I was fearful of an embarrassing loss when we proclaimed last night as an occasion to celebrate our Basketball success (which included a butt-stomping of VU). Even though the basketball game itself was probably not in the minds of players or coaches on either team it just seems as if, historically, the sports gods seem to be ready to "put us in our place" when we make a big deal out of some accomplishment when hosting VU. This goes back in my memory to the first game in The Murph when we made a big deal out of having just signed a highly touted mid-state player to an OVC scholarship (which at the time could be done, only binding to the conference members), introduced him to the packed crowd to huge cheering, only to have him sign later with and play at VU. Total embarrassment to this Blue Raider fan at the time.
The lesson to me was to just play the game like any other and don't go out of your way to promote it or celebrate any accomplishment at the game when hosting VU. It can come back to bite you.