Solid Blue fans react to Elite Eight loss

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)- About a hundred people were at the Bluegrass Airport Sunday night to welcome home the Cats from Memphis after a tough loss in the Elite Eight.

Players and coaches waved to fans as they deplaned and boarded buses back to campus.

The celebration at the airport is where the party moved after it finished up earlier Sunday evening on State Street.

With minutes left in the game, police in riot gear took positions on State Street. Fans screamed with excitement as Kentucky pulled ahead towards the end, but then an eerie silence set in when it dawned on fans their team had lost.

Slowly, a crowd did gather on State, but fans were much calmer than on Friday. Police zero arrests and only two people taken to the hospital.

Some fans still lit small fires and tossed glass bottles onto the street in anger.

Occasionally, chants of “bring out the couch” broke out. That was when fans were not cursing at UNC.

Despite the loss, some students were still enjoying themselves, while others were in tears.

“I really thought we had a chance and it just went really badly. I really wish we win. I live right down the street on State Street and I just really wish we’d win,” Kate Marshall, a sophomore, said.

“We were all ready all day waiting for this party and now, just to celebrate. It’s the best school in the nation and now, we’re all together here so it’s still a good time,” Lilly Bradley, a freshman, said.

One student said he was not satisfied with how the referees called the game. Still, he said you cannot blame that for the loss.

Most of the fans ABC 36 spoke with said they are still proud of their team.