Entitlement: Memphis Tigers Fans vs. Kentucky Wildcats Fans

Entitlement is a word that Kentucky fans know very well (OK, maybe some of us don't know the word or how to spell it, but we know what it means).

In light of all the recent message board bashing of Kentucky and Memphis by each school's respective fan base, I would like to present a few stats and my take on the situation.                               

• All-time record:  UK(1988-635-1)     UM(1350-806-1)
• NCAA Titles:  UK(7)     UM(0)
• NCAA Runner-Up:  UK(3)     UM(2)
• Final Fours:  UK(13)     UM(3)
• Elite Eights:  UK(31)     UM(6)
• Sweet 16's:  UK(40)     UM(11)
• NCAA Appearances:  UK(50)     UM(22)
• Conference Tourney Championships:  UK(26)     UM(8)
• Conference Regular Season Championships:  UK(44)     UM(12)

So as you can see, Kentucky has out-performed Memphis in every category. If one were to do the same comparison of Kentucky to any other school, the results would be nearly identical with a few exceptions: Titles, UCLA; Final Fours, UNC.

Big Blue Nation fan(atics) have known this for years and tend to be overly arrogant about it, myself included.

Now, here are some posts that have shown up on message boards of either shchool:

"Kentucky is Kentucky. It is a better program than Memphis. You can't blame a guy for taking off for bluer pastures after nine glorious years." Geoff Calkins, Memphis Commercial Appeal, April 1, 2009.

"They had it before you, they had it during you, they'll have it when you're gone."  Al McGuire on Kentucky basketball tradition.

"I'd just as soon freeze to death." Actress Ashley Judd telling of being offered a UNC jacket on a chilly movie set, Lexington Herald Leader, August 15, 1996.

All UK fans probably have a similar story to tell like Ashley's.

My point being, while Big Blue Nation as a whole loves the John Calipari hire, those of us who are knowledgeable fans, (90+ percent I assume), understand that if it wasn't for Memphis hiring Cal, and the absolutely wonderful job he and his staff did while he was there, we at Kentucky could be facing five more years of mediocrity.

Memphis has been better than Kentucky recently. There, I said it. Better record, better showing in the NCAA's, better recruits, and most definitely a better coach.

Now UK has the coach they need, one who can handle the immensity of leading the BBN. Memphis made a great hire, I truly believe Josh Pastner will continue where Cal left off, as evidenced by his recent signings of five-star players including Latavious Williams and Will Barton.

So let's all stop the internet bashing and nerd fighting, realize that UK fans have and always will feel entitled to win, and win big every year because of the past we have enjoyed.

Let our beloved teams duke (God I hate that word) it out on the hardwood.

Words never won anybody an NCAA title, and fans of each school only have to look as far as Mario Chalmers and Miles Simon to realize how quickly an apparent championship can turn into a runner up.

After all, Wildcats and Tigers are both in the cat family, right?