With the help of the SportsTravel page at ESPN.com, I've been able to hit a lot more games this year, and especially go to some of America's greatest arenas (mostly because nobody really wants to pay me to write about America's dankest hellholes, but I can dream). I've loved it.
Rupp Arena is kind of hard to love on initial impressions, however. It's a big box that's attached to the Lexington Convention Center, with no real architectural flourishes to distinguish it. It was built in the mid-70s, when generic stadia and arenas were legion.
Stuff it with 23,000 Wildcat fans, however, and you've really got something. It most certainly can get loud.
Thanks to the guys at CoachCal.com, I was able to tour the Craft Center, where the men's and women's basketball offices and training facilities are located. Here, Coach Calipari walked his team through some plays in preparation for a visit from the Georgia Bulldogs.
The university provided the Wildcats with a new conditioning facility this year, and Calipari had them put this maxim on the wall.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin (that just happened, W&M fans!) was invited to address the troops before the game. He reminded them that conference games are of paramount importance to a championship team.
The Craft Center is attached to the previous home of the Wildcats: Memorial Coliseum. This building has all the architectural flourishes Rupp lacks. Fortunately, many of UK's other teams still compete here.
Wildcat Lodge, the UK athletic dorm. I heard a couple of hilarious stories about the goings-on in this building from a former player, but had to swear not to attach his name to them. Use your imaginations.
