April 16th: On this date...

... in 2008, your University of Kentucky Wildcats were in the news yet again, but this time it was indirectly. T. Boone Pickens and Oklahoma State did its best Kentucky impersonation by booting Sean Sutton as their head coach and replacing him with Travis Ford. Ford started coaching at Campbellsville, moved up to Eastern Kentucky, then bolted to Massachusetts. An interesting tidbit: the prospect of playing behind Sean Sutton at Kentucky was the reason Ford started his college career at Missouri. After the scandal of the late 80's, the Sutton's left town, opening the point guard spot for Ford, who led UK to a Final Four appearance in 1993. Apparently it was an upgrade. Also, as this was happening, T. Boone Pickens made a play for Billy Clyde, which did not go over well with the rabid fan base. They wanted to keep their tough, up and coming head coach. Ask around, no one will agree with the last statement. Doesn't make it false though.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 15th: On this date...

... in 2009, your University of Kentucky Wildcats had a very public and busy day under new head coach John Calipari. The newly anointed one made the rounds on ESPN, ending with "Five Good Minutes" on PTI with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon. The Wildcat faithful were amazed to have a coach want to be in the public eye, giving them signs of the 1990s brand of basketball. Calipari also held practice for the first time with his new team to get a feel on who would be a good fit and who would not. All in all, the team would totally be made over. One of the first things that happened after the practice was Coach Cal handed out the shirts Nike had made for Jodie Meeks' historic game vs. Tennessee. The previous coach had not given them to the team due to..........well, nobody knows for certain. Maybe because he's a golfer. This day in 2009 is also significant because DeMarcus "Boogie", "Big Cuz", "Carl" Cousins officially committed to play basketball in Lexington. He immediately became a fan favorite because everyone was scared to death of him. But at least he was on our side.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 14th: On this date...

MKG.

... in 2010, events happened making two years ago today the Greatest Day in the History of Kentucky Basketball. Card carrying members of the Big Blue Nation were informed that Kentucky Basketball's future would be put in the hands of children born in 1992 and 1993 respectively. Both Brandon Knight and Michael Gilchrist committed to play basketball in Lexington for John Calipari. Knight, the #1 player in 2010 at the time according Rivals, would ultimately take over for the #1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft. Michael Gilchrist, the #1 player in 2011 according to everyone at the time, had been rumored to be a Calipari lean since birth. It's almost as if Coach Cal had these two pieces of news waiting for the perfect time to release it to the world. And after failing to make the Final Four in 2010, Coach Cal decided the perfect time was April 14, 2010. So for that, we salute you.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 13th: On this date...

... in 1969, Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Rupp coached 41 seasons at UK, retiring as the all-time winningest coach in college basketball with 876 victories and a record winning percentage of .822. Kentucky won four National Titles while he was the head man, one NIT title, appeared in 20 NCAA tournaments, and won 27 SEC titles. Not a bad day at the office, huh? Coach Rupp saw 24 players become All-Americans, 28 play in the NBA, and 8 of his players won gold medals. Rupp attended the University of Kansas from 1919-1923 and played basketball under coaching great Forrest "Phog" Allen and assistant/inventor of basketball James Naismith.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 12th: On this date...

... in 2009, your University of Kentucky Wildcats fan base went scrambling to a television as the most desired player in the country was playing for the first time since John Calipari had been named our basketball coach. He was a freaky point guard from North Carolina still looking for a place to play basketball in the fall. His name…..John Wall. Such a simple name for such an extraordinary talent. The Nike Hoops Summit in Portland pitted Team USA vs. The World, and featured the best soon-to-be-freshman against an all-star International squad. The kid wouldn’t disappoint either. Steal after steal, led to fast break dish/fast break dunk. John Wall was a player we HAD to have; Wall was a man among boys to say the least. And with our new coaches’ success with talent like his, why would he choose not to come to Lexington? Everyone always wanted to know what it would have been like if LeBron went to college, the Big Blue Nation was on the verge of experiencing it first hand. Freak Show ended the game with 13 points – 11 assists – 5 steals. John Calipari also had an ace up his sleeve: verbal commit DeMarcus Cousins was also on the team and around him 24/7. Go Cats.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

NERLENS PICKS CATS!!

April 11th: On this date...

... in 2009, your University of Kentucky got back to its roots when newly named head coach John Calipari announced Scott Padgett would be joining his coaching staff for the upcoming basketball season. It was a move that was completely opposite of his two predecessors, and quickly sent a message around Big Blue Nation that all former players were welcome and their presence was encouraged. It was a great way to showcase the players, the University, and more importantly the Kentucky Brand. The new coach seemed to be the perfect hire for a University (and fan base) longing for the glory years. The hire would get Mr. Padgett off the air in Louisville and give him a front row seat in what would arguably be the best Kentucky team of the century. Sources close to the situation told the Big Blue Booyah Padgett’s official title was, “old, alum basketball helper.” Padgett is now an assistant coach at Manhattan under head coach (human victory cigar) Steve Masiello. Go Cats.

Big Blue Booyah Tom Leach

April 10th: On this date...

... in 1969, your University of Kentucky Wildcats extended its pimp hand six hours west on Interstate 64 when Joe B. Hall accepted the head coaching position with the St. Louis Billikens. One week later, he returned to Kentucky after school officials promised to put him at the top of the list when Adolph Rupp retired. Hall felt as though he wasn't getting any love from UK, so he forced their (pimp) hand. Known as one of the nation’s top recruiters, Joe B. knew he had all the leverage in the world when negotiating with one of the nation's top programs. Rupp was forced out just three years later in 1972, and Joe B. Hall was named the leader of the men's basketball program. Joe B. went on to have a successful coaching career at Kentucky and has parlayed that success into the greatest sports talk show in the history of the universe. In other words, he's "stiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiill got it."

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 9th: On this date...

... in 2007, your University of Kentucky Unforgettable John Pelphrey was named the head coach at Arkansas. Before being named Arkansas coach, he was an assistant under Billy Donovan and head coach at South Alabama. Twice, Pelphrey was considered a darkhorse candidate for the open Kentucky job. It wasn’t all rainbows and unicorns for the red-headed one down in Fayetteville, though, as problems seem to follow the Razorbacks around heading into each year. Whether we want to admit it or not, the SEC is better when Arkansas is good, as they are the only team in the history of the SEC West to consistently challenge teams in the East and make noise in the postseason. Of course, this all happened a decade and a half ago, so the probability of them coming back to that kind of power is slim. Hopefully, the Kentucky boy is able to stay around long enough to make that happen. In an ironic twist, Mr. Pelphrey was fired nearly "On this date.... in 2011". I think we all knew he was fighting an uphill battle, it was just unfortunate he had to trip up the Cats in his final season. He is currently an assistant coach at Florida under Billy Donovan, again.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 8th: On this date...

... in 2003, your University of Kentucky Wildcats head coach Orlando “Tubby” Smith was in the process of steamrolling every coaching award known to man. The most recent award in this run was the 2003 NABC Coach of the Year Award presented to him in New Orleans. This was the ninth Coach of the Year award given to Tubby since the end of the season. And according to the UK Athletics site, the most impressive feat was that Smith had received the six major Coach of the Year awards recognized by the NCAA, something that had not been accomplished since Robert Montgomery Knight in 1975. The only difference? Knight threw his awards across the banquet hall, while Tubby took his and gave them a bath. The NCAA recognizes the AP, USBWA, NABC, Naismith, Sporting News, and CBS as the six majors. Tubby had a perfect 19-0 record in the SEC, finished the season 32-4, and added an Elite Eight appearance to boot.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 7th: On this date...

... in 1992, your University of Kentucky Wildcats celebrated the careers of four of the most compelling players in program history. Kentucky fans crammed Rupp Arena yet again to watch the Unforgettables (Richie Farmer, Deron Feldhaus, John Pelphrey, Sean Woods) hang their jerseys in the rafters. The University brought the seniors in for a tribute to their wonderful season as a thank you for everything they had done, most of all, a legacy that signaled to the nation that Kentucky basketball was back. The program had been stomach-punched by probation and these seniors capped off their careers with a riveting Elite Eight run. As the seniors stood at mid-court with their families, the #32, #12, #34, and #11 jerseys were unveiled. None of them knew the jersey hanging was coming. Richie Farmer told an ESPN production crew member, "It’s something you don't dare dream about." Then his mustache started crying and we named him Governor.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

The Superb Performance Of Anthony Davis On Jimmy Kimmel

April 6th: On this date...

... in 2007, this may or may not have happened. When I tried to reach Mitch Barnhart for comment, his comment was, "Nothing to see here. Moving on." The only thing I'd like to know was when Mitch seriously thought, "Oh sh*t. What have I done?!?!?"

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Martin Kaymer Trick Shot Hole In One At Augusta

April 5th: On this date...

... in 1998, your University of Kentucky Wildcats, led by seniors Jeff Sheppard, Allen Edwards, and Cameron Mills, along with juniors Scott Padgett and Wayne Turner, were honored at Rupp Arena following their NCAA title run. More than 20,000 fans came to Rupp to show their appreciation for the Comeback Cats, not to mention witness what was becoming an annual ceremony……..a banner raising. Big Blue Nation was still reeling from being left in the middle of a dynasty-type run by previous coach Rick Pitino. But the Tubby Smith led Wildcats put together their own Championship run, culminating with a win over NCAA Tournament best friend Utah, 78-69, giving Kentucky its seventh and most recent championship and next to most recent Championship. The fans that couldn't make it to Rupp Arena to see the event later celebrated by littering Tubby Smith front lawn with For Sale signs!

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 4th: On this date...

... in 1997, your University of Kentucky Wildcats returned to Lexington after a hard fought NCAA Championship game loss to silver fox Lute Olson. Fans lined up outside Rupp Arena to get a chance to show their appreciation and welcome back their beloved squad. Even though the Cats fell to Arizona, fans flocked to Rupp to see the 1997 runner-up banner raised to the rafters. After not seeing a banner go to the Rupp rafters in nearly a decade (1984), Rick Pitino & Company were hanging their third in five years (1993, 1996, and 1997). It would also be his last. The Cats, known as The Unbelievables, finished the 1997 season with a 35-5 record. More impressively, they accomplished this feat without standout guard Derek Anderson, due to a knee injury. The head coach of The Unbelievables, would go on to do some ”Unbelievable” things in the future, one of which included filming a porno in a Louisville restaurant sans cameras.

Big Blue Booyah Tom Leach

April 3rd: On this date...

... in 2008, over 3,000 fans gathered at Rupp Arena to celebrate the life of one "Mr. Wildcat", Bill Keightley. Mr. Keightley passed away March 31st, 2008, after complications discovered after a fall at Opening Day in Cincinnati. He was eulogized by many friends including Jeff Sheppard, Rick Pitino, Joe B. Hall, and Billy Gillispie. Hall said, "Bill Keightley outgrew his job as equipment manager and he left a void in this program that's going to be impossible to fill." . I was actually with a group of friends the following Thursday in Cincinnati when, before the first pitch, they called for a moment of silence in Mr. Wildcat's honor. That says a ton about how far reaching this man was to so many. What a great ambassador for the state of Kentucky and the Kentucky basketball program. He will be forever missed. Everyone would have loved to have gotten Mr. Wildcat’s thoughts on the past two years, and especially hear what he’d have to say about the freshmen this year. There’s a part of me that thinks Bill Keightley was the missing piece to our 2010 Final Four run. Simply another calming influence for the new guys to have in their back pocket. You cannot convince me otherwise. The freshmen would have loved him like no other.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Calipari 3.40 - EIGHT

April 2nd: On this date...

... in 1996, your University of Kentucky Wildcats, also known as “The Best Team in the History of the World-ables", returned to Lexington and Rupp Arena to hang banner #6 to a packed house. Residents of Lexington were forced to come down from trees and light poles to welcome their beloved team back home. Following a police escort, The Untouchables drove into Rupp in a motor coach. Mark Pope was first off the bus carrying the NCAA trophy. The nearly perfect season ended without a hitch as the players walked to one end of the arena at the end of the ceremony to hoist the banner forever into Rupp's rafters. If you'd like to relive this magical run, check out the recap from Sports Illustrated's vault. Enjoy. Once the ceremony ended, most of the Big Blue faithful returned to the trees and light poles they had come down from a few hours earlier. To this day, you can still see a few 30-year old(ish) tree huggers living quietly atop the streets on campus.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

April 1st: On this date...

...in 1996, your University of Kentucky Wildcats ended an 18 year NCAA Championship drought, by knocking off Syracuse, 76-67, on the Jersey Shore. All-American guard, Tony Delk, who was named Most Outstanding Player, hit a record-tying seven 3-pointers in the final. Freshman Ron Mercer added 20 points and Walter McCarty had a key tip-in to stretch UK's lead to four coming down the stretch. The '96 team finished the season 34-2, 16-0 in the SEC, including a 27-game win streak. The win streak was ended in the SEC Championship to Mississippi State -- a loss that every single UK fan would say to this day was a good thing. Seriously, go ask someone.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach