You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it again—I’m an avid Gamecock fan, and I love most all sports, particularly at the college level. I support and enjoy all of my alma-mater’s sports teams, but I have a confession to make that, as a born-and-raised southerner, may get me in trouble. That is, as much as I love college football, I enjoy college basketball even more—especially when it’s being played Gamecock-style! And so, like my fellow b-ball fans, I’m gearing up for March to roar in like a lion with March Madness 2020!

Currently, our Lady Gamecocks are ranked #1 under the leadership of one of the finest coaches college basketball has ever seen, Dawn Staley. As I’ve mentioned many times in past KellyGrams, I’m also a huge fan of the men’s coach, Frank Martin, and his style of play, his character, and his ability to teach a group of kids from all over the world how to be better teammates and responsible young men. While the Gamecocks’ women’s team is an odds-on favorite to take it all this year, Frank’s team is clinging to hope that a fantastic finish will get them into the Big Dance.

The men’s team kept the hope alive at Colonial Life Arena Wednesday night, where I witnessed one of the most exciting basketball games I’ve seen in quite some time. The teams took their fans on a rollercoaster ride; I thought we were going to win, then was sure we were going to lose—back and forth—all in the period of a minute! Fortunately, the Gamecocks came out on top with a 94 – 90 victory over Georgia, and for all of us in the packed stadium, the game was certainly worth the price of admission. Now, let’s hope our men’s team keeps up the momentum so we can see more of that action during March Madness!

Either way, I’m looking forward to a few weeks of excitement to carry us through the waning days of winter and into the springtime! Let the games begin!