Kentucky Wildcat Basketball: Balance is restored to the force

As a third generation Wildcat faithful, yesterday’s game in Knoxville seemed to restore balance to all of Kentucky basketball and its rich tradition for a day. Not only were the outcomes of the men’s and women’s games consistent with what I have grown to expect as a UK fan against Tennessee, but the experience as whole was also on par. From the atmosphere in Studio 54 (hat tip to Cawood Ledford), to our player’s performance, all was right in the world of the Big Blue Nation when I returned from Rocky Top last night.

Despite all Coach Bruce Pearl’s efforts, Tennessee is, and will always be, football country for men’s athletics. As I first sat down in my seat, I couldn’t help but notice that the vast majority of banners hanging in the rafters that celebrated the women’s basketball team. Most of the retired jerseys also belonged to women’s players. As if this wasn’t indicative enough of which basketball team was revered in Knoxville, the hardwood itself was named after the women’s coach. The large orange script letters bearing the name “Pat Summit” also reminded me of how much I appreciate Rupp Arena, and that Kentucky is basketball country.

Regardless of our record, when the Kentucky Wildcats come to Thompson Boling, Tennessee’s players and fans get flustered. Even though the Cats came into town with a 1 – 6 road record, the big orange managed to sell all available tickets. Each seat in the arena came fully equipped with a correctional-facility-orange hat. Scotty Hopson (Kentucky native) even wrote the student body in the school paper this week, imploring them to come out and support the team. After watching his body (and oral) language on the court, I don’t think Hopson’s pre-game anxiety ever subsided. As the tension in the stands was also at an all time high, it felt good to know that the sight of blue still sent the big orange into panic mode.

Tennessee basketball fans never appear to have a great understanding of the game, especially fouls. On Sunday, the fan base again demonstrated how much they know football,  and how little they know basketball. I will say that this years officiating in the SEC has been very inconsistent. However, I was amazed at how the big orange fans could not grasp what was allowable body contact on the defensive end. Without exception, every time the zebra blew his whistle against Tennessee, the sea of orange came out of their seats in protest. The height of the absurdity came toward the end of the game when Melvin Goins almost knocked Brandon Knight into the scores table after arriving at a loose ball too late. Every fan in the building stood up
screaming that Knight voluntarily stepped out of bounds (of course not in those words).

The Kentucky Wildcats are dangerous from three point land. As much as I miss last years players, I am so excited about this team’s ability to shoot the three ball. With our long history of great three point shooters, it was almost nostalgic to see Knight, Miller and Lamb dismantling Tennessee from sniper range. Over the years I have grown quite fond of being able to hang our hats on the shoulders of folks like Farmer, Ford, and Delk,. As I watched Darius Miller shoot his second three point dagger into the heart of orange pride, I couldn’t help but think of Jody Meeks hanging 54 points in here, and how traumatic that must have been for their fans.

There are many great traditions in college sports, but the rival between Kentucky and Tennessee is truly special. There are only two teams (Louisville and Duke) that I enjoy beating more than Tennessee each year. Yesterday’s game reminded me once again why I follow this team so passionately even during tumultuous seasons. It was nice to see balance restored to the  force just for one day.

Kentucky wins, Tennessee fans are bitter, deadly three point shooting,  sell out crowd, hostile environment, and gutsy performance by the Cats. Even poetic justice was served at half time when Tennessee revealed that their newest addition to a narrow group of retired men’s basketball jerseys belonged to Kentucky native Allen Houston.

With the SEC tournament just around the corner, this day could not have come at a better time. GO BLUE!

William A Ellis is the newest member of Wildcat Blue Nation. 

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