This post is totally going multimedia! Also took me for-fucking-ever to convert and adjust the videos, yes VIDEOS, until they came out right, so just know I spent hours on this post in some way or another. Videos courtesy of me and, of course, my trusty Droid.
So, as most of you know, I went to the Lobos b-ball game last night. Now, I've watched a b-ball game in there once, but it was a purely exhibition for charity game and it was some time ago. Place wasn't half full and section 26 wasn't there. This was a totally different environment.
However, I went in completely prepared to be rowdy and loud (I am shaking with excitement, as evidenced by the vid):
This is a pic from my seat, and my seat for the other 5 games coming up are all right in this area, like a row in front of or behind me.
That's the visiting team bench, those white chairs on the court. I had a great view of the game.
This was my first time REALLY experiencing the Pit as the stories make it out to be. And it's a far more hostile environment than even the legends portray.
During warmup the Lobos sit by us, the student sections, it's 26 AND 27 now, but I'll just call it 26 as a whole. During the game though, the visiting team has to sit right in front of section 26. I found this to be fucking hilarious. The student section is so insane, we're even mentioned on the men's basketball team wiki page. I had some wrong information, there were about 500 students in section 27...and about 1200 in section 26. All of us being obnoxious, and the visiting team has to sit right next to us. The looks on their faces were awesome.
First, section 26 passed around leftovers of the school's daily newspaper, and everyone took a page. When they announced the players from the visiting team, everyone would hold the paper over their face, then when they called the name we'd yell "WHO'S THAT?". It was so insanely rude that I totally got in on it right away. I'm rowdy watching the game at home, but here I am in the rowdiest section of the whole damn arena where being a jackass is encouraged. I was one of the loudest people around where I was sitting by the end of the game. :P
That's really section 26 in a nutshell, being rude and loud as all hell. When the other team fouls or gets a call on them, everyone points at them and yells "YOU YOU YOU YOU YOU". Even when we foul, we're yelling at the other team "YOU GOT SWATTED". We were even yelling at the other team's coach and the refs. It was a great time, and I had a lot of fun, talked to all the people around me and we're all basically sitting by each other for the next few games, so just the being in section 26 experience was a blast.
The game was fun too, no doubt. However, we beat them 96-57, so it wasn't a super close game at all and I guess in that way not as "exciting". However, section 26 was taunting the other team and their coach for losing so bad, so that was awesome. Seeing the team right there in action was amazing too. Especially watching Ro sink 3s all night long. We've got a lot of good shooters on the team, if they've got Ro blocked, damn near any other of our guys can shoot the 3, just not as accurately as he can. Good enough to frustrate the other team though. Watching how damn well our team works together was impressive too. We've got an AMAZING team this year, and I'm pretty sure we're headed to the Big Dance in March. So far, they're predicting us as a 5th seed and NOT one of the first 8 eliminated. In other words, Lobos in the Sweet Sixteen. Should we make it there, I'm going to be even rowdier than before. I'm super excited about this season and the Lobos b-ball team. We've surprised the hell out of everyone, and continue to do so with just how well we're doing. As least during b-ball season, I'm proud to be a Lobo. (UNM is still a complete failure of the academic system, but at least I get free tickets to all home games.)
Not only is section 26 loud and rowdy, but most of the Pit gets loud and rowdy. Lobos fans are something else. The place was just about full, and it was like really noisy walls of red. It was really just stunning just how much the fans get behind the team. Especially now that we're doing well. It was a really great and LOUD experience.
Walls of red:
For example, here's what it is like when we score:
So there's your taste of the game, and I seriously had a GREAT time. I can't wait until the next one on Saturday!
Speaking of, both the Lobos and the Heels play on Saturday, so I'm excited to see how both do. Lobos are STILL undefeated, so every team is looking to be the one that hands us our first loss. I don't think it will be Saturday though. If anyone, either Texas Tech or Dayton in January. The Heels take on Texas, and I'm suspecting a win there too. The Heels are 8-2, so not too shabby there, and the two losses were close games.
Looking forward to Monday when the new rankings come out, curious to see where we wind up since even last week a few of the AP voters said we should be unranked. Which is fucking retarded, because we've totally earned where we're at. Plus we're playing loads better than some of the teams that are ranked or have been ranked, and I don't just mean win-loss wise. I'll spare you a long statistical analysis. :P Just know I can tell you the statistics, commentary, and rumors about how the Lobos are playing. :P
So there you go, and I've now officially joined millions of other people embarrassing themselves on YouTube. There will be more vids, that I promise.
~A.