Vicky Graff Photo
There was a time not so long ago (five years) that fans would spin (tweet) out of control if Kentucky lost a basketball game. Social media would blow up with, “Cal should be fired, those one-and-done players are a waste, there goes a 40-0 season,” and some even doubted if the sun would rise the next day.
Times have surely changed. Checking social media after the loss to UNC-Wilmington there was an obvious division among fans. The majority accepted the loss as a game that would prepare the Cats for future opponents. The flashes of Aaron Bradshaw gave fans hope that once he gets his feel for the college game the Cats will be ok.
Then there was the contingent of fans that realized it is just December and what matters is March. These all seem like valid excuses. However, five years ago there would have been no excuses.
Have Kentucky basketball fans lowered their standard for their beloved Wildcats? I think the answer would be yes. However, the interesting question would be why.
The past five years have not been normal by any means. Life as we know it will probably never be the same. Kentucky basketball has not been performing up to previous standards. However, is this the new normal for Cat fans?
I can still remember where I was when it was announced there would be no NCAA Tournament in 2019. What would I do for three weeks in March with no basketball? The only hope I held on to was maybe that the tourney would be postponed until May or June. Little did I know basketball would be the least of my concerns for the next year(s).
Kentucky fans have endured the protest of the kneel at Florida, resulting in longtime fans burning their gear and selling memorabilia. To be noted, these fans are now back on board. They watched from their couches as cardboard figures filled the lower levels of Rupp Arena, as no fans were allowed. They have endured a 9-16 season and a loss in the first round to St. Peter’s. It has not been easy being a Kentucky fan the past five years. Then again … what has been easy the past five years?
Many have had to say goodbye to loved ones through windows or FaceTime. Many stand six feet away without realizing it is not necessary. When a person nearby coughs and or sneezes the immediate reaction is to take cover and run. Many now keep toilet paper and hand sanitizer stocked just in the case the need should arise.
These are the new standards of living. These are the new normals. This is the world we live in.
To answer the question, have our standards for Kentucky basketball changed? The answer would be yes but our standards for everyday normal life have changed also. Nothing should be taken for granted, not even a basketball season.
Kentucky fans are grateful to escape for a few hours and watch their Cats. They drink the Kool-Aid and scream at their television. They are the best fan base in the nation. Perhaps the new normal is to realize that basketball is just a game. Win or lose, the sun will come up tomorrow.
I will be watching the North Carolina game Saturday surrounded by my family. If they win, the granddaughters will cheer. If they lose, we will hug. Those are the memories to cherish.
16 Responses
From the time I was old enough to understand basketball, I have lived and breathed Kentucky Basketball. I wouldn’t sleep for days after a loss. Then I grew up and realized how stupid I was because they are going to lose games. However I have defended the Cats furiously to this day. The internet has allowed the whiners of the world a platform for their rubbish. Attacking kids and coaches doesn’t change anything. I saw where Ohio States QB is transferring for no other reason than the Buckeye crybabies. He won ELEVEN games. The Standard hasn’t been lowered for me, but I’m not whine about a kids game. When I was growing up I was taught not to be a sore loser. As far as the kneeling, they should have knelt every game because it was the best game they played all year. Go Cats!!!
There is a lot of knowledge in your words Tina and Jimmy. Life and age makes a difference. Heck I can now go out to dinner when they are playing and actually eat my food(I still check the score every 10 minutes or so). I no longer record the games and save them. My wife threw out boxes of video taped games from the Big Pimpin Era(it was a special time for me and my family). I still expect chaMpionships and final fours but it doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t happen. Last year when we lost to Kansas St(I think) we were in Ft Lauderdale enjoying a great meal by the pool. I love my Cats but I love my wife, family and life more!
GO CATS! ! MY MONEY IS SAVED AND I AM READY TO TRAVEL! !
Every time I hear the phrase "new normal" I think of the definition of Defeatism. Defeatism is an attitude of expecting defeat or accepting defeat with the belief that further effort would be useless.
If you’re the leader of a country and you start talking "new normal" then your standard of living is about to decline. It means freedoms are about to be taken away. If you’re a head basketball coach it means telling your fans that you’re just going to draw a fat check and lose games and get your players ready so they can get rich. Screw the fans.
If kneeling before games and burning police stations and tearing down statues was such a great thing then why aren’t we still doing it?
Neeling during the national anthem was disgraceful. Cal had to go along with it or he would have had a mutiny on his hands.
That was the 9-16 team so it wouldn’t have made much difference.
If you’re part of a insurreectiion, then you’re a thug. If you on the side of a insurrection then you are a THUG!
Burning police stations and tearing down statues is just plain stupid. However storming congress and trying to tear it down is treasonous. Not to mention officers killed in the process. Hunting members with intent to do harm. 150 years ago everyone involved would have been hung. All the way to the top. People who think they’re entitled to something, are louder than ever.
The only person that got killed that day was a air force veteran from Arizona named Ashley Babbit. She was shot in the neck and bled to death. The guy that shot her was never held accountable.
Brian D Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher by the treasonous thugs and later died.
Police don’t get held accountable for defending themselves against thugs wanting to kill them.
He died of a heart attack a day or so later. Ashley Babbitt was 5"3 and barely 100 pounds. Wouldn’t consider her a thug or lethal threat to a 6"3 250 pound cop with a gun.
You’re young and your brain hasn’t fully developed. White women’s lives don’t matter.
Some people take it to far when the cats loses, life is too short to dwell on it !!
Sadly, many in BBN have lowered their expectations for a John Calipari team. The man can recruit, but he is just an average coach at best. Other teams across the country want Calipari here. He is predictable, struggles to make adjustments during a game, and is quick to blame the players when they lose. We are no longer the gold standard of college basketball.
Let me ask you this did Joe B Hall, Eddie Sutton, Billy G, Rick Pitino lower your expectations when they were coaching. No our history of winning it all is not good except when Rupp and Pitino were at the helm Cal got several more years left if he chosen to do weather he can join Rupp with multiple titles.Think about only Rupp has won multiple titles
UK- Florida game in Gainesville 2021 did me in for UK Basketball. Not a fan of Coach Cal!
It’s because Kentucky had NBA caliber teams. Literally cream of the crop. They should of have had 5 national championships under Coach Cal. 3 for sure