These Wildcat fans were featured on Sports Illustrated's Hot Clicks via Straight Pinkie. This is possibly the greatest piece of construction ever.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
February 10th: On this date...
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
... in 2009, your University of Kentucky Wildcats defeated the Florida Gators, 68-65, in dramatic fashion as Jodie Meeks drained an off-balance three as time was winding down. As dramatic as Meeks’ shot was, the remaining 4.7 seconds had fans even more on the edge of their seat as Nick Calathes was fouled on a three-point attempt as time expired. The Kentucky bench erupted as the clock expired thinking the game was over, but the referees sent everyone back to the bench for potential game-tying free throws. Calathes had dominated the Cats all game long, finishing with 33 points - 7 rebounds - 3 assists. He was also 11-12 from the free throw line before the last tries. Calathes then managed to miss all three attempts as the Rupp Arena crowd rose to its feet shake the building. The win moved Kentucky to 17-7 on the season, 6-3 in the SEC. Billy Clyde followed this up with an atrocious ending to the season, with the only other highlight being Perry Stevenson’s cram of a lifetime in the NIT. This was one of the few highlights of the 2008-09 season and is one of the only acceptable memories from an otherwise “voided year in the history books”.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
February 9th: On this date...
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
... in 1994, your #4 University of Kentucky Wildcats were tripped up by new conference rival #3 Arkansas to snap a 33-game home win streak, the longest in Rupp Arena’s storied history. Coach Pitino and his Cats took a six point lead into halftime, but as any onlooker would know, six points is nothing in this high-octane matchup. Nolan Richardson brought his “40 Minutes of Hell” and won back-to-back games in Rupp Arena, winning three of four overall. The 33-game winning streak actually stretched from Arkansas loss (1-25-92) to Arkansas loss (2-9-94). The ‘Backs, who eventually beat Duke in the Championship game, were led that day by Scotty Thurman (26 points - 6 assists - 6 rebounds) and Corliss Williamson (21 points - 14 rebounds - 4 assists). The game was a statistical freak show as Kentucky shot 40 three-pointers, 76 shots overall, and assisted on 23 of 29 baskets. Some individual highlights were: Jared Prickett (11 points - 20 rebounds - 6 assists), Rodrick Rhodes (22 points - 3 rebounds - 3 assists), Travis Ford (8 points - 8 assists - 4 rebounds). Sophomore shooting guard Tony Delk (16 points - 6 rebounds - 4 assists) had trouble all day with his shot, hitting only 6-23 FG and 2-13 from behind the arc.
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8th: On this date...
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
... in 2005, your #5 University of Kentucky Wildcats rallied from a seven point halftime deficit to beat the visiting Florida Gators 69-66 in front of over 24,000 Wildcat faithful. Johnny Rondo was the leader of the comeback both on the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. The Gators built a nine point second half lead before Rondo started locking down Anthony Roberson of Florida. After coming back and taking a 53-52 lead, midway through the second half, Roberson and Rondo got into a chest thumping contest that ignited the Rupp crowd. Apparently Roberson had some choice words and looks toward the Kentucky bench that didn’t sit to well with Tubby or the players. After the two were separated, Rondo went on a spurt of his own, scoring six of the next eight, to help UK take control of the game, 64-54. The 50% free throw shooter made 8-10 on the night and finished with 14 points - 4 assists - 7 rebounds - 3 steals. Along with Rondo, the Cats were led by Kelenna Azubuike (18 points - 3 rebounds), Chuck Hayes (11 points - 9 rebounds), and super walk-on Ravi Moss (7 points - 3 rebounds - 2 assists - 1 steal) who hit a crucial three-pointer late in the game.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Calipari 1.23 - Cats Dominant. Tigers Bleaux.
After spotting the Cajuns a few points (6-1) to start the game, Big Blue went on a ridiculous run (22-0) to put things away during the first half. The lead by the end of the first 20 was 42-14.The highlight of the day included a three play stretch of a Big Cuz tip in, an Eric Bledsoe cram on a Big Cuz miss, and an around the world from Freak Show. Highlight number four was the fact Ramon made two separate shots.
No one played over 31 minutes and all 13 guys saw court time.
Liggins (7 points - 8 rebounds) balled again out in only 18 minutes of action.
Big Cuz (19 points - 13 rebounds) got his.
Pat (16 points - 5 rebounds - 2 blocks) played solid.
All in all, a very boring game. And that's just fine with me.
Go Cats.
February 7th: On this date...
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
... in 1990, your University of Kentucky Wildcats put a beating on the Vanderbilt Commodores, 100-73, behind a record-breaking performance by senior guard Derrick Miller. The Savannah, Georgia-native set multiple marks for Rupp Arena, many of which still stand today. Miller set Rupp Arena records for points, field goals, and field goal attempts, finishing the game 15-28 from the field for 40 points. When Miller graduated, he held program records for made three-pointers and three-pointers attempted. Of course, he was the beneficiary of being the first pure shooter and four-year player after the three-point shot was introduced. Nowadays, Miller can be found on a Clark County highway picking up trash for the community, as he currently resides in a Clark County Detention Center. What’s he doing there? Well......he tried screwing over Big Blue Nation by selling them phony season tickets and stealing over $40,000 Big Blue dollars, or as the authorities like to call it, theft by deception. How many counts? Miller was charged with 27 counts of theft by deception over 11 counties. Miller’s coach during the record-breaking night was Rick Pitino, who later would have sex on the floor of a Louisville restaurant.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
February 6th: On this date...
... in 2001, your unranked University of Kentucky Wildcats squeaked out a 71-70 win over rival Florida to regain control of the SEC East. The Cats survived a furious comeback by the #8/#11 Gators, as a 14-point halftime lead turned into a one-point deficit as time was winding down. Never fear, though, as Mr. Everything Tayshaun Prince saved the day when he drained a 10-foot hook from the elbow with under 0:04 seconds remaining to give UK the final margin. The win moved Kentucky to 14-7 on the year, 7-2 in the SEC. Big Blue Nation was slowly coming around on a team that had started the year 1-3, but showed some heart winning 10 of 12 going into the Gator battle. The final basket by Prince helped him pace the Cats with 19 points to go along with six rebounds. Jason Parker (10 points - 9 rebounds) and Gerald Fitch (12 points - 6 rebounds - 4 assists) were the only other players in double-figures. Tubby’ steam would regroup from the miserable start to the season to come back and win the SEC Tournament and go into the NCAA Tournament as the ninth-ranked team in the nation. They would fall in the Sweet 16 to Henry Bibby’s USC Trojans.
Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Friday, February 5, 2010
Class of 2010: Brandon Knight Drops 48
Kentucky target and top-rated point guard for the class of 2010, Brandon Knight, scored 48 tonight (15-36 FG, 15-15 FTs). It was a back and forth show between Knight's Pine Crest squad and Austin Rivers' Winter Park team. Winter Park ultimately won the game, 87-76, behind Rivers' 41 points.
Knight has long said he would wait until after the season to make a choice on where he will go to school. Hopefully meaning, if John Wall goes, he comes. Austin Rivers, on the other hand, is a Florida commit (2011), although some say it's not as strong as it once was. Duke is the other team involved with Rivers.
C'mon, no whammies.
Go Cats.
February 5th: On this date...
... in 2005, your #4 University of Kentucky Wildcats marched out to a 17-point halftime lead on their way to beating Vanderbilt, 84-70. The significance of this game is it’s the last time Big Blue came out of Nashville with a win. Five years, people. FIVE YEARS Vanderbilt. Seriously? And after dominating the first half, Kentucky still needed a 14-2 second half run to get the final margin. The win pushed UK to 17-2 on the season, along with an undefeated 8-0 record in conference. Big Blue was led by senior great Chuck Hayes (15 points - 13 rebounds - 3 assists - 2 steals - 1 block) and his new Hannibal Lecter mask. He broke his nose a few games earlier at Tennessee when I’m sure something dirty happened to our Modesto-native. Hayes said it was the first time he had felt completely comfortable in his new face garb. Kelenna Azubuike (15 points - 5 rebounds), Johnny Rondo (14 points - 8 assists), and Booger Sparks (15 points - 4 steals) helped Chuck put a hurting on the Commies in half one. Hopefully Coach Cal will have The Boys ready to break this disturbing streak a few weeks from now. If there was ever a team to......... (gasp)........... beat Vandy in Nashville, this is it. If not, then it might not ever happen again.......DUM-Dum-Dum.Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4th: On this date...
... in 2003, your #6 University of Kentucky Wildcats manhandled the newly annointed #1 team in the nation, the Florida Gators, 70-55, in front of a record-breaking Rupp Arena crowd. From the tip, Florida looked like a deer in headlights as anything and everything they did went woefully wrong. The Cats had one of the most complete 20:00 spurts of basketball in recent memory as they humiliated an “elite” team. At the end of the day, all Kentucky did was expose them for the frauds they were, building 45-22 lead by halftime. A suffocating defense, an endless barrage of three-pointers, and multiple fast breaks built the lead to 60-31 by the midway point of the second half. The Cats were called off, allowing the Gators to make the score respectable, but the damage was done. Kentucky was led by Keith Bogans (15 points - all in the first half), Gerald Fitch (14 points - 7 rebounds), Erik Daniels (12 points - 5 rebounds), Cliff Hawkins (4 points - 8 assists), and Chuck Hayes (9 points - 8 rebounds). The performance was so incredible, Tubby’s Cats only attempted three free throws all night. And remember..........DEFENSE TO OFFENSE, DEFENSE TO OFFENSE, DEFENSE TO OFFENSE. Enjoy.Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Calipari 1.22 - Well-Rounded Cats Pounce on Rebels
Seriously? Seriously.Kentucky got out fast and never looked back Tuesday night at Rupp to get past formerly ranked Ole Miss, 85-75, and run their record to an insane 21-1. Multiple first half runs pushed the margin to 18, but a game Ole Miss squad cut the lead in half by intermission. After the Rebels trimmed the UK lead to three in the second half, Coach Cal & Co. got the offense to perform when it was needed down the stretch.
To the highlights:
- The 26 NBA scouts that were on hand for the game got a little bit of everything and had to be impressed from nearly everyone they came to see, even the Ole Miss guys. Fast breaks, And-1's, blocks, step-back 3's, reverse alley-oop layups. Meh, just another day at the office.
- Big Cuz (18 points - 13 rebounds - 4 blocks) has single-handedly entered his name into the National Player of the Year discussion after absolutely destroying any SEC comers. Come to think of it, he's dominated everybody this year and it's not even close. The scouts have to LOVE this guy. Attitude be damned, you have to think there aren't five better players in the country at this point.
- Freak Show (17 points - 7 assists - 4 TOs) got back on track and hopefully silenced ESPN & friends for the time being after showcasing a complete game offensively and defensively. The four turnovers are hated, but it's become the norm for Mr. Wall. I repeat: He is a Freak.
- The missing piece seems to be Darnell Dodson (14 points - 3 rebounds, 4-5 3PM). He started off the game 4-4 from behind the arc and is exactly what we need from the three spot. Double D's defense isn't to be celebrated, as he gets abused by all comers, but the offense is sorely needed. I love Darius, but to see court time, it's apparent you have to offer something offensively. Right now, Darnell has the edge.
- DeAndre Liggins (5 points - 5 rebounds) put together another beastly game off the bench as he was all over the court doing anything the Cats needed. His energy off the bench is unmatched and it's easy to see how much more comfortable he is compared to 2008-09.
- I think it's safe to say everyone holds their breath when Eric Bledsoe (8 points - 8 assists - 4 steals - 7 TOs) is involved with any play. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.
- It almost seemed to me that something was wrong with Pat (12 points - 6 rebounds - 2 assists - 2 steals) tonight. Like he was keeping an injury on the DL. Something just didn't seem right. Coming out of the under 12 timeout, though, he played like a man possessed. They fed him the ball on back-to-back trips, he had some nasty rebounds, and filthy block to shut me up.
- Daniel Orton (4 points - 5 rebounds - 16 minutes) played some much needed minutes tonight and was able to give Pat a fairly long rest. He played solid, got some key rebounds when Ole Miss clawed back into the game and only had one foul!
Go Cats.
February 3rd: On this date...
... in 2004, your #9 University of Kentucky Wildcats scored the game’s final 11 points to snatch away a win from the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Florida led 65-57 with under three minutes remaining and looked to be on its way to giving UK its first losing streak in two years. But the losing streak would have to be put on hold, as some veterans made some key plays to get us over the hump. Kelenna Azubuike drained a three-pointer after Erik Daniels got an offensive rebound, cutting the lead to five. After two Daniels free throws, a few poor plays from Florida’s Christian Drejer, and two more free throws via Chuck Hayes, the lead was down to one. Cliff Hawkins then picked off a cross-court pass and took it in for a layup to give Big Blue the lead for good. Daniels led the way with 22 points, Gerald Fitch added 10, Azubuike and Hawkins each had nine points, and Antwain Barbour added eight off the bench for the balanced offensive attack. And while the Cats were 19-39 from the field, much of the damage was done on the charity stripe (26-40). The Wildcat defense held Florida to only one field goal in the final 6:41 of the second half.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
John Wall Sees Shadow, Minimum Six More Weeks of Happiness
The above photo comes from the Peddicord family here in Lexington as the John Wall phenomenon continues to grow. And if we have six more weeks of bad weather, as Phil says, you should get a few more chances to make your own. Send your pics to Big Blue Booyah (mmayes211@gmail.com) or post them on your Facebook page and I'll rip them from you.Cats v. Rebels tonight at 7:00pm. Will this be the game for John Wall's first triple-double? Will DeMarcus Cousins clothesline an Ole Miss player? Will Andy Kennedy get a DUI on the way to Rupp? These things and more will be answered in a few hours.
February 2nd: On this date...
... in 2008, your University of Kentucky Wildcats led by phenom first year head coach Billy Clyde Gillispie used toughness and grit to squeeze out a win against perennial powerhouse Georgia, 61-55. The amazing thing about the win was that it was accomplished without three of its best players: Ramel Bradley, Joe Crawford, and Jodie Meeks. In essense we had no backcourt down the stretch, with the exceptions of Michael Porter and Derrick Jasper, who had a shredded up knee. Joe actually played 31 minutes (9-15 FG, 5-6 3PM - 26 points - 5 rebounds) , but his feet were giving him problems once again and had to sit down the stretch. Ramel got blasted on a fast break by Georgia’s goon, Dave Bliss, and left the game with a concussion. Poor Smooth was seeing all tweet-tweet. Jodie’s sports hernia left him out of action for the entire game. So what did we do to counter of all of the injuries? We told our all-world big man, freshman Patrick Patterson, to take over and end this nonsense. Pat finished his first trip to Athens with 16 points (8-13 FG) and six rebounds. Cat-killer Sundiata Gaines led the way for the Bulldogs.Monday, February 1, 2010
Cats Fall in Both Polls, Riot Police Called to Lexington
The rabid Kentucky fan base is on the prowl as the both national polls have been released. The results are disturbing. Your University of Kentucky Wildcats have fallen to #4 in the AP poll and #3 in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Riot police have been called into downtown Lexington to keep the peace.While all of this was expected, the worst news is that Kansas is back atop the mountain. This gives them the inside track for the St. Louis regional come March, easily the closest Regional to Lexington. Add to that the fact none of the first two rounds are close to Lexington, Big Blue Nation will need to rely on their Sky Miles to follow the team.
1st & 2nd round sites:
Milwaukee
New Orleans
Providence
San Jose
Spokane
Buffalo
Jacksonville
Oklahoma City
Regional sites:
St. Louis, MO - Midwest
Houston, TX - Southeast, seriously?
Syracuse, NY - East
Salt Lake City, UT - West
The Lady Cats (18-3, 6-2 SEC) moved up to #20 in this week's AP poll.
Wall, Calipari Hug. No Wrestling Involved.
The "sticky" situation and the "heated rivalry" between Freak Show and Coach Cal has been taken care of according to Larry Vaught. So while the national media is just getting involved with the "frustration" and "not listening to Cal" mumbo jumbo, the story is already done.Vaught says Wall waited until after the Vandy game and approached Calipari on his own and they hashed it out. What was hashed out? Probably something to the effect of an insanely talented 19-year old kid facing a bit of adversity for the first time in his life........only with video and audio recorders alongside.
We also found out today national media still has trouble spelling "Calipari".
This is what happens when your basketball team is relevant again.
February 1st: On this date...
... in 2000, a freshman phenom came out on fire to lead your #14 University of Kentucky Wildcats to a 81-68 beatdown of hated rival Tennessee. Keith Bogans scored 16 of Kentucky’s first 23 points, including four 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes to energize the usually sleepy Rupp Arena crowd. He ended with a career high 25 points (8-17 FG, 4-9 3PM - 5 rebounds - 2 assists - 2 steals). Tayshaun Prince (6-9 FG, 3-4 3PM - 17 points - 6 rebounds) and the most popular player ever to wear #11, Saul Smith (12 points - 6 rebounds - 5 assists), added some firepower as well. The win was UK’s 12th in its past 13 games (16-5) and put them all alone atop the SEC East at 6-1. After starting the season 4-4 and dropping from the rankings across the board, Big Blue used the Tubby stare and some key play from the freshman (Bogans), a lanky sophomore (Tayshaun Prince), and an eighth-year senior (Jamaal Magloire). The 1999-2000 season was Tubby Smith’s first “10 loss” team. The #6 Vols were led by former Kentucky recruit Vincent Yarborough (17 points), but dropped to 18-3, 6-2 in the SEC.
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