What happens when you mix blue and orange?

You get Maysville.

The town that traditionally bleeds blue for University of Kentucky basketball turned out decked in orange Tuesday to greet University of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl.

A few years ago that would have been like welcoming the enemy, but UT basketball has become part of the Maysville family since Chris Lofton, part of that family, joined UT.

Lofton grew up in Maysville, led Mason County High School to a state championship, was named Mr. Basketball in 2004 and apparently was as surprised as everyone else when Kentucky didn't recruit him and UT did.

Pearl, Lofton's UT coach, spoke at Maysville's Rotary Club Tuesday and drew about 1,000 people for a free appearance at the high school gym, where he told fans Lofton had been named Athlete of the Year at UT.

"Maysville is still a UK town," said Mayor David Cartmell.

"The people who came out last night were supporting Chris Lofton and the Lofton family. It just happens that Bruce Pearl is very charismatic and seems to be a very nurturing mentor for Chris."

If it was reflected glory that Pearl was feeling Tuesday night, it was a big reflection. The stands were packed with Kentuckians wearing orange. The school band played a rousing "Rocky Top" as Pearl walked in. Earlier, state Rep. Mike Denham presented Pearl with a framed certificate naming Pearl a Kentucky Colonel.

Danny Weddle, sports director at WFTM Radio, said he expects to see a lot of orange in Maysville, "at least for the next two years" that Lofton plays.

"There are a lot of die-hard UK fans, but Chris is a beloved athlete," Weddle said. "I've seen a lot of athletes come through here, but none have stolen the hearts of the fans like he has.

"His mom teaches at the middle school. His dad was a coach. He's active in his church. When he comes home he helps out at the Boys and Girls Club. You see him shooting baskets with kids. I don't think he has any ego.

"Everyone feels like they know him."

Weddle said some of the enthusiasm for UT might reflect a touch of pique at what he calls "the snubbing by UK," which didn't recruit Lofton.

"The fans have taken it personally. I think he was hurt by that and the fans were hurt by that. A lot of people have hated Tennessee for years. Looking at all the orange in the fieldhouse last night was something to see. Five or 10 years ago, if you said people would turn out like that they'd have locked you up."

Cartmell said an orange-decked fan probably expressed Maysville's sentiment best when he and Cartmell were talking about a UK-UT matchup.

"He said 'I've got UK season tickets. I hope UK beats them, and I hope Chris Lofton scores 40 points,' " Cartmell related.

Weddle said Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has said he regrets not recruiting Lofton, and Smith is wooing current Mason County High School star Darius Miller, who is a junior.

"Tennessee is recruiting him too," said Weddle. "That's kind of the next story."