Fansided

Each state’s nominee for America’s Team

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys former player George Teague carries an American Flag on to the field before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. New York won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) dunks the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Edrice Bam Adebayo (3) dunks the ball against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated South Carolina 85-69. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky

Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball

It’s fair to say that the Big Blue Nation has larger population across the country than those that closely follow the aforementioned Jayhawks, or any other college basketball program in the country, for that matter. Even if the Kentucky Wildcats are hated in larger numbers than anyone else, the awesome success of the program over several decades coupled with such a passionate fanbase makes the UK men’s basketball program the obvious choice for us.

Kentucky basketball fans travel better than those carnivals that pop up in abandoned mall parking lots. You could attend a game between the Wildcats at any arena in the SEC and expect to see just as much (if not more) blue in the stands around the arena than you would the home team’s colors. The Big Blue Nation treats the SEC Basketball Tournament like a second home, and there’s a distinct possibility there will be more Kentucky fans in the seats during a conference tournament game that doesn’t feature the Wildcats than either of the two teams actually playing.

All those Kentucky basketball fans have usually left all those other arenas in a good mood, too. The Wildcats have won the NCAA Tournament eight times in their history (the second most of any program in the nation), most recently in 2012. Kentucky finished as the national runner-up four times, and made it to the Final Four 17 times.

Kentucky leads all college basketball programs in NCAA Tournament games (174), wins (124) and appearances (64). More Wildcats have been drafted by NBA teams (121) than any other school in the nation, and three former UK stars were selected No. 1 overall, which is also a record.

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