Final Four Jitters

This is my second consecutive stint as a sort of sportswriter, covering the NCAA Final Four. As any sports fan knows, to make it to "the big dance" two years in a row is quite an accomplishment.

The first thing I saw as I stepped off the plane at the St. Louis airport was a souvenir stand where you could buy all kinds of clothes and accessories that commemorate this weekend. Everything was selling, even though it's hard to imagine that the buyers will get much use out of things like necklaces with beads and little basketballs once they get home. The airport was decorated with Final Four banners. People wore their school colors and talked excitedly about the games they would soon be seeing. As we drove from the airport to the hotel, billboards acknowledged the tournament and restaurants welcomed basketball fans. Rock bands played near the hotels, vendors sold food, and people danced in the streets. Both joy and tension filled the air. As is my habit, I experienced the tension more than the joy. But then I realized that it was just pre-game jitters.

My pre-finals anxiety wasn't exactly the same as the kind of jitters that the players and coaches are probably having. They worry if they are properly prepared. They ask themselves the questions, "Will I choke under the pressure? Will I sink the important free throws? Will my adrenaline make me overshoot the ball? Will I make stupid mistakes?" I'm worried about other things: Will they have my press credential when I go for it tomorrow, or is this trip a prank perpetrated by my boss? Will the games be great, with storybook finishes? Will I be able to resist cheering like an ordinary fan whenever there's a spectacular play instead of acting blasé like a real sportswriter? Will I be able to change my digital watch to Central Time without my kids' help?

Illinois coach Bruce Weber is the only coach of the four teams here who hasn't brought a team to the finals before. He called some veteran coaches to ask their advice. He wanted to know if he should keep his guys sequestered in their hotel or let them out to have fun. The other coaches advised him to let them have fun, because they might never have this experience again. I planned on just staying in the hotel, considering that I've got to conserve my energy for not one, but two games tomorrow. But I decided that if Coach Weber was letting his guys out for the evening, I should go out, too. I figured it would not only be enjoyable, but it would help relax me. I went out to dinner, and then for a walk. I saw basketball fans drinking, eating, buying souvenirs, and drinking.

I saw something that moved me. Some Illinois, North Carolina, and Michigan State fans all sat at the same table, having dinner. If rivals like this can break bread together, is there any reason why we can't achieve world peace?

I started to feel the joy of the occasion, but I still had a bit of tension in me. Fortunately, within walking distance, there was a place dedicated to peace, inner calm, and recharging one's soul: a casino. So, I recharged my soul and got rid of most of my pre-game jitters over a craps table.

After I cashed in my chips, I pushed a bunch of buttons and re-set my watch to St. Louis time. I have no idea how I did it. I just kept pushing things until the numbers changed. Regardless, it was now set to the correct time. I considered that a good omen for the rest of the weekend. At that moment, I knew the games were definitely going to be great.

But then my pre-game jitters returned because I remembered that Daylight Saving Time begins Saturday night/Sunday morning. That means that somehow I'm going to have to reset my watch again. Will I be able to do it? Will I choke under the pressure? Will my adrenaline make me overshoot and accidentally set it to the Eastern Time zone? Well, nobody ever said the Final Four was easy.

By Lloyd Garver