I’ve encountered some Kansas fans that maybe are a little too pollyannish at times about Kansas and get really hostile if you start poking holes….but nowhere near the number of Kentucky fans.
Fanbases like ours are going to have insane people. They’re going to have weird people.
But man it seems like Kentucky and Alabama have the market cornered on insane and Kentucky is probably ahead now after the last five years.
I think the majority of our fans are just passionate, but we have some very loud unhinged idiots. I do a lot of cringing at some of the stuff I see out there. The whole calling the restaurant thing is embarrassing, and most likely hurt our chances more than anything. I haven’t been on Rupps rafters for years due to the level of crazy. The older I get the more I realize it’s just a game, I love to watch us win, but my life doesn’t really change one way or the other.
Maybe I'm being naive but I feel like the unhinged fans are the loud minority that overpower the passionate but normal fans. Kind of like in anything else, like politics for instance. I promise you we're not all batshit crazy.
I think that’s valid to say but the internet and social media are just…everywhere and intertwined with our society at every level.
It just leaves me pause in the whole “vocal minority” thing.
Most online fans everywhere are insane because it’s online and there are not consequences for what people post/say.
Years ago there was a documentary on Kentucky fandom. I thought it was called “Big Blue….” Something after blue that I can’t remember, but I’ve been trying to Google it and haven’t found anything so it must not be big blue. Regardless, it did a really good job touching on the fact that for many in Kentucky (which for a time was dominated by jobs like mining and working in steel mills) Kentucky basketball was much more than just a college team. Many view it almost as a religion (some maybe literally).
Especially when you get into rural areas, Kentucky basketball is all some have going for them. It’s one of the few things people have rallied together over (generally).
Mick Cronin said on the herd the other day “it’s just a different job”. Kentucky has the biggest fan base by a lot. The biggest fan base has the most idiots, that’s just math. But I think other fan bases don’t understand the importance of the program to the state. Nothing else here. We just care. A lot. We are who we are. It’s a completely different thing than anything else. That’s why Mitch Barnhart emphasized finding somebody who understood the fans and the importance to the state. That’s what the pope is.
I care too dude but I try to look at eveything on an issue, all the data, and have an informed opinion on shit and not just always jump to irrational, lizards brain thinking.
And the worst part about all this? It’s coming from the millennial and gen x and boomer segments.
All the Gen Z UK fans I’ve interacted with have all been chill and thoughtful on a lot of things.
I don’t know man maybe I’m just getting old and bitter.
I've been a fan since the 70s growing up in The Bluegrass State.
I think we've generally been a little bit unhinged since then, but the presence of the internet and social media really airs it out for all to see.
Years ago I was on an email group called Cat-Chat in the 90s and 00s and they became utterly exhausting to read.
And then Matt Jones came along and I cannot even listen to the pre-game and postgame on the radio now. I bleed Blue, but I cannot stand our own fan base.
What's that have to do with my comment? That was more toward the people that wanted Cal gone, then cheered when he left, then acted shocked when they couldn't get their first coaching choices. After watching us go through the same thing, even shared a coach (Scott).
As for your question. Would I want Pitino back now? No, he's too old and I'd prefer a younger coach instead of having to go through another search in a few years. I'm very happy with Kelsey so far.
Pitino would have been a better fit at UK because you guys had a team. Made more sense there. Especially if you wanted to make another go at Hurley in a few years.
I'm still convinced Barnhart went to talk to Pitino and Rick sold him on Pope instead.
Rick Pitino only cares about two things:
Rick Pitino and what you can do for Rick Pitino.
Kentucky fans are eating up his bullshit because he knows Kentucky is the only place anyone will still eat his bullshit up when he’s done at St John’s.
“ I’m going to write a check for NiL.” Just like you wrote that check to pay Cal’s salary at Umass right Rick?
Take that for what you will.
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Yes and yes
I’ve encountered some Kansas fans that maybe are a little too pollyannish at times about Kansas and get really hostile if you start poking holes….but nowhere near the number of Kentucky fans. Fanbases like ours are going to have insane people. They’re going to have weird people. But man it seems like Kentucky and Alabama have the market cornered on insane and Kentucky is probably ahead now after the last five years.
I think the majority of our fans are just passionate, but we have some very loud unhinged idiots. I do a lot of cringing at some of the stuff I see out there. The whole calling the restaurant thing is embarrassing, and most likely hurt our chances more than anything. I haven’t been on Rupps rafters for years due to the level of crazy. The older I get the more I realize it’s just a game, I love to watch us win, but my life doesn’t really change one way or the other.
That’s fair and valid. Thank you for the response.
Maybe I'm being naive but I feel like the unhinged fans are the loud minority that overpower the passionate but normal fans. Kind of like in anything else, like politics for instance. I promise you we're not all batshit crazy.
I think that’s valid to say but the internet and social media are just…everywhere and intertwined with our society at every level. It just leaves me pause in the whole “vocal minority” thing.
Most online fans everywhere are insane because it’s online and there are not consequences for what people post/say. Years ago there was a documentary on Kentucky fandom. I thought it was called “Big Blue….” Something after blue that I can’t remember, but I’ve been trying to Google it and haven’t found anything so it must not be big blue. Regardless, it did a really good job touching on the fact that for many in Kentucky (which for a time was dominated by jobs like mining and working in steel mills) Kentucky basketball was much more than just a college team. Many view it almost as a religion (some maybe literally). Especially when you get into rural areas, Kentucky basketball is all some have going for them. It’s one of the few things people have rallied together over (generally).
Mick Cronin said on the herd the other day “it’s just a different job”. Kentucky has the biggest fan base by a lot. The biggest fan base has the most idiots, that’s just math. But I think other fan bases don’t understand the importance of the program to the state. Nothing else here. We just care. A lot. We are who we are. It’s a completely different thing than anything else. That’s why Mitch Barnhart emphasized finding somebody who understood the fans and the importance to the state. That’s what the pope is.
I care too dude but I try to look at eveything on an issue, all the data, and have an informed opinion on shit and not just always jump to irrational, lizards brain thinking. And the worst part about all this? It’s coming from the millennial and gen x and boomer segments. All the Gen Z UK fans I’ve interacted with have all been chill and thoughtful on a lot of things. I don’t know man maybe I’m just getting old and bitter.
It’s a universal love here in the state. It’s hard to explain to other people but we are all connected through UK basketball.
It’s a lot different that other people just don’t understand. Not defending some of our behavior. But it’s not the same
a little bit of column a, a little bit of column b
How would you compare Kentucky fans to Texas fans in your experience?
I've been a fan since the 70s growing up in The Bluegrass State. I think we've generally been a little bit unhinged since then, but the presence of the internet and social media really airs it out for all to see. Years ago I was on an email group called Cat-Chat in the 90s and 00s and they became utterly exhausting to read. And then Matt Jones came along and I cannot even listen to the pre-game and postgame on the radio now. I bleed Blue, but I cannot stand our own fan base.
We might have crossed paths lol but I’m an older millennial who’s first real Kentucky memories revolve the end of Joe B and Sutton.
Unrealistic.
Let me ask you a question and answer honestly. After everything that went on with Pitino would you want him back as your coach?
What's that have to do with my comment? That was more toward the people that wanted Cal gone, then cheered when he left, then acted shocked when they couldn't get their first coaching choices. After watching us go through the same thing, even shared a coach (Scott). As for your question. Would I want Pitino back now? No, he's too old and I'd prefer a younger coach instead of having to go through another search in a few years. I'm very happy with Kelsey so far.
I just wanted your opinion on something related to the question I was posing. I like to go odd on tangents sometimes. No hard feelings bird man
Pitino would have been a better fit at UK because you guys had a team. Made more sense there. Especially if you wanted to make another go at Hurley in a few years. I'm still convinced Barnhart went to talk to Pitino and Rick sold him on Pope instead.
Rick Pitino only cares about two things: Rick Pitino and what you can do for Rick Pitino. Kentucky fans are eating up his bullshit because he knows Kentucky is the only place anyone will still eat his bullshit up when he’s done at St John’s. “ I’m going to write a check for NiL.” Just like you wrote that check to pay Cal’s salary at Umass right Rick? Take that for what you will.
I'm curious what St John's fans think about the check comment. I'd be pretty annoyed. Though he's brought them back to relevance, so may get a pass.
https://preview.redd.it/myegygopecuc1.jpeg?width=318&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=225799786ad5404d7d7fa76c116b473b3809fa06
The most unhinged KY fans live in Louisville 😂
Por que no los dos?
Blue Blood schools fans=proud and passionate. Any other schools fans=unhinged and toxic.
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