And so it begins. With tonight’s tip against Penn in the Cathedral of College Basketball, Davidson enters its 103rd season of intercollegiate play.   

I think it’s at least arguable that the durability of the human spirit derives from an incessant belief in the promise of that which has yet to be done—a sort of native optimism.  We like the beginning because we can imagine the circumstances under which the best possible outcome is achieved.  Anything is possible, to recall KG’s tearful championship moment.  As the example suggests, the fact that we are sometimes right—that we do occasionally win it all—reinforces our basic commitment to hope.  

If not borne of this tendency, sport certainly indulges it.  In the black hole that is the offseason, the frustrations of the season past are muted, and in the new faces and fresh legs, we see limitless potential.  If everything came together at the right time, who knows?  

I am extremely excited about Coach McKillop’s 22nd Davidson team.  They’re young, and it’s unclear precisely how they will come together.  We’re well-acquainted with the contours of the McKillop system (these videos purport to offer some insight), but there’s considerable variability in how that system is executed.  Enough is unknown to permit a zealot like me to declare that any outcome would not be unreasonable.

In that spirit, and without more, let’s go, ‘Cats.

Base Rich