Like the promise of spring that doesn't live up to its promise, the Pitt Panthers' run through this year's NCAA tournament was stopped cold Saturday night against Michigan State.

The Spartans' defensive deep freeze put the University of Pittsburgh's hopes for a trip to the Final Four on hold for another year after a 65-54 elimination, raising frustrations for Panther fans and Coach Jamie Dixon alike. After a season in which the team was more entertaining than dominating, Pitt sliced through its Big East competitors in New York last week to grab the conference championship, fanning hopes that it might go all the way.

Too bad the games of March Madness are not played in Madison Square Garden.

Too bad legendary-coach-turned-color-analyst Bobby Knight, who barely a week ago picked the Panthers to win it all, had no pipeline to the hoopster gods.

What was maddening about the Panthers' play Saturday night in round two of the tournament was it never seemed to get on track. After an opening game rout of Oral Roberts University, 82-63, on Thursday, Pitt couldn't establish its game against a stifling Spartans squad. So now it's on to the off-season.

Although fans were treated to another thrilling year, Coach Dixon's program was never intended to be just an amusement for Pittsburgh sports junkies between the end of the Steelers' season and the start of the Penguins' playoff run. But to reach the tournament's Sweet 16 and beyond, Pitt has to find a way, through recruitment or coaching, to take it to the next level. Or else every year's springtime hopes will be nipped in the bud.