We’re headed to the Championship, Wildcats!
By Alex Otte
Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
9 for Stein
If it wasn’t clear to both Kentucky fans before last night, it should be now that when these players put their mind to something, nothing and no one is going to get in their way. Of course, we all wish Willie Cauley-Stein hadn’t been injured and had made it to play in the National Championship with his team. Even though that won’t be possible due to injury, it’s clear that he is still a big part of this team and they are doing their best to win it for him.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Who Had Faith
Tyler Black is a Kentucky man, who throughout our rough season, never lost hope in our team or how much they were capable of. This man, in Berea, Kentucky, went to a tattoo parlor before the tournament began and got a tattoo of his right calf signifying Kentucky’s National Championship win this year. At the time, everyone thought he was crazy, but he seems to be enjoying the ride and as we head into the Championship game on Monday, people are no longer doubting this man’s sanity.
"“I’m not delusional. I know we’ve had a rough season. Big Blue Nation is down and the majority of people have no faith in us. But we have faith in ourselves.”- Black said in an interview with ESPN."
Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
A Cinderella Story?
People often refer to Kentucky’s advance in this tournament as a Cinderella story. This would imply that we came from the bottom of the totem pole, so to speak, and reached the top. Although we were 25th in the AP poll throughout the season, I don’t agree that we ever hit the bottom. Although this season’s record was not what Kentucky fans wanted or anticipated, our record was not that bad. The Big Blue Nation has very high expectations of their athletic teams and just consider it the bottom when these teams don’t live up to their expectations.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
A Star is Born
When Marcus Lee came out onto the court the other night, people were astonished. Of course, any true Kentucky fan knew his name and knew of his talent, but no one had any idea why he was being put into the game. According to John Calipari in a post-game interview, he warned Lee that Marcus lee would soon become a household name, and for the Big Blue Nation, it has. His immense talent and skill may not have been expected so late in the season, but Lee succeeded in showing Kentucky fans what he was made of.
Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Just one more time
Having proved people wrong and making it this far in the tournament, Kentucky has achieved upsets that no one thought possible. Heading into the championships game, neither team was expected to make it this far. If Kentucky can play like they have been recently, I think they can achieve this surprise win, they only need to do it one more time.