02-08-2020, 09:36 PM
I was at today's game, and it was, at different times, terrible, disappointing, and uplifting.
When Oscar da Silva went down and did not move, prompting teammates to frantically beckon the bench for assistance, I felt sick. As posted by Crafter Artisan, the game and the season suddenly did not matter as I worried about a catastrophic injury to a great young man.
Once Oscar stood up and walked off under his own power, instantly creating a very hopeful prognosis, I was able to get back into the game, and of course hoped the team's first half effort would be rewarded. Colorado then got crazy hot and was able to push past Stanford to get the win, although the outcome was not certain until the last 30 seconds or so. Like all but the Kansas game, this one was there for the taking. Alas, after a 4-0 start in Pac-12 play, the team is now 5-5, with two starters likely to be out for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer. Sitting at 5-5, after losing another double-figure second-half lead, isvery disappointing for me as a fan. And that disappointment is compounded by knowing how demoralizing it mus be to lose those games by a team that plays hard every game.
But provided that Oscar enjoys the expected recovery following his concussion/TBI, it is the effort that this team puts forth this season that will stay with me. I find that I have become very emotionally invested in this team's success based on watching them strive. They are far from the most athletic team in the league, and they often struggle to score, but the way they play inspires me.
As well, I was uplifted by the coming together of the two teams to support one another after Oscar left the floor.
Finally, Daejon Davis deserves special mention. Since he was a wild but passionate point guard his freshman year to having become a defensive stopper/slashing guard as a junior, I love the way he does what he can to help the team win. He suffered an injury to his face earlier this year and returned to the game; since then he's been wearing a protective mask. As with other games, today he kept taking the ball to the basket with courage, especially given his vulnerable state. Along with his competiveness, his humanity has been apparent numerous times that I've observed over the past three years, such as in the way he displays concern when an opponent takes a hard fall or in rushing to an injured teammate. When Bryce Wills went down two days ago, Daejon helped him off the court. Today, when Oscar da Silva suffered his injury, Daejon was right there, and was very troubled by seeing Oscar in distress. A warrior with compassion -- what a fantastic combination.
And so in leaving the Coors Event Center, and in writing this entry, I feel good about the experience I had today. And I'm now just hoping to see Oscar (and Bryce) back soon.
When Oscar da Silva went down and did not move, prompting teammates to frantically beckon the bench for assistance, I felt sick. As posted by Crafter Artisan, the game and the season suddenly did not matter as I worried about a catastrophic injury to a great young man.
Once Oscar stood up and walked off under his own power, instantly creating a very hopeful prognosis, I was able to get back into the game, and of course hoped the team's first half effort would be rewarded. Colorado then got crazy hot and was able to push past Stanford to get the win, although the outcome was not certain until the last 30 seconds or so. Like all but the Kansas game, this one was there for the taking. Alas, after a 4-0 start in Pac-12 play, the team is now 5-5, with two starters likely to be out for at least a couple of weeks, if not longer. Sitting at 5-5, after losing another double-figure second-half lead, isvery disappointing for me as a fan. And that disappointment is compounded by knowing how demoralizing it mus be to lose those games by a team that plays hard every game.
But provided that Oscar enjoys the expected recovery following his concussion/TBI, it is the effort that this team puts forth this season that will stay with me. I find that I have become very emotionally invested in this team's success based on watching them strive. They are far from the most athletic team in the league, and they often struggle to score, but the way they play inspires me.
As well, I was uplifted by the coming together of the two teams to support one another after Oscar left the floor.
Finally, Daejon Davis deserves special mention. Since he was a wild but passionate point guard his freshman year to having become a defensive stopper/slashing guard as a junior, I love the way he does what he can to help the team win. He suffered an injury to his face earlier this year and returned to the game; since then he's been wearing a protective mask. As with other games, today he kept taking the ball to the basket with courage, especially given his vulnerable state. Along with his competiveness, his humanity has been apparent numerous times that I've observed over the past three years, such as in the way he displays concern when an opponent takes a hard fall or in rushing to an injured teammate. When Bryce Wills went down two days ago, Daejon helped him off the court. Today, when Oscar da Silva suffered his injury, Daejon was right there, and was very troubled by seeing Oscar in distress. A warrior with compassion -- what a fantastic combination.
And so in leaving the Coors Event Center, and in writing this entry, I feel good about the experience I had today. And I'm now just hoping to see Oscar (and Bryce) back soon.