I love basketball...especially UK basketball. It is the one sport that Daddy always watched and so we watched as well. Then I was a middle school cheerleader and hence basketball is one of the few sports that I actually understand.
In the past few years, I've experienced basketball burnout. Coaching a dance team means attending a lot of basketball games but I'm always monitoring the girls and can't really enjoy the game much. Then I went to an ABA game here in town. I forgot how much I love just watching a basketball game without being "coach". Couple that with UK's breathtaking resurgence--thank you, Coach Cal---and I am highly enjoying March Madness.
However, when it comes to the University of Kentucky, folks must remember something--UK fans are crazy. We accept this about ourselves.
We believe that we should win every game and if we don't, we want the situation addressed immediately and a help wanted sign posted on the side of Rupp Arena.
If a rival team beats us, we hate them.
If they beat us in a title game, in controversial fashion or in a way that will make us relive it every single year during the tournament--UAB 2004; Duke 1992.--then we really hate them for-ev-er.
Like elephants, Wildcats do not forget.
Granted, it is not like we could anyway. The sports guys like to remind us...often. This year when fellow number 1 Kansas was defeated, the commentators repeatedly brought up that UK/UAB debacle from 04. We do not speak of it and would like it if they would stop speaking of it as well.
Every year, every blessed year, in the video montages during the Final Four, we are forced to relive UK/Duke 92---that blasted last second shot by the player that shall not be named.
Grrr, stop showing that. Surely someone else has a highlight reel moment to overshadow that and erase that moment from the annuals of basketball history.
There is a reason for our fanatical devotion to our team; they've earned. UK is the winningest team in NCAA history. We were the first team to hit 2000 wins.
The team has had ups and downs since the first title but the loyal (albeit crazy) fans remain. From the glory days of Adolf Rupp to Joe B Hall--Eddie Sutton (we don't talk about that either)--Rick Pitnio (have not completely forgiven him for leaving yet)--Tubby Smith (Grrr)--Gillispie--(nope, don't want to talk about that either) and now to Coach Cal and even to the coaches that will follow; Big Blue Nation will always be there--expecting the best and demanding excellence.
Crazy UK Fans--March Madness accurately describes us.
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