ESPN says KY basketball fans insane

#1
BasketvolsFan

BasketvolsFan

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#1
Kentucky fans have been camping out since Wednesday to get tickets to mid-night madness---not season tickets, but a practice game. ESPN calls them insane fans. UT will never have that level of support for basketball, regardless of success. Fan support is a tremendous help to development of an elite program.
 
#3
#3
BasketvolsFan said:
Kentucky fans have been camping out since Wednesday to get tickets to mid-night madness---not season tickets, but a practice game. ESPN calls them insane fans. UT will never have that level of support for basketball, regardless of success. Fan support is a tremendous help to development of an elite program.
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TN could or would have that kind of fan base if our basketball tradition and history was as rich as KY. It will take many years and a few National Titles to get our fan base on that level. To be honest, I never even cared about TN basketball until about two years ago....I think alot of current TN fans are that way.
 
#4
#4
Let me restate that...I have always cared about TN sports...just never had much to pull for on the hardwood until the past few years....that makes you care a little more. GBO
 
#5
#5
I've been a season ticket holder since the Buzz days. I remember the days when they would announce over the speakers at the half for all fans to come down to the lower level... those were sad days, but a cheap seat ended up getting you a great seat!

Personally I like the "show" at the TBA better than the "show" at Neyland. I love football most, but I love basketball a close second!
 
#6
#6
I've always loved big orange basketball,even during the Houston, O'Neil and Buzz years. It's a lot more fun going to the games now though.
 
#7
#7
The games used to be more relaxing. You had more room to spread out. Could have taken a nap. Now it's too crowded and loud! At least I can still relax at Neyland on Saturdays by reporting boisterous people to the authorities via text.
 
#9
#9
I've always pulled for UT basketball(and all Vol sports)
But I agree, I think if our history were as rich as Kentucky's that we'd have the same thing going on...or at least close to it
 
#10
#10
BasketvolsFan said:
Kentucky fans have been camping out since Wednesday to get tickets to mid-night madness---not season tickets, but a practice game. ESPN calls them insane fans. UT will never have that level of support for basketball, regardless of success. Fan support is a tremendous help to development of an elite program.
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That's what happens when you have an irrelevant football program. You have to cheer for something.
 
#12
#12
47 year fan of u t basketball. i have just always know to never overexpect. don't get me wrong because i do love u t basketball and always will no matter what happens. this coming 2 seasons ago, my wife and i went to the alabama game, and man had it changed !!! i 've been to the move down seats many times and still i enjoyed it, no matter the outcome. it will take a very long, if ever , time to get the u k level. i hate it too, but that's just how it is.. i think this years's team has a shot of being better than last years if things all fall together and nothing much happens with the AA. they have a good mixture of seniors to go with the great young talent they have. i wish them all the luck, truly !! :clapping: :clapping: :salute: :salute:
 
#15
#15
BasketvolsFan said:
Kentucky fans have been camping out since Wednesday to get tickets to mid-night madness---not season tickets, but a practice game. ESPN calls them insane fans. UT will never have that level of support for basketball, regardless of success. Fan support is a tremendous help to development of an elite program.
Click to expand...

If not for my great inside line on alumni connections and such to get tickets to events, I would probably have made my way up there myself for the fun of it. At least 5 or 6 years ago I would have. Although its more crazy now than it has ever been.

There was an interesting debate on KSR the other day about the "what if" of Bear Bryant leaving UK. The question was posed if knowing what we know now, would fans have rather Rupp left the school with 3 hoops titles and kept Bear Bryant and have 6 football titles instead. Essentially, the state would be flipped and rabid over football.

There were good arguments from both sides. Of course we are the one enigma of the SEC conference, as in most UK fans (besides McCat) don't really care that much about football. What I mean, is that they like it, but it doesn't dominate their lives like the basketball program.

As for me, I think Kentucky as a state identifies more with hoops than football. This is one of the few states left without classes in basketball, the state tourney is all teams in and winner takes all. There are countless small high schools across the state that does not even have high school football programs. As much as I hate Indiana, both states have a lot in common that way.

Concerning the insane fans and the amount of support, I really don't think its possible to build support like we have in todays setting. Kentuckys insane love for hoops has been developed and nurtured over 70 years (just like UT Football). UF is a great example, as they won two titles back to back and nobody really seemed to give a damn.
 
#16
#16
BasketvolsFan said:
Kentucky fans have been camping out since Wednesday to get tickets to mid-night madness---not season tickets, but a practice game. ESPN calls them insane fans. UT will never have that level of support for basketball, regardless of success. Fan support is a tremendous help to development of an elite program.
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That's all they have in that state.
 
#18
#18
I would certainly camp out, and I could probably identify at least 100 others that I saw at every game last season (that would also camp out). It may not be as big as UK at this point, but if they started it people would definitely follow.
 
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#20
#20
BiGdNtN said:
TN could or would have that kind of fan base if our basketball tradition and history was as rich as KY. It will take many years and a few National Titles to get our fan base on that level. To be honest, I never even cared about TN basketball until about two years ago....I think alot of current TN fans are that way.
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Memphis has 0 National Titles, yet fills the place up for Memphis Madness. It's called tradition. Lady Vols have it, Men don't.
 
#22
#22
Yea UT is really hurting for fan support.

What are we top 5 attendance?

The only thing that camping out for a scrimmage does is reinforce the idea that Kentucky is the worst state in the nation.
 
#23
#23
It only started that late because that's when they started allowing fans to start camping there. I know football is huge in TN but basketball in KY is bigger than football in TN. I usually get looks of disbelief when I say this in Knoxville but it's true.

It's all Ky has... coal mines, horses, and basketball.
 
#25
#25
Hardwood_fanatic said:
Of course we are the one enigma of the SEC conference, as in most UK fans (besides McCat) don't really care that much about football. What I mean, is that they like it, but it doesn't dominate their lives like the basketball program.
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My experience has been that the fanbase is mainly composed of a bunch of jackasses that know nothing about history or sports yet simply think they are entitled to win a national championship in everything every year simply because they live in a state which once house the Baron and the Bear, Go Big Blue. It is possible, though, that you are talking about parts of Kentucky I have never visited.

I have never been to Adairville, FTR.

Hardwood_fanatic said:
Bourbon. You can't forget Bourbon.
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And some fairly nice women. And bourbon.
 
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