February 23rd: On this date...

... in 2003, your #2 University of Kentucky Wildcats won their 16th straight game with a 70-62 win over the #19 Mississippi State Bulldogs in Rupp Arena. The win pushed the Cats SEC record to a perfect 12-0 (22-3 overall), trying to become just the second team (1996 Kentucky) in SEC history to go undefeated in conference play. Big Blue came out on fire building a 19 point first half lead (32-13), before going into halftime with a 10 point lead. From there, Keith Bogans & Company controlled the visitors, fluctuating the lead from 16 points to five points during the second half. Bogans’ 18 points and seven rebounds led the way with Marquis Estill (10 points - 8 rebounds) and Chuck Hayes (4 points - 8 rebounds - 6 assists) providing some help. Cliff Hawkins was also an efficient 5-6 from the floor for 14 points and three assists. The difference in the game was how UK dominated the glass against the nation’s #2 rebounding team (37-25). At halftime, the University honored over 100 letterman, led by the fantasy five of: Kyle Macy, Tony Delk, Jamal Mashburn, Dan Issel, and Jack Givens. I’d take that team.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach