I go hard for SPARTY…

Yes, today is a HUGE day for Sparty fans. In about five hours, the Michigan State men’s basketball team will take on the Butler Bulldogs in the Final Four in Lucas Oil Stadium, in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is familiar territory for Sparty and its fans, as this is their sixth appearance in the Final Four in the last twelve years. Despite the Final Four appearances, Sparty only has one championship (2000) to show for it. MSU might not be an elite basketball program, but everyone knows their a consistent threat, come tournament time.

I was a second-year student at Michigan State in 2005, when the Spartans made their fourth Final Four appearance over a 8-year span. No one on campus or in the Izzone really expected much from Sparty, mainly because they were the fifth seed in their regional. I predicted they wouldn’t get past the Sweet Sixteen, where I figured they’d get eliminated by Duke, who they actually beat by double digits. Didn’t think they’d beat Kentucky in the Elite Eight, and that game turned out to be an instant classic, with Sparty eventually winning in overtime. Unfortunately, their run ended in the Final Four, where they were beaten by eventual champion North Carolina. UNC just simply blew them out of the water in the second half, but the phrase going around on campus was “In Izzo We Trust”.

Yes, we, Sparty Nation, have the utmost faith in Tom Izzo, the head coach of the Spartans. When it looks like Sparty will barely get by, he finds a way to get them to the next level. Last year was was a prime example, with the added pressure of the state of Michigan in economic turmoil, and the Final Four in Detroit. It was a spirited run, but Sparty was again overmatched by UNC in the title game.

This year is different, in my opinion. This has been one of the most inconsistent, nerve-racking Spartan teams in recent memory. Injuries, insubordination, and idiocy are three words I’d use to describe Sparty’s regular season and conference tournament. After starting the season ranked as the #2 team in the nation, they more resembled a mediocre team than an elite team many picked to be a legitimate title contender.

Still, Izzo and the crew found a way. Again, the five seed, and again, a trip to the Final Four. A controversial win over New Mexico State in the opening round. A buzzer-beater to beat Maryland in the second round, that only happened because Delvin Roe ducked just in the nick of time. Shutting down a “favored” Northern Iowa team in the Sweet 16. In the Elite Eight, they beat a Tennessee team that a good number of “analysts” predicted would end their tournament run.

Now, it’s time to dispose of Butler. I don’t care about Cinderella, honestly. I couldn’t care less that they’re a mid-major, and playing in their home state. I don’t recall many people jumping on Sparty’s bandwagon last year, and frankly, I’m glad. I want Sparty to embarrass Butler. I want to see Butler fans in tears of pain after this game. I want this game over by halftime. I want Brad Stevens to look like he’s 33 going on 64 in the post-game press conference.

SPARTY ALL THE WAY.

P.S. I miss Karen!!!

P.P.S. On the banks of the Red Cedar/There’s a school that’s known to all…

Last time I heard, being faithful works…

For the life of me, I CANNOT figure out why someone in a relationship would cheat. It’s very simple. You start a relationship with someone that you want to commit yourself to. You end a relationship with someone that you don’t want to commit yourself to anymore. If at any point during the relationship, you feel that you or your spouse is not doing their job, and the problem can’t be resolved…relationship’s over. Just like that. No one (to my knowledge) is contractually or legally obligated to stay in a relationship with someone that they don’t want to commit to. If your girlfriend is only on board to have sex once a day, and you prefer thrice…dump her. Especially if she’s not willing to meet you halfway. If your boyfriend decides that he’d rather have nightly excursions without you, and something about that doesn’t sit right with you…dump him. There’s no need to be with someone that can’t meet your simple needs, even if they may be more sex or quality time. Cheating ruins trust. I’ve always told anyone within earshot that I could NEVER forgive a woman for cheating on me. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. If you had the audacity to go outside of our relationship once, for whatever reason, who’s to say you wouldn’t do it again if you saw the opportunity? I prefer to know that my girlfriend is going out, and be able to fully trust her, rather than pace back and forth, questioning myself about whether she is where she says she’s gonna be. After all, isn’t trust the most important part of a relationship? Once the trust is gone, isn’t the relationship on its last legs? It’s hard to do ANYTHING with someone that you feel you can’t trust. This is a genuine question: Do people who cheat not understand how simple it is to sit someone down and tell them, “It’s over”? That’s all you really have to say. A long, drawn-out explanation isn’t necessary. In my opinion, it’s a person’s right to end a relationship if they feel the need to do so. You’d be naïve to think that a relationship could be successful with two people on different pages. I’d rather a chick dump me because she doesn’t like the way the color blue looks on me, rather than cheat with someone that she likes the color on. Let people know where they stand with you. Allow them to decide from that point forward whether they want to exert any effort to be with you. I think it’s unfair to keep someone in the dark. Don’t hold someone back; allow them the chance to find someone better, too. Sometimes I think that’s the majority of a cheater’s psyche. Knowing that they have found someone that they most likely consider a better option, not wanting to entertain the idea that their spouse could do the same. It’s about not wanting to be told that they’re not doing their job. Which is uber-wack. And if you don’t think monogamy is your thing, being single works just fine… P.S. I miss Karen!!! P.P.S. #shoutout to all the stand-up dudes and dudettes out there, and Peanut Butter, who should be touching down shortly…