If The Old Court Is Coming Back, Bring These Things Back To Rupp Arena Too

Kentucky’s not-so-old basketball court with the gigantic bank stickers is coming back. And maybe the slow-it-down and post-up offense, too.

On Thursday, Rupp Arena formally announced the former in a joint “important update” with UK Athletics. In the update, fans learned that the beautiful new floor in Rupp Arena, installed two weeks ago, was not up to standards under game conditions. And since it is still within the 30-day return window, the new floor will be replaced by a newer floor that is satisfactory.

In the meantime, the old court is coming back until the replacement is completed and installed.

Important update from UK Athletics & Rupp Arena: pic.twitter.com/mV4yskaIMj

— Rupp Arena (@Rupp_Arena) December 14, 2023

Since the Kentucky Basketball experience is going backward, here are other things to consider bringing back to Rupp Arena from the past:

Mr. Kan’s Chinese Food

Mr. Kan’s Chinese Food was a regular meal before the KSR Pregame Show when we broadcast the show from the food court of The Shops at Lexington Center. There were times when Subway or Arby’s sounded better, or even the generic chicken tender place, but Mr. Kan’s was the anchor in that row of pre-Kentucky basketball game food options by the escalators.

Yesterday’s Billiards

While Mr. Kan’s fed the Big Blue Nation before tip-off, the party was a few steps away at Yesterday’s Billiards. For the pregame crowd that liked to play pool and hated having cell phone service, Yesterday’s was a fun atmosphere where Cats fans pounded cheap(ish) beers before stepping into dry land inside Rupp.

The University of Kentucky Basketball Museum

Financial problems took down the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum in July 2008. That means the Big Blue Nation hasn’t celebrated its basketball heritage with a museum adjacent to Rupp Arena since Billy Gillispie was the head coach. The museum can’t go out like that. Look at all it’s missed!

Ryan Lemond as halftime emcee

Sure, he slipped up ONE TIME by making an inappropriate Katina Powell reference during the halftime festivities of a game in 2016. He’s a changed man now, so much more mature than he was seven years ago. Give him a second chance. The people want to hear, “Heeeelllllooooooooo Rupp Arena!”

Big Bertha

Call her home. The 34-foot video board hanging there now is great (I’m a huge fan of the Snackward Cam) but if we’re going back in time, it’s time to call Bertha home.

Kenny Payne

It’s only a matter of time before Louisville gives him his pink slip, so bring Kenny home, too. His mission on enemy soil is more than complete. Time to come back home. Job well done.