February 21st: On this date...

... in 1970, your #2 University of Kentucky Wildcats spoiled Pistol Pete Maravich’s last attempt at beating Kentucky with a 121-105 victory in Baton Rouge. The Pistol went down swinging, though, busting the Cats up for 64 points on 23-42 shooting. Kentucky countered the LSU All-American with their own All-American, Dan Issel. The two went back and forth for much of the game, Issel finishing with 51 points (19-33 FG) and 17 rebounds of his own. The win raised Kentucky’s mark against Pete and the Tigers to 6-0. The average score in those six games were: Kentucky 112 - LSU 96. The Pistol’s career totals versus Kentucky were ridiculous (52 PPG - 7+ RPG), but each time he was sent home a loser. Current Big Blue Network analyst Mike Pratt added 27 points (11-15 FG) to help the Good Guys dominate most of the game. Forward Tom Parker chipped in with 18 points and 11 rebounds also. The nationally televised game went down as one of the most watched games in the history of television.***

*** = no confirmation of this, just a hunch.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

Calipari 1.27 - Wall's Block Keys Win in Music City

February 20th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1978, your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats were close to unstoppable as they blitzed visiting Alabama, 97-84, behind flawless performances from all three starters in the frontcourt. A total of thirteen players saw court time, led by point guard Kyle Macy’s 39 minutes. The most impressive stat lines of the night, though, belonged to The Goose, Rick Robey and Mike Phillips. Their efficiency was off the charts.

Jack Givens: 25 minutes, 9-10 FG, 4-4 FT, 22 points - 4 rebounds - 2 assists.

Rick Robey: 25 minutes, 6-6 FG, 6-6 FT, 18 points - 6 rebounds - 5 assists.

Mike Phillips: 20 minutes, 5-7 FG, 1-2 FT, 11 points - 2 rebounds

The team as a whole shot 67% from the field (34-51 FG) and 85% from the free throw line (29-34 FT) as Kentucky built a 16-point lead by halftime. The reserves, along with Macy, did everything they needed to in half two to seal the victory. Joe B & Co went on to have a fine finish to the 1978 season.

February 19th: On this date...

Johnny Rondo and his catcher's mit hands.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 2005, your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats defeated Mississippi State, 94-78, in front of a sellout crowd, featuring Ashley Judd and the ESPN Gameday crew. Kentucky blew open a very close game (UK up 46-43 at halftime) during a 27-6 second half run and coasted to victory. Big Blue forced 23 Bulldog turnovers, headlined by a Rupp Arena record eight steals by freshman Rajon Rondo. The eight steals also tied the program record for a single game set by Wayne Turner in 1997. Rondo went on to break the single season record for steals with 87. In just two seasons in Lexington, Rondo cracked the Top 10 on the career list in steals, swiping it 156 times in just 68 games. His pace would have broken the program mark (Turner) in three years, and would have destroyed it in a full four seasons. Back to the game, fourteen players saw floor action for the Cats, seven of which were in double-figures. Kentucky was paced by: Chuck Hayes (12 points - 6 rebounds - 4 steals - 4 assists), Randolph Morris (17 points - 6 rebounds), Kelenna Azubuike (15 points - 7 rebounds), Patrick Sparks (14 points), Ravi Moss (10 points), and Ramel Bradley (10 points - 5 rebounds - 5 assists). A well-rounded game from everyone involved.

French Skier Surrenders Seconds Into Run

Thought this was an SNL preview when it came on last night. Nope....just a French lady. Enjoy your next four years!

February 18th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1903, your University of Kentucky Wildcats, officially competing as State College (Kentucky), got their first ever win as a “basket ball” program, an 11-10 beatdown of the Lexington YMCA. The head coach was the Administrator of Men’s Physical Education at the University, WWH Mustaine. He was a Centre College graduate (class of 1899) and was originally from Horse Cave, Kentucky. The win was the only one in season number one of Kentucky basketball, finishing the year with a 1-2 mark. The other games were played against Georgetown College (15-6) and Kentucky University (42-2). Are we sure we aren’t Kentucky University? I remember the ‘03 team being BAD ASS. The writeup of the game (according to Jon Scott’s never-ending site) consisted of the Lexington Herald-Leader saying, “The game was a most exciting one and well contested and the result was a doubt until the game had finally ended.” The contributor from the Herald-Leader that day..................Jerry Tipton.

Murray State Frosh Getting Attention

February 17th: On this date...

The Tickler.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1934, your University of Kentucky Wildcats set a national record for college basketball with their 23rd consecutive victory in a 47-27 win over the Commies from Vanderbilt. The game was such a big deal, the rabid Kentucky fan base nearly rioted just to get into Alumni Gymnasium. Patrons crammed into the Gym any way they could, including climbing through windows and hanging from rafters. The Cats put on a display unlike any other and the city-folk had to see what the ruckus was all about. The star of the night was the first player to ever wear the #00 jersey, John DeMoisey. He finished the night with 25 points on nine made baskets and seven free throws made on ten attempts. No one else in the game scored in double-figures. Teammate Dave Lawrence was the next highest point total with nine. The win streak would end in the next game, a 38-32 loss to the Florida Gators in the SEC Tournament. It was after the following loss to Florida, though, that we would officially find out what we had figured all along....that the Gators did, in fact, suck.

Billy Clyde on Publicity Tour for Coach Cal?

In a recent interview with a cowboy newspaper in Texas, Billy Clyde Gillispie says he has no ill will towards the University and when asked about the firing said:

"It affected me a little bit, but I will bounce back."

Coach Cal is notorious for being able to sell anything to anyone, but to have your fired predecessor go on a nationwide book promotion tour for you is mind boggling. It is arguably his best coaching job to date.

Go Cats.

February 16th: On this date...

The 'Stache.

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1991, your #16 University of Kentucky Wildcats came from behind to beat the Ole Miss Rebels, 89-77, in front of a sellout crowd in Rupp Arena. After a hot shooting first half for both teams, Mississippi took a 52-48 lead into halftime. The second half was another story, though, as the pressure finally got to the visiting team. Kentucky methodically picked the Rebels apart, forcing 29 turnovers on the night, giving them 21 (81-60) more shots than Ole Miss. Big Blue was led that day by Super Frosh Jamal Mashburn (18 points - 13 rebounds - 4 steals) and wily veteran Reggie Hanson (17 points - 11 rebounds - 8 assists - 7 steals - 2 blocks). The line for Hanson almost gave the program its second ever triple-double and first ever quadruple-double. Head coach Rick Pitino finally got the message from the rabid fan base and started eastern Kentucky hero, Richie Farmer. The Mustache didn’t disappoint either (21 points - 4 rebounds - 4 steals, 4-9 3PM). The coaching staff consisted of Pitino, Herb Sendek, Billy Donovan, Tubby Smith, and Bernadette Locke. The probation-laden team finished the season as the 13th ranked team in the nation.

ESPNU Road Trip in Lexington

The In's & Out's of the New Uni

Cat Scratches has video of the new uniforms that tells about the intricacies of the design on the back. Something about freemasonry, secret passageways, hidden treasure, pentagrams, and the show Lost.

February 15th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1994, Louisiana State University head coach Dale Brown pooped his pants a little, as his team relinquished a 31-point lead to a group of memorable Cats. Enough of me.

February 14th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1938, your University of Kentucky Wildcats had one of the most memorable wins of the program’s storied history when Joe “Red” Hagan hit a 48-foot shot from the “mid-floor” area of Alumni Gymnasium to beat visiting Marquette, 35-33. Funny thing is, there was still 12 seconds remaining in the game. Marquette must’ve had the best defense during the era if a 48-footer was the best shot available for the game-winner with that amount of time remaining. In any event, the shot banked in and the 4,000 rabid Kentucky fans went ballistic, or whatever the equivalent was to ballistic during black-and-white times. The fans rushed the court, “and carried Hagan triumphantly to the showers.” Hello One of the people in attendance was Governor A.B. Chandler. Once the game concluded, Chandler called for a hammer and a nail, driving the nail into the spot where Hagan let loose of the ball. Marquette was considered to be among the best, if not the best team in all the land. Legend has it that the fans then took to the streets of Lexington, ending up at the intersection of Euclid and Woodland. The mob would cheer and dance until the wee hours of the night, when only the law and the lawless are out. Once the mob dispersed, students were seen walking to the SuperAmerica/Taco Bell for a late night snack. Some things never change.

February 13th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1951, Kentucky legend/skyscraper Bill Spivey set a program record with 34 rebounds in a win against unranked Xavier. The top-ranked Cats were also paced by Spivey’s 40 points. Quite a night for the seven-footer from Warner Robins, Georgia, who was the first seven-footer in Kentucky history. Bill Spivey would later set the single season record for rebounds during the 1950-51 season with 567, a record that will never get close to being broken again. Spivey led the 1950-51 Cats (34-2) to the NCAA Championship (22 points - 21 rebounds) and was a consensus first team All-American. His two years in Lexington were arguably the most productive of any two year run in history by a player. He sat out the first half of the 1951-52 season with a knee injury and the second half due to an NCAA investigation. The investigation was for his role in a point-shaving scandal that rocked college basketball. The charge of perjury would not stick, as he was later acquitted of all charges. Spivey would never be allowed to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, as he was permanently banned from the league for his so-called role in the scandal. When he came to Lexington, head coach Adolph Rupp got Spivey a job changing fluorescent lights in a local drug store. He did not need ladder.

February 12th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 2008, your University of Kentucky Wildcats, led by General Billy Clyde Gillispie, got handed the fifth worst loss in their storied program’s history. The 93-52 beatdown by Vandy acted as a bit of revenge for earlier in the year. The Commies came into Rupp Arena undefeated at 16-0, but left with a double-overtime loss, blemishing the perfect mark. The second game was a completely different story. The tipsy General received a technical in the first half for not giving the ball back to the referees. If I remember, Gillispie simply crouched by the UK bench with a grin, twiddling his thumbs. The grin had one of those, “I have no idea what I’m doing” looks on it. Kentucky trailed by 30 at halftime, scoring only 11 points in the first 20 minutes. And we had to go a run towards the end to even get that many. A few key stats included Kentucky having fives assists and 17 turnovers, while Vandy had 20 assists too only 6 turnovers. The Cats went on a 12:22 drought in the first half until Joe Crawford made a leaner in the lane. Seldom used A.J. Stewart led UK in scoring at half with three points. The good news on the night was Ramel Bradley hitting a three-pointer to keep the streak alive. I’m guessing Pat will be looking for some revenge in Nashville with his new and improved squad. Big Blue Nation will not negotiate with Commies.

February 11th: On this date...

Big Blue Booyah on Tom Leach

... in 1963, one of the all-time greats in Kentucky basketball history was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His name? LeRoy Byrd. The one they called “Baby Magic” lived in Lexington and attended Bryan Station High School before choosing to play basketball at UNLV, under coach Jerry Tarkanian. After one year with The Shark and playing behind Tark’s son, Byrd decided it was time to come back home. He was also the Wildcats’ second player to ever wear the #00 jersey (John DeMoisey). Statistically, Byrd did not have the career as most Kentucky basketball legends, but I dare you to find someone over 30 who wouldn’t immediately recognize him. He was a basketball rockstar during his time in Blue. Part of this was due to his diminutive size, standing at 5'5 and weighing in at 145 lbs. “Baby Magic” played a total of 149 minutes in his 38 career games of floor action. This netted Leroy a total of 41 career points (2 pts. as a sophomore, 2 pts. as a junior, 37 pts. as a senior). Other career totals include: 14-24 FG (58%), 13-20 FT (65%), 15 rebounds, 29 assists, 15 steals, 1 block (not in my house), 19 fouls, 17 turnovers. Today is Baby Magic’s day, join me in wishing him a very happy birthday.

Calipari 1.24 - Cats Take Out Bama Via Boredom

Maybe it was the fact we missed the Bama run to start the game, or simply having to sit through another snoozy Rupp crowd, but last night's win over the Tide seemed like a rerun. The Cats, once again, came out flat and uninspired. That is until DeAndre Liggins came into the fold.

Saying this kid is a whole new player is the understatement of the year. Coach Cal was right, he wanted DL to come into the game and not even think about what he was doing when he was on the court. It almost seems like he tunes everything out when he's on the floor. The coach, the team, the fans, everybody. He constantly does his own thing all over the court, with the majority of those decisions being the correct one. Not to mention, he's becoming our most consistent three-point threat. In his 26 minutes, DL finished with 8 points - 7 rebounds. All day.

To the highlights:

• Freak Show (22 points - 10 rebounds - 3 steals - 2 assists - 6 TOs) has his highest point total since The Garden. He also went around the world one more time to make sure Bama knew he was the man.
• Freshmen had 12 of the 16 turnovers.
• Seeing Daniel Orton get to play with Pat instead of Big Cuz was very intriguing. If for no other reason than us being OK when Big Cuz gets tossed in the future.
• Speaking of Big Cuz, he seemed uninterested again, but still got a double-double (16 points - 13 rebounds). Dangerous combo.

All in all, a very boring game. Just the way we like it.

23-1. That's insane. Man.......I bet Memphis is PISSED.

Go Cats.

Roy Williams Thinks Haiti Needs to Quit Crying

I'm guessing this will be a topic of conversation on among every outlet possible tomorrow...........or not. Nothing to see here. Carry on.

New Unfiorms Inculde New State Spleling

I'm not gonan lie, the new state speeling is vrey frseh. Cheers to Nike sweatshops!

Coach Cal has now gone a PR run via Tittwer. We amdire the efofrt Cocah.