January 7th: On this date...

... in 1963, in what had to be one of the longest games to date in SEC history, your University of Kentucky Wildcats outlasted Vanderbilt and the referees to win 106-82 at Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville. A total of 86 free throws were shot in Nashville that day, and the Cats were 46-53 from the stripe (87%). The 46 made free throws still stands today as the program record for made free throws in a game. Eventual Lexington mayor Scotty Baesler paced the Cats, going 16-17 on his own. Cotton Nash was 9-11 and Charles Ishmael finished a perfect 8-8. Kentucky dominated Vandy on the boards as well, led by Don Rolfes’ 19 points and 17 rebounds. Nash finished the game with 27 points and 6 rebounds, and Baesler added 22 points and 6 rebounds. A total of 57 fouls were called in the game and six players fouled out. Big Blue ended the season with 16 wins against 9 losses and did not make the NCAA Tournament.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach