Manifest destiny in college sports

Had dinner last night with my good friend John Skinner, a USC grad (and former basketball walk-on). Much of the conversation, of course, was on USC's stunning defeat to Stanford. Skinner, who was at the game, was amazed at the number of fans who booed the Trojans lackluster performance, particularly as the team went into locker room at halftime. He said USC's "35-game home win streak meant nothing." Actually, it meant everything. Anything less than perfection is intolerable.

My favorite illustration of this point: In 1975 Coach John Wooden had just led the UCLA Bruins to its 10th NCAA championship in twelve years. Coach tells the story of being approached by a booster as he walked off the court. The booster said, "Coach, congratulations. It was a great championship, especially after last year's disappointment." That would be the 1973-74 season in which UCLA went 26-4, but lost to NC State in the Final Four semifinal game breaking the string of seven consecutive NCAA Championships. During the seven championship seasons, the Bruins lost a total of 5 games. In 1974, the Bruins lost a shocking 4 games.

Thirty years ago sports was about what-have-you-done-for-me lately? And nothing has changed today, except everybody thinks their favorite team should NEVER lose.

A photo from our recent dinner at Knott's Berry Farm (check out Coach's bolo tie!)