Benedetto blog: Take a break from the bad, catch tonight's Creighton basketball game

Sports are supposed to provide a distraction from the stuff that really matters.

That hasn't been the case lately.

The trial of former U.S. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar shed a light not only on his subhuman actions but also exposed Michigan State as another college athletic department incapable of handling sexual assault allegations against student-athletes.

This goes far, far beyond Russian doping and the FBI’s look into the payment of college basketball recruits in exchange for commitments to certain schools and agents. Those are petty crimes in comparison.

Nassar’s abuse and MSU’s inaction ruined lives.

If you’re at all like me, you could use some positivity in your sports. Thank goodness for Creighton’s game against Georgetown at 6 p.m. (Mountain time) on CBS Sports Network.

Area referee's efforts to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer was another nice gesture.

Full disclosure: As a Bluejay-basketball obsessed alumnus, I would have watched tonight's game anyways, but this game is a special one for reasons beyond basketball.

Since coach Greg McDermott took the job in Omaha, Creighton has hosted a ‘Pink Out’ game where most of the 17,000-plus people in attendance do what they can in the fight against cancer.

The Bluejays will wear pink uniforms and warm ups tonight. Fans bid on the opportunity to put the name of a loved one who is or has battled cancer on the back of the shooting shirts, while other items like McDermott’s signed tie are auctioned.

During a break in the action, those in attendance will raise signs with the names of those who are or have battled the disease in what’s become a powerful moment of support for the fighters, survivors and families of the less fortunate.

The 2018 fundraiser raised more than $28,000, bringing the eight-year total to an excess of $186,000. The money is going to Hope Lodge Nebraska, a soon-to-open building that will host families of people who travel to Omaha for cancer treatments.

These things also have a real impact, a refreshingly positive one.

So if you could use a break from the bad, catch the Creighton game in a couple hours. Khyri Thomas is sure to do something cool, too.

Go Jays. Beat cancer.

Credit: Vinny Benedetto