Poll Question

[cardinalclone]

Do any of you fans ever get so involved watching your favorite team play, that you end up not enjoying the game? You may know the feeling. Your team is the heavy favorite to win the game, but just aren't playing well. The jaw is clenching tighter, and there's that knot in your stomach.
Normally I'm not like that, but was like that at last night's Iowa State-Kansas game. I want to start out by saying I was impressed with how hard Kansas played the entire game. They were 0-14 going into the game, and could have packed it in long ago. What frustrated me was the silly turnovers that Iowa State committed last night. One play typified the night. The Cyclones were going for the last shot of the first half and someone tried to force the ball into Angie Welle in the post. The ball hit the hands of two Kansas players and ended up bouncing off the foot of a third Kansas player out of bounds. I don't thing Angie even touched the ball. I turned to my friends and told them I wasn't enjoying this game.
I decided that I need an attitude adjustment, so for the rest of the season I will become a kinder and gentler Cardinal Clone. I want to enjoy the Big 12 Tourney and the NCAA's.
Here's my plan.....

1. Basketball is just a game. I read the posts about Meg Brown and her fight against cancer pales in comparison to a basketball game. My prayers are with Meg. Basketball is just a game.
2. I will enjoy the game of basketball simply for the competition and the stategy. It's a fun game to watch.
3. I'm proud to be a Cyclone basketball fan. They represent Iowa State well on and off the court, and have rarely been disappointed with their effort.
4. I will try to be less critical of the officiating. How's this---"I think you may have missed that call Mr. Referee, Sir."
I would like to hear if anyone else has basketball confessions to make. Or you can call 1-800-Bkinder.

[dem]

Originally posted by cardinalclone:
Do any of you fans ever get so involved watching your favorite team play, that you end up not enjoying the game? You may know the feeling. Your team is the heavy favorite to win the game, but just aren't playing well. The jaw is clenching tighter, and there's that knot in your stomach . . .

I would like to hear if anyone else has basketball confessions to make.

Okay, I confess. I had the exact same reaction, and it wasn't the first time. I have had root canals that were easier to endure than last night's game, and I mean that literally. When you're nearly tied on your home court with 6 minutes left against an 0-14 team, you need something that I haven't got to be able to relax and enjoy the game. But I think your advice is excellent, and this Big 12 season has motivated me repeatedly to try to implement your recommendations.

Incidentally, beating Kansas resulted in Iowa State's RPI dropping from 11 to 13. Texas can expect a similar hit after their game Tuesday.



[This message has been edited by dem (edited 02-24-2002).]

[AirLonghorn]

"Basketball Confessions"

Well said, Cardinalclone. As confessions go, you should contact my parish priest. The stories he could tell!!!

[swok34]

very good points, cardinal......I always wonder, must OU always play to the level of their competition and keep us fans on the edge of our seats http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

They have gotten a lot better about that lately.

This year I have expectations, next year, no expectations....I think next year will be a lot of fun to watch.

[two cents]

Good points cardinalclone. With respect to #4, I'm still inclined to harrass the officials a little when I'm at the game. Along with a few thousand other fans, I want to create a home court advantage. Realistically, I don't expect all the difficult calls to favor my team, nor do I think it would be fair if they did. So for me, there is a distinction between picking on the striped ones and criticizing them out of the context of the game itself. They are well paid to endure my boos, so I'm not shy about offering them. Even so, I may be one of the few on this board who thinks the refs are generally pretty decent.

[two cents]

Originally posted by swok34:
I always wonder, must OU always play to the level of their competition and keep us fans on the edge of our seats


Swok, if you get the chance, please be sure to remind the players that they are facing a mere 7th place team this week. It would be good for them to keep you on the edge of your seat. The adrenaline rush would be fun. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/wink.gif

[swok34]

lol, twocents......I actually think it will be that kind of game, meaning not a blow out.

I heard an interesting radio interview during OU/MU halftime. All the Big XII coaches submit a report after each game grading the officiating and at the end of the year, the officials/refs are graded based upon the cumulation of these reports. The Big XII decides at that time who goes, who stays....I thought that was really interesting.

[carolann]

I went to a state high school tournament a couple of years ago where I got a big reminder about enjoying the game. I had such a good time because I wasn't rooting for anyone. I was just watching the games. Until then, I hadn't realized how my enjoyment in the game had become diminished as my attachment to who won increased. I can't say that being aware has completely cured my over attachment to outcome. I make an effort to step back but I still often have more fun watching teams other than 'my' team.

[hornsofthedilemma]

Thanks, All, for giving me another reminder that I do have more fun when I slow it down and enjoy the road.

[mred]

I really enjoy watching games that I don't have an attachment to. This usually happens in tournaments (Cyclone Classic, Coaches vs. Cancer, NCAA Subregional) where the second game involves ISU and the first has two teams I don't care about. It's great when you can arbitrarily pick one team to root for but not actually care who wins. http://hoopscoop.net/ubb/smile.gif

[Bball Girl]

Tech has certainly provided some queasy moments this year...the Colorado game we left the arena definately wishing we had not had that hot dog at half time and the pizza at the Texas game...ooh. I have learned not to have anything that even might remotely upset my stomach at a basketball game this season, it's been far tumultuous a year.

I have no intentions of giving up my rather intense involvement during Lady Raider games..


In the NCAA..1st and 2nd round, we as a crowd have always chosen a team to root for. Or perhaps with Tulane and Ms. Grace Daley who shot her mouth off all week long..stating that beating Tech was merely a formality...it quickly became a root against situation. Since we sit behind the team basket we always have a set of cheerleaders in front of us to get us involved..we learned some new cheers from Denver last year and surprised the Lady Raider bench in final game with our new chants...they seemed to enjoy them.

...it is also fun to root against a team. Like say...Georgia. Having spent 4ish years at SEC schools, I am not fond of Andy Landers so it's always fun to root against Georgia or say Purdue...they are now on my list as is Tennessee.

March is such a intensive wave of basketball and since I have a host of men's and women's teams to root for (and some to root against)...I always feel a bit dazed in April...it's such an abrupt end.

[two cents]

Originally posted by swok34:
I heard an interesting radio interview during OU/MU halftime. All the Big XII coaches submit a report after each game grading the officiating and at the end of the year, the officials/refs are graded based upon the cumulation of these reports. The Big XII decides at that time who goes, who stays....I thought that was really interesting.

Yeah....there were two or three refs that were not invited back by the Big 12 this year. Hope no Big 12 team sees them in an early round NCAA game when so many refs are used throughout the country.

Sharp got a technical this weekend early in the game. Said she didn't really recognize the official from previous games. Apparently, when she complained about a call, he said, "Hey, I'm working really hard out here." Her retort was, "You're not working that hard." He took offense. Go figure.....

Later in the game, she stood up and looked at the same official ready to complain. Asst. Coach Weese said to her, "uh...uh...uh." She sat back down. She was to receive an award from the Student Association at halftime, and thought it would be a good thing if she could stick around long enough to accept it.