It was an emotional postgame presser for Michigan State head women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant.
The season had just ended, so that was a bummer, to be sure. But more than that, Merchant got choked about thinking back to everything her team went through this season, starting the season missing two upperclassmen starters, and losing two more along the way.
Frankly, the season could've been a disaster. But it was anything but.
"Their heart was there. I've coached a lot of great players and won championships ... this team, by far, is my No. 1 favorite team because they handled all the adversity with such class and toughness," said Merchant, who has wrapped up her 15th season on the job.