Calipari looking forward to Miami visiting Rupp Arena: "Will be one of those crowds."

When the Miami Hurricanes come to Lexington on Tuesday, the Big Blue Nation could be in store for something special.

Don’t expect much defense from either Kentucky or Miami — two teams ranked in the top 15 of KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency early in the season. UK ranks 8th in the nation in points per game (89.6) while Miami isn’t far behind at 12th (89.0). By the time Tuesday night rolls around, both programs will likely be ranked among the nation’s top 15.

It’ll easily be the biggest home game of the season these far for the Wildcats. After Kentucky dropped 118 points in a win over Marshall on Friday night — the most in the John Calipari era — there’s even more reason to look forward to what could be in store next week once Miami steps on the hardwood. Calipari is especially excited about the possible environment, and he’s encouraging fans to make the trip downtown.

“The crowd today, how about the crowd? I try to tell these guys after the game, the crowd you’re gonna see with that game Tuesday, will be one of those crowds,” Calipari said during his postgame radio appearance. “And let me just say, if you can’t go, give your tickets away. It could be 100 to 100. We’re gonna try and they may not have to try to be able to do that to us because they’re pretty good. But it should be a fun — where you’re just watching and saying ‘I’m exhausted’ when the game’s over. I am exhausted watching that stuff, it’s like a ping-pong match. So it should be fun.”

Admittedly, the Rupp Arena crowds this season haven’t been up to previous standards. There are certainly plenty of reasons or excuses as to why, but a lot of it boils down to Kentucky simply not being as fun to watch over the last few seasons. This year’s group feels similar to the early days of Calipari’s tenure at UK — fast, lots of scoring, fun to watch, and always smiling.

Even Marshall head coach Dan D’Antoni admitted after Friday night’s game that he enjoyed watching Kentucky play. It was fun basketball for anyone who turned on the TV. People enjoy watching fun basketball. D’Antoni joked that he didn’t think that was the same John Calipari he’s used to knowing. Kentucky went 16-27 from distance against the Thundering Herd and turned the ball over just nine times.

That’s fun basketball, and Calipari wants everyone to check out his new-and-improved product. He might even be enjoying it more than the fans. This Kentucky team full of youngsters could use the extra boost from the fans against Miami, too. A 7:30 p.m. tip-time on ESPN in the ACC/SEC Challenge between two top 15 teams is begging for something special to happen.

“I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving. I look forward to walking into this building on Tuesday and seeing people ready to burst. This team will need you now,” Calipari said, “(Miami is) an older basketball team. Does that surprise you? They’re older, so this team is gonna need us to be standing, cheering. We’ve already seen when we go down early — how many times already have we been down early? A bunch. And we come back and we keep playing. Hopefully you’re enjoying it. I know I am.“