Oklahoma is prepping for a deafening Rupp Arena, but will fans answer the bell?

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a second. Rupp Arena is legendary, but it isn't always loud. There are nights when the "Lower Level" energy feels more like a golf match than a basketball game. But there are also nights when the noise is absolutely deafening, like the record-setting 126.4 dB roar against Kansas back in 2017.

Oklahoma isn't banking on the quiet version. In fact, Porter Moser and the Sooners are preparing as if they are walking into a jet engine.

Simulated chaos

The evidence came from an unlikely source: The Oklahoma baseball team. Yesterday, while Oklahoma was having its baseball media days, reporters could hear the basketball team blaring noise from the basketball practice gym.

The Sooners were blasting simulated crowd noise at full volume, trying to replicate the communication issues they expect to face tonight at Rupp.

You can hear the artificial roar in the background of this clip:

Oklahoma presents a real trap game danger

Oklahoma is clearly taking the environment seriously, and Big Blue Nation needs to match that energy. There is no reason for Rupp to be quiet tonight. This has all the makings of a dangerous "trap game."

Coming off the massive, emotional upset win over Arkansas, the Cats have momentum with 6 wins in 7. But a Wednesday night game at 9:00 PM, against a desperate Oklahoma team willing to swing with everything they have, is exactly where teams slip up.

The Sooners are practicing for the 2017 version of Rupp Arena. They are expecting the 126.4 decibel version, the one that set that record.

If they walk into a sleepy, quiet arena instead, they will settle in and make this a long night. You don't want to let a desperate team hang around.

Kentucky needs the win to keep the ball rolling, but they might need the fans to wake up and answer the bell to get it.