Dear Tigers,

The NCAA championship is over, and Kansas bested you in overtime. I bet it was a hard game to play; I know it was a hard game to watch. Though you're ending your season second-best in the nation, you have a lot of which to be proud.

This year, you set the record for most season-single wins. Chris Douglas-Roberts was nominated for a Naismith Trophy. Derrick Rose was up for a Cousy. Antonio Anderson was C-USA Player of the Year. Dorsey was C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. The Tigers ranked No. 1 for the first time in more than two decades and held the position for five weeks.

I could go on.

But let's just get to what matters. You have brought together an entire city and blanketed it in blue. We have crowded into stadiums and around televisions. We've yelled until our throats were sore; some of us have even learned the words to the fight song! We've cheered with old friends and made new friends at stadiums and in lines.

You're still kids -- 20, 21 years old. Big D, you're only 24. That's a lot of pressure to have on your shoulders when you're that young.

So thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better season to mark my last in Memphis. I wish it never had to end; I'm just not ready to move on yet. Some of you will move on to the NBA, others will stay another year and lead another fantastic team. And no matter which path you choose, my heart will be with you.

And I'll always be proud to be a Tiger.