Kids can say some pretty extreme things in the moments immediately following huge victories or crushing defeats, but it certainly sounds as though Donovan Mitchell -- at least for the time being — has his heart set on returning to Louisville for one more season. 

Donovan Mitchell: "I can't wait.  I can't wait to win a national championship next year.  So, I can't wait." # L1C4 pic.twitter.com/pU5gobOZyP — Spectrum Sports KY (@SpecSportsKY) March 19, 2017

It Mitchell does in fact spurn the NBA Draft, then Louisville will return its four leading scorers from this year’s team, and seven of its top eight contributors.  The Cards will also be bringing in a top 10 recruiting class that features four players who all figure to fight for playing time right out of the gate. 

That combination of factors already has some setting lofty goals for the Rick Pitino’s 2017-18 team. 

If Donovan Mitchell returns, Louisville could push for preseason No.  1.  If not, they'll still be very, very good: https://t.co/kns9Tlnlcd — Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 19, 2017

It all seems so far away right now, and a lot can happen between now and October, but there certainly seems to be a very strong possibility that we all look back on the pain of this moment as a necessary precursor to something greater. 

None of that makes right now any easier to stomach, but hopefully in a few weeks that will change.