UK Women Head To Ole Miss on Super Bowl Sunday The Kentucky women’s basketball team travels to Oxford,
Miss on Super Bowl Sunday to face Ole Miss at 3 p.m. ET at the C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum. All the action can be heard live on WLXG-AM Sports Radio 1300 with Chris Cross.
Commodores Upset Cats 66-60 Dan Cage hit a 3-pointer with 2:18 left that gave Vanderbilt the lead for
good, and the Commodores held on to upset fifth-ranked Kentucky 66-60 Saturday. Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels each had 14 to lead Kentucky.
Daniels keeps an eye on Freije The most intriguing matchup in the University of Kentucky's game today against Vanderbilt will pit guts
against glory.
Last season's roll began in Nashville The site of today's game between the University of Kentucky men's basketball team and Vanderbilt is
where the formula was uncorked last season.
Smith says UK lacks ferocityThe more University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith compares this season's team to
last season's the more sleep he loses.
Smith: '03 Cats beyond compareMeasuring this year's team against last making coach ill Drooping eyelids. A
tired face resting in an open palm. A body slumped into a chair. Tubby Smith looked sick during Kentucky's victory over Mississippi on Wednesday. A distracted performance in the post-game news conference enhanced the impression.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Vanderbilt Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 33 Julian Terrell F-C 6-9 244 So. 35 Matt Freije F 6-10 249 Sr. 24 Scott Hundley
G 6-5 215 Sr.
UK big men set sights on Freije Although Vanderbilt's Matt Freije was voted the pre-season Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Kentucky's Chuck
Hayes and Erik Daniels are fighting for the chance to defend him today.
(01-30-04)
Basketball
Lady Vols once again dominate Cats, 81-72The University of Kentucky's slogan for its women's basketball game against Tennessee
last night was "Keep the Orange Out." Nice try.
DeMoss' showing makes old boss proud One suspects that Faith Hill -- former worker in the Reba McEntire Fan Club -- sings with a little more relish when she knows
a famous red-head is in the building.
Lady Vols pull rank There were a few seconds in last night's Kentucky-Tennessee game when almost all of the 8,429 people in Memorial Coliseum thought it
could happen.
Daniels' quirks keep foes guessingUK CENTER HAS KNACK FOR GETTING OPEN Arguably Kentucky's most
consistent player also is its most unpredictable. Or, if you prefer, UK's most dependable scorer also is its most easily overlooked.
Hundley may start vs. UK Former Scott County star Scott Hundley figures to make his first start of the season when Vanderbilt plays Kentucky on Saturday. Hundley,
one of the Southeastern Conference's most productive reserves, may start in place of suspended forward Corey Smith.
Vandy to play UK short-handed When the University of Kentucky plays Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., the Commodores won't have
6-foot-6 junior forward Corey Smith.
Kentucky Wildcats Report UK is listed as one of seven schools being considered by high school senior Juan Diego Palacios, a 6-8 forward from Centereach, N.Y.,
and a native of Colombia.
Football
Lorenzen decides to skip Gridiron Classic
The road to what Jared Lorenzen hopes will be a career in the National Football League won't be going through the Gridiron Classic this weekend.
(01-29-04)
Basketball
No. 1 Tennessee Edges UK 81-72 Sara Potts had a career-high 29 points but Tennessee's Shanna Zolman sank
a key 3-pointer with 1:06 left to lead the No. 1 Lady Vols to an 81-72 win over Kentucky on Thursday night in Memorial Coliseum
Big night may be big boost for Barbour Antwain Barbour clanged a 3-pointer on his first shot Wednesday, then blew a layup and was 0-of-2. A here-we-go-again sigh leaked from
the crowd.
No. 5 Kentucky Beats Mississippi 71-61 Erik Daniels scored a career-high 24 points and reserve Antwain Barbour hit four 3-pointers to lift No. 5
Kentucky past Mississippi 71-61 on Wednesday night.
'heart and soul'Hayes' defense slows down Rebels' Reed Chuck Hayes' first shot, a layup off
a sharp Gerald Fitch assist, drawing the evening's first blood, came 33 seconds into the game.
Barbour breaks out After a career that went from Prince to pauper, Antwain Barbour knew Kentucky fans had all but given up on him. How could Barbour not
know? He had nearly two seasons to read the never-shy Rupp Arena crowd.
Story lines abound with No. 1 in townDEMOSS DOESN'T WANT CATS TOO HYPED UP Last night at dinner, it was just two old friends getting together. Just "Pat" and "Mickie," not "Coach Summitt" and "Coach DeMoss."
Cats hope crowd favors blue as its hue
There's nothing like being a Kentucky player and running onto the floor under the spotlight as your name is called. There's nothing like it, until the house lights come up at Memorial Coliseum and you look around and realize the crowd has a bright orange hue.
Fitch pitches in at the line
Ole Miss limited Kentucky's leading scorer to 14 points last night. But Gerald Fitch found other ways to contribute to the Cats' victory.
(01-28-04)
Basketball
Daniels' Career-High Carries 'Cats to Win Over Ole Miss Erik Daniels poured in a career-high 24 points
and Kentucky thwarted several Ole Miss comeback attempts during the second half as the Wildcats improved to 14-2 and 4-1 in the SEC with a 71-61 win Wednesday night.
Wildcats aim to set game tempo The last time a physical basketball team came into Rupp Arena, it muscled its way to an eight-point
victory.
Kentucky's Smith sees trouble in Ole MissTubby Smith sees many similarities between Ole Miss and the last team that marched into Rupp Arena and pulled off a huge upset.
Smith wants more running from Wildcats Kentucky coach Tubby Smith sounds like he's talking football when he explains what the Wildcats have to do to beat
Mississippi on Wednesday.
Hayes one Cat who got message on getting to line University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has been searching for more of a football-type toughness
from his players, and in one drill during practice, players don't get off a shot without taking a shot.
Wildcats land shooting star from Michigan Point guard Rajon Rondo from Oak Hill Academy committed to UK on Friday, and Crawford, a former Michigan
commitment, followed suit late yesterday.
Georgia could be a model for Rebels SMITH SAYS UK MUST CONTROL TEMPO Kentucky plays Mississippi tonight with Georgia on its mind. UK's last home game saw Georgia enter as an unheralded opponent and leave an upset victor. A style that combined physical aggressiveness and a patient
insistence on halfcourt basketball helped made it so. Georgia's modest ranking and UK's understandable letdown also played a role.
Crawford adds to UK's guard rosterINCOMING BACKCOURT AMONG NATION'S BEST Highly regarded prospect Joe
Crawford knew for months that he wanted to play for Kentucky. On Monday night, he let the basketball world know by committing to UK.
'stronger than a scoreboard'Coaches' friendship shouldn't suffer after sideline switch Only one person
can say she saw legendary coach Pat Summitt on her hands and knees, wailing in pain as each contraction crept up and down her spine.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Mississippi Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 1 Aaron Harper F 6-7 217 Sr. 23 Justin Reed F 6-8 240 Sr. 33 Chris Rhodes F 6-7 260
Jr.
UK men's basketball recruiting Incoming players Players who have signed with or committed to Kentucky for 2004-05: Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown High school Joe
Crawford 6-4 205 G Detroit Renaissance
(01-27-04)
Basketball
UK-UT SEC Teleconference QuotesKentucky Head Coach Mickie DeMoss On UK's season so far… “I thought we had a pretty good preseason and then we got into the
conference and I guess it was just the luck of the draw. We started out playing ranked teams in Vandy, Georgia and LSU. We had our hands full. We played well in some of those games and then got our first win (Jan. 25) at South Carolina which was a timely win for us heading into this match up with
Tennessee. It gave our team a little boost of energy and confidence. We’re excited about the match up with Tennessee and we know our fans in Lexington are excited as well.”
No. 1 Lady Vols Invade Memorial It's a bitter-sweet matchup as Kentucky head coach Mickie DeMoss faces her former Lady Vol
team and goes head-to-head with her friend and former boss Pat Summitt. DeMoss spent 18 seasons as the top assistant at UT and helped lead the Lady Vols to an unprecedented six NCAA championship titles and 13 Final Four appearances.
Men's Basketball Press Conference Quotes - Ole MissHead Coach Tubby Smith On his reflection on the Notre Dame game…
“Looking back on the Notre Dame game, I thought we did a good job overall of getting more consistency in time and score and late-game situations. Good teams are going to make runs at you. I think we were kind of spoiled by last year’s team putting people away pretty much by the half or midway through
the game. This team is still learning how to (put games away). I think a lot of it has to do with the input we get from people coming off the bench, making sure we have positive influence and results from every player that went in the game.”
Wildcats Host Ole Miss in 400th Game at Rupp Arena Kentucky returns home to host the Ole Miss Rebels in the Wildcats’ 400th
game at Rupp Arena. UK closed non-conference play with a win over Notre Dame on Sunday and welcomes an Ole Miss squad riding a two-game SEC win streak.
Ole Miss Basketball Game NotesOLE MISS LOOKS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SECWIN: Ole Miss looks for its third consecutive Southeastern Conference win Wednesday at
No. 5 Kentucky, in the Rebels' first Eastern Division matchup of the year. Ole Miss polished off a perfect week Saturday with a 71-60 home win over Alabama. Justin Reed tied his career high in points with 28 and posted his third double-double of the season. Aaron Harper nailed five three-pointers
Saturday to tie the Rebel career record. Harper is averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the last three games.
Rebels' experience concerns Smith Before Kentucky played Georgia, Tubby Smith warned everyone that playing in Rupp Arena against a team perceived not to be
among the Southeastern Conference's best did not guarantee a win for the Wildcats.
Barnes says winning is what Wildcats do best Because he doesn't follow University of Kentucky basketball on a daily basis, Rod Barnes didn't know about all the
problems Tubby Smith's team was having.
ERRATIC CATS ACTUALLY VERY CONSISTENT A 14th Century English proverb holds that "Time and Tide wait for no man." A 21st Century Kentucky Wildcats proverb
holds that the tides may be unceasing, but time can be stopped.
Cats' 'big' men just Rebels' sizeHayes, Daniels 'underrated,' but Ole Miss harbors hope The
inside tandem of Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels led Kentucky to a victory Sunday and Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas to a conclusion.
Rondo already dreaming of matchup with Telfair The matchup of the two freshmen is more than 10 months away, but it's not hard to envision
the hype that will surround the University of Kentucky's game at UofL next season.
Rick Pitino takes medical leave of absence University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is taking an indefinite leave of absence
to seek treatment for an undetermined medical condition that left him in agony.
Crawford chooses Kentucky over U-M Detroit Renaissance guard Joe Crawford, ranked the No. 1 high school player in Michigan by The Detroit News, picked Kentucky over Michigan.
It's Chuck over luck Hayes lifts Wildcats to 71-63 victory over frenzied Fighting Irish.
Rondo opts to attend Kentucky Rajon Rondo left the Bluegrass State to finish his high school career, but the former Eastern High star
will return for college.
UK controls whole game Anyone who has followed the University of Kentucky Wildcats this season wouldn't be surprised to hear that junior
forward Chuck Hayes led UK in scoring and rebounding against Notre Dame.
Irish Blue-collared Once upon a time, Notre Dame was the home address for the storybook upset. The Irish regularly humbled the high and mighty, as
yesterday's reunion of the school's most historic David-and-Goliath moment reminded.
Digger tries, but can't deliver another upsetPEP TALK STIRS ECHOES ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY
Digger Phelps was being, well, Digger Phelps. The celebrated guests were supposed to be his 1974 Notre Dame basketball team. Yet in his pinstripe suit and purple tie, the former Irish skipper could not resist commandeering halfcourt as his halftime podium. He rallied the faithful with a Howard
Dean-style, red-faced rant.
Bench comes up big for Cats For a team with a well-chronicled depth problem, Kentucky had a strange-sounding strategy yesterday: Wear down Notre Dame. But
thanks to Josh Carrier and Lukasz Obrzut, the strategy worked.
Point guard Rondo commits to Wildcats
Chald up a recruiting victory for Tubby Smith over Rick Pitino. Oak Hill Academy point guard Rajon Rondo committed to Kentucky this weekend, picking the Cats over Pitino's Louisville Cardinals.
(01-25-04)
Basketball
No Luck for the Irish - Cats Win 71-63 Chuck Hayes scored 21 points, Gerald Fitch added 15 and No. 9
Kentucky scored 44 points inside to beat Notre Dame 71-63 Sunday, its 10th straight win over the Irish.
(8) Kentucky 71, Notre Dame 63 Notre Dame put a scare into Kentucky, but it was not enough for that elusive first win over a ranked team.
Kentucky 75, South Carolina 61 Danyelle Payne had 18 points and six assists to lead Kentucky past South Carolina 75-61 on Sunday.
UK Women Capture First SEC Win The Kentucky women's basketball team captured their first win in the Southeastern Conference
with a 75-61 victory over South Carolina on Sunday in Columbia. Five Wildcats scored in double-figures as Danyelle Payne led the way with 18 points and a career-high six assists. Shambrica Jones charted her second career-double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Irish star has fizzled vs. UK Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas hasn't had a whole lot of fun playing against the University of
Kentucky the past two seasons, and there's no real reason for him to look forward to today's game either.
Barbour's coaches await 'true Antwain'THEORIES VARY AS TO WHY UK SENIOR KEEPS STRUGGLING Antwain Barbour had the ball at Tennessee when the referee's whistle stopped play. Palming, a basketball infraction that went out of style about the time bell-bottoms came in, was the call.
Same old story for Irish Maybe the Kentucky-Notre Dame game should be moved to Groundhog Day. Like the Bill Murray movie, the game-day theme keeps repeating
itself over and over.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Sr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 Jr. 24 Kelenna Azubuike G-F
6-5 208 So
W.Va. recruit still expected to wear blue As AM radio disc jockeys used to say, the hits just keep on coming. Kentucky recruit Adam Williams has gotten
little respect since committing two years ago. His status as second-team all-Kanawha County at the time of his commitment sparked a chorus of who's he? Then came the rumors last fall that UK would renege on the scholarship offer.
Football
No QB recruits if Heffner passes The University of Kentucky's chances to sign a quarterback for the 2004 recruiting class appear to be coming down to a last-ditch
effort to sway Memphis Melrose product Antonio Heffner away from South Carolina.
Wildcats Look To Snap Four-Game Losing Streak at South Carolina The Kentucky women's basketball team looks to snap a
four-game losing streak in the conference and a four-game losing streak to South Carolina when they travel to Columbia, S.C. to take on the Gamecocks on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. ET in the Colonial Center.
Fitch's shooting has Smith concernedThe University of Kentucky football team has filled a number of recruiting needs, but a large void remains at quarterback.
Smith plays shot doctor for slumping FitchUK COACH CHALLENGES SENIOR TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO SCORE An
extended meeting with Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith at mid-week came as no surprise to Gerald Fitch. "We have to have an extended meeting after I go 1-for-13," Fitch said yesterday. "You know what I mean?"
Cats keep options open If the NCAA's so-called "5/8" scholarship limitation remains in effect, Kentucky can add only one more recruit for next year. The key word
in that sentence is "if."
Mono sidelines Wildcats' Pfeiffer The Kentucky women's third-leading scorer, Jenny Pfeiffer, will miss three to six weeks with mononucleosis, team physician Dr.
James Jagger said yesterday.
(01-23-04)
Basketball
UK's 'psyche' worries Notre Dame coach Not having a star player might present some drawbacks for the University of Kentucky, but it also creates a dilemma
for opposing coaches.
Wildcats Close Non-Conference Play Against Notre Dame Kentucky travels to South Bend, Ind., Sunday for its final
non-conference regular season game. It’s the final matchup in a four-year home and home contract with the Fighting Irish. The game will be broadcast by CBS at 4 p.m. ET. UK has won each of the previous three meetings in the current contract.
Kentucky Basketball Press Conference QuotesHead Coach Tubby Smith On the win at Tennessee… “After evaluating the Tennessee tape, we found
areas we need to address. I thought that they were clock management, time and the score, and I think we covered some of that yesterday. Today we will start to focus in on some of the things we have to get ready for against a good Notre Dame team. I was really happy for Cliff, and I think it is a big
boost for him to make that shot. It was putting a lot of stress on a lot of people, including myself, but hopefully we can play better and play with more consistency. We are happy to be right at the top in the SEC, especially in this league. I bet there is not another league in the country where (no
team has a losing record). There is so much balance in the SEC, I think it will be a real struggle and a real test all year long for everybody.”
Third time a charm?Notre Dame point guard will try to shake his UK slump Notre Dame point guard Chris
Thomas entered his name into the NBA draft last spring. For six weeks, he attended pre-draft camps. He worked out for five teams. He discovered that his celebrated status -- first Indiana Mr. Basketball to play for the Irish, Big East Rookie of the Year, Notre Dame's Mr. Indispensable -- translated
into nothing better than a second-round pick. If that.
Carrier finally gets his chance at UK When Kentucky senior guard Cliff Hawkins found himself in a slump with 12 turnovers in two
games, Josh Carrier never considered himself the solution to the problems Hawkins was faced with.
Kentucky Wildcats Report University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith hasn't ruled out the possibility of signing two more recruits in the spring even though the
Wildcats currently have just one scholarship to offer.
Inconsistent 'Cats worrying Smith Kentucky has won 22 of its last 23 SEC games, but there's reason for legitimate concern in Lexington.
Saul Smith hits pole, avoids charges Saul Smith, the son of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith, won't be charged after a sport utility vehicle he was driving
hit a light pole on Masterson Station Drive early yesterday in Lexington.
Cats remain winless in SEC Kentucky couldn't hold on to a three-point halftime lead, falling to Mississippi State 80-67 last night. The Wildcats are off to an 0-4
start in Southeastern Conference play.
Football
UK still looking to land a top QBThe University of Kentucky football team has filled a number of recruiting needs, but a large
void remains at quarterback.
(01-22-04)
Basketball
UK Women Fall To Mississippi State The Kentucky women’s basketball team could not hold on to a
three-point halftime lead as they fell to Mississippi State 80-67 in Starkville on Thursday. MSU’s Tan White had a career-high night, recording career-high 33 points, including 12-of-13 from the free throw line, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals while Tiania Burns hit five three-pointers for 20
points.
Cats looking for answers inside and outVOLS GAME HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEMS AT LOW POST, 3-POINT RANGE After
watching his team mix good play with bad yet again, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith all but gave up on the Wildcats gaining a seamless precision this season.
Quickest to 400 Tubby Smith won his 300th game Tuesday with Kentucky's 69-68 overtime win at Tennessee. Smith's career record is 300-111 in 13 seasons. Smith will
have to go 100-24 to break the top 10 for quickest to 400 wins.
RONDO WEIGHS UK AND LOUISVILLE Although Kentucky already has three perimeter players set to join the team next year, two more highly regarded prospects may join
the Cats.
Cats, Mississippi St. aim for 1st SEC win The Kentucky women's basketball team looks for its first win in the Southeastern Conference tonight in Starkville,
Miss., against Mississippi State. The Lady Bulldogs also seeks their first victory in the SEC.
UT-UK Post Game QuotesKENTUCKY HEAD COACH TUBBY SMITH "It was one of those games that we knew would be a war. Tennessee was a challenge for us; they
showed a lot of character. I thought we showed a lot of heart. We never could shake them. We had the opportunities to close the game out, but we couldn't get the stops defensively. "
Fitch- I was just missing shots Kentucky's leading scorer, guard Gerald Fitch, saw Tennessee defenders as innocent bystanders to the worst shooting game
of his college career.
UK wins by digging just deep enough Chuck Hayes played 42 minutes. That would be 42 long, hard, exhausting minutes on a 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame.
Battling through his battle fatigue, the Kentucky junior scored 18 points. He grabbed 16 rebounds.
Cats skate over thin ice Shackled in chains. Straightjacketed. Blindfolded. Suspended high in the air for all to see.
Wildcats escape Knoxville with OT win The University of Kentucky men's basketball team held Tennessee scoreless in the final four minutes of overtime to
escape Thompson-Boling Arena with a 69-68 Southeastern Conference victory last night.
Mistake proves fatal to Vols' hopes of upset One of the last things Tennessee Coach Buzz Peterson told his players as they broke the huddle in the final
seconds of regulation was not to give up a 3-pointer.
No. 9 Kentucky 69, Tennessee 68, OT Chuck Hayes scored off his own miss with 3:49 left in overtime to lead ninth-ranked Kentucky to a 69-68 victory Tuesday
night over Tennessee.
No. 9 Kentucky 69, Tennessee 68, OT
One of Kentucky's winning streaks is still alive. Chuck Hayes scored off his own miss with 3:49 left in overtime to lead ninth-ranked Kentucky to a 69-68 victory Tuesday night over Tennessee.
Wildcats escape Knoxville with OT win
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team held Tennessee scoreless in the final four minutes of overtime to escape Thompson-Boling Arena with a 69-68 Southeastern Conference victory last night.
Wildcats escape with overtime win Back to normal. Back to Kentucky basketball. Back to doing what it has done exceptionally well
-- winning on the road, but just barely.
Kentucky hits boards hard against Tennessee Beaten and embarrassed by their sluggish play on the boards, the Kentucky Wildcats took
coach Tubby Smith's challenge to heart. What Smith wants are warriors, not wimps when it comes to physical play.
(01-20-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Survive Vols' Comeback, Pick Up Road Win in OT Chuck Hayes scored 18 points, pulled
down 16 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket with 3:49 remaining in overtime to lift Kentucky to a 69-68 win over Tennessee on Tuesday night.
Wildcats Travel to Starkville In Search of First SEC Win The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks for their first
win in the Southeastern Conference when they travel to Starkville, Miss., to face Mississippi State on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are looking for their first win in conference play.
Knoxville is a welcome sight for Cats, Vols Coaches Buzz Peterson of Tennessee and Tubby Smith of Kentucky both are glad that
tonight's game is being played in Knoxville and not Lexington's Rupp Arena
Smith says UK needs to be more physical Tubby Smith apparently wants to make sure his team understands it must be much more physical if it wants to
challenge for the Southeastern Conference championship this season.
No relief has come from Cats' reserves
"Hopefully, we'll just wear them out," Tennessee forward Brandon Crump said yesterday. "They will probably stay with us pretty much until the end of the game, but I know they're going to get tired."
Smith says let's get physical, tired of being pushed around Georgia stormed into Rupp Arena on Saturday and turned the Wildcats
into pussycats, snapping the University of Kentucky's 21-game winning streak in Southeastern Conference play.
A bad road trip Here are the records since 1998-99 of SEC teams on the road in conference play:
Cats too tabby, not enough tigerSmith wants no more SEC sand kicked in UK's face If there
was a defining moment in Kentucky's loss to Georgia last weekend, it came when freshman Steve Newman fouled Antwain Barbour with a purpose. That's a polite way of saying Newman sent Barbour flying rather than give up a breakaway dunk.
First-off-the-bench auditions continue
So far this season, Kentucky has brought new meaning to the basketball term "sixth man." Six different players have been either the first reserve in a game or part of an initial mass substitution.
Lineman chooses UK Kentucky picked up another verbal commitment from an offensive lineman Monday
(01-19-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Look to Rebound Against Border-Rival Tennessee After having its 21-game win streak
against Southeastern Conference opponents snapped by Georgia in Rupp Arena, Kentucky travels three hours south to Knoxville, Tenn., to take on longtime rival Tennessee, Tuesday night at 8 p.m. ET
Georgia takes fight to 'Cats Perhaps the most unsettling aspect of the No. 5 University of Kentucky's loss to struggling Georgia
wasn't that the Wildcats' streak of 21 consecutive victories in Southeastern Conference play was put to rest Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena.
Cats Drop Heartbreaker to LSU, 70-69 Doneeka Hodges sank a jumper from the free-throw line with 23 seconds left as
No. 14 LSU won its 14th straight game, beating Kentucky 70-69 on Sunday
No. 14 LSU women get 70-69 win over Cats Doneeka Hodges hit a jumper with 23 seconds left and finished with 16 points, helping No. 14-ranked Louisiana
State to a 70-69 victory over the host University of Kentucky women's basketball team yesterday.
DEMOSS: 'WE WERE SO CLOSE AND FOUGHT SO HARD' Mickie DeMoss insists Kentucky women's basketball is a "sleeping giant." Yesterday, the Cats managed
to rouse from their bed before falling in the final seconds to No. 14 Louisiana State, 70-69, in Memorial Coliseum.
Offense gets on track Kentucky Coach Mickie DeMoss flinched a little when asked the "moral victory" question after her Cats took the 14th-ranked
team in the nation to the wire and lost by one point.
Kentucky vs. Georgia Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith On were the game broke down … “Georgia really took us out of our game- when
you see Eric (Daniels) with only one rebound, and when you go right on down the line you don’t see anyone with high numbers. Again we were coming off the win against Mississippi State where we were able to escape with a lucky shot. We have to improve our intensity and we have to improve our
toughness in order to sustain. If we don’t we are going to have a tough time."
Dawg gone! UK streak over Georgia (9-5, 1-2) came into Rupp Arena and ripped the streak out of the Cats' hands, 65-57, with a
bump-and-grind defense that inspired envy from UK coach Tubby Smith, whose trademark has been tough defense.
The Streak ends at 21 Rashad Wright scored 20 points to lift Georgia past No. 5 Kentucky 65-57 on Saturday, ending the Wildcats’ 21-game
Southeastern Conference winning streak.
Fitch lags, sets tone for 'Cats After he was quiet for much of Saturday's game against Georgia, Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch didn't have much to say following the No.
5-ranked Wildcats' 65-57 loss in Rupp Arena.
Seniors helps snap SEC streak No matter how Georgia's senior class is remembered -- for the Jim Harrick scandal, losing to Winthrop by 20 points at home, or persevering
through a difficult transition -- it forever left its mark in school history on Saturday.
This loss leaves Cats with questions Teams lose games they're not supposed to lose every 15 seconds in college basketball. The University of Kentucky just isn't
supposed to be one of those teams.
Let's not dis disassociation Love this concept, disassociation. The last item from my Tuesday column, where I predicted Mississippi State would end
Kentucky's SEC winning streak?
GONE TO THE DOGS Now we know how lowly Georgia beat highly rated Georgia Tech. Reflecting the scrappy nature of their coach, the Bulldogs go toe to toe
with a supposedly superior opponent. The Bulldogs take the initative, draw strength from staying close and, not encumbered by expectation, complete a surprising upset.
Remorseful Bennett wants to coach again
Honk if you've heard this hoary sports platitude: It's not important if you fall. It's important that you get up after falling and try again.
1983-84 Wildcats: Where are they now?
The 1983-84 UK team, which was honored yesterday in Rupp Arena: Paul Andrews, 6-3, freshman, London, Ky. -- CEO of 109-bed hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. Not married, no kids.
Smith turns to Carrier for some relief Despite some embarrassing statistics, Kentucky Tubby Smith sounded encouraged by his bench's contributions in the
65-57 loss to Georgia yesterday.
Cats concentrate on their offense When you can't score, you can't win. Kentucky has learned that the hard way with an 0-2 start in the Southeastern
Conference. Coach Mickie DeMoss said coaching this team is akin to putting together a puzzle. The Wildcats have the frame of the puzzle in place with their defense, but they can't seem to make the pieces in the middle lock into place on offense.
(01-17-04)
Basketball
Georgia Snaps UK Streak, Deals 'Cats First SEC Loss Georgia brought Kentucky's 19-game SEC
regular-season win streak to a halt Saturday, handing the Wildcats a 65-57 loss and denying coach Tubby Smith his 300th career win.
Georgia Knocks Off No. 5 Kentucky 65-57
Rashad Wright scored 20 points to lift Georgia past No. 5 Kentucky 65-57 on Saturday, ending the Wildcats' 19-game Southeastern Conference regular-season winning streak.
Felton's task today same; roster isn't
The last time Georgia coach Dennis Felton took a basketball team to Rupp Arena, he emerged with an upset victory over the University of Kentucky.
Hawkins' play has been slipping Cliff Hawkins has been consistent his last three games, but not in a way he would like to be.
Tubby goes after 300th win If the University of Kentucky beats Georgia today at Rupp Arena, it will give seventh-year UK head
coach Tubby Smith his 300th career victory.
New-look Dogs come to RuppFelton brings discipline to Georgia program
With a perspective that comes with playing for three head coaches, Damien Wilkins succinctly summed up the dawning of the Dennis Felton era at Georgia.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Georgia Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 12 Damien Wilkins G-F 6-7 230 Sr. 50 Chris Daniels F 6-7 220 Sr. 33 Jonas
Hayes F-C 6-8 240 Sr.
fighting through it Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins might have lost the ball and his composure in recent games. But he hasn't lost his
competitiveness or will to come back strong, beginning with today's game against Georgia.
Football
UK FOOTBALLRB works toward eligibility, considers Arkansas offer With national
signing day less than three weeks away, Paducah Tilghman's Joe Casey is weighing his options. Casey, who is listed as one of the nation's top high school running backs by most recruiting services, was one of the first oral commitments secured by Rich Brooks' staff at Kentucky. But two things --
Casey's academic status and the University of Arkansas -- have thrown that commitment for a loop.
(01-16-04)
Basketball
Tubby Smith Looks for 300th Win Against Georgia Just days after an Erik Daniels buzzer-beater
lifted Kentucky over Mississippi State to keep its 21-game Southeastern Conference win-streak alive, the Cats face Georgia in Rupp Arena this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET as Tubby Smith goes for his 300th career win.
Cats worry Felton Georgia coach Dennis Felton says Kentucky "rarely" loses in Rupp Arena
Rival coaches praise Smith for Cats' 21-game SEC win streakBecause of the parity throughout the Southeastern Conference, rival coaches refer to Kentucky's 21-game win
streak in conference play with words like phenomenal, extraordinary and remarkable.
UK Women Play Host To No. 14 LSU The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing streak in the
Southeastern Conference when it plays host to 14th-ranked LSU on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum.
Kentucky Wildcats ReportUK announcer happy about buzzer-beater Cliff Hawkins' inbounds pass, which eventually found its way to
a wide-open Erik Daniels for the game-winning basket in the University of Kentucky's 67-66 victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night, seemed to float across the court in slow motion.
Beasts or burden? Cats mull streakBUT SEC COACHES MARVEL AT REIGN "Tremendous." "Absolutely incredible." "Truly remarkable." "Extraordinary." "Phenomenal." "Unbelievable." "Amazing." That's how Southeastern Conference coaches labeled Kentucky's 21-game (and counting) winning streak against league teams yesterday.
Cote learning to help Kentucky's bench For someone who has rarely played in his career at the University of Kentucky,
sophomore forward Bernard Cote has a pretty solid grasp of how to be successful when coach Tubby Smith sends him into games.
Doyel's Dribbles Dribbler feelin' a little Kentucky fried This is why nobody outside the state of Kentucky likes Kentucky.
With his back healed, Coté carries Cats' load With many questioning who would fill the void left by departed center Marquis Estill, Bernard Coté’s name was rarely mentioned in the
off season.
THIS WEEK IN THE SEC- Kentucky emerges as league's best Not that anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line is surprised, but the Kentucky Wildcats have
emerged as the leading favorite to win the Southeastern Conference men's basketball championship.
Wildcats know how to win It's time to quit looking at all the shortcomings Tubby Smith's team has and start focusing on one thing - the Wildcats just
keep winning.
UK's Hail Mary answeredSeldom have 10,432 basketball fans, many wearing maroon and white body paint and screaming as if they
had just seen Jason from "Friday the 13th," suddenly gone quiet in such unison as they did Tuesday night at Mississippi State's Humphrey Coliseum.
Fresh faces limit UK's depth despairSUBS PROVIDE A LIFT TO SAGGING EFFORT ON THE BOARDS Surely
Erik Daniels' game-winner was Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith's favorite shot at Mississippi State. Probably close behind were baskets by reserves Bernard Cote and Lukasz Obrzut, not simply because each point was precious in UK's 67-66 victory. But their baskets suggest that Kentucky is making
progress toward developing a bench.
(01-14-04)
Basketball
ERIK THE READY The third largest crowd in Humphrey Coliseum history came to watch undefeated Mississippi State play unflappable Kentucky last night.
Right place and right time Erik Daniels picked a loose ball out of the air and scored a layup as time expired, giving U of K a
67-66 victory over Mississippi State last night.
Right place, right timeDaniels makes clutch play for UK Chuck Hayes said, "Somebody loves
us up there." Cliff Hawkins said, "Oh yeah." Gerald Fitch said, "Most definitely. Even last year we had a lot of luck, being able to pull out games. You got to have a little bit of luck in this game, and it came at the right time."
State proves record not a fluke As poorly as Mississippi State had played Tuesday night, it was remarkable that they were within 11 points of No. 5-ranked
Kentucky with eight minutes to go.
Kentucky was really good — and lucky at the buzzer In the time it takes you to read this first paragraph, Mississippi State's Timmy Bowers could drive nearly the length of a
basketball floor, pull up and swish a long, 3-point shot.
Kentucky's Daniels strips Mississippi State of perfect start A little good fortune turned a potentially crushing defeat into a
thrilling win for No. 5 Kentucky. Erik Daniels grabbed a tipped desperation pass out of the air and laid it in as time expired to give Kentucky a 67-66 victory over No. 24 Mississippi State on Tuesday night.
No. 5 Kentucky 67, No. 22 Mississippi St. 66 Erik Daniels grabbed a tipped desperation pass out of the air and laid it in as time expired to give
No. 5 Kentucky a 67-66 victory over No. 20 Mississippi State on Tuesday night.
Kentucky Football Notebook Vincent Burns, Muhammad Abdullah, Lamar Mills, Durrell White receive honors from CollegeSportsReport.com ... Kentucky
cheerleaders invite fans to view tonight’s practice.
Warren Central WR DeWalt picks Wildcats The University of Kentucky has landed another of its primary targets for the 2004 recruiting class. Lonnell DeWalt, a 6-foot-7,
215-pounder from Warren Central, committed to UK yesterday and will sign with the Wildcats in February.
Dewalt will play for Kentucky It's getting close to national signing day for high school football players, and the action is starting to heat up with some of the state's top
prospects.
Web blurs lines in college sports I'll confess up front: I love UK sports message boards on the Internet. Enjoy the "we are kings of the world!" euphoria that accompanies Cat
conquests.
UK disassociates itself from football boosterWEB SITE ADMINISTRATOR BANNED FOR 27 YEARS Brian Poe started off
wanting to write about University of Kentucky recruiting. Now he finds himself disassociated from the program.
(01-13-04)
Basketball
Kentucky Edges Mississippi State on Daniels' Buzzer-Beater Erik Daniels' buzzer-beating
desperation put-back basket helped No. 5 Kentucky overcome a 16-point Mississippi State rally Tuesday night and beat the No. 20 Bulldogs, 67-66.
Kentucky beats buzzer, Miss. State Daniels' last-second shot helps Wildcats steal victory from Bulldogs A little good fortune turned a potentially crushing defeat into a thrilling win for No. 5 Kentucky.
Bowers a lot like Fitch Being compared to Kentucky's Gerald Fitch not only is a compliment that Timmy Bowers likes, but he also thinks it is a
fair comparison
Undefeated Bulldogs will test Kentucky Coaches almost always overestimate an opponent, especially when they are
discussing the opponent with the media.
'Cats facing tall order When 6-foot-9 Mario Austin turned pro after his junior season at Mississippi State and incoming Bulldogs
freshman Travis Outlaw did the same out of high school this summer, it's a safe bet the rest of the coaches in the Southeastern Conference breathed a little easier.
Roberts makes impact quickly Lawrence Roberts looks back at the bizarre and tragic events that led him to transfer from Baylor to Mississippi State
and they still seem so surreal.
Wildcats getting real test on road The No. 20-ranked Bulldogs are 13-0, a school record for the most consecutive wins to begin a season.
They've also won 14 straight at home, a Humphrey Coliseum record.
Finding peace in StarkvilleFormer Baylor star filling void for State while enjoying quiet
Mississippi State Coach Rick Stansbury calls it a "perfect marriage." It's hard to argue. Former Baylor star Lawrence Roberts needed a new school and a quiet setting far from the media machinery after a blaze of horrid publicity torched the Bears' program.
Kentucky at Mississippi State When: 9 Records: UK 10-1, 1-0 SEC; MSU 13-0, 2-0 Series: UK leads 80-17 Last meeting: UK won 64-57 on March 16, 2003
in the SEC Tournament-
Cats need 'best game' to beat State In Mississippi State and forward Lawrence Roberts, Kentucky faces a second straight unbeaten opponent led by a
Southeastern Conference Player of the Year candidate.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Sr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 Jr. 24 Kelenna Azubuike
G-F 6-5 208 So
Kentucky Basketball Press Conference Quotes - Mississippi StateHead Coach Tubby Smith On working on ball handling after
the Vanderbilt game… “After going through last week’s game against Vanderbilt, we’ve worked on some things that we feel needed to be addressed. That was basically the turnovers, so we’ve done some things the last few days that we hope will rectify that. The perfect game is to play
without a turnover and I don’t think I’ve ever coached a team that didn’t have a turnover.”
Football
Florida linebacker commits to UK Kentucky added another verbal commitment to its 2004 recruiting class when Florida linebacker Johnny Williams said Monday
that he would sign with the Wildcats next month.
UK bans Web booster for 27 years
A U of K football booster who tried to establish an underground recruiting network and was cited in three NCAA violations has been banned from involvement with the school's athletics program for 27 years.
Two set to leave UK football team Two University of Kentucky football players, running back Monquantae Gibson and defensive end Kareem Reid, have
obtained their release and will transfer, the school said.
This Week in Kentucky Football Seitze to Play in the Hula Bowl Maui: Senior center Nick Seitze
will play in the Hula Bowl Maui on Sat. Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. EST in a game that will be televised by ESPN. Seitze will wear uniform No. 78 for the Aina team.
(01-12-04)
Basketball
Kentucky Faces Undefeated Mississippi State Despite being nearly two months into the season,
Kentucky will play its first true “road” game when it travels to Starkville, Miss., Tuesday to face its second-consecutive undefeated foe and its third-straight ranked opponent - Mississippi State - Jan. 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Azubuike blossoms into major threat for 'Cats Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings had warned his 20th-ranked Commodores not to let
Kelenna Azubuike get any open shots, citing Azubuike's team-best 57.7 shooting percentage from three-point range.
Turnovers flaw UK's victory It was everything University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith wanted and didn't want to happen all
in the same game.
Turnover trend worries TubbyPOOR DECISIONS FUEL CARELESSNESS Although seeking a second
straight unbeaten run through the Southeastern Conference, Kentucky felt fortunate to beat Vanderbilt in its league opener Saturday night. A whopping 23 turnovers was the reason.
ALL UK SCORERS HELD BELOW SEASON AVERAGES There are no visible thermometers in Memorial Coliseum, but suffice it to say Kentucky was well below the
freezing point. "We shot a miserable 28 percent for the game," Coach Mickie DeMoss said, summing it up best. "You just can't win like that."
Cats want to cut down turnovers Tubby Smith's impatience with the University of Kentucky basketball team's turnovers is tempered
only by the team's 10-1 record.
Football
This Week in Kentucky FootballSenior center Nick Seitze will play in the Hula Bowl
Maui on Sat. Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. EST in a game that will be televised by ESPN ... Burns named First-Team All-SEC by Mobile Press-Register
(01-11-04)
Basketball
No. 12 Georgia Foils Kentucky 74-53 Sherrill Baker scored 16 points and No. 12 Georgia used a key run starting at the
end of the first half to coast past Kentucky 74-53 Sunday.
Wildcats, crowd were ready for Vandy's best During a dead ball with nine minutes left last night, the University of Kentucky student section decided
to welcome Matt Frieze to Rupp Arena.
Cats unhinge 'Dores Consistency marked Kentucky's 75-63 victory over Vanderbilt last night. The consistency was not Vanderbilt's continuing
distinction as the only Southeastern Conference program never to beat UK in Rupp Arena. The Commodores' futility reached 0-27 and counting.
UK continues to live on the edge So you're Kentucky and you butterfinger your way to 23 turnovers, and you all but blow a 14-point first-half lead, and
you let a pumped-up Vanderbilt back to within a single basket with six minutes to play, and you win anyway.
Commodores a lock to lose in Rupp Arena
Life is uncertain. But some things are not. To the perennial certainties -- death and taxes -- add this rock-solid guarantee: Vanderbilt in Rupp Arena
Almost-Cat now making hay at FSU Like fishermen, basketball coaches and fans can dwell on the one that got away. In Kentucky's case, that elusive
catch is Alexander Johnson, who's proven amply qualified to fill UK's need for another player with size.
Azubuike gets offensive for UK What Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith wanted, sophomore guard Kelenna Azubuike delivered. Azubuike answered Smith's request
for more offense by matching his career high of 16 points in UK's 75-63 victory over Vanderbilt last night.
Football
Cats re-open juco pipeline The University of Kentucky football program has
gotten minimal help from the junior-college ranks in recent years, leading many, including former coach Guy Morriss, to point out the difficulty in getting JUCO transfers enrolled at UK.
(01-10-04)
Basketball
Sweet 16- Trio leads Kentucky past surprising Vanderbilt Kelenna Azubuike, Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels each scored 16 points and No. 7 Kentucky
opened defense of its Southeastern Conference title with a 75-63 victory over No. 20 Vanderbilt on Saturday night.
Vandy's Freije Held To 13 Points Kelenna Azubuike, Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels each scored 16 points and Kentucky (No. 5 ESPN/USA Today, No. 7 AP) opened defense of its
Southeastern Conference title with a 75-63 victory over Vanderbilt (No. 21 ESPN/USA Today, No. 20 AP) on Saturday night.
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Post-Game Quotes
Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith Opening statement…“I knew it would be a real battle. We are very pleased to get the win tonight in a very hard fought game. I’ve been impressed with Vanderbilt and the way that they are playing. They showed why they are a top-20 team
in the way they fought tonight.”
Kentucky Downs Vanderbilt in SEC OpenerUKAA Kelenna Azubuike, Gerald Fitch and Erik
Daniels each scored 16 points and No. 7 Kentucky opened defense of its Southeastern Conference title with a 75-63 victory over No. 20 Vanderbilt on Saturday night
No. 7 Kentucky 75, No. 20 Vanderbilt 63YAHOO Sports Kelenna Azubuike, Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels each scored 16 points and No. 7 Kentucky opened defense of its
Southeastern Conference title with a 75-63 victory over No. 20 Vanderbilt on Saturday night.
UK opens SEC march on mission Possible but not probable is perhaps the best way to term the likelihood that the University of Kentucky men's basketball team will go
undefeated in Southeastern Conference play and win the SEC Tournament the way it did last season.
Surging Vanderbilt has tall task in Kentucky Vanderbilt has a lot of history - both long-standing and recent - to overturn if the Commodores
hope to continue their best start ever.
Vandy a perilous 1st step for UKIf the task of going undefeated through a Southeastern Conference men's basketball season
isn't daunting enough, try doing it twice.
UK's season begins nowIt won't be easy in reloaded SEC After the all-hat/no-cattle, empty hype
of these past Super Saturdays, the toughest part of Kentucky's basketball to-do list begins -- now.
12-0 says it all for beefed-up Vandy COMMODORES CONFIDENT THEY CAN REDEEM THEMSELVES IN RUPP Older, wiser and brimming with the confidence that comes with added muscle and greater success, Vanderbilt makes a better impression on people this season.
Change is good for Vandy's Holwerda Holwerda, a junior guard on the Vanderbilt men's basketball team, has gone from shot-popper to defensive
stopper. No more 30-point games, no more taking his team on his back. That was high school stuff. He is now in the real world of college basketball where accepting new roles are as important as winning. And that means guarding some of the country's top players — and shutting them down.
those chesty cats Kentucky to the Southeastern Conference: We know you didn't like our 16-0 league record last season. But, guess what? We think we can do
it again.
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Kentucky leads series 126-36 Kentucky has won 21 of last 22 games 92-93 Kentucky 82, Vanderbilt 67 93-94 Kentucky 107, Vanderbilt
82
(01-09-04)
Basketball
UK still not playing up to expectations The University of Kentucky begins its Southeastern Conference schedule Saturday against Vanderbilt with
another lofty perch - seventh nationally, according to the Associated Press.
Vandy off to perfect start By Vanderbilt senior Matt Freije's own admission, the 20th-ranked Commodores probably wouldn't have
beaten Auburn last year the way they did Wednesday night at Memorial Gym.
Vitale staying with Cats Dick Vitale knows how good the Southeastern Conference is again this season. He knows how impressive the SEC was against
non-league competition and that it has four teams currently ranked in the top 25.
Commodores do it with depth By Vanderbilt senior Matt Freije's own admission, the 20th-ranked Commodores probably wouldn't have beaten Auburn last year the way they did Wednesday
night at Memorial Gym.
VU after vindication in Rupp 106-44. The final score of the Commodores’ last game in Rupp Arena against the Kentucky Wildcats (No. 7 AP, No. 5
ESPN/USA Today) remains the signature blight from the inglorious 2002-03 season. Everything banal about last season’s 11-18 mark was wrapped up in that embarrassment.
Commodores to Meet UK on Record Roll The Vanderbilt Commodores will roll into Lexington on Saturday for a matchup with Kentucky off the best start in school history. And it
almost didn't happen. The 20th-ranked Commodores (12-0) squandered a 17-point first half lead and needed to come from behind to get pesky Auburn 59-53 Wednesday night in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
Scoring without Freije Pretend you don't know how well the Vanderbilt men's basketball team is playing.
Vandy plays familiar tune Coaches say basketball is a game of runs, but Vanderbilt got the best of Kentucky last night standing still. The
Commodores won the game at the free-throw line and the Cats lost for the 18th straight year at Memorial Gymnasium, 65-57.
Vanderbilt led by senior star Freije The preseason Southeastern Conference Player of the Year doesn't beat you off the dribble or
blow by you with lightning speed.
Kentucky gets shot at unbeaten Vanderbilt The last time Kentucky faced Vanderbilt in Rupp Arena, the Wildcats rolled to a
106-44 win that left Commodore star forward Matt Freije feeling "embarrassed by our play and our effort" he would say of the game last March.
Senior's momentLate bloomer flourishes as sixth man From Mr. Basketball to Mr. Subtlety.
That's the career arc for Scott Hundley, the former Scott County star who now provides Vanderbilt a spark off the bench.
Boards get mom off his back In his first three seasons, Erik Daniels
rebounded like a former point guard, which he was in high school. He reached double-digits only once.
Mom's message: REBOUND!Most kids have to clean up their rooms or eat their vegetables to get their mothers off their
backs. All University of Kentucky forward Erik Daniels has to do is grab a rebound.
Kentucky Wildcats Report When Eddie Fogler coached at South Carolina and Vanderbilt, he looked forward to one road game more than the rest.
Football
More Accolades for Abney
Final Southeastern Conference Offensive
Statistics Released; Abney Wins Two SEC Titles: The final Southeastern Conference offensive statistics have been released and, for the second year in a row, Kentucky senior wide receiver/kick returner Derek Abney has won two league statistical championships.
(01-08-04)
Basketball
UK Foul Trouble Leads to Loss At No. 22 Vanderbilt The Kentucky women’s basketball was plagued by foul trouble as
they fell to No. 22 Vanderbilt on Thursday in Memorial Gym. Vanderbilt hit 25-of-27 from the free throw line for a 65-57 win in the teams’ conference opener. Freshman Angela Phillips knocked down a career-high three three-pointers for a career-high 15 points.
Kentucky and Vandy Clash in SEC Opener The Wildcats open their 71st season of Southeastern Conference
competition when they host 20th-ranked and undefeated Vanderbilt on Saturday. UK is 54-16 all-time in SEC openers and has won 15 of its last 16.
If needed again, Cote says he's readyUK RESERVE DOESN'T EXPECT BIG BUMP IN PLAYING TIME A
supporting role in Kentucky's victory over North Carolina gave Bernard Cote a boost of confidence. He intends to be ready to help again, but he's also prepared to sit for long stretches.
Taking stock It would be tempting to give UK a Sell rating only to watch the flood of howling e-mails roll in from the Bluegrass, but I truly believe this
Wildcats team has some serious weaknesses that are going to be exposed during SEC play. The 'Cats have a marvelous pair of forwards in Erik Daniels and Chuck Hayes, but at 6-8 and 6-6, respectively, they are lacking in the size department.
Inside The SEC With the non-conference season winding down and teams heading into conference action, ESPN.com takes a look at what we learned about the SEC in 2003:
UK repeat won't be an easy task When Kentucky (9-1) opens Southeastern Conference play Saturday against Vanderbilt, it does so with two fewer losses than it did entering
league play last season. Reason for optimism, sure.
(01-07-04)
Basketball
SEC not down after all This was supposed to be a down year for the Southeastern Conference. Or at least that's what most of the preseason predictions
forecast for the SEC.
SEC playing field evens up Often considered the best conference in college basketball last season, as many as seven of the 12 Southeastern Conference teams earned
spots in the rankings.
Conference play will test SEC quality ... other notes Like clockwork, every year about this time, once the nonconference season is over and league play
begins, the debate starts as to which conference is the best.
Moss not content yet It was Sunday at the University of Kentucky campus and Ravi Moss was doing what college sophomores are
supposed to do with classes not in session – he was hanging out with his girlfriend.
Kentucky vs. High Point - Post-Game QuotesUK Coach Mickie DeMoss On the victory… “It was a good win. We
got a lot of people in the game, and a lot of people played well. We shot the ball really well, hit some threes and had a solid inside performance. We played a team that was probably a little undermanned and had some injuries. But we came out, played with a lot of heart and played hard
regardless of the score.”
UK Women Travel To Music City For Conference OpenerThe Kentucky women’s basketball
team looks to snap a six-game losing streak to Vanderbilt when they meet the 22nd-ranked Commodores in their conference opener on Thursday. Game time is set for 8 p.m. ET in Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gym.
Football
More Accolades for AbneyFinal Southeastern Conference offensive statistics
released; Abney wins two SEC titles ... UK posts second-highest scoring average for new coaching staff ... Looking ahead to the UK offense in 2004
(01-06-04)
Basketball
Potts Breaks Three-Point Shooting Record as Cats Crush High Point Senior SeSe Helm scored 23 points and junior Sara
Potts nailed a school record seven three-pointers, also finishing with 23, as the Kentucky women’s basketball team defeated High Point, 83-45, on Tuesday in Memorial Coliseum.
ESPN Top 25 Poll
Rank School Record Points Last week
1. Connecticut (23) 11-1 757 1
2. Duke (6) 10-1 727 2
3. Arizona (1) 9-1 671 4
4. Wake Forest (2) 9-0 670 5
5. Kentucky 9-1 628 6
6. Stanford 11-0 615 7
7. Oklahoma 10-0 551 8
8. Georgia Tech 12-1 546 3
9. Saint Joseph's (1) 11-0 522 10
10. Cincinnati 9-0 496 11
Moss' play no surprise to Jackson Others were praising him for everything he did to help Kentucky beat North Carolina 61-56 Saturday, but Ravi Moss
knew there would be at least one person who would know his performance was not perfect.
Wildcats aren't only power in SEC The Southeastern Conference posted a 3-0 record against the Atlantic Coast Conference on
Saturday.
Tubby welcomes week off for CatsCOACH WANTS HIS TEAM TO BE REJUVENATED FOR VANDY Rejuvenation.
That is the theme for Kentucky with a full week of preparation time heading into Saturday's Southeastern Conference opener against Vanderbilt, Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday.
Cats face High Point before SEC play opens The Kentucky women's basketball team will play its final non-conference game tonight, against High Point in
Memorial Coliseum. The Cats will try to bounce back from a 60-52 loss Friday at Cincinnati. Before that loss, UK had won three straight.
UK-Vandy won't be televised locally The University of Kentucky's Southeastern Conference men's basketball opener against Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Saturday
at Rupp Arena is not scheduled to be televised in the Louisville area.
(01-05-04)
Basketball
UK Women Meet High Point in Final Non-Conference Game The Kentucky women’s basketball team will play host to High
Point, a member of the Big South Conference, on Tuesday, Jan. 6 in their final non-conference game of the season at Memorial Coliseum. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the first 500 fans will receive a UK mouse pad.
Moss, Cote come up big for Cats As the final six seconds ticked off the clock, Ravi Moss just held the basketball in his hands as the applause spread
through Rupp Arena.
Thad's Postgame Thoughts Kentucky coach Tubby Smith may never win as many NCAA titles as Adolph Rupp, or ever quite attain the revered savior status enjoyed by Rick Pitino during
his time in Lexington, but he's done one significant thing in his tenure neither illustrious predecessor came close to doing: beat the North Carolina Tar Heels at will. After some three decades in which Dean Smith practically owned Kentucky in intermittent head-to-head meetings, the Wildcats
have gained ground quickly in the once lopsided rivalry, and entered Saturday's contest having registered three blowout victories the three previous seasons.
Cats enter SEC play on a high note Now that the Wildcats have finished their run of five straight big Saturday games and see the
Southeastern Conference season on the horizon, Smith has a pretty good handle on his seventh UK team.
Sophomore pair gives UK a big lift off bench The two most unlikely heroes for the University of Kentucky basketball team turned
out to be a sophomore walk-on and a sophomore reserve forward who hails from a country where hockey, not basketball, rules.
Football
Hall to Play in the East-West Shrine Game
Senior offensive tackle Antonio Hall will
be playing in the East-West Shrine Game on Sat. Jan. 10 in Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco, Calif... Click for the rest of the football notebook.
(01-04-04)
Basketball
It's Moss' big dream come true; Tubby's, too When the final horn sounded yesterday in Rupp Arena, Ravi Moss was hugging the ball to his chest and bathing in the
roaring applause of 23,014 fans.
Little-used Cote gives Cats help on inside One of the main concerns for the University of Kentucky basketball team this season has been its lack of
frontcourt depth. That's why so much attention has focused on the development of 7-foot freshmen Lukasz Obrzut and Shagari Alleyne.
Unlikely duo helps seal win Playing huge in Kentucky's 61-56 victory Saturday afternoon over North Carolina were Ravi Moss, a sophomore walk-on guard from
Hopkinsville who came into the game with two total points in 29 minutes, and Bernard Cote, a sophomore backup post player from Quebec, Canada, who came in with 11 points and two rebounds, in his 38 minutes.
Kentucky hands UNC a bench-clearing loss Roy Williams benched his starters less than four minutes into Saturday's game at No. 8 Kentucky, trying to deliver a message. The Tar Heels
trailed 10-2 and had committed five turnovers in the first 3:08.
Prowling for Wildcats ...The University of Kentucky is one of the most storied - and the winningest -
basketball programs in America. I've been a fan of Kentucky basketball since I was a kid and my dad introduced me to the joy of listening to the Wildcats on Louisville's WHAS-AM. Some nights the reception wasn't too clear here in Richmond, and we'd have to strain to hear Cawood Ledford describe
the game, but a peculiar loyalty was born.
Kentucky-North Carolina Notebook Ravi Moss wasn't sure he heard Tubby Smith right Saturday when he yelled at the sophomore
walk-on guard to go into the nationally-televised game against North Carolina.
Kentucky vs. North Carolina Post-Game QuotesHead Coach Tubby Smith
“I know we struggled scoring in the first half and were in a drought. I think we were still playing cautiously. We started out with a good run, but I knew Roy Williams’ teams always make the right adjustments and they did. We did a good job (after halftime). Gerald got hot and made some jump
shots. I was really pleased with Ravi Moss, the effort he gave and Bernard Cote – two guys that don’t play a lot. Ravi, a walk-on, has great heart and great hustle. He gave us exactly what we needed – some energy and enthusiasm. I was really looking for that. Bernard came in and played relaxed
and did what we asked him to do.”
Fitch hits in clutch for CatsThe University of Kentucky basketball team led by one as the shot clock wound down and 23,014
fans in Rupp Arena held their breath. Gerald Fitch had North Carolina just where he wanted it.
Daniels chucks Heels aside in 2nd half SENIOR SURVIVES TRIP TO (TRASH) BASKET TO SPARK VICTORY OVER NORTH CAROLINA In the first half, Erik Daniels gave Kentucky drama. Only 3:54 had elapsed off the Rupp Arena clock when Daniels launched a mysterious, full-scale sprint off the
playing court.
Last-Fitch effort As North Carolina Coach Roy Williams saw it, Kentucky's 61-56 victory yesterday was more about good feeling than good playing. Both
teams effectively disguised their status as the two winningest programs in college basketball. Kentucky again futilely attempted the most elementary of skills -- putting the ball in the basket -- for a large chunk of the first half and the decisive final stretch run. Living down to Williams'
subterranean expectations, North Carolina simply stopped defending for a pivotal...
'BasketBowl' the wave of the future To see how the Final Four spectacle will evolve is to go back to the future. Final Fours likely will resemble
December's so-called BasketBowl, where Kentucky played Michigan State in the Detroit Lions' Ford Field. A court will be placed in the middle of a football field and thousands of more tickets will be available. Theatre in the round for those who enjoy innovation. Theatre of the absurd for
purists.
BY THE NUMBERS The number of turnovers by Kentucky in the second half yesterday. The Cats committed 10 in the first half and trailed 28-20 at halftime.
Williams hungry for Heels who want to winHAWKINS' 1-FOR-13 SHOOTING NIGHT 'TERRIBLE,' SMITH SAYS Before the 61-56 defeat to Kentucky yesterday, North Carolina Coach Roy Williams acknowledged that his team was not as good as its 8-1 record.
PENN STATE PLAYER LOOKING FOR FEEDBACK FROM CATS Former Penn State wing DeForrest Riley-Smith is interested in transferring to Kentucky. Whether UK is
interested in him he can't say. But he'd like to know one way or the other this week.
CotŽ, Moss answer call on storied stage 14 POINT HEAD LINE GOES RIGHT HERE IN THIS SH YEAH RIGHT You would have had better luck guessing yesterday's Powerball numbers than guessing that Nos. 2 and 12 would pop up big for Kentucky in its 61-56 win over North Carolina.
(01-03-04)
Basketball
Cats Hold on to Beat Tar Heels Gerald Fitch scored 21 points and made a clinching 3-pointer with
23 seconds left, helping No. 8 Kentucky beat No. 9 North Carolina 61-56 on Saturday.
Wildcats Edge Tar Heels Kentucky ended its shooting slump just in time to beat North Carolina, and the big shot belonged to Gerald Fitch.
The Heels' Achilles' Gerald Fitch scored 21 points and made a clinching 3-pointer with 23 seconds left, helping No. 8 Kentucky beat No. 9 North
Carolina 61-56 on Saturday.
(9) North Carolina (8-1) vs. (8) Kentucky (8-1) Ninth-ranked North Carolina hopes injuries to two key players won't stand in the way of a strong performance as it travels to
Lexington to face No. 8 Kentucky in a matchup of two of college basketball's most storied programs.
Impatient Fitch forces outside shot
When University of Kentucky senior guard Gerald Fitch gets
into a groove, he is virtually impossible to stop.
'Cats anxious to roll into SEC play with win A win against No. 9 North Carolina today at Rupp Arena might give the eighth-ranked
University of Kentucky men's basketball team a morale boost before starting Southeastern Conference play Jan. 10 against No. 22 Vanderbilt.
Wildcats, wild passion Out here, in the rolling expanse of farmland roughly halfway between Louisville and Lexington, a hand-written sign hangs near a back table at Waddy Mini Mart: NO
PUSHING OR SHOVING.
Ranks are thin for hoops royalty Today's Kentucky-North Carolina game not only features college basketball's two winningest programs, it also showcases
two prime examples of the changing nature of the sport.
Cats go bowling after allBowling outing designed to boost team unity
To prepare for one last Super Saturday showdown with one last tradition-rich opponent, Tubby Smith's team took to the lanes Thursday night.
Bearcats end UK's 3-game streak Three steps forward, one step back. It's becoming a familiar dance for the Kentucky women's team this season. The coach sees
improvement in one area, and a slide backward in another.
Penn State forward interested in Cats
One of Penn State's best players, sophomore wing forward DeForrest Riley-Smith, has decided to transfer. And he's got Kentucky in mind as a place to continue his college career.
Kentucky-N. Carolina series scores North Carolina leads series 16-9 Feb. 1924 North Carolina 41, Kentucky 20 Jan. 1929 North Carolina 25, Kentucky 15 Feb.
1932 North Carolina 43, Kentucky 42
Fitch on Cats' fans: 'A big overreaction'
Kentucky players had a message for their fans: Calm down. Gerald Fitch quickly agreed with the contention that UK fans have overreacted to last weekend's loss to Louisville and this week's uninspiring victory over Austin Peay.
(01-02-04)
Basketball
Bearcats Snap UK’s Three-Game Win Streak Danyelle Payne scored a career-high 18 points, but it wasn’t enough as
Kentucky fell for the first time in three games 60-52 to Cincinnati on Friday. Sara Potts hit double-digits with 10 points while Jenny Pfeiffer added 12.
Nation’s Two Winningest Programs Face Off in Rupp Arena The nation’s two winningest programs
meet Saturday at famed Rupp Arena when Kentucky hosts North Carolina at noon ET. The game will be televised on CBS. The schools own a combined 3,673 wins, 79 NCAA Tournament appearances and 10 national championships.
UK looks to reverse trend vs. Heels Last year Kentucky gave North Carolina a dose of what the Wildcats have been receiving from opponents this
year.
Kentucky duo could help Cats Considering the problem Tubby Smith has had keeping life in his team the second half of the last two games, maybe
it's time to call special motivational help into Rupp Arena.
Wildcats' resolution: Returning to 'normal'SMITH CALLS FOR SMARTER PLAY AGAINST TAR HEELS
For Kentucky, the New Year's Eve victory over Austin Peay was the equivalent of gulping down aspirin, sipping cups of coffee, standing under a cold shower and maybe even indulging in a little hair of the dog.
Kentucky Wildcats Report It's not often that University of Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins takes on the responsibility as primary scorer, but that
seemed to be the case in Saturday's 65-56 loss to the University of Louisville.
Who is that other guy- He is North Carolina's forgotten starter, the other guy in a lineup that includes a preseason
All-America, one of the top post players in the country, a flashy dunker and the ACC's third-leading scorer.
Hawkins struggles to regain his form In the wake of the University of Kentucky basketball team's underwhelming victory over Austin Peay, point guard
Cliff Hawkins seemed as chatty as a mime.
Tar Heels Prepare For Kentucky The two winningest teams in college basketball history will face off in a nationally-televised game on Saturday at noon when North
Carolina (8-1) visits Kentucky (8-1) in Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Kentucky and Carolina have more wins than any other programs in Division I history. The Wildcats are 1,857-573-1 (.764). The Tar Heels are 1,816-667 (.731). The schools rank No. 1-2 in the country in both total wins and
winning percentage. Only one other school - Kansas - has won at least 1,800 games.
Williams, May could play against Wildcats North Carolina's two injured starters have not yet returned to full-scale practice, but neither has been ruled out of Saturday's game at Kentucky.
DeMoss lands Boyd guard Kentucky Coach Mickie DeMoss started her new year off with a bang, getting an oral commitment from one of the state's
top juniors on New Year's Eve.
DeMoss ends her game of hoarse After an overtime loss to Temple on Dec. 13, Coach Mickie DeMoss sat in her office with a long face.
Football
Phillips, UK having success recruiting Kentucky football recruiting coordinator Joker Phillips says the UK coaching staff has been well received everywhere it has been
recently despite last season's 4-8 finish.
(01-01-04)
Basketball
UK Takes on Cincinnati in the Queen City The Kentucky women’s basketball team will begin 2004 on
the road when they take on Cincinnati on Friday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Fifth-Third Arena at the Shoemaker Center.
Wildcats taste hair of the dogThe New Year's Eve hangover came early for the University of Kentucky men's
basketball team, but it wasn't the libations that caused the Wildcats to stagger yesterday in Freedom Hall. It might have been the lingering effects of Saturday's defeat against archrival Louisville.
Wildcats' play uninspired The annoyed fan sitting on the sideline opposite the bench couldn't contain his disdain any longer.
Cats disinterested, and so are fans For future textbooks addressing the ever-popular subject of basketball psychology, yesterday's dire doings at Freedom
Hall confirmed one theory.
Tubby throws fit over bad shots, close game If actions truly speak louder than words, then Coach Tubby Smith eloquently summed up Kentucky's play
yesterday during the final television timeout.
Smith to Barbour: 'Don't do nothing' Kentucky's 61-53 victory over Austin Peay yesterday continued the puzzle that is senior Antwain Barbour's game.
Barbour, who came to UK billed as the heir apparent to All-American Tayshaun Prince, hit his first three-pointer of the season. That snapped his 0-for-8 streak from beyond the arc this season and enabled the Cats to match their largest lead of the game: 41-24.
Wildcats don't fill seats or satisfy I resolve to start the New Year by keeping it simple. One word captures Kentucky's 61-53 victory over Austin Peay in Freedom
Hall yesterday. And the word is — UNINSPIRED
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