I remember walking into Hilton Coliseum one November night in 1995, taking my seat in the stands, looking out onto the court and thinking to myself, “What the hell is this?”

I watched the game for a few minutes, turned to my one friend (who was crazy enough to buy season-tickets and sit next to me) and said, “What the hell is this?”

We had five guys out on the court, and only one of them looked like a basketball player. One guy was about 6’2″, wore shorts past his knees and was trying to play in the post, throwing up shots with either hand. Another guy was a herky-jerky type and played defense like a spaz who had slammed six too many Mountain Dews.

We had a point guard who wouldn’t shoot if anyone was within 10 feet of him and spent most of his time picking himself up off the floor. We had some lanky freshman starting at center who also spent game time picking himself up off the floor. My sole consolation was that we had one smooth-looking shooter.

That night we scored something like 53 points. It wasn’t a game I’d call pretty, but we won.

It happened like that several times that winter. I remember thinking on the cold walks home, “Wow. This might be a long year.”

And I was right. It was. The season was so long it extended all the way into March, because the team won the Big Eight crown and advanced into the NCAA Tournament.

It was one of the most exciting things I had ever witnessed — a team who was projected to be nothing yet it became one of the best. I was able to witness it all firsthand, and I was able to laugh at my friends who did not buy season tickets because we weren’t supposed to be any good.

What does this all mean? Why am I talking about it? It’s old news, everybody knows this story.

Why? Because I attended basketball media day on Friday and I expect the same Cinderella story this year.

The 1997-98 Cyclone basketball team is full of question marks, but the only questions I have are for people who doubt this team.

Why do I have confidence in this team? Because we have the Tim Floyd factor and no one else does. Never count out this guy or his teams. Can you see a Floyd-coached team not being competitive?

Why do I look forward to this season? Because we have one of the best recruiting classes in the nation and some returning players who may surprise some people.

Why do I think this team will be exciting? Because when I hear people say this team has more offensive talent than the past years, I smile. With the current system in place, defense is a given. Offensive production is merely an added bonus.

Why do I believe this team will win? Because the players will buy into “the system” and feel the same Hilton Magic all the other teams have felt. But more important, because our players are winners at every level. Never underestimate players who understand how to win.

And why do I start all of my sentences with “because” when I learned not to all of my life? Because.

I’ve heard the doubters ask if we will be any good this year and whether they should buy season tickets.

To them I say, “Why not?”

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Drew Harris is a senior in journalism and mass communication and political science from Peosta.