NCAA Tournament

We had so much fun at the Big East Tournament that we thought we should try to catch some of the NCAA tournament as well. It helped that UL's success and some timely losses of some rivals allowed UL to be the overall #1 seed, and with that, some favorable locations. We couldn't go to the first (2nd according to NCAA) round game due to j's work, but we did go to UL's second game in nearby Lexington, KY.

Pregame meal at the Atomic Cafe. This was a standard haunt for us in college whenever we made the 75 mile trip to Lexington. It was also location of our dinner when we once kidnapped a friend on a school night (he had a test the next day). 

Wasn't quite everything I remembered, but still pretty good.

Our seats weren't all that great (pictures below). We were literally the top row in the end zone sections. The one nice thing about that was that because the upper level at Rupp has bench seating, the last row is the only seat that has a back (the wall).

UL won the game against Colorado State 82-56 and we had lots of fun.

Next, UL was in the Indianapolis region, which is only 117 miles away. Unfortunately, j was on call that weekend so she couldn't go and I couldn't figure out a way to go to the regional semifinal game against Oregon. Fortunately UL won and I was able to go to the regional final game against Duke. I was able to ride with my oldest brother to the game and my other brother drove down from Chicago to watch the game with me. Here is the view from our seats with SVT's uncle photobombing us.

The game was very memorable for the sickening injury that Kevin Ware suffered. Our seats weren't that close, but my angle perpendicular to how he was laying on the floor gave me a great view to see his leg bending unnaturally between his knee and ankle. I saw it pretty fast and I think I was the one who informed most of my section what I thought the problem was. I was hoping I was wrong, but the reaction of the other players lead me to suspect I was right. Text messages with j confirmed it.

I thought that UL had to just survive the rest of the half after the injury and regroup at half. I was shocked that they went to the half with a lead. Then, early in the 2nd half they took control of the game and went on to win 85-63. It was impressive, and we were trying to figure out how to get to Atlanta...

j had a connection for tickets and we didn't know how we could pass on an opportunity to watch UL play for a national championship, a mere 417 miles away. Plus this is the first time since 1986 that I felt that UL really had a strong chance to win. Previous trips in 2005 and 2012, UL had a distinct talent gap versus their opponents. This year we thought we had a chance. As a matter of logistics, we thought that we could bring mab (FYI she was required to have a ticket), but cmb stayed in Louisville with his cousins and grandparents. We might regret that decision when he's a teenager and gets mad about that decision.

Presemifinal party 

View from seats

The semifinal game versus Wichita State was excruciating. UL trailed for most of the first half and was down by as much as 12 in the second half. This is the game we felt we were 'expected' to win, so the fans were a ball of nervous energy. Cheers were quickly followed by nail-biting, until the final horn. After that, everyone was a lot better.

j with her college roommate/teammate 

 Post-Wichita State Jubilation

The Final game was on Monday night, we went to the Alumni Association's pep rally and then went to the dome a little early. There was some grass in front of the dome where we allowed mab to roam around a bit before we knew she would be largely confined for the game.

We found my brothers and their wives before the game and took some pictures. There was more excitement and less nervous energy for this game compared to the semifinal game.

brothers 

wives 

pregame photo from seats 

j nailed tipoff with this picture

The game was a high-tempo back and forth affair that was roundly hailed as a great finish to an otherwise forgettable season. UL truly displayed a team effort with several players contributing big plays. The 3's by Hancock to close a 12 point first half deficit. A thunderous dunk by Harell to actually take a brief 1st half lead. Blackshear with some great defense. Behanan owning the boards after halftime. Dieng breaking out a sky hook. Siva getting to the rim time after time. It was a lot of fun and UL prevailed in the end.

 Postgame confetti

 Postgame family photo

 Final Score

In the end, we had a great time. It helps when you win, but this team was fun to watch all year. Not bad for our first year with non-student season tickets (they're a lot more expensive this way). We had a blast, Cards won, mab held up great until she had a leaky diaper with 1:30 left in the game which required a change in the stands during a 30 sec timeout (no way we were going to the bathroom at that point).

Ware cutting the net (on the Jumbotron)