My heart is broken. The joyous Illini basketball team made it all the way to the final two in the NCAA and lost last night by two points.
I know....many of you know that I profess to HATE sports, and for the most part, I do. But these guys had such heart you couldn't help but get caught up in what they were doing.
One win followed another, which followed another, until they had lost just one game, and were rated number one.
We watched the last few games, and saw the patterns emerge. I was seriously worried in the game last night when they were down by 15, but they battled back. I told myself that they had won a number of games by sinking a shot at the last moment, and when they were down just two points in the last minute, I really thought they would pull it out.
There was no joy in Mudville, or in Illinois, last night. I tip my hat to North Carolina. They are a great team. But watch out next year. The Illini are going to be hungry. No......make that RAVENOUS! Our time has come to be number ONE!
Comments (5)
Hunky Husband's cousin, who lives across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, says that he walked across the river on the new Eads bridge (one couldn't walk across the old one) for the Final Four games. I'm guessing that he also made Monday night's game--and was just as disappointed over Illinois's loss as you were. Maybe next year! (Of course, I'm supposed to root for Kansas, aren't I? Nuts. I don't really care!)
Posted by Cop Car | April 6, 2005 8:10 AM
Posted on April 6, 2005 08:10
I'm a terrible fan, Cop Car. When the Bulls had those six winning seasons, I proudly called them MY team, but I only saw the last few games each year. I knew Illinois was on a winning streak, but not until late in the season, and I only watched about six games, I think. Still....Illinois is my alma mater, and I was SO hoping these kids would take us to the crown.
As a state, Illinois isn't often known for being the home of the WINNERS! Think about the Cubs and the Bears. We are rather resigned to our team's less than stellar performances, but that doesn't mean that we don't hope and pray for more!
Posted by Buffy | April 6, 2005 11:49 AM
Posted on April 6, 2005 11:49
...so - can you explain a *pick on the play* now...'cos that's the one that always causes me problems with b'ball :^)...
Posted by billy | April 6, 2005 5:13 PM
Posted on April 6, 2005 17:13
I'm sorry to hear about your team but my "boys" tried several times to give them the game *grumbling under my breath* but at the end of the night my BOYS did it *huge smile* ~
Posted by Jamie | April 6, 2005 5:29 PM
Posted on April 6, 2005 17:29
Billy....I had to ask my stepson. He says that it's a reference to "picking the pocket" or stealing the play. It's when somebody is trying to steal the ball, specifically, when someone is passing and their opponent puts out an arm to try to steal the ball. Does that make sense to you???
I hate these technical questions....
Posted by Buffy | April 6, 2005 10:47 PM
Posted on April 6, 2005 22:47