The "Kentucky Factor"

[Jakeleg Jake]

when you look at the really nice facility Auburn played in today I think back 45 years ago when they beat a UK team coached by Coach Rupp and had Issel, Pratt and Casey playing. Auburn didn't even have an arena then...they played in a damn ROTC Quonset hut that seated maybe 1500.LSU played in a cow barn, Tennessee at Stokley, Vandy at Memorial Gym, the rest of the league in what amounted to hs gyms. I look at the SEC today and see the beautiful arenas and the importance basketball has compared to where it was and I can safely say it is because of Kentucky and what they have meant to not only this league but to the history of the game...so Auburn enjoy the win...you beat the greatest program in the history of college basketball.

 

[pharm727]

Very good points.

 

[CharlieT71059]

UK has a big target on their back no matter where we play. its a big deal to beat us

 

[docholiday51]

UK has a big target on their back no matter where we play. its a big deal to beat us

and this team can't handle that game in and game out

 

[Smashcat]

UK has a big target on their back no matter where we play. its a big deal to beat us

It will be even bigger at Arkansas. They've already shown they can beat us at home, coaches are angry about losing Monk, and they are playing better, just losing by 2 at LSU.

 

[Jakeleg Jake]

and this team can't handle that game in and game out

Correct...I read years ago a statement Coach Rupp made concerning competing in the SEC...after beating Georgia one year by 40 he remarked it was as exciting as "kissing your sister". In those days the only SEC teams that even remotely took basketball seriously were UT and Vandy...that has changed to a certain extent. Players are much better in the league now and so is the coaching. UK has to be up for every game because teams are going to give them their absolute best...it makes their season to beat the Cats.