SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- There are times you feel like a sports team actually does deserve the right to shout, "So there!" Or maybe something a little more colorful that means the same thing.
The Syracuse women didn't jump up on top of the scorer's table and do a high-stepping celebration of a landmark victory that sent them to the program's first Final Four. But nobody could have blamed the Orange if they had done that and more.
After all, it isn't just that they had defeated eight-time NCAA champion Tennessee 89-67, a mere two days after knocking off another SEC power, Sioux Falls Regional top-seed South Carolina, 80-72.
And it isn't just that, as a No. 4 seed, the Orange were somewhat overlooked coming into this regional. Or that they have long played home games in the cavernous Carrier Dome before tiny crowds. Or that they have been dwarfed not just by their highly successful men's team -- which clinched a trip to the Final Four as well on Sunday, as a No. 10 seed; Syracuse is the 12th program to send its men's and women's team in the same season -- but also that mammoth women's program that is 4½ hours to the southeast in Storrs, Connecticut.
Or that the best female player in the history of the city of Syracuse, Breanna Stewart, went to that mammoth women's program.
Or that until this past week, the Orange had never played in an NCAA Sweet 16 game, let alone made a Final Four run.
No, it's not just one of those things -- it's all of them that could have made the Orange players and coach Quentin Hillsman and his staff throw back their heads and let loose a roar of satisfaction and vindication that could be heard all the way back in New York state.
And while the Orange might well have felt just like that inside, they handled this special day with grace and glee. Because Syracuse has felt all season that it had the chance to do what it did. There was a belief in the Syracuse locker room that came from the knowledge of just how well the Orange could play. Then, with the opportunity to display that on this stage, Syracuse put on a show in Sioux Falls.
"We're so fortunate," said Syracuse guard Alexis Peterson, who was an easy pick as the regional's most outstanding player. "To walk up that ladder, you just think about everything you went through to get here."
Peterson had 29 points against the No. 7 seed Lady Vols, and she was also a big force on defense. Peterson embodies the fearless spirit that Syracuse played with in both games here.
"I think she's outstanding getting to the basket," Tennessee coach Holly Warlick said. "Not only has she got great speed, but she has great hesitation. It's difficult to guard. She also can shoot the 3. Those types of players are special."
Tennessee was without starting guard Jordan Reynolds, who had a concussion. Andraya Carter and Bashaara Graves both played with broken fingers. Did all that impact Tennessee, which had 21 turnovers?
Yes, but even a fully healthy squad might not have changed much about the outcome. This was a 22-point margin, after all. Tennessee attempted to keep Syracuse from running away with it, but the Orange were not about to be stopped.
"When you're getting your butt beat, you try every defense you've got," Warlick said. "We tried everything we could do."
But the season ended at 22-14 for the Lady Vols, who played very well and very poorly this season -- and everything in between. Tennessee's Final Four drought stretches back to 2008, and the Lady Vols really thought they had a chance to end it after getting to this regional final.
They were still in striking distance early in the fourth quarter against Syracuse, until back-to-back 3-pointers from Brianna Butler put the Orange in permanent control.
"I think she's outstanding getting to the basket. Not only has she got great speed, but she has great hesitation. It's difficult to guard. She also can shoot the 3. Those types of players are special." Tennessee coach Holly Warlick on Alexis Peterson
Butler had 18 points, all coming on 3-pointers. Cornelia Fondren had 13 points, going 6-of-6 from the field. Syracuse got outrebounded by 12, but it didn't even matter.
Peterson is from Columbus, Ohio, but didn't get any interest from former Buckeyes coach Jim Foster. Twin centers Briana and Bria Day are from Raleigh, North Carolina, and originally committed to play for the Tar Heels. But they changed their minds and went to Syracuse.
And Fondren, who is from Memphis, Tennessee, was never in the recruiting mix for the Lady Vols.
All of them said that the decision to go to Syracuse came down to liking the coaching staff, believing in Hillsman's vision, and wanting to make something ground-breaking happen at a program that had never experienced that before.
"I wanted to come somewhere and make a difference," said Fondren, one of Syracuse's five seniors. "And look at us now."
Brittney Sykes, a redshirt junior who was part of that recruiting class that included Fondren and Butler, has overcome a great deal, injury-wise, in her time at Syracuse. She suffered a torn right ACL during Syracuse's first-round game in the 2014 NCAA tournament. Then after rehabbing it, she tore it again in December 2014, forcing her to redshirt last season.
Sykes started every game this season, getting nine points and five rebounds on Sunday.
"It means the world to me and this team," Sykes said of making the Final Four. "Today, I think it really sunk in that what I've been through was all worth it. We are going to face every team without fear, because we know we're a tough team."
And Sykes said the fact that Syracuse native Stewart, who has been the Final Four's most outstanding player the past three years, went to UConn was "the right decision for her."
"All credit to her. She's a great, great player, and someone I consider one of my close friends," Sykes said. "And credit to Geno Auriemma. He's created a monster program there, and Breanna has done great things for UConn.
"But the players here, we've all done great things for Syracuse. So, when you think about it, you keep it separate. Syracuse is Syracuse; UConn is UConn. We're building this program up and making history. And if we happen to win a game [in Indianapolis] and then see them in the national championship, so be it. But right now, we're putting Syracuse women's basketball on the map."
Hillsman is in his 10th season guiding the Orange, and he stresses that the credit goes to his players. But the system he has put into place, and his ability to recruit players who fit it, was the driving force to making this day happen.
They call him "Q," but in this regional he had all the answers. Syracuse outplayed both the Gamecocks and the Lady Vols. The Orange executed both offensively and defensively just as they wanted to, and they competed with a passion and confidence that will send them to Indianapolis feeling like they fully belong there.
"They deserve to have all the fun they want right now," Hillsman said. "Because they're just some hard workers. They just continue to fight, play hard, and let me push them to get to this level. I'm very grateful for that."