Well, the Illini lost, but it was still a fun night out with dad.  I have a few observations from last night’s fun at the Penn State vs. University of Illinois men’s basketball game:

1) Despite forecasted excitement, the new grey jerseys for Penn State did not appear to “generate more excitement,” but I could be wrong – as Penn State won last night’s game.

2) My previous conclusions on the Nittany Lion mascot costume are sustained.  Having now experienced the lion up close and personal…. within 3 feet… it still looks like a moth-eaten, back door costume that was part of a first grade art project…. and no offence to first graders.  Although, he does have the moves – I imagine it’s somewhat difficult to strut around and dance when your vision is limited through the screened mouth of a wild cat costume with 4 exceptionally grubby teeth.

3) I don’t think I ever want to hear a pep band’s rendition of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face again….ever!  And I certainly don’t want to watch the dance team, the Lionettes, dance to the pep band’s version of Poker Face.

4) When it’s snowing outside, do you really think creamery ice cream is the concession of choice?

5) In the student section behind the opponent’s hoop, the students use large cardboard cutouts of celebrity heads to distract the player.  There isn’t particularly a theme other than, “celebrity.”  Betty White, Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy, and Whoopi Goldberg were among the giant heads that were waved behind the basket.

6) The halftime show consisted of a guy who came out in tear-away workout pants who juggled small basket balls, tore away the pants to reveal Penn State basketball shorts, and then continued juggling.  The music was symphonic which made the whole experience somewhat embarrassing by indicating that his interpretation of his talents was somehow earth moving or cosmic.  There was an older woman in front of me who kept applauding his “stunts” out of either sympathy or possibly maternal pride.  Why else would she be applauding for his ability to juggle 4 mini basketballs?  As the halftime break dragged on, said entertainer pulled out all the stops with juggling pins, hoops and balancing a mini basketball hoop on his chin and tossing a mini basketball into the hoop.  The only stop I enjoyed was the relief I felt as he left the court.

As you may have noticed, I have said little about the game itself and the reason for that is twofold.  One, I really don’t know much about basketball so aside from a general understanding of strategy and penalties… I couldn’t really say.  And, two, Illinois was extremely disappointing and pretty much handed Penn State the game.  To which, my father says the blame can be placed firmly on the coach’s head, as “Webber doesn’t have a clue!”  One fairly awesome sidebar, I discovered that one of my uncles was booted out of a U. of I. basketball chatroom for being too negative.  A dose of reality, and he is booted.  Howell, you rock!

As ever,

K. Quinn