Trying to pick a team

"What's your team?" \nThe NCAA's slogan for the Final Four is a relevant question here in Bloomington. Because the easy choice was eliminated by Kent State on the tournament's opening day, the decision has become complicated. With just four teams remaining, the choice might appear to be simpler, but it is still very difficult. \nIs my team Maryland? The Terrapins are the lowest seed left, so they become the ever-sentimental underdog. \nIs my team Michigan State? Well, the Spartans are from the Big Ten, and it is always nice to see members of the same conference as IU do well.\nIs my team Duke? No, the Blue Devils are the favorite -- nobody wants to see them win. But wait; I do have them winning in my pool, and I must say that coach Mike Krzyzewski has again put together a team that certainly deserves the title.\nIs my team Arizona? The Wildcats have overcome numerous non-basketball issues and are a fun team to watch.\nSo which one is it? Ah, the stress-filled life of a sports fan come March. \nFor me, it's Arizona. I like Lute Olson's team because it proved that it has been able to reestablish itself as a powerhouse after dealing with so many hardships. \nCenter Loren Woods' trivial suspension by the NCAA left the team without its most important player for several games -- and the Wildcats suffered. Olson's wife, Bobbi, lost her battle with cancer and died. Not only did the coach miss two weeks to gather himself, but the team felt a loss as well. She attended games and practices, and had a relationship with the players. Arizona suffered again during these two weeks, but once all the pieces of the puzzle were finally in place, the Wildcats began to play the way America knew they could.\nArizona is also a great team to watch, because it brings every element a fan likes to see, and combines it with strong, honest effort. The Cats have the quick point guard -- Jason Gardner, who at any moment can dart through an entire defense and find himself with an easy lay-up. They have the dangerous scorer -- Gilbert Arenas. He can slash, post up and shoot the three-pointer and is also an excellent defender.\nThe strong backcourt perfectly complements a frontcourt that is likewise formidable. Woods is the center of the offense and dominates the defensive lane, as he has blocked 17 shots in the first four tournament games. Richard Jefferson can shoot lights out, and supports Arenas well as a second scorer.\nThe Wildcats effort is seen in the way they have adjusted to and eliminated their previous opponents. Their game has changed each round just enough to combat the strength of the other team. This especially stuck out against Illinois, when the tough, physical Fighting Illini still could not stop the Wildcats, who shot over them, ran through them and even out-rebounded them.\nThe final aspect that pulled me to the Cats is their team character. From reserve Eugene Edgerson's knee and elbow pads to the Dancing Bears tattooed on Luke Walton's arm, this team is full of glowing personalities and a variety of backgrounds that have come together for a common cause.\nMy team is Arizona. It was a tough decision that required thought and insight. While looking this deeply into it might seem a bit much, I do it because I cannot watch without rooting. \nSo when the games resume Saturday night, I encourage you to do the same -- pick a team to root for. You don't have to pick Arizona; but pick somebody. It is the reason we watch, and the only way to get the total enjoyment out of a tournament that has been otherwise disappointing to those of us from the Hoosier state.