as with any lose and go home format (i figured one and done format might conjure up other thoughts) there is reason to be concern. one of the concerns that i stated earlier (that there might be pressure on the players to beat a die hard rival) was lessened as i realized the rivalry was between fans NOT the players. As if to drive that thought home, it appears the UK and UL players are friends in some cases. See:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/kentucky-louisville-players-rivals-court-close-friends-off-225630230.html

Hat tip: http://kybasketball.blogspot.com/

Doron Lamb went to dinner in NOLA with Russ Smith

Siva used to spend the night at TJ's house after AAU games

AD and Blackshear are "close as brothers"

To me there is only one conclusion: All the rivalry pressure is on the fans and not the players. Don't get me wrong, the players are pushing to beat their friends but I believe that is a positive motivation, not a negative one.