March 12th: On this date....

..... in 1995, your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats squeaked past arch-nemesis #5 Arkansas, 95-93, in overtime to win the SEC Tournament in Atlanta. The 1990s as a whole provided some of the most exciting basketball in the history of the SEC as these two teams were guaranteed to put on a show when they matched up together. Nolan Richardson's squad took the earlier meeting, 94-92, in Fayetteville, but the SEC Tournament provided a "neutral" site for the second meeting. The crowd of over 30,000 would not be disappointed as the up-and-down game would be tied at the end of regulation. After being down 19 points, Kentucky clawed their way back and had a chance to win in regulation, but Rodrick Rhodes missed two free throws with 1.3 seconds left to send the game to the extra frame. Rick Pitino would not play Rhodes in the overtime due to his near emotional breakdown on the court after the misses. Arkansas scored the first seven points of overtime and eventually got the lead to nine before Kentucky got things working. The Backs missed four of six free throws down the stretch and Tony Delk hit a key 3-pointer with 39 seconds left to cut the lead to 93-90. Antoine Walker and Anthony Epps then had consecutive steals to give UK a 94-93 lead as time was winding down. A last second Arkansas heave bounced off the rim, giving Kentucky the title. The win came despite Kentucky going a paltry 3-18 from 3-point range. Ten players saw at least 10 minutes of action and all ten scored, led by Antoine Walker's 23 points - 7 rebounds - 3 steals.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach