Tevo
- Wilmette, IL
I think everyone knows I'm a hoops junkie, an alum, and a huge fan, but Illini basketball is ultimately not something that affects my life very much. Sports in general is a low-priority pastime. If the Illini lose in demoralizing fashion (like against Rutgers the other day), it doesn't ruin my day. I turn off the TV and basically forget it ever happened until I'm bored at work and make a post or two the next day. I frequently miss important games because my wife wants to get dinner or it's somebody's birthday, or whatever.
It's just sports. It's a distraction. ... I have opinions about Illini sports, but at the end of the day it's whatever. Perspective.
For me, sports are about social interactions. I love my teams much more than I love the sports. I will seldom watch another college basketball game just because it's on -- I have other things to do. But I will record every Illini game. I'll watch Bears games, but not a random NFL game. I'll watch the Bulls, but not a random NBA game. For me, I like interacting with other fans -- of my teams and others. I like teasing my Big Ten friends, commiserating about failures, etc. And it's a lot more fun to interact with fellow fans when your team does well. It's a lot more fun watching those games when your team does well.
I love the Illini, and really want them to be good, and really want them to get a new coach so they can start being good again. If they aren't good, I won't stop being a fan, but I won't enjoy the games, nor will I enjoy my interactions with friends and (friendly) foes as much.
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