One Shining Moment

The ball is tipped
And there you are
you're running for your life
you're a shooting star


The final song that caps every college basketball season is one of the greatest things I've ever known. Many of my close friends feel the same way. One even had it playing as he and new bride made their first appearance at their wedding reception. He goes by Likey. Just this year CBS made a change and allowed Jennifer Hudson a chance to sing her rendition, possibly signaling the end of a decade of Luther Vandross. The girl undoubtedly has mad pipes, and even though there were a few editing gaffes, it definitely worked. The key for me is the chills. And they came.


And all the years
No one knows
Just how hard you worked
But now it shows


Nothing in sports is perfect, but the college basketball postseason tournament comes closest. It was aptly dubbed March Madness years ago, and every March it lives up to its name. Whether your teams win or lose, whether your picks win or lose, there is madness every single year. One and done. Single elimination. Lose and go home. Unlike pro basketball, one bad game can break you. Everything is on the line every single time out. You play 6 game sevens. And if you're the last team standing, you've earned the title. Every single year you have a worthy champion. Some are more talented than others, some send their entire starting five to the pros and some send nobody, but by beating six different teams over six weekends, teams with different styles and stars, in different venues, for different stakes, the title is earned. And even though, I jumped off the couch in dismay when Butler came oh so close three nights ago, I'll glady give Duke their props.


One Shining Moment, it's all on the line
One Shining Moment, there frozen in time


I like to make ridiculous predictions and have way too much fun with numbers, but the numbers don't lie when I say this: For the last 11 years, I have filled out my brackets at Perkins and eaten a chicken tender melt. Younggren made it through 10 and gave me a hell of a run, but his move west to Portland, while a brilliant life move, was a horrible Selection Sunday move. And now I stand alone.

It's hard to accurately describe the scene at the 'Kins. I guess you have to experience it at least once to understand. We had only three attendees this year, our lowest turnout yet. But we had three old standbys, and it did not disappoint. Even though Perkins has taken to calling the CTM another name, it just allowed me a chance to order, "The sandwich formerly known as the chicken tender melt." With sides of BBQ sauce, honey mustard and ranch, of course...


And when it's done
Win or lose
You always did your best
Cuz inside you knew

That one shining moment you reached for the sky
One shining moment you knew
One shining moment you were willing to try
One shining momeeeeeent


I won $2 from Josh when Michigan beat Seton Hall in 1989, which he still hasn't paid. I was near tears when the Fab Five of Michigan fell to Duke in 1992, and even closer during the classic game against North Carolina in 1993. I hurled obscenities at this dude Mike in high school when he tried talking shit about Syracuse during their 1996 loss to Kentucky. I jumped on board the Miles Simon train the next year as Arizona beat Kentucky. I exulted in N185 Pioneer Hall on the U of M campus when Rip, Kahlid and UConn nipped Duke in 1999 in one of the best college basketball games ever played. I swore off smoking cigarettes when Maryland finally drank from the championship cup in 2002, I was on a huge high and felt it could be done (Failure #27). I loved every minute of Kansas' crazy overtime win over Memphis two years ago in my personal choice as the championship game that was played at the highest level. And of course, I festered and fidgeted throughout the epic game this year, knowing full well in the aftermath that something special had taken place.

It's a horrible, overused cliche after a game that "both teams won tonight." But it's never been closer to the truth than it was Monday night. Both teams will be remembered.... for their pivotal roles in the neverending quest for everyone to find that one shining moment. And you don't have to play basketball to do it....