I was in Lake Orion Michigan for Easter with family. Decided early Sunday morning to attend the Purdue game with brothers and spouses. Wow, glad I did as I've not been to a NCAA tournament game before.
OBSERVATIONS
Boiler Up.
OBSERVATIONS
- Purdue outnumbered UT fans 10:1.
- LCA holds 20K and 65%-75% Purdue fans present, it really was Mackey North.
- Purdue fans were easily louder and drowned out UT's band and cheering section.
- Purdue vs. UT cheerleader head to head challenge during a break had Purdue winning...a sign of greater things to come.
- Little Ceasars Arena (LCA) not a bad place for a game, similar to Indy's Gainbridge fieldhouse.
- Could not be happier for CMP and former players and coaches.
- Jumbotron showed Jaden Ivey in a suite at the game and the Purdue crowd went nuts cheering.
- Recognizing and honoring Gene Keady post-game was special.
- Someone said Rick Mount was there in Purdue-Hawaii themed shirts.
- UT has some fine looking individuals.
- Going to a game takes WAY MORE energy than watching from home, I think man hands are bruised from clapping and high-fiving people.
- Nothing builds community faster than a win, people were hugging and high-fivi g strangers, "Boiler Up" could be heard as expressions of greetings/departures.
- Lack of replays made it hard to determine fouls or not--but man did it look like Loyer and Edey were hacked on every trip to the rim.
- Post-games tears amoung the coaches, players, and folks like Robbie Humnel made it real.
- All SWA flights from IND to Arizona were sold out as of 10p last night.
- Neat experience with family on Easter day, a day so uniquely special for Believers and non-believers alike.
Boiler Up.
