April 2017. Team returns home as NCAA champions and get a welcome not seen in Minnesota since the Twins arrived at the Dome. The Barn shakes as dust falls from the rafters, people crowd around the outside of The Barn, pushing to get in. Over 50,000 fans showed up, some waited hours just to see the bus pull onto campus.
The players, still holding a piece of the championship net, walk through the fans receiving hugs, high fives and slaps on the back. The band is there, playing the rouser on repeat, as echoes of "M-I-N-N-E-S-O-T-A" ring through Dinkytown. A helicopter flies over head, documenting everything for Channel 4.
Richard Pitino stands at half court, surrounded by his family, players and University officials. He quiets the crowd and speaks into the microphone "This one is for you, Gopher fans. SKI-U-MAH!!!" as the crowd erupts again. Final Four MVP Amir Coffey, walks to his coach and hugs him. "Gopher fans, Thank you. I will be back next year to defend this title." And again The Barn erupts.
Finally, as the team hoists the championship trophy, the noise becomes too much. The Barn lofts are crumbling due to being overcrowded. The fire marshall gave up hours ago. And this fans, is truly the loudest The Barn will ever be.
**the following day Reusse wrote a column saying Pitino needs to do it again to prove it and that the fans didn't seem to really care. He also threw a dig at home grown talent and P.J. Fleck**