Final thoughts from OKC

So, my time in Oklahoma City is up, and I have a couple of thoughts to share before we head back to Ames tomorrow morning.

First of all, a great big thank you to readers. In this last week my blog has received nearly 1,000 hits, and I appreciate everyone reading and commenting. I hope you keep checking back because I'm certainly not done writing, and it was a lot easier typing knowing that you were reading.

Secondly, a very big thanks to the ISU women's basketball team and its fans. Coach Bill Fennelly and his crew conducted himself with an immense amount of class, and all of the players were unbelievably classy throughout the Tourney. Best of luck in the NCAA Tourney, if I'm not there to cover it.

It was one hell of a ride through the Tourney, and I met some incredible people here -- people who I never even thought I would cross paths with. To all of the new people that I got to know this week, I want you to know how much you made me feel welcome and a part of the Cyclone family. I came to Oklahoma City expecting to cover a tournament, and I leave feeling extremely blessed to have met and gotten to know you a little bit.

And finally, my thoughts about the ISU women's basketball team -- This is something I have wanted to say all week, but decided it would be better served after the Tourney was over with. What a run, and what a great job. You have so much to be proud of, and ISU fans across the nation are proud of you.

I hope you realize what you did for Cyclone Nation -- You brought ISU fans together. On the streets of Oklahoma they were high-fiving each other, unified by your sense of togetherness. That's quite an accomplishment for a very highly-distinguished group of women. You work so hard, I've seen how hard you work in practice, and it doesn't go unnoticed. What happened to you over these last three weeks was no fluke. It was a payoff. Good things happen to good people, and there isn't one athlete on or associated with this team, coaching staff, training staff and scout team included, that isn't a good person.

OK, I'm done being sentimental. Maybe that's just the senior coming out in me, knowing that after two years of following and covering this team, I'll be gone next year. That's a little emotional for me, too.

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope you continue to do so. Please email me at pabrown@iastate.edu to send me your thoughts, and what I can do better. I appreciate it.

Congratulations to the ISU women's basketball team on a great season, and good luck in the NCAA Tournament.

Signing off from Oklahoma City, I'll see you all soon. Take care.