Anyone else trying to remain calm?

[NociHTTP]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

 

[TortElvisII]

 

[billoliver40]

In a tourney it's anything can happen. I have hopes, no expectations. Cats are the walking wounded. The season is a success in my mind. It's all gravy from here. Man I love gravy.

 

[JwUKFan11]

Let’s play some basketball. No matter what happens it’s been a hell of a season and we are off to a great start to this new era.

 

[bookerfan66]

We really need a sweet 16.

 

[actionjaksen]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

My biggest concern is the fan base showing up. Will they get there and neutralize some of the stories we have been hearing like 70% Illini crowd?

I can't complain because it's not like I am in Milwaukee. Just earnestly hoping that the mist swarms in today.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

The only thing bad to come out of a loss today is how insufferable Arkansas fans will be for a few days until they lose. We are underdogs for a reason, I have no expectations of winning while Butler is obviously not himself and without Robinson. We were always a team that the sum is greater than its parts but too many parts are banged up too much.

 

[chroix]

I’d love to see this team keep playing. Nervous for that.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

My biggest concern is the fan base showing up. Will they get there and neutralize some of the stories we have been hearing like 70% Illini crowd?

I can't complain because it's not like I am in Milwaukee. Just earnestly hoping that the mist swarms in today.

I imagine a lot of people expect us to lose with how banged up we are and dont want to waste money going to Wisconsin for the game.

 

[NociHTTP]

We really need a sweet 16.

I'd love to see it! Would have to be great for recruiting and portal, too.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

Would love to have another week of games to look forward to. With that being said these games are wars and there's nothing relaxing about watching them. Couldn't tell you the last time we just cruised to a win. Maybe today is just our day and we win. Either way will see yal on the other side as Ozzy would tell us.

 

[anon1751545683]

I think this is where Pope’s calm demeanor pays off.

We won’t be rattled. The moment won’t be too big.

Il will feel pressure. We won’t

I’m very confident we win this game.

We are better than them. We have a better coach than them.

We played a tougher schedule than them.

If we both play our best we win.

Only way we lose is to play bad.

Of course that can happen. But this is our moment.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Honestly not even thinking about our game yet. Too annoyed at uconn somehow winning at present.

 

[noncomposmentis]

I am really anxiety free for an NCAA game. Made me realize, it’s all about expectations. Most of the time for the last 15 years there was a good chance we could go on a run. Which is much more anxiety inducing. I’ve really enjoyed this team, but it’s a shell of what it was. 4 of the top 8 with significant injuries, 2 of them done and a third that is severely limited. Very little chance that team makes a deep run, and in that sense there’s nothing to lose. It’s all icing from here on.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I'm definitely on pins and needles. Seems to be a lot of doom and gloom, as if we don't have a chance by some. I'm definitely worried. I just want one more win so badly.

I keep telling myself when we were going up against Sullinger and OHST we supposedly had no chance. Same in St. Petersburg against Dook and so on. Not that this Illinois team is a super team like those but we are so banged up and it might be like an away game with a team that seems to be hitting their stride at the right time.

It feels like 50-50 to me, but we are overdue. This team, fanbase and coach deserve this one. That doesn't always mean you win, but I sure hope we can pull it off today. It's been a long 5 years, ever since Covid just tourney heartbreak and embarrassment.

God it's just a game so not crazy important in the scheme of things, but please let the BBN get this one today. Let's Go Big Blue!!!

 

[ChicagoCat90]

I was equally nervous for the Duke, Gonzaga, Florida, Tennessee games, so let's play some ball and do what we've proven we can do.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

I’m not anxious, it’s been a great year. Of course I don’t want to see it end…but my head tells me today is a toss up and our chances to beat UT a third time are slim. Probably because I watched them in person on Thursday/Saturday in Rupp. They have turned it up a notch since the last time we beat them.

 

[jeffky]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

Okay here

 

[Bigblueincincy_rivals50458]

Not anxious at all. Like every year I expect a National Championship. If that doesn’t happen life goes on. If it doesn’t happen it’s been a fun year.

 

[MonsterMash79]

The only thing bad to come out of a loss today is how insufferable Arkansas fans will be for a few days until they lose. We are underdogs for a reason, I have no expectations of winning while Butler is obviously not himself and without Robinson. We were always a team that the sum is greater than its parts but too many parts are banged up too much.

Won’t be on here to see it

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

It's nice to have that special feeling back ... it was missing the last few years.

 

[SemperFiCat]

I've definitely been more nervous for a regular season game. I like our chances today. Illinois isn't all that. No better than us. Don't forget the teams we've beat. We'll fight it out.

 

[TheDude73]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

I think the most likely scenario today is that we are average kind of like against Troy and IL plays like they did against Xavier. I don't see this being pretty, unfortunately. But I've resigned myself to being done w/basketball and will be wildly happy to be completely wrong.

 

[TheDude73]

My biggest concern is the fan base showing up. Will they get there and neutralize some of the stories we have been hearing like 70% Illini crowd?

I can't complain because it's not like I am in Milwaukee. Just earnestly hoping that the mist swarms in today.

I doubt it. IL is just down the road, so they'll have more anyway. Especially now that they are facing up against Kentucky (you know, that whole super bowl thing).

This is a Sunday night and UK fans have to go to work tomorrow. They burned their vacation for the SECT, but I bet if we make it to the S16 that next Friday night will be PACKED by BBN.

 

[Yardeth]

Not saying that I’m not jittery about the game but if we lose I won’t think we had a bad year. Win and it is so much extra. I’m happy with our coach, team and posters since have won.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Not anxious at all. Like every year I expect a National Championship. If that doesn’t happen life goes on. If it doesn’t happen it’s been a fun year.

Exactly. It has 0 impact on our real lives. We are all fanatics on here and love UK but in the end its mindless entertainment and just a game.

Hope we win today but unlike you I don't expect a national title this season or certainly not expect it every season. 2019, 2017, 2015 and 2014 based on tourney run were contenders. None won but were contenders.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand_rivals116236]

I’d feel much better if we had a healthy Jaxson Robinson.

 

[bnewt]

Want a win, but don't really expect it with all of the injuries. Having to depend on Perry, Noah and Chandler isn't a good recipe for a win

 

[drew_ukfan_rivals]

I just ate 2 big bowls of beef stew. Tbh, I feel like a nap but I’m here for my cats

 

[Fancatstik]

 

[Caintuk]

I literally rocking on the edge of my seat, both feet tapping and white knuckle clinching each hand. Yep….March Madness and it’s good to get this feeling back

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I t

I'm definitely on pins and needles. Seems to be a lot of doom and gloom, as if we don't have a chance by some. I'm definitely worried. I just want one more win so badly.

I keep telling myself when we were going up against Sullinger and OHST we supposedly had no chance. Same in St. Petersburg against Dook and so on. Not that this Illinois team is a super team like those but we are so banged up and it might be like an away game with a team that seems to be hitting their stride at the right time.

It feels like 50-50 to me, but we are overdue. This team, fanbase and coach deserve this one. That doesn't always mean you win, but I sure hope we can pull it off today. It's been a long 5 years, ever since Covid just tourney heartbreak and embarrassment.

God it's just a game so not crazy important in the scheme of things, but please let the BBN get this one today. Let's Go Big Blue!I

I'm definitely on pins and needles. Seems to be a lot of doom and gloom, as if we don't have a chance by some. I'm definitely worried. I just want one more win so badly.

I keep telling myself when we were going up against Sullinger and OHST we supposedly had no chance. Same in St. Petersburg against Dook and so on. Not that this Illinois team is a super team like those but we are so banged up and it might be like an away game with a team that seems to be hitting their stride at the right time.

It feels like 50-50 to me, but we are overdue. This team, fanbase and coach deserve this one. That doesn't always mean you win, but I sure hope we can pull it off today. It's been a long 5 years, ever since Covid just tourney heartbreak and embarrassment.

God it's just a game so not crazy important in the scheme of things, but please let the BBN get this one today. Let's Go Big Blue!!!

I told you we could do this!!! I wasn't 100 but I knew we needed it and could get it done. Huge win. I love it.

Boat raced them from start to finish.

 

[jeffky]

Doing okay here

 

[bnewt]

Honestly was shaking the entire game

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I t




I told you we could do this!!! I wasn't 100 but I knew we needed it and could get it done. Huge win. I love it.

Boat raced them from start to finish.

 

[Swimcat20]

That was the best tournament game we’ve played in years. Many years. Me I’m thrilled. This was a major hurdle we had overcome. It would not have happened with Calapari.

 

[jeffky]

There are a ton of what ifs going through my head right now about today. Part of me feels like we'll go off from deep and bury Illinois. At other times I worry that Butler will take a hit in just the right (wrong) way to his shoulder. I worry that Pope might feel pressure from Cal going to the Sweet Sixteen and that he needs to match that. On one hand I'm also content, if it makes any sense, that we will immediately be focused on the portal should the season end today. I've been trying to nap to whittle away the hours before game time.

I did it for you nocih this has great MOJO on it

 

[jeffky]

Doing okay here

 

[VikingCat21]

I'm not nervous. Just want us to play a good game and let the chips fall where they may. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.