The TU Golden Hurricane’s hopes for a conference championship were dashed on March 15, 2024, as they faced the Wichita State Shockers in the American Conference Tournament semifinals, suffering an 81-68 defeat. This loss in Birmingham ended TU’s impressive six-game winning streak and eliminated their chance to secure the title for the first time since 2014.
Head coach Eric Konkol expressed his disappointment in the aftermath of the game, stating, “This is a really hard moment. We fully wanted and had aspirations of playing tomorrow and cutting down the nets. Anytime you fall short of a goal that you’ve worked really hard for, it stings.” Despite the setback, the team displayed resilience, particularly in the second half.
Tylen Riley led the Golden Hurricane with 18 points, complemented by Miles Barnstable with 14 points and Tyler Behrend contributing 13 points and six rebounds. Riley reflected on the team’s fight, noting, “It’s really difficult. This has been a fantastic group to coach. We talked way back in the summer about what our goals were. Of course, playing tomorrow was one of them.”
The team faced significant challenges, falling behind by as many as 20 points during the game. Konkol acknowledged the difficulties posed by Wichita State’s performance, highlighting their effective shot-making and rebounding. “We were dealt some adversity today in a number of different ways,” he added.
Looking ahead, Konkol remains optimistic about his team’s prospects for postseason play. “I hope there’s opportunity to play in postseason. I think these guys deserve it. They’ve worked really hard and sacrificed for one another,” he said. Konkol emphasized that postseason basketball is typically reserved for top-performing teams, noting the metrics from respected sources like KenPom and the NCAA’s NET rankings.
As the Golden Hurricane awaits their postseason fate, they hope for an invitation to either the NIT or the College Basketball Crown. Decisions regarding tournament selections will be announced on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 20:30.
With their historic season still on the line, the TU Golden Hurricane must now wait to see if they will continue their journey in the postseason.
