Game On

Winters in Indiana can drive any good Hoosier insane. \nThe temperature will rise into the 60s in late November, causing excitement and happiness as the mini heat wave takes a little dreariness out of the day.\nThen, without warning, a snow storm will hit in the early weeks of December, causing frigid temperature and frigid attitudes. But the temperature will go up again and Hoosier nation will be all smiles. \nThis will last until February, when the cold of winter hits the state and, in spite of a few warm spots, Indiana residents will pray for the arrival of March and a renewed – if small – glimmer of hope. \nBut through all of this Hoosier basketball season gives Hoosiers something to cheer about. This season looks hopeful, as always, since the men’s team looks to fulfill high expectations that accompany a No. 9 pre-season ranking and the women’s team looks to follow second-year coach Felisha Legette-Jack into a new season on the strength of a young squad.\nAs any good Hoosier will tell you, there’s no season like basketball season. The legacies of Indiana and IU hinge on the squeaking of sneakers on hardwood floors and the snapping of nets as a little orange ball enters the basket. From Gene Hackman in “Hoosiers” to Gene Keady’s comb-over, basketball and Indiana go together like shoes and socks. \nHere at IU, our own distinct history is sprinkled with national and conference championships and includes one of the greatest head coaches in basketball history, Bob Knight. \nThe men’s 2002 run at the national title has left in the minds of current IU students the small aftertaste of hysteria that accompanies such success. Now we want a full portion.\nBut as fans, it is our duty to raise our performance as the expectations for our respective basketball teams skyrocket to national prominence. While we have made Assembly Hall one of the toughest places for opponents to win, each of us can still do more to support our storied program’s pursuit of continued greatness.\nWith this in mind, I make the following pledge: If the men’s basketball team makes the Final Four in San Antonio or the women’s basketball team wins the Big Ten Tournament, I will get the IU emblem tattooed on my shoulder blade. If both teams achieve these respective goals I will get two tattoos, one on each shoulder blade. \nThis is not an empty promise that will go unfulfilled, or one I hope will not come to pass. I truly wish the respective teams hold up their end of the bargain so that, in my senior year, I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, once and for all, that I do in fact bleed crimson. I hope that several other fans will follow my lead and make similar pledges in order to show their passion for IU and for the state of Indiana. \nIt is our duty as Hoosiers and IU fans to do our part to provide even a little extra motivation for our teams. \nThis is Hoosier country. Game on.