MARC CHOQUETTE
Staff Writer
So following the “excitement” of Super Madness, maybe we can finally concentrate on the actual purpose of the event: amping you up hardcore for basketball season. Our undefeated football team hasn’t taken the field in almost 60 years, so what else have we got? It’s time to pull out those schedules, kids.
As I’m sure you were well aware, the opener for the men’s team was last night, in an exhibition game versus Biola. Since you already went and know the results, there’s absolutely no point in me recapping. This story transcends the recap.
If you missed last night’s game, you have a chance to redeem yourself, however. Saturday, the men return to Firestone to host Cal Baptist in another exhibition. Study up on the team and head to the game to do some scouting. When the first meaningful game comes into Firestone, you might be able to hit on that girl in the row in front of you with your superior, unchallenged basketball intelligence. This sounds much better than the idiot who yells out those stupid things that just make you turn around and give the dude the “that was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard” look.
Exhibition aside (yeah it is pointless), the first regular season game is against … OK, let me check here … Wait… Ummm … Wow. Is that right? UConn is coming to Malibu??
Afraid so. Jim Calhoun and the bad boys from the Big East will be invading Malibu, looking to push us aside on the fast lane out to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. Maybe they’re having an off year in their usual domination in the college basketball world. Let’s look at the rankings to see if that’s true:
1. Duke University
2. University of Connecticut
Ouch. How are we going to run with these guys and avoid another national TV embarrassment like we got with Gonzaga (who is ranked No. 7) last year? UConn is short a few of its best players for disciplinary reasons, so that may help us. The short answer is you, though, the student body. The amount of energy that some crazed students can bring to the players out on the court is underestimated. Just ask the players. Put on some freaking orange, go hang out with friends before the game and get fired up, get there early (not midway through the first half, you idiot), and don’t talk all day so your voice is fresh to be destroyed in a few short hours. The game is on a Friday night just in case I haven’t convinced you yet. Forgo the club for just one night and break a sweat for different reasons. And did I mention that ESPN will be here for some game filming and commentary? I don’t want to hear that garbage excuse that you have to study for an exam or go home for the weekend or something else really lame because, I, for one, don’t buy it.
And just to let you know, I will not be the Graphic writer attacking the student body this year for vulgar behavior during basketball games. We see the article every year but it’s not coming from me. It usually goes something like, “Why do you have to yell at players? That’s not nice. Why can’t we all just get along and yell positive things like ‘shoot the ball in the basket!’ or do some cool Waves chants or even do the wave? Ha-ha, Yeah.”
Reason No. 1: Vulgar behavior adds to the hostile environment that makes up a homecourt advantage. Try and argue that. I’ve only got about every other big-time sports school as an example for my argument. I highly doubt the players for our squad get really jacked up when they hear students yelling “Go Waves.” You’ve got to get in the other team’s face. Get them scared to be inside this high school gym with a few thousand students standing on top of you yelling at the top of their lungs. And it doesn’t have to be profane for you purists among us. The simple slow chant of a players name on the opposing team can be enough to drive the man insane, not to mention mess up his concentration and, thus, his shot. They’re not going to be intimidated when everyone wants to hold hands and sing songs. It is neither the time nor the place.
Reason No. 2: You cannot stop it, administration/disgruntled writer. No matter how many cameras you put up, Public Safety officers roaming the gym or articles in Graphic, it will not stop. There are just too many smart students at this school for it to stop.
Remember, we can win this game. Not only is Kingsley game to start dropping bombs behind the three-point line, but WCC precedent gives us hope. At this time last year, a high-ranked North Carolina team showed up at Santa Clara for what UNC believed would be a laugher. Santa Clara shocked the country at the time, upsetting the Tarheels 77-66, getting the Broncos year off to a fine start. For anyone to not attend the UConn game thinking that we have no chance, think again you quitter.
Make Pepperdine proud and help fire up the guys in this very important first game of the year that takes on even more meaning. Show them that we might be the school that doesn’t get excited about anything, but we just might break that rule, just once. Think about it. Our little bubble in Malibu has the power to make the whole state of Connecticut pissed off for a few days, along with driving UConn students to drink even more than their usual quota (although they probably wouldn’t object). And we get to do it on ESPN, no less. Make sure you bring your voice and your “SPORTSCENTER IS NEXT” sign. It’s finally time.
11-10-2005