winter of 1988/1989 was when i first became interested in sports. it was one of the most memorable year for chicago sports: bears fog bowl, supposed "bear weather" game against sf, jordan's game 5 shot against cleveland, cubs winning the division on mitch williams game ending strikeout. but the flying illini run that year was what got me hooked on sports, and illini basketball became my favorite team since then. (another factor: when i was a kid, geography was the basis of what teams i liked. illinois was a whole state, and chicago was just a city, so i should like them more, right?)
everyone knows by now what an optimistic sports fan i am. i expected the illini to win the championship at the start of every season after that (except for that probation year). so 14 more crushing seasons.
now, finally.... well i won't type it here. i've refrained from writing too many blogs about the illini for fear of jinxing them this year. but i did the same for paradorn, and look whats happening this year, so i guess it don't matter really.
all i'll say is this is the game that i wanted to see all year. yes, a big ten final matchup woulda been nice, and i tried to cheer for msu yesterday, but at the end of the games yesterday, i was glad it turned out like it did. this is the game the whole country wants to see. consensus top 2 teams playing for the national championship. don't think it can get any better.
go illini.
posted by mcpheeny 10:29 PM