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…

 

I can't...put her...into words...

Saturday, son…

Today’s weather was absolutely atrocious. I don’t think that anyone that I talked to did anything remotely close to productive today. Chicago weather in December isn’t conducive to living a full night life. Or a life, period. There was random basketball on, along with other sports and television shows that I didn’t pay much attention to. I did manage to read my new issue of COMPLEX, and the experience was made much more awesome because of the story on Zoe Saldana. Damn, she’s so dreamy. Right now, I’m rappin’ with #myfavoritenerd, admiring my Nike ’96 DT4s. I guess if I want to have an adventure, there’s always tomorrow. P.S. I miss Karen!!! P.P.S. #shoutout to “Neon” Deion Sanders

Un Sabado aburrido…

Well, today wasn’t a COMPLETE bore. From about 1AM-5:15AM, shit was hectic. MAD hectic. To the point where I saw a battle in the middle of the street, a woman lose a tooth, and bail money had to be posted(Don’t ask). I had no plans to go out last night until I got a call from Jihaan Benoit(sorry, I just like to see her full name)TELLING(even though I like to think it was an invite)me to go out and kick it. I only had one drink, but certainly made up for it with enough cheeba. I made it home around 5:45 and was able to see the sunrise with half an L. Football was a drag today. Notre Dame lost to Navy, which was fucking awesome. Michigan State beat Western Michigan, which frankly, doesn’t mean a damn thing. Somewhere in between, I went for a run with Lauren and her annoying ass sister, Lisa. I know I was hard on L-Boogie, but I push her because she needs to work her ass off. I hate when people continuously talk about doing something, but don’t want to put in the work necessary to get it done. She knows I love her to death, though. I did my male friend-helping-his-homegirl-out thing. L-Boogie has a *gulp* date, and I wanted to make sure she looks like an actual woman for a change. I think she’s going to look hot. I’m pretty sure I smelled weed on Michigan Ave. I’m almost certain of it. I’m on my way to the crib right now. I just don’t have the energy to go out tonight. Til tomorrow… P.S. I miss Karen!!! P.P.S. #shoutout to L-Boogie. Knock him dead, kiddo…

A fried Saturday

Booooy, howdy! Today has been a good day so far. Two of my favorite people, Head 2 and Head 3, came over in the morning with breakfast from Valois and dro. After killing our breakfast, Quick and I laughed at PB as she attempted to effectively pearl a swisher. She went through an entire box before she finally got it right. Bless her heart, she’s learning. Because of her futile attempts with the first 4, I had to walk to the local gas station and buy another box, where I saw quite possibly a chick with the hottest walk of all time. PB and I had a dance-off, which I won, of course. She almost had me with the Beyonce “Crazy In Love” move until she stumbled and fell on her face. LAUGH. OF. THE. DAY. She said she’s going to give me my tropical Skittles tomorrow for winning. If she doesn’t, she KNOWS I’ll send someone after her. I kind of halfway watched football today. None of the games mattered that much to me. Obviously, the one that does, Michigan St/#6 Iowa, is on now. I really hope MSU can pull off the upset. Actually, I wouldn’t really view it as an upset. I feel Michigan St is a better team. It’s just that my Spartans have been the victims of some close losses this season. Had they not lost to Central Michigan and Notre Dame, they’d most likely be a top-15 team right now. I seriously had no intentions of partying tonight until I heard “Saturday Night”, on Nicolay’s “City Lights Vol 2: Shibuya”. Carlitta Durand’s voice is so…EEE!!! I blame her for my newfound desire to go out tonight and “get it in”. No liquor tonight (maybe a blunt or 4); just good old-fashioned partying. I know for a fact that at least 7 people that I know will be at the party, so I’m pretty sure one of them will come equipped with some sticky icky. I hate having a case of the randies. This is one of the downsides of a long-distance relationship. It doesn’t help when chicks make themselves “available”, but I have self-control and the willpower to simply ignore them. It would be a lot easier if she were here, though. I’m not used to this, obviously, and admittedly, I’m internally struggling with it a little bit. During times like this, I want to say, ‘Fuck this’, but I adore her. I really do. I’m tempted to v-neck it out tonight because I figure that it’s going to get VERY hot in that basement. 6 o’clock, I’m geeked. That’s all I got… P.S. I miss Karen!!! P.P.S. #shoutout to everybody in East Lansing, MI, cheering on the Spartans tonight. GO STATE!!!

Samedi!

I had an interesting night last night. Jon, Peanut Butter and I went to the Admiral to introduce PB to American “entertainment”. She LOVED it. Jon loved it, too; even if I saw him for all of 20 minutes as soon as we went inside. Good MJ, vodka, dancing, and after the night was FINALLY over…Captain Hook’s. Home at 2AM on the head, in time to watch Spike’s “1000 Ways To Die”. Not long after I woke up this morning, a friend from WAY back asked me to watch his 6 year-old daughter (I call her Funnyface) while he took a temporary breather from the madness that are a child and in-laws. No problem; I love kids. I’m not sure if I want to have them, but I have no qualms with them. Sitting down and watching the Michigan State/Illinois game was somewhat of an adventure. Between her questions, “What’s a Spartan?” and weird requests, “I want chocolate milk and jelly beans”…we had a pretty good time. I could’ve done without being kicked in the shins. Guess I should’ve gone to her soccer games last year. I’m mad she doesn’t have any rhythm, though. That little girl couldn’t catch a beat if she was made of super glue. I hope that if I have a daughter, she’s as cute, weird, and as inquisitive as her. After last Saturday’s thrilling victory against Michigan, I was glad to see them beat Illinois on Illinois Homecoming Day. It pisses me off that State lost close games to Central Michigan and Notre Dame; they’d easily be Top 15 if they had won those games. For the rest of the day, I plan to watch more college football, MLB playoffs, some random tv here and there, munch on some vittles, and rap with mi novia. Till Dimanche! P.S. I miss Karen!!! P.P.S. #shoutout to #myfavoritenerd, Funnyface, Jon, and Peanut Butter…