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COLUMN: Schoolboy crush on team of Tigers
By GRANT WIEMAN
Sports Editor
I've got a crush.
It's mostly harmless, I'm sure, but doesn't seem entirely healthy either.
She's beautiful. Graceful.
I've only seen her seven or eight times, but she's all I ever really think about. Sometimes I get distracted, but my mind always drifts back to my crush.
Whenever someone talks about their favorite, I always steer the conversation to my crush.
I smile when I think about her. I'm giddy when I'm around her.
Watching her move, each step in perfect rhythm, brings me happiness that lasts long after she's gone.
When I see her interact with others, I don't get jealous or petty. I wouldn't have the right if I did, because (obvs) we're not exclusive or anything, but I don't.
There's no jealousy because I want everyone to experience the same joy I feel for her.
My crush isn't technically a girl, I suppose. It's more like a team.
More specifically, it's the DePauw women's basketball team. They're amazing.
I've watched a great deal of basketball this season. Each team brings something special, and something enjoyable to the table.
Struggling squads continuing to fight; off-ball screens freeing up a shooter; zone defenses rotating and reacting before the offense can complete a pass.
But the Tiger women are different. They're crisp. They're smooth. They communicate effortlessly and defend relentlessly.
Watching them work an opponent on offense is miraculous. Each halfcourt set seems like a walkthrough drill at practice, but they're moving so much faster than the defense it almost can't be real.
Each player sees the court well, but even if she were blindfolded, she'd still find her teammates because each one knows where to be.
Passes from the high to low post, from drives and kicks, from corner entries. Open shots seem achievable on each possession. It's basketball harmony that I never knew was possible.
To paraphrase the great American poet Ke$ha, the magic on their court is making me blush.
The Tigers will play in the North Coast Athletic Conference semifinal tonight against Wittenberg, the only conference opponent to challenge them this year.
No. 1 DPU will probably win, and they'll probably win on Saturday, and they'll probably enter the NCAA DIII tournament undefeated.
The beauty in their game has flourished all year, but mostly against overmatched opponents. If they stay this beautiful in March, against teams that can really play with them, I might have to propose.
It's probably not legal to marry an entire team in the State of Indiana, but I haven't checked.