April 24, 2001
April 24, 2001 –
2000-2001 Kentucky Wildcats(24-10, 12-4 SEC – T1st)
NCAA Sweet 16SEC Tournament Champions (23rd)Co-SEC Champions (41st)Co-SEC East Champions (7th)
Final Starting LineupWILDCATS No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Ppg Rpg Hometown 21 Tayshaun Prince F 6-9 215 Jr. 16.9 6.5 Compton, Calif. 42 Jason Parker F 6-8 255 Fr. 8.6 4.7 Charlotte, N.C. 4 Gerald Fitch G 6-3 185 Fr. 6.8 4.4 Macon, Ga. 10 Keith Bogans G 6-5 205 So. 17.0 4.6 Alexandria, Va. 11 Saul Smith G 6-2 175 Sr. 6.8 *3.9 Athens, Ga.
* Assists per game
Coaching NumbersOrlando “Tubby” Smith (High Point `73) Overall (10 years) 234-95 (71.1%) at UK (4 years) 110-33 (76.9%) SEC Tournament (6 yrs.) 13-3 (81.3%) NCAA Tournament (8 yrs.) 18-7 (72.0%)
UK Cat FactsLocation Lexington, Ky.Enrollment 31,000Founded 1865Colors Blue & WhiteNickname WildcatsConference SoutheasternArena Rupp Arena (23,000)Athletics Director Larry IvyAthletics Dept. Phone 859-257-8000Ticket Office Phone 800-928-CATSMedia Relations Phone 859-257-3838Media Relations Fax 859-323-4310Bk Media Contact Brooks Downing
Big Blue Highlights Kentucky opened the season earlier than any other in its 98 years of college basketball, losing to St. John’s on a controversial call and UCLA in overtime at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in New York on Nov. 9-10. Four months later, the Wildcats finished the season just south of the Big Apple, losing to Southern Cal, 80-76, in the East Region semifinals in Philadelphia. After a 1-3 start, the Cats invaded North Carolina and handed the Tar Heels their second-worst loss ever suffered in the Dean Dome, 93-76. Two weeks later, UK lost a heartbreaker, falling to defending national champ Michigan State in East Lansing, 46-45. The Cats’ record then stood at 3-5 with the five losses coming by a total of 14 points. Yet Tubby Smith remained confident in his 12-man roster which included seven newcomers. On Dec. 22, Smith made his one lineup change of the season, inserting Gerald Fitch against Indiana as the Cats rolled, 88-74, in Louisville. The victory sparked a seven-game win streak that ended at No. 21 Ole Miss on Jan. 20. After suffering a second-straight loss at 18th-ranked Alabama, UK began an eight-game win streak that started with an 86-75 home win over Vanderbilt. The streak included four road wins. UK finished the regular season losing at Arkansas and Florida, sandwiched around a Saul Smith Senior Night victory over Auburn. The Auburn victory assured the Cats of their 41st SEC championship, a title they shared with the Gators. UK then swept three games in the SEC Tournament to capture its 23rd league crown and its eighth in 10 years. Tayshaun Prince was named both SEC Player of the Year and MVP of the league tournament. With the late-season surge, the Cats picked up a No. 2 seed in the East Region and headed to Long Island. Against Holy Cross, a team coached by former UK assistant Ralph Willard, the Cats fought off an upset bid thanks to a 27-point effort from Prince. In the second round, UK battled Iowa, and again, Prince led the way, pouring in 31 points on 6-of-8 three-point shooting as the Cats advanced to the Sweet 16. In Philadelphia, the Wildcats were to face Southern Cal, but much of the attention was on a possible matchup with Duke in the region final, should both teams advance. The Cats and Blue Devils had played their historic game in the “City of Brotherly Love” in 1992. But it never happened. The Trojans limited Prince to six points and withstood a Keith Bogans offensive explosion — 21 of his 23 points came in the second half — to escape with the upset win. It was UK’s first region semifinal loss after eight straight Sweet 16 victories.
Big Blue Postseasons * Since 1992, UK owns a 60-10 record in postseason play, including five wins this March in both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments. * Kentucky finished the season 12-8 against teams in the 2001 NCAA Tournament field. * The Wildcats were one of two Southeastern Conference teams to advance to the Sweet 16. Ole Miss fell to national runner-up Arizona in the Midwest Region semifinals. * It was the Cats’ 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tourney. * This marked the third straight season UK was sent out of its region to participate in the NCAA Tournament.
Fur Balls * UK began the season without the services of two Cats — Desmond Allison, who started 31 of 33 games a year ago, and Jules Camara, arguably the Cats’ top reserve — for violating student-athlete policy. Allison, who had started for two seasons, transferred to NAIA Martin Methodist in Tennessee, while the 6-11 Camara sat out the season and will have two years of eligibility remaining. * After finishing the 2000 season with nine players on the roster, Tubby Smith stated he would need more depth. In 2001, despite the departures, 10 Wildcats averaged 11 minutes or more per game. * Seventeen of the Cats’ 34 opponents this season shot less than 40% from the field. UK held opponents to 40.5% shooting while shooting a league-leading 48.2% from the field. * Kentucky won 14 of its last 17 contests while compiling the school’s 46th 20-win season. * UK was 8-5 against ranked (AP) teams, including a 3-2 mark against top-10 teams, beating No. 6 North Carolina, No. 4 Tennessee (1/16) and eighth-ranked Florida (2/6). Nine of those 13 games against ranked opponents were played away from Rupp Arena. * The Cats were 14-0 this season when shooting better than 50% from the field. UK topped 50% shooting in three of its last five games. Last season, UK topped 50% only four times. * Kentucky owned the nation’s third toughest schedule according to both the College RPI and the Jeff Sagarin Power Rankings. * In conference games only, UK finished the season ranked first in scoring (79.2 ppg), tied for first in scoring margin (+7.8 ppg) and first in FG percentage defense (40.2%), and second in FG percentage (48.3%).
Milestones * Saul Smith finished tied for third on UK’s all-time games played list with Jared Prickett. Smith played in 143 games in his four-year career and, in addition, finished in a tie for sixth place nationally. Former Cat Wayne Turner leads the nation with 151. * Smith finished his career with 152 steals, one shy of UK’s career top 10. He totaled three steals in the first half vs. Southern Cal. * Tayshaun Prince ranks 31st on the all-time scoring list at UK with 1,215 points. * Keith Bogans is 12 points shy of becoming the 49th member of UK’s prestigious 1,000-point club. He has 988 points.
1,000-Point ClubNo. Points Wildcat (Years)1. 2,138 Dan Issel (1968-70)2. 2,080 Kenny Walker (1983-86)3. 2,038 Jack Givens (1975-78)28. 1,238 Tom Parker (1970-72)29. 1,232 Deron Feldhaus (1988-92)30. 1,220 Derrick Hord (1980-83)31. 1,215 Tayshaun Prince (1999-01)32. 1,213 Bill Spivey (1950-51)33. 1,208 Rodrick Rhodes (1993-95)34. 1,170 Wayne Turner (1996-99)35. 1,167 Reggie Hanson (1988-91)36. 1,156 Derrick Miller (1987-90)37. 1,153 Vernon Hatton (1956-58)38. 1,151 Wallace Jones (1946-49)39. 1,091 Jeff Sheppard (1994-96, `98)40. 1,076 Bill Lickert (1959-61)41. 1,073 Rex Chapman (1987-88)42. 1,069 Dirk Minniefield (1980-83)43. 1,064 Jamaal Magloire (1997-00)44. 1,041 Jim Line (1947-50)45. 1,023 Bob Burrow (1955-56)46. 1,013 Ron Mercer (1996-97)47. 1,009 Jimmy Dan Conner (1973-75)48. 1,001 Bobby Watson (1950-52)
UK Career Assists LeadersNo. Assists Wildcat (Years)1. 646 Dirk Minniefield (1980-83)2. 544 Anthony Epps (1994-97)3. 498 Roger Harden (1983-86)4. 494 Wayne Turner (1996-99)5. 482 Sean Woods (1990-92)6. 470 Kyle Macy (1978-80)7. 436 Ed Davender (1985-88)8. 428 Travis Ford (1992-94)9. 363 Saul Smith (1998-01)10. 327 John Pelphrey (1989-92)11. 319 Larry Johnson (1974-77)12. 301 Dickey Beal (1981-84)13. 293 Larry Conley (1964-66)
Games PlayedUK’s Top 51. Wayne Turner (1996-99) *1512. Jamaal Magloire (1997-00) 145T3. Jared Prickett (1993-97) 143T3. Saul Smith (1998-2001) 1435. Anthony Epps (1994-97) 1416. Ralph Beard (1946-49) 139
NCAA’s Top 101. Wayne Turner (Kentucky `99) 1512. Christian Laettner (Duke `92) 1483. Danny Manning (Kansas `88) 1474. Stacey Augmon (UNLV `91) 1454. Jamaal Magloire (UK `00) 145T6. Patrick Ewing (G-town `85) 143T6. Danny Ferry (Duke `89) 143T6. Derrick Coleman (Duke `90) 143T6. Jared Prickett (Kentucky `97) 143T6. Saul Smith (Kentucky `01) 14311. Brian Davis (Duke `92) 14111. Anthony Epps (Kentucky `97) 141
Smith’s Paw Prints * Tubby Smith continues his remarkable success at Kentucky. In four seasons, he’s averaged 27.5 wins per year, won one NCAA Championship, three SEC Championships and three SEC Tournament Championships. He owns a 22-5 record in the month of March at UK, including an impressive 9-1 record in the SEC Tournament. In NCAA Tournament play, he’s 18-7 overall, including a 10-3 mark at UK, and has coached teams to eight straight NCAA Tournaments. Overall, Smith has now won five league championship titles in 10 years as a head coach. For an updated season bio on Smith, see page 13 in this note package. * UK led the league in FG percentage this season, shooting 48.2%, the third time the Cats have led the SEC since Smith took over as coach four years ago and the fifth time UK has led the league in the last six years. * Smith’s eight consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament ranks fifth among active coaches. He trails Lute Olson (17), John Chaney and Roy Williams (11), and Bob Huggins (9). He’s tied with Kelvin Sampson and Gary Williams. * Smith has won 72.0% (18-7) of his tournament games, which ranks fourth among active coaches. He trails Tom Izzo (84.2%), Mike Krzyzewski (80.0%) and Steve Fisher (76.9%).
NCAA Cat Scratches NCAA Tournament Appearance: National-record 42nd Tourney Record: 87-37 (70.2%) Record vs. `01 Tourney Field: 12-8 Seed: UK was a No. 2 seed (East) for the first time since `98, the fifth time since seeding began in 1979. Bid: Automatic (SEC Tournament Champions) `01 NCAA Results: Defeated Holy Cross and Iowa, Eliminated by Southern Cal in East Region Semifinals.
Madness Numbers As the nation’s winningest team, Kentucky holds many distinctions in NCAA Tournament play, including:Appearances Kentucky (1942-01) 42 UCLA (1950-01) 36 North Carolina (1941-01) 34Tournament Games Kentucky (1942-01) 124 North Carolina (1941-01) 116 UCLA (1950-01) 108Tournament Wins Kentucky (1942-01) 87 North Carolina (1941-01) 81 UCLA (1950-01) 78Tournament Winning Percentage Duke (1955-01) 76.8 (73-22) UCLA (1950-01) 72.9 (78-29) Kentucky (1942-01) 70.2 (87-37)NCAA Championships UCLA (1950-00) 11 Kentucky (1942-00) 7 Indiana (1940-01) 5NCAA Final Fours North Carolina (1946-00) 15 UCLA (1962-95) 14 Kentucky (1942-98) 13NCAA Final Four Wins UCLA (1962-95) 24 Kentucky (1942-98) 17 Duke (1963-99) 14
Tournament Stats In their three NCAA Tournament games, the Cats averaged 80.0 ppg while shooting 49.2% from the field and 45.2% from three-point range. UK also forced nine more turnovers and outrebounded opponents by 5.3 rpg, 34.0-28.7. Prince led Cats’ attack, hitting 53.8% from the field, 56.3% from three-point range and 92.9% from the foul line to average 21.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Keith Bogans chipped in 17.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg. UK’s defense allowed 48.1% shooting, including 54.7% from three-point range.
Poll Cats Kentucky finished ninth in the AP poll, UK’s 35th top-10 AP finish which leads the nation. The Wildcats finished eighth in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, their 31st top-10 finish in the Coaches poll, which also leads the nation. Both rankings were the highest of the season for the Wildcats. The Wildcats were ranked in the first two AP Top-25 polls this season and in the first three Coaches polls. But after a 1-3 start, the Cats fell out of both polls on Nov. 27. After missing the rankings for 11 straight weeks, UK made its reappearance on Feb. 12.
Cats vs. Top 25 The Cats played 13 ranked (AP) teams this season, more than any other SEC team, and 10 of those 13 games were away from Rupp Arena. After its win over No. 24 Iowa in the NCAA tourney, UK was 8-5 against ranked opponents, including a 3-2 record vs. top-10 teams. UK almost had two more wins against ranked opponents, barring a pair of possessions. UK lost to No. 19 UCLA in overtime and fell at No. 2 Michigan State, 46-45. AP Rankings Opponent Then Final Result at Alabama 18th — L, 70-60 Florida 8th 5th W, 71-70 at Florida 6th 5th L, 94-86 at Georgia 25th — W, 85-70 vs. Iowa 24th 24th W, 92-79 at Ole Miss 21st 14th L, 65-55 vs. Ole Miss 14th 14th W, 77-55 at Michigan State 2nd 2nd L, 46-45 at North Carolina 6th 6th W, 93-76 Notre Dame 25th 19th W, 82-71 Tennessee 4th — W, 84-74 at Tennessee 15th — W, 103-95 vs. UCLA 19th 13th L, 97-92
Power Polls When Selection Sunday rolled around, the Cats were ranked high in the final independent national power polls that track college basketball teams throughout the regular season.Poll Rank/Sched.RPI 10th/3rdCBN RPI 10th/8thSagarin 8th/3rd
Tradition The Wildcats own an unparalleled tradition of success. Since 1903, the University of Kentucky has fielded 98 basketball teams. The first national championship was an NIT title in 1946. The first NCAA Championship came in 1948 and the latest, No. 7, occurred in 1998. No other program can claim the unparalleled success that matches the Wildcats’ efforts throughout the past century.
Highlights include:* Seven NCAA titles (1948, ’49, ’51, ’58, ’78, ’96, `98),* The all-time winningest team in college hoops: 1. Kentucky 1,795 2. North Carolina 1,781 3. Kansas 1,738* The highest all-time winning percentage in college basketball — 76.3% (1,795-558-1),* Three NCAA runner-up trophies,* 13 Final Four appearances,* A national-record 42 NCAA tournament appearances,* 41 SEC Championships,* 23 SEC Tournament titles,* Ten 30-win seasons,* 38 players chosen All-American 54 times,* 87 Wildcats drafted by the NBA.
SEC Tournament Recap * Kentucky won its 23rd SEC Tournament Championship in 40 appearances, more titles than all of the other league teams combined. Kentucky beat South Carolina in the quarterfinals then gained revenge for regular-season losses to Arkansas and Ole Miss. The Wildcats are now 99-16 (86.1%) in SEC Tournament play. The Wildcats have won eight of the last 10 conference tournament titles. * UK has won 26 of its last 28 games played in the SEC Tournament. Since the tournament was renewed in 1979, UK is 42-10 (80.8%), winning 11 championships. * Kentucky has now won the SEC Tournament title and won or shared the regular-season crown in the same season 18 times. * In the finals against Ole Miss, Tayshaun Prince scored 26 points and pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds, his second double-double of the tournament, to earn tournament MVP honors. Teammate Keith Bogans, who averaged a team-high 21.7 ppg in the three contests, joined Prince on the all-tournament team along with Ole Miss’ Rahim Lockhart and Justin Reed, and Arkansas’ Joe Johnson. Prince averaged 19.0 ppg and 9.3 rpg for the tournament and Bogans shot a blistering 63.2 percent including 50.0 percent from three-point range. UK now has had 62 players named to the all-tourney team 95 times and Prince was UK’s 25th tournament MVP. * Other highlights included holding Ole Miss to 20 percent shooting in the first half of the title game. It was the lowest by a UK opponent in a half this season. The defensive effort followed a similar performance in the second half against Arkansas. After falling behind by as many as 15 in the first half (40-25), UK held the Hogs to 36.7 percent shooting in the second half en route to the semifinal win. Prince tied an SEC tournament title game record for most three-pointers made with six. The record was set by UK’s Travis Ford in the 1993 tournament against LSU. * Kentucky’s success over the second half of the season continued in SEC Tournament play. The following three-game tournament stats indicate the Cats’ championship play: Stat UK Opp FG% 48.6 37.7 3FG% 40.7 32.3 RPG 39.0 31.7 PPG 80.7 66.0SEC Awards Kentucky’s Tayshaun Prince swept Southeastern Conference Player of the Year honors, earning the Coaches’ top choice and the AP vote. He’s the first Wildcat to win the award since Ron Mercer in 1997. The California native also earned first-team All-SEC honors after receiving second-team honors last season. Prince was the ninth Wildcat to win the AP award since it began in 1965, the fourth to win the Coaches’ award since its inception in 1987. (See page 197 of the UK Media Guide for a complete listing.) UK sophomore Keith Bogans was a second-team All-SEC selection by both the Coaches and AP. Fellow starters Gerald Fitch and Jason Parker were named to the SEC All-Freshman Team by the Coaches. Prince was joined on the Coaches first team by Alabama’s Rod Grizzard, Florida’s Udonis Haslem and Brett Nelson and Ole Miss’ Rahim Lockhart. In SEC play only, Prince finished second in the league in scoring, one point behind Nelson, averaging 17.8 ppg, while guiding the Wildcats to their second consecutive SEC Championship. He also led the league in free-throw shooting and finished among the league leaders in field goal percentage, rebounding, assist-to-turnover ratio and blocked shots. Ole Miss’ Rod Barnes was named the SEC Coach of the Year and Rebels’ freshman Justin Reed was a unanimous selection as the league’s Freshman of the Year.
Blevins Earns Academic All-SEC Honor Junior J.P. Blevins was named to the SEC’s Academic Honor Roll. Blevins, who’s majoring in communications, earned the honor for the second straight year. Requirements for the award are a 3.0/4.0 GPA, a sophomore or higher in academic standing and 24 semester hours toward a degree.
Prince Named All-American Tayshaun Prince earned second-team All-America honors by The Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association. He also made the 10-man Wooden All-America team. Prince earned third-team recognition by the NABC.
Prince Charms * Tayshaun Prince, the SEC’s Player of the Year, scored over 30 points in two games this season, tallying 30 at Tennessee on Feb. 14 and 31 against Iowa in NCAA Tournament play. It’s the first time a Wildcat has topped 30 points twice in a season since Derek Anderson accomplished the feat in his injury-shortened senior season of 1997. * Despite being the opponents’ target, Prince scored in double figures 29 straight games until his six-point effort vs. Southern Cal.
One-Two Punches One of the most dangerous one-two scoring punches in the nation was Kentucky’s Keith Bogans and Tayshaun Prince. The pair averaged 33.9 ppg while playing one of college basketball’s toughest schedules. In the SEC, the duo ranked first in all games played while Bogans finished tied for second in the league scoring race.Duo, School Avg.Prince/Bogans, UK 33.9Nelson/Haslem, UF 32.2
Dynamic Duo vs. Air Pair * Keith Bogans and Tayshaun Prince led the Cats in scoring, averaging 17.0 and 16.9 ppg, respectively. It was the most points averaged by two Wildcats in a single season since 1997 when Ron Mercer averaged 18.1 ppg and Derek Anderson added 17.7 ppg. However, Anderson was injured during the team’s 18th game when he was averaging 18.6 ppg. He appeared in one more game that season, hitting two technical FTs vs. Minnesota in the national semifinals after undergoing reconstructive knee surgery eight weeks before. * No Wildcat in Coach Tubby Smith’s three previous seasons had averaged more than 13.7 ppg. In `98, Jeff Sheppard averaged 13.7 ppg, Scott Padgett followed with 12.6 ppg in `99 and Tayshaun Prince totaled 13.3 ppg last season. Prince and Bogans’ averages are the highest by a Wildcat since Mercer’s `97 tally.
Fantastic Fitch * In the SEC Tournament, Gerald Fitch, who joined teammate Jason Parker on the SEC All-Freshman Team, averaged 11.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. * Against Arkansas in the SEC Tournament, he helped rally the Cats to victory with a career-high 17 points. For the tournament, he shot 57.9% from the field, 57.1% from three-point range. Over the last 14 games of the season, he hit 18 of 35 three-point shots for 51.4%. * At Tennessee, he recorded his first double-double, 11 points and 11 rebounds, and dished out a career-high five assists. * Against Florida on Feb. 6, he was superb in the final three minutes. With 2:12 remaining, his three-pointer tied the game at 67. On the next UK possession, he penetrated and dished to Marvin Stone, whose dunk cut the lead to one, 70-69, with 1:35 left. After Saul Smith missed a jumper in the lane late, Fitch grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with 10 seconds left as UK set up its final game-winning play. At Tennessee, Keith Bogans missed a jumper with 1:03 left, but Fitch grabbed the rebound, was fouled and converted both free throws to put the Cats up four, 97-93. * Surprising for a 6-3 guard, Fitch had eight blocks this season.
Parker’s Finale Saving his best performance for last, Jason Parker tallied a double-double in UK’s near comeback against Southern Cal in the East Region semifinal. The freshman had a career-high 22 points on nine-of-13 shooting and grabbed 13 boards, nine on the offensive end. It was his second double-double of the season.
Tubby `D’ * Teams rarely shoot better than 50% from the field against the Wildcats. Through 143 games of the Smith era at UK, only 11 teams have shot better than 50% from the field against the Wildcats. Southern Cal pulled the trick in the four-point NCAA Tournament victory, hitting 52.8% from the field. The Trojans joined Alabama, Indiana and Florida as the only four teams to accomplish the feat this season. * Many teams struggle to shoot 40% from the field against UK’s defense. This season alone, teams combined to shoot 40.5% from the field against Smith’s ball-line defense, and 17 of the Cats’ 34 opponents failed to top 40% shooting.
Tubby `O’ * Tubby Smith’s Wildcats shot 48.2% from the field this season, which led the SEC and speaks volumes when one considers the UK schedule. The three previous times in the last decade UK shot 48% from the field or better, the Cats advanced to the Final Four — 48.0% in `93, national semifinal appearance, 48.7% in `96, NCAA champs, 48.2% in `98, NCAA champs. * Kentucky canned over 60 percent four times this season. Against Indiana, the Wildcats hit 68.9% from the field, including a 79.2% second-half. UK also hit 60.8% vs. Jacksonville State and 64.5% vs. South Carolina (2/3/01), including a 70.6% second half. At Tennessee on Feb. 14, UK shot 61.0% from the field, including a 71.4% effort from three-pont range in the first half. * The Cats hit 14-of-21 three-point attempts vs. Tennessee on Valentine’s Day for a blistering 66.7%. It was the highest 3FG percentage since a 66.7% (16-24) effort vs. Wake Forest in the 1993 NCAA Tournament.
One Lineup Change Only once this season did Tubby Smith juggle his starting lineup. Against Indiana on Dec. 22, Smith inserted Gerald Fitch in a three-guard look. The move was prompted by Marvin Stone’s absence in practice due to academic reasons. It moved Keith Bogans to small forward and put Tayshaun Prince back at power forward, a position he played most of last season. After the move, UK went 21-5.
Double-Doubles The Wildcats recorded 12 double-doubles this season. * Tayshaun Prince recorded six double-doubles this season, including two in the SEC Tournament — 19 points and 10 boards vs. Arkansas and 26 points and 12 rebounds against Ole Miss. He also had an 18-point, 11-rebound performance at Florida (3/4), had 14-10 against Arkansas and 23 and 10 against Georgia on Jan. 31. In December, he had 20 points and 10 rebounds vs. Georgia Tech. * Gerald Fitch recorded his first double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds at Tennessee (2/14/01). * Keith Bogans had 26 points and a career-high 11 rebounds vs. Georgia (Jan. 31) to record his first double-double at UK. In the SEC Tournament, he had 23 points and 10 boards against Arkansas for his second double-double. * Jason Parker had 15 points and 15 rebounds against Penn State for the first double-double by a Cat this season. He then exploded for a career-high 22 points and 13 boards vs. Southern Cal to record the Cats’ last double-double. * Marquis Estill registered a 19-point, 11-rebound effort at North Carolina.
Three Mania Kentucky’s streak of hitting a three in consecutive games reached 441 games, the second-longest among teams who have failed to make a three in every game since the rule was adopted in 1987. Overall, it’s the nation’s fourth-longest streak, trailing UNLV, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. UNLV, Vanderbilt and Princeton have hit a three-pointer in every game since the rule was adopted. The Wildcats’ last game without a three-pointer came against Seton Hall on Nov. 26, 1988, a “three-point” loss in the Great Alaska Shootout.
2000-01 Trends 21-4 When leading at halftime 0-0 When tied at halftime 3-6 When trailing at halftime 12-3 When UK scores first 12-7 When opponent scores first 23-2 When leading with 5 minutes to play 1-8 When trailing with 5 minutes to play 0-0 When score tied with 5 minutes to play 23-2 When leading with 2 minutes to play 0-8 When trailing with 2 minutes to play 1-0 When score tied with 2 minutes to play 2-3 In games decided by three points or less 7-7 In games decided by 4-10 points 4-0 When UK shoots 60% or better FG 15-0 When UK shoots 50% or better FG 9-10 When UK shoots less than 50% FG 1-4 When UK shoots less than 40% FG 14-3 When UK makes more 3FG 8-6 When opponent makes more 3FG 2-1 When 3FG made are the same 14-6 When UK outrebounds opponent 10-4 When opponent outrebounds UK 0-0 When rebounds are the same 9-9 When playing on national TV 10-0 When playing on regional TV 11-6 When playing on the weekend 13-4 When playing on a weekday 0-0 When starting after 10 p.m. ET 2-2 When starting after 9 p.m. ET 13-2 When game starts between 7-9 p.m. 9-6 With an afternoon start 0-1 In overtime games 1-3 In November 4-2 In December 7-2 In January 7-1 In February 5-2 In March 18-3 In home white uniforms 6-7 In away blue uniforms
Wildcats vs. Conferences 1-1 vs. Atlantic Coast 1-1 vs. Big East 1-0 vs. Big South 2-2 vs. Big Ten 1-0 vs. Conference USA 1-0 vs. Ohio Valley 0-2 vs. Pac-10 1-0 vs. Patriot 15-4 vs. SEC 1-0 vs. Trans America
Record vs. Lineup 3-5 vs. Prince, Stone, Parker, Smith, Bogans 21-5 vs. Prince, Bogans, Parker, Smith, Fitch
SEASON NOTES
20 Wins Again Kentucky notched its 11th consecutive 20-win season with its first win in the SEC Tournament over South Carolina. The Cats have 46 20-win seasons in their 98 years of basketball.
Rupp Arena’s 25th Season * UK completed its 25th season at Rupp Arena with a win over Auburn (2/28). Rupp was opened as the largest built-for-basketball arena in the nation and has since seen UK achieve a 328-36 record, a sterling 90.1% winning percentage. * This season, UK was 11-1 at home, winning its last 11 straight. Overall, UK has won 21 consecutive games against SEC opponents and 38 of its last 40 in Rupp Arena. * The Cats have not had a losing season at home in 73 years, the longest streak in the nation. The winning seasons began at Alumni Gym in 1927-28 when the Cats were 6-2. * UK has won 15 national attendance titles since the building opened, including the 2001 title. The Wildcats have won six titles in a row. UK averaged 21,786 per game in 2000-01, outdrawing North Carolina (20,836) and Syracuse (19,282).
Senior Day Success With the win over Auburn at the last UK home game, the Cats ran their Senior Day record to 77-4 since 1920. Kentucky has now won five straight and 36 of its last 37 Senior Day games. The Cats’ last defeat on Senior Day occurred on March 2, 1997, a 72-66 loss to South Carolina.
SEC Tradition * Kentucky, a charter member of the SEC since 1933, is the all-time winningest team in the league and the only squad to record more than 700 victories in SEC regular-season action, owning a 770-206 (78.9%) record. * UK has won more SEC Championships (41) and more SEC Tournament titles (23) than all the other league teams combined.
Redshirts The Wildcats had two players redshirt the 2001 season. Juniors Todd Tackett, a 6-2 guard, and Jules Camara, a 6-11 forward, both have two years of eligibility remaining. Tackett resumed practicing after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last April. Camara practiced with the team but served a one-year suspension for violating UK’s student-athlete policy.
New Floor Next Season UK will have a new playing floor next season in Rupp Arena. The original floor has been used since the building opened 25 years ago, serving as the hardwood for 364 UK games, numerous NBA exhibitions, the annual KHSAA Sweet 16, nine NCAA Tournaments, three SEC Tournaments and two Ohio Valley Conference Tournaments. While the Cats own a 328-36 mark at Rupp Arena, the floor has been home to three NCAA Champions (1978, `96, `98) and three other Final Four teams while eight Wildcat squads have recorded unbeaten home seasons there. The new design and floor have not been ordered at this time. Plans are in the works to cut up the existing floor and sell it to the general public.
Prince Earns SEC and National Honors For the second time in three weeks, UK junior Tayshaun Prince was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week on Feb. 19, pulling down the honor after leading the Cats to road wins at Tennessee and Vanderbilt. His performances also earned him his first national honor at UK. The 6-9 junior was named National Player of the Week by Basketballnews.com. Prince scored a career-high 30 points at Tennessee and hit six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Included among the highlights was a 6-of-7 shooting performance from three-point range. It was the first 30-point effort by a Wildcat since Heshimu Evans scored 31 against Maryland in Dec. `98. Prince’s point total enabled him to become the 48th member of UK’s 1,000-point club. Against Vanderbilt, he had a complete game, scoring 27 points, grabbing nine boards, dishing out five assists and blocking three shots. He scored 16 of the Cats’ final 23 points in the last nine minutes to help UK hold off a furious Vanderbilt rally. For the week, he averaged 28.5 ppg and 7.5 rpg. It was his third SEC Player of the Week honor and he joins Jamaal Magloire as the only Wildcats ever to win the honor three times in a career. Prince earned his first award on Feb. 5 and last season on Jan. 10, 2000. It’s also the third SEC POW award for UK this season. Teammate Marquis Estill won the award in December.
Prince Named SEC POW On Monday, Feb. 5, Tayshaun Prince became the second Wildcat this season to earn the SEC Player of the Week award. Prince averaged 26.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.0 apg for the week and scored a then-career-high 29 points vs. South Carolina. He shot 65.6% from the field and 66.7% from the three-point line as UK earned road wins at Georgia and USC. The honor was Prince’s second of his career. He earned his first award last January after recording a double-double vs. Ga. Tech.
Prince Saves The Day, Again Tayshaun Prince canned his patented left-handed baby hook in the lane with 3.3 seconds left to give UK a 71-70 victory over Florida on Feb. 6. It wasn’t the first time the junior swingman had stepped up at crunch time. Against South Carolina on Jan. 10, he broke a 61-61 tie with a bucket in the lane with two minutes left to spur the Cats to victory. Against Louisville, he canned two free throws with 26 seconds left to set the final margin at 64-62. Those gut checks followed last season’s stunners: * His clutch three with six seconds left in regulation sent the game to overtime as UK escaped with an 85-80 double-OT win over St. Bonaventure in the NCAA Tournament’s first round, * Against Miami (Fla.), his runner in the lane gave UK a 58-57 lead with 23 seconds remaining en route to the win, * With UK leading by two at Vanderbilt and the shot clock expiring, he hit a double-pump, game-clinching three with 27 seconds left in OT to seal the Cats’ victory.
Cross-Country Excursion Tayshaun Prince’s father, Thomas, traveled across country from Compton, Calif., to witness his son’s first college basketball game in person when the Cats played Tennessee in Lexington. Thomas Prince, who doesn’t fly, arrived with various aunts and uncles after a stopover in Mississippi to visit other relatives. The group also took in the UK-Ole Miss game before returning to California. Coach Smith credits the father’s attendance for initiating Tayshaun’s surge in the second half of the season.
Smith Among UK’s Assists Leaders * Senior guard Saul Smith joined UK’s top 10 in career assists against Mississippi State in February. His eight assists vs. Tennessee moved him past John Pelphrey and into ninth place on the UK chart. He is one of 12 Cats to record 300 assists at UK. * Smith suffered a bruised right knee against Louisville on Jan. 2 and reinjured the knee against Miss. State. He played a season-low 17 minutes against the Bulldogs after exiting early in the second half with two points, two assists and six rebounds. The knee still requires daily treatment.
Jerseys Retired All-Americans Burgess Carey and Kenny Walker had their jerseys retired during halftime ceremonies of the Auburn game. The late Mr. Carey, who lettered at UK in 1925 and `26, became the Wildcats’ second All-American after earning a reputation as one of the nation’s best defenders. From his “backguard” position, a guard that seldom crossed halfcourt, Carey scored few points but became a force defensively, sacrificing his 6-0, 195-pound body to keep opponents from earning easy baskets. He wore jersey number 56. Walker, who lettered at UK from 1983-86, was a member of the Cats’ 1984 Final Four team, then proceeded to have an outstanding career, leading the Cats in scoring and rebounding as a junior and senior. He finished his career second on the UK scoring list, pouring in 2,080 points. He still holds school records for most free throws made and attempted in both a season and a career. The two-time All-American wore jersey No. 34. UK has now retired 41 jerseys.
`51 Champs Reunited The 1951 NCAA Champion Kentucky Wildcats returned to Lexington on Feb. 10 and celebrated their 50th anniversary of winning UK’s third national title. Cliff Hagan, Shelby Linville and Bobby Watson, among others, were recognized at halftime of the UK-Mississippi State game. The Cats, led by college basketball’s Player of the Year, Bill Spivey, defeated Kansas State in the finals in Minneapolis.
Tennessee Recap * What a night for the Cats in Knoxville. For the second time in four games, UK shot 60% from the field and a season-high 66.7 percent from three-point range, converting 14-of-21 three-point attempts. It was the most three-pointers hit in a game since UK hit 14 against Vandy on Jan. 9, 1999. It’s the highest three-point percentage since the Cats shot 66.7% vs. Wake Forest on March 25, 1993, canning 16 of 24 from beyond the arc in that NCAA Tournament game. * The 103 points was the most by a UK team since scoring 103 vs. Maryland in Dec. `98. Kentucky tallied a season-high 26 assists, led by eight from Saul Smith and a career-high six from Keith Bogans. It was the most assists by a UK team since totalling 26 assists twice during the `99 season. * Personal bests included Tayshaun Prince’s career-high 30 points, which moved him into UK’s 1,000-point club, and freshman Gerald Fitch’s first double-double — 11 points and a career-high 11 rebounds. Prince’s 30 points was the most by a Cat since Heshimu Evans had 31 vs. Maryland in Dec. `98. * Prince’s 6-for-7 shooting from three-point range ranks as the No. 2 percentage in a game at UK. His 85.7% is second only to Derrick Miller’s 87.5% (7-8) vs. Cal in 1989 and equals 6-of-7 efforts by Tony Delk vs. Iona in `96 and Travis Ford vs. Arkansas in `93.
Carolina Ripples… Against South Carolina on Feb. 3, Kentucky hit season highs in FG made (40), recorded its third-highest point total (94), its second-best FG percentage (64.5%) and equaled its second-most blocked shots (6) in a game. The Cats also recorded season lows in FTs and FT attempts. Gerald Fitch’s trip to the line with 23 seconds left was UK’s only appearance at the charity stripe during the game. He went 1-for-2. The last time UK made that few trips was in 1997 against Vanderbilt in Cincinnati as Scott Padgett split a pair from the line.
Dawg Meat Kentucky picked up its first road SEC victory with its come-from-behind 85-70 win at Eastern Division leader Georgia on Jan. 31. The Cats held UGA to 37.7 percent shooting and UK’s two fat Cats — Keith Bogans and Tayshaun Prince — combined for 49 points and 21 rebounds to rally UK from a 10-point deficit in the second half. Bogans equaled his career high with 26 points and recorded his first career double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds. Prince scored a then- season-high 23 points and registered his third career double-double with 10 boards. It was the first time in a year that UK had two Cats record double-doubles in the same game. Jamaal Magloire and Jules Camara achieved the feat against Georgia in Lexington last season.
Tarred Heels Kentucky’s upset of No. 6 North Carolina was notable for the following reasons: * Who would’ve predicted a UK victory with Jason Parker and Marvin Stone both battling foul trouble? Parker finished with six points and three boards in 12 minutes and Stone tallied four points and three boards in eight minutes, * It gave UNC its second-worst beating in the Dean Dome, matching Temple’s 17-point victory there and falling just short of a 20-point win by Duke in the Smith Center, * It snapped a six-game losing streak to the Tar Heels, UK’s first win over UNC since 1974, the Cats now trail in the series 16-7, * It avoided a 1-4 UK record, which would have matched the Cats’ worst start since 1984-85.
Gamecocks I * The Wildcats beat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, 91-48, in mid-November, shooting 60% from the field for the first time since March 12, 1999, when the Cats hit 61.2% of their shots in an NCAA Tournament first-round win over New Mexico State. * The Cats’ defense, a staple of a Tubby Smith-coached team, forced Jacksonville State into 33 turnovers, the most by an opponent in the Smith era. The last time the Cats forced 33 turnovers in a game was Feb. 5, 1995, a 77-71 win over Syracuse. The Rupp Arena record is 42 by UT-Martin earlier that same season (11/26/94). * UK totaled 16 steals vs. JSU, the most since tallying 16 against Georgia Tech and Florida during the 1999 season.
Two Freshman Starters * With Fitch and Jason Parker both starting against Indiana, it marked the first time since 1988 that two true freshmen had started a game for the Wildcats. On Feb. 28, 1988, LeRon Ellis and Eric Manuel both got the starting nod at Rupp Arena in a win over Syracuse. On March 4, 1989, Deron Feldhaus and Chris Mills both started at Miss. State, but Feldhaus was playing as a redshirt freshman. * Parker was the first true freshman to start the season opener in the Tubby Smith era at UK.
New Era With the installation of four new 12’6″ x 20′ video boards at Rupp Arena, as well as new lighting, UK went lights out, using spotlights, a music video and fireworks to introduce the Wildcats when they took the floor against Georgia on Jan. 6. It was the first time for spotlight introductions since the Cats moved to Rupp Arena in 1976 and the intros were used throughout the season.
Home at Freedom Hall The home of the Cards has been great to the Cats this season. UK defeated Indiana in Freedom Hall in December, 88-74, before knocking off host Louisville, 64-62, to start the new calendar year. Since 1908, UK is 111-29 in the River City and 48-15 in Freedom Hall. Kentucky has won 15 of its last 17 games played in Freedom Hall.
Back-to-Back Shooting With Kentucky hitting 68.9% from the field against Indiana, then following up with a 51.3% effort vs. High Point, it marked the first time in two seasons UK had back-to-back 50.0%-plus shooting efforts. In the `99 NCAA Tournament, the Cats nailed 61.0% against New Mexico State and 50.0% vs. Kansas. UK duplicated the feat again this season at Georgia and at South Carolina, versus Mississippi State and Tennessee and in back-to-back games against Arkansas and Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
Valentine Cats With the Wildcats’ eight-point win at Tennessee, UK now owns a 19-8 record on Feb. 14.
November Losses Annually, UK plays a demanding schedule thanks to invitations to play in numerous pre-conference tournaments. Consequently, UK has lost a game in the month of November in each of the past six seasons. Nov. `95 1-1 Nov. `96 3-1 Nov. `97 4-1 Nov. `98 5-1 Nov. `99 3-2 Nov. `00 1-3
Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic Thursday — Nov. 9 Kansas 99, UCLA 98 St. John’s 62, Kentucky 61 Friday — Nov. 10 UCLA 97, Kentucky 92 – OT Kansas 82, St. John’s 74
Season Openers The loss to St. John’s was the first loss in a season opener since the Cats fell to Clemson on Nov. 15, 1996, the earliest start to a season prior to this year. Kentucky is now 81-17 overall in season openers.
Home Openers After a shocking upset to Penn State, Kentucky is 84-14 all-time in home openers. Nine of those losses occurred before Adolph Rupp began coaching in 1930. The Cats are 65-5 since 1930, losing the home opener in 1955 to Temple, 1962 to Va. Tech, 1972 to Iowa and 1988 to Northwestern State. The PSU victory was the second home-opening loss in the Rupp Arena era (1976-present).
BIG BLUE MANIA
Keightley Worked 40th Season Kentucky equipment manager Bill Keightley completed his 40th season on the UK sidelines. The beloved Mr. Wildcat has served UK since 1961-62, watching the Cats roll to a 944-289 record during that era. Keightley, who has a jersey retired in the rafters of Rupp Arena, has worked under five different head coaches at UK — Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Pitino and Smith.
Wiggins Keeps on Coming Big Blue fan Bob Wiggins continues his amazing streak of following the basketball Cats. Wiggins, who is retired and lives in Falmouth, Ky., saw 615 consecutive games — home and away — from 1977 until he suffered a heart attack just before the 1996 Great Alaska Shootout. It’s the second-longest streak on record at UK. The illness forced him to miss four games, but he has since returned to see every contest in person, a streak of 177 games. Meanwhile, his home court streak is still intact. Wiggins has not missed a home game in 40 years, a streak spanning 575 games. During that period, which dates back to 1960-61, UK has a home record of 512-63. In all, he’s in his 48th season watching the Cats in person and through his own record keeping, has attended 1,191 UK games.
Cheerleader Title No. 11 The Kentucky cheerleaders captured their 11th national title on Jan. 13 at the UCA Championships in Orlando, Fla. Unrivaled in competition, the UK squad outdistanced runner-up Ohio State for the Wildcats’ seventh consecutive crown. Kentucky has won championships in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.
UK No. 2 with Most NBA Players * Kentucky is tied with Georgetown and Michigan for the second-most lettermen participating in the NBA with 10, according to a USA Today report. UK trails only North Carolina, which has 13 Tar Heels in the NBA. Arizona, Duke and Georgia Tech are tied for third, each with nine players in the league. The current Cats are: Derek Anderson San Antonio Tony Delk Phoenix Walter McCarty Boston Jamaal Magloire Charlotte Jamal Mashburn Charlotte Ron Mercer Chicago Nazr Mohammed Atlanta Scott Padgett Utah Mark Pope Milwaukee Antoine Walker Boston
* Rex Chapman, with 12 years under his belt in the NBA, retired from Phoenix after an injury this past summer. Jeff Sheppard was waived late by Toronto and returned to Italy to continue his professional career. He recently participated in a court case forcing Italian teams to allow more than two non-Europeans on each roster. The league countered with a new rule that only allows two Americans in the game at the same time for any team. He’s playing for Rosato this season after leading Benetton to the championship series last season.
Blue Boy Freshman James Monroe was easy to spot at UK home games. He was the young man standing in the student section wearing blue paint from head to toe, highlighted by a blue wig, blue shorts and a white “K” on his chest. It took Monroe 3.5 ounces of paint to cover his exposed body at a cost of $10 per game. It takes him 90 minutes to apply the paint, and since he discovered a mechanics solvent, only two hours to get cleaned up. Before, it took nearly three days to wash off the grease paint.
Miller Time Derrick Miller, who was the three-point ace of Coach Rick Pitino’s first UK team, is back in school at Kentucky completing his degree thanks to the Cawood Ledford Scholarship Fund. Miller will graduate in July with a degree in social work. The fund helps student-athletes complete their degree requirements after their eligibility has expired. The scholarship was named after UK’s former radio play-by-play man, who spent 39 years on the Kentucky sidelines calling the action. Ledford’s enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Spotted Around the Globe Former Wildcat Wayne Turner, who played last season for the Cincinnati Stuff of the IBL, is currently touring with the Harlem Globetrotters. The group visited Rupp Arena on Jan. 15, a red, white and blue return for the Boston native.
PRESEASON CAT SCRATCHES
Coaching Staff Changes It was quite the coaching carousel for the Wildcats this past off-season. In July, assistant coach Shawn Finney was named the new head coach at Tulane. With the departure of administrative assistant Simeon Mars, Coach Tubby Smith hired David Hobbs as an assistant coach, promoted George Felton to associate head coach and brought in former UK star Reggie Hanson as the team’s administrative assistant. Hanson’s position was quickly upgraded to Director of Basketball Operations. In October, Felton accepted a scout position with the Indiana Pacers the week before practice was set to begin at UK. Hanson was then promoted to assistant coach and will assume an off-campus recruiting role as well.
Prince, Bogans Earn PreseasonAll-SEC Honors, Cats Picked 2nd University of Kentucky junior Tayshaun Prince was picked a preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference performer and teammate Keith Bogans was named to the second team in a vote by the media at the conclusion of the annual SEC Basketball Media Days on Nov. 2. Prince, the Wildcats’ leading returning scorer and rebounder, was a second-team selection at the end of last season. Arkansas’ Joe Johnson was named the SEC’s Preseason Player of the Year. Joining Johnson and Prince on the first team were Tennessee’s Tony Harris and Vincent Yarbrough and Florida’s Udonis Haslem. Bogans, who made the All-SEC Freshman team last season, joined D.A. Layne of Georgia, Rod Grizzard of Alabama, Chuck Eidson of South Carolina and Greg LaPointe of Vanderbilt on the preseason second team. Tennessee was picked to win the SEC Championship. Kentucky was tabbed to finish second in the Eastern Division followed by Florida, South Carolina, Georgia and Vanderbilt. Arkansas was picked to win the Western Division followed by Alabama, Miss. State, Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss.
Exhibition Results * Kentucky defeated the E.A. Sports/California All-Stars 98-82 on Nov. 2 behind freshman Jason Parker’s team-high 20 points. * After an 0-2 start in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, UK returned to face Athletes in Action, picking up a 94-84 victory thanks to a 24-point effort from Keith Bogans.
— Go Cats —
