March 15th: On this date....

..... in 1992, your #9 University of Kentucky Wildcats won their first SEC Tournament since being put on probation with a destruction of #17 Alabama in Birmingham. The Tide actually put up a fight against the Cats in the first half, taking a 39-32 lead into the break. Master motivator Rick Pitino got the guys in gear for the second frame, outscoring Alabama 51-22 by forcing turnover after turnover. The trio of Robert Horry, James Robinson, and Latrell Sprewell had 16 turnovers by themselves, as the Elephants self-destructed when it mattered most. Kentucky was led once again by eventual SEC Tournament MVP Jamal Mashburn and his 28 points - 13 rebounds - 3 steals on 12-14 shooting from the field. The win moved UK to 26-6 on the season, earning them a #2 seed in the East Regional opposite Duke. The performance of the '92 squad put the college basketball world on notice that the Kentucky Wildcats were back. Coach Pitino was able to use the success of this team and parlay it into one of the most impressive runs in college basketball history during the 1990s. We know the rest of the story.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach