Feb. 28, 2003
No. 2/2 Kentucky Wildcats (23-3, 13-0 SEC)
vs.
No. 21/22 Georgia Bulldogs (17-7, 9-4 SEC)
The Georgia Game
Athens, Ga.
Stegeman Coliseum (10,523)
March 2, 2003
4 p.m. ET
RADIO
UK Radio Network (80+ stations): Tom Leach, Mike Pratt, Dave Baker.
TELEVISION
CBS Sports: Gus Johnson and Clark Kellogg.
vs. Georgia
Nickname: Bulldogs
Web site: georgiadogs.com
Series Record: UK leads 100-19
In Athens: UK leads 32-13
Last Meeting: Feb. 11, 2003 – UK 87, UGA 67
Coaching Comparison
Tubby Smith (High Point ’73)
Overall: 279-108 (.721) (12th)
at UK: 155-46 (.771) (6th)
vs. UGA: 9-2
Jim Harrick (Morris Harvey ’60)
Overall: 468-234 (.667) (23rd)
at UGA: 65-52 (.556) (4th)
vs. Kentucky: 3-6
Did you know that Kentucky’s bench produces more than 25% of its scoring, rebounding and assists? The reserves total 26.6% in scoring, 26.3% of the rebounding and 32.3% of the team assists total.
Road Cats Attempt to Scratch Out Share of SEC Crown
With a bye in the upcoming Southeastern Conference Tournament assured, second-ranked Kentucky visits No. 21 Georgia with a chance to claim a share of the 2003 SEC Eastern Divison and regular season titles. The Wildcats, who remain unbeaten in league play with a 13-0 record, have three games remaining over the next seven days, including difficult road tests in Athens against the Dogs and on the road at Florida. UK leads the East by two games over Florida and four games over Georgia. Two UK victories or a UK win coupled with a Gator loss will give the Cats the SEC titles outright.
The Wildcats and Bulldogs met 19 days ago in Lexington and the Cats won their 13th straight game in the streak with an 87-67 victory. Since then, UK has won four more to stretch its win streak to 17 games. Georgia has matched the Cats’ effort, winning four consecutive games as well. The Wildcats are the SEC’s top defensive team, while the Bulldogs lead the league in scoring.
UK’s win streak, which leads all Division I teams, began on Dec. 30, and the Cats have gone unbeaten for the past eight-and-a-half weeks while climbing to a No. 2 ranking in the national polls. The 17-game stretch matches the longest in Division I basketball this season, an honor held by UK’s rival, Louisville.
Georgia has won 13 straight games in Stegeman Coliseum, including all 11 this season. Kentucky has won eight of its nine road games this season, including all six in SEC play. This is UK’s 11th game against a ranked opponent. The Cats are 9-1 vs. ranked teams this season, including 3-0 vs. Top 10 teams and a 2-0 record on the road.
The Wildcats’ success this season can largely be credited to their defense. In SEC play, Kentucky opponents have averaged 58.8 ppg, the lowest since 1960. That year, Adolph Rupp’s Cats allowed SEC teams 57.6 ppg.
Kentucky looks to extend its three-point streak to 500 games, the third longest in the nation, while senior Keith Bogans attempts to extend his three-point streak to 30 games.
Probable Starters
KentuckyNo. Name Pos.Ht. Wt. Cl. Ppg Rpg Hometown Cat Scratch44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 So. 8.9 6.5 Modesto, Calif. 12 pts, four asst, CH 4 st vs. UT14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Jr. 9.8 5.5 Cincinnati, Ohio Career-best 57.7% FG50 Marquis Estill C 6-9 236 Sr. 10.7 5.7 Richmond, Ky. 10 pts, 9 rebs vs. UT10 Keith Bogans G 6-5 213 Sr. 16.3 3.7 Alexandria, Va. Ranks 7th at UK in scoring 4 Gerald Fitch G 6-3 188 Jr. 12.4 3.1 Macon, Ga. 2-9 FG vs. UT
Georgia24 Jarvis Hayes G-F 6-7 230 Jr. 18.4 4.3 Atlanta, Ga. 2nd in scoring in SEC games 5 Ezra Williams G 6-4 235 Sr. 16.9 5.1 Marietta, Ga. Dbl figures in last four games50 Chris Daniels F 6-7 220 Jr. 10.3 7.3 Albany, Ga. 13 pts, 9 rebs vs. Ole Miss55 Steve Thomas F 6-8 240 Jr. 9.4 7.0 Carrollton, Ga. 8-for-23 over last three 3 Rashad Wright G 6-3 190 Jr. 7.7 2.6 Statesboro, Ga. Leads SEC play in assists
Team Comparison
cats dogsRecord 23-3 17-7SEC Record 13-0 9-4Scoring Offense 77.3 80.4Scoring Defense 65.2 73.6Scoring Margin +12.1 +6.8FG % 48.6 47.1FG % Defense 42.1 43.93FG % 34.9 39.53FG % Defense 34.0 34.4Free Throw % 71.5 71.4Rebound Average 35.8 37.7Opp. Reb. Avg. 31.0 35.8Rebound Margin +4.7 +1.9TO Average 14.0 12.0Opponent TO 16.8 13.7TO Margin +2.8 +1.7Blocks Average 4.9 4.5Steals Average 7.7 7.8
Series Information
The Wildcats hold a 100-19 advantage over the Bulldogs. As the all-time winningest team in SEC history, UK currently owns 100-plus wins over Tennessee (131) and Vanderbilt (124) as well.
This is the 120th meeting between the two teams. Georgia swept the two regular-season meetings last year for the first time since 1987. The Bulldogs snapped a 16-game losing streak to the Cats with an 88-84 win in Lexington on Jan. 9, 2002, before taking the 78-69 victory in Athens on Feb. 16.
The Cats lead the series in Athens, 32-13. UK has won 10 of the last 11 meetings in the Peach State.
Kentucky is 68-1 when shooting over 50% from the field during the Tubby Smith era. The only loss? To Georgia last season in Rupp Arena as the Dogs shot 54.1% from the field.
Common Opponents
Kentucky and Georgia have had 10 common opponents this season. UK is 12-0 against those teams, while UGA is 9-3.
Opponent UK UT Florida W, 70-55 L, 62-66 Alabama W, 63-46 W, 74-69 S. Carolina W, 62-55 W, 79-66 W, 87-69 Ole Miss W, 80-62 W, 89-82 Tennessee W, 74-71 W, 81-76* W, 80-68 L, 72-78 Vanderbilt W, 74-52 L, 91-94 W, 83-70 Arkansas W, 66-50 W, 81-64 Auburn W, 67-51 W, 85-79 LSU W, 68-57 W, 89-63 Miss. St. W, 70-62 W, 67-63*overtime
Dog Catchers
Three Wildcats have enjoyed solid success in their UK careers against Georgia. Keith Bogans, Marquis Estill and Gerald Fitch all average double-figure scoring against the Dogs, with Estill’s 12.4 ppg and 6.4 rpg leading the way. Bogans averages 12.3 ppg and 4.3 rpg, while Fitch has scored 11.2 ppg against UGA.
Bogans posted a 26-point effort against Georgia in 2001, while Estill had 16 points and 12 rebounds in the meeting earlier this year. Fitch has tallied double-figure scoring marks in his last three games against the rival.
Cat/Dog Connections
Coach Tubby Smith coached the Bulldogs from 1995-97 and was highly successful during his tenure, earning a 45-19 (70.3%) record in two seasons. He remains the most successful coach by percentage in UGA modern history. In ’96, he took the Dogs to the Sweet 16 where they lost on a buzzer-beater to eventual NCAA runner-up Syracuse. In ’97, after losing eight lettermen, including all five starters, UGA won a then-school-record 24 games. It marked the first time that Georgia recorded back-to-back 20-win seasons.
Smith’s eldest son, G.G., was point guard for the Bulldogs from 1996-99. The younger Smith served as a manager for UK from 2001-02 while earning his master’s degree in sports management. He followed former Georgia and UK assistant Mike Sutton to Tennessee Tech as an assistant coach last summer.
Georgia native Gerald Fitch has started every game for the Cats at point guard this season. Fitch was the Class 4A Player of the Year in 2000 at Macon Westside. He played with UGA’s Chris Daniels in an all-star competition as a senior.
Coach Smith is 9-2 against Georgia since making the move from Athens to Lexington. Jim Harrick, who led UCLA to the ’95 NCAA title, is 3-6 against UK during his 22-year coaching career. Harrick, who is 2-5 against the Cats at Georgia, also coached Pepperdine in the 1985 UKIT, where his Waves were defeated by UK, 88-56. In 1994, his Bruins escaped with an 84-81 win over the Wildcats in the Wooden Classic.
Head-to-head, Smith has lost to Harrick only twice as a head coach. Outside of two UGA losses last season, the two national championship coaches met in the first round of the 1994 NCAA Tournament. Smith’s Tulsa squad upset Harrick’s Bruins, 112-102.
Power Rankings
Jeff Sagarin ranks the Wildcats second in his latest power poll. UK’s schedule rates 11th nationally. Georgia’s schedule ranks asteh nation’s toughest in both polls. Two independent polls are listed below (schedule strength in parentheses):
Sagarin CollegeRPI.comKentucky 2nd (11th) 3rd (26th)Georgia 15th (1st) 6th (1st)
SEC Leaders
In 13 league games, UK leads the SEC in scoring defense, scoring margin, 3FG% defense, rebound defense rebounding margin and turnover margin. The Cats are third in scoring offense.
Georgia leads the league in scoring offense and assists.
Three Mania
Kentucky ranks third nationally in consecutive games with a made three-pointer. The Wildcats have hit a three-pointer in 499 consecutive games, which trails UNLV and Vanderbilt.
The Wildcats’ last game without a three-pointer came 14 seasons ago against Seton Hall on Nov. 26, 1988, a “three-point” loss in the Great Alaska Shootout.
Teams Games 1. UNLV 532 2. Vanderbilt 528 3. Kentucky 499
UNLV and Vanderbilt have hit a three-pointer in every game since the three-point rule was adopted to start the 1986-87 season.
Unbeaten in 2003
UK went 8-0 in January before following up with an 8-0 slate in February. It was the first perfect January since 1998 and the first perfect February since 1996, when UK had a 27-game win streak prior to losing in the SEC Tournament final to Mississippi State.
With the win over Tennessee (2/26), Kentucky finished February with an all-time 590-182-1 (.763) record.
March Madness
While there are still three regular-season games remaining on the UK schedule, the Madness has begun. With the hoops calendar falling a week later this year, UK will play the last of its SEC slate in the month of March before the league tourney tips off in New Orleans in 11 days.
UK owns a 248-94 all-time record in the month of March for a .725 winning percentage. Last season, UK went 3-2 in the month, with wins over Florida on Senior Day and Valpo and Tulsa in NCAA Tournament play.
In regular-season play, UK is 60-26 in the month of March, including 51-14 record since March regular-season games resumed in 1954.
Smith Loves March
Coach Tubby Smith owns an impressive 25-7 record in March (78.1%) since taking over at UK. He’s 9-2 in the SEC Tournament, 14-4 in the NCAA Tournament and owns a 2-1 advantage over Florida in regular-season closers the past three years.
SEC Marks
In 1992, the league split into two divisions and implemented its current postseason tournament format.
Since then, the Cats have earned a bye in each of the last 11 tournaments as well as the upcoming 2003 event, meaning the Cats have finished no worse than second in the division since the league split 12 years ago. In SEC media voting, UK was picked to finish third in the East this season at SEC Media Days.
Kentucky has won or shared nine East titles since 1992 and five of its league-leading 41 SEC Championships.
Stormin’ Sixth Man
UK guard Cliff Hawkins earned recognition from hoops analyst Dick Vitale as one of the top-six sixth men in the country this season.
Hawkins, who missed the first seven games of the season due to academic ineligibility, has returned in an effective reserve role. He’s shooting a career-best 45.5% from the field and 42.3% from 3FG land.
As one of the Cats’ best defenders, his assist-to-turnover ratio is 1.8:1. He had a season-high 14 points vs. Mississippi State last weekend then followed up with 11 vs. Tennessee on Wednesday, just the second time he’s registered back-to-back double-figure point totals in his career.
Joining Hawkins on the Vitale All-Rolaids team were Brian Boddicker (Texas), Daniel Ewing (Duke), Marc Jackson (Utah), Chevon Troutman (Pittsburgh) and Ronny Turaif (Gonzaga).
Balanced Attack
Kentucky is riding a 17-game win streak due to its vast array of talent. While Keith Bogans leads the team overall in scoring (16.3 ppg), UK attacks with numerous offensive weapons.
In the 26 games this season, six different players have lead the team in scoring, six in rebounding and eight in assists.
Great Start
Kentucky is enjoying its best start in the Tubby Smith era with a 23-3 record entering the final stretch of regular-season play. The Cats began their triumphant championship season with a 22-3 record five years ago before losing at home to Ole Miss. The 23-3 record is Smith’s best start in 12 seasons as a head coach.
Road Warriors
UK owns an 8-1 road record this season. It’s the most road victories in a season since the ’98 champs went 11-0 on the road.
Even more impressive, UK is 6-0 on the road in the SEC in ’03.
With two regular-season road trips remaining, UK has already accumulated a 12-2 record away from Rupp Arena. It’s the most neutral-site and road wins for the Wildcats prior to post-season play since UK had 17 victories in 1998. The Cats went on to record 26 wins away from Rupp en route to the NCAA title that season.
Vs. Ranked Opponents
Kentucky has faced 10 ranked opponents this season. UK is 9-1 in those games, including wins over three top-10 teams, including No. 1 Florida. (AP ranking at time of game)
Opponent Date Result Score#20 vs. Gonzaga 11/27 W 80-72#12 @North Carolina 12/7 W 98-81#21 Michigan St. 12/14 L 67-71#6 vs. Indiana 12/21 W 70-64#10 Notre Dame 1/18 W 88-73#24 Auburn 1/22 W 67-51#15 @Alabama 1/25 W 63-46#1 Florida 2/4 W 70-55#20 Georgia 2/11 W 87-67#19 Miss. State 2/23 W 70-62
Currently, five UK opponents are ranked in this week’s Top 25.
Hey Look, It’s Ashley!
Kentucky welcomed some very famous friends to its game with Tennessee on Wednesday. Actress Ashley Judd, arguably the most famous Cat fan, made her 2003 debut after spending much of the season in Scotland with her race-car driver husband, Dario Franchitti. The movie star spent the entire game in the “e-RUPP-tion Zone,” the standing-room-only student section in Kentucky’s end zone.
Joining Judd in attendance was Major League Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda, who was in town promoting the sale of UK baseball season tickets.
Defense Secretary
Last week’s MSU game was Tubby Smith’s 200th contest at UK, where he’s compiled an impressive 155-46 record in six seasons. Smith reached two other milestones in the past few weeks, recording his 150th UK win and his 275th career victory.
With the Cats’ success this season, Smith is a viable candidate for both SEC and National Coach of the Year honors. He was named co-SEC Coach of the Year in 1998 with Tennessee’s Jerry Greene and earned Basketball Weekly’s National Coach of the Year award that same season.
On the Rebound
Kentucky has dominated its opponents on the glass during league play, owning an SEC-leading rebounding margin of 5.4 rpg. The Wildcats also rank first in rebounding defense, holding teams to just 28.8 boards per game.
Those stats were put to the test against Mississippi State on Feb. 23. The Bulldogs were ranked second in the country in rebounding margin entering the game, outrebounding their opponents by 9.1 rpg. UK won the battle of the boards, 37-25.
Three Spree
Keith Bogans continues to produce dividends for the Cats from beyond the arc. The senior has nailed a three-pointer in 29 consecutive games, including every game this season and the three NCAA Tournament games last year. His streak is the third longest in school history, trailing Travis Ford by just three outings.
UK 3FG Streaks
1. Tony Delk (1994-95) – 34
2. Travis Ford (1993-94) – 32
3. Keith Bogans (2002-03) – 29
*Note: All three streaks have occurred over two seasons.
Deep Bench
Kentucky’s success this season extends beyond its starting five. The bench has paid huge dividends with five reserves averaging between 7.5 and 21.3 mpg.
Junior Cliff Hawkins and senior Jules Camara lead the charge. Hawkins sparks the team at both ends of the floor, averaging a team-high 3.8 apg with a career-best assist/turnover ratio of 1.8:1. He’s earned the reputation as one of the best on-the-ball defenders in the nation.
Coach Tubby Smith calls Camara the team’s “all-around best defender,” due to his quickness and athleticism at 6-11 and his shot-blocking skills. Camara ranks fifth all-time at UK in blocked shots, and reached 150 in his career against Tennessee on Wednesday.
Antwain Barbour, Kelenna Azubuike and Josh Carrier see action as well. The UK bench owns 66 career starting assignments.
Inside the Numbers
Kentucky is undefeated in league play, owns the nation’s longest win streak and ranks No. 2 nationally but has won SEC Player of the Week honors just once – Gerald Fitch in early December… In SEC play, UK opponents are averaging 26.7 ppg in the first half, 32.2 ppg in the second… After losing to Michigan State at Rupp in December, the Cats have a 10-game win streak on Cawood’s Court… UK is shooting 71.5% from the foul line, the best since the 1995 season… UK has topped 50% shooting 12 times this season, after achieving the mark only six times all of last season… SEC opponents are shooting 41.4% FG, 29.1% from 3FG range vs. UK defense… Kentucky has won the opening tip in 24 of the 26 games for UK… The Cats are 18-1 since Cliff Hawkins returned to the lineup… The Cats have won all 22 games when leading inside the last five minutes… UK has used just four starting lineups… The Cats are 19-0 when scoring 68 points or more.
National Win Streaks (Through 2/27)
1. Kentucky – 17
2. Weber State – 13
3. Xavier – 11
Win Streak
The Wildcats have won 17 straight games, matching the longest win streak in the Tubby Smith era. Smith’s 1998 champs won 13 straight en route to the title. UK then won the first four of the 1999 season to extend that streak to 17 games. The streak is the longest single-season streak in Smith’s six years in Lexington. The Cats’ have opened league play with an 13-0 record, marking the longest SEC win streak under Tubby Smith and the longest since the Cats swept the SEC slate in 1996 (16-0).
Other highlights of the current streak include:
The Cats have beaten six ranked opponents during the run and won nine of its last 12 games by 15 points or more.
In the last 13 games, dating back to the South Carolina game on Jan. 11, there have been just 28 lead changes in 26 halves.
UK has held eight of its last 13 opponents below 40% shooting and has beat its last 12 opponents by an average of 15.7 ppg.
During the 17-game stretch, opponents have averaged 17.9 turnovers per game and topped 40% shooting only seven times.
In the streak, eight Cats have averaged 10 minutes or more per game led by Keith Bogans’ 28.5 mpg.
Offensively in the last 17, UK has shot 49.1% FG and averaged 78.1 ppg while holding opponents to 41.1% FG shooting and 62.5 ppg.
Milestones
With 15 points in the win over Tennessee on Wednesday, Keith Bogans moved past All-American Cotton Nash and former teammate Tayshaun Prince into seventh place on UK’s all-time scoring list. He now has 1,783 career points and is 60 shy of the Wildcats’ top-five scorers. He trails Kevin Grevey in sixth place by 18 points. The senior became the second Cat in two years to crack the school’s top 10 and the fourth since 1993 when he achieved the feat earlier this month. He ranks first among active SEC players in career scoring.
Last week, Bogans recorded his 500th career rebound as well.
Junior Gerald Fitch topped the 800-point plateau with nine points against Tennessee. He now has 801 career points.
Marquis Estill needs three points to reach the 800-point mark.
Erik Daniels needs one point to reach 500 in his career.
Improving Offense
In UK’s game against Georgia (2/11), six Cats scored in double figures, the most since seven hit the mark vs. UGA in 1999.
The Wildcats are shooting 48.6% from the field this season, the best mark by a UK team since the 1996 championship season.
SEC Domination
UK is a charter member of the SEC and since the league’s inception in 1932-33, the Cats have been the most dominant team, recording a 793-212 mark (78.9%) during regular-season SEC play. The Cats’ victory over Ole Miss on Feb. 8 was UK’s 1,000th SEC game. No other team has won more than 651 regular-season SEC games (Alabama) and no other team has a better winning percentage. UK has averaged 11.3 wins and 3.0 losses per season during its SEC tenure.
The Wildcats have won 41 SEC titles and 23 SEC Tournament Championships, more titles than the other teams combined.
Kentucky has won eight of the last 11 SEC Tournament titles.
Tubby Smith is in his eighth season in the SEC, his sixth at Kentucky. In SEC regular-season play, he’s 91-34 (72.8%), the best record and most wins of any active coach in the league. He’s captured three SEC Championships and four Eastern Division crowns in five seasons in the Bluegrass. He also owns a 13-4 record in seven SEC Tournament appearances, winning three titles.
Vs. Top 50
According to ESPN’s bracketology, UK has more victories against top-50 teams in the RPI than any other team in America. The Cats are 13-3 vs. top-50 teams, including a 5-1 mark against top-25 squads. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, ESPN predicts UK to be the top No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Opponent’s Top Target
Over the last four weeks, Kentucky has singled out the opponent’s top gun and severely limited his production in the first half of those games.
Against Auburn, UK limited the SEC’s No. 2 scorer, Marquis Daniels, to just two first-half points. Daniels totaled just 11 points, eight below his average.
Against Alabama, Erwin Dudley finished the game 0-7 shooting and teammate Kenny Walker to 0-6 shooting. Dudley was scoreless in the first half.
Against Florida, Matt Bonner had no points on 0-6 shooting in the opening stanza.
Vs. Ole Miss, Justin Reed was 0-6 in the first half and had no points at halftime.
Against Georgia, Ezra Williams canned his first shot with 13:41 left to play, finishing with five points for the game.
Vs. LSU, Ronald Dupree scored just two of his 10 points in the first half.
‘Sufferin’ SuffoCats!’
Other outstanding defensive performances by UK this season include:
Holding Indiana’s Tom Coverdale to an ineffective six points, eight below his average.
Limiting Vanderbilt to four second-half FGs while outscoring VU by 30, 46-16 during the final 20 minutes to dispel the “Memorial Gym Magic.”
Forcing the nation’s No. 8 assists leader, Notre Dame’s Chris Thomas, into nine turnovers.
Holding Alabama to 10 made FGs, 23.8% shooting and 46 total points, the fewest since 1969 at home.
Limiting the Gators (2/4) to 20% shooting in the decisive first half, 34% for the game and a season-low 55 points.
Leveling Georgia (2/11) with a 20-point loss. The Dawgs had lost their previous six games by 27 total points.
Holding Arkansas to just one field goal in the first 10 minutes of the second half and just 11 points in the half’s first 16+ minutes. The Hogs finished the half with eight made baskets.
Allowing only three teams to shoot 50.0% from the field against the Cats four times season — Tennessee State and South Carolina in Columbia and twice against Tennessee. UK won all four outings.
Early Honors
Keith Bogans earned first-team recognition and Marquis Estill was named to the second team when the NABC District 7 teams were announced last week.
Joining Bogans on the first team was Tennessee’s Ron Slay, Vanderbilt’s Matt Frieje, Louisville’s Reece Gaines and Morehead State’s Ricky Minard.
On the second team with Estill was Chris Massie of Memphis, Damien Kinloch of Tennessee Tech, Marvin Stone of Louisville and James Singleton of Murray State.
Estill Holds Record Mark
Senior Marquis Estill owns the school record for FG percentage and ranks sixth in career FG percentage in the SEC. This year, he’s 115-for-201 from the field (56.2%), and for his career, he’s shooting 59.8%.
Estill ranks ahead of UK’s previous record holder, Charles Hurt (1980-83), who shot 59.3 percent. Estill captured the record once he surpassed the minimum 200 made during the Maui Invitational.
The 6-9 center can earn a fourth year of eligibility should he graduate by the start of the fall semester of 2003.
Career FG Percentage (Min. 200 made)
59.8 Marquis Estill (311-520) 2001-03
59.3 Charles Hurt (303-511) 1980-83
59.1 Melvin Turpin (626-1059) 1981-84
58.1 Rick Robey (533-917) 1975-78
57.1 Kenny Walker (765-1339) 1983-86
SEC Career FG Percentage (Min. 500 atts.)
64.1 Dwayne Davis, UF (572-892) 1987-91
62.6 Charles Barkley, AU (467-746) 1982-84
60.9 Aaron Swinson, AU (574-943) 1992-94
60.6 Willie Jones, VU (367-606) 1980-82
60.6 Will Perdue, VU (519-856) 1984-88
59.8 Marquis Estill, UK (307-512) 2001-03
Cats in the Polls
Kentucky remained No. 2 in the AP rankings for the second straight week. It is the Cats’ highest ranking since the final AP poll in 1996, when UK finished No. 2.
The Wildcats were ranked 17th in both preseason polls. Their lowest ranking this year was 20th.
Double-Doubles
Kentucky got two double-double performances in the same game for the first time since 2001 in its win over Georgia (2/11). The marks by Chuck Hayes (11-10) and Marquis Estill (16-12) were UK’s sixth and seventh double-doubles of the season. It was Hayes’ fifth career double-double and the fourth of the season.
Estill has three career double-doubles and two this season. On Dec. 30, he had a 15-point, 11-rebound effort against Tennessee State.
Earlier this year, Jules Camara totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds in relief against Virginia, his fifth career double-double.
National Exposure
The Georgia game marks UK’s 15th appearance on national television this season. UK is 10-3 on either ESPN or CBS. The Cats will appear on national TV 16 times during the regular season, including 10 ESPN appearances and six games on CBS.
Next Opponent
Kentucky closes its home schedule against Vanderbilt next Wedneday with traditional Senior Night ceremonies. The Wildcats will bid farewell to Keith Bogans and Jules Camara and will honor the late John Stewart, who would have been a senior on the 2003 squad but passed away during a state playoff game his senior year. The Jefferson-Pilot game tips at 8 p.m.
Foul Shooting?
Kentucky has significantly improved its free throw shooting this season, hitting 71.5%, the best since the 1995 season. In 12 of the last 18 games, UK has topped 70.0%.
Keith Bogans leads the SEC in league games only with 87.8% shooting from the line, one of four Cats shooting above 80% in the 13 league games. Bogans has hit 32 of his last 35 FTAs (91.4%) over the past 12 games.
Chuck Hayes has been Kentucky’s most consistent shooter from the charity stripe, hitting 80.5% of his shots this season. He’s hit 53 of his last 62 attempts.
In the Cats’ 17-game win streak, they’ve hit 72.7% of their attempts, after shooting 69.0% in the first nine games.
Against Tennessee (2/26), the Cats hit 25 of 29 (86.2%) FTs to secure the victory. It was the best percentage of the season per capita.
Kingfitch?
On several occasions, Gerald Fitch has become a second-half offensive weapon. Fitch’s 2003 scoring averages by half are 4.7 ppg in the first 20 minutes, 7.7 ppg in the second half.
Fitch has totaled 16 points or more eight times this season. Against North Carolina, he had a career-high 25 points, including 16 in the second half. At Vanderbilt, he scored 16 of his 18 points after the break. Versus Auburn, he had 15 of his 16 points in the final 20 minutes, after shooting 0-6 in the first half against the Tigers.
Then against LSU on Feb. 15, he scored 13 of his 15 after halftime.
Rupp Arena
UK is in its 27th season at Rupp Arena, and the Wildcats recorded their 350th win in the legendary venue against Mississippi State on Feb. 23. Kentucky is 351-40 (89.8%) all-time in Rupp.
The Cats have won 10 straight home games since losing to Michigan State in early December. UK is 11-1 at home this season.
The Cats have won the national attendance title the past seven seasons. Overall, the Cats have won 15 national attendance titles in the building.
UK set a new attendance record with 24,459 fans at the Florida game on Feb. 4. The arena holds 200 more patrons due to the new standing-room only student section in one end zone, the “e-Rupp-tion Zone.” The previous record was 24,340 fans at the UK-Louisville game on Dec. 23, 1995.
Kentucky is on track to claim its eighth consecutive national attendance title. With just one home game remaining, UK is averaging 22,205 fans per contest in Rupp Arena. The next closes teams are Syracuse and North Carolina. The Orangemen have one more game and are averaging 20,162 fans in the Carrier Dome, while UNC has two more contests at the Dean Dome, but average just 19,088 per game.
SEASON NOTES
100 Years
105 former Wildcats returned to campus for a 100 Years of Kentucky Basketball Reunion Weekend in conjunction with the UK-MSU game Feb. 23. A dinner on the floor of Memorial Coliseum Saturday night and a massive halftime introduction of the Cats were part of the many weekend-long events. Stars such as Ralph Beard, Vernon Hatton, Cotton Nash, Kenny Walker and Rex Chapman attended the festivities. UK also announced its “Fantasy Five,” the five favorite players according to the fans. Tony Delk, Jamal Mashburn, Kyle Macy, Jack Givens and Dan Issel made up the select group, although Delk and Mashburn were unable to attend due to NBA commitments. The oldest alum returning was Evan Settle, who played on legendary coach Adolph Rupp’s third and fourth UK teams in 1933 and ’34.
The Cats have had a number of events throughout the season to honor the first century of basketball at UK, including fan balloting for the program’s greatest players, games and moments. The celebration included replays of the top-10 games on radio, a 25-year reunion of the 1978 NCAA Champs (Jan. 18) and four special-edition bobble-head dolls for fans to collect — Adolph Rupp, Tubby Smith, Kyle Macy and Cawood Ledford.
Kentucky celebrates unparalleled tradition, including seven NCAA titles, the most wins in college basketball, the best winning percentage in college hoops, the most consensus All-Americans, the most AP top-10 finishes, the most SEC Championships and tournament crowns and 15 national attendance titles.
Topping Twenty
The Wildcats won their 20th game of the season for the 13th year in a row against LSU on Feb. 15. Kentucky has recorded 20 wins in 38 of its 100 seasons. Coach Tubby Smith recorded his 10th consecutive 20-win season as a head coach. He’s accomplished the feat in all six seasons in the Bluegrass and his impressive string has occurred at three different schools.
Vs. SEC West
Kentucky finished the 2003 regular season with a 6-0 sweep of SEC Western Division teams. With its win over Mississippi State on Sunday, the Cats own an eight-game win streak against the West, dating back to last season, and have won nine of their last 10 vs. teams from the other division. UK’s last West defeat came against Alabama last year.
It was UK’s first regular-season sweep of the West since 1996. The Cats lost to MSU in the SEC Tournament that year.
Overall, UK is 55-17 (.764) against SEC West Division teams since the league split in ’92.Good Work!
Jules Camara was the SEC Good Works Team Player of the Week for Feb. 17-23 and was featured on Jefferson-Pilot’s telecasts of the UK-Arkansas, Alabama at Tennessee and South Carolina at Georgia games that week.
The senior has been a community volunteer throughout his career, including serving dinner at the “Hope Center” for the homeless, working ice cream socials at the senior citizen’s center, playing bingo at the UK Children’s Hospital, assisting with the March of Dimes’ “Walk-a-thon,” appearing at a rally against violence in schools and giving pep talks to school children prior to state testing. Most impressively, after violating the athletics department’s policy on alcohol, Camara has appeared at numerous DARE graduations and pep rallies.
Dynamite Daniels
When the Cats traveled to Ole Miss on Feb. 8, Erik Daniels was listed as questionable for the game. The junior was battling pain due to an infected gland beneath his right arm.
Infection or not, the Cincinnati native scored a career-high 20 points on 10-for-12 shooting to lead the Cats. His 10 made baskets also were a career best. Daniels added four boards, three assists and a steal in the win.
On Feb. 9, he had the infection surgically drained.
He totaled 12 points and six boards against Georgia two days later.
Glue Times Two
On Jan. 7, UK’s Chuck Hayes was named to cnnsi.com’s All-Glue team. The squad, chosen by Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis, celebrates those players in the game who ‘by virtue of their toughness and smarts help their teams win in subtle but important ways’.
It marks the second straight year that a UK sophomore has earned the honor. Gerald Fitch was named captain of the squad last season.
Joining Hayes on this year’s squad is captain Rick Anderson (Arizona), Jaron Brown (Pittsburgh), Justin Hamilton (Florida), Robert Johnson (Oregon), Ellis Myles (Louisville) and Tony Robertson (UConn).
Quick Start
UK played at South Carolina’s new Carolina Coliseum for the first time on Feb. 1, and got off to a quick start, tallying 57 points in the first half.
It was the most points in a half by a USC opponent this season, as the Cats led 57-32 at the break. UK went on to win the game, 87-69, marking the most total points by a Gamecock foe this year as well.
The Cats’ dominated inside, tallying 52 of their 87 points in the paint. Kentucky topped 50.0% shooting for the 10th time in ’03.
Low Tide
Against Notre Dame, basketball analyst Clark Kellogg described Kentucky’s defense as the “saran-wrap defense.” Against Alabama, that “D” produced tremendous results.
UK held the Tide to just 10 made baskets, the lowest by an opponent since Morehead State made nine FGs in a 96-32 loss to the Cats on Dec. 16, 1995.
Bama’s 46 points was its lowest point total since the 1996 season and the fewest at home since 1969.
UA’s 23.8% FG shooting was the lowest by an opponent this season and the worst by a UK opponent since Georgia Tech shot 24.2% against UK on Dec. 19, 1998.
2002 SEC Player of the Year Erwin Dudley shot 0-for-7 from the field while teammate Kenny Walker was 0-for-6. It marked the first time in Dudley’s four-year career he was held without a FG.
Vs. Top-Five Opponents
After the rout of No. 1 Florida on Feb. 4, UK improved to 49-43 all-time against top-5 teams. Based on the AP ranking at the time of the game, UK owns a 5-9 mark against No.1 teams, 8-9 vs. No. 2, 7-8 vs. No. 3, 14-8 vs. No. 4 and 15-9 vs. No. 5.UK vs. No. 1 teams since 1949:
Opp. Result Date Site Ohio St. L, 74-87 3-18-61 N-Louisville Ohio St. L, 64-74 3-17-62 N-Iowa City Indiana W, 92-90 3-22-75 N-Dayton UCLA L, 85-92 3-31-75 N-San Diego Indiana L, 68-77 12-15-75 N-Louisville Indiana W, 69-58 12-15-79 H-Lexington UNC L, 69-82 12-26-81 N-Meadowlands Duke L, 80-55 11-19-88 N-Springfield Duke L, 103-104* 3-28-92 N-Philadelphia Arkansas W, 90-78 3-12-94 N-Memphis UMass W, 81-74 3-30-96 N-Meadowlands Arizona L, 74-89 11-25-97 N-Maui Duke L, 92-95* 12-18-01 N-Meadowlands Florida W, 70-55 2-4-03 H-Lexington *Overtime
Hayes Fever
Chuck Hayes has been a consistent threat for the Wildcats over the past two seasons, but on Jan. 18 against 10th-ranked Notre Dame, Hayes had his best game at Kentucky.
The Modesto, Calif., native recorded 17 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks and five assists, all then-career bests.
Hayes collected three blocks within the first six minutes of the game and dominated the glass, pulling down 13 defensive rebounds in the win.
Hayden Dies
Basil Hayden, the Wildcats’ first All-American in 1921, passed away on Jan. 9, in Paris, Ky. He was 103.
Hayden lettered for the Wildcats from 1919-22, leading the Cats to the 1921 Southern Intercollegiate Tournament Championship. The four-game event, played in Atlanta, was the first basketball tournament held in the South, and many believe, the first played in the nation. The Cats beat Tulane, Mercer, Mississippi A& M and Georgia to capture the trophy and finish the season with a 13-1 record.
Hayden injured his knee in the high jump prior to his senior season and while he played, was less effective. He later returned as coach of the Wildcats, but after leading UK to a 3-13 record, decided coaching was not in his blood.
Season Turning Point?
Kentucky battled back from a 14-point first-half deficit against Vanderbilt on Jan. 14 to win the game, 74-52.
Down 36-28 at the half, UK used a 25-3 run to start the second half, virtually shutting the ‘Dores down in the final period. The Cats outscored VU 46-16 in the half. Prior to the game, UK was outscoring its opponents by 7.0 ppg in the first half, but just 1.9 ppg in the second stanza.
The Wildcats tallied 12 second-half steals, converting to 17 points off turnovers in the final period. UK limited Vandy to just one offensive rebound in the second half and the ‘Dores had more turnovers (13) than FGs (4) in the second half.
SEC Openers
With the win over Tennessee on Jan. 8, Kentucky is 54-16 all-time in SEC openers and has won 15 of its last 16 league debuts. Its only loss during the stretch came last year at Mississippi State, a 74-69 decision in overtime.
Bogans Off the Bench
In his four-year career at UK, Keith Bogans has played a reserve role just 13 times, but he’s played the role well. The senior averages 10.8 ppg off the bench and has scored in double digits eight times.
Bogans’ most recent outing as a reserve came against Tennessee on Jan. 8, where he led the team with 20 points and nine rebounds.
GOOD-bye 2002!
Kentucky ended the 2002 calender year with a bang, earning a 115-87 win over Tennessee State on Dec. 30. The victory included many then-season highs, including: points (115), three-pointers (11), rebounds (52), rebounding margin (+31), steals (12) and margin of victory (+32).
The Wildcats were 21-11 overall in 2002.
December Embers
The Wildcats completed a rugged December schedule, which included three road games and games against three ranked opponents, with a 5-2 record.
All-time, UK holds a 431-103 mark (.807) in the month of December. Last season, the Cats went 5-1 in the year’s final month with their only loss coming at the hands of then-No. 1 Duke in the Jimmy V Classic.
New Year’s Cats
UK finished January with an unblemished 8-0 mark to start 2003. Last year, the Cats were 6-3 in January with all three losses coming at the hands of ranked SEC teams.
Throughout the 100-season history of the basketball program, Kentucky has enjoyed success in the month of January. UK owns a 518-176 overall record in the year’s first month for a .746 winning percentage.
The Cats’ last undefeated January was 1998.
The Hawk Returns
Point guard Cliff Hawkins returned to the court against IU on Dec. 21 after missing the Cats’ first seven games. The junior was ineligible for the fall semester after academic troubles.
Hawkins showed he hadn’t missed a beat when he entered the game mid-way through the first half. The Dumfries, Va., native totaled four points, five rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes.
The highlight of his return came late in the game when he timed an alley-oop pass to Jules Camara for a dunk.
Fitch Named SEC and TSN’s POW
Gerald Fitch recorded back-to-back career highs – 18 points against High Point, 25 against No. 12 North Carolina – in early December to lead the Wildcats to consecutive wins, earning SEC Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. He also was recognized nationally as The Sporting News’ Player of the Week.
Fitch shot 68.2% from the field for the week and 75.0% from three-point range against the two teams. Against High Point, he totaled a career-high six assists as well. Against UNC, he scored 16 of his 25 in the decisive second half as UK rallied from a 43-40 halftime deficit. Fitch, normally a two-guard, was playing at point guard in the absence of 2002 starter Cliff Hawkins. He averaged 21.5 ppg and 4.0 apg for the week.
Triple Trouble
Three Wildcats topped the 20-point mark in UK’s win over UNC on Dec. 7, making it the first time in 13 seasons that three players scored 20 points in the same game. Gerald Fitch led the team with a career-high 25 points, while Keith Bogans and Marquis Estill each added 20. All of Estill’s points came in the decisive second half.
The last group to accomplish the feat included current UK assistant coach Reggie Hanson. With Tubby Smith on the sidelines as an assistant coach, Hanson combined his 20 points with 21 by Deron Feldhaus and a 40-point burst from Derrick Miller for a 100-73 win over Vanderbilt on Feb. 7, 1990.
Long-Range Love
UK was 10-of-16 from treyville against UNC, connecting on 62.5% of its shots, which would be a school record had the Cats made the minimum 20 threes needed.
It was the highest three-point percentage since UK hit 63.6% of its shots against Wake Forest during its 1996 march to the national title. UK was 7-of-11 from outside in that game.
Daniels’ Solid Return
Junior Erik Daniels, who was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating NCAA rules governing summer league play, had a stellar return against North Carolina on Dec. 7. Daniels shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, including 1-of-1 from three-point land, for nine points, while grabbing five rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes.
His productive start was reminiscent of his freshman season when the Cincinnati native missed the opener after having his knee scoped in the preseason. He returned against UCLA and over the course of the next three games was a perfect 9-for-9 from the field.
Home Openers
With the win over High Point, Kentucky is now 85-15 all-time in home openers. Nine of those losses occurred before Adolph Rupp began coaching in 1930. The Cats are 66-6 since 1930, losing the home opener in 1955 to Temple, 1962 to Va. Tech, 1972 to Iowa, 1988 to Northwestern State, 2000 to Penn State and last season to Western Kentucky.
UK now stands at 24-3 in home openers at Rupp Arena.
Maui Invitational Results
Kentucky finished in third place at the 19th annual Maui Invitational. UK beat Arizona State in the first round before getting upset by Virginia in the semifinals. The Cats then beat No. 20 Gonzaga in the consolation game. It was the third appearance for UK in the Maui Invitational. The Cats are now 7-2 all-time in the tournament, earning a championship in 1993 and a third-place finish in 1997 in their two previous appearances.
Keith Bogans averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game to earn All-Tournament team honors. UK rival Indiana beat Virginia to claim the 2002 title.
Well more than 500 Kentucky fans made the trip to the Maui Invitational to cheer on the Cats. UK chartered an L1011, and along with an official traveling party of 55 team and school personnel, an additional 300 fans were aboard the plane. Also, another 150 fans purchased the trip through Lexington’s Commonwealth Travel and flew commercially. Others made the trip via additional travel agencies or on their own to help give the Wildcats the largest cheering section among the eight participating teams.
PRESEASON NOTES
The Zone
Once again this season, Rupp Arena debuts new upgrades, including all blue seats in the lower level, a new concourse, a standing-room only “eRUPP-tion Zone” for the student body and a media press box, all totaling $5.1 million. The new purple concourse is two levels, replacing the old one-level boxed concession stand. It features greater concession stand access and more restrooms. The “eRUPPtion Zone” moved 400 season ticket holders to other seats in lower arena and moves the band and nearly 700 students into the end zone nearest UK’s bench. It also gives students access to floor-level seating, er, standing. A UK junior from Lincolnton, N.C., Andy Acker, named the area in a contest among the student body. His entry was picked from nearly 200 submissions.
Returning Production
UK lost just one starter off its 2002 Sweet 16 team (Tayshaun Prince), but returned just 67.1% of its scoring from a year ago. Here’s the complete breakdown:
Points 67.1%
Rebounds 76.6%
Assists 81.7%
Blocks 67.3%
Steals 77.4%
SEC Preseason Poll
The Wildcats were picked to finish third in the SEC Eastern Division in a preseason poll of media members. UK, which has not finished lower than second since the league split into divisions in 1992, also was predicted to finish fourth in the race for the SEC regular-season crown.
Keith Bogans was the only Wildcat picked as either first- or second-team preseason All-SEC poll. The first team included Erwin Dudley (Alabama), Mario Austin (Miss. State), Jarvis Hayes (Georgia), Maurice Williams (Alabama), and Brett Nelson (Florida). The second team included Bogans, Ronald Dupree (LSU), Matt Bonner (Florida), Ezra Williams (Georgia) and Derrick Zimmerman (Miss. State).
BIG BLUE MANIA
Great Games Replayed
Host Communications and the UK Radio Network are re-broadcasting the top-10 UK games as voted on by the fans this past fall.
This Sunday night, March 2, at 8 p.m., No. 2 on the list will be replayed — the 1994 LSU game which saw the Cats claw back from 31 points down with just 15:34 remaining in the game to earn the 99-95 win. The broadcasts are airing on the UK Radio Network, which includes WLAP in Lexington, WHAS in Louisville and WCKY in Cincinnati.
Previous games already aired include, No. 10 — UK -Louisville 1983, the original “Dream Game”; No. 9 — UK-LSU in ’90, when the outmanned Wildcats shot down Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Jackson; and No. 8 — UK-Kansas in ’78, when Dwight Anderson and Kyle Macy led the Cats to a 67-66 win after trailing by six with 30 seconds to play; No. 7 — UK-Duke ’92, arguably the greatest college basketball game ever played and the last with the legendary Cawood Ledford behind the microphone; No. 6 — 1975 Kentucky-Indiana regional final as the Cats earned a trip to the Final Four; No. 5 — 1978 NCAA Championship game between UK and Duke with Jack Givens scoring 41points to lead UK; No. 4 — the 1996 NCAA Championship game as Tony Delk tied a title-game record with seven three-pointers to help the Cats down Syracuse and No. 3 — the 1998 NCAA title game against Utah. Jeff Sheppard earned Final Four MVP honors for his performance in the games.
Fantasy Five
Kentucky introduced the “Fantasy Five,” the all-time top-five players in 100 seasons of basketball as voted on by fans in balloting last fall on UK’s official website, ukathletics.com, and in retail outlets.
The group of more than 500,000 voters chose Dan Issel, Jack “Goose” Givens, Kyle Macy, Jamal Mashburn and Tony Delk to the all-star squad. The group was honored in ceremonies prior to the Mississippi State game on Feb. 23, though Mashburn and Delk could not attend due to NBA commitments.
Mashburn, Walker Earn All-Star Recognition
Former Wildcats Jamal Mashburn (’93) and Antoine Walker were both named to the 2003 NBA All-Star team. The “Monster Mash,” who plays for the New Orleans Hornets, earned his first NBA award while averaging 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game at midseason.
Walker has the Boston Celtics in playoff contention once again, averaging 21.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 4.3 apg at midseason. He was on the All-Star team in 1998 and 2002. Walker was the Cats’ sixth former letterman to be named an NBA All-Star while Mashburn, a 10-year NBA veteran, becomes the Cats’ seventh NBA All-Star.
It marks the first time since 1951 that two Wildcats have earned All-Star recognition in the same season — Alex Groza and Ralph Beard.
Cheerleaders’ String Snapped
The Kentucky cheerleaders had their string of eight consecutive national championships ended on Jan. 11 when UK finished second to Central Florida at the UCA Championships in Orlando.
Kentucky has won the title 12 times, but not since 1994 has a team other than the Wildcats captured the crown until Central Florida.
The UK pom squad finished ninth nationally and Scratch, one of two UK mascots, placed 11th in the mascot competition.
Keightley’s Been a Part of Half of UK’s Games
Incredible.
Bill Keightley is in his 42nd season as equipment manager of the UK basketball team. The beloved “Mr. Wildcat” began assisting in the equipment room during the 1961-62 season and since then, UK has played 1,289 games, owning a 988-301 (.766) record.
The Wildcats, who are celebrating their 100th season of basketball, have played 2,412 games, meaning Keightley has played a role in 53.4% of the games.
The Lawrenceburg, Ky., native, 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. The current cats have a modern nickname for the 75-year-old Keightley — “Smooth.”
Wiggins In 50th Season
Big Blue fan Bob Wiggins, 75, continued his amazing streak of following the basketball Cats. He’s in his 50th season watching Kentucky play in person and through his own record-keeping, has attended 1,247 UK games.
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 longest record is the late Steve Reardon’s 626 games.
The illness forced Wiggins to miss four games, but he has since returned to see every contest in person, a streak of 232 games.
Meanwhile, his home court streak is still intact. Wiggins has not missed a home game in 42 years, a streak spanning 601 games. During that period, which dates back to 1960-61, UK has a home record of 534-67 (.889).
UK’s NBA Players
To start the 2002-03 NBA season, the following Wildcats were active:
Derek Anderson – Portland
Tony Delk – Boston
Jamaal Magloire – New Orleans
Jamal Mashburn – New Orleans
Walter McCarty – Boston
Ron Mercer – Indiana
Nazr Mohammed – Atlanta
Scott Padgett – Utah
Mark Pope – New York
Tayshaun Prince – Detroit
Antoine Walker – Boston
In addition, former UK assistant Jim O’Brien is the coach of the Boston Celtics while former UK All-American Pat Riley coaches the Miami Heat.
Other Wildcats participating in professional basketball include Heshimu Evans, Jared Prickett, Andre Riddick and Wayne Turner, who are all playing overseas, and Saul Smith, who plays for Columbus of the NBDL.
UKathletics.com 100-Year Catalog and Online Store
UK Athletics has released an official catalog and online store with products celebrating the 100 years of UK hoops. The line includes memorabilia, Tubby Smith autographed items, 100-year videos and DVDs and a full-line of Nike apparel. The catalog features special 100-year basketball items detailing UK’s national champions, All-Americans, great coaches and 100-year logo. Fans may call 888-234-9350 or log on to ukauthentic.com to purchase items.
