Attendance tonight will determine the future of the Louisville game
By Paul Jordan
Is a sell-out necessary to continue the Freedom Hall games for the Kentucky Wildcats? I know that Tyler touched on it in the nightcap last night, but this seems to be the big thing to watch in the news. With the outcome against UALR virtually a given, the attendance count may be the most important stat:
"“People got to come to it and make it something they want us to do,” Calipari said.But the annual date could disappear if interest continues to wane. The average attendance for the past six games Kentucky has hosted at Freedom Hall is just 13,770 in the 18,865-seat arena. Kentucky is averaging 23,317 fans at Rupp Arena this season.“Little Rock at home, there (would) be 24,000 people there —- here in Lexington,” Calipari said. “We want to continue to do it, we want to reach out to our fans and get everybody an opportunity. This is an opportunity for people that are not season ticket holders.“Can’t get to a game? Here’s a game. Let’s go. Get in there to see them.”"
I admit, I live in Florida and I am a bit removed from the situation, but I think Kentucky fans in Louisville need to step up. I’ve mocked the Florida Gators for playing in half empty arenas across the state of Florida, but we know that there are enough UK fans to fill Freedom Hall several times over. So put your butts in the seats tonight and maybe the level of opponent will improve in the future. It’s your move, Louisville Cats.
The Louisville game served as the national coming out party for one Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and I have to say no player deserves it more. I could literally make the whole “morning five” a tribute to MKG but I will settle for this one today:
"1. I’D TAKE MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST OVER ANY PLAYER IN AMERICASome people told me I was crazy when I made that statement prior to Kentucky’s win over Louisville on Saturday but when you watch “MKG” play, it’s tough not to see why he’s more valuable than anyone else in college basketball. Whether it’s a tip in on the offensive glass or a taking a charge in the paint, everything Kidd-Gilchrist does affects one thing — winning. In the Wildcats 69-62 win over the Cardinals on Saturday, the freshman wing tallied 24 points and 19 rebounds while shining brighter than any other player in a game that was loaded with star power. It’s amazing to think that John Calipari welcomed back three starters from last year’s team that reached the Final Four last season in Terrence Jones, Doron Lamb, and Darius Miller and Kentucky’s two best players are two freshmen — Kidd-Gilchrist and Anthony Davis."
The Boogie Cousins drama continues in Sacramento. Adding to the “he said/he said” feel of the story, this statement by Cousins was released by Boogie’s agent:
"“I want to address my missing the New Orleans game Sunday. I have not demanded or requested a trade. I don’t agree with the actions taken but will give my sincere effort to put it behind me and compete the best I can for my team.”"
And that is pretty much where we stand. Cousins Twitter account was silent yesterday and reports say that Cousins is back with the Kings on their rad trip to Memphis and Denver. There are stories out now that suggest this Sacramento situation is far from resolved and that Boogie is not the only disgruntled player:
"Cousins, 21, is hardly the only disgruntled player of the three-year Westphal Era. Kevin Martin, Omri Casspi, Carl Landry and Samuel Dalembert expressed similar trade desires during their own Kings tenures, though none apparently took their requests directly to the coach. Additionally, Westphal’s one-game sitdown of Spencer Hawes in Feb., 2009, for publicly stating confusion about his role still seems like a gross overreaction."
Patrick Patterson weighed in on the Boogie situation and seems to think that the issues should reflect not on Cousins, but the situation in Sacramento. And it seems Patterson would love to be reunited with Boogie via a trade. That. would. be. AWESOME.
Unlike Rick Pitino, John Calipari does meet with the press before the game. Here is Calipari talking a bit about the Louisville game and tonight’s UALR game at Freedom Hall: