Once again, It's that time of year when the leaves change color, the weather gets colder, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and football is in full swing. There seems to be a new type of excitement knowing that after a long week of classes you finally get to show your school spirit and cheer on who you consider the best team. Tailgates, corn hole, an overdose of school colors everywhere you look. Football season is back and better than ever! ...Well, at least for schools who have a team to cheer for...

For students like me who don't have a school football team, we have something even better... basketball! Sure, we don't have weekly tailgates and homecoming games, but it's not all that bad.

Here are some reasons why Xavier basketball is actually the best.

1. They always say, "Patience is a virtue."

You wait four long, boring months and then... BAM!! Before you know it, school spirit comes out of the woodwork! Bodies are covered in paint, the school mascots casually roam around campus, and people randomly shout "Let's go X" on the lawn or in the caf. There's also a low murmur of questions regarding who we're playing and how good the other team is.

2. Games are always attended.

The student section sometimes spills into the regular seating because of how popular the games are. Even the upper seats that barely get light have people in them. If you don't go to the games and you're a student, many times you get weird looks and questions asking if you're sick or feeling alright. Sorry mom and dad, but studying can happen later!

3. A majority of basketball recruits are nationally known and many end up in the NBA Draft after their college career.

We take pride in how talented our players are. Many of them go on to more advanced leagues which makes NBA more fun to watch. How cool is it to say you sat next to the starting point guard of the Pacers in management class? David West, Edmond Sumner, James Posey... you get the picture... (Even Bill Murray comes to the games!).

4. Fans are loyal to their team until they die.

It's comforting to see someone throw an "X" while walking downtown in a sea of Bearcat fans or seeing an old friend at a game. I know for a fact I will throw an "X" until I'm in a retirement home and can barely lift my arms. Fans are so loyal that they even camped outside of Cintas Center before the Villanova game. Did I mention that the game was in January and the high temperature was about 45 degrees Fahrenheit?! Sounds crazy, but we'd do anything to get that perfect seat at the Nova game.

5. Even the smallest wins are large victories and a big win feels like a championship.

In 2016, no one thought the Xavier Musketeers would make it as far as they did during March Madness. We sure proved them wrong and made it to the Elite Eight! (This year we're back and stronger than ever! Catch us in the Final Four!)

Sure football games are fun to watch, but basketball season can't come soon enough!