Kentucky tradition takes backseat to winning

Kentucky tradition takes backseat to winning

David J. Phillip/AP

Kentucky's Anthony Davis leads Wildcats into finale against Kansas ... and then look ahead to NBA.

NEW ORLEANS - The rich history of Kentucky basketball has always been defined by the fact so many of their beloved teams were made up of four-year players from the commonwealth or neighboring states. Rarely did the late Adolph Rupp or Joe B. Hall venture out of the Deep South.

The Fabulous Five in 1948, the Fiddlin Five in 1958, Rupps Runts in 1966 and the Unforgettables in 1992 have all been immortalized. And players such as Ralph Beard, Alex Groza, Wah Wah Jones, Bill Spivey, Vern Hatton, Johnny Cox, Louie Dampier, Pat Riley, Richie Farmer and John Pelphrey have their jerseys retired at Rupp Arena.

But if Kentucky defeats Kansas Monday night to win the national championship, these Top Cats, it could be argued, will be the most beloved team in the programs history.

The Wildcats rabid fan base has embraced this young team and really, John Caliparis first three teams because he made Kentucky relevant on the national stage again after it was relegated to the NIT in 2009 for the first time in 33 years.

This new generation of Kentucky fans seem less interested in tradition and more with winning. They could care less about where the players come from or how long they remain in college as long as they can celebrate in March Madness. The fact this team has been entertaining, humble and unselfish has been an added bonus.

Some fans became so excited after their team defeated hated rival Louisville in the national semis Saturday, they rioted in Lexington.

I heard they were flipping cars and burning cars and shutting down blocks, sophomore guard Doron Lamb said.
Who knows what will happen if the ats win their first national championship in 14 years?

Fans are crazy, Calipari said. Theyre burning couches in the semifinals. Hopefully, theyre in their houses and they hug their wives and kiss their dogs, just not go crazy.

Interestingly, the nucleus of Caliparis current 37-2 team is a melting pot of stars from around the country. Freshman 6-10 center Anthony Davis hails from Chicago, 6-8 freshman forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is from St. Patricks of Elizabeth. N.J., freshman point guard Marquis Teague comes from Indianapolis and freshman forward Kyle Witjer is from out West in Portland.

And dont forget to add in sophomores Terrence Jones (Seattle) as well as Lamb (Queens) who round out a rotation of potential first-round picks.

There is only one Kentucky player 6-6 senior guard Darius Miller who sees significant minutes from a state whose talent well has dried up.

Hes one of Kentuckys own, Calipari acknowledged They love him. If he wants to get into politics, he could run for governor. Probably have to wait a couple years but . . . Hes beloved. Hes going to be one of those guys 50 years from now, theyre going to be talking about.

Calipari i nherited Miller, who was recruited by Billy Gillespie and has played with 40 different teammates.

But the Kentucky player is becoming a dinosaur at Big Blue. Marquis Estill, Rajon Rondo, transfer Patrick Sparks, and Miller were the only impact scholarship players from the Commonwealth since 2000.

At least Miller gets it. He is a four-year college player. The rest of the Kentucky players are one-and-done stars waiting to be called on draft night. With that in mind, it is hard to tell whether an NCAA championship will be a significant acheivement to them or just the culmination of another giant travel team tournament.

Players at elite programs such as Kentucky, Duke, Carolina and UCLA are so different now than they were 20 years ago when none of the players on Dukes 1992 national championship team left early and hanging a banner in the rafters in Cameron for a second consecutive season seemed more important than collecting that first NBA paycheck.

When Kentucky had four freshman and a junior forward Patrick Patterson selected in the 2010 draft, Calipari called it the greatest day in the history of Kentucky basketball.

The sound bite did not resonate well with some Kentucky alums. The greatest day is when a team wins a championship, said All- American point guard Kyle Macey, who won his in 1978.

The dumbest thing I ever heard, former UK All-American center Dan Issel added.

The NCAA championship is still the holy grail for most coaches. But Calipari continues to suggest that winning this tournament would mean more to him than to his marquee players who have one foot out the door.

If it happens, it would be nice, he said. But my friends and family are praying. Im not. If the players win it, it would be pretty significant. I think six of them have a chance to be drafted in the first round. If they go out here and play their butts off and do the rig ht thing, then it means more to them than it would to me.

Wed like to believe that.

But it is hard to believe Calipari doesnt want to be included with the greats of the game. And it is equally hard to believe these players wont have moved on by next week, win or lose.