I've written 49 articles tagged under college basketball.
So I thought fittingly for my 50th article on college basketball, I would take a page out of Pat Forde's book and give 50 quick hitting reasons I love college hoops.
(1) I love the madness that comes in March. (2) I love the noise of November. (3) I love every conference game in between.
(4) I love watching the utter dominance of North Carolina and (5) the futility of NJIT and its 36-game losing streak.
(6) I love wondering why 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet is a subpar rebounder, but (7) 6'3" Paul Harris is a monster on the glass.
(8) I love watching Blake Griffin dominate the paint and (9) I love watching Stephen Curry score in every way possible. (10) I love when the two face each other and (11) I love knowing there's another Curry brother.
(12) I love the multitude of different styles of play, from VMI's run and gun to (13) Georgetown's slow it down and grind it out.
(14) I love gawking over RealtimeRPI.com even though the RPI sucks and (15) spending hours breaking down tempo-free statistics, trying to figure out their use.
- B/R Ticket Guide
(16) I love knowing that everything that's good in the world is related to Syracuse basketball while (17) the purveyor of all things evil finds a home with Georgetown basketball.
(18) I love waking up and knowing it's game day. (19) I love sitting in the arena waiting for the game to start and (20) I love the roar of the crowd with each thunderous dunk.
(21) I love the fact that referees are actually calling travels. (22) I love the fact the three-point line has been moved back a foot.
(23) I love knowing that Coach K, Tom Izzo, and Jim Calhoun can't do anything that would lead to their firing. (24) I love not knowing how to spell Coach Krzy...'s name.
(25) I love 340 teams' worth of names like (26) Baylor's LaceDarius Dunn, (27) Texas San-Antonio's Roge'r Guinyard, and (28) Richmond's Josh Duinker (pronounced Dunker).
(29) Or the absurdities of the mascots like (30) the Salukis, (31) Banana Slugs, and (32) Blue Hose.
(33) I love the Block, (34) Mario Chalmers' shot, and (35) Laettner's turn-around.
(36) I love knowing that a loss in November for a major program doesn't mean your season is over. (37) I love knowing a loss a November for a mid-major could be the end of its at-large hopes.
(38) I love bragging about the juggernaut that is Big East basketball and (39) I love laughing at the joke that is Pac-10 basketball.
(39) I love the three guard up-tempo system Baylor runs and (40) I love Wake Forest's trees that guard the basket.
(41) I love Bobby Knight's incredibly dry, yet hilarious commentary and analysis.
(42) I love the reemergence of the big man, (43) exhibit a) Luke Harangody, (44) exhibit b) Cole Aldrich, and (45) exhibit c) Jonathan Brockman.
(46) I love the fact that players care about every game, unlike the NBA.
(47) I love the fact teams get to celebrate regular season titles, (48) conference tournament championships, and (49) national titles.
(50) Frankly, I just love the game of college basketball.
Ask yourself, what do you love about the game?
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about 1 month ago
I hate thinking that Manhattan's 3-0 start might mean something.
about 1 month ago
I love Roy Williams' "Aw Shucks" press conferences ... and when the color of my team's uniforms matches the color of our sky on such a consistent basis. And I love rooting for the team that plays in "the Southern part of Heaven."
Blue Hose indeed. ;-)
5 stars, POTD.
about 1 month ago
I love the more enthusiasm given by players, coaches and fans than proffesional sports.
Great article. I couldn't think of 50, thats for sure.
from about 1 month ago
Honestly if I had more time this afternoon, I was going to make no. 50 how bout 50 more? And then give 50 more, but that would have taken too long. Maybe I'll do a sequel.
But I agree, the enthusiasm of the sport in general is what separates it from the NBA. Players play more for the love of the game than anything else.
about 1 month ago
Jameson, I read your Q&A, with another dude, but wonder. I understand you are going to Syracuse. Easy to root for your team, but how can you be such a traitor to UK Wildcat Basketball.
All the comments, that have kind of came true unfortunately, but to put the Laettner Turn around as something you "love".... ... Benedict Arnold stuff their my man..... =0Þ
Only if you look at College Basketball as a purist, can you "enjoy" the Laettner shot. But even as a "fromer fan" of UK, come on....lol
from about 1 month ago
I love the moment. Of course I hate the outcome of the shot, but just that play itself is so incredible. I really don't like Kentucky now anyway so I have no problem loving that shot.
about 1 month ago
i got #51 anyone can beat anyone
about 1 month ago
50 reasons and not one mention of Dicky V? His diaper dandies, the PTP-ers, the triple 'S' man, and the trifecta.
College Basketball: IT'S AWESOME BABY!!!
from about 1 month ago
Ugh I'll pass on Dicky V. I used to enjoy him, but it seems like every year he goes on more and more tangents and focuses less on the game. He knows his stuff, he just doesn't show it anymore.
about 1 month ago
As a long time Dicky V fan, I must admit that the commentary of the game is no different than the game itself: you need to prove yourself in your field of expertise day in and day out. Dicky V is energizing and clever, but the concrete knowledge of the game, including facts and stats that got Dicky V his exalted position, is a matter of hard work and knowledge being gradually replaced by the intangible of mystique, if not sheer volume.
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