Men’s intramural basketball rivarly resumes

Triangle photo by Andrew Wilber
Triangle photo by Andrew Wilber

by Andrew Wilber
Staff Writer

The spring semester is here and Bryan College men’s intramural basketball has started up as usual. Not usual though is the level of competition seen among several of the teams this year.

While a friendly rivalry between different groups on campus is normal, the level of skill and cohesiveness in a number of the teams has raised the competition to a noticeably higher level. According to junior Vincent Smith, captain of team URMUM, these teams have developed over time as players have become more experienced together.

“I think as people have been going here they have started to adjust and get power teams going,” he said. He also credited redshirts – varsity basketball players who decide to sit a year out – with the increased competitiveness of certain teams.

Triangle photo by Andrew Wilber

The season’s rivalry has also spread to fans. At a game on Monday between teams Silent Knight and Platypi, several small but vocal groups of fans attempted to drown each other out. Junior Daniel Grayton says that he has plans to arm the men from Long 1st with cowbells to silence the competition.

“I’m ordering a shipment of 20 and they’ll be here in a week or so,” Grayton said, adding “it’s going to be so freaking loud in here!”

A large number of athletes from other sports has also added to the mix, according to sophomore Ethan Hickey from the team Platypi.

“There are a lot of varsity athletes and redshirts on some of these teams,” he said.

While this has increased the event’s overall performance level, some who feel that the purpose of the intramural games is for students who don’t regularly participate in college sports to have fun have been frustrated by it.

Triangle photo by Andrew Wilber

“If you have experience playing [basketball] at an organized level, you shouldn’t play in the intramural,” said sophomore player Drew Pilgrim.

While the competition this year has increased in general, one team that does not seem to have high hopes is that of the faculty. Dr. Travis Ricketts of the faculty team said that his expectations for the team are “lower than a Shetland Pony’s belly.”

“There is a competition on our team to see who can get to the water fountain first,” he said.