The 'Blue Mist,' Jerry Stackhouse Fired, Cash For Weapon: Nashville Is Buzzing With SEC Tournament

NASHVILLE, Tenn- The so-called ‘Blue Mist’ of Kentucky fans have made their descent into Nashville, Tennessee, in what has already been a raucous SEC basketball tournament. 

How do you describe the conference tournament located between honky-tonks and party buses filled with drunk bachelorettes? Just an average Thursday in March in one of the best cities in America to host a sporting event. Thousands of fans from opposing teams flock to the Music City in hopes of seeing their favorite team make a run towards a conference title, while also partaking in the madness that is lower Broadway. 

It's one big party, filled with fans lining the street in different color shirts, shouting ‘Go Cocks’ or ‘Go Vols’ at the top of their lungs. This is the most wonderful time of the year, with the NCAA Tournament just under a week away. And getting to wrap the conference season up in Nashville is a cherry on top. 

Now, there are the awkward moments like the guy asking me for $27 dollars as I made my way back to the hotel late Wednesday night, hoping to purchase a gun. Yes, a guy asked me for a few bucks to buy a weapon, so that was one way to end a long night of basketball. 

bOutside Bridgestone Arena Where The SEC Tournament is held and someone asked me for $27 dollars to purchase a weapon

It's variety hour in Nashville that includes the pedal taverns strolling bye every 10 minutes with Miley Cyrus blaring from the speakers. 

Fans from all over the southeast descend upon this town looking for a party, and a few wins in the process. This year will attract folks from College Station to Gainesville, while Tennessee and Kentucky fans wait to takeover on Friday. 

There are also the not-so-fun parts of the SEC Tournament, which one coach found out on Thursday. 

Vanderbilt Coach Jerry Stackhouse Fired After Loss To Arkansas

In what had been a full season coming, Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse was fired on Thursday morning, just before Mississippi State and LSU took the court. After asking him last night if his athletic director had provided him with any assurances that he would return next season, Stackhouse replied that he had not. 

So, fast-forward to Thursday morning at the SEC Tournament, and it didn't take long for the Vandy administration to make a decision to move on from the former NBA star. 

The whole situation at Vanderbilt just never worked, whether it was recruiting or putting together a formidable roster on a yearly basis. I want to also make it clear that his athletic department did not make it easy on him either, with a lack of NIL funds, and the problems with players getting into school from the transfer portal. 

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 21: Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse of the Vanderbilt Commodores looks on during the first half of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gymnasium on February 21, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

But, it was time to go, and even Stackhouse knew it during his postgame press conference on Wednesday night. Now, the question is who will take over at Vanderbilt, which is just two miles away from the arena they played in last night. We will certainly see a list of candidates over the next few days, but don't be surprised if it's Samford head coach Bucky McMillan. 

There is also a massive buyout to be paid, which could see the school pay Stackhouse anywhere between $10-$20 million, thanks to a contract extension he signed after last season. 

Friday Will Be A Madhouse In Nashville With Tennessee And Kentucky

While fans from all around the conference take part in this festive tournament, this could turn into the Tennessee and Kentucky party. Both teams playing on Friday means that Bridgestone Arena will be sold-out, with a nice splash of Auburn and Alabama fans. 

Hopefully the Mississippi State fans that decided to wear banana costumes get a chance to stick around for the weekend, it sure brightens up the arena. You can expect some hostile words to be exchanged over the next few days, as most of these fan-bases can't stand each other, which only adds to the spicy environment. Can we get a rematch between Auburn and Tennessee, please? 

Mississippi State fans in banana costumes

I'll say this, if Kentucky somehow loses on Friday evening, ticket prices will plummet on the secondary market that is outside the arena. 

Just enjoy a weekend of college basketball, no matter which tournament you're watching. Whether it's the ACC, Big Ten, SEC or Pac-12, we have only a two-day break between a month filled with non-stop action. 

You can find me inside Bridgestone Arena, not getting ran over by a pedal tavern, party bus, or being asked to help with a crime.