Brokeback Bearcat

So after two idiots were ruled ineligible for tonight's quarterfinal NIT matchup, the Bad News (and v. short-handed) Bearcats put up an extremely game effort in a 65-62 loss to South Carolina. Postgame, UC interim head coach Andy Kennedy was named the new head coach at Ole' Miss and Cincinnati announced the hiring of Murray State head coach (and former Huggs/UC assistant) Mick Cronin. Cincinnati's roller-coaster ride of a season is (finally) over. I said previously that this season would likely be my last as a fanatical Bearcat fan. My defection seemed especially likely when Huggs got back in the coaching game today at K-State. Huggs at a legit school in a big-time conference - no brainer, right? Well, as I've been thinking about/trying to rip myself out of UC hoops fandom and transplant myself as a dedicated, die-hard K-State hoops fan, I've realized something. It's HARD!

By the way, as I'm writing this post, the UCLA/Gonzaga game is going OFF THE CHAIN!

Anyway, I first noticed UC and Huggs when I was in early middle school. The unis, the renegade mystique, the style of play...I was hooked. They've been my love ever since. I might have wavered (well, only when Huggins was unceremoniously dumped this past summer), but I never quit.

The hiring of Cronin makes it that much harder to sever ties. Next year might be slim pickins, but I have little doubt that Cronin will succeed. He's a Cincinnati guy, an up-and-comer and a darn good recruiter. I also can't seem to tear myself away from the UC basketball-related websites I visit. Plus, my fellow UC hoops fans and I form a rabid fan base. And now that UC is in the Big East, the TV exposure - even when they stink - will be pretty regular. I might hate UC's administration with a passion, but I cannot bring myself to even feel apathetic towards the hoops team.

K-State is no slouch, especially now with Huggs at the helm. He will undoubtedly increase their hoops program's exposure. He will also succeed. And being in the Big 12, K-State will get their fair share of tube time. I'm just having a hard time getting totally amped up right now, like I am for UC. Maybe it will take time. Maybe I am rushing it. But I just don't know. To go Scout or Rivals on you, I feel like I have a high interest in Cincinnati and a high interest in Kansas State (but not as high as I do for Cincinnati). I guess we'll see in the coming weeks and months.

I guess what I'm really saying is, "Cincinnati Bearcat hoops, I wish I knew how to quit you".