that where they know they have a good spot and a friendly spot to watch the Muskies, co-owner Adam Stowe said.

We still feel very connected to Xavier. xavier alumni has been really, really great to us having watch parties here, so we feel as connected as we did as students, co-owner Nick Broerman said.

Frustrated fans feeling the agony of defeat, still believe this Xavier team had an incredible run.

They played great. Xavier played great. (It was a) great season; beyond my expectations, said fan Rob Feld, whose father played for Xavier in the "50s.

I"m not going to call it a Cinderella. They"ve got unfinished business. They"ll come back next year and they"ll be ready to play, Rinck said.

WEBVTT MANY STUNNED ANDDISAPPOINTED.FANS CHEERED ON XAVIER BUT THEMADNESS OF MARCH CAUGHT UP WITHTHE MUSKETEERS.ALUMNI SAD TO SEE THE TOURNAMENTRUN COME TO AN END.>> THEY CAME OUT AND SHOWEDREALLY WELL.THEY DEFINITELY EXCEEDED MYEXPECTATIONS FOR THEM.>> I AM SO PROUD.SO PROUD.>> 220 ALUMNI CO-OWNS THE BAR ONCOURT STREET.DEPENDING ON WHAT DRINKS ARE HOTAND WHAT IS NOT.>> THE FACT THAT I GET TO WATCHXAVIER, IT IS A LOT OF FUN.TO OFFER A LOCATION FOR XAVIER,THINGS LIKE THAT WHERE THEY CANHAVE A GOOD SPOT TO WATCH THEMUSKIES.>> WE FEEL VERY CONNECTED.XAVIER ALUMNI HAS BEEN VERYCONNECTED TO US.WE FEEL AS CONNECTED AS WE DIDAS STUDENTS.REPORTER: THEY STILL FEEL THETEAM HAD AN INCREDIBLE RUN.>> THEY PLAYED GREAT.GREAT SEASON, BEYOND MYEXPECTATIONS.>> THERE WERE PLENTY OF UPSETFANS.NOT TOO MANY TEARS.MANY ALUMNI SAY THEY WERE VERYIMPRESSED BY XAVIER"S SEASON.

Source: http://www.wlwt.com/article/tough-loss-for-xavier-alumni-fans/9186303