Well, those of us with West Texas connections, if not roots, had wanted this game to end differently.

It didn’t end the way we wanted. Texas Tech’s Red Raiders came up just this much short against the Virginia Cavaliers. The teams went into overtime in the NCAA men’s basketball championship game.

I’ve noted already that I did not attend Texas Tech. I worked and lived in West Texas long enough — 23 years — to know how devoted Red Raiders’ fans are. They love their football. They love their basketball, men’s and women’s alike.

So, the season is over. They’re cheering in Charlottesville. I hope they don’t riot, tear the place up, light fires and act stupidly. Hey, it’s the place that Thomas Jefferson called home and founded the University of Virginia.

They aren’t cheering in Lubbock tonight.

Here’s the deal. The sun will rise in the morning. The wind might even blow.

Texas Tech took it all the way to the end, and then some, into overtime.

Great season, Red Raiders. If this non-Tech dude is allowed to say it, I’ll offer only this: Guns up!