Basketball teams have been cutting down nets for nearly a century.
The net cutting-tradition is associated with achieving the pinnacle of success on the hardwoods, and snipping the nylon following a conference championship is just about every college basketball team’s dream.
That is, every college squad except for Kentucky.
The Kentucky Wildcats bested the Arkansas Razorbacks, 78-63, in Sunday’s SEC Tournament Championship game and finished the season with a perfect record of 34-0. However, an SEC title apparently isn’t enough for Blue Nation.
Instead of cutting the nets themselves after the game, players sent student managers out to accomplish the task.
Sophomore center Willie Cauley-Stein explained the decision to the media in a post-game press-conference. “Those aren’t the nets we’re really looking to cut down,” said the All-American. “It’s just a milestone. It’s just part of the process for us winning and everything, but we’re looking for something bigger.”
I absolutely love this. Analysts have doubted whether these kids could finish the season without losing, and they will clearly be playing with a sizable chip on their shoulders.
Power move. Big time.
WATCH:
[h/t ESPN]