The Crimson had plenty of reason to be proud.
Said Wheaton: "Considering how hard we played, the injuries we've had, and the tough schedule we play, there's no shame in losing in the round of sixteen."
Indeed, the Crimson had advanced further than any Harvard team since 1997. And Notre Dame went on to advance all the way to the tournament quarterfinals. There was certainly no shame in the Crimson's performance.
In fact, getting to that third-round game can only be considered a triumph in itself. In that sense, the real ending to the epic tale of the 2001 season-indeed the happy ending-came in Hartford. For that was where Harvard rallied all the way back from its lowest point. That was where Harvard avenged its earlier loss to Hartford. And that was where Harvard redeemed itself.