Josie Whetstone couldn't join her family in Nashville for the SEC Tournament like she normally does so she took a photo while watching the game on TV at her home in Florida.
For the past 19 years, my husband and I have treated our four children – Jennifer, Josie, Brent, and Angie to the annual SEC tournament. It is our way of enjoying good basketball and getting to spend lots of time with our children. Not all can get away each year, but we get to spend special time with the ones who do.
We entered our 20th Reunion with high hopes that it would be a memorable SEC Tournament – unlike our 19th that ended up with us watching one session and then being sent back home as the tournament was closed due to “the Virus.”
Observations on the Venue:
— There were supposedly 3,400 tickets available – but, our awkward rough counting never showed more than 500 to 800 folks there.
— Bags – even clear ones were not allowed. Each day I had to wear a jacket with lots of pockets – phone charger, medicine, masks, Kleenex. I had to use another spot to store additional items we were taking in. I won’t tell you what I used as additional storage – but I had two more places to put mints, etc.
— Kentucky had really low attendance. I have never seen so few UK fans. I think Alabama had the largest attendance. Tennessee probably came in second.
— Thank you, SEC for providing a safe environment.
— I blame Bridgestone or the SEC for spreading the tickets up into the upper tiers. Everyone could have been seated on the bottom rows and had decent seats.
Observations on the Officiating:
— I do believe that we get the brunt of the poor officiating. We were close to the “HOME TEAM” goal, and the teams on this end had their players almost on the line. These players jumped up, pointed at the referees, and really influenced the play calling. None of the players/seat warmers had on masks.
Observations on our Beloved Wildcats
— Every team (and we have now watched each team) played faster and tougher than we did.
— No other coaches screamed at their players throughout the games.
— Coach Cal is a master at positive PR. He is a master schmoozing the fans. For some reason, this has not been happening this year.
— Again, I strongly support Coach Cal. Everyone knows that in leadership you have to constantly evaluate and improve yourself.
— The winning teams laid it all on the floor. They tried hard and played hard.
— I love this team and hope many of them return for next year.
— I think something happened with all of the added coaches and losing Kenny Payne. Maybe mixed messages were sent, but I think there needs to be a shake-up of responsibilities and some team building amongst the coaches.
— I am a certified True Colors facilitator and would gladly train with the coaches and team on how different personalities interact. I believe strongly enough in the program that I would provide the training for free.
— I was laughed at when I suggested we have the Women’s Clinic virtually. I think that the staff needs to remember that lots of players and fans love their mothers, and they each of the team was probably homesick. We women would have stood behind the team and given them “extra” mother love in defense of them.
I choose to believe this horrible season was an anomaly – not a new standard. I love our team, and I love our coach.
And, I look forward to the 2022 SEC Tournament in Tampa on March 9-13, 2022.
— Sarah White, Contributing Writer
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Vaught’s note: Sarah White has been a contributor to vaughtsviews.com. She lives in Lebanon, Tenn., but always has a unique perspective and seldom misses a game in Rupp Arena or any type of fan clinic.
