What A Win Against Oklahoma

Vicky Graff Photo

By KERI SCAGGS, Contributor

March 13th was one long day for the BBN. While it was easier for me being on Alaska time, I had a nervousness about the game like I’ve not felt in years. My cabin is small, barely 500 square feet. Yet other than going about a half a block to retrieve my mail, I didn’t leave the house — and I walked (more like paced) over 4 miles.

After the victory (over Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament), and after calling my aunt and uncle in Catlettsburg at 1:08 AM, I realized the day had been a mix of excitement and dread. Excitement about what this team could possibly do, but still feeling the dread from years past.

In 2023 I attended my first and only SEC Tournament. The excitement we felt as we drove from Lexington to Nashville on Friday only to see the Cats lose to Vandy was brutal. We felt so deflated we got up early and drove home the next morning. I figured I could make some of my money back by reselling the rest of my tickets, but nope. Once Kentucky was gone, so was the market. I lost about $500 bucks on that venture and like most people, that was a real hit.

When the conference tickets came back around this year, I couldn’t run the risk of that happening again. Felt like fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice …

It’s said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. I see a lot of talk of how we are too focused on Arkansas, Cal, etc. But let’s not forget that this time last year he was the head coach at Kentucky. He went to a school in the same conference. Kind of hard to totally ignore — especially when many of us are still shedding the angst of such poor performances in tournaments that matter.

So that’s the dread. Now let’s get to the excitement about this team and the future …

If Cal had stayed, I was on the fence about renewing my season tickets. It’s been a challenging couple of years, and it ain’t cheap. But once he was gone, I decided to keep the faith (AND my seats). What a good investment that has been. I got to experience some great wins with family and friends. The resale market was healthy — which had never happened in previous years.

It was clear things were changing, but would they change enough? I think the answer to that is yes. Thursday night was huge. I’m still trying to find words to express it all, and I guarantee I’m not the only one.

It’s hard to try and explain to those outside the BBN, but waking up Friday  morning I still felt thrilled. Relieved. NOTHING like a day earlier. Reminded me of 2012 after beating Louisville in the Final Four. The last thing you want to do is lose to your rival in a game that big. While I wanted to see a championship, it felt like a bonus after getting over that hump.

Will Kentucky do well next weekend? Who knows. What we do know is there wasn’t a first round flameout in Nashville. Why? Because Mark Pope is a coach who cares. Who gets it. Who gets US. Who should’ve been on the Naismith Watch List for Coach of the Year. Who started with NOTHING and has competed in the toughest conference in the country. Who understands that those in the nosebleeds are as important as the biggest donors to the K Fund. Who isn’t dismissive about the intense love for the conference tournament and what it means to the BBN.

Those days are over, people. Lord have mercy are we in good hands. Hallelujah for that.

This is an extraordinary group of young men, several who will never wear the Blue and White again. How they have fought in the midst of real adversity, well, we should be in awe of what we’ve witnessed. The loss to Bama was brutal to watch. It was clear they (UK players) were out of gas and  yet the  least they deserve is our full support regardless of how many games remain.

Let’s enjoy every moment and GO CATS!