blogger mom

Last night I went to bed remembering another March night, I believe it was in 1992. The Buckeye's season was over and I was devastated. The local news had put together a segment with highlights from the season...It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday was the music playing in the background. I lost it, sobbing on the floor in my little brother's room. The huge crush I had on Chris Jent was playing into the trauma, but I also just loved Buckeye basketball. I still do. At least I didn't sob uncontrollably on the floor last night.

I let Riley stay up, it's the latest he's ever been allowed to stay up. When I agreed to it, I wasn't taking DOUBLE OVERTIME into account. Two very well matched teams, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Tip off wasn't until 9:45, so the little man was up past midnight. As many of you know, I'm a bedtime stickler. We're in bed between 7:30 and 8:00 every night. I thought for sure he would doze off during the game on the futon. I had obviously forgotten that my oldest child is more like his mommy than the other two and that he wouldn't allow himself to miss a minute of the action. He's is the most loyal Buckeye fan on the planet. My favorite conversation of the game went something like this...

Me: "Come on, PJ. That's just sloppy basketball" (raising my voice at the tv)

Riley: "Mom, you know that they are all trying their hardest."

Me: "I know, Riley. But, come on, they have to have better shot selection."

Riley: "Mom, they pick that shot because they think it will go in. They don't shoot it
if they don't think they can make it."

Riley helps me remember that these are 18 and 19 year old kids. That this is just a game. After the second overtime he calmly got up and went to bed. Maybe he's more like his daddy than I realize sometimes.

So, it's over for the season for the Bucks. It was a fun season, and they didn't go down without a fight. This very young team fought hard all season and surprised us all with how well they did even after their captain was injured. Getting this team into the NCAA tournament proves to me that Thad Matta is one of the best coaches in college basketball. Riley and I created some great memories this season. We learned to love the simplicity of the radio and at the same time were able to see them play several games at the Schott. We cheered hard and we'll be ready for next season. I have a prediction to make...IF Lighty full recovers and IF Buford, Mullens, and Turner don't go pro...we'll win the Big Ten.

As for this March, my bracket is average at best. But, I sure am happy to see WV go home in the first round as well. Along with President Obama, I've picked NC to win it all!