Where was the Big Blue Nation?
March 18th, 2010 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
NEW ORLEANS — There was one big surprise here Thursday night when Kentucky played East Tennessee State in the NCAA East Region.
The New Orleans Arena had a Big Blue tint, but at best only half of the 17,000 seats were occupied.
“What happened to the Big Blue Nation?” joked Kentucky freshman DeMarcus Cousins. “I expected it to be full. Our fans are still with us. They will probably be here Saturday (for the second round). They won’t abandon us.”
Freshman center Daniel Orton said it was “odd” to see empty seats, especially after the way Kentucky fans came to Nashville for the SEC Tournament last week.
“I think that was the first time this year we have seen empty seats. I know it was the first time there were that many,” Orton said.
Kentucky coach John Calipari said it was the first team for the Cats to see empty seats.
“There’s never one in Rupp Arena. There’s 25,000 every — it doesn’t matter who we play. If it’s snowing, sleet, they’re there. And every game we’ve played on the road has been a sellout. So we’ve had no empty seats until today,” Calipari said.
“What I told them prior to the game is, and I told them coming into this, this is not what you’re used to. A crazy road game or a nutty home game. This is a neutral venue, and you’ve got to have your own energy. You’ve got to have it from within. You can’t expect them to give it to us because it’s not that kind of venue.
“So I think they were a little surprised. They played, though. I thought they helped each other and talked to each other. They want to do this. They do. They want to play well.”
Posted in UK Basketball
We were supporting them inspirit, even if we weren’t physically there. I knew when tickets were still available Tuesday night that something was different. We would have gone… if we could… wife had knee replacement surgery last month and is recovering.
Great game,
Go Big Blue!
Considering it’s spring break and the opponent was ETSU, I’d say a majority of fans were soaking up the sun somewhere on a beach. Expect the attendance to creep up a bit as many may make a detour thru New Orleans to watch the Cats play Wake before heading back home. A lot of people were also at Rupp for the KHSAA Sweet 16 as well.
This memeber of the Big Blue Nation was sick in bed yesterday, but was there in spirit. I’m going out on a limb and say 90% of Big Blue Nation has to work 60 hours a week and still can’t afford to travel the US following their team, but are relegated to the backrooms and hiding spots of their respective employers trying to get the info we need. Not that it happens where I work, HE HE…GO BIG BLUE!!!!
As Kentucky continues to move through the tournament, the blue mist will increase in density, tough economic times meant tough expendable income decisions. Would have gone down, but flying is such a hassle anymore and dropped some major coin in NashVegas last week. Will consider going to Syracuse next weekend, if the Cats blaze the trail.
heard a rumor that UK is haveing a “wake” on Saturday… haha!
Realistic comments here.
And Tom, great line about the Wake on Saturday. Think you are absolutely right
[...] Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate-Messenger wants to know what happened to the Big Blue Nation: “There was one big surprise here Thursday night when Kentucky played East Tennessee in the NCAA Region. The New Orleans Arena had a Big Blue tint, but at best only half of the 17,000 seats were occupied.” [...]
Yes, let’s have a “wake” on Sunday just like the one down in Charlotte in 1993.
You better believe everyone was watching and glued to the TV!! People call in to work to watch these games, guys! If I had the money I would have found the time—- the beauty of playing for Kentucky is you know that there is never a shortage on support!
You are right Jackie. Big Blue never sleeps on the Cats and if UK gets to Indy, watch out. Tickets will be priceless
This is silly, but I feel so bad about not being there. I feel as if I have personally let the team down. From being off most of the week to go to the SEC tourney, to already having business commitments, it was almost impossible to get away. After I thought I could squeeze the tourney or part of it in – I got on line and all tickets to NO from Nashville which are normally $129 – $150 are now up to $500 and $600. It made me wonder if they weren’t bumped up just for all of us. If you ever get the chance, please let the players and coach know that the fans really wanted to be there and support them but for extraordinary circumstances. And, we are yelling for them from our homes.
Several people I knew assumed that it would be too hard to get tickets and didn’t try. I got some no problem on Sunday night once I found out which session we would play in (they were still selling them on Ticketmaster all week). I knew when I saw so many desperate scalpers right before the game that the place wouldn’t be close to full. My son and I drove down from Paducah (9 hour drive) and even managed to get a decently priced hotel within walking distance. It was a golden opportunity to see our Cats in action.
Don’t know if it was the distance or the day (Thursday game). I was concerned that if Texas won, they’d have as many fans there Saturday as we did. UK had the most fans there by far though on Thursday.