It was a whole lot of pain to withstand in such a small time frame, watching both the men’s and the women’s basketball teams end their seasons in a span of about six hours Saturday night.

If the ball had somehow bounced the Cyclones’ way just a few more times in either game, one of the worst nights in ISU athletic history could have been avoided.

If Megan Taylor had been able to knock down that jump shot with the clock running out, or if the infamous Paul Shirley double foul had been called in the ‘Clones’ favor, the ISU faithful would probably still be partying.

But the fact is, we got beat, both in Kansas City and in Auburn Hills.

However, now is not the time to wallow in self-pity, wondering what might have been.

This was still the most magical, wonderful season in ISU basketball history, the type that we might all tell our grandchildren about many decades later.

Don’t forget how it felt to win not just one but two conference championships after a drought of seemingly biblical proportions.

Don’t forget how the men dominated nearly every opponent they faced, despite rarely playing more than six players.

Don’t forget how the women took on all comers, even though the whole conference was shooting for them after last year’s fairy tale season.

Don’t forget how the sudden taste of success made this town spring to life, sending a 150-watt jolt of enthusiasm through the bodies of Cyclone fans that have suffered through mediocrity for so long.

Don’t forget how ISU fans stormed such Midwestern cities as Minneapolis, Detroit and Kansas City, giving the Cyclones a home-court advantage in nearly every postseason game they played.

And don’t forget how our players, men and women, have been confident and reserved in victory, while being noble and fair in defeat.

No, now is definitely not the time to grieve, although after taking the one-two punch straight to the pride Saturday, the desire to do so is strong.

These two teams have shown us what Cyclone fans have always thought to be true. We have two top-notch basketball programs, both on the court and off. The gritty, obsessive need to win displayed by these teams game in and game out has been an inspiration and an example for all of us.

So instead of grieving, we now let soak in the majestic seasons put in the books by the men and the women.

And, of course, begin dreaming about next season, for one gets the feeling that this is just the start of many great things to come.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas, Carrie Tett and David Roepke.