UK RUPP PKG

Pandemic-impacted season tonight...not in front the usual 20-thousand-plus solid blue fans in rupp arena...but in a mostly empty arena where only three- thousand people were allowed.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine talked to solid blue fans at the game...before and after about the unusual experience during these unusual times.

####### lisa andrew: "it brings a sense of normalcy to our lives."

Lisa morrison and her son andrew gomez say they feel safe at rupp arena...and are excited they can watch u-k's men's basketball season opening game in- person.

Lisa, andrew: "we went to the football games and we appreciate the security measures that they took to keep everybody safe and mask up and they're doing the same here tonight so we can enjoy a game."

Rupp only allowed 3-thousand people inside wednesday's game...that's 15- percent capacity.

It also required mobile tickets to reduce contact with staff...health screening upon entry...and its concession stands were closed.

Lisa, andrew: "we have lots of friends who wouldn't come this evening because they're worried about the virus and so forth, but we feel all safety precautions have been taken."

One father-son-duo agrees.

Bobbi, off cam: "are you excited about tonight's game?

Tony, j.p: yeah!

Butted "i think as long as everybody wears masks and are following the rules then we should be fine.

Yeah."

After the game...i caught up with some solid blue fans about their pandemic-induced experience.

Melissa, james: "they had enough people on staff to flow everythig in and out and everybody was spaced out wonderfully so i think it went well."

Blake and tom allen agree...though they say it's always more fun with more fans in the stands.

Blake, tom: "it was fun and i think everybody was safe, so i think it's better than having no fans there.

One young solid blue fan is looking at the bright side of fewer people at the games.

Tony, j.p.: "if it was 20,000 people then the cats would - then no people would be able to come here."

In lexington go cats!

Go cats!

Bobbi mcswine...abc 36 news.

Still ahead..

What police are saying now,