As Kentucky Basketball re-energizes the BBN, Rupp Arena returned the favor

The atmosphere in Rupp Arena for No. 12 Kentucky vs. No. 8 Miami was special. It was the type of environment, crowd, and excitement that the Lexington-Fayette County Recreational, Tourist, and Convention Commission built the place to hold when it broke ground in downtown Lexington nearly five decades ago. 

“The Home of the Greatest Tradition in College Basketball,” fans are reminded before each game. “The Mecca of College Basketball.”

Rupp lived up to its reputation Tuesday night. Just ask anyone who was there once they’re able to hear again. Give it a few days, and they’ll tell you about it.

From my seat, I can tell you the eRupption Zone and the adjacent student sections were full early. (They have to do something about those white tables in big games, though.)

The eRupption Zone is big game ready pic.twitter.com/uIIXGGGaMx

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) November 29, 2023

By the time John Michael Montgomery’s All Roads Lead To Lexington dropped, the rest of the crowd had arrived, and Rupp Arena was vibrant, looking like it did on the day we fell in love. (If you’ve ever been, you remember that day, your first time. We all do. For me, it was the Cats vs. Athletes In Action, an exhibition game. 1993, I think.)

Boooooo!

Against eighth-ranked Miami, the packed crowd brought its best stuff from start to finish, which added fuel to Kentucky’s fire throughout the entire game.

Early on, the crowd was the most energetic when Pat Adams watched Norchad Omier put his forearm to Tre Mitchell‘s throat, only to call a foul on Mitchell. I’ve since seen a replay, and the television broadcast did not capture the full intensity of those boos. Somebody turn the volume up on those mics for the people at home.

Reed Sheppard’s Rupp Arena

Then, with a minute left in the half, Reed Sheppard nearly swiped a dribble handoff on the wing, then blocked a straight-ahead 3-pointer by Nijel Pack. And because he is Reed Sheppard, he rebounded the shot he just blocked, and without taking a step forward, fired ahead a chest pass that hit Antonio Reeves in stride inside the 3-point line for one dribble and a layup to put Kentucky up by three.

They will still be cleaning Hunt Brothers Pizza and soft-serve ice cream off Rupp Arena’s ceilings next week. (No Louisville.) The place erupted.

It was more of the same in the second half but even louder as it became evident Kentucky would run away with a top-10 win. John Wall loved it. He was the ceremonial Y.

Kentucky Volleyball and Kentucky Football also received standing ovations for their recent accomplishments: volleyball winning another SEC crown and football bringing the Governor’s Cup home.

Still, the play on the court was the driving force of Rupp Arena being the best version of itself on a Tuesday night in November. Or, maybe it’s the other way around. There’s truth in both.

The Big Blue Nation energized Kentucky Basketball in its biggest game on the home schedule the way this Kentucky Basketball team is re-energizing the Big Blue Nation. And it made for one of those special nights in Rupp Arena that fans won’t soon forget.

Now rest up, BBN. The Cats are at home again on Saturday.

Run it back.