Hoop Dreams

It is uncommon for a girl to love college basketball as much as I do (besides you, Ashley Woods). So more than often I get asked the question, "Why do you like college basketball so much?" Well, as I sit here, in enjoyment, watching the Tarheels get spanked by Wake Forest, I came up with a few good reasons:

I love that the game is exciting, full of history and tradition.

I love there is always an underdog

I love that there is a Cinderella team that surprises us every year like the 2006 George Mason Patriots beating North Carolina, Connecticut and Michigan State to make it to the Final Four.

I love that there is a playoff system. A tournament to decide the winner, not 15 different bowl games.

I love Bill Walton's hair, the Candy-striped pants of the Hoosiers, and UCLA's Joe Bruin (yes, I gave UCLA some props). Speaking of UCLA...

I LOVE John Wooden. I had the honor to meet and spend the entire evening with him. You will learn more in 5 hours with that man then most people will in a lifetime. No exaggeration. He also told me I reminded him of his wife, which is one of the greatest compliments I have ever received and started my research into his coaching career.

I love the 1996 Kentucky Wildcats. I love that their roster was so rich it could have posed as an NBA team. Antoine Walker, Walter McCarty, Ron Mercer, Derek Anderson, and Tony Delk...sweet.

I love that James Worthy, Sam Perkins and Michael Jordan were all on a team at the same time and it wasn't the NBA All Star team.

I love the Kansas Jayhawks. I love the pure game they play.

I love sanctuaries like the Allen Fieldhouse, Cameron Indoor Stadium, and the Palestra.

I love that in any other sport, you will not find anybody like Dick Vitale.

I love the avid fans that create a menacing foe for visiting rivals.

I love the exciting hum that starts right before tip-off.

I love that I was born in March and think that is no coincidence.

I love the look of the polished hardwood floors that sparkle, a court painted school colors, line with names like Nell and John Wooden.

I love that schools pay homage to legendary coaches.

A daughter of a former basketball coach, I grew up around the game. I was even a cheerleader (don't judge) for the game in high school...I liked it a lot, but I never loved it as much as I do now. I can remember the day and the game I went to that sparked my obsession. it was Saturday, January 12, 2002. UCLA v. Kansas at Pauley Pavilion. It was the crowd, the players, and the coaches. It definitely was not Steve Lavin's hair, but roy Williams' coaching. It was the 'back to basics' principles and playing style of Nick Collison, Kirck Hinrich, Wayne Simien, Aaron Miles and Keith Langford...they were all, in the words of Dick Vitale, "PTPer's."

And that is why I love college basketball and think you should too.