LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — One of the most anticipated college basketball games of the year has almost arrived right here in Lexington. More than 20,000 fans are expected to file into Rupp Arena tonight to witness the old coach square off against the new.

Thousands more will be spread throughout the city watching in groups because, for many people, this is just not the type of game you want to watch alone.

One place that expects to be full of energy is Banners on Boston Road.

“When the schedule released, we were looking at this, and we saw Feb. 1, Saturday night, 9 p.m., Arkansas at UK. I was like, yeah, we’re going to have to go all hands on deck that night,” said Kyle Hicks, a bar manager at Banners.

Hicks said games like this call for early preparation with extra food and service.

“When we see that we have a bigger event going on, we will bump our orders up, whether it is food or, alcohol and spirits and we went ahead and did that this week,” said Hicks.

Marc Miller enjoys watching the Wildcats at Banners; he said the atmosphere is always a good one and knows this game will be over the top.

“It’s going to be exciting, everybody; the atmosphere is going to be great, and Kentucky is going to get the big W,” said Miller.

Sgt. Guy Miller with the Lexington Police Department said their job will be to help UK police with traffic control outside of the arena.

“We will have officers out there on traffic control points and intersections, and we just ask people in their vehicles, pedestrians, just to follow their direction,” said Sgt. Miller.

Sgt. Miller said it’s important for people to be mindful of their surroundings and call for help if they need it. The game will end late, and if the Wildcats win, the celebrations could go well into the morning.