Pre-Game Jitters

It's a little less than an hour to tip-off in the KU/UK game, and I'm a little nervous.

The last few times we've played Kuntucky, we've been underdogs. Playing the role of spoiler has always seemed to help propel KU over-the-top when playing a perennial powerhouse. I can't recall the last time we played one of the other "legacy" schools when we were actually favored to win.

On paper, KU's got this one in the bag. But you should never underestimate the motivational power of the survival instinct. And Kuntucky's Tubby Smith has all the pressure in the world on him to motivate his team to play well today. How hard his players play this afternoon should provide a pretty good indication of how "on board" they are with him remaining their coach. If they take a dive, they may be playing for someone else next year. It's ridiculous (and I actually don't like it), but it could happen.

I'm also hoping KU didn't leave everything they had on the floor Friday night. The starters, and the core of the team should be fairly well rested since they didn't play after the 6 minute mark of the Viagara game. But you have to be a little concerned that after the elation of a blow-out first round game, there's a pretty good chance the Jayhawks will come into this game feeling a little cocky, and could potentially force the action at times. Especially when you consider that Wright and Collins will be playing in front of another hometown crowd (as was evident by Wright jacking-up some wild-ass shots on Friday night).

Here's to an extremely competitive, hard fought game this afternoon... and to hoping that the good guys win (and that Ashely Judd gets some prime camera time spilling out some crocodile tears).