2008 Woodie Awards
Venturing into hostile territory
First & Ben
Ben Garbarek
Issue date: 1/15/08 Section: Sports
Even though the men's basketball team lost its last four games, the RedHawks' most recent win was one I will never forget.
While the rest of us splintered across the nation to enjoy the holidays, the Miami University men's basketball team hit the road to take on the University of Illinois, a team the RedHawks had never beaten.
Although the RedHawks faced stiff competition on and off the court, the Red and White did have at least a few supporters during their visit to Champaign.
In a sea of orange at Assembly Hall, there were a couple red beacons sitting courtside among the Illini student section, namely sports editor Mike Zoller and myself.
While the Fighting Illini have struggled this season, they are only three years removed from the NCAA Championship game and the consensus No. 1 national ranking through most of that season. Needless to say, Vegas wasn't betting on the 'Hawks.
As the game neared, I was cautiously optimistic about our chances. Miami has played relatively well in non-conference play this season with a win over Xavier University and a third-place finish at the Anaheim Classic. I'm not a big believer in "moral victories," but the hard-fought road losses to the University of Southern California and University of Louisville gave me hope that the RedHawks could pull out a surprise win.
This isn't the first time I've entered enemy territory to watch one of my favorite teams compete, but I may not have been more outnumbered than I was that night. I've seen my beloved Cubs play throughout the Midwest, but wherever they play there always seems to be a Cubbie Blue contingent in attendance. There are always at least a couple others nearby to give a high-five to after a big play.
While Millett Hall constantly struggles to attract fans to home contests, it comes as no surprise that our road attendance wasn't much healthier.
So there we were, two guys in bright red Miami shirts outnumbered by about 16,000 to two.
While the rest of us splintered across the nation to enjoy the holidays, the Miami University men's basketball team hit the road to take on the University of Illinois, a team the RedHawks had never beaten.
Although the RedHawks faced stiff competition on and off the court, the Red and White did have at least a few supporters during their visit to Champaign.
In a sea of orange at Assembly Hall, there were a couple red beacons sitting courtside among the Illini student section, namely sports editor Mike Zoller and myself.
While the Fighting Illini have struggled this season, they are only three years removed from the NCAA Championship game and the consensus No. 1 national ranking through most of that season. Needless to say, Vegas wasn't betting on the 'Hawks.
As the game neared, I was cautiously optimistic about our chances. Miami has played relatively well in non-conference play this season with a win over Xavier University and a third-place finish at the Anaheim Classic. I'm not a big believer in "moral victories," but the hard-fought road losses to the University of Southern California and University of Louisville gave me hope that the RedHawks could pull out a surprise win.
This isn't the first time I've entered enemy territory to watch one of my favorite teams compete, but I may not have been more outnumbered than I was that night. I've seen my beloved Cubs play throughout the Midwest, but wherever they play there always seems to be a Cubbie Blue contingent in attendance. There are always at least a couple others nearby to give a high-five to after a big play.
While Millett Hall constantly struggles to attract fans to home contests, it comes as no surprise that our road attendance wasn't much healthier.
So there we were, two guys in bright red Miami shirts outnumbered by about 16,000 to two.
Be the first to comment on this story