GameDay anchor Rece Davis said Friday that he looks forward to bringing the show to Kentucky. That’s because of the passion and pride that UK fans put on display.
The fans’ message? “We’re Kentucky and you’re not,” he said. “I think it’s great. They want to show their passion is second to none.”
About 15,000 fans are expected to be in Rupp Arena Saturday morning for the GameDay telecast, which begins at 10 a.m. The show also originated from UK in 2005, 2007 and 2010.
Davis suggested Kentucky basketball is a carbon copy of Alabama football (or vice versa, if you prefer).
“In terms of passionate fan base and striving for excellence,” he said. “To me, they’re identical programs.”
Growing up in Muscle Shoals, Ala., and attending the University of Alabama gave him an appreciation for Kentucky basketball, Davis said.
“I’ve been acutely aware of Kentucky basketball,” he said.
Davis noted the energy and “adrenalin rush” created by a large crowd attending GameDay.
Jerry Tipton of the Lexington Herald- Leader has covered Kentucky basketball since the 1981-82 season. That time includes five coaches, five Final Fours, four athletic directors, two interim athletic directors and many memories. Before coming to Lexington, Tipton worked eight years for the Huntington (W.Va.) Herald-Dispatch. He covered Marshall’s basketball team for two seasons before coming to the Herald-Leader.
