Despite a disappointing ending to the men’s basketball season, the month of March is one I’ll never forget.
From St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Memphis, Tenn., to the Final Four in Minneapolis, traveling with the team was a chance to see the greatest annual sporting event from a whole new perspective.
Of course, celebrating a National Championship in Cedar Village last season was a blast, but partying every weekend with the die-hard fans after hours on the road was like a different world. For an entire month I had the privilege to assume a new lifestyle.
It all began with the impressive victory over Alabama State, followed by a night on the world-famous Beale Street that still seems to be a haze. Fabulous blues tunes coming from every possible direction, and crazy drunken basketball fans stumbling about, spouting out tales of greatness, was a strange utopia.
Advancing to Atlanta and interviewing such college basketball legends like John Chaney gave me an entirely new appreciation for the sport.
To see a coach like Chaney still cherish every aspect of the game after nearly 30 years just can’t be put into words. And then to play one of the greatest Cinderella stories of recent years in Gonzaga was a treat.
Yes, the Final Four was disappointing. But to be courtside to watch the Duke celebration was great, yet, I was still disappointed to not see another early green-and-white Christmas.
However, I must say, the loss that is now ingrained deep within my memory banks made me enjoy MSU basketball even more.
At first, I considered the incredible season to have been wasted by one poor performance. Yet upon further thought, it showed me just how special Spartan basketball has been during my three years at MSU.
I look forward to next season. The players may be different, and some new faces among Izzo’s assistants may be taking up seats on the bench, but the essence of Spartan basketball will remain.
Everyone’s favorite blue-collar team will once again take the court and attempt to prove to everyone they still got it.
