It’s been a “gloomy” week of sports, starting last Sunday with the elimination of the Portland Timbers from the MLS Playoffs. Adding to the “darkness,” the inconsistent Portland Trailblazers have lost twice this week, after showing promise against the talented OKC Thunder recently. The Oregon Ducks were fortunately idle in football this week, while the Chicago Bears still can’t beat the Packers even without Aaron Rogers. Even the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers soccer team fell in the BIG tournament to Wisconsin. The IU Football team did somehow manage to snap their losing streak in a victory over Illinois, but it will be fruitless without two more wins this season.  Doom and gloom.

I was so looking forward to the start of college basketball, and the Archie Miller era at IU. Instead, the team fell flat on their faces against Indiana State at home. It was their first home opener loss since 1984, and that was against formidable Louisville. Last year, after a couple of great wins that briefly extended Tom Crean’s favor with the fans, they lost to Fort Wayne.  I do hope that Indiana State builds on their surprising rout of the Hoosiers – it’s been 38 years since the Larry Bird glory days for the school. It was Breton Scott who got recruiting revenge on the Hoosiers this year for Indiana State, just as his twin brother, Bryson, had in Ft. Wayne’s overtime upset last season. Great Scott! Many in-state players grow chips on their shoulders after being ignored for big school scholarships, and seem to have that one great game as an opponent. IU fans have seen this phenomenon all too frequently.

I feel like Joe Btfsplk,* the Al Capp comic character in Li’l Abner, looking up at the dark cloud that always follows him.  There is still hope for a better week for me as a sports fanatic. IU soccer will still be a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, while IU Football continues to hold slim hopes for post-season play. College basketball will be full of surprises, but my expectations for IU are as low as they’ve ever been. Professional sports have lost my interest, mainly because my favorites have fared so poorly in recent years.  Where’s the warmth?

It’s a long time before baseball season starts in the Spring, so I’ve got to be able to find some diamonds this Winter. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long, dark, cold, rainy four months. How about a little sports sunshine for this “fair weather” fan.

*Btfsplk is spelled correctly.  It’s a rude sound that Al Capp would humorously demonstrate during his public lectures.  Some might refer to it as the “Bronx Cheer,” done with closed lips, tongue sticking out, and the quick expulsion of air.  I think it sounds suspiciously like a fart.