My virtual game ball goes to Kipper. On Senior Day, I wanna honor the young man not just for his play today, but for the effort and perseverance - the heart - that he has given throughout his time as an Illini.
To me, Kipper's effort and contribution today, on his Senior Day, is symbolic of the entire resurrection of Illini basketball glory that we've experienced in this single season.
I think Kipper must have gone through something in these past years similar to all of us as Illini basketball fans. And through it all, Kipper persisted, kept grinding, held out hope, and above all, he allowed his love of the Illini basketball team to sustain a radiating faith within, a faith that allowed him to pass through immeasurable periods of darkness. Unlike others who transferred out, or reneged on verbal or written commitments to our program, Kipper stayed with it through incredible waves and layers of hardship. Not just the losing, but the criticism by media and fans alike that most certainly reached his ears, but somehow never breached his heart deeply enough to poison his dedication to the team. Think about how disgusted we feel as fans when we experience the sour, rotted taste of losing. Now think about how much more intimate of a pain and disgust it must have be for the players themselves, especially when it is their effort or talent or intelligence or heart that is called into question alongside those losses.
Even though we don't lift the weights and we don't play the games, I think I can put words to a feeling inside of all of us when I say: it has been real psychological and emotional labor supporting this team over the past decade+. And to me, when I saw Kipper makin them plays, skying out of nowhere to get those hustle rebounds to give our team extra possessions - when I saw Kip making a meaningful impact in what would eventually be another memorable, down-to-the-wire Illini victory in a season full of them - it gave to me this revelation: Kipper deserves this game and this season so much, just as all of us as Illini Nation deserve this.
So, my virtual game ball, covered in blood and sweat and perhaps a few Malcolm Hill tears, or perhaps encrusted in the tiny, light-capturing jewels bestowed to champions - it is up to your imagination to decide - goes to Kipper Nichols. And it also goes to all of you, all of us, this equally virtual community that has gathered together through this forum and shared in a truly beautiful arrangement of emotions this season. A season of vindication and redemption for Kip, for the legacy of Illini basketball, for all of us.
- 0n3