The Final Four is upon us. Kentucky, Wisconsin, UConn, and Florida. Four teams, each with a really great chance to win it all. Now, as fair disclosure, I am a Michigan fan. Like a big one. So, when both Michigan and Michigan State ended their tournament run in the Elite Eight this weekend most fans were disappointed, as they should be, but a fair amount discussed now supporting Wisconsin. Now, I was just as sad and disappointed as the next fan, but I don’t think that I will be behind Wisconsin just because they are from the Big Ten.
Allow me to explain, and reiterate the fact that I’m a Michigan fan. When Bo died in 2006, it was almost like I lost my own grandfather. I do not cheer for any other Big 10 (12) school. I just don’t. I see other Michigan fans who will support Michigan State and other schools in the Conference (but not That School in Ohio), and God bless them, but I just can’t. The amount of Michigan fans that were congratulating Sparty when they won the Rose Bowl was amazing to me. I’m sure had the tables been turned, you wouldn’t have seen Sparty congratulating Michigan. You wouldn’t. I don’t see any other Big 10 (12) fan supporting Michigan when their team isn’t playing. I was taught that your team is your team. You don’t support anyone else. You support your team. Everyone else is your rival. And last time I checked, you don’t want your rival to win. Now I thought I was taking things a bit too seriously, but then I heard John Kincade on CBS Sports Radio affirm my point!!
Now, can you have pride for your conference? Sometimes I do. Did it make me feel good when potentially 3 of the teams in the Final Four could come from the Big 10 (12)? It did. During College Bowl season I like it when some of the teams win. Just because it helps to bring a slight bit of legitimacy to our conference and not get embarrassed on a more national stage. (The aforementioned John Kincade does scoff at the Big 10 (12) during football season.) But that’s as far as it goes. Nationally, yes, I like it when the Big 10 does get some love, but if it’s not Michigan, I’m not going to sit glued to the TV to watch in the name of conference loyalty. Unless it’s the only game on or something, and I gotta have my sports fix.
Now, I think my other question is do other fans of teams in other conferences feel the same way? I don’t really see a lot of Florida State fans being excited for Duke during football season. You don’t see Texas A&M Fans cheering for South Carolina in the name of Conference pride do you? Please, if you cheer for the other teams in your conference, and I’m all wrong, and it’s more than just a Big 10 thing, please let me know. Or…if I’m just being annoying Michigan slappy, you can tell me. I will gladly listen to your reasons as to why you chose to root for your conference as well as your team. It may even convince me to change my opinion!!
But I doubt it…..because the last time I checked, Bo said The Team, The Team, The Team NOT the Conference, The Conference, The Conference.
