The Hyball is a weekly basketball column

I am supposed to be a cold weather person.

Born in Chicago, still live here, and have spent 99.4% of my life living in the Midwest (hi, suburbs + Iowa City). The other 0.6% was New Jersey.

Yet, spiritually, I've always felt more like a Californian. I dislike snow, cringe any time the temperature drops below 50 degrees, and once, not a joke, vowed my goal was to "never be cold for the rest of my life."

In accordance with this goal, I have a soft sub-rule of "Never go to Minnesota unless it's July or August."

Learned the hard way September of 2011, Week 1 of the college football season -- you know, usually one of two total warm weather games we get typically get each year. Friends, it was cold. Sweatshirts in early September are not my jam. Even if I did get to watch Matt Barkley throw for 3 TDs and Minnesota lose by a very hilarious 19-17 score (this was back when Lane Kiffin was going for two-point conversions for no real reason, but I digress).

In the ensuing 12 years, I've stuck to my guns, and it's served me well... until the women's Big Ten Tournament got scheduled there this week. Though I've since landed a full time job since the Duke trip, it doesn't start until 3/20. So I have the time, have the dime... just need the will.

The current real feel in Minneapolis is 13 degrees, but Caitlin Clark and Co. deserve all of our support and attention. It's time to plunge into the belly of the beast.

/crosses self

/swan dives into a pile of snow

"God protects fools and drunks."

2/25 - Iowa 112, Michigan State 106 (OT): Don't really remember this one -- what happened, again?

jk

Was at a bar Ann Arbor, Michigan, for this game -- ironically not with Wolverines people.

You really can't make this stuff up.

Usually, I try to edit or consolidate the tweets, but... nah, not for this one. You get all of 'em.

And, quite possibly my personal favorite:

Though you likely remember the Fran staredown or Payton Sandfort shot above anything else, I implore you to make some space for Tony Freaking Perkins as well: 24 points on 9-12 shooting, 9 rebounds (5 offensive), 6 assists, 2 steals. A complete game from an absolute dog. His rebounding and assist numbers led all players, and he was only two off the game high (Kris Murray's 26 points). Honestly, I'm still smiling.

2/28 - Iowa 90, Indiana 68: Not to sound too defeatist -- going more for realist here -- but I've really learned to put my guard up when it comes to Big Ten road games. And this isn't just an Iowa thing; it's the whole conference. Hell, even No. 5 Purdue has three road losses. So for Iowa to go into Assembly Hall, win outright, and kick ass wire-to-wire? That's special. Special enough to Sandfort to basically become our avatar on and off the court:

Reggie Miller did this to my beloved Bulls when I was a kid, and it was about the most vile thing I'd ever seen. A lot more fun to be on the other side, haha.

I know, I know.

"Say hello to the bad guy."

One final aside:

Genuinely thought there was something wrong with my TV speaker.

Still, think Assembly Hall is getting added to the bucket list going forward.

3/5 - Iowa vs. Nebraska: Senior Day/Let's Get This Damn Big Ten Tournament Started.

One of the greatest gifts I've been given as a sports fan is regularly getting to watch this woman play basketball.

Pop the damn speakers.

Doing no research of any kind, I say YES.

See y'all in Minnesota.

It is now I remind you I'm also a fan of Michigan hoops. So yeah, Sunday wasn't bad at all.

You don't wanna roll with me on this? Totally fine. But I know you're down to roll with Wisconsin getting its heart ripped out.

He's a baaaaad man.

OK, not saying that, but, even while M was getting punked in non-conference and losing many-a-close game, I always, like, *believed* in the talent. Somewhat validating to see it pan out as conference play winds down. Again, not saying a natty is even 1% possible, but I really hope they can sneak into the dance.

Or... maybe not?

Also: major hat tip to backup center Tarris Reed -- whose free throws we marveled at earlier this season. He's picked it up at the line, and this is some defense, wow.

Lane Kiffin mentioned twice in a March basketball column? Anything is possible here.

Yeah, that'll... that'll do.

Real Bill:

Close-to-real Bill:

You: Ooh, Keegan -- cool!

Me: Delevadova is on the Kings?!?!?!

(Watch till the end)

Zero jokes, found this genuinely inspiring:

Jokes:

Really, sincerely hope I'm making the right choice here.

Bobby Loesch is a weekly contributor to Go Iowa Awesome. Find him on Twitter @bobbystompy, Instagram @bobbystompy, or email at bobbyloesch [at] gmail.com.