Our Game is often like a class, you could enjoy it coming out of the cold, but with research and further exposure to the topic, the concepts become deeper and connections can be seen. To truly enjoy Our Game, one has to do more than just show up on "test days." If one attends as much as possible, conflicts permitted, sometimes family and school comes up, you can better understand the successes and struggles of following a young team. Plus you earn the gift of perspective if circumstances allow your team to make a run in the Conference Tournament.

Last year, Jared Stohl, a senior and all-time leading superhooper for the Pilots, was performing his slow walk back to his campus apartment with his head down. I walked over to him and pointed out that the team had managed to overcome mistakes and rally from a ten-point deficit. That was a task that had not been accomplished in either of their last two games up in Spokane.The quiet, humble and then-despondent superhooper managed to crack a smile.

This year, there were fewer bright spots to find, like Ryan Nicholas getting a double double with 13 and 10 rebounds and barely "losing" the turnover battle 16-15. It is hard to win when your opponent hits 25-31 free throws. As Portland transitions away from the superhoop and toward a big man inside team, I hope the students are willing to put forth the same effort the team does to prepare for an opponent that most years, will break your toys and walk away like they won a tournament.

Regardless, some people are proud to be a Pilot, even if the students don't think it's a rivalry.