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The first event I attended on Sunday was the NCAA fan experience event called Bracket Town. I am waiting in line for about twenty minutes to get Mike Brey’s autograph when someone announces to the crowd that Coach Brey is supposed to be in another part of the Convention Center and he is leaving. At this point, I am a little angry that they wasted my time and I am second in line behind an obnoxious twelve year old who asked me why my shirt says “Refuse to Lose” when UK did in fact lose. They announce that we can stay in line for the next autograph session in thirty minutes, and that it will be Christian Laettner. My initial reaction is to jump out of line, but just as I step out, brilliance strikes.

In that moment, I realized I have waited for this for almost twenty years. I am finally close enough to Christian Laettner to punch him in the face, stomp on his chest, or at least dump my drink on him and cuss him out. So I waited for thirty minutes and thought of what I would say, and I thought it would be hilarious to get him to apologize. I wanted a written apology for the pain that Laettner caused me and the rest of Big Blue Nation by stomping on our chests both literally and figuratively.

Laettner arrives, long hair and all. He immediately sees me in line, and shakes his head knowing I’m not there to congratulate him on his productive NBA career. My turn in line arrives, and he says “A Kentucky fan? What are you doing here?”. I explain my thoughts on him and tell him he basically ruined my childhood. I told him I would forgive him of twenty years of anger if he gave me a written apology. He laughed and gave me this…

I actually shook his hand and I have forgiven him… somewhat. Maybe if I had stomped on his chest I would be able to fully forgive him. At least now I can move on knowing he is truly sorry for ruining my life.

Here is a picture of me and Laettner during the altercation event…

I will try to post pictures and updates from the ultimate natty road trip when I can. Until then, stay thirsty my friends. Drink Natty.

America loves the underdog. While the rest of the nation clamors over the stories of the other Final Four participants, remember that Kentucky has 6′ 10″ of jean short wearing living proof that the Wildcats might have the biggest underdog story of them all.

Josh Harrellson wasn’t always the beast that we now expect every game. Jorts didn’t always score 17 points and 10 rebounds like he did against Ohio State or 12 points and 8 rebounds like he did against UNC. In fact, Harrellson started a game earlier this year where he tallied 25 minutes of playing time, but only managed 6 rebounds and an un-beast like 0 points. That game was, of course, a 17 point loss to Connecticut. The entire Kentucky team has come a long way since that game, but specifically, Harrellson has made the most significant strides. And because of the consistency and toughness that he brings, Harrellson is the biggest reason I think the Cats will take home the championship on Monday.

The man known as Jorts being a crucial part or even the key to a championship run for the Cats, has to be the biggest underdog story in this Final Four. Right now, however, the story is incomplete. Even the most cynical of Cat fans have to have a sense of pride and accomplishment with this Final Four run, but nobody can be satisfied. Especially the beast in the glass slipper.

In a season where the underdog always seems to prevail, the only way for this storybook ending is for the most unlikely beast to step in and crash Cinderella’s big night.

The NBA is now investigating Jay Z’s presence in the UK locker room after the Cat’s Elite Eight victory on Sunday because of his stake as part owner of the New Jersey Nets. Sometimes common sense should prevail…

The story from ESPN – http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/news/story?id=6275663

With the Final Four on the line, here are four keys to a Kentucky victory today:

4) The Cats must control the tempo of the game. Kentucky slowed the game down against Ohio State and then played shut down defense on the other end. The Cats must do the same today to limit UNC’s desire to get out and push because they score often on fast break points. Kentucky will look to execute in the half court to get valuable possessions because Cal has to love the way his team has committed to his defensive philosophy. Nobody is playing better team defense than the Kentucky Wildcats!

3) Kentucky has to stay out of foul trouble. In the first meeting against the Tar Heels, the Cats had four players foul out and committed 26 fouls. Kentucky can’t do that today, especially in the low post.

2) The Cats need to stay close in the rebounding margin. UNC won the rebounding battle the first go around 43-37. The Cats need to win this battle or at least keep it very close to have a chance. Washington out rebounded UNC last weekend, and that advantage gave UW a chance to win.

1) This game will be won in the low post. The last game Kentucky couldn’t stop Zeller. Zeller had 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 blocks while Henson added 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The Cats meanwhile, had Jorts with 2 points and 7 rebounds and Jones with 9 points on 3-17 FG % and 6 rebounds. Both players fouled out. Kentucky’s big men must step up, and I think they will. Harrellson is a different player now. He just needs help from someone else because he can’t do it alone.

Kentucky needs to take care of business today because this Final Four is up for grabs. Again, not taking anything away from the teams who have fought hard and played well to get to that point, but Kentucky couldn’t choose a much better Final Four for a championship run.

It’s time for revenge! Kentucky is a very different team now then they were in that December matchup with North Carolina, but UNC is as well. Should be a great game, but Kentucky continues this great run by winning today in a close one. Survive and advance… Go Cats!

This is not to say that the Cats haven’t had their chances. Dwayne Wade emerged in 2003 to knock the 32-4 number one seed Wildcats out in the Elite Eight. It took double overtime in 2005 before Kentucky fell to Michigan State to narrowly miss another chance at the promised land. Even last year, the Cats were favored and expected to be in Indianapolis for a chance at the championship. From a fan’s perspective, these games were all disappointing exits one or two games too early.

This year, however, expectations weren’t that high. Kentucky has already exceeded expectations by beating number one Ohio State. Cat fans can’t be too frustrated or disappointed with an Elite Eight exit considering the way this team looked earlier in the year. But that doesn’t mean that the nation’s most rabid fan base isn’t foaming at the mouth to satisfy the craving of a delicacy Kentucky hasn’t tasted in a long, long time. Especially in today’s standard that judges coaches and teams on the one and done nature of postseason success and expects highly ranked recruits to turn a program around with immediate results.

This Kentucky team has satisfied even the most fickle fan base, and has a chance to carve out a place in Kentucky lore that nobody thought possible just weeks ago. Josh Harrellson has become a UK legend in a sea of McDonalds All Americans and Mr. Basketballs. This team has played better than any basketball expert ever imagined, and now here they are with a great chance to do what NBA talent filled teams of Kentucky’s recent history could not do.

Like it or not, college basketball teams are measured by Final Four appearances. And for a team and fan base who prides itself on it’s rich tradition and many times boasts that it is the best college basketball program of all time, there has not been a lot of evidence to back that up in the last thirteen years. Kentucky needs a Final Four to prove that this team is truly back as one of the premier programs in the nation. This Elite Eight appearance is a great accomplishment for this team, but a Final Four secures it’s spot amongst Kentucky history and a permanent spot in the memories of Big Blue Nation.

In a society where we want what we want when we want it, a UK Final Four appearance is well overdue. Kentucky fans wanted it, well, twelve years ago. But in this new world of instant gratification, Kentucky will be ecstatic to take this Final Four RIGHT NOW.

I tip my hat to the Ohio State Buckeyes. They played like a Final Four team, even though the record books will not indicate that achievement. The record books will say a Sweet Sixteen finish for the Buckeyes, but we know Ohio State wasn’t upset by a lesser team and certainly weren’t overrated.

We will all look back at this game, and although on paper it was a sweet sixteen game, we all know different. This was the caliber of teams, atmosphere, and quality of basketball that needed to be on display next weekend. The Buckeyes’ finish isn’t nearly as indicative of the strength and quality of their team. The Buckeyes were the biggest victim of the poor decisions of the selection committee.

I suspect Kentucky fans are just really excited about a great win! I’m all for a little ribbing of the other team. Kentucky won fair and square, so BBN celebrate a great win. But don’t discredit the amazing job the Cats did last night by saying they beat an overrated team. That statement doesn’t do last night’s game justice. This Ohio State team was every bit deserving of a number one seed. What the Buckeyes didn’t deserve was running into a four seed of Kentucky’s quality this early in the tournament. Go Big Blue! Survive and advance.

8 ) Kentucky hasn’t turned the ball over more than 11 times since the Tennessee game on February 8. Kentucky is taking good care of the ball, and has become very efficient on offense. Ohio State forces 15 turnovers per game. While they cause a lot of turnovers, the Buckeyes have feasted on teams with poor ball control. Kentucky will not give the Buckeyes an advantage on points after turnovers like Ohio State has had in previous games this year.

7) Ohio State turned the ball over 18 times at Purdue in one of their only two losses on the season. For the Cats to win tonight, they will need to apply full court pressure and get Ohio State out of a rhythm.  If the Cats can force turnovers and gain a couple of extra possessions, things will swing very quickly in the Cats’ favor.

6) Kentucky has a ton of talent, and while I admit that Ohio State has had the better team throughout the year, I believe it will be difficult for Ohio State to match up with Kentucky. Not the other way around. Josh Harrellson on Sullinger is the one area where the Buckeyes have the advantage. But I believe Harrellson can play well in this matchup. If you are Ohio State, who stops Brandon Knight? Who guards Terrence Jones? I believe that Ohio State will have much more difficulty containing Kentucky in individual matchups then vice versa. Kentucky will take advantage of the mismatches, while I think Ohio State will struggle to find its offense.

5) Ohio State hasn’t played an extremely high level of competition. By RPI standards, Kentucky is the best team Ohio State has played all year. Ohio State has only played three different teams in the RPI top 20 – Florida, Wisconsin, and Purdue. Ohio State won @ Florida, vs Wisconsin, and vs Purdue, however lost @ Purdue and @ Wisconsin. The Buckeyes are 3-2 against RPI top 20 competition. To be fair, Ohio State is also the highest ranked team Kentucky has played according to RPI. Kentucky has, however, played 6 teams and are 5-3 against RPI top 20, including winning its last 3 against the best of the best. Kentucky is battle tested with a significantly stronger strength of schedule and it will payoff tonight.

4) Kentucky has not been in a situation where they are the underdog often, and I believe the Cats will respond with the effort and energy they have lacked in far too many games against inferior competition. Nobody believes Ohio State is inferior. Kentucky players don’t believe that either, and they will come out ready to play. Kentucky may shock many “experts” in the basketball world, but it won’t be a shock to the Big Blue Nation when Kentucky wins tonight against Ohio State. The Cats don’t get an opportunity to play the underdog often, and Calipari will use it to his advantage this week.

3) Ohio State  shot lights out in recent blowouts of Wisconsin (14-15), UTSA (12-24), and George Mason (16-26) shooting over 50% from 3 point land. The last UK opponent to shoot over 50% from 3 was Mississippi State (54.5%) on February 15. While Ohio State leads the nation in 3 point percentage at 42.4%, the last UK opponent to shoot over 40% from beyond the arc was Florida (42.1) on February 26. In other words, Kentucky has tightened up its 3 point defense and I don’t think Ohio State will shoot that well tonight. I think the Buckeyes need to be red hot to beat Kentucky, and I don’t see that happening with the length of Kentucky’s perimeter defenders and the plan to guard Sullinger one on one in the post.

2) Ohio State is not a dominate rebounding team. Kentucky is significantly better (37.6 to 34.5). The Cats were outrebounded in 4 of its losses. Kentucky outrebounded Arkansas and Ole Miss even though losing both in close games on the road, and tied in rebounding margin @ Florida and @ Vanderbilt. Typically, when Kentucky rebounds well, the Cats win. And Kentucky is the better rebounding team tonight.

1) The #1 reason Kentucky wins tonight is because we’re Kentucky. And well, they’re not.

There’s no doubt it will be a good game. However, tonight belongs to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Revenge is sweet. Oh, and then there’s this…