Even tears couldn't wash away the disappointment.
As time runs out on the Gators' season, and his career, senior Walter Hodge is left to wonder where it all went wrong.
The guard has won more games (113) than any player in the history of UF basketball.
"He's on the bench last night crying. Like emotionally crying, because he wants to win and he's trying to implore our guys," UF coach Billy Donovan said. "When you see someone like him care that much, you want to that to be a reflection of what your program is about."
With their loss to Mississippi State on Wednesday night, UF's (21-9, 8-7 Southeastern Conference) NCAA Tournament hopes are all but dashed.
For the second time in two years, it's looking more and more likely that Hodge and the Gators will be watching March Madness in between NIT games.
"It's hard when you put everything into this program and you don't get the results you want," Hodge said. "But that's life. You have to keep going."
Hodge will play his last regular-season game at home Saturday when UF finishes up the SEC season against Kentucky (19-11, 8-7 SEC) at 2 p.m.
The Wildcats haven't fared much better in recent weeks, matching the Gators' loss with one of their own to Georgia on Wednesday night.
The losing team is not likely to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"It's going to be crazy. I got a lot a family coming. It's going to be a big day," Hodge said. "A lot of emotions - this is my last game at the O'Dome. I want to finish it the right way."
While Hodge, a member of both of the Gators' national championship teams, has remained in the starting lineup this season, he has often taken a backseat to freshman guard Erving Walker in overall minutes.
"Erving is playing really well down the stretch against Tennessee. And as a senior, he's sitting there watching and cheering for Erving Walker to do it and help us win," Donovan said. "He never says a word, never cops an attitude, doesn't pout. He's always put Florida above himself."
Hodge says once his basketball career at UF comes to an end he hopes to pursue a professional career overseas.
"I want to go pro and probably go to Europe, but that's all in God's hands," he said.
That's still months away, however.
Right now, Hodge is still focused on the task at hand.
"We can still do something special," Hodge said. "We have to win this game Saturday and get that confidence back."
The senior says a run in next week's SEC Tournament is still not out of the question either.
"It's possible," Hodge said. "Georgia did it last year, so why can't we do it?"
CALATHES' BENCHING A LEARNING EXPERIENCE: Nick Calathes watched from the bench as his team failed to rally from behind against Mississippi State in the game's closing minutes Wednesday.
Donovan said he wasn't punishing the point guard, and he thought watching would be a good learning experience for his leading scorer.
"He has an incredible drive to make an effort at the end of games, but he has to understand how to incorporate other people," Donovan said Thursday. "When you're the best player on the team, you feel like you have to do it. But you have to be thinking about time and score, who has the hot hand, what's the best situation."
