Kentucky fans turned out early and in big numbers for the SEC Tournament. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky basketball fans have fallen in love with John Calipari’s team and that love certainly was on display in Tampa Friday night at the Southeastern Conference Tournament. Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 77-71 to advance to today’s semifinal matchup with Tennessee and the Big Blue Mist was obvious.
“Let me say our fans in Rupp, we had a 50 some game winning streak, a 40 some game winning streak, and Rupp Arena is a terrific building with great fans, so you can’t really take away. I mean, we’re winning 95 percent of our games in that building, but these are the fans in most cases that cannot get into Rupp, so they go to the tournament,” Calipari said after the win.
“They also know I don’t make a big deal out of this tournament, but they’re fine. Just make sure we can stay a few days, and I looked out there, and I know somebody said, ‘Well, there’s a team that is going to have all the fans.’ Did you guys hear that? Like they got — they sold — they’re going to be the leading ticket (seller). Are you out of your mind? Are you smoking crack?
“I guess you just say it enough, and it’s true. I’ll just say it again and say it again and say it again, and it’s true. Our fans travel. If we played in Montana, they would be there. I don’t know how they get there. I don’t know if there’s a wagon train. I don’t have any idea, but they’re there, and they’re loud.”
Wait. Calipari was not through praising the Big Blue faithful.
“We were getting on the bus today where police had to get them away from the tunnel where we’re staying because they were trying to run down next to the bus, but it makes this place what it is, our fans,” Calipari said.
“I say it all the time, they’re crazy, but I love them. I love our fans, and we have some that aren’t the true fans that will — but that’s everybody. Our fans, one thing I say — why I say they’re crazy? I will watch this tape tonight. I just watched it because I coached it. Then I’ll watch the tape one time. We have fans that watch it three times.
“I’m, like, what’s wrong with you people? I watch it once, and I coach the team. You’re watching it three times. Yeah, I just wanted to make sure. What? But that’s what makes our fans unique and different.”
Vanderbilt players certainly understood the importance and presence of the Big Blue fans.
“We just talked about that in the locker room. It felt like a home game for them. I felt like we were playing at Rupp,” Vanderbilt’s Jordan Wright said. “They had a great crowd, had great energy.
“When they needed to be picked up, when they needed some energy, the fans were there with their chants and hats off to them for traveling the way they do and having the fan base like that.”
“The fans, they feed off their energy and stuff like that, so just knowing that we don’t have the same traveling fans.We try to create our own energy throughout that just knowing we have each other,” Vandy’s Scotty Pippen said.
