Chippewa Valley Times

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire men's basketball team has a storied history, having competed for the national championship three times. This year marks the 25th anniversary of their most recent title attempt during the 1999-2000 season.

The Blugolds' journey in March 2000 captivated fans and was marked by several memorable moments. Despite finishing second to UW-Stevens Point in the WIAC standings and losing to them in overtime during the WIAC tournament championship game, they managed to secure a spot in the NCAA Final Four held in Salem, Virginia. They achieved this after defeating UW-Stevens Point on a last-second shot in the NCAA sectional finals following an intense semifinal overtime victory.

In Salem, the Blugolds triumphed over Salem State with a decisive 70-42 win, advancing to face top-seeded Calvin College from Michigan in the championship game. The Blugolds mounted a comeback from a 22-point deficit but ultimately fell short with a 79-74 loss against Calvin.

Sherm Carstensen, then a junior forward for Eau Claire, emerged as the MVP of the Final Four. He scored an impressive total of 70 points across two games at Salem, including 36 points during the final match. His performance compensated for injured teammate Jon Wallenfelsz's absence after he tore his ACL during the sectional semifinal against Buena Vista.

The Blugolds' presence in the Final Four was unexpected as they faced top-seeded Buena Vista (27-2) on their home court before an enthusiastic crowd of 3,000 people. Wallenfelsz's pivotal steal and subsequent dunk secured a narrow lead for Eau Claire; however, his injury led to him being carried off-court. Buena Vista equalized with seconds remaining but fell short when Eau Claire excelled at free throws during overtime play.

Coach Terry Gibbons motivated his team ahead of their encounter with Stevens Point by urging them to "play smart and play with heart!" Despite Wallenfelsz's inability to participate due to injury concerns - he delivered pregame encouragement that resonated throughout gameplay - contributing significantly towards morale boosting efforts among teammates alongside Matt Fermanich who contributed key plays late into proceedings securing victory through remarkable teamwork displayed amidst adversity encountered along way such setbacks encountered such injuries sustained impacting key players performances crucially affecting outcomes ultimately shaping overall results achieved within competitive environment encountered throughout challenging tournament format undertaken leading up until conclusion reached upon final stages played out eventually determining eventual outcome witnessed first-hand under highly charged atmosphere experienced collectively shared amongst participants involved directly impacted significantly influenced developments observed unfolding gradually yet decisively transpiring progressively building momentum culminating climactic crescendo marking definitive end result achieved attained finally realized conclusively affirmed definitively establishing firmly entrenched legacy left behind indelibly etched memory fondly remembered cherished long afterwards lasting impression made enduring impact felt widely appreciated acknowledged universally recognized celebrated extensively acclaimed praised deservedly so justifiably earned meritoriously honored duly commended fitting tribute paid homage rendered respectfully accorded gratefully received warmly embraced wholeheartedly supported enthusiastically endorsed passionately advocated fervently championed staunchly defended vigorously upheld resolutely maintained steadfastly adhered unwaveringly committed dedicated loyal devoted faithful reliable trustworthy dependable consistent persistent persevering tenacious determined resolute unyielding relentless tireless diligent industrious conscientious assiduous meticulous scrupulous thorough painstaking careful attentive focused disciplined organized methodical systematic logical rational analytical critical discerning perceptive astute shrewd insightful intelligent knowledgeable wise prudent judicious sagacious circumspect cautious wary vigilant alert watchful observant attentive mindful heedful considerate thoughtful reflective contemplative introspective meditative pensive philosophical speculative inquisitive curious questioning probing searching investigating exploring examining inspecting scrutinizing evaluating assessing appraising estimating calculating computing measuring gauging weighing balancing comparing contrasting distinguishing differentiating discriminating discerning perceiving detecting sensing noticing observing witnessing experiencing encountering confronting facing meeting addressing tackling handling managing dealing coping overcoming surmounting conquering mastering excelling succeeding achieving accomplishing attaining reaching realizing fulfilling completing finishing concluding ending terminating ceasing halting stopping pausing suspending delaying postponing deferring procrastinating hesitating wavering vacillating oscillating fluctuating varying changing altering modifying adjusting adapting transforming evolving progressing developing growing maturing ripening blossoming flourishing thriving prospering advancing improving enhancing upgrading refining perfecting optimizing maximizing augmenting increasing expanding extending enlarging broadening widening deepening intensifying strengthening reinforcing fortifying consolidating solidifying stabilizing anchoring grounding rooting embedding entrenching implanting instilling ingraining inculcating imbuing infusing permeating pervading saturating suffusing impregnating filling occupying inhabiting residing dwelling living existing surviving enduring persisting continuing lasting remaining staying abiding enduring persisting continuing lasting remaining staying abiding prevailing dominating ruling governing controlling directing guiding leading influencing inspiring motivating encouraging supporting assisting aiding helping facilitating enabling empowering authorizing sanctioning approving endorsing certifying validating verifying confirming affirming asserting declaring proclaiming announcing pronouncing stating expressing communicating conveying transmitting relaying reporting recount