Kentucky Basketball Fans Depressed: What's Wrong With "Big Blue"

LEXINGTON, KY: Dining out at the Logans Roadhouse right off the University of Kentucky campus Saturday night I overheard some UK fans complaining about the fate of the Wildcats NCAA tournament hopes between bites of bar-b-que ribs and sips of sweet tea. Especially since Kentucky lost at home to LSU 73-70 at Rupp Arena. UK is now 8-6 in the SEC, 19-10 overall.

"It was a game where they were tougher than us and smarter than us." head coach Billy Gillispie said. "That is why they won." Gillispie added that the loss was "100% on me." Gillispie was ticked off that he failed to make a substitution late in the game.

It was a very important game for Kentucky after a week of turmoil. A.J. Stewart quit the team earlier in the week then Friday, head coach Billy Gillispie said smiling Stewart was back on the team. That Stewart feels a "great deal of remorse." By the way, Stewart saw 3 minutes of action against LSU and is credited with an assist.

Heading into March is when you want to play your best basketball is Kentucky is clearly not. The Wildcats have lost 6 of their last 9 games. That has the Big Blue fans red hot. Wildcat fans don't take to losing well and you can sense the concern throughout the Bluegrass. UK hoops is the identity of the Commonwealth and right now it doesn't look good.

Back at Logan's Roadhouse, you could hear Kentucky fans bring up that other tournament, the NIT. Heck maybe even the CBI (are they playing that tournament this year.)

Our waiter whose name I can't recall wasn't optimistic at all with Kentucky's chances of making the NCAA Tournament. It's safe to say he represented the depressed mood throughout the Commonwealth on Wildcat hoops.

I get the feeling the jury is still out among Wildcat fans about Billy Gillispie. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart says Billy the "G" isn't on the hot seat. I haven't heard Ashley Judd's opinion.

Kentucky closes the regular season hosting Georgia at Rupp Arena (I calling this a win) and at Florida (good luck). Then its off to the SEC Tournament in Tampa, Florida. It seems whatever ails Kentucky is cured during the SEC Tournament but I'm not sure the "blue mist" will have much effect this time around. The depression among the Wildcat fans have become that deep.

Photo Courtesy: Pablo Alcala/Lexington Herald-Leader