Saturday is the day we’ve all been waiting for. Kentucky Vs. Louisville and our chance to claim bragging rights for the next year. Thats’ what it’s normally about, but this time, it’s different. Egos, Indiscretions and Basketball…Yeah, That’s more like it.
Coach Calipari has asked that everyone show the world how classy we are as a fan base and keep this game about the players. He’s exactly right, and that’s one reason why he’s such a perfect fit at KY. Now let’s be honest with each other….Do you really think that’s going to happen? For some of us, I’m sure you’ll follow the line that’s been drawn, but for others, not a chance. I’m not saying Kentucky fans are not classy, but at the end of the day, there’s a lot of pent up anger and frustration that’s been building over the last few years. In an attempt to follow the Coaches orders, I guess I’ll have to reconsider wearing my blond wig, waving toy baby keys, or making a tasteless video like this one.
******This is a little racy, so don’t view in front of the kids********
Now I would never do any of those things because that’s just not who I am.
I would however, like for Coach Pitino and any and all Louisville fans to feel embarrassed and ashamed to show their face at work on Monday. I want to see them suffer like Hartford but never put in the second string. I want every second of that game to physically hurt for cardinal fans. Every basket we score, I want a little bit of Louisville basketball to slip away. I want the players to be embarrassed to say they even played at Louisville. I want this game to be a ruthless beat-down of Cardinals everywhere!
Losing to Louisville for two consecutive years is probably a good start to why I feel this way, but I don’t think we’ve ever been able to beat Pitino Louisville the way we’ve really wanted to.
So why do I have such a hatred for Louisville? Well let me break it down for you..
It’s Louisville– I was born and raised in South East Kentucky (the mountains) and the word “Louisville” was forbidden in the house. If you’re from that area, you’ll understand it when I say Louisville really isn’t even in Kentucky. It’ s really just southern Indiana (“they do call it “Kentuckyana”). I understand there’s more Kentucky fans in the city than Louisville fans, but you guys should really consider moving back towards the promise land.
It’s Pitino – Yes Coach Cal, I understand he left Kentucky, it happened in the past and I need to let it go. However, It would really help if we could embarrass them on Saturday. He had everything here and he chose to leave. This is an example of someone that obviously thought he was larger than the program.
I know he’s expressed that leaving KY was a mistake in a number of interviews, but we’ve never got a chance to show him what he left and how he made us feel and to show him what he’s missing out on. The hype that surrounds the Kentucky program today is the same hype that Pitino used to enjoy with the Untouchables, except this time, he’s the visiting coach.
In the past, even though he was the visiting team, he was still Pitino and stood somewhat higher in stature than Tubby or Billy. This time it’s clear, he’s playing the role of little brother. Even though Pitino was Calipari’s mentor, he knows he has his work cut out for him.
Kentucky Tradition– It’s no secret that our program has lost a lot of its reputation in college basketball and with Louisville fans. A new generation of fans have grown up without a full understanding of what Kentucky Basketball is all about. We’re well on our way to setting the record straight nationally, but if we lose on Saturday, we’ll actually have Louisville fans that think their program is as great or better than Kentucky’s..and that’s just wrong.
At the end of the day its like Coach Calipari said, “its about the players”, but let’s also not forget the program. I’m fine with our players acknowledging they have a great coach or that their talents are better than their opponents, but no one should forget that the Kentucky Basketball Program is larger than any of them. Pitino should know this better than anyone. He’s coached at Louisville for the same amount of time that he coached at KY, and he has yet to win a championship. Simply put…
Pitino + Louisville = Choke
Pitino + Kentucky = Championship
Calipari + Memphis = Choke
Calipari + Kentucky = Multiple Championships (just a matter of time)
So, yes Coach Cal, it is about the players. And for born and raised KY fans, it will always be about something more. It’s a way of life. And we should all remember that the program will always be larger than any of us.
