SAN ANTONIO - Seeing University of Kentucky fans at the Final Four is getting as common as fancy hats at the Derby, though Saturday's semifinal game against Stanford University nearly made the Wildcats a beaten horse.
UK avoided that fate, coming from behind to beat the Cardinal 86-85 in overtime.
''It was a torturous one,'' said Paducah's Alan Sims, one of the thousands of nerve-wracked UK fans at the game.
The Wildcats advance to Monday's championship game, their third consecutive and 10th overall in 13 Final Four appearances. Despite the repetition of tradition, the games haven't lost their luster for the Big Blue faithful.
''It's expected almost,'' said 19-year-old Andy Carter, a Lexington resident who plays for Cincinnati Bible College. ''It's getting to the point now where people make their (Final Four) reservations preseason. We accept nothing but a national championship anymore.'' He and his sister Jenny, a UK and former Cincinnati student, drove all the way from Lexington, arriving an hour before the game. Afterward, Mr. Carter said he knew the Cats could win even though they were down. During the game, he wasn't so confident.
''I didn't drive this far just to watch them get beat,'' he said. The UK team that has been criticized for lacking NBA talent had help from stars in the stands, like country musician Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown.
''I've come here to see Kentucky win this,'' he said.
Mr. Miller said he wasn't trying to cut into the air time of UK's most famous fan, actress and Kentucky native Ashley Judd, who caught the nation's attention last week with her revealing dress.
''I wear underwear,'' Mr. Miller said. ''You can write that down.''
The Final Four is still new for many fans who expect their team to be there with or without them.
''I never though I would ever get to come to a Final Four,'' said Joanne Asmanes of Knoxville, Tenn. Although she lives in the home of the rival University of Tennessee, Mrs. Asmanes is a Hyden, Ky. native and big Cat fan.
''Kentucky never gets old with me,'' she said. ''It's one of the greatest states and it's the best basketball you'll ever see.'' Mrs. Asmanes and her husband, Arthur, are a happily married odd couple. He's from Knoxville, Tenn., the home of his beloved Volunteers.
They had a tiff about 10 years ago when he got a little excited that Tennessee's basketball team beat UK.
''We didn't talk for two days because after the game he was yelling,'' she said. ''I never will forget that. I just cried.''
They've made up nicely, and the two walked around San Antonio wearing their respective schools' colors and drawing looks from surprised UK fans.
''We always get a lot of comments on it,'' Mr. Asmanes said.
''I have to keep quiet most of the time,'' he said.
''Especially during basketball season,'' she said.
Although they briefly thought about heading to Kansas City for the womens' Final Four, she had won mens' tickets in an NCAA lottery. ''I won out,'' she said.
Both are devoted sports fans. She's seen every UK-Tennessee football game since 1956. They've been to 14 Vols bowl games. But this is their first Final Four.
''The town itself makes it special,'' Mr. Asmanes said. ''I can't imagine it being better than San Antonio.''
''It almost feels like we're in Lexington,'' said Harrodsburg's Steve Horn, a first-time Final Four visitor.
Union native Marianne Smith Edge said she's hoping she can claim a national championship during her year as the alumni association's president. But three home game losses had her doubting.
''I really probably didn't think a couple months ago I'd be in San Antonio,'' said Mrs. Smith Edge, who now lives in Owensboro. During an alumni pep rally, a mariachi band played the UK fight song.
''The only mariachi band that plays 'Go Big Blue,' '' said Joe Burch, a Covington native and UK vice president.
Georgetown's Kim Hutton, who is at his second championship, is happy to be in San Antonio after battling the cold of Indianapolis last year.
''It never gets old,'' he said, ''especially when you've got a chance to win.''
The biggest question of the weekend was how many people would fall into the San Antonio River. The city's Riverwalk is a collection of shops, restaurants and bars where everyone - including baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax on Friday night - hangs out. The sidewalks on either side of the river are only a few feet wide.
One fan went ankle-deep in the water Friday night, Mr. Horn said, claiming the person was a North Carolina fan.
''That's how they got that tar on their heel,'' said Jack Hollin of Prospect.
Mr. Hutton hadn't seen anyone in the water as of Saturday afternoon, but expected they might be before UK leaves town.
''They'll feel like they can walk on water if we win,'' Mr. Hutton said. ''Maybe (UK coach) Tubby (Smith) will jump in.''
Today's NCAA coverage
Utah-Kentucky unlikely final
Kentucky 86, Stanford 85
All Stanford was missing was Sheppard Paul Daugherty column
Sheppard saves day for UK
Turner happy to get the win
UK victory thrills fans
UK Notes
Utah 65, North Carolina 59
Miller stops Heels in tracks
Final Four jinx gets Williams
Utah/UNC Notes
NCAA coverage from Associated Press
