If there’s one thing we know about the color blue, it’s that it’s a must-have. If the Cats were playing in Antarctica, a horde of Kentucky fans would be lining up at the nearest hiking store, selling out all their British-branded sub-zero gear in anticipation of the trip. This season’s non-conference basketball schedule includes four games in four very different cities.
As Big Blue Nation begins to consider its travel plans for Mark Pope’s first season, let’s take a look at the most appealing destinations. This ranking isn’t necessarily based on the quality of the game, although that is a factor, but rather on the city where the games are played.
This year, there is no clear winner. I could argue that each game should be at the top of the list for different reasons. However, to avoid any controversy, I will rank them anyway.
4. Ohio State at New York
KSR's unpopular opinion is a few weeks old, but consider this my last post: New York is a pretty awful city. Don't get me wrong, it's great in many ways. Its vibrancy, constant action, and vastness make it an appealing concrete jungle for the ambitious in search of urban adventure.
It’s also dirty and loud, and most of the locals are jerks and proud of it. I consider it a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. And the fact is, I’ve been to enough of it. If you’ve never been to the Big Apple or watched a game at Madison Square Garden, don’t let my grumpy rant deter you. Go up and enjoy a snowy December weekend in the Big Apple. Go ice skating by the Rockafeller Center Christmas tree. Take a picture with a half-naked street performer. Get shoved at every subway stop. Enjoy everything New York has to offer.
However, after watching Kentucky play teams like UConn and Kansas in the past, I think I'll save my travel budget for a team other than Ohio State in a city the 'Cats played eight times during the Calipari era.
Call it another unpopular opinion, but maybe it's time for the CBS Sports Classic to become a CBS Sports relic.
3. Duke in Atlanta
I could argue that this game should be tied for second, simply because of the magnitude of the opponent, as it will be Mark Pope's first high-profile game as Kentucky's head coach and it will feature the generational talent of Cooper Flagg. However, since I'm trying to focus on the travel component, it has slipped to third place.
Atlanta is a great city. It combines southern charm with big city amenities (including traffic, unfortunately) and is just a short drive from Lexington. Last season I was ranked North Carolina's game in Atlanta as the most popular non-conference game destination (since Lexington) and it certainly lived up to the hype.
This year, the Atlanta game is on a Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. While that's great for TV ratings (obviously), it makes for a tough road trip for anyone with a 9-to-5 job. It's also part of the Champions Classic, which means your ticket price reflects two games, not just one. And I'm guessing no one is rushing to get there early to see Michigan State vs. North Carolina.
I love Atlanta and the Duke factor will be huge, but if you can only go to one game, you really have to want to go to this one.
2. Gonzaga in Seattle
Gonzaga, as an opponent, isn't as sexy as Duke, but this may be the last time Kentucky plays Washington for a long, long time. There's something about rarity that makes travel exciting, so I'm already making plans to venture to the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle, as a city, is very different from any other place on this list, but in some ways it should be very familiar to Southerners. It’s a unique blend of urban and outdoorsy. Despite the fact that it’s often cold and rainy, there’s an abundance of hiking trails, water activities, and other non-traditional urban pursuits, all set against the majestic backdrop of Mount Rainier.
The Space Needle is touristy, yes, but also iconic. So is Pikes Place Market, but who doesn't love the idea? throw a fish?
The locals are also extremely friendly (especially compared to New York) and are passionate about their local sports teams. If you're like me and use Kentucky basketball as an excuse to explore new cities, I highly recommend making the long drive to Seattle.
1. Clemson In adjacent to Clemson
Clemson, South Carolina, doesn't have a Space Needle. No Statue of Liberty. Not even a Coca-Cola factory. This isn't like neutral-site games in cities that also host NFL teams. No. This is a real away game in a real college town.
You probably wouldn't choose Clemson for a family vacation, but that's why it's a great fit for No. 1 on this list. While Seattle, New York, and Atlanta will have a healthy portion of Kentucky fans, walking into Clemson will be a bit like walking into the lion's, er, tiger's, den. And that's the kind of environment that can lead to the greatest fun.
Clemson is a college town in itself, but oddly enough, the university is not technically located in the city of Clemson. In 1894, South Carolina made the university its own “municipal corporation“, whatever it was, and exempted the school from complying with city ordinances.
Despite the technicalities, it's a charming, quaint part of the world that's hungry for college sports. The Tigers beat the Cats in a sport where they were a historical powerhouse in the Gator Bowl last season, so Kentucky has to hold its own in its own marquee sport.
The atmosphere at this game will surpass any visit to the Empire State Building, and if you're brave enough to wear blue amid a sea of orange and purple, it'll be a rare opportunity to see Kentucky play in a new stadium.
