It's everywhere. The sound of sneakers squeaking on hardwood, the hollow thump of the orange sphere bounding off hardwood and glass, the swoosh of the three-pointer. Yes, the NCAA championship tournament is here. It's almost half over right now, and my favorite college team is still in it. That may not be true after tonight, but I can hope.
Oh, who am I rooting for? The Gonzaga Bulldogs.
What? But I'm from Texas! Why not the Aggies or the Longhorns? Why some college that is in Spokane, WA, a place I've never even visited? Simple; John Stockton.
Former point guard for the Utah Jazz, and arguably one of the best to have ever played the position, John Stockton was the primary reason I every watched pro basketball to begin with. His 19 year career was spent entirely in Utah, despite efforts by other teams to lure him away. He still holds the records for most career assists and most steals, and looks to hold them for awhile yet. Throughout his pro career, he made his statements on the court. He never accepted any endorsements, and when he wasn't playing, you didn't hear much about him. In the pro sports world, that's a good thing.
I was always impressed with his play, his work ethic, his respectability, and his loyalty. Things that are missing in too many pro athletes.
And so, I follow his alma mater in basketball, although I really don't follow the Jazz anymore. They simply aren't the same team without him, Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek. But the Gonzaga Bulldogs are a consistently good team. They have been in the Tournament on a regular basis since 1999.
Tonight, the Bulldogs go up against No 1 ranked UNC. I have many friends from N. Carolina and I do have respect for the Tar Heels, but I still hope the Bulldogs win. I want them to go on and win the whole thing. But, for now, I'll enjoy the fact that they've made the Sweet Sixteen and take one game at a time.
Go Bulldogs!! Sorry, Tar Heels. It's time to go home.
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