What would you to see in the Rupp Arena Renovation?

The process is mind-numbingly slow, but since we are getting a new-ish Commonwealth Stadium, we can only assume that the Rupp Arena Renovation will occur eventually as well. Apparently the plans are according to schedule, but Jim Gray and the city of Lexington want to get YOUR input as to what you want to see in the Rupp Arena renovation.

"Gray is asking fans to complete a fan-experience survey online at ruppdistrict.com and to attend a public meeting Jan. 8 from 6-7 p.m. at the downtown Hyatt Regency Ballroom. The Wildcats open their SEC schedule against Mississippi State next door at Rupp that same night at 8. The meeting is “to talk a little about plans for Rupp, but most importantly to hear from fans … what kinds of changes would they like to see inside the arena?” Gray said in a news release. Susan Straub, director of communications for the mayor, said no major announcements about the Rupp renovation will be made at the meeting, but architects will be on hand to discuss some of their ideas. NBBJ, a national firm which recently redesigned UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, was chosen in July to create the design."

I guess this means that the much rumored “RUSS Arena” will never happen, although Russ Smith did leave enough bricks on the court to aid in the renovation.

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

The UK basketball team is in the middle of a rare 10 day off period after the Louisville game and the BBN is anxious to see if the same UK team that beat UL emerges from the break. James Young, who was the MVP of that game says that his team has regained focus and will continue to fight and play hard.

"“Once we get tired too, our focus is just everywhere, we’re probably paying attention to the crowd or what the other player’s doing instead of us just being ourselves. We’re working on it,” said Young. They are also working on playing with more effort, especially after coach John Calipari said before the game that the Cardinals played with more energy than UK. “It just really he wants us to go as hard as we can. We can sustain this for the whole game. We’ve just got to work on it a little bit more. I feel like during the season, as it goes on, you guys are going to see it a lot more,” Young said. “We just wanted to show people that we could really play with each other. “From here on out, we’re just going to be a real good team, just going to fight the whole game and not just take quarters off and plays off; just keep fighting.”"

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of who stays and goes in Lexington next year, Kentucky is getting some serious scoring help in the form of Devin Booker.  Bookers high school efforts have been legendary.  

"Booker stands 26 points away from 2,000 in his career, which would place him among just a handful of Tigers to achieve that milestone. The 6-foot-5 Kentucky signee has 1,974 points in 73 games since transferring to Moss Point prior to his sophomore year, an average of just over 27 points per outing. David Booker, shown here playing for Tulane against Southern Miss in 2010, holds the all-time Moss Point scoring record with 2,251 points from 2002-06. Booker is also closing in on the Tigers’ career mark of 2,251, held by David Booker (no relation) from 2002-06. David Booker — who went on to play at Charlotte and Tulane — broke the long-standing Moss Point record of 2,220 set by future Georgia and NBA point guard Litterial Green from 1985-88. Devin Booker averaged 22.8 points in 31 games as a sophomore in 2011-12 and 29.7 in 28 games as a junior last season, when he was named Mississippi’s Gatorade Player of the Year. He’s upped his scoring output as a senior, currently averaging 31.1 points in 14 games for Moss Point this season."