This week marks the start of the 2017-2018 college basketball season. Yes, the most wonderful time of the year is finally here. If there is one thing in particular to get us absolutely amped for college basketball being back, it is Bill Walton. The king of #PAC12AfterDark himself. The man that tells at least 2-3 stories per game that were created by a drug-induced scenario. He’s a hippie, through and through, and there is no one that loves the PAC 12 more than him. And now he is back in the news.

During PAC 12 preseason games in China, Walton was having the time of his life. He biked around the city, did Tai Chi with the locals and lived as a member of Chinese society in every way except for language. As a seven-foot white guy, he would stand out in China regardless, but the fact that he is Bill Walton only makes it more obvious.

There is nothing better in the college football season than Bill Walton announcing games. Yeah, buzzer beaters are great and March Madness is the best playoff system in the world, but there is nothing like Walton announcing a game. He is rarely ever on the rails. Seeing him back in the news is a signal of the season because he stands as a gigantic lighthouse of everything that is college hoops. The tradition of UCLA, the dominance of elite big men, the tie-dye shirts.

That might be the best part about him. Who needs dudes in suits talking about sports. Sports is about sitting with your buddies and allowing yourself to go off the cuff with stories that are only sometimes related to the game at hand. Walton reminds us that sports are for all of us and you sitting on the couch isn’t that far off from broadcasting a game and that is the beauty of him.

So if you didn’t realize basketball is back, let this be your official warning. From Walton to you, college hoops is back. Strap in and get ready for the most electric time of the year.