‘Go Cats!’ UK students react to team heading to Sweet Sixteen

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The University of Kentucky Wildcats are headed to the Sweet Sixteen!

“It was crazy, I was out with my friends and when we watched it everyone just like exploded. It was great, it was a great feeling to win and just like know I was part of the family. It was really awesome,” student Will Monaghan said.

After a win over Illinois, the energy on campus is high and the faith in the Cats is even higher.

“I’m excited for what’s coming forward. First sweet sixteen in a couple of years,” student Chris Buchert said.

It is the Cat’s first Sweet Sixteen since 2019. Kentucky students, even those from Illinois, are standing by their team.

“I’m sorry I had to stand by my school, I like Illinois, but they would be my second choice, but my Cats are on top all the time,” student Kathy Garcia said.

Some of those brackets aren’t doing too bad, either.

“All my brackets, I have UK going all the way,” Monoghan said. “It’s what I want, I want it to happen, so just put it out there and hopefully it does.”

He’s not the only one manifesting future wins.

“We beat Tennessee twice so hopefully they can beat them a third time,” student Angelina Bushnell said.

While many of these students say their exam schedules are preventing them from traveling to Indianapolis, all of them say they’ll be watching the game one way or another.