March 7, 2003
No. 2/2 Kentucky Wildcats (25-3, 15-0 SEC)
vs.
No. 3/3 Florida Gators (24-5, 12-3 SEC)
The Florida Game
Gainesville, Fla.
O’Connell Center (12,000)
March 8, 2003
2 p.m. ET
RADIO
UK Radio Network (80+ stations): Tom Leach, Mike Pratt, Dave Baker.
TELEVISION
CBS Sports: Dick Enberg, Matt Guokas and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
vs. Florida
Nickname: Gators
Web site: gatorzone.com
Series Record: UK leads 79-24
In Gainesville: UK leads 28-16
Last Meeting: Feb. 4, 2003 – UK 70, UF 55
Coaching Comparison
Tubby Smith (High Point ’73)
Overall: 281-108 (.722) (12th)
at UK: 157-46 (.773) (6th)
vs. UF: 11-4
Billy Donovan (Providence ’87)
Overall: 183-90 (.670) (9th)
at UF: 148-70 (.679) (7th)
vs. Kentucky: 4-11
Team Comparisons
cats gatorsRecord 25-3 24-5SEC Record 15-0 12-3Scoring Offense 78.2 76.7Scoring Defense 64.5 64.5Scoring Margin +13.7 +12.2FG % 48.6 47.8FG % Defense 41.5 41.83FG % 35.3 39.73FG % Defense 33.4 32.1Free Throw % 71.4 70.9Rebound Average 37.1 35.4Opp. Reb. Avg. 31.2 33.7Rebound Margin +5.9 +1.7TO Average 13.9 13.3Opponent TO 16.8 15.1TO Margin +2.9 +1.8Blocks Average 4.9 4.1Steals Average 7.8 7.8
Probable Starters
KentuckyNo. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Ppg Rpg Hometown Cat Scratch44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 So. 9.0 6.6 Modesto, Calif. Avgs 9.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg vs. UF14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Jr. 10.0 5.2 Cincinnati, Ohio Tied CH with 20 pts vs. VU50 Marquis Estill C 6-9 236 Sr. 11.1 5.9 Richmond, Ky. Non-factor in 1st UF meeting10 Keith Bogans G 6-5 213 Sr. 16.0 3.8 Alexandria, Va. Career 16. 9 ppg vs. Gators 4 Gerald Fitch G 6-3 188 Jr. 12.4 3.3 Macon, Ga. 15 pts, 5 rebs, 5 assts vs. VU
Florida15 Matt Bonner F 6-10 240 Sr. 15.4 6.1 Concord, N.H. Questionable with foot injury44 Matt Walsh F 6-6 2-5 Fr. 13.0 4.6 Holland, Pa. 15 pts vs. Cats in 1st meeting24 David Lee F 6-9 240 So. 10.8 6.9 St. Louis, Mo. 7.2 rpg in SEC play12 Justin Hamilton G 6-3 225 Sr. 8.1 3.4 Sarasota, Fla. Avg team-high 3.8 apg 1 Anthony Roberson G 6-1 180 Fr. 12.8 2.6 Saginaw, Mich. 18 pts vs. UK on Feb. 4
Did You Know
Did you know that UK and UF are battling in the final regular-season game for the 4th straight year? The annual finale is a testament to the two teams who shared the East Division crown for three straight seasons — 2000-2002. The home team has won each final game.
Wildcats Poised For SEC Sweep
The home-standing and No. 3-ranked Florida Gators are all that stand between Kentucky and a perfect Southeastern Conference record. The Wildcats are 15-0 traveling to Gainesville for a nationally televised broadcast of the teams’ final regular-season game. The 2003 Cats are trying to become the second team to sweep the regular-season league schedule in the last seven seasons, just the third in the last 47 years. UK, which won the national championship in 1996, ran the table in SEC play (16-0) that season, a feat that had not been accomplished since Alabama finished 14-0 in 1956.
Kentucky played host to Florida on Feb. 4, a day after the Gators earned the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll. The Cats used a stifling defense to hold the Gators to a season-low 55 points and 34% FG shooting in building a 29-point lead before securing the 70-55 victory. Since then, UK has climbed from No. 6 in the national polls to a No. 2 ranking while extending the nation’s longest win streak this season to 19 games. The Cats’ last defeat came at Louisville on Dec. 28, an 81-63 loss. Since the two teams met, Florida has gone 6-2, including an overtime win at Vanderbilt and a one-point defeat at Georgia on Tuesday. The Gators’ loss in Athens awarded the Cats the outright SEC Championship and East Division crown. It’s UK’s 42nd SEC crown, more than all the other league teams combined, and their ninth of 12 possible East Division titles.
Florida enters the game with a 19-game home winning streak, including a perfect 15-0 record in the O-Dome this season. The Gators’ last home defeat came to the Cats on Jan. 29, 2002, a 70-68 decision. UK has won five of the last six meetings in the hotly contested series. This year, UK is 9-1 on the road, including 7-0 in SEC play.
Kentucky has locked up the East No. 1 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament in New Orleans while Florida also has secured a bye with the No. 2 seed. UK will play the winner of the South Carolina-Alabama/LSU game on Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET. UF will face the Auburn/LSU/Miss. State-Vanderbilt winner at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Perfect SEC Slates
In the first 22 years of the SEC (1933-54), 17 teams recorded perfect records in league play, including four seasons where two teams accomplished the feat. During those 22 years, Kentucky totaled 10 perfect SEC records.
Since 1954 (49 years), only two teams have swept the SEC regular-season schedule:
1956 – Alabama – 14-0
1996 – Kentucky – 16-0
SEC Tourney
As Eastern Division Champions, Kentucky will play on Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET as the East #1 seed. UK will face the winner of South Carolina, the East #5 seed, and either Alabama or LSU, the West #4 seed.
The Tide visits the Tigers this weekend. If Alabama wins, it earns the No. 2 seed in the West due to the tiebreaker. If LSU wins, it will earn the No. 3 seed in the West due to the tiebreak. In essence, USC will battle the loser of this weekend’s LSU/Alabama game for the right to play the top-seeded Cats.
Since the league expanded and changed the SEC Tournament format in 1992, UK has won the tourney title eight of the 11 years, including three times in Tubby Smith’s five seasons.
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 six of its league-leading 42 SEC Championships.
Series Information
This is the 104th meeting between the two teams with UK owning a 79-24 advantage. Kentucky holds a 28-16 lead in Gainesville. The Gators, however, have won three of the last four games in the “O-Dome.”
After splitting the season meetings four years in a row, UK earned its first sweep of the Gators since 1997 with a 70-68 win in Gainesville last January and a 70-67 victory in Lexington on Senior Day in March. The Cats have won five of the last six meetings.
Tubby Smith is 11-4 overall against the Gators, including a 7-4 mark at UK. Billy Donovan is 4-11 against the Cats, including a 4-9 mark at Florida and an 0-2 record while at Marshall.
Common Opponents
Kentucky and Florida have played 10 common opponents this season. UK is 14-0 against those teams, while Florida is 12-2.
Opponent UK UF Alabama W, 63-46 W, 75-56 S. Carolina W, 62-55 W, 77-75 W, 87-69 W, 96-63 Ole Miss W, 80-62 W, 74-55 Tennessee W, 74-71 W, 77-64 W, 80-68 L, 59-66 Georgia W, 87-67 W, 66-63 W, 74-66 L, 81-82 Arkansas W, 66-50 W, 77-66 Auburn W, 67-51 W, 73-70 LSU W, 68-57 W, 70-53 Miss. St. W, 70-62 W, 74-66 Vanderbilt W, 74-52 W, 87-75 W, 106-44 W, 77-74**overtime
Kentucky/Florida Connections
Both Tubby Smith and Billy Donovan coached at Kentucky under Rick Pitino. They were on Pitino’s first staff (1989-90), Smith as an assistant, Donovan as a graduate assistant. The next year, Smith served as Pitino’s associate coach. Smith left to become head coach at Tulsa after two seasons at UK, while Donovan stayed on the UK staff for five years before accepting the head coaching job at Marshall.
Big Crocs
Keith Bogans has had great success against the Gators during his career. In seven games, the senior has averaged 16.9 ppg and 3.3 rpg. Three times he’s scored 20 points or more, including a career-high 29 points at Florida in March 2001.
Also performing well against Florida is sophomore Chuck Hayes, who averages 9.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Gerald Fitch averages 9.6 ppg and 4.8 rpg in five career outings vs. UF.
Vs. Top-Five Opponents
Kentucky is looking for its 50th win over a top-5 opponent since the AP rankings began in 1949. After defeating then-No. 1 Florida on Feb. 4, UK improved to 49-43 all-time against top-5 teams. When the Cats face Florida again on Saturday, the Gators will be ranked third. 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.
The Cats have won their last two against No.-3 ranked teams, including a thrilling 86-84 victory over Duke in the 1998 NCAA South Regional. UK vs. No. 3 teams since 1949:
Opp. Result Date SiteOhio St. W, 96-93 12-28-59 H-LexingtonTexas Western L, 65-72 3-19-66 N-College Park, Md.Vanderbilt W, 96-83 1-15-66 H-LexingtonVanderbilt W, 105-90 2-2-66 A-NashvilleIndiana L, 68-77 12-8-73 N-LouisvilleNotre Dame L, 79-94 12-29-73 N-LouisvilleIndiana L, 74-98 12-7-74 A-BloomingtonAlabama W, 87-85 1-29-77 A-TuscaloosaNotre Dame W, 86-80 12-29-79 N-LouisvilleSt. John's L, 70-86 3-22-85 N-DenverIndiana L, 66-71 12-6-86 A-BloomingtonMichigan L, 78-81 4-3-93 N-New OrleansArkansas L, 82-90 2-9-94 H-LexingtonMinnesota W, 78-69 3-29-97 N-IndianapolisDuke W, 86-84 3-22-98 N-St. Petersburg
First vs. Ranked Foes in ’03
Kentucky has more wins over ranked opponents than any team in America this season. The Cats are 10-1 vs. AP top-25 teams, including seven wins in the last two months. Arizona is next in wins over ranked opponents with seven total, while Florida, Georgia and Oklahoma are third with five wins each.
There are 13 teams in the nation with wins over four or more ranked teams, including three SEC schools. Four of those schools play ranked opponents this weekend, including UK and UF.
Vs. Ranked Opponents
Kentucky has faced 11 ranked opponents this season. UK is 10-1 in those games, including wins over three top-10 teams, including No. 1 Florida on Feb. 4. (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#21 Georgia 3/2 W 74-66
Currently, five UK opponents are ranked in this week’s Top 25.
Great Start
Kentucky is enjoying its best start in the Tubby Smith era with a 25-3 record entering the last regular-season game. The Cats began their triumphant championship season of 1998 with a 22-3 record before losing at home to Ole Miss. The current 25-3 record is Smith’s best start in 12 seasons as a head coach.
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 Green and earned Basketball Weekly’s National Coach of the Year award that same season.
Tubbyball
During the Tubby Smith era at Kentucky, the Wildcats have won 77.3% of their games, including one national championship, four SEC Championships, three SEC Tournament titles and five of six Eastern Division crowns. Including this season’s win total, Smith has averaged 26.3 wins per season in his six years.
Smith Loves March
Tubby Smith owns an impressive 27-7 record in March (79.4%) since taking over at UK. He’s 9-2 in the SEC Tournament, 14-4 in the NCAA Tournament and owns a 4-1 advantage in regular-season SEC contests.
Dominating the ‘Dores
Kentucky recorded the most dominating victory in its 19-game win streak against visiting Vanderbilt on Wednesday, 106-44. It was UK’s largest margin of victory since defeating Morehead State, 96-32 (64 points) on Dec. 16, 1995. It was the largest margin of victory vs. an SEC opponent since the Wildcats beat Georgia by an SEC-record 77 points, 143-66, on Feb. 27, 1956 in the Louisville Armory.
UK’s win over VU ranks as the fourth largest margin of victory by an SEC team over a league foe. The Cats own each of the four spots.
Date Team Opp. Score Margin2-27-56 Kentucky Georgia 143-66 772-27-47 Kentucky Vandy 98-29 692-23-47 Kentucky Auburn 84-18 663-5-03 Kentucky Vandy 106-44 62
Other Vandy Highlights
While defeating Vanderbilt by 62 points for its largest margin of victory, UK also held the Commodores to just 15 second-half points, the fewest points in a half by an opponent this year.
VU’s 22.2% shooting from the charity stripe and two made FTs were a UK opponent low. In the two games against the ‘Dores this season, UK outscored Vanderbilt in second halves, 104-31.
Sports Illustrated
Junior guard Cliff Hawkins graces this week’s cover of Sports Illustrated entitled, “Kentucky Comes On Strong.” SI is a national sports magazine read by 21 million people worldwide. It’s the Wildcats’ first regular cover since former guard Wayne Turner earned the honor after Kentucky won the 1998 NCAA Championship. That season, UK appeared four times, including the Coach Tubby Smith cover that was featured on the magazine’s special commemorative issue to celebrate Kentucky’s title. So was there a jinx? Not at all. UK appeared on a tournament preview issue in ’98, then again on the Final Four preview issue.
Heshimu Evans appeared on a regional cover the following season as part of the NCAA Tournament preview. All totaled, UK has appeared on the SI cover 19 times, including the very first cover in 1948 featuring Ralph Beard.
This is the first in-season college basketball cover that SI has produced in three years.
League Perfection
Entering the Florida game, UK remains one of three teams in the nation with perfect conference records. The Wildcats are 15-0 in SEC play with two games left.
Pennsylvania is 9-0 in Ivy League play with three games remaining. The Quakers take on Columbia on Friday before facing Cornell on Saturday and Princeton on Tuesday. The Ivy League does not hold a conference tournament.
Weber State finished Big Sky action with a perfect 14-0 record. The only other time a Big Sky team accomplished the feat was WSU in 1969.
The Quakers also hold the fifth-longest win streak in the nation at 11 games, while Weber State’s streak is tied for second. UK’s 19-game streak ranks first.
National Win Streaks (Through 3/5)
1. Kentucky – 19
T2. Weber State – 14
T2. Xavier – 14
Win Streak
UK has won 19 straight games, the longest win streak in Tubby Smith’s 12-year career. Smith’s 1998 champs won 13 straight en route to the title, then won the first four of the 1999 season to extend that streak to 17 games. The Cats have opened league play with an 15-0 record, marking the longest SEC win streak under Tubby Smith and the longest since UK swept the SEC slate in 1996 (16-0).
Other highlights of the current streak include:
The Cats have beaten seven ranked opponents during the run and won 10 of their last 14 games by 15 points or more.
UK has held 10 of its last 15 opponents below 40% shooting and has beat its last 14 opponents by an average of 18.4 ppg.
During the 19-game stretch, opponents have averaged 17.8 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’ 28.8 mpg.
Offensively in the last 19, UK has shot 48.9% FG and averaged 79.4 ppg while holding opponents to 40.3% FG shooting and 61.7 ppg.
UK All-Time Win Streaks
The 2003 Wildcats own the program’s ninth-longest win streak at 19 games. (See page 233 of the UK media guide for a more detailed listing.)
Games Began Ended 32 12/5/53 1/8/55 27 12/2/95 3/10/96 26 1/28/46 12/30/46 25 2/27/65 3/5/66 24 2/6/33 2/24/34 23 1/2/52 3/2/52 21 1/11/49 3/31/49 21 12/30/50 3/3/51 19 12/30/02 -- 18 2/5/48 3/31/48
Kooky for Azubuike
Freshman Kelenna Azubuike was “the man” in the second half against Vanderbilt Wednesday. The 6-5 forward, who averaged nearly 40 points per game last year in high school, played two unproductive minutes in the first half, but turned up the heat after the break.
He was 6-6 FG, 2-2 3FG and 2-2 FT to total 16 points three rebounds and three steals in just eight second-half minutes. He got the spurt started with an awe-inspiring tip-dunk that made Sportcenter’s Plays of the Day.
Sir Charles of the Backboard
At 6-6, Chuck Hayes is not the most intimidating presence rebounding the ball. But the sophomore has recorded double-figure rebounds seven times this season, including a career-high 16 vs. Notre Dame. Hayes is averaging a team-leading 6.6 rpg.
If he finishes the season as the Cats’ top boarder, he’ll be the shortest leading rebounder at UK since 6-5 Thad Jaracz averaged 8.3 rpg in 1967.
Road Warriors
UK owns a 9-1 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 7-0 on the road in the SEC in ’03.
With just one regular-season road trip remaining, UK has already accumulated a 13-2 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.
Inside the Numbers
In the 28 games this season, six different players have led the team in scoring, six in rebounding and eight in assists… In SEC play, UK opponents are averaging 26.2 ppg in the first half, 31.3 ppg in the second… Since the Jan. 22 Auburn game, the Cats trailed in the second half just once — at Georgia (3/2) — before rallying for the victory… UK is shooting 71.4% from the foul line, the best since the 1995 season, and 48.6% from the field, the best since the 1996 season… UK has topped 50% shooting 13 times this season, after achieving the mark only six times all of last season… SEC opponents are shooting 40.3% FG and 28.6% from 3FG range vs. the UK defense… Kentucky has won the opening tip in 25 of the 28 games… The Cats are 20-1 since Cliff Hawkins returned to the lineup… The Cats have won 24 games when leading with five minutes to play… UK has used just four starting lineups… The Cats are 21-0 when scoring 68 points or more.
SEC Leaders
In 15 league games, UK leads the SEC in scoring defense, scoring margin, FG%, FG% defense, 3FG% defense, rebound defense, rebounding margin and is tied for first in steals. The Cats are second in scoring offense.
Three Mania
Kentucky ranks third nationally in consecutive games with a made three-pointer. The Wildcats have hit a three-pointer in 501 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.
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. The Cats have opened March with a 2-0 record to remain unbeaten in 2003.
UK now owns a 250-94 (.727) all-time record in March. 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 62-26 in the month of March, including 53-14 record since March regular-season games resumed in 1954.
Senior Night
In a special pregame ceremony before the Vanderbilt game on March 5, UK honored its seniors, Keith Bogans, Jules Camara and Marquis Estill, on Senior Night. The ceremony included video tributes, 23,000 singing “My Old Kentucky Home” and the gift of framed jerseys.
The Cats also honored the memory of John Stewart III, a UK signee who collapsed and died during a state playoff game his senior year in Indianapolis. Stewart’s parents attended the game and participated in the ceremony. The 7-0 bigman from Lawrence North High School would have been a member of the 2003 senior class and the first 7-footer since Sam Bowie in 1984. It was determined later that “Big John” died from a congenital heart condition.
On the Rebound
Kentucky has dominated its opponents on the glass during league play, owning an SEC-leading rebounding margin of 7.3 rpg. The Wildcats also rank first in rebounding defense, holding teams to just 29.4 boards per game.
Those stats were put to the test against Mississippi State on Feb. 23. The Bulldogs 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. Against Georgia on March 2, UK outrebounded the Dogs, 50-32. The Cats then followed with a 56-34 domination of the glass against Vanderbilt (3/5).
Deep Bench
Kentucky’s success this season extends beyond its starting five. The bench has paid huge dividends with five reserves averaging between 7.4 and 20.8 mpg.
Cliff Hawkins and Jules Camara lead the charge. Hawkins sparks the team at both ends of the floor, averaging a team-high 3.7 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.
Tubby Smith calls the 6-11 Camara UK’s “all-around best defender,” due to his quickness, athleticism and shot-blocking skills. Camara ranks fifth at UK in blocked shots with 151.
Antwain Barbour, Kelenna Azubuike and Josh Carrier see action as well. The UK bench owns 67 career starting assignments.
Milestones
Keith Bogans scored nine points against Vanderbilt on March 5 to advance to sixth place on UK’s all-time scoring list. He now has 1,806 points and can crack the top five with 37 more. The senior became the second Cat in two years to enter the school’s top 10 and the fourth since 1993 when he achieved the feat earlier this season. He ranks first among active SEC players in career scoring.
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 795-212 mark (78.9%) during regular-season SEC play. No other team has won more than 654 regular-season SEC games (Alabama) and no other team has a better winning percentage. UK has averaged 11.4 wins and 3.0 losses per season during its SEC tenure.
The Wildcats have won 42 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 and nine of the last 12 Eastern Division crowns.
Tubby Smith is in his eighth season in the SEC, his sixth at Kentucky. In SEC regular-season play, he’s 93-34 (73.2%), the best record and most wins of any active coach in the league. He’s captured four SEC Championships and five Eastern Division crowns in six 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 14-3 vs. top-50 teams, including a 6-1 mark against top-25 squads. With one game 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 six 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.
At Alabama, Erwin Dudley finished the game 0-7 FG and teammate Kenny Walker was 0-6 FG. Dudley was scoreless in the first half.
Against Florida on Feb. 4, 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 on Feb. 11, Ezra Williams canned his first shot with 13:41 left to play, finishing with five points for the game. In the rematch on March 2, UK held Bulldog star Jarvis Hayes to just five first-half points and 11 in the game. Hayes and Williams, the Dogs’ top-two scorers, were a combined 10-of-29 from the field for the game.
Vs. LSU, Ronald Dupree scored just two of his 10 points in the first half.
Against Vanderbilt (3/5), UK held Matt Freije to just nine points, half of his average. The junior was 3-of-13 from the field. The Cats also held VU’s No. 2 scorer, Brian Thornton, to two points, 10 below his average.
‘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.
Limiting Vanderbilt to just 44 points, an opponent low this season. The ‘Dores managed to score just 15 points in the second half, also a season low for an opponent.
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 by Tennessee. UK won all four outings.
Rupp Arena
Kentucky closed out its 27th season at Rupp Arena with its 11th consecutive home victory, a 106-44 beating of Vanderbilt. UK has not lost at home since a Michigan State victory on Dec. 14. The Cats went 12-1 on Cawood’s Court this season.
The Wildcats recorded their 350th win in the legendary venue against Mississippi State on Feb. 23. Kentucky is 352-40 (89.8%) all-time in Rupp.
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 awaits official word on its eighth consecutive national attendance title. UK averaged 22,271 fans per contest in Rupp Arena this season. The next closest teams are Syracuse and North Carolina. Both the Orangemen and the Tar Heels have one more home game. Syracuse is averaging 20,162 fans in the Carrier Dome, while UNC averages 19,215 per game. The two teams close out their home season on Sunday.
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 125-for-216 from the field (57.9%), and for his career, he’s shooting 60.0%.
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)
60.0 Marquis Estill (315-528) – 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
60.0 Marquis Estill, UK (315-528) – 2001-03
Cats in the Polls
Kentucky remained No. 2 in the AP rankings for the third 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
Chuck Hayes recorded his fifth double-double of the season, the sixth of his career, when he totaled 15 points and 12 rebounds vs. Georgia on March 2. It was his second double-double of the season against the Dogs and the eighth recorded by the Cats this season.
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 were achieved by Hayes (11-10) and Marquis Estill (16-12).
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 Florida game marks UK’s 16th appearance on national television this season. UK is 12-3 on either ESPN or CBS. The Cats’ 16 national TV games included 10 ESPN appearances and six contests on CBS.
Foul Shooting?
Kentucky has significantly improved its free throw shooting this season, hitting 71.4%, the best since the 1995 season. In 13 of the last 20 games, UK has topped 70.0%.
Keith Bogans is second in the SEC in league games only with 84.4% shooting from the line, one of four Cats shooting above 80% in the 15 league games. Bogans has hit 34 of his last 39 FTAs (87.2%) over the past 14 games while the team has hit 72.6% from the line during league play.
Chuck Hayes has been Kentucky’s most consistent shooter from the charity stripe all season, hitting 81.6% of his shots. He’s hit 21 of his last 23 (91.3%) attempts.
In the Cats’ 19-game win streak, they’ve hit 72.4% 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.
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 held 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.
Bogans’ Streak Ends in Athens
Keith Bogans’ streak of hitting a three-pointer in consecutive games came to an end against Georgia on March 2. The senior nailed a three-pointer in 29 consecutive games, including the first 26 games this season and the three NCAA Tournament games last year. His streak is the third longest in school history.
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 occurred over two seasons.
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.
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 on Feb. 23 then followed up with 11 vs. Tennessee on Feb. 26, 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).
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.
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.
Senior Day Supremacy
The Wildcats have been highly successful in Senior Day games in Lexington. Since 1920, the Cats are 79-4, winning the last six and 38 of the last 39. UK has not lost a Senior Night game in the Tubby Smith era.
With it’s 106-44 win over the Commodores on March 5, Kentucky is 22-1 against Vanderbilt on Senior Day, with the only loss coming on Feb. 20, 1932, a 32-31 decision. UK has defeated the Commodores by an average of 21.7 ppg on Senior Day in Lexington. The first UK-VU Senior Day battle came on Feb. 23, 1912, a 22-18 UK win.
Vs. SEC West
UK 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.
Cats vs. No. 1 Teams
With its win over top-ranked Florida on Feb. 4, UK owns a 5-9 all-time record against the top team in the Associated Press Top-25.
Opp. Result Date SiteOhio St. L, 74-87 3-18-61 N-LouisvilleOhio St. L, 64-74 3-17-62 N-Iowa CityIndiana W, 92-90 3-22-75 N-DaytonUCLA L, 85-92 3-31-75 N-San DiegoIndiana L, 68-77 12-15-75 N-LouisvilleIndiana W, 69-58 12-15-79 H-LexingtonUNC L, 69-82 12-26-81 N-MeadowlandsDuke L, 80-55 11-19-88 N-SpringfieldDuke L, 103-104* 3-28-92 N-PhiladelphiaArkansas W, 90-78 3-12-94 N-MemphisUMass W, 81-74 3-30-96 N-MeadowlandsArizona L, 74-89 11-25-97 N-MauiDuke L, 92-95* 12-18-01 N-MeadowlandsFlorida 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 St., 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, 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. Kentucky beat Arizona State in the first round before getting upset by Virginia in the semifinals. The Wildcats 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 9, at 8 p.m., No. 1 will be replayed — the 1998 NCAA Regional Semifinal vs. Duke, which saw UK battle back from a 17-point deficit with 9:38 remaining to claim an 86-84 win and the Final Four berth. The final broadcast airs 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; No. 3 — the 1998 NCAA title game against Utah which sa Jeff Sheppard earn Final Four MVP honors for his performance in the games and No. 2 — 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.
Fantasy Five
Kentucky introduced the “Fantasy Five,” the all-time top-five players in UK’s 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 1,291 games, owning a 990-301 (.767) record.
The Wildcats, who are celebrating their 100th season of basketball, have played 2,414 games, meaning Keightley has played a role in 53.5% 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 1,249 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 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 234 games.
Meanwhile, his home court streak is still intact. Wiggins has not missed a home game in 42 years, a streak spanning 602 games. During that period, which dates back to 1960-61, UK has a home record of 535-67 (.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.
