One will have to forgive University of Louisville fans if we are distracted from the realities of everyday life this week, zeroing in on Final Four games in Atlanta and New Orleans, totally consumed, oblivious to anything but basketball.
Every waking minute occupied by dreams of what can happen if the UofL men and women get past their semi-final opponents on Saturday and Sunday. Two shots at national championships possible on Monday and Tuesday.
Family and faith must always come first and second, but UofL is a very close third, occupying a great deal of our thoughts. We have a lot of time and money invested in this University, which does many great things for our community and for us as individuals.
If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably a fanatic about UofL athletics. And, if your existence is like the observer’s, people at work, church, social settings and in the neighborhood, your primary identity is that of a Louisville fan. Your life is so much better when UofL wins, so much challenging when it doesn’t.
We can’t pick and choose which UofL team we want to win a national championship the most. So many things have to go right for it to happen in either case. We know we have to be prepared for the worst. We know how to celebrate and will buy boatloads of souvenir if the best happens for one or both of them. This town will go absolutely insane if the improbable occurs.
Having closely followed every step of Pitino’s team’s progression this season, we are aware of the team’s shortcomings, heightened by the loss of Kevin Ware at the worst possible time. We are optimistic, however, about how they somehow have managed to overcome them. Not since the 1980’s have we had a team that plays with such confidence and total abandon. These guys are driven, they taste it, they want it for badly themselves, their coach, and their fans. Kevin providing an extra level of motivation.
The young women playing for Walz have surprised themselves and shocked the college basketball world, overcoming the loss of three starters at the beginning of the season. While managing to remain among the top 15 teams most of the way, they have also been humbled by the likes of Notre Dame and UConn along the way, not totally together or believing in themselves. But that changed when tournament time rolled around, the pieces coming together in harmony, a team having fun, playing and working together, absorbing the hits, making their shots, and knocking off the giants.
These teams have lifted us up, wrapped their arms around us, and embedded themselves into our hearts in a love affair that deserves all the attention they are receiving from UofL fans. Savor every moment.
No doubt about it being an exciting time for UofL basketball. Recalling the fan disappointment earlier in the season over WBB’s loss to Kentucky, it was said Walz can’t win the big ones, Louisville isn’t a elite team, the Cards don’t have what it takes to play on a national stage…blah, blah, blah and harumph!
Look who is in the Final Four. Ask Baylor or Tennessee (expect for Kim Mulcahy probably) about those “underacheiving” Lady Cards.
Get back on the bandwagon for Walz’s Warriors. We’ve saved you a seat. This ride is headed to NOLA and being the ugly ducklings and party crashers…yeah, that’ll work.