When I first heard Nebraska was moving to the Big Ten conference, I was shocked. It seemed like a determental move, considering the Big Ten seems to be easily one of the weakest (and most overrated) football conferences in the nation. However, after any sad shock comes a silver lining, and there seems to be one in this move as well. It seems bailing on the Big 12 may not be a horrible strategy for our Huskers for two key reasons: 1. It may propel us to powerhouse status sooner, even if it is in a weak conference, and 2. We've run out of allies in the Big 12.
That's right Big 12- you caused this. Here are the reasons it's not so terrible to no longer be associated with this conference. (There are almost 12 of them).
Missouri- Never get tired of beating this team to the ground, but still don't enjoy our association with them. After all, they have mean-spirited fans and our rivalry with them has become more than bitter over the last few years.
Baylor- I used to love this team until they took a shot at us after we left the Big 12. The remark from the Baylor athletic program? "Who wants to be associated with a bunch of Corn shuckers anyway?" Really Baylor?! You have to win a few games before you start shooting your mouth. If you've been the prennial worst team in the Big 12 for the better part of the decade and the laughing stock of the other 11 teams, you haven't earned the right to insult Nebraska. Or anyone.
Texas Tech- Every chance they get, this team puts the smackdown on us, and they never show any sign of mercy. After beating us by nearly 70 points a few years ago, it became clear that this team is not our friend. Or compassionate. With new head coach Tommy Tuberville this may change. However, even Tuberville predicted the Big 12 conference will dissolve before long. Ouch.
Kansas- You were okay in my book until you made the deal with Texas that they could have the Big 12 championship location if you could host the Big 12 basketball championship. This deal with the devil ensured that the other 10 teams in the Big 12 are left with no chance of hosting these events and the revenue they bring in. Then you had the nerve to beg us to stay in the Big 12. Rock Chalk Jayhawks... take a hike.
Kansas State- If you want to witness some of the downright meanest, unpleasant players and fans in the Big 12, tune in to any Kansas State games, and you'll never be disappointed. The Wildcats prove year in and year out that they lack both class and talent. Cheap shots, victory celebrations and verbal jabs at our players contiously stream from this team and their fans. This is one team most Husker fans won't miss in the least.
Texas- Intentionally, the worst team in the Big 12 is saved for last. The classiest man to ever come from Nebraska football, Tom Osborne, hates Texas. This has always been proof enough for me that they're awful, but in the past few years the hits keep coming. Texas is rude, obnoxious, and just plain hard to deal with. And they're the only team that manages to beat us year in and year out. After our move to the Big Ten, a resteraunt billboard read, "take your big red and shove it". Classy, Texas. The worst though, it's Texas fans in Texas, but Texas fans in Nebraska. Over the past few years, plenty of "Texas fans" have sprung up in our state, and it's plagued our football spirit. Most average Nebraska residing "Texas fans" can't recite the number of Texas's championships, offensive or defensive line, current record or even the fact that their precious Colt McCoy didn't even go first round in the draft. (No offense to McCoy, he seems like a very classy individual). In any case, there is nothing more infuriating than a spiteful, smug "Texas fan" living in Nebraska. Too many think it's fun to gloat about their victories on the Huskers, as well as insult their fans. IN OUR STATE. My favorite excuse I've heard for being a "Texas fan"? "I just hate how everyone in Nebraska likes Husker football". Really, that's the equivilent to saying you hate how everyone at church loves Jesus. It's a fact. Get over it. If you want to be a closet Texas fan, so be it, but when you're in Nebraska, don't shove it our face that you Longhorns beat us this year. Besides, when Texas starts losing, almost every Nebraska "Texas fan" will replace their Longhorns gear with whatever team is winning that year. So, for all your fairweather, posing "Texas fans" in our state, have the respect to keep your gloating to a minimum. Or move. We don't want you and we don't want to be in the same conference as a team like Texas.
So the more I think about it, joining the likes of the Big 10 doesn't seem so terrible. We can finally beat overrated Iowa and Penn State and perhaps belong to a more mature, classy conference.
P.S. I still love you, Oklahoma....
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
NCAA Basketball season wrap-up: the good, the bad and the ugly
Upsets, Bubble teams and Selection Sunday: all the drama that is NCAA basketball is coming together in one glorious weekend. It's been a season chalked full of suprises and disappoints, as well as speculation on whose shoes will fit Cinderella's glass slipper this year.
The Good:
West Virginia: The Mountaineers have had a storybook season, from a top 25 preseason rank to
a 27-6 record leading into the NCAA tournament. Bob Huggin's squad proved their legitamacy by winning their first-ever Big East championship in a down-to-the-wire battle against Georgetown. As Da'Sean Butler drained a game winning, into heaving traffic jumper, it became obvious that West Virginia is more than just lucky. Look for them to make a run in the Dance.
Syracuse: After a preseason loss to Division II school Le Moyne, many doubted whether Syracuse would be a formidable squad. However, Wesley Johnson has lead his team to a 28-4 season and a #1 West bracket bid. With only Gonzaga, Kansas State and a struggling Pittsburg team to contend with in the west, Syracuse has a great chance at the Final Four, if not the Championship.
Kentucky: With a prestine 32-2 record, the Wildcats have secured a #1 seed in the East bracket. Lead by John Wall, Calipari's squad has been looking better and better. However, the 'Cat's my not be invincible. They have struggled against teams like Mississippi State and Alabama, as well as suffering a loss to unranked South Carolina. While the 'Cats may breeze through their bracket, an upset is not unlikely if their playing it too close gets the best of them.
The Big 12 Conference: Last year, the Big 12 served as the biggest suprise in the NCAA tournament. This year, they have kept their tournament presence, sending 7 of their 12 teams (Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State) to the NCAA tournament. Though usually laughed at when it comes to basketball, if the Big 12 continues to put over half their conference in the NCAA year after year, they may reach the status of the Big 10 or even the ACC.
*Other notables inculde Duke, Kansas, Maryland and New Mexico.
The Bad:
Michigan: Despite optimistic pre-season rankings, the Wolverines have been a major disappointment. Though the Big 10 has been much improved from their mediocracy,
The ACC conference: Ususally one of the best conferences in NCAA basketball, the ACC has been less-than-impressive this year. Though 6 of their teams made the tournament, only 2 (Duke and Maryland) have a serious chance of making the Sweet Sixteen. ACC powerhouse North Carolina failed to even made the tournament, an unheard of occurance that happened only twice in a decade (2003 and 2004).
The Ugly:
North Carolina's season: College basketball simply doesn't get any uglier than it did for the North
Carolina Tarheels this season. The defending champs fell so low throughout the season that they failed to make it to the NCAA tournament they had won the previous season. Though this is not necessarily an uncommon occurance, it is completley out of character for the powerhouse Tarheels, who have been conference champions twice this decade and regular season champs five times in the last decade- dominating their powerhouse conference literally half a decade. Williams' squad has been a complete disappointment this year, and it is not uncommon to see anger, confusion and disorganization among this once-prestine squad. Something that has been uncommon for the Tarheels this year? Wins.
UCONN: Without Calhoun, the Huskies were a lighthouse without a beacon, and they were unable to win games even after his return. Connecticut finished at a extremely disappointing 17-15 record and failed to make the NCAA tournament.
So, fill out your bracket, have a little fun, cheer on your team and get caught up in the madness!
*Photos taken from ESPN website.
The Good:
West Virginia: The Mountaineers have had a storybook season, from a top 25 preseason rank to
a 27-6 record leading into the NCAA tournament. Bob Huggin's squad proved their legitamacy by winning their first-ever Big East championship in a down-to-the-wire battle against Georgetown. As Da'Sean Butler drained a game winning, into heaving traffic jumper, it became obvious that West Virginia is more than just lucky. Look for them to make a run in the Dance.Syracuse: After a preseason loss to Division II school Le Moyne, many doubted whether Syracuse would be a formidable squad. However, Wesley Johnson has lead his team to a 28-4 season and a #1 West bracket bid. With only Gonzaga, Kansas State and a struggling Pittsburg team to contend with in the west, Syracuse has a great chance at the Final Four, if not the Championship.
Kentucky: With a prestine 32-2 record, the Wildcats have secured a #1 seed in the East bracket. Lead by John Wall, Calipari's squad has been looking better and better. However, the 'Cat's my not be invincible. They have struggled against teams like Mississippi State and Alabama, as well as suffering a loss to unranked South Carolina. While the 'Cats may breeze through their bracket, an upset is not unlikely if their playing it too close gets the best of them.
The Big 12 Conference: Last year, the Big 12 served as the biggest suprise in the NCAA tournament. This year, they have kept their tournament presence, sending 7 of their 12 teams (Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State) to the NCAA tournament. Though usually laughed at when it comes to basketball, if the Big 12 continues to put over half their conference in the NCAA year after year, they may reach the status of the Big 10 or even the ACC.
*Other notables inculde Duke, Kansas, Maryland and New Mexico.
The Bad:
Michigan: Despite optimistic pre-season rankings, the Wolverines have been a major disappointment. Though the Big 10 has been much improved from their mediocracy,
The ACC conference: Ususally one of the best conferences in NCAA basketball, the ACC has been less-than-impressive this year. Though 6 of their teams made the tournament, only 2 (Duke and Maryland) have a serious chance of making the Sweet Sixteen. ACC powerhouse North Carolina failed to even made the tournament, an unheard of occurance that happened only twice in a decade (2003 and 2004).
The Ugly:
North Carolina's season: College basketball simply doesn't get any uglier than it did for the North
Carolina Tarheels this season. The defending champs fell so low throughout the season that they failed to make it to the NCAA tournament they had won the previous season. Though this is not necessarily an uncommon occurance, it is completley out of character for the powerhouse Tarheels, who have been conference champions twice this decade and regular season champs five times in the last decade- dominating their powerhouse conference literally half a decade. Williams' squad has been a complete disappointment this year, and it is not uncommon to see anger, confusion and disorganization among this once-prestine squad. Something that has been uncommon for the Tarheels this year? Wins.UCONN: Without Calhoun, the Huskies were a lighthouse without a beacon, and they were unable to win games even after his return. Connecticut finished at a extremely disappointing 17-15 record and failed to make the NCAA tournament.
So, fill out your bracket, have a little fun, cheer on your team and get caught up in the madness!
*Photos taken from ESPN website.
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