LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Big Blue Nation has taken over Indianapolis to cheer on the Wildcats in the Sweet 16.
Kentucky fans have a reputation for traveling well, but with a Sweet 16 game in Indianapolis, it is practically a home game for the Wildcats.
Big Blue Nation could be seen throughout downtown Indianapolis Friday ahead of Kentucky’s battle against Tennessee in the Sweet 16.
This is the third matchup between the two teams this season.
“Already beat them twice so we got their names, so we’re coming for them again for a third time,” Lee Riley said.
The stoke is high in Indianapolis.
“Very exciting vibe. I think everyone is excited for the game tonight,” said Spencer Eliott of Martinsville of Indiana.
Several Kentucky fans said their excitement stems from Mark Pope’s impressive first season as head coach.
“I think at this point he’s exceeded expectations and everything from here on out is a plus for the Kentucky fanbase,” Ryan Rice of Greenville, Kentucky, said.
“And Pope being able to put these guys together and make a team and win 22 games, it’s almost unthinkable,” Jim Emmons of Flemingsburg, Kentucky, said.
A third win in the same season against Tennessee would be a showstopper for the Wildcats.
Mark Cornette of Muhlenberg County said it might take something we haven’t seen yet in Kentucky to do that.
“They’ve got to do something special. It’s hard to be anybody three times, even though Alabama done it to us. It’s hard to beat somebody three times,” Cornette said.
Fans said Pope has gone above and beyond any expectation for a new coach.
“It’s amazing. It’s a good foundation for what’s to come and I’m hoping to take it to the championship,” Eliott said.
