Kim Mulkey questions Kentucky women's basketball not playing at Rupp Arena, local reporters give surprising response

Following their game today in Lexington, Kim Mulkey wondered why Kentucky plays their games in Historic Memorial Coliseum rather than in Rupp Arena.

After No. 7 LSU won 65-58 over No. 14 Kentucky on Sunday, Mulkey asked the media at the postgame press conference about why the Wildcats play where they do.

Kim Mulkey on Kentucky playing in HMC: "I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way — why are they not playing in Rupp? Could they have filled up Rupp? Is that an advantage or disadvantage that they play here?"

— Phoenix Stevens (@PStevensKSR) February 23, 2025

Kim Mulkey said she isn't sure whether Kentucky plays in Memorial Coliseum is an advantage or a disadvantage.

She asked the media if we were women's basketball players if we'd be happy not playing in Rupp.

There was an overwhelming "Yes" in response.

— Katie Hutchison (@KHutchisonKSR) February 23, 2025

“Okay, let me just – and I don’t want anybody to take this the wrong way. I need y’all to give me feedback, fair enough?,” Mulkey said. “Why are they not playing in Rupp?”

When home court advantage was given as an answer, Mulkey thought the women’s basketball team could have one at either venue although not being sure exactly how much of a difference there would be between the two as far as that goes. Still, it was something she considered with the opinion of their programs on the court at UK.

“Really? So, if you were a female women’s basketball player, you’re cool with not playing in Rupp? Okay. I just didn’t know,” said Mulkey. “I’m sitting her going, hmmm, could they have filled Rupp up today? Because, when I was at Baylor, they played in Rupp – or the game they played us at Baylor was in Rupp. So that’s a question that, you know, maybe I’ll ask Kenny when I get a moment – is that an advantage or a disadvantage that they play here versus Rupp? Does it hurt or help you in recruiting?”

“Kentucky has had great women’s basketball, um, players through the years,” Mulkey added. “Kentucky is Kentucky. Y’all are a blue blood, right. It’s what people say – a blue blood, a blue blood in men’s basketball, for sure.”

It’s an interesting point with where Kentucky currently is. The program has a new level of excitement and interest since the hire of Kenny Brooks with that only growing with the Wildcats at 21-5 overall and presently in fourth place in the SEC at 10-4, which has had them ranked throughout this year in the AP Poll.

That energy could be something that could get them attendance at Rupp Arena, which has a capacity of over 20,000.

However, UK just recently renovated Historic Memorial Coliseum with it re-opening for this season. That remodel actually caused them to play in Rupp Arena last season. Now, after completing the $82 million project, the Wildcats have had good crowds on campus for their games. That includes the attendance of 6,000 for the Top-15 matchup today for Senior Day.

The bluegrass loves their basketball with that being true of the men’s and women’s teams. That’s why the point Mulkey made was a notable one as it’s something that Kentucky could consider, if even for just a few games a year.