We're Loyal to You, Illinois

Flatbread fold-ups with spicy pork and teriyaki chicken

Because the first game of the Continental Tire Main Event at T-Mobile Arena didn't tip off until late in the afternoon, we took it easy this morning. After sharing a small breakfast across the bridge at Aloha Specialities, we both had some luck at the blackjack tables. Yay!

Having pre-paid for event parking at Park MGM, we decided to take advantage of it and drive down to the arena a bit early. We took the tram over to The Shops at Crystals and walked the rest of the way to the Cosmopolitan for a late lunch. Since we didn't have time (or reservations) for Momofuku, we opted for its walk-up cousin, Bāng Bar, instead. Yum!

We picked up some cookies from Milk Bar, too. They were good, but because they were pre-packaged, it seemed too corporate/franchisey to me. Then we headed back to T-Mobile Arena to watch the Baylor-Virginia game.

This was the first game for #16 Virginia following the campus shooting of three football players last weekend. Baylor was ranked #5 coming into the game, but they didn't really play very well, trailing by as many as 22 points. Some questionable calls didn't help either. I was actually more entertained seeing how much orange there was in the arena and hearing chants of "I-L-L!" and "I-N-I!" during a game where Illinois wasn't even playing. Final score:  86-79, Virginia.

Only some of the orange in the right corner belongs to Virginia

It's too bad that the boys couldn't come with us to Vegas, because this could have been an epic family showdown! But unfortunately Working Bruin (M) didn't have enough vacation time and Student Bruin (J) had midterms. Even though we will root for UCLA on most occasions out of parental duty, today was definitely *NOT* one of those times.

UCLA may get our money, but they don't get our love!

The #19 Illini started the game with an early lead, but they were plagued by turnovers in the first half and went into the locker room down by 9 to the #8 Bruins. That deficit grew to 15 points in the first two minutes of 2nd half. But Illinois turned on the defensive pressure and went on a 22-6 run to take the lead, which they never relinquished. Final score: Illinois 79, UCLA 70. 

With so many Illinois fans in the crowd, it felt just like a home game! When they started to make their comeback, the atmosphere was absolutely electric! Even the non-Illini people sitting around us were pretty friendly and fun to chat with during both games. Watching the obnoxiously drunk UCLA guy a couple rows in front of us get the boot from security added some extra entertainment value, too.

What a great game to watch in person! 

We're loyal to you, Illinois

We're Orange and Blue, Illinois

We'll back you to stand

'Gainst the best in the land,

For we know you have sand, Illinois,

Rah! Rah!

So crack out that ball, Illinois

We're backing you all, Illinois

Our team is our fame-protector,

On! boys, for we expect a

Victory from you, Illinois.

Che-he, Che−ha, Che−ha−ha−ha! Che−he, Che−ha, Che−ha−ha−ha!

Illinois! Illinois! Illinois!

Fling out that dear old flag of Orange and Blue

Lead on your sons and daughters, fighting for you,

Like men of old, on giants placing reliance, shouting defiance-

Oskee wow-wow!

Amid the broad green fields that nourish our land,

For honest Labor and for Learning we stand,

And unto thee we pledge our heart and hand,

Dear Alma Mater, Illinois.