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Anyone Else Feel No Excitement For March Anymore?

ZaytovenCat

ZaytovenCat

All-American
Apr 25, 2013
23,880
8,400
97
For the first 30 years of my life this was by far my favorite time of the year but over the last 5-7 years, especially the last few, I haven’t felt any excitement for this time of year. In fact, if I feel anything it’s more dread or just sadness. I haven’t filled out brackets in years and I used to print out dozens as soon as they would come out

I figured it was just because we haven’t had a legit shot to win a title in many years but I came across a post on twitter where people are saying the same thing. A lot of them say it’s not the same and not fun following the teams when 80% of the rosters change every year. I guess that could be part of it for me too. Can’t help but wonder if I’d still feel this way even if we were on top after seeing other people’s comments.

 
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BBNUK4Life

BBNUK4Life

Junior
Mar 13, 2026
78
308
53
I played college ball, coached high school, never missed a game and always filled out a bracket. Use to draw my own bracket on poster board lol. Calipari ruined it for me last few years and now Pope has made it miserable. I've always bled blue (still do and always will) but I'm just so uninterested. No bracket for the 1st time since probably 7 or 8 years old. Kentucky basketball made all of college basketball fun but that is gone. It's a shame but it will eventually get back to what it was. Hopefully sooner than later
 
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T

TheAssignment9

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
532
1,219
93
I still get excited.

You’re lying to yourself if you weren’t excited going into 2022 as a 2 seed with the NPOY, 2024 with Reed and Rob and a 3 seed, or 2025 last years group as a 3 seed and top-10 on the committee’s seed list.

Hell, even 2023 I was excited because I felt K-State was super beatable as our 3 seed and then we could get a rematch with Sparty.

I’m not as excited this year as years past but I have still been very excited leading into most of our March brackets.
 
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W

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,323
13,049
113
For the last bunch of years I have pulled out my DVD’s from 96-97 and 98 and watch those games. Cal stole the joy from me and Pope ruined this season. While last year was fun we lost too many games we shouldn’t have and some by big margins. Mark never prepares the team like Rick did when Mark played for him. This weekend I will watch the regional semifinal against Utah in 96. One of my favorite games ever.
 
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L

Legionofdoom96

Senior
Feb 21, 2026
364
411
63
ZaytovenCat said:
For the first 30 years of my life this was by far my favorite time of the year but over the last 5-7 years, especially the last few, I haven’t felt any excitement for this time of year. In fact, if I feel anything it’s more dread or just sadness. I haven’t filled out brackets in years and I used to print out dozens as soon as they would come out

I figured it was just because we haven’t had a legit shot to win a title in many years but I came across a post on twitter where people are saying the same thing. A lot of them say it’s not the same and not fun following the teams when 80% of the rosters change every year. I guess that could be part of it for me too. Can’t help but wonder if I’d still feel this way even if we were on top after seeing other people’s comments.

Click to expand...

Getting older is the answer
 
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KentuckyStout

KentuckyStout

Heisman
Sep 13, 2009
10,612
20,007
65
BBNUK4Life said:
Calipari ruined it for me last few years and now Pope has made it miserable. I've always bled blue (still do and always will) but I'm just so uninterested. No bracket for the 1st time since probably 7 or 8 years old. Kentucky basketball made all of college basketball fun but that is gone. It's a shame but it will eventually get back to what it was. Hopefully sooner than later
Click to expand...

This right here
 
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JASUN74

JASUN74

All-Conference
May 22, 2008
3,133
4,475
73
I check out the second we lose, unfortunately that’s been pretty quick the last few years and this season most everyone even expects us to have a war in our first damn game. It’s a shame where we are right now with us supposed to be the mighty Wildcats. Not a sole on the planet is giving us a shot to make the sweet 16 and we’re closer to a Cinderella than a contender, that shouldn’t be the norm here. With the History, the money spent and everything these professionals have at their disposal, it’s championship or bust.
 
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C

Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
11,699
19,828
103
I still look forward to this time of year but the edge has definitely dropped off some. I’ll be 58 in a month or so. Definitely think cal and his roster turn over and failure to capitalize a few years when he should have contributed to that. Roster turnover fatigue not going anywhere soon and with this years team I’m thankful for that now at least. This sport is definitely more fun when we are relevant (that’s not going to happen under pope).
 
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K

KyKevin

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2021
1,587
2,413
113
Supafuzz75 said:
I can't get into watching other teams play.. I get nothing out of it.. If UK is like they are this year,, I just hope it gets over with quickly..
Click to expand...



Just go bet $25 on games, that will help, and make every team you bet on, YOUR TEAM 😊
 
Artlaibesghost

Artlaibesghost

All-Conference
Nov 30, 2022
923
1,795
93
Last years tourney was fun, we won more games than the last 4 combined. Was nice to see UK still around in 2nd weekend. This year don't have any real expectations just gonna enjoy watching the Cats in the dance. I ask again why do most of the folks on here watch UK basketball, you obviously don't enjoy it.
 
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F

FredmanthecatfanAnon

Senior
Jul 10, 2025
167
432
63
It must suck. To be. Such a negative Nancy.
There are 6 games to be played. You don’t want to watch? I’m sure you can find an episode of Little House on the Prairie.
 
ZaytovenCat

ZaytovenCat

All-American
Apr 25, 2013
23,880
8,400
97
TheAssignment9 said:
I still get excited.

You’re lying to yourself if you weren’t excited going into 2022 as a 2 seed with the NPOY, 2024 with Reed and Rob and a 3 seed, or 2025 last years group as a 3 seed and top-10 on the committee’s seed list.

Hell, even 2023 I was excited because I felt K-State was super beatable as our 3 seed and then we could get a rematch with Sparty.

I’m not as excited this year as years past but I have still been very excited leading into most of our March brackets.
Click to expand...
2022 was the closest I came to being excited. Even then, I had seen Cal choke away so many great chances that I really had no faith that team would do anything. 2024 I had a feeling that whole day something stupid would happen with Oakland. After that it’s going to take winning a title, or at the very least making a final four, before I trust another UK team in March or get excited again.
 
F

FitchandMurray29

All-Conference
Dec 11, 2021
2,389
4,849
61
My excitement for the tournament has went down over the years, separate from UK. My interest is higher though when UK is a 1 or 2 seed
 
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Wildcat4Ever

Wildcat4Ever

Sophomore
Mar 15, 2026
46
108
33
I love Kentucky basketball and always will.If our team could play like Miami did tonight look out cause the Cats could roll.
 
A

AJG-15

All-Conference
Apr 8, 2024
1,898
3,247
78
This the first year that I didn’t fill a bracket…. i will stop filling one until “I know” that UK will win ……

in 2012 I had the finalist and winner correct…..
 
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S

SkyPrince

Senior
Jul 7, 2025
533
900
93
I look at each season as a 33-40 episode reality show and I know I'm down from BB madness until the last second of our tournament run.
I dont like a lot of the changes the game has undergone but not watching is not an option for me.
DVR can definitely lessen the time investment though.
 
2

20MRoster

All-Conference
Nov 16, 2018
661
1,213
88
The most hype time of year for me. Really look forward to going to work on those first Thursdays and Fridays and not doing anything after ~12:30. Now that sports betting is legal in my state, that will just make it even more fun. I'm looking forward to sniping live bets during an overall chaotic time. Hopefully I don't lose too much!

Just absolutely love this time of year.
 
Blue Jesus

Blue Jesus

Senior
Aug 24, 2013
388
543
93
ZaytovenCat said:
For the first 30 years of my life this was by far my favorite time of the year but over the last 5-7 years, especially the last few, I haven’t felt any excitement for this time of year. In fact, if I feel anything it’s more dread or just sadness. I haven’t filled out brackets in years and I used to print out dozens as soon as they would come out

I figured it was just because we haven’t had a legit shot to win a title in many years but I came across a post on twitter where people are saying the same thing. A lot of them say it’s not the same and not fun following the teams when 80% of the rosters change every year. I guess that could be part of it for me too. Can’t help but wonder if I’d still feel this way even if we were on top after seeing other people’s comments.

Click to expand...

Can't relate
 
ZaytovenCat

ZaytovenCat

All-American
Apr 25, 2013
23,880
8,400
97
Artlaibesghost said:
Last years tourney was fun, we won more games than the last 4 combined. Was nice to see UK still around in 2nd weekend. This year don't have any real expectations just gonna enjoy watching the Cats in the dance. I ask again why do most of the folks on here watch UK basketball, you obviously don't enjoy it.
Click to expand...
Well like I’ve said before, I’ve reached the point the last few years where I start out watching every game until they drop 1 or 2 they shouldn’t and then I only watch games the rest of the year that I’m pretty sure UK will win beforehand. If we happen to win a game that I didn’t watch then I might go back and watch the replay. Honestly I probably watch more out of habit now than anything.
 
CoffeeCat

CoffeeCat

Senior
Jul 6, 2025
239
403
63
Why don’t we wait until the outcome of this tournament before reaching our conclusions? Anything can happen.
 
MonsterMash79

MonsterMash79

All-Conference
Apr 12, 2024
1,116
1,701
113
Nah,,. I love it regardless 💪 UK’s down right now, but we’ll be back. I’ll s the tournament! There’s always next year 🤷


or maybe the year after that🤔
 
B

Bleedin Blue in Ohio

Senior
Feb 3, 2013
436
918
93
The 2020/2021 team changed me as a fan. I hated that team. I have never hated a UK team before that season. Then came Sheadon Sharp and now JQ. I love UK basketball, but I have lost some excitement rooting for the players of my team that I had before that team and a few players that showed me they do not love the game, they play the way I love watching the game being played.
 
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Ukdaddy98

Ukdaddy98

Freshman
Jan 15, 2026
29
58
13
I think it’s just getting older to some degree. I’m 50 and seen the decline my own personal interest for years. Life has too much going on to take your time and attention away from it.
Add to that the precipitous decline in UK’s performance over the last several years in postseason play… and this new era of NIL and portal… just not the excitement or connection there used to be.
 
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cawoodsct

cawoodsct

Heisman
Apr 27, 2006
39,826
27,836
102
No excitement. Im interested and will watch but not pumped up like some years past when we had a legit FF threat.
 
MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
10,740
21,047
66
I still get excited. I love the dance.

I am just subdued in years we are mid but also way less nervous than I am where we’re expected to make a run.

2014 was the most fun tournament run of my life because there was no nerves or pressure because we were underdogs in most of those games.
 
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