We're going home! Cat's are Final 4 Bound!

It's been since 1998 but we've finally gotten back to our rightful home! No I don't mean we are going back to Wildcat Lodge or "going home" like 64 other teams are doing. We're going home to the Final 4. After yesterday's big win over North Carolina, The Cats are going back to the Final 4. It's been much too long but fear not, we're back! Let me thank you John Calipari, Josh Harrellson, Deandre Liggins, and Darius Miller. Let me thank you Brandon Knight, Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones. Let me thank you Jon Hood, Stacey Poole, Jarrod Polson, and Eloy Vargas. Let me thank you Enes Kanter!

I would have been on this blog long before tonight but I have been too busy celebrating. Forgive me but I'm sure my fellow BBN brothers and sisters understand. How awesome is this feeling? Not only did we make it back to the Final 4, we made it against every odd stacked in front of us. Let's take a look at the odds we overcame.

1. Daniel Orton and Eric Bledsoe: First of all, I am more than happy for them. They are living a dream but nobody figured we would have lost them to the NBA. Those were two building blocks for our future.
2. The NCAA and their unjust ruling that made Enes Kanter ineligible.
3. Depth: This is pretty much a repeat of the first two. Our 6 man rotation said screw it and got us there anyway.
4. Road Games: It seemed that we couldn't win on the road. Nevermind that.
5. 4 seed: Sure we struggled but we finished strong. A 4 seed, let alone the worst 4 seed in which was paired up with the overall #1? Oh well, UK took care of that.
6. East Region: How hard was our road to the Final 4? Princeton gave us a nailbiter, West Virginia was tough, Ohio State was the best team in America, and North Carolina was one of the hottest second semester teams in America. I guess it takes being The King of College basketball to overcome that.

All of that was worth every bit of the complaining that we rightfully did leading up until the clock hit zeroes yesterday. Myself and a friend made the trip to Lexington last night to greet the team as they arrived at Bluegrass Field. Let me tell you, it was surreal. I was there in 1998 after UK knocked off Duke and I think this knocked that experience out of the park. Just seeing the awe on the faces of our Cats was enough to send chill bumps up your spine. 

The best part of last night was the thousands of fans who joined us at the airport. Nevermind the fact it was cold as a December day. Fans were out there for hours just waiting. We had people in trees, people on top of cars, people on shoulders all to get a glimpse of The Wildcats. What other team would have fans show up like that? I can only think of one and that is the BIG BLUE NATION. 

We've had our time to celebrate but the mission is by no means complete. There are two games left before the ultimate goal is reached. Connecticut is a heck of a team led by one of the best, if not the best player in the nation in Kemba Walker. We saw them in Maui and got our tails handed to us. However, this is a different Wildcat team. Josh Harrellson had yet to come into his own. Our Freshmen were a week into their careers, and we were likely still feeling sorry for ourselves because we had a feeling on what would be the eventual fate with the Kanter ruling. The mountain is still a tall one to climb but I cannot help but think this team has a destiny. Coach Cal's "Refuse To Lose" slogan cannot ring more true that it is right now.

This week is going to be a week of nerves, confidence, doubt, confusion, joy, and worry but come Saturday night around 12 am, we could be punching our ticket to face Butler or VCU for our 8th National Title. Step back for a moment and think about that...(Did it sink in?) IF we knock of UConn, you have to love our chances despite the amazing runs made in March by the Rams and Bulldogs.

Let me just leave you with this. March Madness is full of upsets, the unthinkable, and great stories. That's March though! The Final 4 is in April. Throw the Madness out the door. There is one team that will be in Houston that has been to the Final 4 more than all 3 teams combined. This is our ground! This is our territory! There is going to be an invasion and "The Big Blue Nation" will be taking over. If the team thought last night at the Airport was crazy and were taken back by all of the love, they will not have a clue as to what will take place if "The Payback Cats" land with #8 in hand. GET READY!