I definitely thought last year would be the year. Heck, had come out of OT against Denver in '15, there's no doubt in my mind we would have one. This year, I didn't know what to expect and now that we're dealing with injuries, who knows what will happen?

Only two teams have made the tournament the last 12 years. Us, and Maryland. I'll take that kind if consistency.

We've advanced at least to the quarterfinal round in each of the last 7 years. That's the longest active streak by far. Next longest is Maryland, who has been to the quarterfinals in each of the last 3 seasons.

That kind of consistency is outstanding. But we still don't have a brass ring. I'm with you -- I had a good feeling about winning the tournament each of the last two years, but it didn't happen. I don't have a good feeling about winning this year's tournament, due to the injuries as well as the increased parity in the field. We're capable of beating any team in the field, but we're also capable of losing to most of the teams in the field. Everything considered, I just don't have a good feeling about the likelihood of stringing four wins in a row together. But stranger things have happened.

I'm surprised that faceoffs remain an on-going concern annually.