Hardest Day of the Year

[Tampa_cat54]

Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

I love Butler.

 

[ORCAT10]

I understand.
My oldest daughter was born in 1990. I got the watch the Pitino and Tubby years with her. 96 and 98 were magical. 97 broke my heart.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Worst part is we gotta wait 7 months for Kentucky basketball again

 

[JimBR]

I love Butler.

Me too. Played his behind off tonight.

 

[ORCAT10]

Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.

Well said.

 

[UK67KU59]

Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.

 

[FitchandMurray29]

Worst part is we gotta wait 7 months for Kentucky basketball again

The portal moving so fast due to this house settlement is going to make for a very weird week or two.

 

[Tampa_cat54]

Worst part is we gotta wait 7 months for Kentucky basketball again

That is BY FAR the worst part. Such a big part of our lives just gone, and we have to wait 7 months to see it again

 

[kybloo92]

I really feel bad for Butler. Played his ass off with a banged up shoulder. He will be missed. This is the hardest part of College Basketball. Getting invested into a team, have high hopes and it comes to a sudden end in a win or go home single-elimination Tournament.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

That is BY FAR the worst part. Such a big part of our lives just gone, and we have to wait 7 months to see it again

Atleast we have Kentucky football

 

[Tampa_cat54]

Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.

Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

The portal moving so fast due to this house settlement is going to make for a very weird week or two.

Yeah I think we will for sure have another player or 2 added next week

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.

I see Luka maye in public it’s a punch to the face

 

[BCD]

UK basketball is a family tradition. I learned to cuss from my Grandma watching Gimel Martinez. I passed that on to my grandson watching Garrison at times.

 

[UK67KU59]

Biggest meltdown I ever had as a kid was the '05 loss to Sparty. End of an era with Hayes, etc., thought for sure that team was going to win it all, and when they lost that night, I was inconsolable. Don't think I spoke to my family (or anyone for that matter) for 2 days.

That one was brutal! That was a great team and Hayes is a legend.

 

[Bluesbrother]

Me too. Played his behind off tonight.

... considering also that he had some tough injuries this season. I feel bad for the kid but so glad he is a part of our UK family now.

 

[ukcatz12]

That is BY FAR the worst part. Such a big part of our lives just gone, and we have to wait 7 months to see it again

I think it's even worse this year because almost everyone's a senior. It was an awesome group of guys on the team this year and if we could look forward to running it back with the majority of them next year it would be a little easier.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

Butler crying makes me want to do the same.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Atleast we have Kentucky football

Yeah let's bash football

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

What sucks is next year finals four is in Indianapolis and that damn city is cursed for us

 

[seccats04]

That is BY FAR the worst part. Such a big part of our lives just gone, and we have to wait 7 months to see it again

It’s just now getting warm. We won’t have another game until it’s cold again. This sucks.

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Yeah let's bash football

Bud they went 4-8 last year, have an even harder schedule and still have stoops as coach. If you have expectations for football that’s on you

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Bud they went 4-8 last year, have an even harder schedule and still have stoops as coach. If you have expectations for football that’s on you

I do have expectations. I thought that was part of being a fan.

 

[yes_takeaside]

You’ll survive. This one is actually an easy one. This was not a possible title team. Absolutely reached their ceiling with Jax going down.

And the loss was not one where a play or two made the difference

First Sweet 16 in 6 years so the previous 5 were easily worse.

If CMP could get this far with a short roster you have to like the Cats’ future

 

[darkshadesofblue]

Butler will always be a fan favorite. Wish him success wherever he goes or whatever path he chooses

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I do have expectations. I thought that was part of being a fan.

Then that’s on you. As long as stoops is coach Kentucky football is what it is. But that’s a topic for another day. This is basketball

 

[BBNinSC]

I’ll be right there waiting to start in November just as I have for many seasons now. I’m lucky to be born into the BBN. Go 2025-2026 Cats!

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Then that’s on you. As long as stoops is coach Kentucky football is what it is. But that’s a topic for another day. This is basketball

Someone else brought up football not me. I'm just saying to not denigrate other UK sports--especially one of the "big 2"

 

[Catluv]

View embedded media

Thanks Carr for your clutch plays against duke!! We probably wouldn’t have beat them without your play against them!!

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

Someone else brought up football not me. I'm just saying to not denigrate other UK sports--especially one of the "big 2"

I brought up football because they are going to be bad again and we have to wait 7 dang months for basketball

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

I brought up football because they are going to be bad again and we have to wait 7 dang months for basketball

SMH. Just don't slam football then. You don't want ppl here slamming our bb team.

 

[Kyhoward]

Trying not to be emotional, but I can't overstate how hard this day is every year.

I (along with so many of you) spend my days and nights so invested in this team. I listen to all of the podcasts, I live on this board, every single week I just count down the hours until the next game, and I live and die by every outcome every night.

This particular team helped get me through 2 hurricanes, multiple moves, career hardships and lots of sleepless nights.

It's my heart and soul for 4 months.

I think back to that feeling I had when we beat Duke...I slept maybe 2 hours that night because I was so juiced about the season ahead.

Seems like that was just yesterday.

And then you blink and it's all over.

This was the first season I got to watch with my son, who was born last year- the only time he was allowed to "watch" TV was when the Cats were on. The beginning of a journey that I hope he and I are on together for the next 40+ years.

I loved this group so much, and this picture of Lamont encapsulates how I feel every year when the season comes to an end, but this year it hits a little harder.

Great post Tampa Cat. I echo your sentiments.
These guys will be remembered by me as the 21st century Unforgettables! No supersta
A very special group of coaches and players that bonded so fast and well to become a TEAM.

Think this is always a hard day every year.

A lot of B players on the roster that are A+ guys. They were huge for the culture of this Pope program getting developed and that will be remembered much more than tonight.

Great synopsis. We had good “B” players that are “A” superstar human beings. I think of them as the 21sr century Unforgettables. Not many were wanted by big schools but they overcame their talent deficit with big hearts. Truly an unforgettable TEAM!

 

[Fox2monk]

Yeah, today sucks. But proud of Pope’s first season. We have a lot to look forward to.

My son just went to bed crying. This is really his first year where he gets it and was invested. He wanted to win a championship with Butler on the team, and is devastated it’s over.

I feel him, I remember going to bed crying the night we lost in 1997, Epps was a hero that night and didn’t go out the way he should have either.

 

[AJG-15]

Pope’ s job as a healer was masterful.., he healed BBN for. The Cal’s years…. Offered the illusion that we are going to win big,,,, his healing of player’s emotions also great……

He will need 3 more years to build a program….hopefully during this time he will also learn and improve.

 

[Fox2monk]

Great post Tampa Cat. I echo your sentiments.
These guys will be remembered by me as the 21st century Unforgettables! No supersta
A very special group of coaches and players that bonded so fast and well to become a TEAM.

Great synopsis. We had good “B” players that are “A” superstar human beings. I think of them as the 21sr century Unforgettables. Not many were wanted by big schools but they overcame their talent deficit with big hearts. Truly an unforgettable TEAM!

I agree this team was a group of unforgettables.

 

[MegaBlue05]

This is the worst day of the sports season unless it ends with a championship.

Does anyone else have levels of grief?

For example, the tournament losses in 1995, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2017, 2019 kept me up all night replaying things that could've gone differently in my head and I would generally be upset for days. (I have blocked 2022 and 2024 from memory)

Other years, say 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2016 or 2023 were disappointing but I went on with life as normal the next day.

This year is somewhere in between those. Tonight's game sucked, but I liked these guys and will miss them.

 

[ABLCommenter]

I know they get paid now, but damn it hurts so more than when one of my pro teams’ seasons end.