That was the most fun I’ve had in a while

If you told me on New Year’s Day that one of the most fun nights I would have in 2020 by July 4 would come while I sit on my couch watching a basketball team coached by Mike LaTulip, not really sure how I would respond. That sounds ridiculous.

But 2020 has been a ridiculous year in so many ways — and you would’ve been right.

It’s been nearly four months since the coronavirus pandemic became something really real for all of us in the United States, putting most of our life on hold for an indefinite amount of time. And as we’ve all worked to adjust, I’ve had good days, but I wouldn’t say life has been full of fun.

Except for Saturday night, which happened to be Independence Day. And typically I’d be out and about and watching fireworks and doing literally anything except watching whatever mid-summer programming ESPN is showing. But this year, in our ‘new normal,’ that was exactly the case, and thankfully we had a rooting interest.

That’s all I really have to say. It’s hard to put happiness into words sometimes, especially in a time like now. But there’s something nostalgic about seeing Malcolm and Leron again on the court. And to see Andres Feliz get one more shot at this after his team never got the chance in March. And to be able to root for someone new, like Mike Daum. And seeing them survive and advance, it’s just fun, in a time when there isn’t too much fun to go around.

So, thank you to House of ‘Paign for participating. Thank you to Mike LaTulip for putting it together. Thank you to the guys for playing out for the Orange and Blue. And thank you to Illini Nation for appreciating the moment and what we’re watching and enjoying it.

One day we will all be back together in Memorial Stadium and State Farm Center. Brad Underwood, according to Dan Dakich, will weigh 26 fewer pounds. And we will put our arms around each other for the Alma Mater and clap along to the Three In One.

That day isn’t today. It’s not tomorrow. And it likely isn’t very soon at all.

Doesn’t really matter right now, though.

As long as we have House of ‘Paign, I think we’ll be able to have some fun.

If you want to chip in and financially support their team, you can find a link to their GoFundMe here.