Forty minutes
Forty minutes is all we have left with this team.
This has been a whirlwind of a season. From Big Blue Madness to today, it’s like we’ve all been strapped on a roller coaster, unable to get off, no matter how nauseous we got. Belly-flipping highs (Kansas, UNC, Louisville, and Vandy) were met with lurching lows (Bloomington, SEC Championship), but I don’t want it to stop. The last week may have been the most stressful of my life, but you couldn’t pry it from my clammy sweaty hands if you tried. For all the drama, build-up and sleepless nights, it’s finally here. We’ve been encouraging you guys to stop and smell the roses for the past month or so, but tonight, it’s more important than ever.
When the ball is tipped on that odd green court in New Orleans, it will be the last time this group of Wildcats play together. It will be the last time we see an Anthony Davis auto-lob, a Doron Lamb three goggle, a Terrence Jones mini-flex, and Darius Miller’s heroics, all in one place. My heart can’t handle it, but it may be the last time we see Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in a Kentucky uniform, wearing it in a way that would make Adolph Rupp proud.
Win or not, this squad will go down as one of the best in Kentucky history, which is remarkable considering we’ve only known some of them for a year.
Forty minutes until all the speculation is over, the critics are silenced, and the Cats take their rightful place on the throne of college basketball.
Forty minutes until the couches in Lexington clutch their cushions and quiver.
Forty minutes until fourteen years of waiting is over.
Forty minutes until glory.
Go Big Blue.
55 Comments for Forty minutes
great post! so true….
2nd?
Ditto what #1 said!!!
GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and screw being first!!! leave that for the cats!
Goosebumps
Great post!! Can’t wait for tonight!
40 minutes to be heroic
Tyler is 2/2 for the William Wallace-esque motivational speeches. So pumped!
Well, when you put it like that, I’m just gonna lose it right here …
LOVE MY WILDCATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think I just cried..
Can’t wait for tonight. I seriously hope this staff has put together a highlight reel of the entire season’s best moments. Every dunk, every steal, every block, every 3 pointer made. Let the boys watch the video 20 minutes before they take the court and then unleash them. Cal will unleash this team and tell them to go have fun and play tonight. Cats win going away and Banner #8 is coming home to a 24,000+ arena near you. GO BIG BLUE!!!
very nice Ms. TT
Can you imagine if they all got together after a win tonight and pulled an announcement like Noah, Horford and Brewer did at Florida after their first NC?
40 minutes til im off work and wont feel as guilty about being on ksr all day.
ditto 13.
Win or lose, I love this team. They are winners and have given us one wonderful season to follow them.
Beautifully written, Tyler…the only thing missing is your catchphrase:
“We got this”
13 & 14. Me too.
I shouldn’t have read this post. Now i’ll never finish the work I have no my desk before 5 pm!
Where is lamb going?
I’m an emotional wreck!
Does anyone have some extra nerve pills?
Cant get One Shining Moment out of my head!!!!
This is one season that I never wanted to end. I hope for a final act they they play their best, and show the world how special this team is. Go Big Blue!!!
Anybody in Winston-Salem NC want to watch the game somewhere?
We didn’t think the excitement from Coach Cal’s first year could be matched. These kids did it! This has been an awesome year, win or lose… but we’re winning it all!!! How exciting is THAT???
I barely remember 1978. Mostly because my older cousin was really into them then. I got my first taste in ’96, nearly again in ’97, and then again in ’98. This feels like we’re on one of “those” runs again!
WE’RE BACK, BABEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
To quote an old bluegrass song, “Now she’s gone and I don’t worry, ‘cuz I’m sittin’ on top of the world!!!”
Go Anthony INTIMIDAVIS!!!!!
Great post, TT.
This team still needs a nickname.
How about “THE UNBELIEVABLES”
or
“THE UNDENIABLES”
Perfect post, Ms. TT. I love this team! I’m so pumped/anxious/excited/nervous/emotional right now! GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
dumbass cuse fans on twitter talking smack at me and tweeting at noel that cuse averages 33k a game. idiots.
the ball is tipped….and there you are…….
Let’s get on with it!! Been a long day!! GO CATS!!
gonna miss these guys, they are excellent young men on and off the court,,LETS DO THIS!
Where I live it is perfectly acceptable to burn things….as long as it is on your own property. Sadly, Juan cannot afford to burn his only couch.
Thanks TT, second time you’ve made me cry today… Can’t WAIT til 8!
I am from Dayton Ohio and am traveling down to Lexington to watch the game. Anyone know of the best place to go tonight?
31. Don’t worry about ‘Cuse fans. With or without Noel UK will be great next year. #InCalWeTrust
God, I can’t believe this is the last game 🙁 Its been such a great year! I couldn’t imagine my first year at UK being any better than this. Its a surreal feeling! Go Cats! Lets get this done!
Ditto to #30! GO BIG BLUE!!
I think I speak for all True Blue Fans here… I’ve stood a foot away from my T.V, yelling and screaming. Cheering and Cursing. Every single game, every single year…for FOURTEEN years. Impatiently waiting to reclaim our rightful place atop that mountain. It’s Finally here.
I Deserve this! You Deserve this! John Calipari Deserves this! MKG Deserves this! Darius Miller Deserves this! KENTUCKY Deserves this!
YOU’VE ALREADY MADE US PROUD BOYS. NOW ETCH YOUR NAME IN HISTORY! BRING BACK 8!!!
#GoCats #WeAreUK #OneMoreGame
Great post! Win or lose, I don’t think I am going to be very productive at work tomorrow. And I know I am going to smell of Four Roses.
Mrs. Thompson, this was a great post!! One of your best!!
It will be a close game tonight, but it will be a great one!!
Go cats!!!
Our Wildcats and Ms. Tyler Thompson – EXCELLENCE!!!!!!!!!!
24. Pick a place. I’m in. I live downtown so I don’t know much about bars located elsewhere.
Ditto. #41, Ditto. LOVE THIS TEAM! gO CATS!
45, how about Ole Staleys’s off Reynalda. Great TVs, cheap beer, and I feel like there could some UK fans there. I’ll be the one wearing blue
deal. see ya there. Goggles up!!!
Ms.TT, Thanks for your unique contibutions and the enjoyment that reading your work has added to this season.
Wow…..I just teared up. Very nicely said.
One of the more beautiful posts I’ve ever read on KSR.
“Forty minutes until the couches in Lexington clutch their cushions and quiver.” Tyler T, you’ve got a way with words.
MKG is killing himself in that photo trying to keep Davis from shouting whatever…LOL
This about made me cry……what a great column……CATS!!!!!
Good Lord! Our time has come! Go Cats! Go Cal! Go UK!