I am still brimming with excitement from the Gamecocks men’s basketball victory over Kentucky on Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena. Not wanting to be out too late—the game started at 9pm—I gave up my tickets to my eldest son, Patrick. As it turns out, I should have gone with him to the arena! According to Patrick, Colonial Life was rocking, and there is no doubt that the home crowd played a significant role in upsetting the Kentucky Wildcats. Likewise, I watched every play from home, and was so keyed up by the end of the game that I had difficulty falling asleep!

Gamecock head coach Frank Martin, like his counterpart Dawn Staley, is an outstanding leader who stresses teamwork over individual accomplishment, and he puts a premium on defense and intensity. Though the team does not have as much talent as last year, under the tutelage of their future hall-of-fame coach, the Gamecock players have an excellent team dynamic and are an inspiration to their fans, myself included, during this cold winter season. Go Cocks!

(And for the rest of you…Go Tigers!)