LETTER: From behind the basket

To the editor:

I’m one of the individuals on the front row behind the basket. I don’t know Dru Brown personally. I’m sure he’s a kind gentle individual. But he doesn’t know basketball. In fact, I’d be surprised if he’s even played competitive sports outside of an intramural or church setting. Writing that it’s just a matter of time before we get a technical foul or teams will stop playing us is ridiculous. It’s part of the game. Besides, we’re not even close to as bad as other schools.

Last year Virginia Tech chanted an explicative about J.J. Redick that started with the letter “F.” Practically every university besides ours chants “Bull-(explicative),” after referees make poor calls. As for teams not playing us anymore? Look at our home record. What team doesn’t want a piece of that? Any real athlete will tell you that smacking teams that never lose at home is a wonderful feeling, especially if the fans are talking junk and you silence them. Remember Pacific? When Maraker hit that game winning shot, their assistant head coach came over and taunted me! Hilarious!

We have an advantage we share with only 4 other schools in the entire NCAA, a 6th man that directly effects the outcome of the game! Is there any doubt why Coby Karl missed those game ending free throws against Boise State? According to ESPN, the top five hardest places to play are Florida, Duke, UNC, Kansas, and Little Ole’ Utah State. Did any of these schools get on this list because they were nice? No.

Ask the players. Ask Jaycee Carroll who he waves to after he throws one down in warm-ups. Ask Durrall Peterson who he comes to say hello to while waiting in the freezing cold. Ask Nick Hammer who he brings pizza to in support. Oh by the way, HAM-MER! They know how to show the 6th man some love.

Where I come from, you got a problem with someone, you be a man and take it up with them in person. If you decide to go public with it, you face the consequences. If you have a problem, I’m front row behind the basket where I have always been. There’s a school with the letter “Y” about three hours south of here filled with arrogant people that think they are above everyone else and maybe you should go there. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. All I care about is that you show some re-Spectrum!

Bryce Olson