The Battle for the Bluegrass

Who could have guessed that the first Gryphem blog post in weeks would be about sports?  Not Mariners or Orioles baseball, either!  It kind of boggles the mind - but here it is.  Even this baseball fan with little time for basketball under ordinary circumstances is ripped and ready, because these are not ordinary times in the world of NCAA sports.

In case you missed it, the biggest Final Four matchup in NCAA basketball history (in my humble opinion) is about to take place.  I have been waiting for this Final Four matchup since 1980, when I moved to Louisville the year they won it all, and more so since 1998, when I won $100 in my bracket by picking Kentucky as Final Four champion.

One sports website put it this way: “The NCAA Tournament has provided a perfect Final Four scenario with the biggest rivalry in college hoops -- Kentucky vs. Louisville -- taking center stage.” 

This game will pit two of the best NCAA basketball schools ever against each other.  Kentucky & Louisville combined have as many Final Four wins as the other great interstate NCAA basketball rivalry, Duke and North Carolina.  Even when UK and UL meet in a regular season matchup, the state of Kentucky erupts into internecine rivalry.  This “Battle for the Bluegrass” will be one for the ages.

Kentucky & Louisville will meet in the semifinal game and play for the right to move on to the final against either Kansas or Ohio State.  Kentucky is a huge favorite, which will make it all the more exciting when my team, underdog Louisville, wins and moves on.  If, however, Kentucky does manage to hold off the Cinderella Cardinals, I will mourn for about one minute before I change my red Louisville shirt for a blue Kentucky one and get ready for the Wildcats to dominate in the big game.  I can’t lose.

Even though I am not normally a big basketball fan - Even though I will be on the road in an interesting new place – Even though I will be dealing with pressing obligations close at hand, I will be watching.  This game is big enough to overcome all obstacles.  In fact, there will not be a bigger NCAA basketball game in your lifetime – unless and until Stetson University makes an appearance in the Final Four, of course.

The game will be on CBS, on Saturday, March 31, at 6:00 PM.



 

 Cardinals Rule!



Wildcats aren't bad, either.