"I just love the Badgers!" Bucky's fans flood Kohl Center to send team off to Final Four in Indianapolis

MADISON (WITI) -- Fans, players and Coach Bo Ryan are pumped up! We're just three days away from the Badgers big Final Four matchup with the Kentucky Wildcats, and on this Wednesday, April 1st, fans gathered to send the team off to Indianapolis.

As the gates opened, hundreds flooded the area surrounding the Kohl Center to show their support for the Badgers.

"I just love the Badgers -- and I'm here to support them -- get the team pumped up for a win over Kentucky," a Badgers fan said.

There was hardly an empty seat as the winningest team in Wisconsin basketball history hit the court.

The team is making it second consecutive trip to the Final Four -- something that's happening for the first time in school history!

The #1 seed Wisconsin Badgers will face #1 Kentucky at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday, April 4th. Tip-off is set for 7:49 p.m.

"Final score? 81-76 Badgers. High-scoring game," a Badgers fan said.

For players like Josh Gasser, the pep-rally wasn't just about energizing the fans -- it was about revving up the team.

"The support is unbelievable.  I don't think you guys realize how much you mean to us," Gasser said.

The excitement over the Badgers got Mallory Levenhagen and her family to drive 15 hours from Virginia for the pep rally!

"I was born here and lived in Illinois for a little bit and we moved down to Virginia. I think we can do it.  I believe in them," Levenhagen said.

When the rally came to an end, the team hopped on the bus and headed north on Lake Street. They then hit State Street, wrapped around the Capitol Square and East Washington Avenue before heading directly to the airport.