Kentucky's Fans Are a Riot

The University of Kentucky won the NCAA championship basketball tournament Monday evening with a 67-59 win over Kansas, after its fans had rioted in the streets, spreading vandalism following their victory over cross-state rival Louisville in the semi-final game Saturday.

I have never been able to figure out the mindset of Kentucky fans, anyway.  Violent riots because of happiness after a win?  H-m-m.  It brings to mind what they once did following a home football game against my Florida Gators. 

It was back in the 1990's sometime while UF had Spurrier as their coach.  The Gators were in Lexington, just whippin' up on the Wildcats on a Saturday afternoon (like they usually do).  As I recall, the score was something like 55-7 in the fourth quarter.  Then, Kentucky managed three straight scores and was able to cut the final margin to 55-28, still a runaway Florida victory by any account.  Also, you could easily imagine the amount of substitution going on with second-string Florida players getting some on-field playing opportunities.  So that "great" Kentucky fourth quarter wasn't exactly comparable to a match between first teams. Still, after the game was over the Kentucky fans were so enthralled by their last three touchdowns that they acted as if they had actually won the game, rushing en masse out onto the field and even taking down their own goalposts! Still, as hilarious as that may seem, at least they didn't riot as they did the other night.

I have relatives on my wife's side of the family living in Lexington, and they naturally root for UK and are thrilled with their championship.  Good for them.  I wonder, though, what they think about the riots...