Editor's note: Purdue forward Laura Meadows, a 6-foot-3 fifth-year senior who transferred from Kentucky in 2000, will share a diary with ESPN.com throughout the season.

Feb. 5, 2002

This week's adventures began in East Lansing, Mich. While the game against the Spartans rocked, the real escapade occurred en route to the gym for shootaround. The wheels of our bus innocently found themselves on a patch of black ice, and began a slow fishtail toward a very tiny Honda Civic.

	Meadows

Luckily, the very panicked man inside the car saw our imminent approach through his rear-view mirror, and the terror we evoked prompted him to speed through the red light. However, this occurred after the two oldest girls on the bus screamed like 5-year-olds. Yes, Kelly Komara and I revealed ourselves to be huge babies. Sad but true.

So after the near-disastrous bus ride and the battle we had with Michigan State, we had one day to come home and prepare for a very talented Wisconsin team. The game was incredible, and our fans were absolutely awesome. Though I never heard a single play called and screamed myself hoarse trying to talk on defense, it was definitely worth it. I cannot imagine a better environment to play in than Mackey Arena.

One of the greatest things about playing at home is the band. Therefore, in an attempt to keep them happy and playing "Ants Marching," I want to extend a sincere apology from the team. Since Mardi Gras began in Louisiana, we threw gold and black beads into the band's section on Sunday. They looked fabulous on everybody, but the method by which we delivered them probably wasn't the best. (We hurled them while their attention was on the fight song.) Beth Jones wants the tuba player to know she didn't mean to throw them directly into the instrument, and I personally am very sorry for my tangled mass of beads striking a trombone player. We're very sorry, but we still love y'all.

While I am offering apologies, I will present one to the listeners of the Kristy Curry Radio Show. Though I don't think I am a horrible speaker, too many "Ums" and "Ahs" erupted in my speech tonight. After such an experience, I am always reminded of a certain Ani Difranco lyric -- "cool was the plan." However, R. Kelly utilized his time on the air in a charming fashion, so the show was ultimately a success.

All right, the X-Games are on in 45 minutes, so I'm out. Have a fabulous week. Bye.

For more on Laura Meadows and the Boilermakers, visit Purdue's official athletic site.