ATLANTA — Magic, it turned out, had an expiration date. Maryland 64, Indiana 52. Wasn't this supposed to end the right way? Didn't this improbable, endlessly compelling story demand a final shot of Mike Davis and his miracle Hoosiers cutting down the Georgia Dome nets? Where was Hoosiers: The Sequel?

        The dream finally was exposed. The wild and remarkable Indiana University basketball run to glory fell one step short Monday night. Maryland, a senior-laden team with unfinished business stemming from last season's collapse against Duke, shook off 30 sloppy minutes and turned to Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter, who made all the big plays down the stretch.

        And IU? For the first time this entire tournament, there was nothing left in the reservoir. The offense crawled to a halt. The bench, so remarkable all of March, had a quiet night. By game's end, Jared Jeffries, the one guy capable of pulling the Hoosiers out of the morass, seemed worn down by a night of body thumping with Baxter and Chris Wilcox.

        Once, the game had just more than 11 minutes left and was tied at 40. But then Dixon, who was held down most of the game, did what the great players do. He rose to the moment. He hit a monster 3-pointer that turned the game for good.

        For a Hoosier Nation that swept up in the euphoria of the program's renaissance, the loss really isn't the story — even though it will always be galling to think about all the opportunities IU had Monday night.

        The story is the journey, the stirring and thoroughly transcendent moments this team provided the entire state. The story is the way a once-wobbly team came together at the right time and created something that was nearly mystical at times.

        The Hoosiers didn't cut down the nets Monday night, but they carved out a special place in the state's collective consciousness. It's not often — in fact, it's without precedent — that an IU team would come into the Final Four cast as little more than cannon fodder. Usually, the Hoosiers are a favorite, or one of the favorites, and, while led by Bob Knight, forever cast as the heavy.

        This team was different. This team came in under the radar. It was a fluke for one game. And then another. And another. And soon, the flukes were in the national title game, going toe to toe with the toughest team in the nation.

        Does any state exalt the underdog, appreciate the qualities of the overachiever, quite like Indiana?

        The Hoosiers fell short, just short, but it was something to behold.

        After a month of madness, though, the magic expired Monday.

        The Hoosiers got good looks, got plenty of opportunities throughout the game, and appeared to be a good matchup with Maryland. With 11:41 left, the score was tied at 40.

        But then Maryland started looking like a true national champion. And the Hoosiers, looking very young and skittish, lost their edge.

        But in Indiana, this was IU's tournament, a team every bit as good and noble as the Hoosiers' past champions. It's been a long, long time since IU turned March into an extended basketball party - too long. And it wasn't just the string of victories and crazy upsets. It was the way this team grew into something that transcended individuality, a rare thing in a sport where the best players leave after two years.

        It was a quite a ride. One the state will never forget.

Sports Stories

NCAA Tournament Page Maryland strongarms Indiana for title Hoosiers couldn't get inside game they needed This 'Hoosiers' didn't have happy ending Dixon gives Terps key burst Maryland finally has its season to remember Williams never quit shouting NKU's Cottrell national player of year Cyclones set playoff roster Coming up this week

Opening Day photo galleries:
• The Game • The Celebration • The People
• The Stadium • The Parade
Red-letter day for fans, Reds
Reds 5, Cubs 4
Larkin 'was going all the way'
Peevish cow passes on parade
SULLIVAN: Little Ball yields big breaks
Walker says Opening Day hard - really
Dunn's first opener 'unbelievable'
Boone: Dunn will learn 1B
Hamilton gave Reds what they need
Welcome return for Stynes
Cubs' struggles don't worry Sosa
Reds box, runs
Reds make hit with vegetarians
Bledsoe not counting out Bengals
High School Sports Page
Pitching, 'D' powers Hamilton
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school highlights
N.Ky. high school results