Trading Poems with a Bruin

A colleague of mine is a bruin.  The following is a recapitulation of the banter we've shared over the past few days:

Me:

Quite a season the Spartans have faced.

But its March now, a nice change of pace.

Enter the Bruins,

Destined for ruins,

By Draymond and Kalin, our ace!

His Response:

UCLA was UCLA when the Spartans were just pups

and UCLA will be UCLA when the Spartans try to grow up

I am a proud Bruin and I drink from Wooden's cup

and even if Izzo had Magic I am not sure they will show up

My Response:

The Bruins have been brewing since 1964,

But since the Wizard of Westwood left, the Bruins brew no more.

They once again got lucky in spring of 95’,

But from then to now it seems to me that Wooden’s cup ran dry.

As the Bruins made their final stumble for the crown,

Tom Izzo took the reins of a program on the rebound.

Since that time Izzo restored the Magic in East Lansing,

This year is the seventeenth straight the Spartans have been dancing!

His Response:

There once was a Spartan from East Lansing

Who thought he had won if he went dancing?

His dance steps were great, but he only scored 8

All the Spartans were sick as they knew they'd been licked

They sat down with a frown, as the Bruins took the crown

The lesson is clear, but the Spartans must learn it each year.

And my final response:

In sixteen years of post-season play,

Michigan State has had its way.

With Marylands, Temples, New Mexico States,

Marquettes, George Masons, now UCLA.

Sweet Sixteens? We've had nine.

Elite Eights? Eight in that time.

Final Fours? How about four?

Championship Games, add two more.

UCLA? They haven't done well.

Three no shows,

And four first round fails.