by Paul Jordan
The eyes of college basketball are on Rupp Arena this morning as ESPN’s Gameday is in the building. Like most of you, I am tuned in, and I will share some of my thoughts as the hour progresses in something of a “running commentary”. Enjoy my random thoughts …. and GO CATS.
Found it interesting that in the pre-show Jay Bilas said he thought that the top four seeds were already locked up. Interesting analysis and definitely good news for UK. We still need to win out though.
11:01AM – Rupp looks packed and rowdy. It’s insane that there are 24,0000 people there for this. Digger seems to have jumped back on the UK bandwagon after a couple of yars of snide asides. Hubert Davis says that “nobody does it like Kentucky” not even UNC.
11:07 – The first Cousins “is a beast” comment, but Diger thinks that Wall is the most important freshman for UK. Hubert says the main reason UK is where there are now is that they have bought into the team concept. Jay Bilas says that defense is what will lead UK to the national title.
11:09 – Digger says that if forced to choose, he would rather coach Kansas over Kentucky.
11:10 – Erin Andrews talks about “the view” from the upper deck at Rupp. No comment. Awkward moment when Erin talks about the view of the back of Digger’s head. A comment is made that viewing a game at Rupp “should be on your bucket list.” I agree. Wall to appear in a moment.
Picture courtesy of Kentucky Sports Network
11:16 – “UNC needs three wins for 2000 — it’s debatable when they will get it” LOL
11:19 – Huge boos when story on Pitino and Pat Forde mentioned. But there are a few cheers when Pitino’s jersey shown in rafters. Just a little love for Rick. Very little.
11:20 – Louisville gets cheers for mentioned “being out of the NCAA” right now
11:23 – Crowd gets bored when analysts are talking about UConn/Syracuse. Starts random chants
11:24 – Calipari emerges from the bowels of Rupp in his black UK sweat suit.
11:30 – Rupp crowd measured at 140 decibels. Insane. Too bad we can’t get the “GameDay” crowd actually in for the home games.
11:31 – Boos greet the notion that the season is starting to wear on Wall. ESPN launches into a Wall package.
11:34 – Good package on Wall and the John Wall dance. Cal promises that everyone will do the Wall dance if UK wins the title. Wonder who is going to be taking credit for starting the John Wall dance (again) soon?
11:35 – Live interview on Cal wearing glasses. He says that his focus with Wall will be on defense the rest of the way. Calipari launches into praise of 15th ranked women’s team. I love this guy.
11:38 – Cal deflect South Carolina loss from Wall and places it on himself. Cal understates “We are a pretty good team”. Cal says he got a “stack of mail” after the South Carolina game but did not get a “For Sale” sign in his yard.
11:41 – Kenny “Sky” Walker gets some air time in his black UK2K shirt but he declines to demonstrate his dunking ability.
11:46 – Hubert says Cousins is best big man in America. Duh.
11:50 – Can the UK fan pull off the halfcourt shot? Gonna be insane if he does.
11:55 – He misses terribly, but ges a thousand bucks.
11:57 – Coach K gets a Happy Birthday “Boo” from the Rupp crowd
11:58 – For some reason, ESPN revisits the South Carolina loss
11:59 – Bilas says UK is the best offensive rebounding team in the SEC. All three anchors pick UK to win. Hubert brings the crowd to a crescendo by doing the “John Wall dance”, then Bilas follows. Good stuff.
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