This Year's Kentucky Wildcats Young but Scrappy

Under the blaze of fireworks and stunning pyrotechnics, twelve Cats walked into Rupp Arena as fans screamed and cheered like crazy. The lights in the arena were turned back on so fans could catch their new Cats in action as they dunked, competed, and played up and down the court. No less than five freshmen have joined the team, which this year consists of only seven seasoned players.

The record-setting crowd of 23,312 was eager to get a first look at the new players on the team, and a fresh look at the players returning from last season. After the women played, the arena resounded with the screaming fans when the men's basketball team (the highlight of the entire UK sports program) took center stage. Head coach Tubby Smith could be seen on the sidelines smiling, sometimes yelling, and always encouraging his players.

Encourage them he'd better, because last year's somewhat lackluster season has left much to be desired in the heart of die-hard UK fans. At Big Blue Madness, the emcee team (which featured former beloved UK player Kyle Macy) repeatedly stated that Kentucky fans are "the best in the world." While this is arguably true (UK fans are known as "The Big Blue Faithful" for their tendency to travel with the team on away games), UK fans are also the hardest to please in the world. The Big Blue Faithful fully expects a Final Four appearance at the NCAA Tournament every year.

And it's been a while since Tubby Smith, head coach of the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball team, has made it to the Final Four. Though the last National Championship was won by UK less than a decade ago (in 1998), fans have been screaming for another victory ever since. And because this prize has not yet been delivered, some fans are screaming for Smith's dismissal from the team.

There are even allegations that a petition, signed by University of Kentucky alumni, has been circulating. This petition, rumor states, asks for the resignation of coach Tubby Smith. Smith has also recently lost popularity with fans. This year's very young team, featuring a roster of twelve men, is chock-full of talent that most coaches would love to have. The team, however, is short a few players. Not every empty space was filled after last year's mass exodus from the team. Many UK players left the team last year well before they were destined to graduate, and some left before the season that would have been their final year.

Why? A myriad of reasons were cited for each player's departure, but it has all come down to the fact that UK does not have a full team for this year's season. And the new basketball schedule, released just a few weeks ago, is considerably weaker than what fans have come to expect. Perhaps this was done because the Cats are scheduled to play in the Maui Invitational this year, an event they've not participated in for several years, but perhaps this was done because Tubby's young team will benefit from a lighter preseason before they meet with stiff SEC competition.

Make no mistake, this year the SEC is going to be tough. Last year's National Champions, the University of Florida, did not graduate or otherwise lose a single person from their roster. Every player that was in that NCAA tournament game will be playing against Kentucky this year - twice in the regular season, not to mention post season play. LSU, Tennessee, and South Carolina also feature very talented teams who are ready to play serious basketball this season.

But at Big Blue Madness, it's all UK ball. And as fans roared and Wildcats played, there was only a feeling of expectant hope in the air. The fans have readied their battle cries once more. It's a whole new season…and the championship awaits.