It really does feel that way at times. In the moments of self-pity and “woe is me”

2011: Pitt goes down to UConn after a double-bye in the Big East Tournament when Kemba Walker hits a final shot. The Huskies. After struggling all season with inconsistent play storm through the Big East Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament to win it all. Pitt loses in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Butler who goes all the way to the NCAA Championship game before losing to UConn.

2013: Syracuse beats Pitt in the Big East Tournament. En route to falling in the Big East Tournament Championship game. Syracuse is now in the Final Four. Wichita State pulls the mild — sorry, I have to do it — shocker by beating Pitt in the 8/9 game. Well, beating up and and down the court is probably a better description. The Shockers are also in the Final Four.

Oklahoma State beat Pitt in a Sweet Sixteen meeting and made the Final Four. UCLA and Villanova. Frickin’ Marquette. All within the last ten years.

The flip side to the optimism of being so close and knocking on the door. That pessimism that Pitt is always going to fall just short and some other team will be the one to go through that door.

If Michigan and Louisville win their games today, Pitt will have faced — and lost to every Final Four team this year. Just keep twisting that knife.