Early? Yes. Very Early? No doubt. But I think in 10 year's time we'll still be talking about this game. Not because we went toe-to-toe with undefeated, #1 Kansas and won. We've defeated #1 teams before--now twice in a row (thank you, Tiger High). And not because we were severely over-matched on paper; mediocre teams beat great teams at home all the time in college basketball.

We'll remember this game because of the adversity this team faced just ten days ago. We'll remember this win because just days ago we were not talking about getting a high seed in the tournament (as we've been accustomed to doing under Pearl), but talking about whether we would even be included in the Big Dance come March. More than anything, we'll remember this win because for a single afternoon in early January our worst fears were alleviated, our hope was restored, and the black cloud that has been hovering over this university was momentarily lifted.

This win isn't important because of what it means for the rest of the season. This win is important for today. This win is important because of the last 10 days. Bruce Pearl was forced to take a rag-tag group of back-ups and walk-ons and somehow managed to dial up a big win and exorcise the demons that have haunted every citizen in the Big Orange Nation. On paper, it's just a tally in the win column and one less in the loss column, but to this team and the fans it means everything. Sometimes a win is more than a win, and we'll be talking about this one for years to come.

And if this win isn't on the "Top 10 Moments of the Decade" in ten years...well...I would say we will have some pretty spectacular moments to look forward to.