NU Basketball Preview: How to be a good fan

If you don't understand what's going on, there is no hiding at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

By: ANDREW GOTHELF

Tags: basketball, bill carmody, Northwestern, NU basketball preview

How to Be a Good Northwestern Hoops Fan « Between the Headset: "[...] Click here to read the column. [...]"

You may have heard that Northwestern has a basketball team. They play at Welsh-Ryan Arena, which is that big building right next to Ryan Field (where the football team plays). Basketball season starts this week, which means tens of students will descend upon NU hoops’ hallowed grounds.

For those students who have yet to make the trek to the Welsh, I present to you some valuable tips on how to be a good Northwestern basketball fan. Obey them if you wish, but just know that if you are out of line at a game, I’m going to have to sock you in the mouth.

On with the tips:

-There are shuttles that run to and from the games, starting 90 minutes before tip. Don’t let me hear you say that you can’t go to a game because you “don’t have a ride.” That’s inexcusable, and you will be socked in the mouth for saying that.

-Try to get to the game a couple minutes before it starts. There’s nothing worse than a half empty student section at tipoff. Arriving fashionably late to the game is not a good way to impress that cute girl in your history class. Rattling off the Wildcats’ starting five is.

-Stand up for the whole game. Historically (or at least since I’ve been here), one student section stands while the other sits in some sort of stubborn teenage act of rebellion. Why does this happen? Both student sections should stand up for the entirety of the game. It’s healthy for you, and a good way to work off the calories from the soft-serve you shoved down your throat to get to the game on time.

-Learn the words to the fight song. You might have been able to get away with clapping and humming at football games, but you’ll be outed as a fraud in the more intimate Welsh-Ryan setting. There aren’t a whole lot of words, and the verses repeat, so suck it up and memorize how it goes. You’ll thank me when “Go U NU” is playing at your wedding.

-Be loud and yell at the other team and its players. Don’t be an idiot, but don’t be a “nice” fan. Opposing players shouldn’t be able to come in to Evanston and act like they own the place. Let them know they are in a hostile gym playing in front of a bunch of fans that don’t like them. Just don’t go all Zidane on them and accuse their sisters of being terrorists. There is a line that stops just shy of STD accusations.

-If you don’t know anything about basketball, cheer when Northwestern makes a basket and then don’t say anything else. I don’t expect everyone to understand the complexities of the Princeton Offense. But if you don’t know the difference between a zone and a man-to-man defense, or if you think Bill Carmody doesn’t want his players to dunk, don’t try to complain to me about strategy. It’s just going to make me hate you.

-Have fun. This is college basketball. Going to games, taunting players, losing your voice and acting crazy are important facets of your college experience. Forget about your career ambitions or midterms for two hours and come cheer on your university. Take some pride in it. It’s all that more rewarding when the Wildcats topple a powerhouse and you’re there to see it.

But if, after reading this, you don’t think you can fulfill these guidelines yet still want to go to the game, by all means go.

Just don’t stand near me.