This Game

This post might be construed as a rant but at least it's on my blog, not facebook (which I consider deleting more and more everyday). For those of you who have been living under a rock or those of you who (I just learned exist) don't follow sports, the Kentucky Wildcats won the NCAA Championship last night. And it feels good. I wanted to write this while I'm on this high.

I love this game. Of course I love Kentucky's program: the rich history, the fan base, the passion and Coach Cal. But there is no other game like it in the world. I don't want to gush and freak out those of you who care nothing about sports but I will just say again, I love the game.

Perhaps it's because I'm a fan of the game and not just of Kentucky that I can put on my big girl panties and deal with a loss or a tough season. When Kentucky lost the SEC tournament, I was still so happy for Vanderbilt, their coaches reaction could warm even the hardest heart and they outplayed us that day. Plus they hadn't won an SEC tournament in over 50 years.....how can you not be happy for that?

The game I was most nervous about the whole tournament was Indiana and they didn't disappoint. I dare say there are few places harder to win in than Assembly Hall (where we lost this year). Indiana came to play and did not give up. They were tough opponents both times we played this year. How can you not respect their program? Rich history, amazing fan base, making their comeback in the last couple of seasons (sounds eerily similar doesn't it?).

The regular season game against UNC I had pretty much written of as  a loss before it was even played. Partly because I was scared of John Henson but mostly because Coach Williams knows how to get the job done.

I could give you a long list of other programs, especially coaches and individual players who I admire. Thomas Robinson's story is amazing, Louisville who defied all of the odds this year, and my respect for Billy Donovan grows every time I watch him coach. But again all of those things are because I love the game. I'm no basketball whiz, I don't claim to know what calls coaches should or shouldn't make (in most cases). But I know enough about the game to enjoy watching any and every game I get the chance to.

I cheer for Kentucky because it is bred in me from my Pap to my Dad and now to me. I had no say in the matter, but just let me say if I did....I would still choose Kentucky. I didn't jump on the "bandwagon" if there is one and I certainly haven't changed teams over the years. And any other team I may have a stronger dislike for is for one of two reasons: either their fan base or a coach I just don't care for.

The fan base part is probably the hardest to overcome. Nobody wants to be considered "good" at losing but losing is a reality. You have to be able to lose and hopefully lose nobly because it's inevitable....it seems certain fan bases think they are above losing (and as my dad pointed out in a certain upset this tournament, their coach as well).

Sports are about people, Coach Cal says it better than anyone....on the floor it's about the team but otherwise it's about individual people. Regardless of how good of a player a guy is on the floor, you still want to be able to respect him (and hope he gives you reason to). It isn't always about his skill (and most certainly isn't about his looks) but sometimes about his story...again I say Thomas Robinson because that kid had a rough road.

I will end by saying this, friendly rivalry is necessary...healthy even. But flat out blatant hatred of a program or an individual player is just classless. Love the game and respect it. Oh and Go Cats!