Billy G.'s Amazing Act

Coming soon to Rupp Arena, the Amazing Wildcats of Kentucky.  Led by Ringmaster Billy Gillispie and featuring Jodie Meeks, A.K.A. The Magic Man (he likes his rings to come in 3's and in bunches).  Jodie will dazzle you with his ability to turn ordinary orange rings into beautiful works of art with nothing more than a ball and a drop of his wrists.  And no matter how closely he is guarded and locked down he always seems to disappear from the trap, coming up with his next record defying feat.  Next up Patrick Patterson, A.K.A. The Beast Master.  Patrick is able to subdue great opposing beasts in to performing humbling acts of servitude by a crack of break-away rim and a roar that petrifying.  Mike Porter, A.K.A. The Human Sponge, he can absorb all of the negative energy from Big Blue Nation and still have enough strength to soak in all the loose balls and inbound passes with out losing a single drop.  (He has been so clutch the last few games I am thinking of naming my Honda Civic 5-speed after him).    All those who wanted to get rid of him in the beginning will be so glad that he is still there come March.  Perry Stevenson is next, The Great Glue Stick; at 6-9 and a condor-like wingspan he is able to keep opponents in check near the half-court line, those that do make it around him usually get pitched out of bounds.  He causes huge match up problems for opposing coaches as he can hit the mid-range jumper with consistency, and recently unveiled a 3 point shooting touch.  The ball appears to just stick to his hands as he dunks and passes.  He is also the glue guy that holds the post together, his high-low routine with Patterson is fabulous to watch.  Ramon Harris, A.K.A The Razor's Edge, has the uncanny ability to slice right through a pressure defense or zone defense and take the ball to the rim.  He can also cut you from nearly 23 feet away with a laser-like 3 pointer, adding injury to insult.  Razor's other abilities are jabbing the ball away from defenders, sticking on his man like really close shave, and stick a knife in the defense with a timely steal.  Darius Miller, A.K.A. Next, but NEXT is becoming NOW.  He is the up and coming star to watch, the kid can do everything.  You can see the greatness just brimming to the top...isn't that where the cream rises to?

I know that is only a few of the Acts but that is enough to put you on the edge of your seat.  There is an anticipation being suppressed by Wildcat Fans, a scream that is hiding under the gasp of breath; Kentucky may be as good as we want to believe that they are, and Gillispie may know how to coach after all (lol.) The atmosphere has changed in the Big Blue Nation, the blog sites are getting friendlier, the skies are bluer (A Kentucky Blue), the bitter freezing air is almost sweet tasting, and you can bet there are more "howdy neighbors" being exchanged with genuine emotion.  The Wildcats are winning and winning makes everything better.  A win against the "Peppy" Auburn Tigers (as per the Hearld-Leader's Jerry Tipton) would be sweet.  The Atmosphere has changed in the Bluegrass and Big Blue Nation is rallying to cheer on the Wildcats, I expect Rupp to be rocking and rolling.  Gillispie challenged his team early in the year to pitch a shut-out...how would 85-0 sound!  That would certain put us on the national radar, and also put the fear of Kentucky back into the SEC.  Tennessee and Florida, don't look behind you, yeah we're there but not for long...see you at the top.

It is hard for me to think about Auburn basketball without hearing my dad's voice, "The Round Mound of Rebound...When they introduce Charles Barkley at 6-6 (more like 6-4) and 300 lbs, I thought they got one of the football players to play for the team...that was until he got the rebound and drove coast to coast jamming it home.  This boy could play."  I loved to hear my dad talk about basketball.  His language was just so captivating, he was a great story teller. 

So to all the Faithful, get your cotton candy and popcorn, sit back and enjoy the game.  Win or lose, just enjoy this wonderful Circus.  It will be entertaining you can bet on that.

The Wildcats all-time record at Rupp Arena 415-54 88% (as of last year 2007-08), the longest winning streak is 33 (Jan 29, 1992-Feb 9th, 1994).  Another side note the Rupp record that has Auburn's name on it...35 personal fouls.  Kentucky committed 35 personal fouls against Auburn Feb 4, 1981.  Hopefully, that is a record that will remain unbroken, even though Auburn is only shooting 60% from the Charity Stripe.  (www.ukathletics.com)