Over 120 decibels rocked Rupp when the new record was set
There’s a running conversation in Lexington about Rupp Arena and its atmosphere. Fans and media alike often argue it isn’t as loud or intimidating as it should be given Kentucky’s stature in college basketball. There are lots of reasons for that, you can read about some of those reasons here. But there was one night when Rupp silenced the critics — or rather, deafened them.
On that night, with a representative from the Guinness Book of World Records in attendance, Rupp Arena set a world record for the loudest indoor crowd cheer. The decibel level hit 126.4 just before tipoff of the Wildcats’ clash with Kansas. The roar was deafening, a moment that confirmed the Big Blue Nation could, at least for one night, turn its home court into the loudest building in basketball.
Unfortunately, the decibels didn’t equal victory. Kentucky would go on to lose 79–73 to Kansas after being outscored by 11 in the second half. It was a frustrating result, given the energy poured into that pregame moment.
That Kansas team was loaded. The Jayhawks’ starting five featured Josh Jackson, Frank Mason III, Devonte’ Graham, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Landen Lucas. Off the bench, they had Lagerald Vick and Mitch Lightfoot. Mason poured in 21 points, while Jackson added 20 with 10 rebounds. The Jayhawks shot 50% from the field, surviving the storm in Rupp to leave with a statement win. To see highlights of the game click here.
Kentucky, meanwhile, got 18 from Malik Monk, 18 more from Derek Willis off the bench, and 12 from Isaiah Briscoe, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Kansas’ balance. Bam Adebayo battled on the glass with eight rebounds, but foul trouble limited Kentucky’s interior control.
Still, the night is remembered less for the box score and more for the history. Rupp Arena etched itself into the record books, a reminder of the passion that lies within Big Blue Nation when the stakes are high. The Wildcats may have lost the game, but they left behind a mark no one else could claim: the loudest crowd in indoor sports history. Funnily enough it lasted only a month, when Kansas broke the record again.