Rivalries are a huge part of sports, and has been since the beginning. The UK and UL rivalry is no different. In the state of Kentucky, our bouts with Louisville are magnified and is put atop the pedestal of bragging rights to the state's top dog status. With so much emotion tied to the rivalry, it makes it one of the most important to the two teams thwarted into it than perhaps all of sports.
There are many fans that have warranted skepticism of Cal, while others have their minds made up and want him out immediately. Then there is the side that still backs Cal, and wants to see him climb Kentucky and himself back to the top of the college basketball mecca.
I have been pondering this rivalry since Cal's long time friend and ex-assistant took over the job and the implications that could follow. While Kenny Payne seems to be on a hot streak on the recruiting trial, many are worrying about their own team.
At UK, the expectation of beating Louisville every year as amounted into an enormous mountain of pressure, even larger than the mountain of money Cal is owed thanks to his lifetime contract. Here, it is beat UL first and foremost.
This is leading into the next season like a well-written TV drama that have people on the edge of our seat. If Cal can't retain UK's dominance of the state of Kentucky, what could it lead to? Could his old pal Kenny, be the one to slay the king and put to bed Cal's reign over Kentucky basketball?
The irony of this imminent situation is blindsided not only UK, but the rest of the college basketball landscape. After all, this could be the reason that leads us into finding our new head coach.
It is apparent that Mitch has given Cal a get-out-of-jail free card, giving him a mulligan on UK's worse season in history, and arguably it's worse loss in their long NCAA Tournament in their legendary history. But with the Kentucky and Louisville rivalry still at the forefront of "must-wins," would that finally be enough for Kentucky's AD to say enough is enough? Most fans will accept a couple of bad seasons or losses, but seeing our rival becoming a legitimate threat again and back on the college basketball landscape is another. Even more, if Louisville tips the scale back in their favor in the rivalry, it will most likely be the straw that broke camel's back.
Pay close attention to this developing situation, as it could get very interesting in the Bluegrass State, possibly historic.
There are many fans that have warranted skepticism of Cal, while others have their minds made up and want him out immediately. Then there is the side that still backs Cal, and wants to see him climb Kentucky and himself back to the top of the college basketball mecca.
I have been pondering this rivalry since Cal's long time friend and ex-assistant took over the job and the implications that could follow. While Kenny Payne seems to be on a hot streak on the recruiting trial, many are worrying about their own team.
At UK, the expectation of beating Louisville every year as amounted into an enormous mountain of pressure, even larger than the mountain of money Cal is owed thanks to his lifetime contract. Here, it is beat UL first and foremost.
This is leading into the next season like a well-written TV drama that have people on the edge of our seat. If Cal can't retain UK's dominance of the state of Kentucky, what could it lead to? Could his old pal Kenny, be the one to slay the king and put to bed Cal's reign over Kentucky basketball?
The irony of this imminent situation is blindsided not only UK, but the rest of the college basketball landscape. After all, this could be the reason that leads us into finding our new head coach.
It is apparent that Mitch has given Cal a get-out-of-jail free card, giving him a mulligan on UK's worse season in history, and arguably it's worse loss in their long NCAA Tournament in their legendary history. But with the Kentucky and Louisville rivalry still at the forefront of "must-wins," would that finally be enough for Kentucky's AD to say enough is enough? Most fans will accept a couple of bad seasons or losses, but seeing our rival becoming a legitimate threat again and back on the college basketball landscape is another. Even more, if Louisville tips the scale back in their favor in the rivalry, it will most likely be the straw that broke camel's back.
Pay close attention to this developing situation, as it could get very interesting in the Bluegrass State, possibly historic.
