The scene at the U.C.
The Tribune sent reporter Luis Arroyave to the United Center to report on the sights and sounds of the NCAA Tournament. Arroyave witnessed the fall of the Badgers on Sunday. See his full report on the games at chicagosports.com.
1:30 p.m.
I’m back at the United Center for second-round games. The place is about half-full, pretty impressive considering how many Wisconsin fans are here the day after St. Patrick’s Day. I’m not convinced half of them slept last night.
1:57 p.m.
The crowd is still filling in. Wisconsin’s defense must have been stuck in traffic because it just showed up too. If you had to guess which players on the Badgers have tattoos, would you ever guess Jason Chappell? That tattoo looks more out of place than Harrison Ford’s earring. UNLV’s Kevin Kruger is now 0-for-11 on 3-pointers in the tournament. I’m not even sure why anyone still is guarding him.
2:18 p.m.
He’s done it! Kevin Kruger has actually done it! He hit a 3. Do you believe in miracles? Yes! The icing is that Kevin made his only 3 when he was fouled. That’ll teach the Badgers to guard him.
2:31 p.m.
UNLV’s band just played songs by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Jimi Hendrix. Wisconsin’s band played Stevie Wonder. I know the bands are dressed like they’re in their 40s, but does their song selection have to reflect that too?
2:38 p.m.
I spoke too soon. UNLV’s band just played OutKast’s “I Like The Way You Move,” Usher’s “Yeah” and Ludacris’ “Move Bitch.” Niiiiice.
3:19 p.m.
As expected, Wisconsin has come back in the second half to make it a game. I walked around the United Center at the beginning of the half and couldn’t believe how tan Kansas students are. You’d think they go to school at Florida State. Judging by the lack of tans on Wisconsin fans, you’d think they went to school in Alaska.
3:35 p.m.
There are 39.2 seconds left in this one, and UNLV is up 3. That means we can expect bench players bouncing up and down, locking arms, chewing on towels–all the good stuff you’d expect from a neck-and-neck tournament game. Will the United Center see its first buzzer-beater of the tournament?
3:40 p.m.
Guess not–UNLV 74, Wisconsin 68. The U.C. awaits Kansas and Kentucky.
3:51 p.m.
Wisconsin had some pretty high expectations coming in. Until recently, they were considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. That’s part of the reason the Wisconsin band is sitting in silence. They may not be playing any music, but a minute after the game ended, Daughtry’s “It’s Not Over” hit the speakers. Unfortunately for Wisconsin, it is over.
