The Majesty of Rupp Arena

If the Cougs felt slightly intimidated playing Kentucky at Rupp Arena, it is understandable; because I too felt intimidated. I have to admit the place is magical: 7 National Titles hanging proudly from the rafters, 22, 477 well versed in the game of basketball, Kentucky-blue clad fans on hand to watch the Cats play a mid-major team from Charleston, SC, and not a bad seat in the house. Seriously, I got a nose-bleed on the way up to our seats, but fortunately, Kentucky built Rupp Arena up, and not out, so you are looking practically straight down at the floor and what you can't see you can watch on one of the numerous televisions around the arena.

My step-dad, Dan (UK, class of 1970), hadn't been to Rupp Arena since Dani was born (some 23 years ago) so it was a very special time for us, as he returned and I made my first trip to Rupp. Granted I was let-down that Dani kept her CofC shirt under wraps and even my dear sweet Mother wore blue, but it was a great experience, and I'd like to thank Coach Cremins for scheduling the game.

(Photos of Rupp Arena and JET outside of Rupp, compliments of CofC Sports Fan)

Kentucky vs the State of South Carolina

Updated December 1, 2006

The Kentucky Wildcats are 54-11 (all-time) against teams from the State of South Carolina. The two Palmetto State teams that have beat the Wildcats in basketball are Clemson (4-12) and USC (7-37).

The Series:

The College of Charleston is 0-2 against the Wildcats, having lost to Kentucky in the Great Alaska Shoot-out in 1996. Kentucky defeated the Cougs by 27-points (92-65). This loss was Coach Kresse's largest margin of defeat and the school's largest margin of defeat against a NCAA opponent. Kentucky was definitely the better team during that game and the Cats went on to win the National Championship that same year.

The Cougars at Rupp Arena:

The Cougars are 0-2 at Rupp Arena having lost (68-58) to the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 1994. The Cougars lost 77-61 to the Wildcats at Rupp Arena this week. The NCAA Bracketology predicts the Cougs to win the SoCon, returning to Rupp in the first round of the Big Dance to take on the Buckeyes. There is a lot that happens between now and then, but I'd like see the Cougs return to Rupp and put on in the win column.

*I added the photo from Rupp Arena taken with my cell-phone before going back to update this post. I have more Kentucky and Rupp material to share that will probably be posted this weekend.

Cougars warming up at Rupp!

These are random shots of the College of Charleston Cougars during warm-ups at Rupp Arena. (Photo compliments of Jim Trabert)

College of Charleston vs. Kentucky

The College of Charleston will play the Kentucky Wildcats tonight @ Rupp Arena (7:00 pm). I will be at the game with my Mom, Sister and Big Papi (who is a UK alum and basketball fan). I still think the Cougars have an excellent chance of winning and if the season goes as planned returning to Rupp in the Big Dance to take on the Buckeyes. Go Cougs!

Click here for Directions to Rupp Arena.

Click here for the Rupp Arena seating chart.

Map round Rupp Arena

For those of you headed to the game tonight, here is a map of the area around the Arena. Parking in the orange section is $10. If you are coming in on Hwy-60 (from Man of War) turn left on Lex. Center Drive and park as close to the front exit as possible because 60 West is your quick escape out of town.

UCLA beats Tubby Smith's Wildcats in the EA Sports Maui Invitational

You always know that you are in for something special when the two most storied basketball programs in the land face-off on the hardwood. No, I am not talking about the College of Charleston continuing their excellence (2-0) against the UNC Tarheels; I am referring to the UCLA Bruins (3-) with the most (11) NCAA Titles vs the Kentucky Wildcats (3-1) with the second most (7) National Titles. Tubby Smith and the Wildcats never seem to produce in Lahaina, Hawaii @ the EA Sports Maui Invitational, and this year would be the same dance, different song for the Kentucky blue. The Wildcats did put on a good show-after being down by 8-points at the half, they made one hell of a come back in the second half outscoring the Bruins by 3-points, but the Bruins were hungry, made less turnovers and ended with a chance to move on and play the 19th ranked Ga. Tech Yellowjackets who came back to beat Memphis 92-85.

Recon!

I watched this game because the College of Charleston has the pleasure of playing Kentucky next Tuesday at Rupp Arena. Indeed, I will be there at the game. The keys for the College to upset the Wildcats are as follows:

1. Force Turnovers: This Kentucky team has trouble with man to man defense. As shown in the game against UCLA if the pressure is added and the passing lanes are shut down (although talented) the Wildcats are missing fundamentals when it comes to dribbling, passing and making things happen.



2. Shut down Joe Crawford: Anytime we are outsized by a Junior point-guard standing at 6'5" and tipping the scales at 211 lbs, there is going to be a mis-match. That being said, Crawford can be shut down with pressure and speed-something our boy Draper has in spades. Crawford is on fire as he put up 18-points against UCLA and 16 against Miami (Ohio), but his numbers are reflective of a lack of team effort and his inability to get the ball to other players.



3. Pressure Derrick Jasper: Another large body for the Wildcats @ guard is the 6'6", 213 lb. Freshman Jasper. Miami (Ohio) was able to pressure this youngster into turning the ball over and kept him scoreless. UCLA gave him "room to grow" and Jasper took advantage of it putting up 12-points.



4. Pressure Perry Stevenson: Another Freshman who if pressured will make bad decisions resulting in turnovers. Once again, UCLA let another freshman have "room to grow" and they paid dearly for it as he put 10-points on the board. Miami (Ohio) held the youngster to 2-points. Once again, point goes to Miami (Ohio) for doing their homework.



5. Use our big men to keep Randolph Morris out of the game: Morris is a 6'11", 259 lb. Junior with the size and experience to get to the charity stripe and put points on the board. He had 12-points against the Bruins tonight, but he wasn't unstoppable. If the ball isn't in his hands, the bleeding can be stopped becuase despite his shooting skills, his rebounding ability is less than desired.



6. Don't get allow the shock and awe of Rupp Arena to make you play out of your game: Rupp Arena is a shrine to the glory days of Kentucky basketball complete with National Championship banners, retired jerseys of the great ones and (always a well-deserved attention grabber) the beautiful Ashley Judd. Listen up Cougs, the Wildcats have lost numerous games at Rupp and they will lose to you because they fear the Cremins and may think you are just a SoCon pantsy team that they can walk all over. Don't let it happen! Be prepared, play your game and listen to Coach. If you do, I have a feeling we'll be coming home with the scalp of another giant to hang in Kresse Arena. ESPN Bracketology has us playing Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Rupp, so you might as well get used to winning in the Bluegrass State.