Reserved Seat -
Re: your 3/18 post. You are absolutely correct there is nothing quite like seeing a final four in person. There is no other atmosphere like it! It is also a really neat opportunity to interact with the families, firneds, and fans of the other teams. Outstanding sportmanship abounds throughout the area's arena, restaurants, and hotels.
I also attended 3 of the 4 Final Fours that the Diplomats played in. I missed Rock Island in '79 as I was a poor student. I made trips to Springfield and twice to Salem. The Dips were clearly the underestimated underdogs in Springfield and won over the fans from Wittenberg, whose pep band played for F&M in both games. F&M did have some real chances to win that game. But, they probably weren't deep enough.
With Jeremiah Henry sick during their first trip to Salem, my feeling was that they were never really in the games against Hope and Illinois Wesleyan. The Championship game between Hope and Rowan featured on of the best individual performances I ever saw. One of Hope's guards, Joel Holstege, shot the lights out and finished with 47 points. He put his team on his back almost single-handedly carried his team to a win over Rowan! A side note, Illinois Wesleyan won the Championship the following year. I think they beat Alvernia in the final game.
For my money, the F&M vs. Calvin semifinal game was once of the best games I ever saw. Nip and tuck and back and forth throughout. A close game that either team could have won on the final shot! Just an amazing tense atmosphere.
As a Centennial Conference fan, I hope Ursinus shows well. I wish the bears good luck.
