DENVER — The shock of a season-ending loss lingered well after in the VCU locker room.

Some players exchanged hugs and tears, while others stared blankly into space, working to process an 80-71 loss to BYU.

For most of Thursday's NCAA tournament game, underdog VCU looked every bit the equal to favored BYU. But in two fateful stretches, each lasting just four minutes, they watched hopes of a program-defining victory fade away in an 80-71 loss.

The Cougars outscored the Rams 13-1 to end the first half, then opened the second half by outscoring VCU 15-3.

"It's tough to think about right now," senior Max Shulga said, taking the loss on his shoulders. "I had a lot of breakdowns at the end of the first half that caused that run."

The loss stung, but the unspoken reality was also present: When VCU next takes the court in November, it will bear very little resemblance to Thursday's team.

Many of the team's star players, including Max Shulga, Joe Bamisile and Jack Clark, won't return next year because they are out of college eligibility.

"I couldn't ask to be around a better group of guys," said senior Zeb Jackson. "I'll love these guys for life, and I think the cool part of this is that it's about way more than basketball."

There is also uncertainty at the top.

Coach Ryan Odom has been courted by bigger programs with coaching openings, including the University of Virginia.

Odom wouldn't discuss those rumors this week, saying he was "100% focused" on delivering a March Madness win to VCU, but he did laud the program's fans for their part in creating a special season.

"I'm thankful to be at a place where people care so much," he said. "It's not like that at every place. Clearly BYU has it. They care about their place. VCU cares about their place. We're thankful for that."

This isn't the first time VCU's program has reached a crossroads, and the program has handled change adeptly in the past.

Odom is the sixth consecutive VCU coach to advance to the NCAA tournament during his time on Broad Street, testament to a program that has continued to build and grow through numerous changes.

The Rams are also potentially well positioned to enter the era of direct payments to athletes, which is scheduled to begin this summer. Because they don't have a football team, there will be no intra-program squabbling over available resources.

Freshman Brandon Jennings, a Richmonder, made big strides this year, and would be an anchor of future teams if he returns, and freshman forward Luke Bamgboye, from London, grew into a starter as the season went on.

For now, though, the focus will be on a sour end to an otherwise memorable season, as the Rams went toe-to-toe with the Cougars for 32 minutes, only to see victory slip from their grasp in two fateful stretches before and after halftime.

"It sucks that we have to lose, but at the end of the day only one team is going to end their season winning," Bamisile said. "I’m proud of how we responded, but we came up short."

Bamisile, who has played at four other colleges, said he'd leave with fond memories of this year's team.

"I enjoyed the day-to-day more than I ever have, with any other team," he said. "I’m just going to appreciate what we had, and any time I look back on this team I’m going to have a lot more good to remember than bad."