The recent losing streak by the Saluki men's basketball team has been disheartening given their early success in the year. But their recent on-the-court woes should not deter fans from supporting the team through season's end. The squad, currently 21-6 overall (11-4 Missouri Valley Conference), was touted early in the season as a possible NCAA tournament prospect and conference contender. Two consecutive road defeats to Illinois State University and Southwest Missouri State in the past week have momentarily curtailed the team's momentum.
This year's team may have surprised the rest of the college basketball world, but not the players who suit up game after game and play their hearts out. Like any team looking to get to the "Big Dance," our men's team needs the support of its fans - now more than ever. When the Salukis beat the Indiana Hoosiers, 72-60 on Dec. 1, SIU fans stormed the court as if the team had just won the NCAA tournament. Saluki fever was at an all-time high. The spirit that filled the SIU Arena after the Indiana victory spread through the campus. "Hey did you see that game," and "What about that victory ... SWEET!" echoed from student and faculty alike. The team continued to roll, give or take a misstep here and there. But the times have gotten harder now.
It is too often the case where everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon when the team excels beyond expectation, but jump off the bandwagon when the team stumbles. These are - as they should be referred to - "fair-weather fans." When the sky is clear and everything is smooth sailing, fans are all for the team. Once the sky darkens and the clouds start to hover, these fans are out the back door faster than a fireman going to put out a fire. These wagon-hoppers cannot call themselves "real" fans. In addition, attendance for almost all campus sporting events has been sporadic. It doesn't seem that even offering them as U-Card-sponsored events is enough to get fans to come to the games. Well, enough with the dragging of the feet. Let's get out there and show our team's support.
As for the men's basketball team, the season is far from over. Three games remain and a NCAA tourney bid is not out of the question. Remember, this is the world of sports, anything is possible. Let's get behind the men. But fervent fans are not the cure for a team that has recently sputtered on defense and allowed leads to slip away. It's not the job of fans to play the game, that's the team's job. For most of the season, they have done their job effortlessly. What fans can do is encourage the team. Cheer ... Yell ... Chant DE-FENSE and chastise the opposition. This is an important time in the season and we need real Saluki fans. Bandwagon jumpers? ... go jump in Campus Lake.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
