Nov. 26, 2002
Virginia vs. Kentucky
Maui Invitational
Semifinals
7 pm ET – ESPN
Cats Win Opener
The Kentucky Wildcats opened their 100th season of college basketball with an 82-65 victory over Arizona State in the first round of the Maui Invitational on Monday. The Cats shot 53.1% from the field in the half to grab control of the game with a 43-30 halftime lead. Senior Keith Bogans led the first-half charge with a 13-point effort at the break. In the second half, the Wildcats’ depth dominated the short-handed Sun Devils to grab the victory. Four Cats finished in double figures, led by Bogans’ 20 points. Marquis Estill came up strong down the stretch, finishing with 14 points on six-of-eight shooting. UK’s defense held ASU to 36.5% shooting from the field, including a 22.2% effort from three-point range.
Estill Scores School RecordSenior Marquis Estill shot six-of-eight from the field and now has the minimum 200 made field goals in his UK career to take the career lead in FG percentage with 61.7 percent shooting during this three seasons. Estill ranks ahead of the school’s previous record holder, Charles Hurt (1980-83), who shot 59.3 percent. Estill can own the school record should he maintain the pace throughout the season. The 6-9 center can earn a fourth year of eligibility should he graduate by the fall semester of 2003.
Career FG Percentage (Min. 200 made)
61.7 Marquis Estill (202-327) 2001-0359.3 Charles Hurt (303-511) 1980-8359.1 Melvin Turpin (626-1059) 1981-8458.1 Rick Robey (533-917) 1975-7857.1 Kenny Walker (765-1339) 1983-86
Bogans Advances
With his 20-point effort, Keith Bogans moved up UK’s 1,000-point chart past Mike Pratt and Mike Phillips and into 21st place on the all-time list. The 6-5 senior now has 1,379 points and trails former All-American Rick Robey by 18 points. Bogans has scored 20 or more points 24 times during his career.
ASU Leftovers
The Wildcats have won all three games against ASU. UK is 6-1 in three Maui Invitational tournaments.
Josh Carrier hit a career-high two three-pointers in the first half vs. ASU to match his career high of six points. He also added a career high three rebounds in 13 minutes, the most he’s played.
Kentucky is now 82-18 in 100 season openers.
Antwain Barbour, Brandon Stockton, Bernard Cote and Kelenna Azubuike all saw their first action for Kentucky. Barbour and Azubuike scored their first points as Wildcats.
The Wildcats are now 20-2 vs. Pac-10 teams all-time.
Sweet Virginia
Kentucky and Virginia, neighboring states, have not met on the hardwood in 36 years, not since UK defeated the Cavaliers, 104-84, on Dec. 3, 1966. The teams played four times in the 1960s before the series ended. UK has won six straight over UVA, after first meeting the Cavs on Jan. 22, 1914. UK leads the series 6-2, and the teams have never met at a neutral site.
Vs. ACC Teams
Virginia will mark the first of two Atlantic Coast Conference teams that the Wildcats will face this season. UK battles North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Dec. 7. Kentucky is 113-53 (68.1%) all-time against ACC teams.
Spotted in the Crowd
No, not Ashley.
But former Wildcat Rex Chapman and his family are vacationing in Hawaii for the Thanksgiving holidays and chose to take in the Cats’ game against ASU. The Chapmans reside in Phoenix, where “King Rex” completed his NBA career.
