As a sports reporter covering the UC Bearcats, I often find myself not excited about the games. My lack of interest is not due to the semi-weak schedule, or that the Bearcats are always expected to win, but because of my father. You see my father was born in McKee, Kentucky, and grew up rooting for the Wildcats from Rupp to Smith. I was brainwashed when I was younger, and after a few championships I refused to pick another team. Does this mean that I root against the Bearcats? No, it means that I am a Wildcat fan but root for the Bearcats because of school pride.
As a Kentucky fan, I have gotten into many arguments over whether UK would beat UC. My answer has always been hell-yes. These arguments have died down since the resignation of Rick Pitino, either from my graduation from high school or the lack of competitiveness.
I am, however, disappointed in the lack of interest in fans of UC about Rick Pitino bringing Louisville to the Shoe this weekend. I have not been this excited about a game this season, two coaches with so much rivalry but never a game between them.
Do I think UL will win? No, I think the highly overrated but talented Bearcats will pull off a win, if not in impressive fashion. Do I think that UK would beat UC? For the first time my answer to that is no, at least not right now, if they played today. UC is hot and UK is not, but put them in the tournament, and UK would win, hell-yes.