I was 11 years old when Nolan took his first Hog team to the final four, and my first Hog heroes were guys like Ron huery, Mario Credit, and Lenzie Howell. Great Hog basketball was all i knew all the way through my high school years. Every NCAA tourney, we would have a huge pool flowing through the hallways at school. One of my best friends would handle the massive job, as literally hundreds of kids would not eat lunch for a week in order to pay the 5 dollar entry fee to get a shot at writing "Arkansas" into the final four. To many of us, there was just no way that Arkansas wasnt going to win it all, EVERY SINGLE YEAR.
We all know how the history played out. All those great teams and great players, along with one of the greatest innovators, motivators, teachers, and just all around bad SOB as head coach, and we got one title. One. Just........one. we got a good look at another, but fell just short. Thanks Tyus Edney. When Muss was saying last night how hard it was to win just a game in the tourney, i was saying to myself he was right. This tournament is about more than having a good team, especially this year being such an odd year. Its a marathon that tests every team physically, mentally, and most of all, emotionally. The grind is real.
My love for the Razorbacks can be directly attributed to my mother. She was a crazy Hog fan. I watched every Hog basketball game back then. Curled up beside her on the couch with my notebook and pencil. Keeping my own stats because i didnt trust the numbers on the broadcast. She would spend the next 2 hours either screaming at the TV or smiling from ear to ear, as OUR Razorbacks would smack another team into submission. It was "normal". Atleast as normal a childhood as i could have. I dont have a fancy degree from the University, and have spent limited time on the campus, but the Razorbacks flow through my blood, and have for 42 years now.
As soon as the game was over last night, i did what most of you did. Ran around my house jumping and screaming and scaring the shit out of my dog. I then immediately hopped on here and caught up on the threads i couldnt stand to read during the game. It was fun sharing in everyone's joy. For once, we were all on the same page. Absolute elation. As soon as my heartbeat slowed a little and that adrenaline dump happened, i completely broke down. The tears flowed like Al Dillard three pointers in my driveway as a teen. I was, for a few minutes, back on that couch with my mom. I could see my smile and wanting nothing more than to be able to hug her after the biggest win since she left this world in 2006. I wish so much she could have enjoyed this win with me. Maybe, in a way, she did.
I share all this to say, dont take this shit for granted. Feelings like last night are rare. No matter how good things are, they dont last long. Celebrate these things with friends and family, put that Razorback stamp on the lil ones (who still dont understand why dad always rips his shirt off watching basketball) and enjoy every second you have with those close to you. If you do this, you wont ever have to watch a Razorback game alone.
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