Vicky Graff Photo
Kentucky basketball opened Southeastern Conference play on Saturday against an undefeated Florida Gators team champing at the bits to spoil the afternoon of 23,500 Kentucky fans.
The Wildcats got off to a slow start – something that was somewhat of a trend early on in the season – but battled back to lead at halftime and hold on to win, 106-100, for Mark Pope’s first SEC win.
Kentucky benefited from both a heroic shooting performance by Koby Brea and strong play from several of their star veterans.
However, the x-factor may have very well been the crowd in Rupp Arena.
I’ve covered countless Kentucky basketball and football games over the last decade and can confidently say that Saturday afternoon was one of the more electric crowds I’ve seen – especially for a regular season matchup.
Fans throughout Rupp Arena were standing, cheering, and relentlessly passionate about every play Kentucky made at both ends of the court.
It was as if Big Blue Nation had awoken Rupp Arena from a deep slumber and the Wildcats had acquired a true “home court advantage” with their fans being all-in for every second of the game.
What made Saturday even sweeter was that I had the “day off” and was able to attend the game, eight rows off the court almost directly behind the basket.
It was about as close to the action as I could be and while amid Big Blue Nation fanatics, I was not disappointed. Both my wife, Sarah, & I witnessed 40 minutes of thrilling basketball with the Wildcats coming out on top. It was as close to a perfect game as one could have hoped for.
Saturday was just the first of 18 SEC games Kentucky will play this season. And after the team’s win, Pope and his team only have eight home games remaining.
It’s of great importance that the Wildcats capitalize on each of those eight games because playing at Rupp Arena now makes more of a difference than it has in quite some time.
Kentucky will next face Georgia as they prepare to travel to Athens for Tuesday’s matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM ET with coverage on SEC Network.
In the meantime, check out photos from Saturday’s victory below.
Kentucky-Florida Basketball
Photos by Vicky Graff
