Amoore, Brooks Want BBN to be Loud and Proud

Vicky Graff Photo

Kentucky All-American guard Georgia Amoore has a simple message for Big Blue fans about Friday’s NCAA Tournament game against Liberty in Memorial Coliseum.

“What else do you possibly have to do that could be possibly better than watching us play at noon?” she said Thursday. “Seriously, I think the games we’ve played, we’ve played against Alabama, it was a close game, and the crowd pushed us over, seriously.

“We had that run against LSU, and although we didn’t finish it out, it made it a close game. That building was rocking. Tennessee, you know, nothing pumps up Kentucky fans than putting on a good show against Tennessee.

“So we see how crowds affect games. And no matter where you go, any great team that gets a great crowd, they’ll think that and say that because it’s true. The energy, the momentum, it changes like the dynamic of the game, really.”

Kentucky coach Kenny Brooks knows hosting should be an “advantage” because the Cats can “feed” off the home crowd and play better.

“We’ve developed a relationship with Big Blue Nation. I think that they really like what we do. It’s a fun style of basketball. They come out and supported us. They made us better. I’ve often said a fan base can make a good team great,” Brooks said.

“So we need Big Blue Nation to come out, be loud. We’re going to need every bit of it. We say home court advantage is at least worth eight points, and we’re going to need everyone against Liberty because they’re a good basketball team, very unique in what they run and how they run it is very different than what we’ve seen the last 17 or 18 games.

“So we’re going to need that extra oomph to get over the top. To fight to get a top 4 seed, it means something. It means something. It gives you an advantage. So we’re going to need to really pull off.”

Brooks knows Rupp Arena is hosting the men’s NCAA tourney and UK baseball also has a home weekend series with Auburn.

“But I don’t think anything is as exciting as being here and historic Memorial cheering on your Wildcats. So I know there’s another tournament going on over there (at Rupp) , but we don’t like those teams over there anyway,” the UK coach joked. “So come on over here. Be loud, be proud. Help a good team be great, and hopefully we can advance each day.

Amoore calls it a “game changer” for UK to host the NCAA Tournament.

“It just gives us that comfort, that feel, the crowd will be on our side,” Amoore said. But it means the world to us, considering maybe a couple of months ago, maybe in November, who knew that we were going to be in this position to be able to host and be one of the top 16 teams going into this tournament is — it’s a huge honor.”