As the final seconds ticked down of Florida’s dismantling of Kentucky, it was clear that Wildcat fans were having a hard time accepting that they spent $22 million this offseason, poached one of Florida’s potential starters, and still were a class behind the Gators.
Part of their struggles with accepting that Florida is elite is due to the fact that Kentucky used to be good at basketball during the days of black and white television, but Wildcat fans would be better off acknowledging they are not God’s gift to college basketball in the modern era.
Florida is surging past Kentucky as a program
Our Fansided sister site, Wildcat Blue Nation, led with the headline today, “Smarmy Todd Golden couldn't resist smug jab after Gators edge Kentucky,” in reference to Todd Golden poking fun at the fact that Kentucky spent so much money this offseason and still looks like they are going to get bounced in the Sweet 16.
With respect to our friends at WBN, with whom we collaborated before the game, Florida isn’t just a pest anymore, who is sometimes relevant. Kentucky fans, like most college basketball Blue Blood fanbases, seem to have a hard time accepting that Florida itself is a modern era Blue Blood in the sport.
Since the year 2000, Kentucky has made it to the Elite Eight nine times.
The Florida Gators have also made it to the Elite Eight nine times under three different head coaches.
Kentucky has made it to the Final Four four times since 2000. The Gators have made it five times.
Kentucky has made it to the national title game twice since 2000. Florida has made it four times.
And since the year 2000, Kentucky has won the national title just once. Florida has done it three times.
If you are under the age of 25, Florida has been the better program. Florida has accomplished more. Florida has raised more banners and claimed more Final Four floors to hang up.
And they have done it without basketball being the primary point of emphasis in Gainesville.
Kentucky went out and spent $22 million on a roster and doesn’t like it when opposing fanbases point out that they spent $22 million on their roster. Among other comments online, Kentucky fans thought the refs were against them, they didn’t like Golden Gator Chomping at the end, and they are convinced Florida is a mere pest they will one day overcome.
This isn’t 1955 anymore, and as time marches on, Kentucky’s grip on the sport is continuing to loosen.