I'm sitting back watching this year's highlights and AYO really does look like a pro... Physically. He just looks bigger than everyone else... for some reason. This young man has a chance to really take Illinois to the Final Four. Yes, I said it. And Our version of Shaq, down low. Not to mention, the rest of the team. Extreme talented freshman that only know how to win. This team has something about them.
I am very happy watching this team play this year. This all started last year, around this time when I started to tell myself and my friends. "Hey, this team has a chance." And, when I say chance, I mean win it all. At the beginning of this year I began to worry because there seemed to be a lack of on court chemistry. Talent wasn't an issue, it was team chemistry. It was a big issue.
But if you watch this team over the last 3 games.. One can see THAT LOOK in the whole team's eyes. They are trying to win it all. They believe they can. This team is fun to watch. Before last year. I haven't enjoyed a basketball game since 2005-2006. What I mean by that is, when the game is close, I'm not worried about losing because we have Ayo. Instead, it has been the last 10 years plus wondering, "how are we going to lose this one, even though we are up by 20 at half." From one extreme to the other.
It was really nice yesterday to know, when the ball was thrown up, that I knew we would fine a way. A way to win, not to lose. That Indy game. That Iowa game. Neither has me worried. Instead I felt something different. Something thrilling. Something that felt familiar. I was excited. Feels...so long ago. I haven't felt like this since.... could it be? Since the 2004-2005 year... That's it. Excited. I'm excited. This team is exciting. The coach is exciting. We have a swag on this team. Welcome back Illini Basketball. It has been tough but I'm glad I stuck around. To be an Illini Fan and an XRP holder over the last years..... My Illini are back and my XRP is about to moon.
Excited!