My Morning Jacket.
As a music lover — nay, as a music obsesser — I couldn’t leave the other huge passion in my life out of this blog any longer. I did music references into a post for the season preview, if you recall.
So, from here on out, until the season ends, I’ll be linking up a few songs and relating them to some teams/players/storylines from this season. Your suggestions are welcome: editor@collegehoopsjournal.com.
Let’s get to work. God, I love music. It’s the best thing in the history of the universe.
Six-scholarship Tennessee defeats Kansas / My Morning Jacket, “I’m Amazed”
The story: Yeah, nobody had this one, I’m sorry. Even if the Jayhawks showed signs of weakness/a Mortal Kombat victim-like “Finish him!!” state of mind, who thought the Vols would be able to take out KU with six scholarship players? And with Skylar McBee delivering the dagger? Yes, I’m still amazed by this game from time to time, and I suspect I always will be.
The song: One of the catchiest guitar riffs of 2008. It’s an anthem. It’s not last time MMJ will be featured on this site. I defy you to not have this song stuck in your head the rest of the day.
Florida / Stevie Ray Vaughn, “Tight Rope”
The story: The Gators have lost four of their last seven and, for some reason I’d love to be filled in on, are considered an almost-favorite to give Kentucky its first loss of the season tonight. UF is barely above the safety right now, and it’s because of this. A double-digit loss to the Wildcats at home would be the proverbial clown shaking the wire atop the trapeze tower.
The song: Uh … just watch SRV do his thing, will ya?
Miami (FL) / Spoon, “Paper Tiger”
The story: The Hurricanes swooped into the AP Poll this week (they aren’t even sniffing a ranking in the Coaches), and some are questioning how dangerous this group is. The Hurricanes are 15-1, but there’s a non-Division-I win in there. KenPom ranking: 24. Best win out of conference: 63-58 at home over Minnesota. Non-conference strength of schedule: 337.
The song: This is on the album “Kill the Moonlight,” which made many a best-of-2000s list, and deservedly so. Like MMJ, it’s not the last time Spoon will make an appearance.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s schedule / Nick Drake, “Road”
The story: The Golden Lions played every single game away from home to start the season. That start is ongoing. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, members of the not-Division-I-worthy SWAC, gets to dress in its locker rooms for the first time in 2009-10 Saturday, when it plays Southern University.
The song: It comes from Drake’s most popular album, Bryter Layter. It’s one of my 10 favorite of his. I normally reserve Drake’s stuff for night driving and falling asleep. But he’s continually overlooked as one of the great songwriters in the history of music.
