The Five Stages of Grief for Big Blue Nation
By Alex Jensen
As the 2016-17 college basketball season comes to an end, it’s time for fans to self-reflect.
The Big Blue Nation handles defeat in different ways. Some of us go on with our daily lives unfazed. Others may break household items due to their inability to hold back anger. Very small, disappointing portions of our fan base contact referees and players via social media to display their anger. No matter the fan, we all grieve the end of the Kentucky basketball season in our own ways.
Stage 1: Anger
As Luke Maye hit the winning shot with three tenths of a second left on the clock, a lot of us started the grieving process right then and there. Remotes, televisions, and furniture fell victim to our anger. Family members and friends contemplated whether to console or not to console. I think I speak for all of Big Blue Nation by saying, “Please give us some space after such a defeat.”
It is important to channel your anger in a productive way. After an NCAA tournament defeat, my brother and I would go to a local outside court to play basketball for hours. In order to get to stage 2, you must find distractions and move on.
Stage 2: Blame
Once we get to stage two, whom do we blame for our team’s season ending prematurely? The Elite Eight matchup between Kentucky and North Carolina featured some of the worst calls or non-calls that I have ever seen. Kentucky was lucky to find themselves down only five points going into halftime. The second half had significantly fewer whistles, and the Cats were able to see many stars on both teams play to their potential. But the game did not end in favor of the Wildcats.
Many fans took to social media to blame referee John Higgins for what they thought was a horribly called game. I cannot stress this enough: BBN, please do not do this. Even with questionable calls, we still had a chance. If anyone deserves blame it is me. I wrote the piece on Isaac Humphries solidifying wins whenever he scored. If you decide to blame someone, use it as cooler-talk at work. Do not take your opinions to social media.
Stage 3: Hope
The moment our team is defeated in the tournament, I immediately root against all rivals and blue-blood programs such as North Carolina, Kansas, Duke, Louisville, and UCLA. The only scenario worse than North Carolina even being in the championship game would be if North Carolina were playing Duke in the Championship. Kentucky is college basketball and I do not want any other program legitimizing their claims of being top dog.
At this stage, it is all about hope. I have hope that I will still have a job tomorrow. I have hope that I will continue to write about Kentucky sports. I have hope that North Carolina will not be the next NCAA men’s basketball champion.
Stage 4: Transferring Fandom to Other Teams
When you arrive at this stage, it is time to move on to another team. Kentucky fans can see ex-Kentucky players on virtually every NBA team, spring football for our Wildcats is around the corner, Kentucky Baseball (21-7) is in full force, and Major League baseball just started. Kentucky players are dominating the NBA in stats, not wins. Success may come later for pros Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as the young former Cats playing for the Suns. The recruiting success, roster, and coaching upgrades are reasons to be excited about Kentucky football. Sorry Reds fans. It looks like they are destined for another mediocre season, but that does not mean you cannot be optimistic about the young roster.
The Big Blue Nation waits for September 2, when Kentucky football kicks off another season. Please, for the sake of all your friends and loved ones, channel your enthusiasm by cheering on another team.
Stage 5: Acceptance
It has been a long journey to this moment. This is the most productive stage of all the stages. Accept that the season is over and there is nothing you can do to change it. We have another talented crop of freshmen coming to Lexington, key players returning, and the best coach in the country.
Just know that Kentucky is college basketball. Kentucky has found themselves on the better end of some college basketball moments, but lately found themselves on the wrong end. That is what happens when you are on the cusp of winning it all year after year.
Next: Ranking the Top Five Kentucky Players to Wear No. 5
Currently, I am somewhere between stages three and four. Nearly a week removed from Kentucky’s loss to North Carolina, what stage are you in? Do not lie to yourself, Big Blue Nation. Your grief is valid.
Go Cats!