This Week in Kentucky Basketball History: Champions Classic Edition
On Tuesdays throughout the 2015-2016 season we will take a trip down memory lane and look back at past great plays, players and games associated with University of Kentucky men’s basketball for that given week. So be sure to check back with us each and every Tuesday to relive the moments that make the winningest Division I men’s basketball program so special.
Nov. 15
• 2006: No. 22 Kentucky held Miami (Ohio) to just 19 points in the second half as the Wildcats defeated the RedHawks 57-46 in a low-scoring affair in their season opener. The offense was led by Joe Crawford’s 18 points and Randolph Morris’ double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. The defense held the RedHawks to just 31.3-percent shooting from the field and was also aided by Perry Stevenson’s seven blocks.
• 2011: No. 2 Kentucky, tied with No. 12 Kansas at halftime, outscored the Jayhawks 47-37 in the second half en route to their 75-65 victory in the inaugural Champions Classic. The Wildcats were balanced on offense, with all five starters scoring in double figures, led by Doron Lamb’s 17 points. Anthony Davis stifled Kansas with his seven blocks.
Nov. 16
• 2009: John Wall made quite an impression in his collegiate debut, making a 14-foot jump shot with just 0.5 seconds left on the clock in No. 4 Kentucky’s comeback win over Miami (Ohio), 72-70. That game-winning shot accounted for two of John Wall’s team-leading 19 points, and the Wildcats also had a pair of double-doubles by DeMarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson. Kentucky overcame 15 made 3-point field goals by Miami (Ohio) in the victory.
• 2012: No. 3 Kentucky overwhelmed Lafayette in the second half, outscoring the Leopards 50-18 as the Wildcats had a convincing 101-49 win in the Barclays Center Classic. The Wildcats seemed like they couldn’t miss, shooting an impressive 64.5-percent from the field. The offense was aided by a couple 20-point scorers, Alex Poythress (22) and Kyle Wiltjer (23). Kentucky committed only eight total fouls as a team, resulting in just one free-throw attempt by Lafayette.
• 2014: No. 1 Kentucky had a sluggish first half, trailing Buffalo by five points at halftime, but outscored the Bulls 38-14 in the second half for the 71-52 victory in the Cawood Ledford Classic. The Wildcats dominated the boards, resulting in a plus-20 rebounding margin over the Bulls. Kentucky was led on offense by Tyler Ulis and Trey Lyles, each with 12 points.
Nov. 17
• 1998: No. 4 Kentucky raced out to a 58-35 lead against intrastate foe Eastern Kentucky at the half and never looked back as the Wildcats defeated the Colonels, 99-64. The Wildcats spread the wealth on offense with six players scoring in double figures, led by Scott Padgett’s 21 points. Kentucky’s pressure defense led to Eastern Kentucky committing 23 turnovers.
• 2013: No. 1 Kentucky avenged a loss in the NIT to Robert Morris in the previous season with a decisive 87-49 victory over the Colonials in the inaugural Keightley Classic. The offense was led by Aaron Harrison’s caree-high 28 points. The defense held Robert Morris to a minuscule .232 shooting percentage from the field.
Nov. 18
• 2014: No. 1 Kentucky had one of its most impressive second-half defensive performances in school history, holding No. 5 Kansas to just three made field goals in the final 20 minutes as the Wildcats thoroughly beat the Jayhawks 72-40 in the Champions Classic. Kentucky was unselfish on the offensive end, with 12 different players scoring in the game. The most impressive statistic concerning Kentucky’s defensive effort was the fact that the Wildcats had as many blocked shots as Kansas had made field goals (11).
Nov. 19
• 2009: No. 4 Kentucky overcame 18 made 3-point field goals by Sam Houston State in their 102-92 victory over the Bearkats in the Cancun Challenge. The offense was led by five players scoring in double figures, but it was center DeMarcus Cousins who stole the show for the Wildcats. Cousins had arguably his best game at Kentucky, setting career highs in both points (27) and rebounds (18).
• 2011: No. 2 Kentucky raced out to a 47-15 lead at halftime against Penn State and never looked back as the Wildcats defeated the Nittany Lions, 85-47 in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament. The offense was led by Doron Lamb’s 26 points, and the defense held Penn State to just 26.9-percent shooting from the field.
Nov. 20
• 1997: No. 9 Kentucky was not very friendly to former Wildcat great Kyle Macy as his Morehead State Eagles lost to the Wildcats, 88-49 in the first game under new head coach Tubby Smith. The offense was led by three players scoring in double figures, including a team-high 15 points by Allen Edwards. The defense was the most impressive aspect of Kentucky’s game, with more blocked shots by the Wildcats (17) than made field goals by the Eagles (16).
• 2004: No. 9 Kentucky held Coppin State to just 18 first-half points en route to their convincing 77-46 season opening win over the Eagles. The Wildcats were unselfish on the offense end, with 12 different players scoring, and the leading scorers with just 12 points (Chuck Hayes and Patrick Sparks). Kentucky showed great defense from behind the arc, holding Coppin State to just 8.3-percent shooting from the 3-point line.
Nov. 21
• 2000: No. 22 Kentucky stifled the Jacksonville State offense in the opening 20 minutes of the game, holding the Gamecocks to just 17 first-half points, in the Wildcats’ 91-48 dominating victory. The Wildcats had balanced scoring on offense, with five players scoring in double figures, led by Erik Daniels’ 19 points. Kentucky also shot well from the floor, with an impressive 60.8-percent shooting from the field. The defense did its job, holding Jacksonville State to just 27.3-percent shooting from the field.
• 2009: No. 4 Kentucky jumped out to a 25-point lead at halftime and cruised to a 92-63 victory over Rider in the Cancun Challenge. The offense was led by a double-double by Patrick Patterson with 19 points and 18 rebounds, but it was John Wall’s double-double that was most impressive. Wall scored a team-high 21 points while also dishing out a team-high 11 assists. The defense didn’t do so bad either, holding the Broncs to just 31-percent shooting from the field.
• 2012: No. 8 Kentucky was in a battle with intrastate foe Morehead State, coached by former Wildcat Sean Woods, heading into the second half, clinging to a one-point lead at the break. The Wildcats created some separation in the final 20 minutes, outscoring the Eagles 49-39 on their way to an 81-70 win in the Barclays Center Classic. The offense was led by three players scoring in double figures, including a career high 28 points scored by Archie Goodwin. Center Nerlens Noel helped on defense, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking six shots.
