It's Not About You, Kentucky (article)

[boisnumber1 2,818]

https://auburn.rivals.com/news/stultz-auburn-to-kentucky-it-s-not-you-it-s-me

 

STULTZ - Auburn to Kentucky: It's not you, it's me

CAt one point in everyone’s lives, most of us either use or have been told the age-trusted line of, “It’s not you, it’s me” when ending a relationship. It somewhat helps lessen the blow to the person getting dumped and is probably the easiest way to end things.

Well, this applies to celebrations as well, it seems in college sports. See, Kentucky fans want to take all the credit for what happened on the Plains yesterday, a historic day that Auburn fans have pleaded for quite some time. Fans of Big Blue Nation saw students camping out in the bitter cold, Auburn Arena rocking at an ear-splitting volume and, afterward, fans spilling out at Toomer’s Corner to roll the trees. (Sorry, guys. Auburn fans don’t burn couches.)

Their response was an arrogant and condescending, “That’s because they played us.” Bless their hearts.

No, this day was all about Auburn. It was about a program with little to no history making likely just that with a win that all but sealed a first-ever No. 1 ranking. It was about a team that fans have fallen in love with faster than any plot of a Hallmark Christmas movie. It was about a man named Bruce Pearl, what he has made out of a program left in shambles by years of maltreatment. It was about every player that ever put on an Auburn uniform before and will in the future.

The enthusiasm for Auburn basketball right now made it unnecessary who the opponent on Saturday was. After coming so close to reaching the top of the polls last week and falling short due to some inane voting, the tension and atmosphere were building long before John Calipari’s team arrived. Students lined up hours before the Tigers took on a 5-12 Georgia team. There was some proving to be done by Pearl’s squad, and it reached an earthquake-inducing pitch as it became clear that Auburn would win and that mountain top was in sight.

Yes, the Kentucky brand still means a lot in college basketball, but the notion that this was all about the matchup against the Wildcats misses the big picture entirely. And, to be fair, #BBN should be aware of this as their football program continues to make strides to SEC East contenders year in and year out. So, the next time Kroger Field is full against national champion Georgia, will you say it is all about the Dawgs? Of course not.

The sights coming out of Auburn were pure joy. Delight in a team recording the best start in program history, the fact that (holy moly) the Tigers have the likely No. 1 pick in Jabari Smith Jr. and that Auburn, yes, Auburn, is currently the best team in college basketball. That fact would get edited out of even the most insane fiction book due to absurdity.

It’s already been a great season for the Tigers, and much more is to come. Auburn fans are enjoying this ride and will continue until the end. Saturday was about many things, but it wasn’t about Kentucky.

Sorry, Wildcats. It’s not you. It’s Auburn.

Edited January 23, 2022 by boisnumber1

[BJCrawford 1,568]

Great read !! Makes me feel like @GwillMac6

[Grumps 3,704]

They will never get it, and that's okay.

[MaxCohen216 514]

Cool article.

[aubiefifty 16,755]

even harsin was at the game with a huge smile on his face and some laughs as well. i like to see that as much as bruce has supported football. there is a 32 second video on twitter but they are above my pay grade. below is a short film of me after the game saturday.........

 

 

 

[ScotsAU 1,319]

I actually kinda disagree. It was sort of about UK. That game was huge because we had the chance to knock off a blue blood to get a number 1 ranking. It was a big game for Auburn. But part of the reason it was a big game for Auburn is that it was such a great opponent. If we’d been playing some nobody team, people wouldn’t have camped out.

 

And as evidence of this, the UK game has always drawn a larger than average crowd. I remember going to games during the miserable Barbee years. A lot of games would have somewhat empty student sections… except when UK came to town.

Edited January 24, 2022 by ScotsAU

[gravejd 3,270]

4 minutes ago, ScotsAU said:

I actually kinda disagree. It was sort of about UK. That game was huge because we had the chance to knock off a blue blood to get a number 1 ranking. It was a big game for Auburn. But part of the reason it was a big game for Auburn is that it was such a great opponent. If we’d been playing some nobody team, people wouldn’t have camped out.

 

And as evidence of this, the UK game has always drawn a larger than average crowd. I remember going to games during the miserable Barbee years. A lot of games would have somewhat empty student sections… except when UK came to town.

Disagree, students would have camped out for any team that would have given us a shot at the #1 ranking had we won. 

[McLoofus 35,182]

On 1/24/2022 at 9:40 AM, ScotsAU said:

I actually kinda disagree. It was sort of about UK. That game was huge because we had the chance to knock off a blue blood to get a number 1 ranking. It was a big game for Auburn. But part of the reason it was a big game for Auburn is that it was such a great opponent. If we’d been playing some nobody team, people wouldn’t have camped out.

And as evidence of this, the UK game has always drawn a larger than average crowd. I remember going to games during the miserable Barbee years. A lot of games would have somewhat empty student sections… except when UK came to town.

I would argue that it wasn't about "blue blood" as much as it was about "#12 team in the country", but it definitely helped that it was both. 

It wasn't nearly as much about the name on the front of their jerseys as they want it to be, though.

And, credit to them, this is a real rivalry now. They have begged us to hate them, and we are absolutely going to comply. 

[LPTiger 5,153]

9 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I would argue that it wasn't about "blue blood" as much as it was about "#12 team in the country", but it definitely helped that it was both. 

It wasn't nearly as much about the name on the front of their jerseys as they want it to be, though.

And, credit to them, this is a real rivalry now. They have begged us to hate them, and we are absolutely going to comply. 

So well stated!!!

[BornAU76 397]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

I would argue that it wasn't about "blue blood" as much as it was about "#12 team in the country", but it definitely helped that it was both. 

It wasn't nearly as much about the name on the front of their jerseys as they want it to be, though.

And, credit to them, this is a real rivalry now. They have begged us to hate them, and we are absolutely going to comply. 

Yeah, you're right.  It was the #12 ranking of the other team and #1 on the line for us...the name of the other team didn't matter.  Fill in the blank really...(LSU, Bama, UK, UT, etc.).

Admittedly, beating UK made it a little sweeter but the fan reaction would have been the same to any our bigger SEC rivals.

[steeleagle 2,945]

1 hour ago, McLoofus said:

I would argue that it wasn't about "blue blood" as much as it was about "#12 team in the country", but it definitely helped that it was both. 

It wasn't nearly as much about the name on the front of their jerseys as they want it to be, though.

And, credit to them, this is a real rivalry now. They have begged us to hate them, and we are absolutely going to comply. 

I Agree.

I think it was about a chance to be #1 in the country never in our history.

It happened to be KY, which hyped it up. It was a Blue Blood who we have handled pretty well over the last few years under Pearl. But they were ranked too, and they win these games against teams that are trying to rise above them in this conference.  

So, it wasn't about KY. It was about #1, and it was icing on the cake that it was KY. 

and ps. Auburn fans are always going to be passionate after a big win. 

[zeroforwinger 443]

Every time I hear Calipari’s smarmy attitude I think how John Chaney must’ve been justified. 

[homersapien 11,362]

I haven't been keeping up with the post game stuff, so I found this interesting:

 

[woodford 3,655]

Cal's recent comments about the game making a jab at the fans whewwww that man is salty

I would be too if I were 5-6 against AUBURN in the last 11 games

He should've been fired alone for losing to Auburn in the Elite 8. 

[woodford 3,655]

On 1/24/2022 at 9:45 AM, gravejd said:

Disagree, students would have camped out for any team that would have given us a shot at the #1 ranking had we won. 

Kentucky makes it oh so sweet, but to be honest I wish we had beaten a #12 Alabama or Georgia to get that #1 ranking. This new rivalry with Kentucky is awesome don't get me wrong, but we all know who we really despise. 

[boisnumber1 2,818]

1 hour ago, woodford said:

Cal's recent comments about the game making a jab at the fans whewwww that man is salty

I would be too if I were 5-6 against AUBURN in the last 11 games

He should've been fired alone for losing to Auburn in the Elite 8. 

He's definitely on the downside of his career. In some of the interviews I've heard from him, he sounds a little kooky.

[Rednilla 5,383]

To be completely honest, it kinda reminds me of Gus's comment about 6-4 being "pretty good." Who is he trying to convince? Himself? The fan base? Because anybody paying attention knows it's BS.

[Indy 166]

11 hours ago, woodford said:

Cal's recent comments about the game making a jab at the fans whewwww that man is salty

I would be too if I were 5-6 against AUBURN in the last 11 games

He should've been fired alone for losing to Auburn in the Elite 8. 

“I'm not being disrespectful, but (Auburn) charged the court, shirts off. And it's not a big game. I'd hate to see them when they play in a big game."

 

Let me tell you about Coach Cal.

He's a narcissist, and in general, just an ass.

Yeah, I'm salty because he constantly manufactures things that, in some cases, are outright lies, and gets away with it.  The crap he's spewing about that atmosphere at Auburn Arena is ridiculous on so many levels. when he of all people should appreciate how much a game like that meant to this program.  He just cannot let anyone else enjoy the moment, especially if it comes at his expense.

Remember, this is the same John Calipari that has refused to play Indiana University anymore because of the Christian Watford shot in 2011 that brought IU back from the dead in the world of college basketball.  He threw a fit about the atmosphere in Assembly Hall and, to this day, will not play IU in Bloomington.  I'm telling you, he would do the same thing to Auburn if he could get away with it ... and not one student rushed that floor on Saturday.

Bottom line is, he has had arguably more talent that any coach outside of Coach K in the last 15 years on his rosters year-in-and-year out, and what has he done?  4, 5, 6 Five-stars each year...and what has Coach Cal done with it?  The man is insanely jealous and insecure, especially when he see how much the players at Auburn love Bruce Pearl.  He will NEVER have that kind of relationship with his players...he knows it...and it burns him up.  The fact that quite a few UK fans have stated the last few years that his act is growing old (major recruiting wins...not playing out on the court) is telling, IMO.

Will not miss him at all when he finally disappears.

 

[woodford 3,655]

5 hours ago, Indy said:

“I'm not being disrespectful, but (Auburn) charged the court, shirts off. And it's not a big game. I'd hate to see them when they play in a big game."

 

Let me tell you about Coach Cal.

He's a narcissist, and in general, just an ass.

Yeah, I'm salty because he constantly manufactures things that, in some cases, are outright lies, and gets away with it.  The crap he's spewing about that atmosphere at Auburn Arena is ridiculous on so many levels. when he of all people should appreciate how much a game like that meant to this program.  He just cannot let anyone else enjoy the moment, especially if it comes at his expense.

Remember, this is the same John Calipari that has refused to play Indiana University anymore because of the Christian Watford shot in 2011 that brought IU back from the dead in the world of college basketball.  He threw a fit about the atmosphere in Assembly Hall and, to this day, will not play IU in Bloomington.  I'm telling you, he would do the same thing to Auburn if he could get away with it ... and not one student rushed that floor on Saturday.

Bottom line is, he has had arguably more talent that any coach outside of Coach K in the last 15 years on his rosters year-in-and-year out, and what has he done?  4, 5, 6 Five-stars each year...and what has Coach Cal done with it?  The man is insanely jealous and insecure, especially when he see how much the players at Auburn love Bruce Pearl.  He will NEVER have that kind of relationship with his players...he knows it...and it burns him up.  The fact that quite a few UK fans have stated the last few years that his act is growing old (major recruiting wins...not playing out on the court) is telling, IMO.

Will not miss him at all when he finally disappears.

 

And you know it eats him up that Auburn (Auburn!!) is the talk of CBB. 
 

He’s got to be the most overrated HC in American sports. 

[boisnumber1 2,818]

2 hours ago, woodford said:

And you know it eats him up that Auburn (Auburn!!) is the talk of CBB. 
 

He’s got to be the most overrated HC in American sports. 

The stuff Cal has been saying is gold. We are so in his head. He even claimed we stormed the court after the win when we didn't. Auburn has broken UK and Cal, and it's hilarious to watch their tears and meltdown.

[Beaker 2,457]

On 1/25/2022 at 8:47 AM, McLoofus said:

I would argue that it wasn't about "blue blood" as much as it was about "#12 team in the country", but it definitely helped that it was both. 

It wasn't nearly as much about the name on the front of their jerseys as they want it to be, though.

And, credit to them, this is a real rivalry now. They have begged us to hate them, and we are absolutely going to comply. 

As a student from the 80's when we had some success against UK in Auburn, not much,  it wasn't about beating UK this time.   It truly was about "who's next?"  Oh another ranked opponent who happened to be UK with an arrogant coach..   Beating UK on national TV and grabbing a huge lead in the charge for the conf championship, was the draw.    

It is no longer about upsetting the blue blood UK program, it's about beating them this time.   Very big difference.  

 

And yeah Calipari  is embarrassing - over stating how our fans reacted - our fans reacted the same as they do in Raleigh Durham and such.  He is trying to put Auburn fans back in a box.  It was the joy of our players that irritated him. It is the fun that Bruce is creating around the program that irritates him.   And he can't bring that level of joy and excitement to UK - and that just irritates him more.

Edited January 26, 2022 by Beaker

[boisnumber1 2,818]

11 minutes ago, Beaker said:

As a student from the 80's when we had some success against UK in Auburn, not much,  it wasn't about beating UK this time.   It truly was about "who's next?"  Oh another ranked opponent who happened to be UK with an arrogant coach..   Beating UK on national TV and grabbing a huge lead in the charge for the conf championship, was the draw.    

It is no longer about upsetting the blue blood UK program, it's about beating them this time.   Very big difference.  

 

And yeah Calipari  is embarrassing - over stating how our fans reacted - our fans reacted the same as they do in Raleigh Durham and such.  He is trying to put Auburn fans back in a box.  It was the joy of our players that irritated him. It is the fun that Bruce is creating around the program that irritates him.   And he can't bring that level of joy and excitement to UK - and that just irritates him more.

Bottom line is CBP is doing a better job than him and he knows it. He cant stand that the sec is not him and KY and everyone else like it once was. Those days are gone. Blue blood in CBB is not what it used to be. NIL will only make it less of a thing.

[Beaker 2,457]

7 minutes ago, boisnumber1 said:

Bottom line is CBP is doing a better job than him and he knows it. He cant stand that the sec is not him and KY and everyone else like it once was. Those days are gone. Blue blood in CBB is not what it used to be. NIL will only make it less of a thing.

You are right and make an excellent point about how NIL is likely impacting his ability to draw those kids in like he has for yrs.  

Nobody likes to be dethroned and he most certainly is losing his throne in SEC.

 

Now let's focus on 'who's next!'