Taking Back Rupp

[UFWildcat]

I can get over the fact that we lost to a team that nobody has heard of. I can get over the fact that we lost to a team that went something like 9 and 23 last year. Heck, I can even get over the fact that we lost to a team that lost to the University of NORTH Florida last year.

But I can't get over the fact that UK has lost yet another game at home.

"We're are going to make the opponent want to leave by halftime" - Billy Gillispie

When Urban Meyer first came to the University of Florida he said that "we are going to take back the Swamp." And he did just that, losing only his first game there this year.

Now, I'm not expecting Billy G to pull a feat off like that. He wasn't left with much talent and I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one. But there is no excuse for last night. You have to hold home court and to get blown out like that is horrific.

Now I'm not jumping off the ship, a lot of people here know I'm here through it all.

But we've all been waiting for Rupp to become the dominant force again. The place where nobody wants to come to because they fear the name across the chest. The place where you can't hear yourself think because its pure pandemonium.

We'll its not off to a good start this year...

If you have the latest edition of SI, check the add for the 2k2 sports classic. It's got the "Big 4 teams" on there with Mr. Joe Crawford. Yet another embarrassing piece.

[bleedbluelady]

I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one.

I can't agree with that. :icon_confused: However, I think Coach G has the program on the right track. We will be back at the top. It's just not going to happen overnight.

[matt colvin]

I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one.

I can't agree with that. :icon_confused: However, I think Coach G has the program on the right track. We will be back at the top. It's just not going to happen overnight.

Same here

[matt57]

i understand what your saying. but, it is to be expected when the fans don't make hardly any noise. i went to the game on tuesday night and set in section 20. i got tickets from a close friend of my wife's family. i was told six seperate times to sit down and four seperate times i was given a dirty look for yelling. Rupp is not intimidating, the eRUPPtion zone is an embarassment, and the crowd is very quiet for most of the game. it's like that all year excluding 5-7 games. UT, UNC, UL, UF, IU, and maybe Arkansas are when the fans are loud and that;s it.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

i understand what your saying. but, it is to be expected when the fans don't make hardly any noise. i went to the game on tuesday night and set in section 20. i got tickets from a close friend of my wife's family. i was told six seperate times to sit down and four seperate times i was given a dirty look for yelling. Rupp is not intimidating, the eRUPPtion zone is an embarassment, and the crowd is very quiet for most of the game. it's like that all year excluding 5-7 games. UT, UNC, UL, UF, IU, and maybe Arkansas are when the fans are loud and that;s it.

I agree. Its not going to change until all the rich privilaged folks get their luxury boxes. The place is becoming a joke and a point of embarassment to this program.

[RaviMoss#1fan]

hey i was told to sit down last year at the SEC Tournment by some rich rich uk person and i turn around and look them in the eye said i paid 260 doller for a Book of Tickets if u dont like me standing up and cheering for my team... MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR GO BACK TO LEXINGTON.

[Got_Billie_G?]

I can't believe "fans" at the game booed our team...WELCOME TO UK BILLIE G!!!

[UFWildcat]

I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one.

I can't agree with that. :icon_confused: However, I think Coach G has the program on the right track. We will be back at the top. It's just not going to happen overnight.

Agreed.

But I think with getting the program back on track, Rupp will be back in full force.

Was Rupp always like this? You know, with the "rich" folks telling everybody to sit down and be quiet? I was young but I don't remember '96-'98 being like this.

:shrug1:

[UFWildcat]

it's like that all year excluding 5-7 games. UT, UNC, UL, UF, IU, and maybe Arkansas are when the fans are loud and that;s it.

Doesn't make sense to me. :shrug1:

[POEKLM]

I agree. Its not going to change until all the rich privilaged folks get their luxury boxes. The place is becoming a joke and a point of embarassment to this program.
I just hope the average joe like me that has to sacrifice for that season ticket money and screams her head off isn't priced right out of the arena when the socialites get their luxory boxes.

[jkeller]

hey i was told to sit down last year at the SEC Tournment by some rich rich uk person and i turn around and look them in the eye said i paid 260 doller for a Book of Tickets if u dont like me standing up and cheering for my team... MOVE SOMEWHERE ELSE OR GO BACK TO LEXINGTON.

When I was in high school my school played a football game at Lexington Catholic. I was sitting near the top of the bleachers and me and my friend were yelled at to sit down by the doctors behind us because according to them the old man had bad knees and couldn't stand. My question was how does a man with bad knees make it up to the top of a set of bleachers anyway? And they weren't even watching the game either they were chit-chatting.

[trublu]

I really don't want to beat this dead horse anymore, but it is a pet peeve of mine. I only make it to Rupp a few times a year. I am very happy to be there and I stand up and cheer.
It irritates me to no end to watch a game on national television, and see people sitting and talking on their cells or with their arms crossed and Rupp Arena is like a tomb. Then, I watch Dook or Mich State and the place is loud and raucous-the way a college basketball venue should be. I hope they get moved into sky-boxes and have to have binoculars to see anything.

[CoquieKat]

Sheesh--if people want to sit and clap at what they're watching without showing any emotion, go to the opera. If enough people would stand and yell, those who have disdain for more expressive fans would be outnumbered and would be less likely to say anything for fear of their lives. ;)

(Disclaimer: I understand that there are people who legitimately can't stand up during games. There could be special seats in the front of the section for such folks if there isn't already so that their view isn't blocked. And a seated fan can be quite loud as well if they want to be.)

[jkeller]

Sheesh--if people want to sit and clap at what they're watching without showing any emotion, go to the opera. If enough people would stand and yell, those who have disdain for more expressive fans would be outnumbered and would be less likely to say anything for fear of their lives. ;)

(Disclaimer: I understand that there are people who legitimately can't stand up during games. There could be special seats in the front of the section for such folks if there isn't already so that their view isn't blocked. And a seated fan can be quite loud as well if they want to be.)

The wheelchair sections are set up so they have an unobscured view of the court.

[BigBlue75]

I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one.

I can't agree with that. :icon_confused: However, I think Coach G has the program on the right track. We will be back at the top. It's just not going to happen overnight.

Ditto.

[UK/UF Alum]

I just wanted to point out that when you all were courting Billy Donovan last spring and I tried to bring up the fact that UF has a stadium that while not as big or prestigious as Rupp packs a punch when it comes to sound and th 12000 people that show up there are louder every night than the one's that show up at big bad Rupp Arena. You all threw Rupp arena and the fact that it is odl out everynight in my face when you said you couldn't understand why Billy D wouldn't want to come here. And now you have to take back Rupp and you are complaining about the people that fill the seats. I think I am owed an apology because you all have just proven might point that bigger is not necessarily better. Someone pointed out Cameron Indoor. It holds less than the O'Dome I think, yet you all are jealous. Please next time someone points out extremely RELEVANT differences don't use your "But we are Kentucky and we have Rupp" whiny voices! Thanks.

[UFWildcat]

I just wanted to point out that when you all were courting Billy Donovan last spring and I tried to bring up the fact that UF has a stadium that while not as big or prestigious as Rupp packs a punch when it comes to sound and th 12000 people that show up there are louder every night than the one's that show up at big bad Rupp Arena. You all threw Rupp arena and the fact that it is odl out everynight in my face when you said you couldn't understand why Billy D wouldn't want to come here. And now you have to take back Rupp and you are complaining about the people that fill the seats. I think I am owed an apology because you all have just proven might point that bigger is not necessarily better. Someone pointed out Cameron Indoor. It holds less than the O'Dome I think, yet you all are jealous. Please next time someone points out extremely RELEVANT differences don't use your "But we are Kentucky and we have Rupp" whiny voices! Thanks.

Popping up again eh' :shrug1:

[largebluej]

.......Now, I'm not expecting Billy G to pull a feat off like that. He wasn't left with much talent and I believe its a lot harder to turn a basketball program around than a football one............

I know this wasn't the main point of the original post, but it's just so wrong I can't help myself. .. . . it is beyond the point of any reasonable argument to the contrary that it is MUCH more difficult to turn around a football program than a basketball program. . . . it's not even close. . . if by some bizarre circumstance the worst BB program in the nation was able to sign a recruit the likes of Greg Oden, they would be transformed overnight into at least a winning team, if not a contender for their conference title. . . . .if a Reggie Bush-type recruit signed with the worst FB program in the nation, that alone might win them one more game. . .. .

[UFWildcat]

I know this wasn't the main point of the original post, but it's just so wrong I can't help myself. .. . . it is beyond the point of any reasonable argument to the contrary that it is MUCH more difficult to turn around a football program than a basketball program. . . . it's not even close. . . if by some bizarre circumstance the worst BB program in the nation was able to sign a recruit the likes of Greg Oden, they would be transformed overnight into at least a winning team, if not a contender for their conference title. . . . .if a Reggie Bush-type recruit signed with the worst FB program in the nation, that alone might win them one more game. . .. .

You all are probably right but I was looking at it through my blue/orange/white eyes.

The reason I made this statement was because Meyer turned the UF program around faster than Billy will turn this around. I realize he did it because the cupboard wasn't bare like it is here. But that doesn't go for everybody.

But I agree. It's much easier to build a basketball team from scratch than a football team.

[Stucat]

I just wanted to point out that when you all were courting Billy Donovan last spring and I tried to bring up the fact that UF has a stadium that while not as big or prestigious as Rupp packs a punch when it comes to sound and th 12000 people that show up there are louder every night than the one's that show up at big bad Rupp Arena. You all threw Rupp arena and the fact that it is odl out everynight in my face when you said you couldn't understand why Billy D wouldn't want to come here. And now you have to take back Rupp and you are complaining about the people that fill the seats. I think I am owed an apology because you all have just proven might point that bigger is not necessarily better. Someone pointed out Cameron Indoor. It holds less than the O'Dome I think, yet you all are jealous. Please next time someone points out extremely RELEVANT differences don't use your "But we are Kentucky and we have Rupp" whiny voices! Thanks.

Please UK/UF Alum do you have to be obnoxious on the Wildcat Nation? For dissing someone else's fans there are many boards especially the larger one like Rivals for that kind of thing. If you came on here just to diss our fans then I would hope that you post elsewhere. Just MHO!!

[cnice11]

i understand what your saying. but, it is to be expected when the fans don't make hardly any noise. i went to the game on tuesday night and set in section 20. i got tickets from a close friend of my wife's family. i was told six seperate times to sit down and four seperate times i was given a dirty look for yelling. Rupp is not intimidating, the eRUPPtion zone is an embarassment, and the crowd is very quiet for most of the game. it's like that all year excluding 5-7 games. UT, UNC, UL, UF, IU, and maybe Arkansas are when the fans are loud and that;s it.

I realize UK makes a lot of money off season ticket holders. But, the problem i have is that the University is there for who- the students. The only way we can take back Rupp is to move the old people out of the good seats and put students in them. I recently graduated from UK and the last game I went to when I was a student, I had to sit in the upper arena. I think someone else mentioned it on here, the only way we move the older people out of these seats is to put in luxury boxes.
or
I also mentioned on here before, for the big games we have here; it will never happen because of money, have the big games in Memorial, put the students in the best seats. Have that gym rocking and make our opponents wish they hadnt come here. But like i said it will never happen.

[haminlex]

UK has to figure a way to get the crowd excited and involved in every ball game at home. The lack of crowd involvement in embarrassing. Maybe the school needs to study some other institutions that have intimidating surroundings (Duke, Florida, etc).

:shrug1:

[WildcatMountaineer]

UK has to figure a way to get the crowd excited and involved in every ball game at home. The lack of crowd involvement in embarrassing. Maybe the school needs to study some other institutions that have intimidating surroundings (Duke, Florida, etc).

:shrug1:


Study other schools? Are you kidding me?


The O Dome holds 12K

Cameron hold what? 9K?

People complain that they can't ever get tickets to a UK game - what do you think a smaller arena would do? There's such a large amount of big donors, you aren't ever going to make Rupp louder than it already is.


Rupp is loud when it needs to be.

[UFWildcat]

Study other schools? Are you kidding me?


The O Dome holds 12K

Cameron hold what? 9K?

People complain that they can't ever get tickets to a UK game - what do you think a smaller arena would do? There's such a large amount of big donors, you aren't ever going to make Rupp louder than it already is.


Rupp is loud when it needs to be.

This is true. UK doesn't need to emulate other schools arena's, just the way they get the fans involved.

Rupp is loud when it needs to be...but it needs to be all the time.

I was at the UMASS game last year and it was very loud and raucous. That was a very exciting game so that explains why the crowd was so into it.

I guess it just comes down to this, UK needs to bring a more exciting brand of basketball back to Rupp in order for the crowd to bring the noise and the funk.

But we've been saying this for years...:shrug1:

[cnice11]

Agreed.

But I think with getting the program back on track, Rupp will be back in full force.

Was Rupp always like this? You know, with the "rich" folks telling everybody to sit down and be quiet? I was young but I don't remember '96-'98 being like this.

:shrug1:

My brother was in school at UK in '89 or '90 when Pitino was just getting started here. He could get student tickets in the lower arena and they were very good seats. I keep harping on this, and i know it will not change because of money; but UK will never be that intimidating until they move the old people that are just there for a business date, and put some real fans there that actually stand up. I hate to bring up this school, but I want UK to be intimidating like Cameron is for dUKe's opponets.

[UKSam]

I have a piece of the old Rupp Arena Floor that was there from 76-01. During that time our record at home was 328-36. (90%) From 01-last week we are 69-14 (83%) I know that center court is in the front lobby of Rupp. If we can round up the rest of the pieces I will gladly give mine back to put it back together.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

My brother was in school at UK in '89 or '90 when Pitino was just getting started here. He could get student tickets in the lower arena and they were very good seats. I keep harping on this, and i know it will not change because of money; but UK will never be that intimidating until they move the old people that are just there for a business date, and put some real fans there that actually stand up. I hate to bring up this school, but I want UK to be intimidating like Cameron is for dUKe's opponets.

I agree. The actual arena itself is extremely intimidating. We are all used to its grand scale, but there is no other place like it. The problem we have lies in the fact that our lower arena SOUNDS and ACTS and CHEERS like its a glorified high school gym. IMO Rupp might be intimidating but it does not stack up to UNC or Duke game in and game out. Obviously our big games are exceptions but we need to turn Rupp into a screaming sea of blue when teams like Texas Southern come in. I get angry and kind of depressed when this topic comes up because all I can think about is the old couples in the lower level that where hunter green and canary yellow Like they are emulating a pine tree and Nicklaus in the 86' masters respectively.

Rupp might be an intimidating place, but our fans do not stack up in terms of intimidation.

[fanaticfan]

It seems to me that there are things that we are not going to be able to change( like the people in the lower arena who sit all through the game) but as for me, when I am lucky enough to get game tickets, I will stand and cheer and scream my head off. It doesn't matter who we play. Every time that I have been privledged enough to attend a game, the upper arena rocks most of the time. I can not force the people who have the better seats to be more vocal. I can, however give 110% of my support to the cats and making Rupp rock and if you are ever fortunate enough( or unfortunate enough ) to sit next to me at a game, we will have a great time. Go out and give the cats your full support every minute of every game!

[bleedbluelady]

It seems to me that there are things that we are not going to be able to change( like the people in the lower arena who sit all through the game) but as for me, when I am lucky enough to get game tickets, I will stand and cheer and scream my head off. It doesn't matter who we play. Every time that I have been privledged enough to attend a game, the upper arena rocks most of the time. I can not force the people who have the better seats to be more vocal. I can, however give 110% of my support to the cats and making Rupp rock and if you are ever fortunate enough( or unfortunate enough ) to sit next to me at a game, we will have a great time. Go out and give the cats your full support every minute of every game!

Great advice. :thumbup: The student sections haven't been filled in Rupp so far this season. I'ts not fair to point the fingers at just the "blue hairs".

[Gtownstoney]

Rupp Arena will never become a threatening place to play until UK changes it's ticket policies. Kids inherit the tickets from their grandparents. People view their seats as an entitlement.

I sat in section 16 for a recent game and was amazed at what a bunch of cranks sat there. No one cheers. They sit the entire game. I'm not sure why they even come to the game at all. Pitiful.

It's time for UK to do something creative to get these cryptkeepers into another area of the arena and replace them with people who want to go to the game and have fun. Give them discounted seats in the upper arena (not nose-bleed seats, just out of the lower arena). Put the best seats in a pool for first-come first-served. Get everyone registered and track scalping (it can be done) and remove those who are only in it to scalp the seats.

UK just needs to improve. Their system (if there is one) is just not working. But my conspiracy-minded self often wonders if that's not their plan. Just keep the old fogies happy; don't rock the boat; as long as the cash keeps rolling in. I've had access to season tickets for several years now. They have never moved. Not once. You'd think somewhere there would have been a few die or drop out, but my seats never improve.

[UKGrad84]

Great advice. :thumbup: The student sections haven't been filled in Rupp so far this season. I'ts not fair to point the fingers at just the "blue hairs".

When I was at UK, tickets were part of our student activity fee. A couple of people would round up our student ID's go stand in line at the ticket office and get us groups seating for basketball and football tickets, most of the time for great seats. My son is now a student. They still pay a student activitiy fee, but they also have to pay for game tickets, they can't do it as a group anymore and all of the seats, according to him and his friends, are not so great. So they don't think it's worth the hassle when they can watch the game at their house, with instant replay, for free and they can drink a beer or two, while watching. and yes, they are all over 21.

[Wildcatcrazy11]

Great advice. :thumbup: The student sections haven't been filled in Rupp so far this season. I'ts not fair to point the fingers at just the "blue hairs".

The problem with the Erupption Zone is that students do not really want to buy tickets there. It used to be (because it was new) that E-zone tickets were the first to sell in the lotteries. Now all the students want lower level and even good upper level seats before they want seats in the Erupption zone. Heaven forbid we bump 500 people up 5 rows and make some room for the students on the sideline.

[bluecat60]

I agree that something needs to be done about filling the student sections with excited student fans. But, what I experienced at the Gardner-Webb game was really discouraging with the players. The players seemed to just give up altogether any hope of winning. The Cats of old would never have demonstrated the "defeatist" attitude exhibited in that game. I hope Coach G has addressed the team about their attitude in the game because I hope I never see that again.

[UFWildcat]

THE TREND CONTINUES

Another home loss...

They just keep mounting.

[ntrich]

The operating assumption is of course that we ever had control of Rupp Arena but we have not at least since it opened. Sure there have been times when the arena has been loud but Rupp has never been controlled by the average Kentucky fan who screams, yells, and would act as excited as they do to the radio and TV broadcast. The price of entry for the best seats are too high and of course this is the price of our tradition.

We are an old program of money, yes tradition but it is clear the last few years and today that there is a lot of dynastic rot. Both inside of Rupp Arena in the way seats are arranged and how often real fans who do end up with seats on the floor are harassed. And the Erruption Zone for the student is an absolute joke which provides very little sound or visibility advantage for television.

As Hamlet said, there is something rotten in Lexington in regards to what was previously allowed to be recruited, and how the team is behaving now. The only question that remains is does this dynasty go the way of the Romanovs?

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

THE TREND CONTINUES

Another home loss...

They just keep mounting.

so then what's the story ?

is this a rebuilding year or are we losing games because of injuries?

or is it because of what Tubby left ?

sorry not trying to be an a$$ but after the rebuilding discussion I'm surprised that you seem(ed) so surprised that we lost to gw and sd at Rupp. if we are rebuilding then why would anyone expect to have beaten a 6-8 team ?

and yet they did...

[UFWildcat]

so then what's the story ?

is this a rebuilding year or are we losing games because of injuries?

or is it because of what Tubby left ?

sorry not trying to be an a$$ but after the rebuilding discussion I'm surprised that you seem(ed) so surprised that we lost to gw and sd at Rupp. if we are rebuilding then why would anyone expect to have beaten a 6-8 team ?

and yet they did...

LOL

There's a fine line between what my definition of rebuilding is and a loss to San Diego at home.

The rebuilding thread was created because we are rebuilding to be Championship contenders.

San Diego is far from that.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I'll take that.

just trying to put the questons out there. I guess we're all just too mad about this.

[UFWildcat]

I'll take that.

just trying to put the questons out there. I guess we're all just too mad about this.

I would agree with that.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

but I think it's important to note that with the way college bb is these days, we probably will NOT be championship contenders every year. by your definition, we will probably have alot of rebuilding years to come.

[UFWildcat]

but I think it's important to note that with the way college bb is these days, we probably will NOT be championship contenders every year. by your definition, we will probably have alot of rebuilding years to come.

Your right. You can't realistically win a Championship every year.

But there are a handful of teams that do have players year in and year out than can compete.

We will be there soon.

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

But there are a handful of teams that do have players year in and year out than can compete.



like who ?

whoever it is you're thinking of has had their down years over the past 10 or so seasons, just as we are currently having, except their down years have been worse than ours.

[UFWildcat]

like who ?

whoever it is you're thinking of has had their down years over the past 10 or so seasons, just as we are currently having, except their down years have been worse than ours.

Yup, again, I think its my frustration getting in the way.

Kansas, UNC and UCLA are the ones I'm talking about and they haven't been bullet proof these last 10 years.

I'm just more frustrated than anything.

[Blue 24/7]

In the words of Kosmo Kramer...would you 2 shut up and kiss!!! lol.

[UFWildcat]

In the words of Kosmo Kramer...would you 2 shut up and kiss!!! lol.

LOL

Must be the Gainesville connection...

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I only kiss one uf football fan and that's my girlfriend but she doesn't care too much about sports so she doesn't count.

[Mark Blueblood]

I just wanted to point out that when you all were courting Billy Donovan last spring and I tried to bring up the fact that UF has a stadium that while not as big or prestigious as Rupp packs a punch when it comes to sound and th 12000 people that show up there are louder every night than the one's that show up at big bad Rupp Arena. You all threw Rupp arena and the fact that it is odl out everynight in my face when you said you couldn't understand why Billy D wouldn't want to come here. And now you have to take back Rupp and you are complaining about the people that fill the seats. I think I am owed an apology because you all have just proven might point that bigger is not necessarily better. Someone pointed out Cameron Indoor. It holds less than the O'Dome I think, yet you all are jealous. Please next time someone points out extremely RELEVANT differences don't use your "But we are Kentucky and we have Rupp" whiny voices! Thanks.

Uhhh... yeah - when you get 12,000 people there. Which is when? Kentucky comes to town???

Give it up - you have no ammunition in your gun. You had what - 50 people show up at the airport to welcome back a two time national champion?? As I recall, Billy canceled Gator Madness (or whatever you call it) for lack of interest???

[UKcat]

Agreed.

But I think with getting the program back on track, Rupp will be back in full force.

Was Rupp always like this? You know, with the "rich" folks telling everybody to sit down and be quiet? I was young but I don't remember '96-'98 being like this.

:shrug1:
Yes, it has always been that way. I remember, 20 years ago, being asked to sit down and be quieter; that was in section 17, just a few rows from the floor.:icon_sad:

[UFWildcat]

Yes, it has always been that way. I remember, 20 years ago, being asked to sit down and be quieter; that was in section 17, just a few rows from the floor.:icon_sad:

That is so odd, especially the way some arenas are today.

So I guess the title of my thread is wrong...we never really had Rupp in the first place...:shrug1:

[UFWildcat]

Last night is what I've been talking about!

We handled our business and Rupp rocked!

Fear the sea of blue.