NCAA Mens Basketball 2008-2009 Season + Tourny

[Akiyama]

If you're not on the floor, and you aren't doing the work, you don't get to say 'we' as 'we' would refer to you actually helping the team win games. You stand in the ..stands and cheer. You don't make passes, coach the team, pick up their jockstraps or anything like that. That's how I've always felt about that. I never say 'we' about Auburn, the Braves, or anything like that at all as I don't feel it's proper.

[Byrd]

If you're not on the floor, and you aren't doing the work, you don't get to say 'we' as 'we' would refer to you actually helping the team win games. You stand in the ..stands and cheer. You don't make passes, coach the team, pick up their jockstraps or anything like that. That's how I've always felt about that. I never say 'we' about Auburn, the Braves, or anything like that at all as I don't feel it's proper.

I feel the same way, I do my best to avoid using "We," and I (nearly?) never do it in print, but occasionally catch myself doing it in conversation, particularly when drinking. I took one Psychology class in college, and the professor pointed out that people say "We won! We won!" when talking in positive terms about the teams they root for, but usually after losing, revert to the third person "They lost, they got their ass kicked, etc." Ever since then, I've tried to avoid "We" as much as possible.

[Darkevolution]

I was born in a University of Michigan household (older sister went there) and I didn't like them at all, I was a MSU fan and I attend the university.

Also, if you attend the university you definitely have the right to say 'we'.

I gotta agree with the 'we' statement. I feel as much apart of the basketball program as the players themselves, because I live and die with them just as much as the players themselves. It is a difficult thing to describe to people that aren't just as passionate about the team as others might be. Being in the final four in MY home state with MY university and MY team makes me certainly feel like 'we', but that's JMO.

[Akiyama]

Which leaves me a question that we'll never truly know as people could fib. If Louisville would have beaten Michigan State, would you say that "We lost to the better team, and we'll play better next year"? Or would it be "they" as Byrd mentioned..

It's a form of fairweather fan..ism. People just don't realize they do it, honestly. When the team they have their rooting interest for is winning, it's easy for 'we' to just roll off the tongue, but when the team of rooting interest loses, it's back to 'they' this and 'they' that. Could be read into as a psyche thing.

[Headspace]

You can tell this is a long week because of the shit you all are bitching about.

[Doofus]

GO TARHEELS

DOWN WITH LOIUSVILLE

[BarthelloSylph]

Akiyama, if UNC lost, than "we" lost. I really don't give it as much thought as you have, but I figure it's OK since I've got one degree from UNC, finishing up my 2nd in May, and starting my third in July. I know I'm not on the team... but I guess it doesn't matter that much to me.

This week has been the longest week ever. Nothing seems important when your team is in the Final Four. Why isn't it Saturday yet?

[Darkevolution]

Akiyama, if UNC lost, than "we" lost.

Yup, win or lose it's still 'we'. Any passionate fan would agree, plus I'm originally from Cleveland (A historically losing/choke city) and I still consider the cavs, browns and indians as 'we' despite ALWAYS finding a way to lose.

[Byrd]

This week has been the longest week ever.

(Shameless Plug Warning)
A poor substitute for sure, but as a warm up for the Final 4, you can catch the fourth-to-last college basketball game of the season in the CBI Championship Game: Oregon State @ UTEP. 10pm EST on HDNet.

(Yeah, yeah, I know, nobody cares but me.)

[Arvin]

Yup, win or lose it's still 'we'. Any passionate fan would agree, plus I'm originally from Cleveland (A historically losing/choke city) and I still consider the cavs, browns and indians as 'we' despite ALWAYS finding a way to lose.

agreed with the 'we' thing. If WE lost, I would say WE lost.. you look way too much into it.

Akiy, if you don't say the university is as much a part of the school as the players... you sure as hell have no fucking clue what the fans and the students section do to other teams. I'm pretty sure the breslin is one of, if not the hardest places to play versus the Spartans simply because of the students. Same probably applies to most schools known for their basketball programs. I was part of the izzone for a while, and there is no way anybody can convince me that the izzone had nothing to do with the victories at the bres.

Being in the final four in MY home state with MY university and MY team makes me certainly feel like 'we', but that's JMO.

Had to quote this for emphasis. FUCK YEAH.

[Tyche]

I stood in the student section decked in cardinal red at Rupp arena during a UL win...and lived to tell about it. UL was unranked and UK was a top 5 team. Best thing about that game, UL was getting worked in the first half, down double digits early, but in classic Pitino style, pulled away in the 2nd.

[Jones]

I stood in the student section decked in cardinal red at Rupp arena during a UL win...and lived to tell about it. UL was unranked and UK was a top 5 team. Best thing about that game, UL was getting worked in the first half, down double digits early, but in classic Pitino style, pulled away in the 2nd.

I was at that game too, in the nose bleed seats under the flag (if you are referring to 2003, right after Christmas). I was in the pro-Louisville section, but got a ticket for my dad who was in all blue from head to toe. He talked all kinds of smack since a UK guard, Cliff Hawkins(? i think) was hot from 3 in the first half. But by the end Otis... OTIS dominated UK. LOL, Otis George. That season had a lot of good games. Was that the year Luke fell on his neck?

[Tyche]

That was it, right after christmas. The day before my mom's birthday. I remember standing outside Rupp with all the UK fans, with my wife (then fiancee), freezing my ass off. Standing outside, the kids were actually pretty cool about all of it, but once we got inside and UK jumped out to that huge lead, I heard hell. I walked out with the smile though.

[BarthelloSylph]

Predictions for today's games, gents?

Mine:
Michigan State 71 UConn 66
Villanova 88, UNC 82

[Tyche]

UCONN - 81 Michigan State - 67
UNC - 80 Villanova - 73

[Kyo]

Michigan state 67 Uconn 75
UNC 78 Nova 68

[Headspace]

Kyo doesn't like good games.

[Arvin]

MSU 73 Uconn 58

UNC 74 Nova 72

[Akiyama]

I don't think UNC/Nova will be a good game. Looking at a 10-15 point win for UNC here. UConn and Michigan State will be close, if only for the crowd keeping State in it. I think UConn will pull away and show why they are such a good road team, though.

[Tyche]

I think it'll be the opposite. I think UCONN will win going away and UNC/Nova will be close. I think the idea that MSU will hold UCONN to under 60 is patently laughable. You can say they did it to UL, so why not, but comparing ULs abysmal offense to UCONN's would be as equally absurd. I just don't think that the "home court" will be much of an advantage beings that this isn't in an arena, it's in a huge fucking dome.