From the Opening Tip
by rfirpo on Mar 18, 2009 3:53 PM PDT
Email
PrintBumped. Let's hope the team is as focused as rfirpo, who in last 24 hours has been en fuego. GO BRUINS. - N
Thursday's game against VCU is going to be the most exciting and intense game of the year--and I don't even think it's close. Thinking of the CAL, USC, and Washington road games?--think again, those were cupcakes in comparison.
The crowd in Philly will be buzzing with anticipation, waiting to see VCU have its shot to rip into a UCLA team who made it to three consecutive final fours. People will be there, begging for the little guy to stick it to us. If VCU hits the first basket of the game-the crowd will roar; if VCU goes on a 5-0 run with a key three pointer thrown in, the crowd will go bezerk. They will taunt us, shout overrated, and belittle our program. Make no mistake about it: this game will be possession to possession of pure intensity and desire. It is the game of the year to date.
Our recent opening round NCAA Tournament games have been a little slow. The crowd expected blow-outs, and they got them. The cheers were muted, and it seemed the fans weren't completely focused. And that was understandable, as it seemed the games were second to the arena atmosphere, t-shirt booths, and tournament merchandize lines. No one had to be intense--everyone could be relaxed.
Well Thursday's game will be different. People will be tuning in around the country to watch UCLA lose. I hate to say it, but Seth Davis started a story-line that will put people in front of the TV hoping for carnage. Everyone who picked UCLA will be praying for their "I told you so" moment.
I've heard some people talk about the game suggesting that we need to have an "us against the world mentality." Well, we don't need to try to foster that mentality--because it's a freakin' reality. It is us against the world. We are being portrayed as the team who is overrated, as the team who will be surprised, and as the team who won't be prepared. Seth Davis doesn't like us, Fox Sports didn't like us, and bracket pickers everywhere are taking VCU. And the President--he doesn't like us either. They think we are garbage, last years news with DII talent and underperforming freshman. They don't say it, but based on their picks--they must think Howland forgot how to coach.
And so, yes, all those naysayers will be watching. You can count on it. They will be drooling for a VCU win. When VCU scores their hearts will race, and the VCU fans and every other team's but UCLA's will cheer--desperate to see UCLA go down. And the City of Philadelphia will also be cheering, rooting for the little guy. And the most desperate cheers-they'll be coming from the thousands of Villanova fans in attendance and at bars all over Philly. It will be 10'Oclock PM there, but they'll be watching--and praying. See, for all the talk about UCLA going down early, deep down inside, Nova fans and the Nova team are probably wondering--is UCLA really that bad? Didn't they go to 3 straight final fours? Don't they have an all-american point guard? Don't they have essentially the same record as us?? Don't they have a tradition of excellence which makes ours look like, well, nothing?
That's right. Of all the cheering against the Bruins, it will be the Nova fans who will be the most desperately in favor of VCU. Because they know what we know--UCLA CAN BEAT ANYBODY. They are hoping against all hope that VCU wins, because then they won't have to play us. Because if they do play us, they will be putting everything on the line against the most storied proram in the Nation. At home, a higher seed, with the pressure to prove that the Big East is the best conference--that's a lot of pressure on Nova against little old UCLA. So yea--they'll be crazy in favor of VCU too.
We need to strangle VCU from the opening tip. And we need to continue doing it for 40 minutues. It will be difficult, and it will be exhausting. The most exhausting game of the year, without a doubt. And everyone, from White House staffers to Philly bar hoppers will be rooting against us. But if we play from the opening tip like we have something to prove--then we can reap the hard earned rewards.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
25 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Yup
It will be a road game in the truest sense. Others have already said it, but we are basically playing on the road for the rest of the season…no one wants to see us succeed. Why should they? But I don’t care. Screw everyone else. We have our own Nation right here…I just hope our players and coaches know that we will be right there with them. I hope we CRUSH VCU and send them home wishing they never set foot on the court.
Go Bruins.
You are so right,
this is the most excited I have EVER been for a first round game. I haven’t been this nervous/restless since the games against Florida. This is going to be big. Time to show the haters who we really are: U.C.L.A.
B.F.
The excitement and our underdog status is what
makes this really interesting. There is a perfect storm of factors which could get this team really pumped and focused like we haven’t seen all year. We could easily lose—no doubt about it—but a bigger and bigger part of me thinks we could pull-off Maryland 2000 kind of shockers in the first two rounds. If you recall, going into that Maryland game everyone thought we were going to get smoked. But, oops, we ended up doing the smoking.
I'm right there with you,
they want blood, and WE will duly deliver. Enough of the hyperbole though – we haven’t been this big of an underdog in a long time, so I am excited to see what will come out of the gate tomorrow night.
B.F.
Speaking of which,
anyone else feeling the electricity surrounding this game – especially here on BN? This place is rocking and buzzing already, and we are still 24 hrs away. I cannot wait for the pre-game, game, and post game threads.
B.F.
You shall be richly rewarded, eubruin
I felt like you did, especially before our second encounter with Gators. Did I want us to vanquish them !!!
If only KLove arrived a year earlier. Nevertheless, we are UCLA and we shall “shock & awe” VCU.
Hope we are all “richly rewarded”.
I think this is the best thing that could have happened to us.
Much discussion has gone on here and other places about what exactly ails our team. Many fingers have been pointed at our freshman for not completely grasping the Howland Method. Whatever it is that has held us back, only a dead man could be forgiven for ignorance of the general mood in this country. And, it goes beyond thinking we will lose for playing two teams in roughly home games back to back. It is an air of knife sharpening we are reading in the national press.
Our guys will come out with fire in their eyes and a spring in their step. I am confident of this.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
Same for me. Let me at 'em. I want VCU blood!!!
Actually I don’t hate VCU that much, they seem like a nice team with good players and coach. But do to things outside of their control, an example needs to be made of them. No hard feelings, just business.
It's gone
Because you didn’t read the fanpost and/or the fanshot that corresponded to your post. You can find it two fanposts under this one.
No, you should read the posts that are linked to it
Then post your thoughts on the matter if you still feel compelled to do so.
I haven't been
this nervous about a first round game in a while. I’m hoping for the best, but….
Not if I have anything to do about it
I mean, I’m pretty sure I can outyell 21,000 people by myself…
How many other people that post here will be there?
I’m a bit isolated out here in my hotel near the airport, haven’t seen anyone in the right shade of blue yet.
As a side note, the $10 tickets on stubhub for the 1st session of the day look intriguing, even if they are $30 after fees.
additionally
Does anyone know where the UCLA contingent will be seated in the arena?
Tone
Not sure if I agree with the tone of your post. I’m sure that ‘Nova fans will care about our game, but not that many of ’em will care enough to watch the game. Honestly, you sound kind of paranoid! The world is not seriously out to get us! Take a chill pill, buddy. It’ll be great if our team feels that way, but let’s relax and have fun with it.
if they care about college ball
they will watch. That’s why they call this madness. I find myself watching games of any team that ucla might match up with in the foreseeable future. I agree with rfirpo on this one. People are against us because we have been a staple in the final four the past three years. In the process, we extinguished the championship hopes of many teams. Now that we are apparently down, they are ready to kick.
So, the “tone” of the post… is quite fitting. I am also very very excited for the tourney and I as much as I try, I can’t chill and relax. To do so is to deny my passion for this team. I’m a fan. This is march madness. This is what it’s all about.
In the words of RW, LET’S GO!!!!!!!
by UCLAbruin920 on Mar 18, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Absolute Fact
We all watch games this time of year that we wouldn’t normally watch, and, frankly, we cheer for teams we don’t actually know much—or care much—about. It’s March.
At the CBE tournament in 2007, throngs of Mizzou fans stayed for our game to cheer against UCLA in our game against Michigan State.
Love My Bruins
Um
I attended the Elite 8 game against Xavier last year, and the entire row behind us were fans of neither team but were there to – and I quote – “Root AGAINST UCLA”! I am pretty sure this hatred wasn’t isolated to just that row either. So yes, ever since Wooden retired, much of the college basketball world has been rooting against us. The world IS out to get us and you can’t tell me any different.
Oh UCLA you sweet bitch, you've BRUINed me for anything else.
Thanks, rfirpo, but
I’ve already doubled my blood pressure meds. The fact is, most of us are a little scared. We’re sure we have the better team, one that can compete with any other team in the nation…at times. And yet we’ve all seen this team go dead in the water, become ineffective on defense, so tentative as to appear unwilling to take a shot on offense. We really don’t know why. But I have to say I believe that we are going to put it together and make a good, maybe a great run in this tournament. Enough of our guys have been in must-win situations before—and prevailed—to give me confidence. So let’s play the game, and answer all the questions. Go Bruins!
Conflicted
This one is hard to call. I swing from emotions of one-and-out, to this team could shock. Obviously I hope for the ladder. What a measure of character to go into Philly and smack the odds-makers. That would be sweet. This team has it in them. I remember when a couple times this season it seemed like they played “street ball” and they scored at will. And the defense was more than enough to swarm the opponent. They got after them. Their athleticism just took over. They’re the underdogs. Let’er rip. Kick ass, Bruins.
Important to come out early
and take the crowd out of the game. I agree it will be a hostile environment. We need to take control of this game from the start, then play like barncats and finish them off.
by Give me a B... on Mar 18, 2009 10:27 PM PDT reply actions
I don't know about you
but that post just got me fired up. I am a firm believer in this team. All of those naysayers must have forgotten that our boys have been preparing for this game just like VCU has. They must’ve forgotten that they, too, have hearts pumping in their chests and that they will not go down without a fight. We’re going to see our team step up in this tournament. It’s gonna happen.
Go Bruins!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
