Go Badgers! (I think)

     As far as moral dilemmas go, I could probably come up with a few hundred others I've encountered in my lifetime that carried a weight a hundred times heavier than this one.  So, at least my preface is on the record.  That said, here's the inner turmoil festering inside of me:  I don't know who I should root for in this year's NCAA basketball tournament.

     When Coach Knight's teams were in the NCAA's, there was never a question about it.  Indiana it was, all the way!  From IU's national championship team in 1987 to their awful first round loss to Richmond in '89 (which I blame for the four car accident I caused the next day).  From my month long depression over the '92 Final Four loss to the devastating injury to Alan Henderson in '93, which almost certainly is the reason why Coach Knight has three national championships instead of four.  From the '80's to 2000, March meant the Indiana Hoosiers.  Every other team be damned. 
     Ditto for Texas Tech. Through five NCAA appearances and with underwhelming talent, it was "Guns Up" for the Red Raiders all the way.  If I had a son who played for a school competing against one of Knight's team, it would be a no-brainer.  I'd root for the General.  If my kid wasn't good enough to play for Coach Knight, then that's his fault.  My loyalty came first to Knight.  My son came afterward.

     But since Coach Knight's retirement five years ago, the next best team I enjoyed most has been Wisconsin, and I've followed and rooted for them ever since.  I consider UW my de facto favorite, and the team I've most wanted to cut down the championship nets. But the way this year's bracket is set up, it's brought me some unprecedented problems.  Hence my dilemma...

         Alford & Knight (1987)                    Alford (2013)

      If Wisconsin is good enough and lucky enough to make it to the Elite Eight, there's a chance they meet up against New Mexico, who is coached by my favorite basketball player of all time, Steve Alford.  That 1987 IU national championship; those numbers 1-9-8-7, which I use for every password and PIN number I have; the numbers I have customized on my Basketball Hall of Fame license plate; that championship year--was led by All-American Alford.  Steve Alford--the player I started following once I saw clips of that perfect shooting form of his lighting it up at New Castle High School.  Steve Alford--the player who actually got me introduced to Coach Knight because it was him that brought my attention to Indiana and their Hall of Fame coach.  So if it comes to pass...

     Wisconsin vs. New Mexico.  That's a tough one.

     I'm thrilled for Jimmy Crews.  By tragic happenstance, he's a first year interim coach for the Saint Louis Billikens and has led them to a terrific 27-6 season and an Atlantic 10 championship.  Jimmy took over for Rick Majerus who fell ill before the season and died suddenly in December.  Crews played for Knight at Indiana and was part of IU's 1976 national championship team, the last team to go undefeated at 32-0.  After eight years as Knight's assistant, Crews coached at Evansville for 17 years and West Point for seven before joining Majerus.  Crews is one of those coaches who is as good as they come, but just never got the opportunity to coach at a major program.
     Coach Knight wrote in his autobiography that through his years at Indiana, when he thought of the day to come when he would quit, he knew the perfect coach to take his place.  The coach he wanted: Jim Crews.  If that's not enough reason for me to cheer for him, add the awful fact that two of Jimmy's former Army players died this past year while serving their country.
     If the Billikens are able to win a few games, which I'll be rooting hard for them to do, then it wouldn't be until the Final Four where they'd potentially meet Wisconsin.  If it happens...

     Wisconsin vs. Saint Louis.  Ouch.  That's real tough.

Kevin Pangos

     But the second week of the tournament is gonna' be the hardest.  And mathematically and predictably, the most probable matchup out of the three I hate to see happen.  If Wisconsin beats its first two opponents, it will no doubt play the Gonzaga Bulldogs.  The Zags have had the best season in school history.  A 31-2 record, an undefeated conference title, and a season ending #1 national ranking.  But what I like most about the Zags, is how they play the game: with precision fundamentals (especially on defense), a toughness at every position, and an emphasis on unselfish team play.  All of this is a reflection of the terrific coaching of Mark Few, and everything I like about Wisconsin and their coach, Bo Ryan as well.
     But the reason this potential game is a mental struggle for me isn't because of how I enjoy the way Gonzaga plays, or even how well they're coached.  It's because of one of my favorite high school players of all time.
     Ross Convertino played on my jayvee basketball team ten years ago.  At five feet nothing, and a hundred and nothing pounds, he was anything but imposing.  But pound for pound, nobody played as hard and as tough as Ross.  I absolutely loved the kid.  What he lacked in size he sure as hell made up for it in hustle and mental toughness.  A loose ball on the floor--it was his.  Taking a charge against a player twice his size--no problem.    Playing in-your-face defense and making all the right decisions as a point guard--Ross was great at it.  Getting yelled at by his tempermental coach--he just played harder.
     After coaching stints at the Winchenden School and Notre Dame Prep, Ross is now in his second year as a graduate assistant coach at Gonzaga.  And knowing Ross, it's a perfect fit for him. 

Ross Convertino

     As physically talented as the Bulldogs are, they do all the important little things that make them such a successful team.  David Stockton knows how to pass the ball at the perfect when and where.  Elias Harris knows how to take that extra angle to get an offensive rebound.  Kevin Pangos knows when to shoot but more importantly, when not to shoot.  As good as Kelly Olynyk's offensive game is, his footwork and timing on defense is exceptional.
     And what Ross may have lacked in shooting ability compared to Stockton and Pangos, or in size compared to Olynyk (or anybody else on the GU campus for that matter), he still fits in well with this team.  Because as a player, he always embodied the work ethic, mental toughness, and unselfish intangibles that this Gonzaga team displays on the court.  This is what every coach at every level wants in a player, whether your college team is ranked #1 in the country or your high school team is barely over .500 in Western Mass. Whether you're Mark Few or John Funaro.  Kevin Pangos or Ross Convertino.

     So the question remains.  If the two teams meet up in the Sweet Sixteen?...I still don't know.   
     Wisconsin vs. Gonzaga?

     Maybe it would be easier for me to deal with if one team lost in the second round.  Or better yet, one thing would solve this whole dilemma:  Damnit, Knight, get back into coaching!