Just for a moment, the last second three point attempt by A.D. Vassallo from the top of the key to try and win Saturday night's game against Florida State appeared as if it was destined to fall through.
Any hazy visions of a NCAA Tournament berth to Miami or Philadelphia indicated by the calling of 'Virginia Tech' on Selection Sunday seemed to vanish as the shot hit the back iron. Vassallo himself even thought it was going in.
"I took one of the best shots I took all night, wide open too," Vassallo said coming off a 15-point performance. "It just didn't go in."
As the missed shot fell to the floor in conjunction with the sounding of the final buzzer signaling the 67-65 loss, a strong feeling that the Hokies' final home game of the regular season in less than two weeks against North Carolina would not really be the last time senior forwards Vassallo and Cheick Diakite would grace the Cassell hardwood surfaced.
Instead, the 2008-2009 home campaign seemed to instantaneously extend with the Hokies claiming a high seed in the National Invitational Tournament, fated to host a MEAC or Atlantic Sun team that was best in its respective conference during the regular season, but lost in its conference tournament, therefore losing out on a chance to compete in the play-in game of the NCAA Tournament.
The future was incredibly bright exactly one month before Saturday night's loss. January 21 was a night in which the visiting Hokies took the lead on "SportsCenter," upsetting No. 1 and undefeated Wake Forest.
The clichd, but vivid image of Hank Thorns flashing the 'Hokies' on the front of his jersey following the end of the game has yet to vacate the mind. And, at the time, it seemed to signal the start to a glorious second half of Tech's regular season that would ideally conclude with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The following contest, a win at Miami team in overtime, seemed to all but confirm this notion.
The past week and a half proved it was too early to believe, however.
Two consecutive losses of games against Maryland and Virginia, games that appeared to be gimmes for the Hokies, were disturbing to watch. But the loss to Florida State was arguably the most painful, even more so than rival UVa's 14-point romp of Tech three days prior.
The Hokies have proven time and time again this season that they play their best when their backs are against the wall and when they're the underdog. Saturday night's game fell into both categories for Tech. ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas was even quoted the day before as saying the Hokies were the "ultimate bubble team."
But up until now, the Hokies had always appeared to get over the hump and perform well enough to alter the course of their season by playing up to the level of their opponents. On Saturday, however, Tech just did not have enough in its tank.
Give a massive amount of credit to the players - they battled back from a 14-point deficit in the first half to contend for the win and even enjoy a lead for a few minutes in the latter part of the second half.
Sophomore guard Malcolm Delaney once again proved how much of an asset he is to this team, breaking out of a four-game slump during which shoot 30 percent from the floor to score 25 points, going 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Returning from a one-game suspension, sophomore forward Jeff Allen recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds while playing all but three minutes of the game, further proving how vital he is to his team in his own right.
The final play was implemented perfectly by the Hokies as well.
"The kids did a good job of executing," said head coach Seth Greenberg. "I want to get Malcolm (Delaney) in the gap or if he didn't have it, hand it off and A.D. (Vassallo) was on the backside. He got a good look. We'll take that look. Sometimes you make them, and sometimes you don't."
All the stars aligned for the Hokies, they got the type of production from their 'Big Three' that usually secures a win. This time it just didn't happen.
There's no denying Florida State is a very good team. Heralded guard Toney Douglas played as advertised, leading the 'Noles with 22 points and guard Derwin Kitchen stepped up and played his best game of the season, contributing with 19 points and six rebounds.
Yes, all hope is not lost. Saturday's game was not the final one. The remaining schedule is simple, yet intimidating. The last four games of the regular season all come against top five teams in the ACC.
It appears as if Tech can beat either Duke and/or North Carolina at home and score another win on the road against Clemson or the Seminoles, they can still save their season. Others who feel particularly sanguine believe that if Tech can just win both road contests, they can make a case for an at-large bid.
But if the Hokies do not have enough to defeat the worst of their four remaining opponents at home, what slightest bit of evidence is there to give one hope that they can turn it around against three top-15 teams in Clemson, Duke, and North Carolina? And who knows what will occur in the conference tournament other than that no plausible first-round opponent will be an easy win for the Hokies.
Perhaps this is all pessimism to the utmost degree, but it cannot be argued that the current is going against a Tech team that is all but drifting along at this point in the season.
And let it be known that there's nothing wrong with a bid to the NIT - such a bid would be seen as an accomplishment for so many programs. But when a team shows as much promise as Tech did earlier this season, anything less than the 'Big Dance' just leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.