Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 31st: On this date...
... in 1983, Melvin Turpin had a game for the ages, but no one else helped out as the #10 Cats dropped a tough road game in Knoxville. Turpin scored 42 points on 18-22 shooting from the field in what was a Top 10 scoring performance in program history. The Big Dipper added 12 rebounds and four blocks to boot. Future NBA All-Star Dale Ellis led the way for the Volunteers with 22 points - 6 rebounds - 3 assists - 3 steals. No other player on Kentucky’s roster scored over five points in the game (Derrick Hord). The loss was the fifth on the season to go with 13 wins, a record Joe B. Hall wasn’t too thrilled to have. The Cats were missing All-American center Sam Bowie, someone Hall knew could put Lexington atop the basketball world again. The 1983 Cats would ultimately end the season in the Elite Eight against a team they hadn’t played in 24 years. The Dream Game loss to Louisville in overtime would usher in a new hatred for the rabid Kentucky fan base. Some things are just meant to be.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Monday, January 30, 2012
January 30th: On this date...
... in 1993, your University of Kentucky Wildcats beat the Florida Gators, 71-48, to win their 14th straight contest at Rupp Arena. Jamal Mashburn led the way for Big Blue with 22 points and 7 rebounds, including 4-5 shooting behind the 3-point line. Rodrick Rhodes (10 points - 5 rebounds), Rodney Dent (5 points - 11 rebounds), and Travis Ford (10 points - 5 assists) helped control the game as Kentucky had built a nine point lead by halftime. The Gators were led by Stacey Poole’s 16 points and 10 rebounds. A name you should know, as his son, Stacey Poole Jr., left UK this past fall and was a part of coach John Calipari’s second recruiting class (BRAND NEW INFORMATION!!). The Florida Stacey Poole still stands as the fourth leading scorer in Gator basketball history. The Kentucky Stacey Poole was ranked as the fourth best small forward in the class of 2010 by Rivals and the 11th best by Scout. According to sources. both recruiting agencies have been foreclosed on and do not exist any longer. This was their quote, "Poole fits the Coach Cal mode as he is another 6'5 swingman/slasher who is a lockdown defender." Hmmm... that's good to know.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Sunday, January 29, 2012
January 29th: On this date...
... in 1992, WAS beginning of the longest winning streak (33) in the history of hallowed Rupp Arena, as #14 UK took out Mississippi, 96-78. Big Blue got out to a fast lead and by halftime led by 21 points. Super sophomore Jamal Mashburn led the way for the Good Guys with 24 points and 7 rebounds; John Pelphrey added 16 points and 8 rebounds on 7-9 shooting. Head coach Richard Pitino wanted to do one thing when he took the reigns at Kentucky. He wanted to make Rupp Arena of the most feared places to play in college basketball. Pitino succeeded in doing just that as his overall record was a snappy 107-7 at Rupp as the head coach of Kentucky. The previous game had Nolan Richardson and his “40 Minutes of Hell” come in and pound The Unforgettables 105-88. We wouldn’t lose again until Arkansas came calling over two years later. Richard ultimately lost his last game at Rupp as UK’s coach, snapping a 27-game home win streak in a loss to South Carolina.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Saturday, January 28, 2012
January 28th: On this date...
... in 1968, your #9 University of Kentucky Wildcats head basketball coach, Adolph Rupp, became the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history. Actually, we’ll call it, “in the history of the World.” And although the game wasn’t necessarily close, it was exciting for the fans in Baton Rouge. The 121-95 win for the Cats was the first time they had the opportunity to face one “Pistol” Pete Maravich. The Pistol finished his first ever game versus Kentucky with 52 points and 11 rebounds. Big Blue countered with 58% shooting on 90 shots from the field. This included a quartet of solid games: Mike Casey (31 points - 10 rebounds), Dan Issel (17 points - 14 rebounds), Mike Pratt (18 points - 12 rebounds), Thad Jaracz (24 points - 7 rebounds). While the victory was well and good, years later it was discovered that Adolph Rupp actually achieved the feat on February 18,1967, in a 103-74 win over Mississippi State.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Friday, January 27, 2012
January 27th: On this date...
... in 1998, the most dominant junior varsity member in the past 30 years hit the shot heard round the Bluegrass, as Nazr Mohammed threw up a running prayer to steal a game in Nashville. With the game tied at 61, Scott Padgett in-bounded the basketball to Jeff Sheppard who threw a 60-foot cross-court diagonal pass to Mohammed, who turned, looked at the clock and let go with 0.01 seconds. It was easily one of the more awkward looking shots in the history of basketball, but it was OUR awkward looking shot, and that’s all that mattered. Almost as good as the shot was the celebration of the staff and players. As soon as the clock expired, everyone in Camp Lexington sprinted off the court (check Tubby out in the video, he looks like he’s in Pamplona running with the bulls). This left the Vanderbilt players and fans stunned and shocked with their mouths open wondering, “What the hell just happened here?” Sheppard led the #7 Cats with 20 points on the night, Padgett added 12 points and 7 rebounds. Nazr, the Man of the Night, finished an efficient 4-5 from the field for 8 points - 2 rebounds - 2 blocks. The win moved the #7 Cats to 19-2 on what would end up being a decent season, if you're into that whole National Championship thing.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Thursday, January 26, 2012
January 26th: On this date...
... in 2007, your University of Kentucky Wildcats and The Breakfast of Champions, Wheaties, announced a special-edition package coming out to honor the most storied basketball program in all the land. Kentucky became just the ninth school ever to be put on a box of Wheaties. The display side of the box featured the floor of famed Rupp Arena on the front alongside the “UK” logo. The back of box featured the team cutting down the nets during one of our SEVEN National Championships, and Scratch the mascot. Head coach Tubby Smith displayed a giant version of the Wheaties box at a press conference during a mid-week presser. (In the meantime, his agent was working behind the scenes to see if any other University was looking for a basketball coach......OOOOOOOOO...Hisssssssssssss). Other schools to be featured on Wheaties: Georgia, Texas, Texas Western, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Michigan, Northwestern, and Texas A&M.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January 25th: On this date...
The man on the left was an NBA great. The man on the right was the Italian Michael Jordan.
... in 1987, a Rupp Arena scoring record was set when a Naval cadet by the name of David Robinson made his way to Rupp Arena and put on a show for the Wildcat faithful. The unranked Cats held on, though, for the 80-69 upset of #19 Navy. The Admiral was an insane 17-22 from the field and finished the game with a triple-double: 45 points - 14 rebounds - 10 blocks. It still stands today as the Rupp Arena scoring record. Eddie Sutton’s squad used three-point shooting to stay in front, including four treys from freshman Rex Chapman (22 points). Kentucky finished the contest 8-20 from deep, while Navy had a goose egg from long range (0-8). The Admiral was subbed for late when the game was decided and received easily the loudest and longest standing ovation ever for an opposing player. Along with a thrashing of Louisville (85-51), this game was one of the few bright spots during the 1986-87 season, as Big Blue finished the season with an 18-11 record. A one-and-done appearance in both the SEC and NCAA Tournament left the rabid UK fan base squirming. Eddie Sutton was on the clock.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
January 24th: On this date...
... in 1970, your University of Kentucky Wildcats moved to 14-0 on the season with an exciting 109-96 win at Memorial Coliseum against “Pistol” Pete Maravich and the LSU Tigers. Pistol Pete scored 55 points on 21-44 shooting, but Adolph Rupp’s team was content to play 5-on-1 all night long and give the Pistol every look he wanted. Big Blue had a balanced attack behind superstar Dan Issel (35 points - 10 rebounds), Larry Steele (17 points - 11 rebounds), Mike Pratt (19 points - 4 rebounds), Terry Mills (22 points - 4 rebounds), and Bob McCowan (12 points). It was the fifth time The Pistol had played Kentucky, and the fifth time he had gone home with a loss. His career averages versus UK were an absurd: 20-46 FG, 12-15 FT, 7.33 RPG, 52 PPG. According to Jon Scott’s site, midway through the second half, The Pistol passed Elvin Hayes to become the NCAA’s second leading scorer ever. The game was stopped and the PA announcer told the crowd about the feat. Adolph Rupp quickly responded, “Why the hell do they have to announce that?” It was Rupp’s World, everyone else was just passing through.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Monday, January 23, 2012
January 23rd: On this date...
... in 1980, your #5 University of Kentucky Wildcats went on the road to Starkville, Mississippi, and took out the Bulldogs, 89-67, behind the outstanding play of a freshman. Newbie Dirk Minniefield set a then-program record for assists with 13 and added 14 points (on 7-10 shooting) to lead the UK to its 16th win in 19 chances. Big Blue was on fire, assisting on 33 of the 39 made baskets and shooting 62% from the field. Kyle Macy and his socks finished the game with 20 points and 8 assists to round out a ridiculous night from the Kentucky backcourt. The win was the 24th for the Cats out of the last 26 games in the series going back to 1967. Minniefield finished his outstanding career and still stands as the all-time leader in assists for the program. Over his four years, he averaged an impressive 5.25 assists/game. Dirk also ended his career as the all-time steals leader in program history, but currently sits in a tie for 10th, behind a Who’s Who list of players from my generation. Minniefield had the three-striped tube socks and ushered in a high-flying style that excited even the oldest members of Rupp Arena.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Sunday, January 22, 2012
January 22nd: On this date...
... in 1984, your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats squared off against one of the most feared teams in college basketball history and took down #4 Houston and Phi Slama Jama, 74-67, in front of nearly 24,000 at Rupp Arena. Big Blue was lead by its own lethal frontcourt of Sam Bowie, Melvin Turpin, and Kenny “Sky” Walker. The trio combined for 47 points - 39 rebounds - 5 blocks against elite Houston center Akeem Olajuwon, led by Walker’s 20 points and Bowie’s 18 rebounds. Kentucky defense forced the Cougar big man into seven turnovers of his own, frustrating him all day long. The referees successfully fouled out four of the five Houston starters, including Olajuwon, with six minutes remaining in the game. From there, the #3 Cats did enough to win the game, including some clutch free throws from freshman Winston Bennett, who finished the day with eleven points. The win moved UK to 14-2 on the season. Joe B. & Company would eventually win the SEC Tournament, before being beaten in the Final Four by Georgetown and Patrick Ewing.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Saturday, January 21, 2012
January 21st: On this date...
... in 1922, your University of Kentucky Wildcats, led by head coach George C. Buchheit, beat in-state rival Louisville for the program’s 100th win, 29-22. The game took place at Kentucky’s Buell Armory Gymnasium and was the second victory over the Birds in less than five days. The Good Guys won in Louisville 38-14 four days earlier at St. Xavier Gymnasium. According to Jon Scott’s Big Blue History site, the Kentucky defense was so stingy, Louisville never made a basket inside of 35 feet. Think about that for a second. Even more staggering is the fact they made nine shots from the distance. One quote from the Lexington Herald recap says, “Most of the Cardinal's shots came from more than halfway down the court.” William King led the Cats with six field goals and finished with 13 points. Future Kentucky head coach and retired jersey club member Basil Hayden was also on the squad. The 1922 squad returned four out of five starters from the 1921 team that ultimately won the Championship of the South.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Friday, January 20, 2012
January 20th: On this date...
... in 1996, one game removed from scoring 86 first half points at LSU, senior guard Tony Delk set the nets on fire making a school record nine three-pointers in a 124-80 victory over TCU. Kentucky came out on point once again scoring 63 first half points and led by 30 at halftime. The Brownsville, Tennessee-native was 9-13 from the field, taking only one two-point shot. Eleven Cats saw action and nobody played over 27 minutes (Antoine Walker) as Big Blue shot 57% from the field, 56% from behind the three point line. Delk’s nine three-pointers was the benchmark for outside shooting at Kentucky until 2009, when Jodie Meeks went ballistic, making 10, on Tennessee in Knoxville. Tony also lost the stranglehold on the Rupp Arena record when Sam Houston State came waltzing in this past November. Corey Allmond was unconscious going 11-16 behind the arc, finishing with 37 points. Kentucky held on, though, against a game Sam Houston team 102-92 behind DeMarcus Cousins’ 27 points and 18 rebounds.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Thursday, January 19, 2012
January 19th: On this date...
... in 2000, your University of Kentucky Wildcats retired the jerseys of three basketball legends before an evening tilt against the Ole Miss Rebels. Bill Spivey, Pat Riley, and Jamal Mashburn would forever be remembered in hallowed Rupp Arena as Kentucky basketball royalty, becoming the 36th, 37th, and 38th players to have their jerseys retired.
Spivey, who wore #77, was a 7-foot tall big man who set numerous records in his two seasons in Blue. He topped the 1,000 point mark, setting scoring marks in 1950 and 1951. He also set rebounding records for the SEC in 1951, including a school record 34 rebounds. Spivey died in 1995.
Pat Riley earned All-SEC and All-American honors in 1966 as a part of UK’s famed Rupp’s Runts. According to Adoplh Rupp, Pat Riley, who wore #42, was one the most complete athletes he ever coached. He currently 17th on Kentucky all-time scoring list. Riley parlayed his success as a player into coaching, as he was named “Coach of the Decade” for the 1980s after leading the Showtime Lakers to four titles. He later earned his fifth title as the head coach of the Miami Heat.
Jamal Mashburn (#24) was the building block for my generation in terms of renewed success and led Big Blue back to prominence during the 1990s. He was Rick Pitino first big time recruit and did not disappoint during his three years in Lexington. The Monster Mash left the University fourth on the all-time scoring list and currently sits at #6. Mash was a consensus All-American in 1993, leading the Cats to their first Final Four in nine seasons.
FYI: Kentucky beat Ole Miss 74-69 behind Jamaal Magloire’s 19 points and 14 rebounds.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
January 18th: On this date...
... in 1969, your University of Kentucky Wildcats went on the road to Knoxville and became the first college basketball team to reach the 1,000 victory mark. The 69-66 win over the Tennessee Volunteers was completed playing only five players, although the five were Kentucky legends. Dan Issel led the way with 21 points and six rebounds on 8-12 shooting from the field. Current Big Blue Sports Network analyst Mike Pratt added 17 points and five rebounds on 5-7 shooting. Other lines included: Larry Steele (8-14 FG - 18 points - 6 rebounds), Mike Casey (9 points - 5 rebounds), Phil Argento (4 points - 4 rebounds). Head coach Adolph Rupp and the Boys would celebrate the milestone victory a few games later in front of the Big Blue faithful in Memorial Coliseum in a win over Vanderbilt. The celebration included a cake with 1,000 candles on it, nearly setting the entire place on fire. Once the cake was lit, players had to rush over and blow it out before the fire marshall was called. Simpler times.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
January 17th: On this date...
... in 1998, Tubby Smith and your #6 University of Kentucky Wildcats outlasted Nolan Richardson and the #22 Arkansas Razorbacks 80-77 in overtime at Rupp Arena. The win moved Big Blue to 16-2 on the season and 6-1 against Top 25 teams under their new head coach. The story of the day was three-point shooting, as the Cats were a paltry 2-19 from behind the arc. Add in the fact Arkansas was 9-30, and we found our beloved team in a tight spot. But Uber sixth man Heshimu Evans was an efficient 8-12 from the field and finished with 20 points and seven rebounds including multiple key baskets in overtime to help us escape. Scott Padgett (11 points - 12 rebounds) and Nazr Mohammed (14 points - 13 rebounds) both had double-doubles and helped the good guys destroy Arkansas on the boards 57-31. Richardson’s 40 Minutes of Hell caused a season high 22 turnovers (including Wayne Turner with six and Allen Edwards with five) to help offset the absurd rebounding margin. The Comeback Cats could not be denied as the win was their fifth straight against Arkansas.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Monday, January 16, 2012
January 16th: On this date...
... in 1996, is one of my personal favorites as your University of Kentucky Wildcats scored 86 first half points on the way to a complete destruction of the LSU Tigers, 129-97 in Baton Rouge. In the most complete half of basketball I’ve ever seen as a member of Big Blue Nation, the Tigers seemed to only get the inbounds pass in about 50% of the time. Antoine Walker and Walter McCarty made it look like they were playing against athletes half their size, as they continually stole the pass under the goal for dunks and layups. It was the first time Rick Pitino had been back to Baton Rouge since the Mardi Gras Miracle two years earlier. No doubt Rick told the Boys to get out early, as another comeback would be fresh in the mind of LSU. The ‘96 team took the meaning of “getting out early” to a whole new level. Walker finished the game a ludicrous 16-20 FG - 32 points - 8 rebounds, most of which came in the first half. Only two Cats played over 20 minutes (Walker - 24, Epps 21) and a total of ten Cats played at least 14 minutes. Even Oliver Simmons and Cameron Mills got in on the action. Some ridiculous totals from the game include: 159 FG attempted - 81 FG made - 71 FT attempted - 89 rebounds - 46 fouls - 54 Turnovers (31 by LSU). Most definitely a Game for the ages by a Team for the ages.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Sunday, January 15, 2012
January 15th: On this date...
... in 2005, two scary names from Kentucky’s past reunited as point guard Patrick Sparks met his old Western Kentucky coach Dennis Felton down in Athens, Georgia. Kentucky had fourteen players log minutes, controlled the contest throughout and won the game 74-55. Patrick Sparks led the way for the Cats on the outside (15 points - 5 assists) and Chuck Hayes dominated things down low (13 points - 11 rebounds). The game was also a coming out party for freshman Ramel Bradley, who impressed with his play off the bench. Bradley finished the contest with an efficient 5-7 shooting and 14 points. The victory moved #8 Kentucky to 13-2 on the season, the only losses coming to North Carolina and Kansas. They would only lose two games in SEC play in 2005 and go into the NCAA Tournament boasting a 25-5 record after falling in the SEC Championship game to Florida. The run ended in Austin, Texas, in the Elite Eight to Michigan State.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Saturday, January 14, 2012
January 14th: On this date...
... in 2003, your #16 University of Kentucky Wildcats apparently got a halftime speech of a lifetime from head coach Tubby Smith as they came out and destroyed Vandy in the second half to win going away, 74-52. Vandy came out on fire hitting five consecutive three-pointers in route to a 25-11 lead at the midpoint of half one. By halftime, the Commodore lead had been cut to eight. The second half of basketball was possibly the greatest of basketball played under Tubby while at Kentucky. The Cats outscored their opponent 46-16 in the final frame to cut the halftime deficit into a 22-point victory. Whatever it was Tubby said in the locker room had a profound effect on the rest of the season. Kentucky won every game they played in the SEC, finishing 16-0 for the regular season. They also won the SEC Tournament in 2003, making them the first and only team to sweep regular and post season honors in SEC history. Tubby’s defensive specialists went on to win 26 straight games and went into the NCAA Tournament as the #1 team in the country. A 27th straight win would have resulted in a Final Four berth. I can sum up the ending of the season with two words: Dwyane Wade.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Friday, January 13, 2012
January 13th: On this date...
... in 2009, a 6'4 junior guard from Norcross, Georgia, put on a show in enemy territory, as Jodie Meeks went ballistic scoring 54 points in a win over Tennessee, 90-72. The 54 points stand as the single greatest scoring performance in Kentucky basketball history, breaking Dan Issel’s 39 year old mark of 53 points against Mississippi in the 1969-70 season. Meeks could do no wrong on the night as most of his teammates simply got out of the way and watched. On the other hand, Tennessee did about the same, as Jodie was left open time after time. No other Wildcat finished in double-figures (P Pat was the closest at 9 points - 12 rebounds). The finishing line on Meeks’ night: 39 minutes played - 15-22 FG - 10-15 3PM - 14-14 FT - 54 points - 8 rebounds - 4 assists. Enough words. Need picture movie.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Thursday, January 12, 2012
January 12th: On this date...
... in 1994, your 8th-ranked University of Kentucky Wildcats dismantled the Ole Miss Rebels in Freedom Hall, 98-64. The trio of Jared Prickett (8-10 FG - 18 points - 4 rebounds), Walter McCarty (8-10 FG - 4-5 3PM - 24 points - 3 rebounds - 3 assists), and Rodrick Rhodes (18 points - 8 rebounds - 12-14 FT) did anything they wanted for most of the day as the outcome was never in doubt. Of Kentucky’s 32 made baskets, 25 were assisted, led by Travis Ford’s nine. By halftime the lead had ballooned to 60-27, behind 7-13 shooting from beyond the 3-point line. The Cats also forced the Rebels into 21 first half turnovers, leading to uncontested fast break points. Big Blue would ultimately finish the 27-7, but not before being regular season SEC Co-Champions with Florida, winning the SEC Tournament, and being given a #3 seed for the NCAA Tournament. The year would come to an end in the second round, though, after Marquette put the clamps down on Rodrick Rhodes (0-9 FG - 0 points) and the Cats. It was probably one of the more disappointing endings to a season during the Pitino Era.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
January 11th: On this date...
... in 1997, your third ranked University of Kentucky Wildcats were upset in Oxford, Mississippi, by the most famous basketball player in Ole Miss history...Ansu Sesay. The 73-69 loss snapped a 14-game winning streak for UK, moving the Cats to 14-2 on the season. It was the first loss in nearly two months for the defending National Champions; the first coming to #20 Clemson in the opening game of the 1996-97 campaign. The shooters: Allen Edwards, Derek Anderson, and Ron Mercer, were off the mark, going a combined 8-31 from the field. The team went a paltry 3-13 behind the arc. To this day, I’ll always blame it on the lighting in that hole they called a gym. Homecourt advantage is homecourt advantage, that is until you refuse to put lighting over the baskets. One of the weirder phenomenons in college basketball. As you can tell, I took loss #2 very well The MVP of the All-Name team, Ansu Sesay, finished the game with 16 points - 8 rebounds - 2 assists - 2 steals - 2 blocks. Big Blue would eventually finish out the year 35-5, falling one win short of bacl-to-back National Championships.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
January 10th: On this date...
... in 2003, your University of Kentucky new head football coach Rich Brooks started his tenure by naming several coaches to his staff. Among those hired by Brooks was former Wildcat player Joker Phillips. The former wide receiver (1981-84) would head the University’s recruiting efforts as well as coach the wide receivers. Phillips was a standout for Franklin-Simpson, leading them to two Class AAA state championships as a quarterback. He left UK as the fifth leading receiver in Wildcat history and was a part of the last team to beat Tennessee in 1984, until this past season. Joker was named offensive coordinator in 2004 and successfully led the Kentucky offense to improved marks in each of his first three seasons. Under the previous offensive coordinator, UK averaged 15.7 points and 275.5 yards per game. In the next three seasons under Phillips, Big Blue’s totals went to: 2005 (21.7 ppg - 297.5 ypg), 2006 (26.7 ppg - 375.3 ypg), 2007 (36.5 ppg - 443.4 ypg). In 2008, Phillips was named head coach in waiting, presumably to keep continuity in the program.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Monday, January 9, 2012
January 9th: On this date...
... in 1991, your #11 University of Kentucky Wildcats took out unranked Mississippi State, 89-70, in front of 23,990 fans at Rupp Arena. This game is significant because Big Blue stole the ball from the Bulldogs a program record 23 times in route to the comfortable victory. It was at this point, Kentucky fans really got a taste of what their team would look like for the near future. A frenetic, up-and-down pace that would make the opposing team do things they either weren’t accustomed to, or make them think much more than they needed. And all of this was being done without the necessary horses, while on probation. The Cats were led by Jamal Mashburn (24 points - 8 rebounds), Reggie Hanson (19 points - 9 rebounds), and Sean Woods (10 points - 7 assists). Rick Pitino finished his second season as UK’s head coach ranked ninth in the AP poll with a 22-6 record. The 14-4 Conference mark was good enough for best record in the SEC, but was not recognized due to probation. I’m guessing this put the other SEC schools on notice, as a team on probation just won/dominated your Conference.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Sunday, January 8, 2012
January 8th: On this date...
... in 1955, your University of Kentucky Wildcats lost on their home court for the first time since January 2, 1943. The Georgia Tech Engineers came into Memorial Coliseum and stunned the top-ranked Wildcats, 59-58. The Wildcats’ home winning streak was officially over at 129, an NCAA record that still stands today. The sellout crowd was in shock, mirroring the Rupp Arena crowds from the Billy Clyde Era. Georgia Tech was not a highly rated team and had won just two of its last six games. The student body gathered outside Memorial that night and greeted the players with encouragement and the school fight song in an attempt to pick up the team’s spirit. Big Blue ended the season ranked second by both the AP and UPI (23-3 record), but eventually lost in the NCAA Tournament to our apparent arch nemesis, the Marquette Whole Milks.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Saturday, January 7, 2012
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
Friday, January 6, 2012
January 6th: On this date...
... in 1998, Wayne Turner had one of his most efficient days as a Wildcat to lead the Wildcats to a 90-79 victory in Athens, Georgia. It was a familiar place for new Kentucky head coach, as it was Tubby Smith’s first appearance back at Georgia since taking the job in Lexington. Not only was it Tubby Smith’s first game back at Georgia as UK’s head coach, it was also the first time in NCAA history that a coach coached with one son on his team and another son on the opposing team. Freshman Saul Smith logged 10 minutes as a backup point guard and G.G. Smith played 36 minutes as Georgia starting point guard. Kentucky’s Wayne Turner, though, was the story as he finished the game 5-8 from the field and 10-13 from the free throw line to finish with 20 points - 5 rebounds - 5 assists. Allen Edwards added 19 points and 6 rebounds; Heshimu Evans and Nazr Mohammed both finished with 12 points and 7 rebounds. The win moved the #6 Wildcats to 13-2 on the season, in what would turn out to be a very memorable season for the new head coach.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Thursday, January 5, 2012
January 5th: On this date...
... in 1993, Rick Pitino and his team had a bit of a scare when on their way to Athens to play Georgia. On the way down the runway to takeoff, the pilot noticed a mechanical issue. The plane’s engine was smoking. This forced the athletic department to call on their boosters to try and get a private plane for the trip. The boosters responded in the short amount of time with four planes in which to choose. Once the team survived the trip down to Athens, the rest was all business. Kentucky led by 14 at halftime, on their way to a 74-59 victory. The win gave the eventual Final Four team its tenth straight win to give the #2 Cats a 10-0 mark on the young season. Jamal Mashburn led all scorers with 26 points on 9-20 shooting and scored at will against the overmatched Georgia defense. Mash also added five assists and three rebounds. Travis Ford finished an efficient 4-5 from the field, 3-4 from 3-point range, and 4-4 from the charity stripe, to finish with 15 points - 4 assists - 2 rebounds. It was estimated that 40-45% of the 9,824 in attendance were wearing Blue.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Januay 4th: On this date...
... in 1943, your University of Kentucky Wildcats beat Fort Knox, 64-30, to move to 3-2 on the young season. Why is this significant? This was the first win in what turned out to be an NCAA-record 129 straight on their home court. The streak went on for twelve years, and was stretched between Alumni Gymnasium and Memorial Coliseum. The Cats were led by that day by a Jenkins, KY-native, 6'3 forward/center Milt Ticco, who finished the game with 17 points. During the 1942-43 season, the Kentucky basketball team only played nine home games the entire season. A streak that size, nowadays, would take about half the time due to the vast amount of home games in today’s game. Kentucky ended the season with a record of 17 wins against 6 losses. The Cats are currently on a 44 game home win streak.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
January 3rd: On this date...
... in 2006, your #19 University of Kentucky Wildcats were saved by Louisville-native Rajon Rondo (13 points – 6 assists – 4 rebounds) and his last second jumper to outlast mighty Central Florida, 59-57. While the fade-away jumper gave the Rupp Arena crowd plenty to cheer about, it also highlighted a growing trend within Kentucky basketball………..the fact we were beating “Central Florida’s” by two in Rupp Arena. Tubby’s Cats blew an 11-point second half lead to lead to the dramatics. After falling behind early in the first half, the Cats got a spark from sophomore guard Ramel Bradley (16 points) off the bench. He finished the game 3-4 from beyond the arc and turned the momentum back Big Blue’s way before halftime. But a 16-4 second half run gave Central Florida a 52-51 lead with under five minutes to play. One of the more embarrassing stats was the fact UK only turned it over 10 times, compared to UCF’s 19. Kentucky was also out-rebounded by nine on the day. Rondo’s final jumper was the difference, though, as he let Big Blue Nation know he could be trusted with the game on the line.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Monday, January 2, 2012
January 2nd: On this date...
... in 2009, Big Blue Nation witnessed possibly the worst half of football of the year as a listless football team couldn’t do anything right in the Liberty Bowl vs. East Carolina. All of that changed during the opening kickoff of the second half, as David Jones went 99-yards to essentially cut the deficit in half. East Carolina never seemed to get the momentum back on their side after that play as UK went on to win 25-19 in Memphis. It was the new look Cats third straight bowl win, the first time that had happened in the program’s 118 year history. The most memorable play from Memphis that day came as the Pirates were driving at the end of regulation of a 19-19 tie. Big fella, 285-lb. Ventrell Jenkins, returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown, which included the most famous stiff-arm in Kentucky football history. The extra point was blocked, Lones Seiber’s second missed PAT of the game. The teams were a combined 2-5 on extra points in what was a weird college football game.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Sunday, January 1, 2012
January 1st: On this date...
... in 1997 (12:01 am), Lexington, KY, was the hottest place to be in all the land after the defending National Champions destroyed rival Louisville in Freedom Hall, 74-54. The game started out a struggle, though, as the Cats trailed 28-27 at halftime. An efficient Derek Anderson led the second half surge to put the game on ice. The biggest highlight of the game came early on in the first half. After a Louisville miss, Anthony Epps threw a bounce pass (from beyond half court) to Anderson on the break for a cram on Louisville’s Nate Johnson. The Louisville-native finished the game with 19 points (8-13 FG) and 6 rebounds. Four other Wildcats were in double-figures: Ron Mercer - 16, Scott Padgett - 15, Nazr Mohammed - 10, and Jared Prickett - 10. The win was the eleventh straight for #3 Kentucky and moved the team to 11-1 on the season. This would be restaurateur Rick Pitino’s final win against Louisville as University of Kentucky head coach.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
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