Last night I was headed to bed after yet another long but productive day of quarantine life and two of my friends texted me about how crazy the UConn basketball game was.
Typically, I would have been watching the game, as I consider myself a massive UConn fan (though, I’m willing to admit – especially this time of year). I’ve been obsessed since before I can remember (my parents, siblings, and friends will recall when I wanted a life size Sue Bird jersey on my wall painted right next to Paul Pierce growing up), thanks to the fact that my family is from Connecticut. But lately I’ve been so busy in the day (staring at a screen during my SEO deep dive) and haven’t been spending a ton of extra screen time watching sports).
I’m really grateful that Dana and Christine knew enough to text me (likely assuming I was watching) so that I could watch the last few minutes of last nights nail biter (controversial ending and all) unfold. It was certainly not one to miss.
Being a UConn fan is a lot of fun this time of year. I don’t use FaceBook much these days other than to pop on and make a quick post and look at my memories from years past. Within the last week or so, multiple of those status updates from college years consisted of “UCONN!” or “YEAH, HUSKIES!” – which I know came after hours of watching March Madness with family and friends.
As my cousin Pat and I recently said, this is literally what UConn is made for. The Madness. Pat and I trade messages every once in awhile (he lives on the West Coast) and they almost always consist of our shared love for the Huskies (KEMBA!) and the Celtics (and of course love and well wishes to the family).
Pat is one of my late uncle, Tom’s, four children. My uncle, a UConn loyal fan, instilled that same love in his children. Aside from my youngest cousin, Casey (love you, Case!), I can easily say I know the same is true for my three other cousins (Pat, Tom, and Tay). Little Tom is bursting with that same loyalty and passion for the Huskies and Tay is a sponge for all things stats and info. And, I’m willing to bet if you asked Casey – she’d still say UConn all the way.
But UConn was more than just the team my uncle and family and I would root for. It was also the team that my nana would keep up with and I’d hear in the background of so many of our evening calls. Nights often consisted of her sitting at the kitchen table, tv on playing the game, before the news of course (likely at full volume), with her two loyal companions (my late aunt Kathy and their beloved dogs over the years) not far from her side. My nana quick to share her watermelon or ice cream with those nearby, but never her evening highball.
UConn was also the team I traveled to see play anywhere and everywhere (a couple of league changes) with my dad and friends, and it was the school I always said I wanted to go to, but knew deep down it was way too big for me, and I’d be lost in a moment. Thankfully, that didn’t stop me from purchasing my UConn hoodie back in the day, which I still wear 50% of the time that I’m home at my parents (or now when watching KEMBA!). To me, UConn is full of nostalgia.
About that game though!
If you didn’t realize by now, I’m talking about the women’s team. The men, out already, are also extremely talented (and yes, I did by default select them to win the entire tournament in my bracket) but this post is about the WOMEN! You know, the team that didn’t require a proper facility to strengthen and condition themselves, NCAA athletes, in. Sure, that’s been “fixed” but, still shaking my head.
The game last night, was apparently one for the books:
"Creme: The simple answer is this game was as good as basketball gets. From a first quarter that had me out of my seat more than I was in it to a second half that was pure intensity, we were all treated to the game of the year. If ESPN Classic still existed, the game would already be on its third airing."
While I’m still kicking myself for missing majority of the game (I’m sure I can find most of it online already), it was really fun to read all of the news this morning (especially with the controversial non call at the end). You’ve already figured out that I’m a UConn fan and therefore, clearly want them to win, but whether that call was a foul or not – I’ll leave up to LeBron and the refs.
What I do also know, as someone that grew up playing (till high school) and a diehard Celtics fan, is that last minute non calls are the only non calls that matter. So, we’ll leave it to Geno:
"The bottom line is, the officials did what they're going to do," Auriemma said. "If they would have said it was a foul, I'd be on the other end going, 'You can't make that call!' "I'm not going to sit here and apologize for it. If people are going to want to talk about it the rest of the week, you're welcome to do that. It's not going to change the outcome. And it's not going to make me feel bad that you say it was a foul."
From what I read and from what I saw in the last few minutes, that game was a full forty minute battle. As we know, Baylor is the defending champ (they won their third in 2019) and UConn has eleven total titles (last one in 2016), so both teams are powerhouses. I feel for Baylor, especially after they lost their star senior, Richards, early on in the game (which was a huge blow as UConn was able to go 19-0). If there’s an unfortunate way to see just how big of an impact you have on your team, that’s definitely it. I have no doubt, Baylor will be back roaring next March. Sorry to see Richards go out on an injury, but I have a feeling this isn’t all we’ll see from here.
As for me, I went to bed with a grin on my face after witnessing yet another Geno and crew celebration after they pulled that off. There was concern that Geno wouldn’t even be able to join them for tournament after he tested positive for covid. And now, they’re headed to their 13th Final four in a row.
I couldn’t find a clip of the adorable post game celebration scream they had (even though it made me a bit nervous following his covid diagnosis lol) so until someone is able to find it for me, I’ll just leave this sweet clip of the team being reuniting a few days back.
Next up – Arizona! Game is this coming Friday on my birthday, and I know I’m in for a treat!
Go, Huskies!