Dec. 20, 2001

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky’s rebounding prowess leads the nation. The Wildcats entered the week as the nation’s No. 1 team in rebounding margin, averaging 13.1 rpg more than their opponents. After outrebounding Duke by 17 (51-34), UK improved its rebounding margin to 13.6 rpg.

In other NCAA statistics, the Wildcats entered the week ranked seventh in scoring (87.7 ppg) and eighth in scoring margin (22.1 ppg) while junior Marquis Estill ranked 10th in FG percentage (64.8%). UK’s 118 points against Kentucky State were the fourth-most points scored in a game this season. NCAA Division I statistics are updated each Tuesday throughout the season.

In the Southeastern Conference rankings which include this week’s updated statistics, UK’s Tayshaun Prince is third in scoring (18.5 ppg) while Cliff Hawkins ranks 10th in assists (3.75 apg). The Wildcats are first in scoring (88.2 ppg), rebounding (46.5 rpg), rebounding margin (13.6 rpg) and offensive rebounds (19.0 orpg).

Change In Smith Signing

The book signing by Tubby Smith scheduled for the UK Basketball Museum on Sunday, Dec. 23, has been postponed. Smith will sign “Wildcat Madness,” a book that features the 144 Wildcat figures enhanced by artists throughout the region, at a date to be announced after the holidays.

Kentucky-Duke Earns High Ratings

ESPN’s telecast of Duke vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game from the seventh annual Jimmy V Classic posted a 3.0 rating, the network’s highest-rated regular-season college basketball game in nearly three years. The game was seen in 2.54 million households. On Jan. 27, 1999, North Carolina at Duke garnered a 3.1 rating.

The network will re-air Tuesday’s Duke-Kentucky game on ESPN Classic as an “Instant Classic” Thursday, Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 28 at 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.