Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
Today was the first day I could really feel it. Since the day Calipari was hired, I knew that the Big Blue Nation was excited and I found myself salivating at the possibilities of what was to come for Kentucky basketball. I knew that Kentucky was back and that the next ten years were going to be dynamic for UK basketball and bring the excitment back to my Commonwealth. But today was the first day that I really started to get excited myself. Maybe it was the pictures of the tents, the players interacting with the fans or the random Werewolf guy above, but today was the first day that I really got basketball spirit in my bones.
It is no secret to anyone that reads this blog that I am a Kentucky basketball guy first and foremost. When I was at Duke, lived in DC, studied in England, etc, if you asked anyone to name some tidbit about me, they would have told you that I was obsessed with Kentucky basketball. For these poor people for whom college basketball did not hold its rightful place at the forefront of their daily thoughts, the fact that I could name the starting lineup, NCAA Tournament result and teams defeated for each UK team since 1975, was a source of continued amusement as they collectively shook their hands as my consistent passion. However since I have returned to the Bluegrass state and my daily life has been subsumed in part by this blog, that passion hasnt lessened, but it has been a bit buried beneath the daily grind of making blog posts, yelling at Brian the Intern and angering local media members. I am still a huge fan, but the pseduo-media side of me occasionally makes me forget that passion and it is only on special nights (such as when Jodie went for 54) when I channel my inner child to yell, clap and scream as a fan.
However, today was a bit different. When I was a kid, I used to count down the days until the Cats Pause Yearbook came out with all the UK info buried within it for me to consume….today it came out. As a child, I had a calendar in my room in which I would cross off the days until Midnight Madness and get ready for the season to begin…today I realized we were 16 days until kickoff. And most importantly, I would watch and envy those who were camping out at Memorial Coliseum for tickets and think to myself, “man I wish I could be there so I could catch a glimpse of a player”…and today the pictures came in and that feeling came back again. Today was the first day that made me really feel like college basketball is back…and specifically Kentucky basketball is truly back.
As if we didnt already know, today showcased why Kentucky basketball is great. You have Wildcat Rick first in line for tickets for the 8th year in row and proud of his accomplishment yet again. You have fans and students surrounding the sight of so many of UK’s past glories with tents and a collective celebration to get tickets to what is essentially a glorified practice. You have players embracing the fans in ways that I havent seen in a long time, coming out and playing cornhole, signing autographs and interacting in ways that go beyond just carrying pizza to the masses (as occurred annually at Duke). And you have fans sending me scores of pictures and emails chronicling the event and asking for more to come and join them on site. In no place in America do you get that type of passion for college basketball or just about anything else…and it is exciting to see.
This is going to be a special year. The combination of a new head coach, a tremendous Freshman class, the return of a future UK legend (P-Pat) and a fanbase that is desperate to be on top again makes it certain that this will be a year to remember. I have always known that rationally, but today was the first day I felt it with a passion. There is a reason that literally thousands will end up sleeping on pavement Friday night to get tickets for the big show in two weeks. It is because this is the start of something special and everyone knows it. Over the next six months, we are going to be here to chronicle it and do what we have always tried to accomplish…become a channel for coverage of the team from a fan perspective. In many ways, today started that process. Get excited and if you can at any point make your way to Memorial Coliseum, do it…you will be glad you did.
More all day…..
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Bill Keightley Report : Never to be forgotten.
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September 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Wow, he is SO tall….
October 1st, 2009 at 12:02 am
Maybe it is because I’m 5′5.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:15 am
D-Cuz
October 1st, 2009 at 12:20 am
theres a youtube vid of cousins sinking is first ever cornole bag on his second ever try
October 1st, 2009 at 12:29 am
I wonder what Clyde would have done if he saw the team playing corn hole and interacting with fans. Heaven forbid!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am
#5, something like “Cornhole won’t make you tough! Get back inside.”
October 1st, 2009 at 12:32 am
I was told by someone there that Cousins sucked at cornhole lol.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:33 am
The werewolf guy looks like a monkey to me…
October 1st, 2009 at 12:34 am
Great post! 16 days, now that that sinks in it’ll seem all the longer … Isn’t that Cornelius from Planet of the Apes?
October 1st, 2009 at 1:20 am
Cousins is a monster. I don’t know how else to put it.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:49 am
MATT another interesting article totally mistified about teams destiny greatest feeling since PITINO said ”I don’t want people here thinking of oil or horses but of Kentucky basketball tickets. I want them to be the most precious thing in life some day.”
October 1st, 2009 at 2:06 am
I bet Cal encouraged them to go out there and interact. What a complete 180 — as if we didn’t already know …
October 1st, 2009 at 2:38 am
Great post Matt! I love it!
October 1st, 2009 at 2:45 am
I also used to (and still do) hole up with the Cats Pause yearbook when it first comes out. As a matter of fact, I still have most of them back to when I was a kid and I have a few years on you Matt. I would read every article on the players/coaches and other teams. Then I studied all the locally and nationally ranked high school players plus re-review all the UK and national records. Because of the 24/7 nature of this blog, Cats Pause, and some of the other original fan sites like the old WildcatFaithful.com, most of that stuff is old news by the time it comes out now, but I still look at it.
The other thing I used to look forward to every year was the CJ’s and Sports Illustrated’s college basketball issue. Does any else remember or have a copy of the picture of Winston Bennett and Kenny Walker on the dance floor that appeared in SI in the ’80’s?
October 1st, 2009 at 3:11 am
Matt, this is my favorite article you have ever written. AWESOME!!! GO BIG BLUE!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 3:12 am
Almost forgot, any word on Shelby?
October 1st, 2009 at 3:43 am
I go to UK and was out there all night tonight, i passed football with cousins and harrellson and patterson, they can throw the ball about 55 yards its insane. Just a great night of cornhole, hangin with the bball team and drinkin Kentucky Gentlemen
October 1st, 2009 at 3:56 am
Gilchrist, Teague, Irving, etc. all at Madness … it is going to be riDONKulous.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:08 am
For the first time in four years I will miss Madness.. stuck here at home after graduating, and homesick for Kentucky already. ARRG!
October 1st, 2009 at 6:23 am
Why isn’t Cousins smiling?
October 1st, 2009 at 6:54 am
I earned my Master’s at Kentucky in May of 2007. After graduation, I moved to Dayton, OH. Although I am only 2.5 hours from Louisville (my hometown) seeing these pictures and realizing that I have a wife, kid, job, and responsibilities makes me feel as though I live 5000 miles away. Man, I miss college.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:43 am
Looks like Marc will no longer need to charge for TBK premium, since he’s semi-retired now. I have no problem with Marc moving to Playa & starting a business, I just hate to see UK fan’s support his endeavor, when he’s not providing any real info anymore. His “pipeline of info” too a major hit when BCG & his staff left town.
This from “In the Roo”…
I’ll be there….thanks.
Personally, I don’t need the pay… I’m asking more for the “working musicians” that I’d be using. I’d probably play for free and give my share to the guys who need to make a living as a musician. The joys of being semi retired, I suppose….haha.
mm
October 1st, 2009 at 7:50 am
Does anyone have any friends that work for DishNetwork ? Seems someone is thinking about stealing premium services. Kind of ironic considering that is what he is always accusing people of doing to his site at TBK…
I have Dish Network in my house in Kentucky…..
Could I add another receiver to my account, bring it to my place in Playa, and buy another dish and install to my playa place and use that receiver?
Would dish realize that one of my receivers is in Mexico and cut it off???
Marc
October 1st, 2009 at 7:55 am
Matt,
Great article. You wrote that one with a passion that stirred up memories from my youth. Here are some of my favorite memories:
1. The feeling I got as a kid when I got to go to a game at Rupp. The best was when I first stepped through the doorway from the concourse into the arena and looked down at the court. It always seemed surreal.
2. Being at the mall and seeing a UK player just walking around shopping as if he were a mere mortal.
3. Laying in the floor of my room and reading the Cat’s Pause basketball yearbook!
GO CATS!! We’re back!!
October 1st, 2009 at 7:56 am
Get a life who want’s to support a cheater and his cheater players. Tubby was a good coach and honest (most of the time) but UK alumni and fans couldn’t accept the fact that his skin wasn’t white.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:00 am
25. And you think UK fans are ignorant? Quit making statements like that and get off this site.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:09 am
Yeah almost all sports fans are ignorant and have no life. You know it’s sad when you have to refer to me as a number in a post #26
October 1st, 2009 at 8:12 am
Geesh, Matt, get some sort of grip.. The players and coaches have been coming out and embracing the fans in line for at least the last few years. You make it sound like this is some sort of revalation.. LOL Go back and look at YOUR archives and you’ll see the same thing last year and the year before, and the year before.. It is cool.. It is great.. But it ain’t new..
October 1st, 2009 at 8:13 am
25) Hey Saul
October 1st, 2009 at 8:21 am
Purnell’s sucks…Jimmy Dean’s is better
October 1st, 2009 at 8:21 am
29. Haha was thinking the same thing
October 1st, 2009 at 8:22 am
#25….and #27……You are not a true fan so get off this site and back to your DUI Classes!
October 1st, 2009 at 8:25 am
DUI Classes? I’m pretty sure I’m not your ex coach or most of your fathers or brothers. All I was saying is these people need to get a life waiting outside for days for this……..okay.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:27 am
I’ve camped out for Midnight Madness since the days when you just got in line and the event was that night, not 2 weeks later. One thing about last year, I have NEVER seen the players out and about and mingling with the fans like they were last year. That includes the Tubby and Pitino years. Players were out and about everywhere last year. I saw and talked to almost every member of last years team except for Razor and a couple of the walk ons.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:33 am
Oh, I wish I could get in line with everyone else. And the dude in the monkey costume has to be cold. It’s not like it’s 70 or even 65 degrees at night.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:35 am
Wanted to ask a quick question. How is it that they handed out vouchers to the first 1000 in line? So now those people can leave and only actually have stayed in line a couple hours vs. the working man who will get their around 5:00 Fri. evening and spend the whole night possibly in the rain to get their tickets? I dont’ like that. People aren’t going to like them rolling in at 5 a.m. and running to the front of the line. There is liable to be a riot. I’m telling you, I’ve seen how these sleep deprived people get at these things and this year people will be scrambling like no other year.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
I collected all of the Cat’s Pause Yearbooks and the UK Media Guide that I bought every year at Midnight Madness. I also bought every preseason mag I could get my hands on EXCEPT SI. I also taped every game possible.
That was until the long slow decline of the Tubby and BCG years. It was too painful to remind myself of the high I had been on for the entire 90’s. Let me say up front that I defended Tubby and argued with people for the first half of Tubby’s years here. Then I realized we would never be on top with him. People it ain’t about skin color, it’s about banner’s in Rupp and the Tubbster didn’t get it done, period. I still like Tubby and wish him great success. (Just slightly less than UK of course!)
Yes I am obsessed and need to get a life, SO WHAT! This is UK baby! The best there ever was and the best there ever will be. (We are coming for you UCLA!)
October 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
Ive been to a few BBM, and most of the time it’s really exciting at first, and then it turns into a snoozefest…something tells me it won’t be like that this year
October 1st, 2009 at 8:46 am
36.. They handed out vouchers last year as well, and I think they did it the year before as well. Wildcat Rick doesn’t leave, so even though he has the 0001 voucher, he’ll still be in line.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:51 am
The limit of 2 per person may help with getting them on ticketmaster this year. I’ve got 4 of them each of the last 2 years without a problem.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:00 am
Well hopefully that will help my luck this year. I’m trying Ticketmaster on 2 computers at once and 2 of my friends will camp out tomorrow afternoon. I’m considering going even though I live out of state. Hell, I’m talking about this while I’m in class, I think that shows my dedication..Go Cats!!!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:06 am
39. They handed out vouchers to the first 1000 in line last year? I got there on Friday afternoon the last two years around 3-4 oclock and around 6 or so that evening people started lining up and getting numbered tickets which was your place in line. But what you are saying is that if you were lucky enough to get one of those first 1000 “special” vouchers, your place in line is in stone, whether you leave and come back Sat. a.m. or not?
October 1st, 2009 at 9:08 am
Anyone have any luck with SEC tournament tickets? I hit submit ticket order once it popped up and they were already sold out.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:10 am
I took that last picture of Cousins. He wasn’t very good at cornhole. Wall was beating him pretty bad. Didn’t stop them from trash talking each other. After each of their turns both of them would sign autographs. They were nice and respectful to the fans. Also saw Wall and Cousins throw some deep football passes. One guy asked Wall where he was during the Florida game.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:24 am
Hey 25 are u so blind as to see there are DIE HARD FANS THAT ARN’T WHITE!!!!!?? C’mon man u get a life Tubby left us we didn’t fire him… ya he was a good coach but If we don’t support the coach in place then how do u think we’re supposed win games when Calipari is pissed because of people like U…… GO CATS!!!!!!!! oh and TayPrinceJr. was sup
October 1st, 2009 at 9:31 am
Matt, do you REALLY think that’s a werewolf costume?
October 1st, 2009 at 9:34 am
Here’s a question for you guys and gals (couldn’t leave BTI out). Would you rather have just Brandon Knight or Selby AND Irving? I have long thought that Irving was visiting Midnight (not Big Blue) Madness as a courtesy to Coach Strickland. But I’m still holding out hope that he is seriously considering UK. And if thats the case, I think he and Selby would be able to both come to UK. I may be in the minority, but I like Kyrie the most of all 3 guards. And I really like the possibility of Kryie and Selby both coming to Lex.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:38 am
47. What about Shelby and Knight if Irving was a miss?
October 1st, 2009 at 9:41 am
I would take Selby and Knight, but I don’t think its a great possibility that Selby and Knight commit to the same school. I just really like Irving. Kid is going to be special.
October 1st, 2009 at 9:56 am
Matt,
This article made me harder than Chinese math. Nice Job!
October 1st, 2009 at 9:58 am
You know, alot of people are forgetting about our man Perry “The BEAST” Stevenson. If he works on his hands and footwork, he might be able to compete for a little clock. Calipari could work wonders for his career. His dunk in our Memorial Colliseum dunk will forever go down as one of my favorites of all time.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:07 am
STHOMAS1982-Is a Louisville fan…he defended them here http://kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=28431 and not to mention that his IP address used on his accounts pinpoint him as a resident of Louisville, KY. Go away dirty Cards fan. You are not wanted here. Also, you cannot hide from KSR Spy…ask Maggard.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:10 am
That is BEAST Ksr Spy…I knew Maggard had been in Mexico for some time but had no idea he lived there..now if only you can get some info on our recruits
October 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am
I’ve been a UK fan all the way back to Cotton Nash, I don’t remember who else was on that team, but I do remember him. And I remember all the way back when we didn’t have Mid-night Maddness, btu ever since Joe B. stated having it I’ve been excited. But I can honestly say I have never been this excited about ushering in a basketball season like I am today. I’ve never even attempted to camp out or even go to the campus for tickets. So I know it’s a mute point to do so. To read what MJ is saying and all the other posts here in KSR hell I think my bride of 39 years is going to get lucky tonight and it’ll be without any Viagra….GO CATS!!!!!!!! OH yeah and to 25, 27, and 30…. go screw that mangy assed hound you call Rocket topp, or rocky slop, or pigion flop, and leave…. not KSR but the country. p.s. I mean no offense to Vols- fan that post in here regularly
October 1st, 2009 at 10:14 am
FWIW, I’ve heard Selby has been coming to UK for a while now. Irving will end up at Duke and I think Knight ends up at UConn or Miami, according to my sources.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:22 am
55. Thanks for letting us know dude! We can all quit worrying now that we know where everyone is headed. haha. j/k man
October 1st, 2009 at 10:23 am
55. Also, I love your show!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:28 am
#25, you probably are the same person that will say people who disagree with Obama are racist, ha.
I highly doubt you’re a UK fan, but if you are, don’t you realize this is the kinda thing that makes UK and its fans so rare.
I love this and seeing it gets me so pumped for basketball.
Either join the party, or exit stage left.
Go CATS!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:50 am
55, Thats what I’ve thought would happen. Personally, I’ll “settle” for Selby! Good Gawd, its great to be a Wildcat again!
October 1st, 2009 at 10:51 am
42, Not what I am saying. They handed out the first vouchers Wed instead of Friday like in the past. The other difference is ppl in line can get 2 tix instead of 4.
October 1st, 2009 at 10:58 am
60. What I want to know is if those that got the first vouchers, could technically leave after getting their voucher and not come back until Sat. a.m.?
October 1st, 2009 at 11:05 am
Here is the post #52 was referring to:
(I don’t think he is a Ville fan, just my opinion)
# sthomas1982 Says:
September 18th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Well what is so good about Lexington? Ohhh wow they have a baseball field named after a terrible restaurant. I’m not a Louisville fan nor do I live in the state of Kentucky I just browse through these sites from time to time and I couldn’t help but sign up for an account because one terrible city is making fun of another terrible city. The only good thing about Kentucky (state) is Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Both head coaches of the basketball teams are cheaters and the football coaches will never be as good as Joe Pa or a Pete Carroll both of your teams will always suck in sports and will never win a National Title in basketball or football EVER!!! Whenever people talk about the state of Kentucky the first place that they talk about is Louisville and horse racing you hear less than 5% talk about Lexington because it isn’t a great city either so this site sucks and UK and UofL fans need to get a life, half of both of your fan bases don’t even attend the school or have graduated high school for that fact. Get over yourselfs UK and UofL, both of your schools suck and always will.
So what if neither of these cities are the greatest in the country. Nobody here ever claimed that fact, nor do we care. We are fans of our teams that we love. Who cares if out of state people think of Churchill Downs and horses. We do to and we are proud that takes place in the STATE of KENTUCKY.
Our schools suck? OK. Fact lesson for you.
UL = 2 NCAA Titles and 5 other Final Four appearances.
UK = 7 NCAA Titles and 13 other Final Four appearances.
(We’ll stop here with tourney stats since this is
already an essay.)
All-Time Victory Leader
All-Time Win % Leader
Yeah we really suck, you flamer. Come back with a legit argument please, we all beg you.
Always will suck? Sure. The two best coaches in the game are here with stacked teams. The future looks bright to me.
The only thing I have to say about cheating is that the freaking NCAA has repeatedly said Cal is in the clear, nuff said. You my friend are just jealous cause you know damn well the bluegrass is bringin the pain this year and more later and you can’t stand it.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:14 am
61, In the past someone had to maintain the spot in line. Four ppl could get vouchers, three of them leave and or take turns holding the spot until Sat. That is how I understood what was explained to me last year by Wildcat Rick at one of his tailgates. The vouchers are to assure one person doesn’t hold a spot, then have 20 ppl “cut” to that spot on Sat. Changing up the day for the vouchers is to also keep ppl from trying to beat the system.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:24 am
61. I got you, so technically, as long as you get one of the vouchers, you are good to go and come back Sat. a.m….you can come back and get right in line, so long as your voucher warrants your position in line. The reason I want to know all this is my buddy and one of his buddies went down yesterday a.m. and each got a voucher. turned out his buddy can’t go so he gave me his voucher. I go to BBM every year since probably early 90’s and camp out. Now that I’m an adult with more responsibilities the earliest I can get in line will be tomorrow around 5 ish. I just want to make sure I’m good to go.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Yeah both louisville and lexington stink. The state of Kentucky isnt very loved by anyone in America. When you start getting around Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee there isnt a whole lot going on except lazy smokers who drink a lot of coffee and eat a lot of Mc Donalds and have nothing better to do in life then sit around for a midnight practice. Both sets of fans of your state schools cry back and forth between each other but yet your argument lies with things that have happened way in the past….last Final Four was when? Over 10 years ago wow lets keep pushing it on like you do it every year. North Carolina has owned UK the last few years, Vandy was owning you there for awhile and that other dirty city in Kentucky has owned you the last two years. The entire state of Kentucky just isn’t what it used to be back in the 80’s and 90’s but wait I’m sure most of your fans are still wearing the blue jean Converse shoes thinking that it is 1996……not so much. You all will be good enough for a Sweet Sixteen but Kansas and still even Memphis will be way ahead of you guys.