It has returned. The sensation has returned. More than 21,000 Kentucky basketball fans flocked to Rupp Arena on Saturday to witness the Wildcats play the Florida Gators in the SEC opener between two AP top-10 teams, despite the game starting at 11 a.m. BBN did not simply appear. It got to its feet. It raised the decibel level.
When the Cats went behind by 11 points in the first half, it gave the home team a boost. Over large baskets, it hummed. The referees were shaken.
The Cats defeated the Gators 106-100 in a fantastic college basketball game, which was joyfully applauded. “I’ve been doing this for thirty years,” Dan Shulman, a play-by-play commentator for ESPN, wrote on X. At Rupp for Kentucky-Florida, I can think of only one instance where the atmosphere and the game were as good as they were today. The finest of college basketball
Here’s the thing: During Pope’s welcoming home press conference at Rupp Arena last April, I wrote that Kentucky fans wanted their program back after 15 years of John Calipari, both good and bad. Pope wants to offer it to them as well. Pope was a captain on the UK’s 1996 national championship team.
And he’s succeeded. Pope has demonstrated awe, gratitude, and excitement for his work and for Kentucky basketball in his first nine months on the job, which has been aptly characterized in many quarters as a welcome change. BBN has addressed that.
On Saturday, there was simply a different vibe in that building. You found yourself nodding in agreement when Brian Milam of WKYT told the UK coach during the postgame press conference that the mood reminded him of Pope’s playing days thirty years ago. Pope replied, “There is simply nowhere like it.
BBN was absurd tonight. How much fun was it to be at that gym, really? It was quite unique. “I thought the crowd’s and my teammates’ enthusiasm kind of got me going.”
They will have to continue. The SEC is the top collegiate basketball league, in case you haven’t heard. It’s not even close, either. The 18-game conference schedule for this year will be a test of both beauty and ruthlessness.
Pope remarked, “We are discovering how enjoyable this is. I believe that the fact that we only get to do this 17 more times (during the regular season) is the most overwhelming thing for us.
You had best hold serve at home if you want to survive the 18. While traveling, you might be able to grab a victory here and there, but you must defend your home court.
There are just nine SEC home games available. With 10 of the 16 league teams presently ranking in the AP Top 25, you had better make every one matter.
On Saturday, Kentucky held a serve. Bravo, Florida. Walter Clayton scored thirty-three points. Alijah Martin, a teammate, contributed 26. Todd Golden, the coach of Florida, is skilled at offensive planning. The Gators performed well. The cats were superior.
In addition to Lamont Butler’s eight assists, Otega Oweh’s explosive bursts, and Koby Brea’s career-high seven 3-pointers, Kentucky’s six turnovers were the stat that most caught my attention. In terms of turnover %, the UK leads the country.
These felines are adept at keeping the basketball safe. That was another thing that caught my attention on Saturday. Both Florida and Kentucky are seasoned squads. The sport has aged due to NIL, the transfer site, and the additional year of eligibility brought about by COVID.
Additionally, more experienced players have produced a superior product. Veterans who are proficient in the game are replacing one-and-dones who are still learning how to play it.
It has also been refreshing. Some games will be lost by Kentucky. And it’s alright. When Pope mentioned that the SEC this year reminds him of his NBA days, when you played a great team almost every night, he wasn’t joking.
There will be fluctuations. When you win large, don’t get too excited. There’s another formidable foe in store. After a loss, try not to feel too depressed.
There is yet another fantastic opportunity. Having a significant home court advantage is beneficial. That Saturday was enjoyable for Kentucky. You sensed it.
