"Can't We All Just Enjoy This Win For Awhile?"

By Gary Sweeney Jr.

Indiana Hoosiers 80 - Michigan Wolverines 61

In our current era of ESPN, Big Ten Network, inexpensive smart phones, 3G networks (4G where available) and free public Wi-Fi the average sports fan has evolved into an impatient, overreacting, knowledge hunter with a demand for instant downloadable gratification. While I enjoy the technological advancements of the 21st century that allow us a plethora of easily accessible information, I think the Twitter filled blogosphere has a tendency to over analyze things. Can we all just hold off for a minute? The last time the Hoosiers put a notch in the win column was nearly a month ago (December 19th, to be exact.) when the calendar still read 2010. We've waited a long time to wash the bitter taste of defeat out of our mouths with the sweet taste of victory and we've earned it. It's still too early in the season to know where this team will stand in March. I don't know what our final record will be. I don't know where we'll finish in the Big Ten standings and I'm not really worried about it right now. I don't know if our big men will pursue rebounds like possessed madmen every night. I don't know if Jordy Hulls will inject ice into his veins and bury dagger three pointers months from now. I don't know if Christian Watford will be a double-double machine against the Big Ten powerhouses and I'm not really worried about that right now either. I do know that the combination of those three things mixed in with a smooth 24 points from Verdell Jones and 40 minutes of energized defensive intensity lead to the Indiana Hoosiers beating the Michigan Wolverines on Saturday night and that is all that matters. So what do you say? Let's put off our criticism of shot selections, defensive schemes and player rotations for a minute. Let's put the statistical analysis of field goal percentages and free throw attempts on the back burner. Let's put down the iPhones and Blackberrys, slow down, relax with an adult beverage, take a deep breath and just… enjoy this win for awhile.

At least until Thursday at 9:00 P.M. EST. Go Hoosiers…

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