John Calipari says Kentucky’s connection with BBN has “never been stronger”

Large Blue Nation is broadly referred to as essentially the most passionate fanbase in school basketball, for higher and typically worse. When their beloved Wildcats are firing on all cylinders, the outpouring of help is countless. When issues aren’t as fairly, they’ll let you recognize about it — whereas additionally combating to select up the group whereas it’s down. That’s what makes Kentucky particular, totally different from the remainder.

This season has been no exception. The highs have been more and more excessive and the lows have been fairly darn low. That’s after a 9-16 end in 2020-21 and a first-round exit in 2021-22.

In case you’ve been inside Rupp Enviornment over the previous couple of weeks, you recognize that feeling. Followers in each seat, ready to blow up on each made shot or defensive cease, constructing and carrying momentum every evening. That help helped push the Wildcats to their greatest all-around efficiency of the season on Saturday in a 32-point blowout victory vs. Auburn.

John Calipari made that clear after the win.

“We’re simply getting higher. I’m blissful for these guys. And you recognize what else? I’m simply so blissful for our followers that had been selling and pushing,” he mentioned. “I imply, that constructing was packed. You don’t assume that has an affect on the sport? It completely does have an effect on the sport.”

And it’s not simply inside Rupp Enviornment, both. Large Blue Nation has continued to journey effectively, doing its half to make an affect on the highway. Calipari seen it particularly within the group’s journey to Gainesville, with the Wildcats leaving the ground to a refrain of “Go Large Blue” chants.

“So now we go to Florida, what do you assume they’re yelling on the finish of the sport? Go Large Blue. Louder than their followers. And it’s our followers on the highway. And I’m simply blissful for the followers who had been so affected person and had been so supportive.”

It’s been a two-way road, with followers rewarded with a four-game successful streak for his or her continued help. And it’s come at a time Kentucky desperately wanted it, throughout a season of ups and downs throughout the program. Because the Wildcats slowly figured issues out, BBN was there for the journey.

“It’s been a yr the place the children have needed to develop,” Calipari mentioned throughout his call-in radio present Monday night. “It’s been a course of, however our followers have caught with us. There’s been some outlying stuff, however the actuality of it’s they’ve by no means left. That’s what makes this college, this program, Rupp Enviornment, what it’s.”

And that’s to not say the frustration isn’t there. Issues weren’t nice after the South Carolina loss at house or the Georgia loss in Athens. “I felt terrible after these video games,” he added. Followers did too. However from there, they helped raise the group up because it fought for its postseason lives — a successful battle.

“Our followers are engaged. You lose, they get mad. You win, they’re ecstatic,” Calipari mentioned. “However there are those who comply with us and watch the tape twice. That’s a part of being a fan right here. And the connection between this program and our fanbase has by no means been stronger.”

Now, the hope is his group continues to stack wins in March, utilizing the early adversity as a studying alternative for the ultimate stretch.

“I’m happy with what this group is doing. I’m happy with these younger males. And it’s not been straightforward,” Calipari mentioned. “Like I’ve all the time mentioned, this isn’t for everyone. Taking part in right here just isn’t for everyone. It is a exhausting highway and also you’re going to should take the ups and the downs, take the lumps. I despatched them a factor in the present day about being uncomfortable with the way you develop. In case you attempt to be snug, you’re not going to get higher.

“There are issues that occur. There are mountains you’re climbing, issues that fall in your approach. You’ve obtained to remain up and preserve stepping ahead. This group has completed it.”