Kentucky’s game was a fusion of everything I would envision for a perfect basketball game - minus the huge win of course. I’m not an idiot.

I arrived for the 6 p.m. game at 3 p.m. Normal.

Waited in the freezing cold surrounded only by the Garnet Army and a thin blanket.

Ran in to stake out the perfect spot to watch the game…and get serious face time.

Got serious face time.

Cheered on the Gamecocks with thousands of others.

Sat front row. Got free food. Got on the smile cam. Talked to the players. Saw the football recruits. Laughed at Garcia in his garnet blazer. Waved and received a wave in return from both Marcus Lattimore and Sam Muldrow.

Boom. Best game ever.

We even played better than anyone expected. I mean, what more could you ask for?! Besides a win, of course. I’m not an idiot. But, whatever. Galloway, Muldrow, Jackson and the rest of the team made a serious dent on those Kentucky players’ mojo. And the Cats were dropping like flies all over the Colonial Life Arena’s court - running into cheerleaders and all.

When Knight was out, we rejoiced. And others followed suit after him. But maybe it was too little too late for the Gamecocks, who seemed to drag after the first half. Here’s a hint, Carolina: DE-FENSE. But seriously. When the going got tough, we just got…dunked on. And it wasn’t pretty.

But what was pretty? The halftime “show” where Spurrier pumped up the entire crowd with his motivational and surely practiced speech. And if you glanced to the top of the arena, wayyyy at the tippy top, you could see the 2011 football potentials. Clowney was present. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

So today, we can smile in remembrance of last year’s Kentucky game. You remember? The one where we beat the No. 1 team and stormed the court? But we can also be proud of our young basketball team that continue to prove everyone wrong.

Photo Credit: garnetandblackattack.com