Kentucky basketball: Rupp Arena to be open at full capacity for 2021-22 season

Kentucky basketball fans will be able to see full-capacity games at Rupp Arena this season.

After suffering through one of its worst seasons ever, the Kentucky basketball program gets a huge boost this year, as Rupp Arena will be allowed to have games at full capacity this upcoming season.

“I am looking forward to walking back into Rupp Arena with 20,000 packed to the rafters standing and cheering for our kids,” said Kentucky head coach John Calipari.

“Watching other sports and teams welcome their fans back, having attended a couple of events recently and seeing and feeling that buzz that the fans bring, I cannot wait to bring that back to Rupp. It truly is the greatest tradition in the history of college basketball.”

Rupp Arena has long been one of the best home-court advantages in all of college basketball.

Kentucky basketball: Big Blue Nation can fully pack Rupp Arena this season

Though Kentucky was not the only blue-blood to struggle mightily on the hardwood during a COVID year, the Wildcats went from the penthouse in the SEC to the cellar. We all know that last year was an anomaly for them, but having a packed house will ultimately serve Kentucky more than we would want to believe. After a down year on the hardwood, the Wildcats needed this.

What will make things interesting for Calipari and his team is the SEC has several outstanding programs in it outside of Lexington. Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee should again be among the teams in the SEC vying for inclusion in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Kentucky should be back because… well, it is Kentucky, but the Wildcats will face stiff competition again this winter.

Here’s to Big Blue Nation having a spectacular time at Rupp Arena during the upcoming season.

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