







When my wife told me that she had gotten tickets to the University of Kentucky basketball game, I was pretty excited. Not only was it a rare chance to see my college team play in person, but it was also an opportunity to be an obnoxious road fan and to have a cathartic avenging of our loss to them in 2010 and the even more embarrassing loss in 2009





Living in South Carolina, I constantly have to hear about it when South Carolina manages to beat UK in basketball; they usually have enough sympathy to just silently nod and pat me on the shoulder during football season.





Of course, it seems that when Kentucky manages to beat "USC jr" in basketball, the Gamecock fans that surround me always "forget" that there was a game that day. Actually going to the game assures me that I get to see people dressed in garnet and black that are fully aware of the beat down that is occurring.









So on Saturday, my wife and I piled into the Mini Cooper and drove from Charleston to Columbia. Here is little timeline/media presentation of our time in America's 6th most affordable place to retire











5:15 PM

Despite most of Columbia looking like the outdoor set of a 1970's horror film, Colonial Life Arena is actually very nice.



Karen and I were able to easily find parking close by and didn't see many students (or residents at all, for that matter) out walking around. We began to wonder if we had somehow bought tickets for the wrong day/game.





5:30 PM

As we got closer to the arena, our fears were not assuaged. Our tickets clearly said that the game was in Columbia, but the sea of blue that we encountered made us wonder if we were actually in Lexington, Kentucky.









Bonus points for the kid in the Randall Cobb jersey







5:40 PM

As we headed inside the arena, a bunch of really attractive USC sorority girls are taking donations for some type of charity...at least that's what they said. Unfortunately for one of them, a huge glut of blue clad UK fans were all entering the arena at the same time. We all offered her $1, $5, and $10 bills to say 'Go Big Blue.'









5:45 PM

Once inside Colonial Life Arena, Karen and I ended up walking the wrong way to our section and making almost a full circle to our seats. It's not too terrible a mistake, however, because the arena is very well designed...almost to the point of feeling a bit sterile. Maybe it's from my time at Rupp, but it just doesn't feel like an SEC arena unless there are poorly lit walkways and outdated concession stands.



5:55 PM

When my wife informed me that she got "really good seats near the basket," I made the mistake of processing these words as if an average woman had said them. My wife is awesome for many reasons, including her love of Kentucky basketball that even surpasses my own.



Karen really did get some great seats. It was the closest I had been to a game since I used to sit on the floor as a student assistant with the pep band.









My baby did good!



6:00 PM The game is supposed to have tipped off by this point, but it never does at the top of the hour.

As I look around the arena, it almost feels like this is a home game...for Kentucky.









After a few minutes of refusal, she finally said the cheer as we roared with approval. I'm not sure if we helped starving children or just gave someone beer money, but either way it was money well spent.Once inside Colonial Life Arena, Karen and I ended up walking the wrong way to our section and making almost a full circle to our seats. It's not too terrible a mistake, however, because the arena is very well designed...almost to the point of feeling a bit sterile. Maybe it's from my time at Rupp, but it just doesn't feel like an SEC arena unless there are poorly lit walkways and outdated concession stands.When my wife informed me that she got "really good seats near the basket," I made the mistake of processing these words as if an average woman had said them. My wife is awesome for many reasons, including her love of Kentucky basketball that even surpasses my own.Karen really did get some great seats. It was the closest I had been to a game since I used to sit on the floor as a student assistant with the pep band.

...and for invisible people.

6:06 PM The Kentucky starting line ups are announced. Cheers from the Kentucky fans drown out the boos from Gamecock fans...until the arena DJ decides to play one of the most annoying techno songs in the history of the world.







If you ever go to see the University of South Carolina play any sport, prepare yourself for a 'Sandstorm' (followed by a rooster crowing like it just got kicked in the nads) repeatedly.





6:09 PM:

Tipoff! The Kentucky Wildcats press the Gamecocks early. Terrence Jones starts the game off by driving the lane while Lamb sinks shots from outside. Definitely a good sign.



17:51 First Half

Anthony Davis gets hacked by Damontre Harris. When the ref calls the foul, the USC fan beside me claims that it was all ball. I counter by saying that's only true if Anthony Davis' arm says "Spalding" on it. Davis sinks both free throws



Kentucky 9, South Carolina 3



17:18 First Half

Doron Lamb makes a 3 pointer with Terrence Jones getting the assist. As timeout is called, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist waves to our section of Kentucky fans, sending us into a rabid frenzy of redneck joy.



Kentucky 12, South Carolina 3



