I often think about the things that make a city feel like home... the things that make you proud of your city. .. the things that draw you back even when a job takes you elsewhere.

Today was another example of the ability of sports to do that, certainly in Memphis and, no doubt, in many other cities, as men's college basketball conference play winds down and NCAA tournament pairings are announced tomorrow.

Here's an entry this afternoon from The [Memphis] Commercial Appeal blog commenting on an article on number two University of Memphis Tigers' win over Tulsa to clinch the C-USA title.

"GO TIGERS!!!!!!!! Today made me proud to be a Tiger fan and proud to live in Memphis. That last one has been hard lately, but the TIGERS are #1 all the way to the dance. :)"

It's not eloquent, but it is heartfelt.

As I walked to the game with my blue Tigers sweatshirt on, I hurriedly walked past a man who, it turned out, was also headed to FedEx Forum. We walked the five blocks together, chatting about the season, the tournament and what comes next. When we neared the Forum, he introduced himself, I introduced myself, and we felt the solidarity that comes so easily to sports fans.

Urban leaders need to find all the ways they can to encourage in their city pride, solidarity, excitement and reasons for strangers to connect. And they certainly need to find ways to keep their wandering citizens connected to Home.

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