If you're a fellow Boilermaker you get it.But those people we all know... those friends... who didn't go to Purdue. Who didn't go to a major University. Who don't know what it's like to bleed for their alma mater. They don't get it.
Why does it wreck my night when we lose a game we're supposed to lose? Why am I annoyed when a friend calls my house in the final minute to say, obnoxiously, "Hey, good season, man."
Shut the F up.
Seriously. I don't want to hear it. And don't be pissy when I am not in the mood for stupid-ass, smarmy comments. Because you just don't understand.
Do I think it's logical? Do I think it's reasonable? No, of course not. Not when I'm in my logical frame of mind. But when you live for a program... when you attended a place and then see that place emblazoned across the chest of some talented hoopsters, well, I don't know. I just don't know. I can't explain it. But if ever there was something that being a fan of truly makes sense and isn't just, as Jerry Seinfeld once put it, "cheering for laundry," it's being a fan of a school you attended.
I'm proud of the guys. I really am. They never quit and they never backed down or acted in awe of UConn. They lost by twelve but had it down to three a number of times, with the ball and chance... and couldn't catch a break, or a roll, or a bounce... and that happens. At Purdue, it seems to always happen.
So yes, you just don't understand, those of you who aren't "one of us." So back off. Don't make jokes. Don't minimize our sadness. Just leave it be.
Truth is, I'm not as bummed out as I might usually be. Because we'll be back.
This is just the beginning.
19 comments:
I get it... I TOTALLY get it. Then add to insult NON-ALUMNI/STUDENT IU Fans who talk smack about us always being "little brother" it makes you want to create a gap tooth smile for those "fans", assuming they don't already have said smile. When you bleed that black and gold you know that always believe for the good yet knowing in the back of ur mind the inevitable can and usually does happen. But I am damn proud to be an alumnus of Purdue University and I will always be ever grateful and ever true. Time to get even stronger boys.
Atleast we know we do it the right way.
at least we have football, oh wait....
I'm not as pissed as I thought I would be after the loss. I guess I know if we would have played to half the level we had been playing, then we would have won, at least made it down to the buzzer.
We looked scared to deat of Thabeet. I think we emphasized his presence too much. Too much talk about him pre-game and the boys were rattled before it started.
We will be back next year. Thanks to Bobby, Marcus and Nemmy for their hard work.
Boiler Up
I know exactly how you feel this morning. It is the reason I had tears in my eyes last night when the few Paint Crew members in attendance gave us one final Bobby Buckets chant.
These guys frustrated the hell out of me on many occasions throughout the season, but damn if I'm not as proud as can be this morning after the effort they have put out on the court over the last 3 weeks. They will continue to mature, both as players and coaches and we will be back, strong, next season. I suffered through Gene’s first losing season – ever – when I was a freshman, and since I decided to major in something that had zero job prospects, I hung around for grad school, so from the lows of that year, I saw the highs of Scheffler and Tony Jones through Zo, Waddell, some kid from Muncie with a weird hairdo and that dude from Gary Roosevelt. We always got close (I was in Knoxville for the Dook loss) but couldn’t get over the hump. However, each year I had to talk myself into getting ready for the next – it seemed like each time we went out, it was because of something – lack of heart in losing to an 8th-seeded Georgia as a 1, playing on another teams virtual home court, Coach K working over the refs so they wouldn’t call fouls on Cherokee Parks – something that kept us from winning that game and beating a team we were better than. However, this year I don’t feel that way. We ran into a better team (that may have paid its players…) but we never quit. We played with broken backs and broken noses, but the spirit never broke – and that’s why I love these guys and I cant wait for next year to get here
I hate CBS with a firey passion. I was out at dinner last night, trying to watch the game, and they switched it over to Pitt/Xavier. I know Purdue was down, but come on! I didn't get to see the last 5 minutes or so. Jerks.
I think the underclassmen will stay. There is unfinished business to be done.
Leroy, I was at that Dook game back in '94 too...and I feel like you do here.
From Tony Jones not dunking in the Hoosier Dome, to Everett Stevens dribbling off of his leg, to Pooh Hairston getting his jersey ripped off of his back to Glenn Robinson not being at 100% for his last game under Keady to Wisconsin beating Purdue for a FOURTH time in the season, those all felt differently.
Yesterday, Purdue seemed reminded me of the talented kid who needs to fill out a bit before he can be a world-beater...The tools are there, the maturity's not. While bummed, this one doesn't hurt because I know the upside is like none other that I can remember after an exit from the tourney.
Agreed — this doesn't hurt half as much as that fourth straight loss to Dick Bennett's defense-minded stranglers in 2000. We were SO CLOSE to finally ending Keady's Final Four drought, and just couldn't get the lousy 4 points needed to force OT or better.
The only thing to fear next year is the x-factor: injury, academics, some 1:1,000,000 incident that disrupts the core of this team. Hopefully Hummel comes back 110% and LewJack evolves into a confident closer as a point guard. (No more missed 1-footers, please.) And JJ? Yes, absolutely in contention for best big man in the country, if he adds a bit more bulk and keeps his incredible speed and touch. I'm psyched. But I'm also sick and tired of, once again, looking to next year. At least we finally got the Big Ten Tournament Title monkey off our back.
As a lifelong PU fan, I am used to the heartbreak... but this doesn't feel the same. Usually, thinking about national success feels about the same as thinking about what I will do with my Powerball winnings. I now feel that we are on the cusp of great things. Obviously we are still a bit young and a bit small, but with the proper focus off-season and much needed healing- next season could be one to remember. Here are my tips for the guys:
Chris- work on your outside shot. I would like you to avg 8-10pts/game next season.
JJ- work in the weight room, eat, and continue your path of improvement as you have over the past 5-6 seasons.
Keaton- find your 2007-08 season form.
Hummell- get healthy and work on your off-the-dribble game.
E'twaun- work on your ball-handling and getting open without the ball.
LewJack- work on finishing. Now that you have your first season under your belt, you should have the poise you lacked this season... but you need to finish your lay-ups. Also, work on your foul shooting. You are a guard for goodness sakes- you should be able to make a freaking free throw.
Everyone- work with all the new guys and help teach them the system. They are the key to our success. This season we were just a few parts short.
Plus, I think the Big Ten will be the toughest conference next season. We are young, but not losing many key players. This will help for the post-season with elevated competition throughout the BT season. Will the "experts" notice... who really cares??
In 2000 I am pretty sure we beat Wisconsin at Mackey, but lost in madison, in the B10 tourney, and, of course, in Albequerque
*applause*
Well done.
Travis, I'm with you -- we beat Wisky once that year and then lost three other times.
the only thing that bothers me for next season is the loss of nemmy. what big man will come off the bench? patrick bade is only 6-8 and i have seen many lawrence north games and jeff robinson struggles to even get off the bench. will be interesting what will happenn with that
Correct — Jan 15th 2000, we did beat Wisky 63-52 at Mackey.
Given what the team has dealt with this year I'm happy with our performance. We were too thin/small up front to contend with teams with quality big men consistently and with Hummel at less than 100% we really lacked up front. I still can't figure out what happened to our 3-point shooting unless it was moving that line back 1 foot.
In any case, great job Boilers, you represented the gold and black in a manner that leaves no doubt about how we play ball at Purdue.
Adding to Boilergal's offseason work list, can someone please teach LewJack how to shoot (not shot put) a pull up jumper. His is the worst I have ever seen (college, high school or middle school). It's not a hard shot but he needs instruction and practice.
Boiled Sports, great year of coverage and commentary. Thanks for your contributions.
i kinda felt like this game was another epitome of Purdue sports. Play tough enough and good enough to think you have a chance only to lose at the end.
Actually the Washington game may have been more fitting if they would have lost it.
but i think what makes me hopeful is the fact they didn't blow it against Washington. And even though that was one of the most atrocious offensive games i've ever seen, they hung in there- they never gave up.
They did seem scared, and they played like a lot of sophomores against a lot of seniors.
Health during the season, should move them up a couple seedings, which gets them to the elite 8, the experience should get them up another round. We should be a Final Four team next year.
i still love the boilers and bleed black & gold.
Wow, I hear ya' ! One of my best high school buds went to Wisconsin and isn't near the college fan as I for some reason. He texts me "Boilers hanging tough" with about 6 minutes left and we all KNOW the guys are going down. He only comes out of the woodwork when he can subtly point out tough Boiler losses in a condescending way!
I still love the guy, but I hate that Sh*&
It has been two days, but I'm still sad...
I'm not sure people really know how tough it is to be a Boilermaker.
Sigh
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