SOL: madness
We are fortunate this year. Wichita is hosting first and second round women's games in the new Intrust Bank Arena. Months ago we planned to grab some tickets, but we lucked out in our procrastination - the mom of one of Brad's student's brought some by on Saturday.
So yesterday afternoon and evening we sat in our free seats and enjoyed some great games. I love basically all college basketball, but I had forgotten how much I love watching women play, especially in person.
The shoes screech across the court, the ball steadily bounces on the hardwood... The coach's face turns red. Calls are argued or cheered. The ball swishes through the hoop, bangs off the backboard. But there's something intangibly different about these games.
(Disclaimer: I love men's college basketball, too. And there will be some generalizations in the coming words. But sometimes it just seems like to the game is too... tainted.)
Maybe it comes from knowing that these teenagers (they were teens when they made the choice of what school to play for, after all) came to play, for four years. There is no Josh Selby or Jared Sullinger - "one and done" players. These young women will invest four years. No one we watched is sitting on the bench, worried about their draft pick or how many millions their contract will guarantee. ESPN doesn't run many stories of women sitting on the bench for alleged (or proven) NCAA recruiting violations. It is rare when women's teams are fined or lose national championships.
Maybe someday women will "catch up." (I do hope not.) Maybe someday men will "clean up." (I do hope so.)
But for now, I'm going to enjoy the breath of fresh air that yesterday's games were to me. They are simply playing basketball for love of the game, which is really the only real reason to play.
I really hope that Selby doesn't think he's ready for the NBA because he sure isn't.
ReplyDeleteYour reflection is so real. I love how you move from sitting in the stands to the person player to the drive behind playing. Beautiful. I'm watching a young lady who will be playing for Tennessee in the future. She's young, but has the drive, the love, the purpose. MaryHelen
ReplyDeleteWe watch the CU women's team, which plays beautifully too. I like your description: "The shoes screech across the court, the ball steadily bounces on the hardwood... The coaches face turns red." I can hear it all now! ps-we lived in Wichita years ago & loved it. I imagine it's changed a bit since the late 60's. We had a house near the river & went canoeing there.
ReplyDeleteI wish the women's NCAA tournament would be televised on broadcast TV. I don't have cable, but I enjoy watching basketball, and I would watch women's if it were on. I feel a little guilty about not following it at all, but on the other hand, at least I know I can watch the men's tournament on TV. It's hard to get excited when all you get is score updates.
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