I'm a grown man damnit!

deion21

New Member
Sep 25, 2012
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Story City, IA
I would like to take to this forum and admit that immediately after the game I was so confused, disoriented, filled with so much anguish, pain and emotionally stunned that I just sat in an utter stupor for like 30 minutes. The background noise of Charles Barkley's vindicating words going in one ear and out the next as I knew there was nothing that could be done, our fate was sealed. Then I came here to CF to get some encouraging words and share the pain with my fellow CF'ers. I then stumbled across George's post game video and yes, I just lost it. In the words of Okla St Mike Van Gundy, "I'm a grown man damnit" 42 years old to be exact, and here I was crying like a little kid along with Georges. Is that crazy? Is this too much? Or am I not alone..
 
Not alone. I was very similar. I have convinced myself of the bright future this program has in store. Fred and Co are going to be making a lot of noise for years to come.
 
You're not alone. As if the ending wasn't enough but to see Book and Georges both lose it... damn. I was going to start a thread asking if anyone else couldn't sleep bc of the game. I even decided to get ****** pants drunk the rest of the day and still can't sleep.. One day, we won't need nut cups. Chicken Little Out
 
I am a grown-*** woman and this kicked my ***.

After a lot of games, I call my Dad. Sometimes it is because we are happy. Sometimes I am mad. Sometimes we are both mad. Yesterday, I figured that it was OK. That it we had seen this show before. So I was going to lead with a joke about how it was a fitting way to end. To my surprise, my voice started to choke up when I started talking to him. Neither one of us was angry. We were just sad and stunned.

In the grand scheme of things it is just a basketball game played by people I don't know. But I have taken Iowa State basketball too seriously for 20 years now. I probably won't change for another 20.
 
I would like to take to this forum and admit that immediately after the game I was so confused, disoriented, filled with so much anguish, pain and emotionally stunned that I just sat in an utter stupor for like 30 minutes. The background noise of Charles Barkley's vindicating words going in one ear and out the next as I knew there was nothing that could be done, our fate was sealed. Then I came here to CF to get some encouraging words and share the pain with my fellow CF'ers.

You're not alone - I'm up at 3:30am because I can't sleep! I turned 50 in December, mentioned only to illustrate I've been thru many Cyclone bad beats over the years. I have absolutely no idea why this loss has affected me in a way none of the others ever have - I'm not angry, just filled with an overwhelming sense of sadness.
 
Kudos here, couldn't sleep. Can't stop thinking about Crafts shot. Well that and a newborn who won't stop crying. I am going to assume she can't sleep for the same reason I can't :)
 
Have to say. Even though I'm a Hawk fan I got choked up watching the Niang video. Good kid/could end up being a great player.

All the comments by Clone players and coaches were pure class....very easily could have been different. Hats off to them.

Tremendous effort by the Clones and Hoiberg has you guys on the right track.
 
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I think what keeps getting to me is these are such good young men. I know a few of the guys and they are top notch. I put my selfish "fan" side to the side and when I empathize with them, that's when I really get bummed.
 
I went to the game and couldn't believe how disinterested I was in the Indiana game afterwards. And I have picked Indiana to win my brackets probably 10 times in the last 20 years. Here I am, finally able to see the mighty Indiana play, and I ended up wandering around the concessions more than watching the game.

Almost lost it when I saw some of the players meeting up with their families in the lobby.
 
I was in complete denial. Refused to watch post game interviews, news, or login to CF until now.

Ha! You need to go into my 'so Iowa State lost a heartbreaking game and/or got screwed' mode. There is the normal heartbreaker/screwed routine and then there is the this ends the season routine.

First, you must slowly and carefully start to watch the post game videos and interviews. You should never do this live. And you have to steel yourself to actually do it. For example, one day watch 2 videos and then a while later watch a couple more. You must have an idea on what you can and cannot watch and have a trigger quick finger if the subject matter is not appropriate. For example, I did not watch soundoff last night because I was not ready to hear that the refs should not be blamed or that Aaron Craft is awesome. I will be unable to listen to KXNO this week because I don't want to be called a dope or to hear about how Iowa State blew it. Basically, I only want to hear the news that talks about how great the game was, how great the players, how unfair and sucky the whole situation is.

As this was a season ending game. The maintence phase will have to go into effect. For the foreseeable future, I will be unable to watch Ohio State games. I will have to mute the TV when the game comes up.
 
I was in complete denial. Refused to watch post game interviews, news, or login to CF until now.
Yup. I shut off from basketball. I even played NCAA Football on the PS3 just to get my mind off it.

That said, I keep telling myself it's a little silly to be this emotionally involved in a game played by college kids. The words of condolence from my coworkers aren't necessarily helping as they seem to only justify my investment.
 
Yes it is kind of silly that we invest so much of ourselves emotionally with these teams, but I dont believe our program would be where it's at if we didn't. When they (ISU) say we have the best fans in the country, its a valid point. So I wouldn't change a thing. Keep on loving our team through good and bad, like "best fans in the country" should do.
 
One of the things about this that is going to suck for us is that the end of this game will pop up in March Madness highlight packages for the rest of this tournament and possibly into the years going forward. It was that type of moment. Even though many of us might have crossed the emotional hurdle by next weekend, it'll be the loss that keeps on giving.

I personally am severely less interested in next weekend's games because as soon as Ohio State comes up, I will be inconsolable. Time to do something more constructive with my time, I guess.
 
Ha! You need to go into my 'so Iowa State lost a heartbreaking game and/or got screwed' mode. There is the normal heartbreaker/screwed routine and then there is the this ends the season routine.

First, you must slowly and carefully start to watch the post game videos and interviews. You should never do this live. And you have to steel yourself to actually do it. For example, one day watch 2 videos and then a while later watch a couple more. You must have an idea on what you can and cannot watch and have a trigger quick finger if the subject matter is not appropriate. For example, I did not watch soundoff last night because I was not ready to hear that the refs should not be blamed or that Aaron Craft is awesome. I will be unable to listen to KXNO this week because I don't want to be called a dope or to hear about how Iowa State blew it. Basically, I only want to hear the news that talks about how great the game was, how great the players, how unfair and sucky the whole situation is.

As this was a season ending game. The maintence phase will have to go into effect. For the foreseeable future, I will be unable to watch Ohio State games. I will have to mute the TV when the game comes up.

Craft is a lucky bastard who can't hit free throws when the game is on the line. He's benefited from playing in the B1G where the game is more physical and he can get away with his reach-in's and hand checks. The only 3 point attempt he has all day and it goes in...screw that!!!
 
Have to say. Even though I'm a Hawk fan I got choked up watching the Niang video. Good kid/could end up being a great player.

All the comments by Clone players and coaches were pure class....very easily could have been different. Hats off to them.

Thanks for the kind words from a Hawk fan, but I would have to say George already is a great player.

Tremendous effort by the Clones and Hoiberg has you guys on the right track.
 
I just logged on for the first time since the game. Damn. I've got a few tears welling up in my eyes again as I type this. But then again the first 45-years of childhood are always the hardest. These young men on this team were/are first class, and continue to exemplify the type of athlete that I think ISU is known for. God bless Fred, Paul, Bill Fennelly, Kevin Jackson, Jamie Pollard, etc. They've brought a new level of respect. They're all showing what I think we have known for years. This is a top school with top programs. Loyal Sons Forever True.

Thanks all for a great few months of pride in my school. So proud.
 
Craft is a lucky bastard who can't hit free throws when the game is on the line. He's benefited from playing in the B1G where the game is more physical and he can get away with his reach-in's and hand checks. The only 3 point attempt he has all day and it goes in...screw that!!!

I think there are several other threads for this. I'd take Craft on my team any day.
Back to OP - I also sat there for 30 minutes in a daze. My family silently filed out of the room, one by one, leaving me on the sofa. I grabbed my first beer of the day (it was an early game OK) and then tuned into Niang's emotional locker room interview. This was so sad to hear but after a few minutes I was actually uplifted by his love for the game, his teammates and ISU. I can't wait for his continued leadership in coming years. Despite nursing a sore groin hit for the rest of the day, I actually had a sense of calm and uplifting, continuing love for the Cyclones after hearing the players' and Hoiberg's classy responses to the game.
- Proud to be ONE
 

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