Regardless of how ugly the NCAA Championship game was on Monday night, one thing we can always count on from big sporting events are great photos capturing all the emotions involved. After sifting through hundreds of Getty Images, we may have found the two that best depict the immediate post-game feelings of the winners -- UConn -- and losers -- Butler. See them after the jump.
NCAA Championship Game Photos: Butler, UConn Experience Agony, Ecstasy
Let’s get the sadness out of the way first. Here is Butler’s Shawn Vanzant leaving the court in Houston, covered in celebratory star-shaped confetti. Made all the more sad by his matching tattoo.
But cheer up! Here’s UConn’s bench and cheerleaders celebrating at center-court as the streamers pour down for the sky. It’s almost enough to make you feel happy for Jim Calhoun. Almost.
For more on the 2011 NCAA Championship game, check out SB Nation’s Andrew Sharp’s two recaps of the night, here and here.













