Iowa State is good. Our squad is better. I feel the Fighting Illini (emphasis: Fighting) are rounding into shape. God, I hope my judgement here is right, for once. This School, this program deserves to win after so many set-backs over so many decades.
It should be OUR time. The PLAYERS on this squad are the ones who deserve it most; the staff too. I critique the coaching staff rather critically at times but I believe Coach Underwood et al. are making it happen. They deserve the accolades that seem to be coming.
And we, the residents of East Central IL, the graduates of the School (me and Mrs Orange Krush), the teens from across the state of IL or elsewhere across this land; and the teens (I once was one, my doll too, and so were many, many, many here who bleed Orange and Blue) will kneel down upon their tender knees in joy; and with each step forward that OUR squad (OUR state!) takes forward our hearts will thump proud.
I hoped for a Sweet Sixteen berth, since last May. Got it. I am very grateful. Greedy, I now hope for even more. TSJ .... Marcus, where did you come from? ... Coleman, ha ha, the black sheep, the Pied Piper. And Coach Underwood: fierceness is a word that only barely describes his desire to win.
There is more to come, and should our guys prevail (please!) I will be thrilled. The fellas deserve it, and their (sappy warning! --- loving) coaches deserve it too. So do their families. And we, the tens of thousands who have given full-throated cheer across chill and sometimes cold, snowy winters in support of the Fighting Illine - we too might deserve at last a measure of joy from the basketball gods.
Maudlin, I know. But sincere
LET'S GO!
ILL ...