by Emily Wemhoff

When I look at the Kansas Jayhawk fan in its native habitat, it is screaming at the top of its lungs surrounded by thousands of other crazed people. It is strutting its newly bought Norfolk State and Final Four sweatshirts with arrogant pride.

Now look at the Missouri Tiger fan, boasting their recent Big 12 Tournament Championship amid loud chants of M-I-Z-S-E-C.

I am not condemning either fan for either team, but here’s the deal: Sometimes I think KU and MU fans go a little overboard.

Believe me, I love the vicious rivalry between them, but is it necessary to update your Facebook every millisecond with announcements of your team’s latest accomplishment? No.

Is it necessary to physically get in a fight over who is the better team? No.

Is it necessary to parade throughout school with your school’s colors? No.

You get the point.

Personally, I like both KU and MU. Now, I am not a die-hard fan for either one, so don’t get too angry you over-obsessed fans. Let me explain.

I love everything about college basketball. I love the fact that players care about every game, unlike the NBA. I love the swing of emotions, from being ready to vomit at halftime because your team is down by 15 points, to high-fiving as the last buzzer sounds.

My favorite time of the year is March Madness and the excitement that comes with it. I love having a team to cheer for and if MU or K-State was still in the NCAA tournament, I would be rooting for them. All three teams are relatively close to Kansas City and I read about them every day in the KC Star. I know about Jamar Samuels’ controversial ineligibility, Kim English’s old stuttering problem, and how Jeff Withey was a beach volleyball stud.

Let me tell you, you can be a fan of all three. So I don’t watch every single game. So I didn’t know the score of last night’s game. But I can cheer for them without anyone telling me I am a “blasphemous hypocrite” (in the words of my brother).

I am a nervous wreck when I watch these teams. I could not even bare to watch KU play Ohio State until the final three minutes. MU vs. Norfolk State? I turned the channel and basically said the rosary. But after the loss or win, do I prance around, tweet, or bawl my eyes out? Never.

As you can see, it is not impossible to have more than one team. So, instead of cheering against your rival in their next game out of spite, try rooting for the local team. And please, please do not cry if KU loses in the championship. We all knew it was coming.

Final say: You can be a fan of more than one college basketball team.