The complete 1999-2000 Mark Madsen biography. |
Mark Madsen Diary #1 - 1/5/00
Mark Madsen is a senior power forward at Stanford. He was anAll-American a year ago, but missed eight games this season afterinjuring his hamstring in the season-opener against Duke. Stanford isranked No. 1 in the nation with an 11-0 record following victories overNew Hampshire and Davidson in the Stanford Invitational (Dec. 29-30),and opens Pac-10 play at home against Arizona State (1/6) and No. 5Arizona (1/8).
Being able to come back from the hamstring injuries in front of theStanford home fans was really special. It really meant a lot. Thesupport of the guys really meant a lot to me too, during the month and ahalf, two months I was out. They were great. They were really supportiveand encouraging. It's a tough time whenever any athlete gets hurt. WhenTroy Walters went down with the dislocated wrist and there was thethough that he might not play in the Rose Bowl, my heart just went outto him. I could relate to that.
As far as getting back out on the court and running up and down, nomatter what you do for seven weeks, it's not like playing basketball!It's not like playing basketball at all. I went out there the first fewminutes and I ran up and down and I was exhausted. I thought to myself,"I need to get on the bike after practice!" But in a week to a week anda half I was able to get my legs back under me and start to get somecardiovascular strength back, and I feel like now I'm pretty near 100percent.
The first game I thought I played average; the second game I played OK.It was nice to come back in and block a shot right away. I kind ofwondered. I talked to the guy before the game who shot that ball and itwas kind of almost too easy of a block. In the back of my mind I wasalmost wondering if he threw me a gift. But it felt really good to getout there and just get a quick block, go down and make a bucket.
This week we open the Pac-10 with the Arizona teams. Coach Evans atArizona State has done a phenomenal job. I think Arizona State plays ashard as anyone in the country. When you step on the floor againstArizona State you have a dog fight on your hands. And of course Arizona,they have five guys who I legitimately believe can make the NBA.
Over the years the Stanford-Arizona games have really been filled with alot of energy, a lot of intensity and a lot of emotion. Over the yearswe've played a number of close games with them, and it's been special togrow up following Stanford and see Stanford playing against Arizona, andnow to have a chance to compete against a school like Arizona. LuteOlson does a phenomenal job with his athletes, both on and off thecourt, and certainly I think they have one of the most talented startingfives in the country.
Going into the game, a lot of people are talking about the No. 1ranking, but on this team we realize that it's a bunch of numbers onpaper. Who cares who's the No. 1 team in the country right now? Whatmatters is who's the last team standing at the end. But we acknowledgethat at this point we have garnered some respect nation-wide, and weappreciate that.
Now we're in the position where we're the defending Pac-10 champions.We've had a great preseason. Now we accept all comers. We'll play ourhardest, and we'll let the chips fall where they may. I think that isthe role of the defending champion: to let all comers take the court,and for us to give it our best shot, win or lose. That's why you playgames: to find out who's going to win and going to lose.