10 things to know about Wisconsin fans

1. They are traveling en masse from the Dairy State — it's not that far of a drive — so you'd better have on hand plenty of cheese curds and butter burgers.

2. Badgers fans could break out in a polka at any given moment. Clear the aisles.

3. Where there is parking, there is tailgating. Where there is tailgating, there are brats. Where there are brats, there is beer. It's a Wisconsin law of nature.

4. You will not find a more entertaining band than the one the UW will bring to the Final Four. Its "Fifth Quarter" performances after football games are legendary. Expect band members to be loud, proud, talented — and a little crazy. The band's rendition of "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight" at the start of each half will bring Badgers fans to their feet.

5. Defying current pop culture, Wisconsin fans dig Neil Diamond's 1969 hit "Sweet Caroline" and will put their own words to virtually any song. Example: They will substitute the word "Wisconsin" in place of "Budweiser" at the end of the brewery's jingle, as in: "When you say Wisconsin, you've said it all." Blame the band.

6. The University of Wisconsin System may face a $300 million budget cut. Expect some fans to be a tad cranky.

7. Even without a red shirt, Badgers fans will be recognized — they will be the only ones wearing shorts. You see, to these fans, temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s mean summer has arrived.

8. Being a Badgers fan has always been cool. Just ask 10-year Wisconsin resident Aaron Rodgers and his girlfriend, Olivia Munn. Ashley Judd will be slightly jealous.

9. Badgers fans don't just go to the game. A red wave of students and alumni will begin invading Indianapolis on Thursday. They also from time to time will have roundtables on the Green Bay Packers. Entering a city that recognizes great football, that is a given.

10. At the end of the game, win or lose, Badgers fans will sing "Varsity," chant "U-Rah-Rah Wisconsin," applaud both teams for a job well-done — and then vow to do this again next year.

Michael Juley is a 1973 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and recently retired from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He attended the 2000 Final Four in Indianapolis when the Badgers lost to Michigan State. Follow him on Twitter at @hofnerbass.