Eventually they’re going to have to get used to this, right?
You know that old expression, “act like you’ve been there before”? (Most often used in a sports context to describe Barry Sanders, and his lack of end zone celebrating during his Detroit Lions career). Penn State basketball fans, all 15 of them, seem to be blatantly unaware of this concept.
After upsetting the Illini last night, they stormed the court in jubilation. Congrats, you won a conference game at home. Yes, Illinois was ranked #16, but you just beat an overrated Michigan State team ranked #20 two days ago!
And you all rushed the court like you had just won the Final Four after that victory too! At least when your fan base in small, it’s easy to clear the court quickly.
You’d think the PSU kids would grow up eventually and get used to this.
In 2009, they rushed the court again after beating an un-ranked Illinois team. They probably justified this in their own minds by believing this win “clinched” their tournament berth- it did not, and PSU actually went on to win the consolation NIT bracket that season.
What made that celebration so utterly ridiculous is that it had come after the Nittany Lions (that’s funny! NIT comprises the beginning of their mascot name) already beat the Illini in Champaign: the infamous 38-33 game that irreparably besmirched the reputation of the Big Ten.
Listen, we know your stadium is 2/3 empty for every home game, we know zero members of the media travel to cover your road games, but still…..you’re not a mid-major or low-major program! It’s not like it’s been 50 years since you’ve been to a tournament or beaten a ranked team. Your program has very little tradition, but it has won 20 games in a season on more than one occasion. Yes, it’s not a very popular team, but it’s a decent one.
With a winning record; in a power conference. So start acting like it! And quit acting like immature little freaks.