Hoopaholic’s Gazette: Tipoff Time

The Hoopaholic's Gazette opens with uncertainty about the preservation of college basketball tradition. An example is given of a matchup between Nova and the Irish near the Sistine Chapel, contrasting with the University of Louisville Cardinals' game at 9:00 p.m. on a school day Monday, just after Monday Night Football (MNF). The writer expresses eagerness to witness the new contingent of Cardinals from diverse backgrounds, including Nigeria, Spain, Congo, China, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Florida, and a freckled face kid from Hickory, N.C.

The writer engages in a conversation with Barrister B at the gym, discussing whether Pat Kelsey, the Cardinals' coach, can win a national championship. The conversation shifts from whether Kelsey can dispatch Chattanooga in the opener to the importance of attaining the ultimate success on that final Monday. The writer reflects on Kelsey's hyper-intense demeanor, questioning if he needs to calm down for the sake of his players or if his basketball mind is championship strong due to his ability to adapt and rethink his coaching approach.

The writer acknowledges that "can" does not necessarily equal "will," and highlights various challenges such as resources, NCAA rules, injuries, and the unpredictability of players like Ulysses Cleon Reed or Tony Branch. The writer emphasizes that winning even one national championship is difficult, citing that only nine schools have won more than three titles.

The writer then presents a list of highly accomplished basketball coaches who have never won a national championship, including Mark Few, Ed Diddle, John Beilein, Ralph Miller, and Bob Huggins, as a point of context.

The writer concludes by stating that the only remaining task is to beat Chattanooga, encapsulating the essence of hoopaholic anticipation.