Reactions pour in after Stetson Hatters loss at 1st-ever NCAA Tournament

DELAND, Fla. – On Friday, fan reactions poured in after the Stetson University men’s basketball team lost in its first-ever NCAA Tournament.

The team was bid farewell on Wednesday in a huge sendoff by residents, fans and fellow students in DeLand, but they weren’t able to overcome the hurdle of the top-seeded UConn Huskies, ultimately losing 91-52.

Despite the loss, Stetson University called the team’s efforts “valiant and historic.”

“Indeed, although the Hatters lost the game to UConn, their appearance created great excitement throughout the Stetson community and across the country!” Stetson Today — the university’s news site — states.

Meanwhile, the city of DeLand also issued a statement on the team’s loss on social media.

“Not the result we had all hoped for or dreamed of, but this team is to be commended for playing with character, class and grit,” the post reads. “You all should be proud of this magical season as you have set the bar for all teams that come after you.”

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Even Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood got in on the action, telling the team to “hold your heads up high.”

“Even facing long odds and a big deficit, you came out in the second half and went on an 11-5 run against the defending national champion,” he said.

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