November 27th: On this date...

..... in 1976, your University of Kentucky Wildcats opened their brand new, state-of-the-art, $53 million basketball arena against Wisconsin, winning 72-64. Rupp Arena to this day is the largest arena built specifically for basketball, with an official capacity of 23,000. The Cats were led that November day by Jack Givens and Rick Robey, both compiling double-doubles. Adolph Rupp was there to watch Joe B. Hall earn the first of many victories in Rupp for UK. The Big Blue Nation has broken the attendance record 25 times since Rupp opened its doors 33 years ago. Kentucky’s record in those games is 21-4. The attendance record of 24,465, set February 10, 2007, in a 64-61 loss to Florida was broken last season vs. Louisville and Gropy Pitino (24,479). Last year saw all but one game go over the official capacity mark of 23,000. Being known as one of the greatest homecourt advantages in all of college basketball, the Blue and White has compiled a record of 445-60 since making the move. Ten of the 60 losses were seen in the last two years under Billy Gillispie’s leadership.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach