Kentucky's 'bench mob' steps up at Arkansas
Stick
with what you know. It's what led Arkansas head coach Stan Heath to
focus on shutting down the University of Kentucky's Chuck Hayes,
Kelenna Azubuike and Patrick Sparks, three proven commodities.
Women
Strong Inside Game Leads UK Hoops to Win over South Carolina
A big first half run by Kentucky gave it a 13-point advantage and
the Wildcats held on to defeat the South Carolina Gamecoks, 66-50,
Sunday afternoon in Memorial Coliseum. Senior Sara Potts led UK with
17 while freshman Sarah Elliott added 16 points and nine rebounds.
Elliott puts a hurtin' on CarolinaFreshman plays through pain as
Cats end skid Sarah Elliott spent most of
this week in a cold tub or with an oversized ice bag strapped to her
left knee. The freshman injured it in the first half Thursday night
and could barely walk on Friday because of the soreness and
swelling.
COACH AIMS TO INCLUDE ALUMNI IN HER PROGRAM
Kentucky held its second annual Alumni Weekend and had an end zone
full of former players who were in Lexington for the weekend. It's a
part of Coach Mickie DeMoss's plan to bring back and recognize
former players and their contributions to the program.
Football
Healing begins after 3 long yearsTRANSFORMED PROGRAM RISES FROM
PAPERWORK, SET TO REBUILD Probation. It's a
word that has followed Kentucky football around like the plague the
last several years. While it seems like eons ago that the sins of
former recruiting coordinator Claude Bassett (academic fraud,
payments to high school coaches and prospects) set off this
firestorm, it was actually three years ago today that UK was slapped
with a one-year bowl ban, a loss of 19 scholarships, and a reduction
in overall scholarships from 85 to 80.
(1-30-05)
Basketball
Men
Sparkplug
Kentucky players held their breath
Saturday as they waited to see whether Eric Ferguson's 3-point
attempt at the game's end would fall for an Arkansas victory. But
the shot missed, and the No. 7 Wildcats survived for a 68-67
victory.
For the second straight game, Chuck
Hayes' broken nose unmasked Bobby Perry as a clutch player for
Kentucky. Perry, who helped UK win at Tennessee earlier in the week
when an elbow fractured Hayes' nose, made several clutch plays down
the stretch in a 68-67 victory at Arkansas yesterday.
Cats survive 'scary' ending The wild
dash ended with Arkansas guard Eric Ferguson's shot landing a few
inches long of a stunner. As his younger University of Kentucky
teammates hugged in celebration, Chuck Hayes stood by himself for a
few seconds and let out a sigh.
Who was that Masked Man?HAYES, A 76 PERCENT FREE-THROWER,
COMES UP SHORT WITH GAME ON LINE Call
re-write. Somebody botched the script. Anyone who's ever watched a
TV rerun knows the masked man -- you kids, ask an elder about the
legend of the Lone Ranger -- always rides to the rescue at the end.
Cats still working on free throws
University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith continues to look for
methods to improve the Wildcats' free-throw shooting.
Hayes admires Cats' survival skills
For Chuck Hayes, Kentucky's 68-67 victory over Arkansas yesterday
showed his team's finely tuned survival instincts. "Since I've been
here, our whole deal is we find a way to win," he said. "This year,
some of the wins have been ugly. Some look very nice.
KENTUCKY WILDCATS 68, ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS 67 : Ouch! This one hurts
Stan Heath tallied the
gains and the deficits, the glimpses of his young team growing up
and the ones of them still committing youthful indiscretions after
Arkansas’ oh-so-close loss to seventh-ranked Kentucky on Saturday
Last-Second Shot Doesn’t Go; Hogs Fall to No. 6 UKEric Ferguson’s three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining gave
Arkansas a chance but his three at the buzzer was off the mark as
No. 6 Kentucky escaped Bud Walton Arena with a 68-67 victory over
Arkansas on Saturday.
Cats get out of the bagAn Arkansas team with no best shot to
give Kentucky the past couple of seasons gave the seventh-ranked
Wildcats a truly best shot Saturday.
Women
Kentucky Fends Off Gamecocks, 66-50
A big first half run by Kentucky gave it a 13-point advantage and
the Wildcats held on to defeat the South Carolina Gamecoks, 66-50,
Sunday afternoon in Memorial Coliseum. Senior Sara Potts led UK with
17 while freshman Sarah Elliott added 16 points and nine rebounds
Cats look to snap 3-game SEC slideINJURED ELLIOTT WILL GET LIMITED
MINUTES UK's second-leading scorer, Sarah
Elliott, is expected to see limited action today as the Cats look to
snap a three-game losing streak against South Carolina in Memorial
Coliseum.
No. 7 Cats Edge Arkansas on Road, 68-67
Patrick Sparks made a 2-pointer with
24.2 seconds to play, enabling No. 7 Kentucky to hold on for a 68-67
victory Saturday over Arkansas
Cats narrowly escape Fayetteville with winPatrick Sparks made a 15-foot field goal
with 20 seconds left, which proved to be the game-winner in a 68-67
victory over Arkansas today in Fayetteville.
FOCUS ON IMPROVEMENTThis Saturday we will be venturing into
one of the great environments in all of college basketball. Bud
Walton Arena provides Arkansas with a tremendous home court
advantage. Their fan base is both loud and knowledgeable so it’s not
an easy place to play.
Wildcats look to remain perfect in SEC Arkansas sophomore Ronnie Brewer
understands what Kentucky's talented freshman class is going through
as it plays Southeastern Conference road games.
Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference Quotes - ArkansasHead Coach Tubby Smith
On the win at Tennessee… “I like some of the things we did against
Tennessee. We need to continue that type of play and that type of
production. We’ve been getting good production from our bench all
year and we need to continue that type of play. We still have a lot
of room for improvement.
Kentucky, off to its best start
since the 1998 National Championship club began the season 19-2,
takes its undefeated SEC record on the road to Arkansas Saturday for
the second of three-straight conference road games. The game will be
nationally televised by CBS and will tipoff at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Big Blue bull’s-eye
No SEC team, in Stan Heath’s estimation, has
played better basketball lately than Kentucky
Cats again wear targetBeating UK could jump-start Hogs'
season Arkansas fills a familiar role
against Kentucky today: the ambitious opponent that wants to use a
victory over UK to establish an identity in college basketball.
When the
Arkansas Razorbacks entered the Southeastern
Conference for the 1991-92 basketball season, they
made their presence known by knocking the league’s
biggest bully off the hill, at least in the regular
season. In fact, the Razorbacks whipped the Kentucky
Wildcats in their first four regular-season
conference meetings and established that there was
room at the top of the SEC for more than just one
team. It wasn’t complete hegemony for the Hogs. The
Wildcats did get the best of the Razorbacks in the
semifinals of the SEC Tournament in 1993, ’ 94 and ’
95, but it was clear the SEC now had two prime-time
programs.
Even with the mask, it's 'the same old Chuck'
With a mask to protect his broken nose, Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes
will look like LeBron James today at Arkansas. But the Cats don't
expect him to play like LeBron James.
Cats expect Hayes to be his old self
Chuck Hayes' University of Kentucky teammates already are having fun
with the protective mask that covers his broken nose.
'Cats brace for 'best shot'
Arkansas
head coach Stan Heath captured the essence of today's nationally
televised game between the University of Kentucky and the
Razorbacks. UK will play the second of three consecutive
Southeastern Conference road games at 3:30 p.m. in raucous Bud
Walton Arena, where it is 2-3.
Women
UK Hoops Looks to Break Losing Skid vs. South CarolinaThe University of Kentucky women’s
basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing streak when it
plays host to the South Carolina Gamecocks Sunday, Jan. 30 in
Memorial Coliseum. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. ET
(1-28-05)
Basketball
Men
Wildcats trust in Hayes to bounce back
Kentucky lost three starters from
last year's team, but the Wildcats' one returning senior starter has
been a pretty good anchor to build a team around.
Cats' start carries a familiar tuneEverything changed in Mississippi. On a
chilly night in Oxford, UK turned up the heat to battle back from a
13-point halftime deficit and defeat Ole Miss 53-50.
An injury to the seemingly
indispensable player can be devastating to most college basketball
teams. For mighty Kentucky, it merely creates opportunities for
lesser lights to shine.
"Hogs-Wildcats Always Special" While Arkansas fans have debated who can
be “THE” football rival for the Razorbacks in the Southeastern
Conference, no such debate has been necessary in basketball. Since
the day the Hogs joined the SEC, Arkansas-Kentucky basketball has
been a special event.
Hogs expecting to see Hayes in UK lineupSMITH SAYS SENIOR CAN HANDLE THE PAIN
Kentucky expects senior forward Chuck Hayes to play at
Arkansas on Saturday. So does Arkansas. "I don't think a mask is
going to slow him down," said Michael Jones, the Arkansas player
expected to be matched up with Hayes at tipoff. "Hopefully, we play
as a team and our team effort will slow him down instead of his
mask."
Majerus impressed by depth of Cats
The University of Kentucky basketball team might not belong in the
same conversation with Illinois and Wake Forest on the national
scene, ESPN analyst Rick Majerus said, but the No. 7-ranked Wildcats
could be closing the gap.
Freshmen getting the job done
Necessity has caused almost all of the Southeastern Conference head
coaches to rely heavily on freshmen this season. The apparent talent
of the youngsters has made the move a lot easier to accept. Out of
12 league teams, No. 24 Mississippi State, South Carolina and Ole
Miss are the only ones who don't have at least one freshman starter.
Stan Heath Press Conference - Kentucky
Arkansas plays host to No. 6 Kentucky on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in a
game nationally televised by CBS Sports. The Razorbacks, who were
off on Wednesday, are 14-5 overall and 2-4 in the Southeastern
Conference. Kentucky, who is 15-2 overall and 6-0 in the SEC, is
coming off a win at Tennessee on Tuesday. Following is a partial
transcript of head coach Stan Heath’s press conference.
Women
The Streak Comes to an End
Kentucky had its 12-game home winning streak snapped with a losing
effort against Vanderbilt. Leading the way for Kentucky was freshman
center Sarah Elliott with 20 points.
Cats can't contain Vandy's post tandem
Coach Mickie DeMoss called it before her Kentucky team's game
against No. 23 Vanderbilt. She said stopping the Commodores' inside
duo of Carla Thomas and Ashley Earley was a tough task.
Too many turnovers doom Cats' chances10-game home win streak is
snapped In a competitive conference
with little room for error and in a game with even less room for it,
Kentucky made way too many to beat Vanderbilt.
UK's Crawford shows he can shoot, too Tennessee freshman guard Chris Lofton
again showed why he's become the best 3-point shooter in the
Southeastern Conference here Tuesday. However, Kentucky freshman Joe
Crawford also proved he can shoot, too.
Kentucky capable of shooting poorly Using recent history to decipher an
upcoming college basketball game is risky at best and can be plumb
embarrassing.
Hogs try to build mo against UKYAfter snapping a four-game losing streak
with the second largest Southeastern Conference victory in Arkansas
history, building momentum is a must for Stan Heath's Razorbacks.
UK's iron horse may become masked manKentucky expects Chuck Hayes to return to
practice today wearing a mask to protect the broken nose he suffered
at Tennessee.
Senior forward Chuck Hayes, who has
started 93 straight games for the University of Kentucky's
basketball team, has been cleared to play after suffering a broken
nose in the Wildcats' 84-62 victory at Tennessee on Tuesday night.
Hayes cleared to play Saturday
For one
game, life without Chuck Hayes wasn't as bad as expected. After the
University of Kentucky's second-leading scorer and top rebounder
left UK's game against Tennessee Tuesday night in the first half
with a broken nose, other Wildcats -- including sophomores Bobby
Perry and Sheray Thomas -- delivered career performances.
Women
(#23)VU 73 -- UK 67 (Final)
Kentucky women feel right, at homeUK LEAVES ROUGH ROAD BEHIND TO
HOST VANDY Most people enjoy traveling.
They like getting out on the open road, seeing unusual destinations,
meeting new, interesting people.
(1-26-05)
Basketball
Men
UK’s Hayes Listed Day-To-Day
Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes,
who broke his nose during the first half of the Wildcats’ 84-62 win
at Tennessee Tuesday night, is listed as day-to-day following an
evaluation by team doctors Wednesday. Doctors have cleared the
Modesto, Calif.,-native to return to action, but his status for
Saturday’s game at Arkansas won’t be determined until later in the
week.
Wildcats crush Vols, 84-62It might have been a nice gesture from an
old rival, but Kentucky senior forward Chuck Hayes didn't remove
himself from the game on purpose to lend Tennessee a fighting chance
on Tuesday night.
A shot went
up and University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes did what has
become automatic. He planted himself in the lane and positioned
himself for a rebound like he has hundreds of times before in a UK
uniform.
A television timeout set up a
made-for-TV moment that punctuated Kentucky's 84-62 victory at
Tennessee last night. As Bobby Perry headed for the bench, UK Coach
Tubby Smith intercepted the reserve forward and offered a high-five
salute.
No. 7 Kentucky 84, Tennessee 62 Patrick Sparks scored 19
points and Kelenna Azubuike added 17 to lead No. 7 Kentucky to an
84-62 victory over Tennessee on Tuesday night.
Broken but not beaten No. 7-ranked
UK weathered the loss of senior leader Chuck Hayes, who suffered a
broken nose in the first half, and Rajon Rondo's foul trouble to
roll to another lopsided Southeastern Conference win, 84-62 over
Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena last night.
Kentucky wins sixth in row against Vols
Tennessee's Bluegrass two-step is in the books. Actually, it was closer
to a Bluegrass stomp. Kentucky picked up where Louisville left off,
ripping through the Vols for an 84-62 victory that was never in
doubt.
HAYES TAKES LICKING; CATS KEEP CLICKING
Chuck Hayes was on one knee. There was 6:30 left in the first half
and Kentucky's senior forward was kneeling on the floor of
Thompson-Boling Arena. His eyes were flooding. His nose was
throbbing.
No. 7 Kentucky Downs Tennessee, 84-62Chris Lofton scored 17 points and Major
Wingate posted another solid game with 14 points and six rebounds,
but No. 7 Kentucky owned the boards and came away with an 84-62
victory.
Wildcats show they might be growing up
Maturation is a most perplexing process. It never seems to happen on
time; it advances amazingly soon or slogs its way to conclusion.
Cats applaud Crawford's play Joe Crawford
went from prodigal freshman to productive reserve in Kentucky's
84-62 victory at Tennessee last night. Crawford, who left the team
for a week earlier this month, made two of three shots from beyond
the arc en route to an eight-point game.
Women
UK Hoops Return Home To Face No. 23 Vanderbilt
The Kentucky women’s basketball team returns to the friendly
confines of Memorial Coliseum after two consecutive road games last
week. The Wildcats will play host to the 23rd-ranked Vanderbilt
Commodores Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. ET.
(1-25-05)
Basketball
Men
UK 84 -- UT 62
(Final)
Hayes out of game with broken nose.
Kentucky vs. Tennessee Post-Game QuotesKENTUCKY HEAD COACH TUBBY SMITH
"The game was strange, what with so many different combinations for
us, offensively, and defensively. We were able to create some
mismatches. We had opportunities in the first half with some shots
close-in where we did not capitalize.
Cats crush Big OrangeKentucky didn't even need its senior
strongman Chuck Hayes to whip Tennessee 84-62 tonight in Knoxville.
No. 7 Kentucky Downs Tennessee, 84-62
Patrick Sparks scored 19 points and Kelenna Azubuike added 17 to
lead No. 7 Kentucky to an 84-62 victory over Tennessee on Tuesday
night.
(7) Kentucky 84, Tennessee 62 Senior forward Chuck Hayes has played in
every game and never even missed a practice because of injury since
he's been at Kentucky
It has been almost eight
years since Kentucky played three straight Southeastern Conference
road games. The way the Wildcats are currently playing, that
shouldn't pose too much of a problem.
Wildcats take to the road in SEC Chuck Hayes likes going on the road.
"That's when you get your most rest," Kentucky's senior co-captain
said Monday. "You lay in the hotel bed, and they feed you three
times a day. It's always good."
Road tests continue for CatsIf the last two games in Knoxville are any
indication, UK's trip to Thompson-Boling Arena Tuesday night should
be another nail biter.
Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference Quotes - TennesseeHead Coach Tubby Smith
On the LSU game… “Overall, it was a very good
game. We didn’t make too many mistakes. I was glad we were able to
get some penetration. I thought Rajon (Rondo) did a good job. Other
than the rebounding, I thought we played fairly well. Hopefully,
it’s something we can build on as we go down to Knoxville because
it’s always a tough time in Knoxville.”
UK's Sparks finds his rhythm Playing three straight Southeastern
Conference road games is not something any coach wants to do, but at
least Kentucky's Tubby Smith has to believe his team gained some
needed confidence Saturday for its road trip.
Kentucky, the only undefeated team
in SEC play, takes its 14-2 record and 5-0 league mark on the road
to Knoxville Tuesday to face the Tennessee Volunteers. The ESPN game
will begin at 7:00 p.m., a change from its original 9:00 p.m. start.
UK may quicken pace
Five
Southeastern Conference games and five victories later, the
University of Kentucky has shown a versatility that has enabled it
to remain the only unbeaten team in SEC play. It has won ugly
against South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi.
Kiddie Cats? More like Consistent Cats latelySMITH'S YOUNG PLAYERS BUYING INTO
TEAM CONCEPT An irony as eye-catching as
Tennessee orange looms over Kentucky's game at Knoxville tonight. UK
enters the game hopeful of having belatedly found a consistent level
of play based on teamwork. Yet an unscripted moment -- bordering on
rebellious -- enabled the Cats to win their last game at Tennessee.
Consistency is Cats' next goal Sure,
the 14-2 record is gaudy and the No.7 ranking is nice and shiny, but
University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith can't help
but feel something has been missing this season.
Lofton: Minutes matter most No
regrets. No hurt feelings. That's the attitude former Mason County
star Chris Lofton will take into tonight's game against Kentucky.
Vols struggling to find identity
Will the real Tennessee men's basketball team please stand up?
Sophomore forward Major Wingate wants to believe that it's the team
that beat Mississippi State and won in overtime at Florida. That
means the imposter would be the team that lost to Chattanooga, blew
the Nebraska game and was pummeled by at home to Vanderbilt.
Tennessee vs. Kentucky - Game PreviewTennessee returns to SEC action to meet
its oldest and most familiar league opponent when the Vols take on
the Kentucky Wildcats for the 197th time on Tuesday, Jan. 25. ESPN
will televise the game at 7 p.m. (EST). The Vols are playing their
only home game in a six-game stretch. UT just completed a three-game
road trip.
More than just a game
In a lot of ways, for a variety of reasons, it's showtime for Andre
Patterson. "It's more than just a game," Tennessee's junior forward
said Monday.
Pick up pace? Volunteers say no thank youThis isn't the time for an uptempo track
meet. Not for Tennessee (10-8, 3-2), which hosts Southeastern
Conference-leader Kentucky (14-2, 5-0) tonight at Thompson-Boling
Arena. Tipoff for the two rivals' 197th meeting, televised by ESPN,
is 7.
Noteworthy Cats from the Past
Pelphrey foresees big things in MobileA Kentucky
basketball icon returned to the state over the weekend without much
fanfare. But John Pelphrey hopes that you'll be hearing big things
out of his South Alabama team soon.
(1-24-05)
Basketball
Men
Alleyne plays big for UK
The scouting report told University
of Kentucky center Shagari Alleyne all he needed to know about
Louisiana State center Glen Davis, aka "Big Baby."
Alleyne plays big against Davis The contrast couldn't have been sharper:
The long, tall frame of Kentucky's Shagari Alleyne next to the
thick, stocky body of LSU's Glen Davis.
UK FANS TO ENJOY TASTE OF MAJERUSColorful analyst part of ESPN
team for Tuesday's game
It isn't often that a sportswriter
will give up that press row seat, free media buffet and close-up
view of the cheerleaders. But there's a strong temptation to stay
home and watch the telecast of Tuesday's Kentucky-Tennessee game.
To-do lists for locals entering the second half
We've seen enough, or at least enough to start telling folks what to
do. The closet coaches get their way today. Let me start the
conversation with my to-do lists for those beloved college
basketball teams at Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana.
Alleyne plays big for UK
The
scouting report told University of Kentucky center Shagari Alleyne
all he needed to know about Louisiana State center Glen Davis, aka
"Big Baby." The fact that Alleyne applied what he studied and even
recited from it after UK beat LSU, 89-58, on Saturday at Rupp Arena
could symbolize the turning point the eighth-ranked Wildcats'
coaching staff has been hoping for with this group of sometimes
casual and sometimes serious basketball players.
Women
Lady Vols deliver early knockoutUT OPENS WITH 22-2 RUN AND FLOORS
OUTMATCHED UK There was question after
question this week. There were the constant calls from Knoxville
numbers popping up on Coach Mickie DeMoss' cell phone.
AFTER OPENING PLEASANTRIES, IT'S THE USUAL BUTT-KICKING
They were all so nice about it. Seemed
so glad to see her. When Mickie DeMoss took a pre-game hug from her
former boss, the fans cheered. When DeMoss smiled and waved up at
the crowd on her way to the visitors' bench, they cheered again.
Football
Archer, Cats kiss 3-4 goodbye'Let's face it, we were bad'
against the run The days of the
Kentucky defense operating out of a base 3-4 scheme appear to be
over. Kentucky struggled mightily stopping the run last season,
finishing last in the Southeastern Conference and near the bottom of
Division I-A in run defense. That has led UK Coach Rich Brooks and
defensive coordinator Mike Archer to the conclusion that the Cats
need to go to a 4-3 alignment, a change that will take place this
spring.
(1-23-05)
Basketball
Men
UK-LSU game notesNotes from Saturday's UK-LSU game: * Kentucky
shot 54.2 percent (32-for-59) from the field, the third time in five
SEC games the Cats have gone over 50 percent. The Wildcats also made
a season-high 11 3-pointers by going 11-for-20 from long range.
Cats school LSUAs Associate Coach David Hobbs sketched the plan
to beat Louisiana State on a pre-game blackboard, he sensed that
Kentucky would play well.
Hit-and-miss Cats always bring 'D'Go ahead and lament the uneven offense.
That's fine. No argument here. The ball in its hands, Kentucky is
off key one night, string music the next. Some days are diamonds,
some days are rocks.
Lesson learned, lesson served at Rupp ArenaIf LSU is to get back in a triumphant
groove after having its three-game winning streak snapped into bits
in an 89-58 loss Saturday at Kentucky's Rupp Arena, it must get the
ball more often to the animated redwood tree posing as freshman Glen
Davis.
MORRIS' FOULS HAVE TUBBY CONCERNEDMorris fouls Freshman center
Randolph Morris matched his high for minutes played against a
Southeastern Conference opponent. He played 18 minutes, the same
time he logged against South Carolina and Georgia.
Crawford gets surprise court timeProdigal freshman Joe Crawford must not
read the newspapers, watch television sportscasts nor listen to talk
radio.
Wildcats lean on bench When
University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith went to
his bench early in the second half yesterday, the Wildcats'
eight-point lead over Louisiana State seemed comfortable enough.
Alleyne ready for prime time
Admit it. You were convinced that when the Morehead States and
Campbells disappeared from the University of Kentucky basketball
schedule that Shagari Alleyne would disappear from coach Tubby
Smith's playing rotation.
Kentucky sends LSU reeling with 89-58 rout It's not quite back to square one for the
LSU men's basketball team. But there aren't too many intermediate
steps between where the Tigers wound up Saturday and where they
stood two weeks ago when they began Southeastern Conference play on
a sour note.
Neltner's homecoming not a winner Ross Neltner and Brandon Bass trod heavy
footsteps in Rupp Arena with four minutes remaining in Saturday's
31-point loss to Kentucky. As they broke from a timeout, Neltner
slung his arm around Bass' waist and spoke into his ear.
Wildcats render LSU big men null, void They
studied. They watched film. They planned. If Kentucky was to
defeat Louisiana State and stay perfect in the Southeastern
Conference, the victory would come by stopping the interior tandem
of Brandon Bass and Glen Davis.
LADY VOLS USE EARLY RUN TO TOP KENTUCKY 67-49The Tennessee Lady Vols rode
an early 22-0 run to defeat the visiting Kentucky Wildcats, 67-49,
on Sunday afternoon in Thompson-Boling Arena to improve to 14-3 on
the season and remain unbeaten in the SEC
Sure Shooting Vols Out Gun Cats, 67-49
No. 7 Tennessee raced to a 22-2 lead midway through the first half
and held the Wildcats to six field goals before halftime en route to
a 67-49 victory on Sunday.
DeMoss returns to Tennessee as opposing coach
Tennessee coach Pat Summitt
doesn't take all the credit for bringing in one of the best
recruiting classes ever in women's college basketball.
Lady Vols welcome back DeMoss
Tyler Summitt has his impression down perfect. He
claps. He shuffles his feet. He waves with his hands in an effort to
push the players down the floor.
LADY VOLS ENTERTAIN KENTUCKY AND MICKIE DEMOSS SUNDAYThe #7/9-ranked
Tennessee Lady Vols (13-3, 3-0 SEC) return to Thompson-Boling Arena
for a Mickie DeMoss homecoming match-up against the Kentucky
Wildcats (13-6, 2-2 SEC). Entering the game, the Lady Vols have won
37-consecutive SEC regular season games dating back to 2002.
(1-22-05)
Basketball
Men
UK 89 -- LSU
58 (Final)
Cats Take Care Of Tigers, 89-58
No. 8/8 Kentucky remains undefeated in conference play after a 89-58
victory over LSU Saturday at Rupp Arena. UK (14-2, 5-0) was led by
juniors Kelenna Azubuike with 16 points and Patrick Sparks with 15.
Kentucky vs. LSU Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith “I thought we came and
played one of our better games today. I thought we were focused and
ready. We had good balance in our attack and everybody that played
contributed in some form or fashion.
Cats cruise past TigersKentucky blew away Louisiana State today
and memories of the horrid first half at Mississippi.
SEC NotebookWildcats praise Hayes: Kentucky's
coaching staff credited senior Chuck Hayes for igniting the
come-from-behind victory at Ole Miss on Wednesday night.
Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference Quotes - LSU
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On the victory at Ole Miss… “Anytime you can get a win on the road,
it’s a good win. We didn’t play well against a good Ole Miss team
that really got after us. When you only shoot 20 percent in a half
and 13 percent from three (point range), you’re going to struggle.
Hopefully, we can bounce back. It would have been devastating if we
had lost, but we did win and we had some positive things to build on
like the comeback and the rebounding down the stretch. The
free-throw shooting in the second half was better, we missed only
one.”
Smith: UK must start fast vs. LSU One of these days, Kentucky coach Tubby
Smith says, his players will realize they need to stop playing
poorly in the first half.
'Baby' trouble for UK
There is
nothing little about "Big Baby." Not his baseball glove-sized hands
or his size 16 feet. Not the 6-foot-9 frame that supports all 310
pounds of him and his generous backside that makes it nearly
impossible for defenders to handle.
'Big Baby' comes to RuppLSU's Davis makes immediate impact
At 6-foot-9 and 310 pounds, LSU freshman Glen Davis is
hard to overlook. Then you throw an eye-popping debut season and an
irresistible nickname, it's easy to understand why "Big Baby" has
made a big splash.
Cats search for focus The words
coming from the University of Kentucky's elders reflect their
seriousness. The Wildcats might be the only Southeastern Conference
team without a loss, but that doesn't mean they're satisfied with
their play.
Growing tired of growing pains
Mississippi represented old mistakes resurfacing for Kentucky. Once
more, the Cats took ill-advised shots, backed down in the face of
pressure defense and failed to appreciate a determined opponent
Davis, Hayes delivering in crunch time
LSU freshman Glen Davis has just started down his college basketball
career path, and the last few steps have been marked by drama and
huge numbers.
Wildcats' Hayes had his time with 'Coach Carter'
When University of Kentucky basketball player Chuck Hayes and a few
of his buddies went to see the movie, "Coach Carter," last night, he
had a little different perspective than most.
Kentucky Returns Home Briefly to Face LSU Fighting Tigers
Two teams that barely escaped conference losses this week meet up at
Rupp Arena Saturday as Kentucky returns home to face LSU in a CBS
showdown. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET
Letter of discontent Joe Crawford wasn't enjoying much of a freshman
year, but his sophomore year really could have been a washout.
Woman asks UK to put flag on jerseysElizabethtown's Stacey Martinez said it
really started bothering her while she was watching the
Kentucky-Kansas basketball game on national television 12 days ago.
Remember when LSU-UK basketball mattered?I know, I know, it's championship week in
the NFL. For what it's worth, Bill Belichick is the best coach in
the universe but Bill Cowher and Jim Mora Jr. make better copy.
Hayes is Cats' only banger on the inside
While University of Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes continues to gobble
up most of his team's rebounds, he must feel lonelier than a
scarecrow.
Freshmen fizzle on, off court
Joe
Crawford certainly looked like a talent when he and Malik Hairston
led Detroit's Renaissance High to the Michigan Class B championship
last winter. There was no reason to believe otherwise when Crawford
scored 15 points in the McDonald's All-American Game, which was
filled with future NBA players.
No fear of UK in league play
University of Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith knew it.
So did associate head coach David Hobbs, a former head coach at
Alabama.
Women
UK Hoops Take On No. 7 Tennessee
The Kentucky women’s basketball team hits the road for its second
straight conference road game when the Wildcats face seventh-ranked
Tennessee Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in Thompson-Boling Arena
Mississippi State’s Hot Shooting Too Much for CatsMississippi State’s Tan White scored 19 of her game-high
29 points in the first half Thursday as the Bulldogs defeated the
Kentucky women’s basketball team 72-59 in Humphrey Coliseum. Senior
guard/forward Sara Potts and freshman center Sarah Elliott each
scored 13 points to lead the Wildcats, who were out-rebounded 41-34
in the game.
White sparks Lady BulldogsWith the clock waning in the first
half, Tan White dribbled slowly, taking her time up the floor. The
clock finally ticked to one, and the Mississippi State guard
casually let fly what amounted to a half-court shot.
Lady Bulldogs Top Kentucky, 72-59The Mississippi State University
women's basketball team (14-3, 3-1 SEC) extended its homecourt win
streak to 10 games by defeating the Kentucky Wildcats (13-6, 2-2
SEC), 72-59, on Thursday night in Humphrey Coliseum. Senior guard
Ebonie Ferguson tallied a career-high 17 points, while senior guard
Tan White, a preseason Wooden Women's Award candidate, scored 19 of
her 29 points in the first half.
White leads Bulldogs' offensive barrageIt was a game of contrasting shooting performances as
Mississippi State won its 10th straight home game, defeating
Kentucky 72-59.
Bulldogs shoot out Cats, 72-59The Mississippi
State women's basketball team defeated UK 72-59 last night at
Humphrey Coliseum.
(1-20-05)
Basketball
Men
Kentucky at Tennessee Game Time ChangedThe Kentucky at Tennessee men's
basketball game on Tuesday, January 25 has been moved to a 7:00 p.m.
ET start on ESPN. The game was originally scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET
on ESPN.
A cold night in MississippiChuck Hayes and Rajon Rondo saved Kentucky
on a night when the shots were not falling. The Wildcats came from
15 points down in the first half to beat Mississippi 53-50 in
Oxford, Miss.
UM's grit, all-out effort nudged out by UK talentKentucky coach Tubby Smith didn't hesitate
even for a split second when this question was asked post-game
Wednesday night: Does anybody play you
harder than Ole Miss?
Rebel upset bid falls shortThe uniforms were blue and white. The
future Hall of Fame coach was patrolling the visiting team's bench.
The opposing team's roster was stacked with former prep
All-Americans.
Rebels clang, Wildcats hangWhen Londrick Nolen's 3-pointer clanged
off the back of the rim with a couple ticks left on the clock, Tad
Smith Coliseum was officially deflated
No. 8 Cats Edge Scrappy Ole Miss Squad, 53-50
Freshman Rajon Rondo scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half,
and No. 8 Kentucky rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat
Mississippi 53-50 on Wednesday night.
Rally Cats strike againHayes helps UK come from way back
Whether Chuck Hayes becomes an All-American, the voters
will decide. But Kentucky's campaign slogan on his behalf -- "All He
Does is Win" -- came to life here last night.
Back to living dangerously Kentucky
didn't look ready to play. Not even at the tip. Mississippi won the
jump. Kentucky was caught flat-footed. Cavadas Nunnery, a 5-foot-9
guard, streaked under for a Mississippi layup.
Wildcats avoid Oxford blues Reports
of the University of Kentucky's offensive resurgence were greatly
exaggerated, but the Wildcats' old reliables — defense and Chuck
Hayes — turned a potentially ugly loss at Mississippi into a
comeback victory.
Wildcats claw way to win
The
University of Kentucky had been in this situation before, down
double-digits at halftime with a hostile crowd rooting against it.
Perhaps that was to be expected when playing archrival Louisville.
But this was Ole Miss, a team it had beaten four straight times, one
picked to finish near the bottom of the Southeastern Conference.
Rebels Miss Opportunities, Fall To Wildcats 53-50Ole Miss had the ball trailing 51-50 in the
final moments, but Kendrick Fox missed a 3-pointer with 19 seconds
to play and Kentucky's Patrick Sparks hit two free throws to extend
the Wildcats' lead to three. Ole Miss' largest lead was 29-14 on
Todd Abernethy's three-point play with 15.4 seconds left in the
half.
Women
MS St 72 -- UK
59 (Final)
Cats may find it tough at Mississippi State
The Kentucky women's basketball team tries for its third straight
Southeastern Conference win tonight against Mississippi State in
Starkville.
(1-19-05)
Basketball
Men
UK 53 -- Ole Miss
50 (halftime)
Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference Quotes - Ole MissHead Coach Tubby Smith On
the Georgia game… “We’ve had some time to go back
over film and study our game against Georgia. I thought we played a
pretty good game, even though Georgia’s a team that’s limited in its
personnel. I thought we did some good things. I like the way we’ve
been shooting the ball the last couple of games. That’s a big help.
That can cover up for a lot of mistakes, when you’re making shots.
We’re still working hard to improve our free-throw shooting, which
is an area that has been plaguing us most of the year. We’ve got to
improve in those areas. We’ve improved in a lot of other areas, but
if we can get that resolved, we’ll be okay.”
Back on the tightropeSon, husband divide Donna Smith's
loyalties Once again, Donna Smith must
be concerned about a wardrobe malfunction. The wife of Kentucky
Coach Tubby Smith must be careful about her attire for tonight's
game at Mississippi. Kentucky blue is required. But she also needs
Mississippi colors, because her youngest son, Brian, is a walk-on
for the Rebels.
Smith 'emotional' about facing his son Kentucky coach Tubby Smith admits it will
be "emotional" when he coaches against his son, Mississippi freshman
Brian Smith, Wednesday night.
Cats' youth may be a liability against Mississippi's veteransThough they don't boast the most
impressive record or the most imposing roster UK has seen this
season, the Ole Miss Rebels have one thing the Cats haven't seen in
a long time: A starting lineup that features five upperclassmen.
Young faces Tubby
Tubby Smith, coaching against family is anything but
routine, even though his Wildcats won four straight from 1998-99
against Georgia when eldest son G.G. Smith played for the Bulldogs.
Dad, son on opposing teamsBrian Smith doesn't talk that often with
his father these days. It's the busiest time of the year for
each of them, but they did chat on the phone a couple days ago.
Cats welcome back, forgive Crawford
Prodigal freshman Joe Crawford spoke to his teammates, explained his
abrupt departure and gained acceptance back within the Kentucky
basketball family.
UK's Crawford needs slower paceIt took only one week for Kentucky guard
Joe Crawford to come to his senses. It took only one week for him to
realize he was still just a freshman.
So much for instant gratification Joe Crawford certainly looked like a
talent when he and Malik Hairston led Detroit's Renaissance High to
the Michigan Class B championship last winter. There was no reason
to believe otherwise when Crawford scored 15 points in the
McDonald's All-American Game, which was filled with future NBA
players.
Is Crawford drama ended, or just Act I?
Good, we're moving on. "I trust him," University of Kentucky senior
leader Chuck Hayes said of Joe Crawford. "He gave us his word. He
could change his mind; I could change my mind about what I'm going
to wear tomorrow." Shoot, we're stopping again.
UK looks to move ahead
The
patriarch of the temporarily disjointed University of Kentucky men's
basketball team wasn't in the mood to talk about the subject that
has consumed the team and fans for about a week.
Cats run afoul of poor foul shooting Those
straight-shooting Wildcats seem to have figured out their offensive
problems everywhere except the free-throw line.
Women
UK Hoops Travels to Mississippi State
Riding a two-game winning streak in league play, the
Kentucky women’s basketball team travels to Starkville, Miss.,
Thursday in search of its first Southeastern Conference road win.
Tip off is set for 8 p.m. EST in Humphrey Coliseum.
Elliott, 6-6, a tall order for UK foes
"She really plays all of 6-6. She has long arms and keeps the ball
high. … Teams just don't have an answer for her size." — UK coach
Mickie DeMoss, speaking of UK's Sarah Elliot.
Lady Bulldogs Enjoy Two-Game Home Stance Starting With Kentucky On
Thursday
The Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs (13-3, 2-1 SEC) look to rebound
back from their third loss of the season, hosting the Kentucky
Wildcats (13-5, 2-1 SEC) on Thursday, Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. CT. State's
12-game winning streak came to an end with the 83-71 loss at
Arkansas last Sunday. Kentucky is red hot in the SEC right now
enjoying wins over 18th-ranked Georgia, 71-63, and Ole Miss, 70-63,
this past week.
(1-18-05)
Basketball
Men
Crawford Returns to Kentucky Squad
Kentucky freshman guard Joe Crawford, who has missed the last two
games while exploring the option of transferring, has returned to
the basketball team.
Tubby: Time for Crawford to 'mend fences'UK COACH DOESN'T SPECIFY
'SANCTIONS' FRESHMAN WILL FACE AFTER ABORTED TRANSFER
Prodigal freshman Joe Crawford faces "sanctions," as Kentucky
Coach Tubby Smith put it, before his abrupt departure from the team
can be put to rest.
Crawford returns to Cats University
of Kentucky freshman guard Joe Crawford returned to practice
yesterday, but it remains to be seen when he'll return to a game.
Crawford officially a Wildcat again
University of Kentucky freshman guard Joe Crawford was allowed to
rejoin the team Monday, a week after he left because he wasn't happy
with his playing time. "We're pleased that Joe is back with us and
working out with the team," UK head coach Tubby Smith said in
statement Monday "As a leader, it's important to have patience and
give young people the space to make their own decisions."
Youngest Smith is Rebel of the family
Father and son will be on opposite benches tomorrow night when the
Wildcats visit Mississippi, where Brian Smith (son of Tubby and
Donna Smith) is a freshman guard.
Women
UK's Elliott named SEC player of week
Kentucky freshman center Sarah Elliott was named the Southeastern
Conference's women's basketball player of the week, the first
Wildcat to receive the honor since November 2003.
(1-17-05)
Basketball
Men
Crawford heads back to KentuckyJoe Crawford returned to the University of
Kentucky on Saturday. He rejoined the basketball team and will
complete his freshman year at Kentucky, said Mark White, his high
school coach.
Crawford comes back to CatsPLAYER
HOPES TO PUT PAST WEEK BEHIND HIM, COACH SAYS
Heralded freshman Joe Crawford returned to the Kentucky campus
yesterday and rejoined UK's basketball team, the player's high
school coach said.
Crawford back in town, intends to rejoin Wildcats
Freshman guard Joe Crawford traveled from his home in Detroit to
Lexington yesterday and intended to rejoin the University of
Kentucky basketball team.
Sources: Crawford returns to UK
During the University of Kentucky's game against Georgia, UK senior
forward Chuck Hayes treated the Joe Crawford situation as if it
didn't exist.
Freshman's return won't create ripplesDON'T EXPECT TUBBY TO CODDLE, OR
BENCH, HIGHLY-TOUTED GUARD It's a tough
spot for Tubby Smith. Personnel issues always are for a coach.
Picking starters is one thing. Choosing a rotation is another.
Dealing with just who is and who isn't on the team may be the most
difficult decision of all. Coaching is not just Xs and Os.
Hayes welcomed to 1,000-point club
It
wasn't as easy as the box score indicated, not as simple as showing
up, shaking hands and leaving Stegeman Coliseum with a victory. The
University of Kentucky's 76-55 victory against undermanned Georgia
on Saturday afternoon was ugly, and exactly what a team should
expect when going up against the scrappy Bulldogs, who played seven
walk-ons
Women
Sarah Elliott Named SEC Player of the Week
After helping lead UK Hoops to back-to-back conference wins, Sarah
Elliott was named UK’s first Player of the Week since 2003. She is
the first freshman to receive the honor in Wildcat women's
basketball history
Kentucky vs. Ole Miss Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Mickie DeMoss
On the win… “It’s just a great win for us tonight.
I thought it was a very hard-fought battle and was probably a little
ugly at times. I thought we just grinded it out in the second half.
Our offense went a little stale, but we were still able to make
stops on the other end and were able to pull out a win at home. It’s
a great way to start out the conference with a 2-1 record right
now.”
Confident Cats keep on winningREBELS' RALLIES DON'T RATTLE
DEMOSS'S TEAM A new coach was nice. A top-rated
recruiting class was peachy, but Coach Mickie DeMoss is convinced
the one thing that Kentucky needed last year, but didn't seem to
have, was a change of attitude.
Bowman moves forward with first double-double
Chante Bowman was recruited to Kentucky as a guard, but after
injuries and illness depleted the Cats' frontcourt, Coach Mickie
DeMoss asked the freshman from Detroit to change positions, at least
for a year.
Hayes, Cats 'club' DogsSteady senior joins fraternity of
1,000-point scorers at UK UK at Mississippi
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday (WKYT-27) With the mystery of Joe Crawford's
future hanging in the air, Kentucky's no-sweat 76-55 victory over
outmanned Georgia yesterday served as stark contrast.
NBA dreams can distort players' reality
Here's a surprise: Kentucky freshman Joe Crawford's decision to
transfer, whether temporary or not, after 12 games did not set a
record for snap judgment.
UK men's 1,000-point club Chuck
Hayes became the 52nd Wildcat to score 1,000 career points. The
club: The top 10 1. Dan Issel 2,138 2. Kenny Walker 2,080 3. Jack
Givens 2,038
Sparks treats former coach rudely with 15 points in reunion
Kentucky Coach Patrick Sparks and Georgia
Coach Dennis Felton held a reunion of sorts here yesterday. Only
Sparks enjoyed it. Sparks scored a team-high 15 points to lead UK to
a 76-55 victory over his former coach at Western Kentucky.
Tubby looks for 'best decision' in Crawford caseCOACH TO GAUGE FRESHMAN'S INTENTIONS,
SENSE OF REMORSE Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith had
little time to savor yesterday's victory at Georgia. Upon the team's
return to Lexington, he was scheduled to speak with the parents of
Joe Crawford about whether the heralded freshman would return to the
team.
Women
Wildcats Hold Off Ole Miss
The Kentucky Wildcats hit clutch free throws down the stretch to
hold off Ole Miss, 70-63, Sunday afternoon in Memorial Coliseum. The
Cats improve to 13-5 overall and 2-1 in the SEC.
Wildcats hoping to sustain momentum
The Kentucky women's basketball team came up with its first win
against a ranked opponent in five years when it beat Georgia on
Wednesday in Rupp Arena.
(1-15-05)
Basketball
Men
UK 76 -- UG
55 (Final)
No. 9 Kentucky Cruises Past Georgia 76-55
Patrick Sparks scored 15 points against his former coach and No. 9
Kentucky cruised to a 76-55 victory over Georgia on Saturday. Senior
Chuck Hayes surpassed 1,000 points in his career, finishing the day
with 1,006.
Cats give Bulldogs a thumping
Patrick Sparks scored 16 points and Chuck Hayes added 13 with 11
rebounds to lead No. 9 Kentucky to a 76-55 victory over the Georgia
Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum
Kentucky wins big in AthensA dunk here, a back door cut there, and a
few threes – it all added up to a convincing Kentucky win over
Georgia Saturday. The final score was 76-55, but the Cats scored
first and never looked back.
Smith: Meeting with Crawford scheduledJoe Crawford, who suddenly quit Kentucky's
basketball team earlier this week, soon will visit with Kentucky
Coach Tubby Smith, a move that could pave the way for Crawford to
return to the Wildcats.
Crawford to discuss return with Smith University of Kentucky basketball coach
Tubby Smith said Friday that he will meet with freshman guard Joe
Crawford and his parents to discuss Crawford's possible return to
the team.
Crawford rethinking transfer It's not as well documented as "Bennifer,"
the once on-again-off-again relationship between Jennifer Lopez and
Ben Affleck.
Crawford might return to UKSmith likely to meet with freshman,
parents today As Kentucky prepared to leave for
Georgia yesterday, Joe Crawford seemed headed for a transformation
from heralded freshman to prodigal son.
Meeting could pave way for Crawford's returnJoe Crawford, who suddenly quit Kentucky's
basketball team earlier this week, soon will visit with Kentucky
coach Tubby Smith, a move that could pave the way for Crawford to
return to the Wildcats.
Take coach's word, 'Cats' Morris fineIf you haven't heard much about Randolph
Morris since he left Atlanta for the basketball riches of Kentucky,
there's a good reason. Wildcats coach Tubby Smith doesn't allow his
freshmen to be interviewed by the press.
Kentucky player, Georgia coach have a history togetherKentucky guard Patrick Sparks isn't sure
what emotions might be stirred when his current basketball team
takes on his former coach Saturday. Neither is Sparks' current
coach.
Uphill battle for 'Dogs The last three meetings between the University of
Kentucky and Georgia have been tests of physical and mental
toughness, just the way both head coaches like it.
TUBBY WARNS OF LETDOWN VS. BULLDOGS
You know things are tough when a newspaper story about your opening
game speculates about the possibility of a winless season in the
Southeastern Conference.
Sparks: Facing Felton 'weird'
Patrick Sparks was everything Dennis Felton wanted in a player:
tough, competitive, savvy and intelligent.
Women
Wildcats Continue SEC Homestand with Ole Miss SundayComing off of one of the biggest wins in the
Mickie DeMoss era and the first Kentucky win over a ranked team in
five seasons, the UK Hoops team will look to carry its momentum into
its next game vs. Ole Miss. The Cats will play host to the Lady
Rebels on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum.
Football
Former FSU assistant will lead offensive line
Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks has filled the last open spot on his
coaching staff with the hiring of ex-Florida State assistant Jimmy
Heggins, the school announced yesterday.
(1-14-05)
Basketball
Women
UK topple No. 18 Georgia
Sarah Elliott's 15 points led the
way as the host Wildcats knocked off No.18 Georgia to register their
first victory over a ranked opponent since Jan.6, 2000.
Kentucky 71, No. 18 Georgia 63Freshman center Sarah Elliott scored 15
points to lead Kentucky to a 71-63 victory over No. 18 Georgia on
Thursday night, the Wildcats' first win over a ranked opponent in
five seasons.
Brand-new expectationsWildcats finally show 'will to
win' vs. top foe
As little as a year ago,
Kentucky games against Southeastern Conference powers like Georgia
and Tennessee were over before they started.
New Kentucky beats Old Kentucky A
ton of hype, a load of flash and healthy bit of buzz. Under Mickie
DeMoss, Kentucky women's basketball had ginned up all of the above.
Elliott does best to contain Humphrey
Sarah Elliott, Kentucky's 6-foot-6 freshman, had a big job last
night. The Jackson County product was in charge of trying to contain
Tasha Humphrey, one of the nation's top freshmen and Georgia's
leading scorer and rebounder.
Men
Men's Basketball Pregame Press Conference Quotes - GeorgiaHead Coach Tubby Smith
On Wednesday’s victory over Vanderbilt… “We got to
playing basketball the way it’s supposed to be played, playing the
game the right way. We moved the ball, made the extra pass and
played with some discipline, especially on the offensive end. I was
very pleased with our defensive effort against a very good
Vanderbilt team after breaking down the film. We challenged a lot of
shots, but they made some tough shots.”
Felton knows
about UK's main 'Spark' While admitting it will be a little "weird" to
coach against Patrick Sparks, there's no way Georgia coach Dennis
Felton will let Saturday's game change his opinion of Sparks.
Players would welcome back Crawford Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said today that
he would "probably visit him at some point" when asked about the
status of freshman guard Joe Crawford.
Wildcats had refused to release himProdigal son Joe Crawfordd is returning to
Kentucky. However, the freshman guard's status with the team remains
unclear.
Where have you gone, Joe
Crawford? It seems you've gone off to find yourself, or maybe I
should say your NBA self.
Crawford wants out of Kentucky? Fine -- let him pay for it Big, bad
Kentucky won't let transferring freshman Joe Crawford out of his
scholarship, which means Crawford -- who has played 12 career games
-- will be a junior the next time he steps on the court.
Kentucky travels to Athens, Ga.,
this weekend for its first conference road game after starting
league play with two victories. The Wildcats will take on the
Georgia Bulldogs, Saturday, Jan. 15 at 1:00 p.m. ET in Stegeman
Coliseum.
The clouds parted, as did the
defenders, and suddenly an efficient Kentucky offense shone upon the
basketball landscape. That's been a season-long goal for Kentucky in
this season with four, now three, freshman contributors. Too many
quick shots. Too many contested shots.
Rondo gets guidance from former coach
Not all frustrated University of Kentucky freshmen are created
equal. Joe Crawford left the quartet this week, citing homesickness
and frustration over playing time, and the alarm went crazy. Rondo,
however, hasn't been afforded Crawford's impatience.
(1-13-05)
Basketball
Women
UK Hoops Upsets No. 18 Georgia
A balanced scoring attack by the
Wildcats gave them their first victory over a ranked opponent since
Jan. 6, 2000. Four players scoring in double figures as Kentucky
defeated No. 18 Georgia 71-63, Thursday night in Rupp Arena.
Kentucky vs. Georgia Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Mickie DeMoss
On the win… “It was a great win for Kentucky women’s
basketball. It’s a win that we’ve been waiting for a while now,
especially coming off of a loss at Alabama like we did. It was, I
think, a lot to say about this team that the resiliency of this
team, that we were able to bounce back after such a disappointing
loss at Alabama and come back and beat a very, very tough Georgia
team. I can’t even tell you how proud I am of the team and the way
we fought and answered their runs down the stretch. I’m just very,
very proud of the way we performed tonight.”
Friend's death weighs on UK's Elliott
When you're a 6-foot-6 girl, it's hard not to be noticed and known.
At her tiny Jackson County high school, Sarah Elliott knew everyone,
absolutely everyone. And everyone knew her.
Coaches to Cats: Put Bama behind you
Sara Potts sat quietly with her arms folded. "Please, don't ask me
about that," she said. "I don't want to talk about it." She also
doesn't want to remember it -- the play that most likely cost the
Kentucky women their first Southeastern Conference victory.
Men
Azubuike was at his best
While there was a lot to like about
the way Kentucky played, don't overlook the significance of what
Kelenna Azubuike did.
FROM THE BLEACHERS
Never underestimate a player with heart. And don't
forget how important it is for a young man growing up in Kentucky to
wear a blue-and-white basketball jersey with those letters stretched
across it.
Wildcats' shooting improves The game of basketball seems like an easy
one to figure out. The team that puts the ball in the basket the
most wins.
Pass it. Those
seemed to be the only two words out of Tubby Smith's mouth last
night.
Rondo's on the go
Kentucky freshman guard Rajon Rondo ambled onto Rupp
Arena's court for warmups Wednesday night, his right shooting wrist
uncharacteristically swathed in gauze. Two words, scrawled in
capital letters, served as a reminder for his every steal, shot,
block and assist.
Wildcats bounce back The University of Kentucky pressed on, one player
short, with some looming questions. How would the players respond
two days after McDonald's All-American freshman Joe Crawford
unexpectedly quit the team?
In a game Kentucky absolutely,
positively had to have, freshman Rajon Rondo made sure it was
gotten. Rondo excelled at both ends of the floor as UK continued its
Rupp Arena mastery over Vanderbilt with a 69-54 victory last night.
Wildcats bounce back
The
University of Kentucky pressed on, one player short, with some
looming questions. How would the players respond two days after
McDonald's All-American freshman Joe Crawford unexpectedly quit the
team? How would they react coming off a six-point loss to No. 2
Kansas.
Freshman Rondo pulls rank on Commodores
Freshman guard Rajon Rondo scored 14 of his 18 points on drives in
UK's 69-54 victory over Vanderbilt. He also had four assists, four
rebounds and three steals.
Cats elevated mood by hitting high notes
If there is such a thing as a must-win, especially in January,
especially in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world of Kentucky
basketball, last night's conference tilt at Rupp Arena fit the job
description.
UK men's 1,000-point club Chuck
Hayes needs seven points to become the 52nd Wildcat to score 1,000
career points. The club: The top 10 1. Dan Issel 2,138 2. Kenny
Walker 2,080
Crawford Articles
Crawford on Cats' minds Kentucky's players were not trying to win a game
in honor of Joe Crawford, but they were thinking about their former
teammate during Wednesday's 69-54 victory over Vanderbilt here.
Lessons lost on Crawford at Kentucky
I don't know what classes Joe Crawford took during his drive-by
basketball career at the University of Kentucky, but I do know this:
Mr. Michigan did not do his homework. I wonder if Crawford ever
opened a book on Tubby Smith.
Crawfords blame UK for making transfer choice harder
Former Kentucky guard Joe Crawford is
not close to choosing a new school. And UK's refusal to waive a
penalty associated with freshman transfers isn't helping the
decision-making process, the player's father said yesterday.
Crawford wants releaseJoe Crawford is home in Michigan and
likely to enroll at a state university, probably Michigan State. But
it apparently will cost him a year of athletic eligibility.
Crawford exits KentuckyCiting a lack of playing time and other
factors, freshman Joe Crawford, a McDonald's All-America from
Detroit Renaissance, said Tuesday he has left the University of
Kentucky and will transfer.
Coach upset UK won't release Crawford
Joe Crawford's former high school basketball coach in Detroit ripped
the University of Kentucky last night for not releasing the player
from his National Letter of Intent.
Football
Offensive guru was 'very close' to taking UK job
The offensive architect of back-to-back national champions and the
coach of two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks could have very
well been roaming the sidelines at the University of Kentucky the
past two seasons.
Academic reform package gets UK's attention
As with every other athletics program around the country, Kentucky
is in a holding pattern when it comes to new NCAA legislation passed
Monday.
(1-12-05)
Basketball
Men
UK 69 -- VU 54
(Final)
Rondo Leads Kentucky Past Vanderbilt, 69-54
Freshman Rajon Rondo scored a career
high 18 points on 8-11 shooting as he led No. 9/10 Kentucky over
Vanderbilt 69-54 Wednesday night at Rupp Arena. Kelenna Azubuike
added 16 points and Chuck Hayes chipped in 14 to improve the
Wildcats' record to 11-2 (2-0 SEC).
Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Tubby
Smith “This is a good win for us. Vanderbilt has been
playing extremely well. They play very heady basketball. I thought
we did some good things, most importantly taking away a lot of their
back cuts. I thought we did a fairly good job defensively with their
threes. They hit some contested threes and some clutch threes with
the clock running down.
(9) Kentucky 69, Vanderbilt 54Two days after one Kentucky freshman guard
quit the team, another led the Wildcats to a victory.
Cats continue dominance over VandyRajon Rondo had a breakout performance,
scoring a career-high 18 points to lead Kentucky over Vanderbilt
69-54 tonight in Rupp Arena.
Rondo Leads Kentucky Past Vanderbilt, 69-54Freshman guard Rajon Rondo scored a
career-high 18 points and fueled a late run as No. 9 Kentucky pulled
away for a 69-54 victory over Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
Vandy tries to end Rupp skidZero for 27 and counting. That's the
record Vanderbilt brings to its game against Kentucky in Rupp Arena
tonight.
Freshman Joe Crawford's premature
departure led Kentucky's senior captains to immediately work to
prevent a return of the distraction-filled "Team Turmoil" season of
2001-02.
Crawford leaves UK, returns home
Freshman guard Joe Crawford, who left the University of Kentucky
basketball team Monday, has been given permission to talk with other
schools about transferring, but he risks the possibility of losing a
year of eligibility if he leaves UK now.
Kentucky allows Crawford to leave
A day after University of Kentucky freshman Joe Crawford told head
coach Tubby Smith that he wanted to transfer, his teammates were
left wondering why he would leave in midseason.
Looking to make history
Tonight's Southeastern Conference game between the ninth-ranked
University of Kentucky and Vanderbilt is just one of 16 league games
for both teams. Yet it will hold a deeper meaning for each team for
decidedly different reasons. UK (10-2, 1-0 SEC) hosts Vanderbilt at
7 p.m. in Rupp Arena, where the Commodores have never won.
UK men's 1,000-point club Chuck
Hayes needs 21 points to become the 52nd Wildcat to score 1,000
career points. The club: The top 10 1. Dan Issel 2,138 2. Kenny
Walker 2,080
Vandy has a real shot at Kentucky
The Commodores will visit Rupp Arena tonight as possibly the hottest
team in the Southeastern Conference. They stunned Alabama 70-56 on
their home court and ripped Tennessee 88-63 in Knoxville, giving
them seven victories in a row.
COMMODORES SURPRISE MANY WITH 2-0 SEC START
Zero for 27 and counting. That's the record Vanderbilt brings to its
game against Kentucky in Rupp Arena tonight. The Commodores are the
only Southeastern Conference team never to beat UK in the building.
Yet former Vandy Coach Eddie Fogler, who's working the game as a
television analyst, scoffed at the notion of defeatism.
Women
UK Hoops To “Raise The Roof At Rupp” Against No. 18 Georgia
The Kentucky women’s basketball team will play their final game in
Rupp Arena this season when they play host to the 18th-ranked
Georgia Lady Bulldogs Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. ET.
Cats lose another player in post A
Kentucky frontcourt that already was stretched thin will be even
thinner for the rest of the season. Freshman reserve Eleia Roddy is
out for the season with a knee injury. She tore her right meniscus
in practice late last week. Roddy, a Columbus, Ohio, native, had
surgery Monday.
Ex-Cat pleads guilty to lesser theft charge
Sade Buley, suspended from the Kentucky women's basketball team
after being accused of stealing money from a Memorial Coliseum
office, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor theft,
according to court records.
Football
COACHES' CONVENTION The offensive
architect of back-to-back national champions and the coach of two
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks could have very well been
roaming the sidelines at the University of Kentucky the past two
seasons.
Baseball
UK pitcher Gibson gets All-SEC mention
University of Kentucky pitcher Kalen Gibson has been named
third-team preseason All-Southeastern Conference by sebaseball.com.
'DON'T COUNT US OUT,' HAYES SAYS Kentucky
hoped to send a message to the basketball nation in the Kansas game.
The Cats did, just not the message they intended. Instead of an
alert to how good Kentucky is, the message was a plea to be patient.
After suffering a frustrating 65-59
loss to No. 2 Kansas Sunday in Rupp Arena, Kentucky returns to SEC
action and concludes a five-game homestand by hosting Vanderbilt
Wednesday.
One of Kentucky's ballyhooed
freshmen, guard Joe Crawford, appeared on the brink of transferring,
Coach Tubby Smith said on his weekly radio show last night.
Crawford pondering transferFreshman guard Joe Crawford expressed his
desire to transfer to another school in a meeting yesterday with his
parents and University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith.
UK freshman asks for release Playing just three minutes against No. 2
Kansas didn't seem to bother University of Kentucky freshman Joe
Crawford because perhaps he knew he might not be on UK's bench for
long.
UK looking for mental strength Any flashbacks the University of Kentucky
players are having about missed shots and a missed opportunity to
upset No. 2 Kansas at home must be forgotten.
Hayes says it's 'not time to panic' after loss This was a game Chuck Hayes desperately
wanted to win. Yet as disappointing as Sunday's 65-59 loss to Kansas
here Sunday was to him, he warned not to write off Kentucky.
Loss a growing pain for UK Kentucky isn't
used to growing pains. Lack of experience has very seldom been a
problem for the Wildcats, who consistently run with the big dogs of
college basketball on a yearly basis.
'Undisciplined' Cats lack offense to win big game If this
was the game for the Kentucky Wildcats to send a message about their
season, the message is not one that is going to strike fear in the
heart of many opponents.
Chalk it up to Jayhawk experienceKansas has it. UK does not. It's
experience, and it's the reason the Jayhawks delivered a gritty
65-59 win Sunday in Rupp Arena to stay undefeated.
Staying positive: Cats' loss not all badGerald Fitch couldn't create shots off the
dribble. As a perimeter shooter, Cliff Hawkins ran as
hot-and-cold as a desert lizard.
Baseball
Gibson Named Preseason All-SEC
Kentucky pitcher Kalen Gibson joined outfielder Billy
Grace as a preseason All-SEC member as named by SEbaseball.com.
Football
Hudson says he had to leave UK in order to save others
Former University of Kentucky offensive
coordinator Ron Hudson, who abruptly resigned the week before the
Wildcats' season finale, said he had to quit or else UK's coaching
staff would have been fired.
Kansas gets it done at KentuckyKansas coach Bill Self came into
yesterday's game with Kentucky hoping to use it as a learning
experience. His best player, Wayne Simien, the 6-9 senior preseason
All American forward, was out with torn ligaments in his thumb and
the game was at hostile Rupp Arena.
Kansas, Moody gives Kentucky the blues Christian Moody scored 11 points with
seven boards, Keith Langford added 10 and second-ranked Kansas held
off eighth- ranked Kentucky, 65-59, to remain unbeaten on the young
season in a wild non- conference affair at Rupp Arena.
Before the University of
Kentucky's game against Kansas on Sunday, UK head coach Tubby Smith
vowed that he would not leave players in the game who weren't being
productive.
Kentucky had a sound, logical plan
to beat Kansas yesterday. The Cats just lacked one key ingredient:
the discipline to execute that plan.
Jayhawks win by seat of the pants Michael
Lee drained an open three-pointer from the left corner with 30.6
seconds left, essentially sealing the No.2-ranked Jayhawks' 65-59
victory.
Time to get out the couch Time to
get out the couch. Call in Basketball Freud. We've got an acute case
of identity crisis. On a day when No. 2 Kansas -- remember, playing
without its best player, the injured Wayne Simien -- brought a
roaring Rupp Arena to stone-cold silence by prevailing 65-59 in a
grit and grime fest, we learned something for certain:
subs don't sink cats If a 65-59 loss to
Kansas yesterday held a silver lining for Kentucky, it was the play
of Ravi Moss and Bobby Perry off the bench.
Loss will only make UK better
The
first order of business is to disagree with Patrick Sparks, the
University of Kentucky guard. Not with his shot selection. Tubby
Smith, his coach, did that for us, responding to the seven
three-point attempts -- a few of them indisputably forced -- that
the plucky Kentuckian missed out of eight. Unfortunate shooting had
much to do with Sunday's unfortunate result, a 65-59 loss to
second-ranked Kansas, and that was the reason Sparks said, "It was a
bad experience for the whole team."
Kansas kids steal UK's thunder C.J.
Giles and his fellow Kansas freshmen had a point to prove against
Kentucky's higher-profile freshmen yesterday. "They were ranked like
the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, so that was a good
motivator," Giles said. "We knew we had to go after them hard and
match their intensity."
Jayhawks expose UK weaknesses
The
seconds were ticking off the shot clock as fast as the University of
Kentucky's chances to pull out a victory against Kansas when
Jayhawks senior Michael Lee made an improbable three-pointer on the
play UK head coach Tubby Smith later called a "real killer."
(1-9-05)
Basketball
Men
KU 65 -- UK 59
(Final)
No. 8 Kentucky Falls to No. 2 Kansas, 65-59
Playing without its standout inside
player, No. 2 Kansas got 28 points from the frontline of C.J. Giles,
Christian Moody and Sasha Kaun on Sunday in a 65-59 victory over No.
8 Kentucky. Kelenna Azubuike led the Wildcats with 12 points
Kansas proves it can win on the roadJAYHAWKS BEAT 8TH-RANKED WILDCATS
IN FIRST AWAY GAME OF YEAR Kansas came into
hostile Rupp Arena for its first road game of the year and left with
a hard-fought 65-59 victory over the eighth-ranked Kentucky
Wildcats.
Kansas holds off Kentucky 65-59
Kansas (11-0) won for the fourth straight time without preseason
All-America Wayne Simien. The loss snapped Kentucky's six-game
winning streak.
KEY MARQUEE CLASHNo. 8 Kentucky says it has
something to prove against No. 2 Kansas
Today, Rupp Arena showcases two
programs with a combined 3,720 victories, 89 conference
championships, 25 Final Four appearances and nine national
championships.
Stage set for classic matchup
UK (10-1) ranks first in all-time wins, while the Jayhawks (10-0)
are third, just behind North Carolina.
Self esteem runs high in KansasJAYHAWKS COACH CARVES HIS OWN NICHE
WHILE CARRYING ON SCHOOL'S WINNING TRADITION
They loved Roy. Oh, how the Kansans loved Roy Williams. They
loved the way he returned their beloved Jayhawks to national
prominence. They loved that he stayed 15 years. They loved that he
won 418 games, went to four Final Fours, led Kansas to two NCAA
title games.
Quick hitsCelebrity guests Today should be a
banner day for fans at Rupp Arena. UK will honor longtime coaching
great Clarence "Big House" Gaines at halftime. Gaines, a native of
Paducah, Ky., won 828 games as the coach at Winston-Salem State, an
NCAA Division II school in North Carolina.
Roy Williams won't watch team he created
Although his team does not play today, former Kansas coach Roy
Williams does not plan to watch the Jayhawks take on Kentucky. "I'm
not trying to be corny, but I really have a hard time watching the
Kansas kids play," he said. "It hurts so much when they don't do
well."
Walk-on walks the walk after bungling beginningPRE-MED MAJOR STEPS UP TO LEAD
BATTERED JAYHAWKS IN POST If Kansas player
Christian Moody could change places with any person, it would be ...
Spongebob Squarepants? "That was for my little sister, who loves
Spongebob," Moody said of the Kansas Media Guide entry. "I told her
I'd put Spongebob Squarepants in there somewhere."
Kentucky coach brings family approach to court Lately, he has made it look easy. Tubby
Smith has coached Kentucky to 69 basketball victories the past 2 1/2
seasons, the most of any school in the nation, and been lauded for
his deft handling of personnel.
Rock Chalk? In preparation for
today's showdown between two of college basketball's most
history-laden programs, here are answers to some commonly asked
questions about the schools:
Firm hands, loving hands Coach Tubby Smith has withstood critiques
from fair-weather fans, as well as in-house player defections and
dismissals, to continue the winning tradition at UK.
Time to throw the book at ticket-scalping lawsUK ATHLETICS BASKS IN CAPITALISM; SO
SHOULD THE REST OF US What I know: Twenty
people were arrested Wednesday night for selling basketball tickets
outside Rupp Arena before Kentucky played South Carolina.
Brace yourselves, Cats fansFLORENCE WILL COME CALLING TO
RAISE FUNDS FOR STALLED-OUT PRACTICE FACILITY
If you're among the few who haven't met Van Florence, that
introduction will most likely come in the near future. Florence, who
has long played devoted servant Friday to Kentucky basketball's
Robinson Crusoe, took a new job last week: He's leading UK's
fund-raising effort to build a new basketball practice facility.
Weak schedule? Depends on who's askedIn last week's notebook, Kentuckian Joe
Burgess wondered if UK's soft pre-conference schedule meant UK fans
were paying regular prices for an inferior product.
Women
Bama
69 -- UK 63 (OT)
UK Hoops Drop Conference Opener to Alabama in OT
A costly foul by Kentucky’s Sara Potts with one second remaining in
the game allowed Alabama to force overtime and defeat the Wildcats
69-63 Sunday afternoon in the Southeastern Conference opener in
Coleman Coliseum. UK freshman guard Samantha Mahoney registered a
career-high 21 points to lead the Cats, who drop to 10-14 all-time
in conference openers.
Football
Brooks getting ready to create Cats' new lookOFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE CHANGES IN
STORE BEFORE COMPETITIVE SPRING With the
recruiting season winding down, Kentucky football Coach Rich Brooks
and his staff can start shifting some of their focus to preparations
for the 2005 season.
(1-8-05)
Basketball
Men
Tickets
still available on the WebStill
need a ticket to Sunday's University of Kentucky game against
Kansas? Afraid Wednesday's police sting will make scalpers hard to
find? Don't panic. Just go to the Web.
The eighth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats
close out the non-conference portion of their regular-season
schedule Sunday by hosting No. 2 Kansas for the first time in more
than 14 years.
Defensive lapses trouble TubbyCOACH HINTS AT CHANGES TO PATCH
HOLES ON FLOOR After 42 straight games, Kentucky
allowed an opponent to make at least half its shots earlier this
week. To hear Coach Tubby Smith, it better be a whole lot longer
before another UK opponent does the same.
Cats pointing to Rondo's rise
Rajon Rondo is coming off his best game going into the University of
Kentucky's biggest game.
UK's Hayes wanted to be a JayhawkROY WILLIAMS: 'I SCREWED UP'
If then-Kansas coach Roy Williams had simply accepted Chuck
Hayes' commitment four years ago, Kentucky would be without its
rock-solid senior leader in Sunday's big game.
Knocking off Kansas would aid UK in March
On any
other day, the University of Kentucky probably wouldn't have the
support of the Southeastern Conference's 11 other members. But when
the No. 8-ranked Wildcats host No. 2 Kansas at 4:30 p.m. in Rupp
Arena Sunday, their SEC brethren might actually be rooting for them.
The reason for the temporary change of heart is the league's early
troubles.
Sparks eager for redemptionGuard wants to prove S.C. game a
fluke Kentucky's game against Kansas can't
come fast enough for Patrick Sparks. "Anytime you have a bad game,
you want the next game to come as quick as it can," he said
yesterday. "That's how I'm feeling right now."
Wildcats wooing Lakota West's Chichester
Before Josh Chichester decides where he's going to college, he has
another decision to make -- whether he's going to play football or
basketball.
Honored by state he left behindUK TO RECOGNIZE 'BIG HOUSE' GAINES
On the day he left Kentucky, hoping to make a mark on the world,
Clarence Gaines was as invisible as a ghost. Traveling east, his
native Paducah receding farther and farther beyond the horizon, a
scared 18-year-old kept passing restaurants, gas stations, whole
towns where he was unwelcome.
Law on scalping surprises manySUPPORT IS VOICED FOR SELLING AT COST
The furor over 20 arrests for scalping tickets at a
University of Kentucky basketball game at Rupp Arena Wednesday night
grew yesterday as politicians and residents realized that a
little-known city ordinance makes it illegal to sell tickets even at
face value or below.
Women
UK Hoops Begin SEC Play at Alabama
Off to its best start since the 1998-99 season, the
Kentucky women’s basketball team will put their three-game win
streak on the line when they take on Alabama in the Southeastern
Conference opener for both teams Sunday, Jan. 9 at 3 p.m. EST in
Tuscaloosa’s Coleman Coliseum.
(1-7-05)
Basketball
Men
Rondo did it all in SEC debut
The start of Southeastern Conference
play was supposed to be a learning experience for Kentucky's
talented freshmen.
No Wayne Simien doesn't exactly
equal no chance for Kansas in Sunday's game at Kentucky. But his
absence gives UK a decided advantage in this highly anticipated
showdown of top 10 teams, knowledgeable observers say.
Scalpers beware at Rupp Arena
A dozen people pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from a
police crackdown on the illegal sale of Kentucky basketball tickets.
Seniors, freshman lead 2 comebacks
Winter had come to the Great Plains Wednesday night. There was ice
on the trees, snow on the roads. Travel was described as
treacherous. And yet, inside one of college basketball's treasures,
a big crowd was huddled in the warmth of Allen Fieldhouse, bundled
up for basketball.
KU won't have top scorer
If you thought the University of Kentucky players celebrated when
University of Kansas senior forward Wayne Simien injured his left
hand Dec. 18, you're wrong. A day after Simien had surgery on his
left thumb to repair a torn ligament he incurred during KU's
four-point victory over South Carolina, UK senior forward Chuck
Hayes wanted to give Simien a call to wish him well, but said he
didn't have his phone number.
(1-6-05)
Basketball
Men
Rupp Arena like going to church
This job allows you to go to
some great places and affords you a pretty good seat when you get
there. But seldom do I feel as guilty as I do here in Rupp Arena.
Cats tough after puffsAfter much discussion about the toughness
of Kentucky's pre-conference schedule, one conclusion could be drawn
from last night's game.
Wildcats survive test in SEC opener Eighth-ranked Kentucky survived a
first-half scare to beat South Carolina 79-75 in a Southeastern
Conference opener at Rupp Arena Wednesday night before 22,782 fans.
USC fades awayA stellar shooting night by South Carolina was
negated by second-half defensive lapses Wednesday, leaving the
Gamecocks with nothing to show for another strong effort.
Five Kentucky players scored in
double figures - led by Kelenna Azubuike with 21 points - as the
Wildcats took the SEC opener over South Carolina, 79-75, Wednesday
night in Rupp Arena. Chuck Hayes added 15 points and 10 rebounds for
UK.
'Cats answer challenge
For the
University of Kentucky's five newcomers, it was a prickly
introduction to Southeastern Conference basketball. For the
Wildcats' returning players, it was a reminder of what rough and
tumble conference play is all about.
Hayes clamps downForward slows Powell; Cats rally in
second half Kentucky's Southeastern
Conference opener was largely decided man to man. Fortunately for
UK, its man was Chuck Hayes. Hayes, the Cats' All-America candidate,
took it upon himself to shut down South Carolina's leading scorer,
Carlos Powell. Because he did, Kentucky prevailed 79-75 in a
grinding test of wills.
Cats get the final word, win conference opener
Chuck Hayes turned the tables for UK in the second half in No.
8-ranked UK's 79-75 victory over the Gamecocks in the Southeastern
Conference opener for both teams.
Azubuike makes a much-needed leap forward
There is extravagant luxury in being Kentucky, of course. Even among
college basketball's creme de la creme, there aren't many teams that
can plumb their roster to the tune of 13 deep and find an
honest-to-goodness good player in every roster slot.
UK could make SEC look like it usually does
Another year, another season of checking the credentials of the
teams that believe they can make the University of Kentucky
basketball team sweat in the Southeastern Conference. How many years
have we played this game? How many stories have we read about The
Next Great Threat to UK in the SEC?
Freshman Rondo gives South Carolina fits
Kentucky's freshman starters passed the test of playing in their
first Southeastern Conference game last night. Guard Rajon Rondo had
a stat-filled line in UK's 79-75 victory over South Carolina. He had
season-highs in rebounds (five), assists (five) and steals (three)
while scoring 11 points.
(1-5-05)
Basketball
Men
UK
79 -- USC 75 (Final)
Cats rally in 2nd half
After much discussion about
Kentucky's pre-conference schedule, one conclusion could be drawn
from last night's game.
(8) Kentucky 79, South Carolina 75Kelenna Azubuike made four 3-pointers and
finished with 21 points as No. 8 Kentucky held on for a 79-75 win
over South Carolina on Wednesday night.
Hayes admits Smith's criticism 'stung' Chuck Hayes doesn't take criticism
personally, but he admits it "stung just a tad" last week when
Kentucky coach Tubby Smith questioned his leadership after the
Wildcats' lackluster second-half performance against Campbell.
Kentucky vs. South Carolina Post-Game QuotesKentucky Head Coach Tubby
Smith “Again, it was a tale of two different
halves. We did what we had to to control the game in the second
half. Once again, we struggled finishing inside. But, I have to give
South Carolina credit. They were very quick and athletic. They
challenged every shot and made it tough for us to make plays. This
is the first team in 42 games to shoot over 50 percent against us.
Defensively we weren’t really at our best. We were very poor
defensively, especially in the first half. In the second half we did
a better job of challenging their shots and making them work harder.
I thought Chuck (Hayes) set the tone in the second half. He really
came out and did a good job on Carlos Powell because he was killing
us. He was 5-for-5 in the first half and got off to a great start. I
like the balance that we have in our lineup with five guys in double
digits (and) Chuck, once again, with a double-double. He logged a
lot of minutes tonight. We didn’t get the production off the bench I
was hoping for. But, it is the first conference game and we were
going up against a team that had played some tough games. You could
see they played with a lot of confidence, as they did against Kansas
and as they did against Pittsburgh. Again, we did some good things
and we just need to improve in a lot of areas.”
Notes for a new year: So-so
SEC: With league play opening tonight, the Southeastern Conference
hopes familiarity will breed comfort. Heaven knows the unfamiliar
settings of the pre-conference portion of the schedule was downright
discomforting
Kentucky opens its 72nd Southeastern
Conference season Wednesday by welcoming the South Carolina
Gamecocks to Rupp Arena. UK is 55-16 all-time in SEC openers and has
won 16 of its last 17.
Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes - South CarolinaHead Coach Tubby Smith Opening Statement…
“We’ve been busy preparing for conference play. We realize that
the heart and soul of any program for any conference is conference
play and we been really focused on. One of the reasons our players
come to Kentucky is because they know they’re going to play against
some of the best players in the country and play in the top
basketball conference in America. This is an exciting time for us
and I think our guys are starting to feel the intensity and the
urgency of getting ready to play a very good South Carolina team.
They’re a team that has played awfully well even though they lost a
couple games to some very good (teams). To play Kansas and
Pittsburgh to the wire the way they did says a lot about Dave Odom
and what he’s done with that program.
Thomas trying to regain strength following surgery
When University of Kentucky basketball
player Sheray Thomas underwent surgery in October to remove a benign
tumor from his abdomen, he thought the worst was behind him. What he
found out was that the worst was just beginning.
Thomas rebounds from tumor scareUK FORWARD CLOSE TO FULL STRENGTH
AFTER OCTOBER SURGERY "Tumor." That
diagnosis sent shockwaves through the Kentucky basketball program
last fall. Sophomore forward Sheray Thomas had been sluggish and
easiliy fatigued. Relying on their athletic backgrounds, the coaches
urged him to play harder. That didn't help.
Stakes higher for UK
All of
the film sessions and counseling University of Kentucky forward
Sheray Thomas received from his veteran teammates didn't prepare him
for Southeastern Conference play. It was something the sophomore had
to experience for himself.
Cats planning inside job vs. Gamecocks
Randolph Morris' dunks might count the same as layups, but there's a
greater intangible value when the University of Kentucky freshman
center finishes with a jam.
Gamecocks tough on defense
South Carolina ranks in the top five of three Southeastern
Conference defensive categories, including first in three-point
field goal percentage defense by forcing teams to shoot 27.3 percent
behind the arc.
Cats look to size up Carolina
Tonight's Southeastern Conference opener in Rupp Arena allows
Kentucky to throw its perceived strength against South Carolina's
admitted weakness.
Young Cats must continue SEC stampede
Now the conversation shifts. No more talk about what the University
of Kentucky basketball team can be. Focus only on what it has to be.
(1-4-05)
Basketball
Men
Are you ready for some conference matchups?
OK, Bubba, pick up those
corn-chip crumbs and waddle on out of here. The college football
bowl season comes to an end tonight, clearing the stage for college
basketball.
Kentucky opens its 72nd Southeastern
Conference season Wednesday by welcoming the South Carolina
Gamecocks to Rupp Arena. UK is 55-16 all-time in SEC openers and has
won 16 of its last 17.
Teamwork. Execution. Serious-minded
play. The qualities that Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith seeks --
especially with the Southeastern Conference schedule beginning this
week -- are not absent from his team.
SELF INSISTING UK GAME TOO SOON FOR SIMIEN'S RETURN
Kansas All-America candidate Wayne Simien
switched from a hard to soft cast yesterday to protect his injured
left thumb. But despite his wishes, he won't switch from street
clothes to a uniform for Sunday's game at Kentucky.
Gamecocks have prepped for Cats From
the time South Carolina basketball coach Dave Odom saw that his
Southeastern Conference schedule opened at the University of
Kentucky, he knew what he had to do to get his team ready.
South Carolina to travel to the Bluegrass State for SEC OpenerFinishing the
non-conference schedule with an 8-3 record, the schedule gets huge
quick in the SEC when South Carolina opens the SEC season at Rupp
Arena on Wednes., Jan. 5 against No. 8 Kentucky. The game will be
shown on Jefferson-Pilot with Larry Conley and Tom Hammond making
the call.
Women
UK 79 -- LU
41 (final)
Balanced Scoring Attack Leads Cats Past Lancers
The Kentucky women's basketball team had five players score in
double figures for the second time this season, as they ran away
from Longwood 79-41, Tuesday night at Memorial Coliseum. It was win
number 11 for the Cats, matching last year's total for the entire
season. Sara Potts, Sarah Elliott and Chante Bowman led the way with
12 points apiece.
UK Hoops Set To Take on Longwood in Final Pre-conference Match up
The Kentucky women’s basketball team will take on first-time
opponent Longwood in their final pre-conference tune up Tuesday,
Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. Tickets are $5 for adults
and $2 for children ages 18 and under.
Longwood the Cats' final pre-SEC test
Longwood at Kentucky When: 7 Records: Longwood 5-6, UK 10-4 Radio:
WLXG-AM 1300 The UK women will face Longwood for the first time in
their final pre-conference tuneup today.
Football
Offensive line coach takes job at PittsburghDUNN JOINS FELLOW ALUMNUS
WANNSTEDT'S STAFF University of Kentucky
offensive line coach Paul Dunn has resigned to take a similar
position at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh.
UK's offensive line coach leaves for Pitt
Paul Dunn, who was the University of Kentucky's offensive line coach
the past two seasons, has resigned to take the same position at
Pittsburgh under its new coach, Dave Wannstedt.
Simien's return still on holdContrary to his wishful thinking, Kansas'
Wayne Simien won't make a quick recovery that suddenly allows him to
play at Kentucky next weekend.
Women
UK Hoops Hold Off Saint Francis
Junior Jennifer Humphrey led four Wildcats in double figures with 17
points as the Kentucky Wildcats held off the St. Francis Red Flash
85-73 Sunday afternoon in Memorial Coliseum. Sara Potts scored 16,
Angela Phillips had 15 and Sam Mahoney put in 13 for UK. Beth Swink
scored a game-high 26 points for the Red Flash.
Flat Cats find way to grind out a victoryST. FRANCIS GIVES KENTUCKY A SCARE
One of those alleged cupcake teams on Kentucky's schedule
nearly frosted the Cats yesterday in Memorial Coliseum. St. Francis,
Pa., got 26 points from center Beth Swink, who had her team within
three points with less than eight minutes to play.
Cats top St. Francis to move to 10-4
Jennifer Humphrey returned from an illness to lead the University of
Kentucky women with 17 points and six rebounds in an 85-73 win over
St. Francis (Pa.) yesterday in Lexington.
Football
UK Football Notebook - Jan. 3
The Kentucky coaching staff is back on the road this
week as recruiting resumes. Signing day is February 2 ... Kentucky
assistant coach Paul Dunn has resigned his post in order to take a
coaching position at another university ... Former Wildcat tight end
Chase Harp has returned to the University of Kentucky as a graduate
assistant coach.
(1-2-05)
Basketball
Women
Wildcats Meet Red Flash in 2005 Debut
Coming off one of the year’s most exciting wins—a 66-61 victory over
Wake Forest in Rupp Arena—the Kentucky women’s basketball team opens
2005 riding a nine-game home winning streak vs. non-conference
opponents. The Wildcats look to remain undefeated at home this
season when it plays host to Saint Francis (Pa.) Sunday in Memorial
Coliseum at 2 p.m. ET.
Red Flash pay a visit to 9-4 UK women
Coming off a 66-61 victory over Wake Forest in Rupp Arena, the
Kentucky women's basketball team looks to extend a nine-game home
winning streak vs. non-conference opponents today.
Men
'All-American' Chuck Hayes is
struggling offensively, but his coach knows the senior leader is
crucial to a young team Chuck Hayes
seemed lost in thought after Kentucky's victory over Campbell. His
coach had just publicly questioned his leadership skills. This has
to cut deep because leadership is at the core of Hayes' game and
UK's "All He Does Is Win" campaign to make him an All-American.
Wildcats' Moss a walk-on who always hustles
Ravi Moss, a 6-foot-2 junior, has gone from being
just another no-name walk-on keeping a seat warm to forging a place
for himself in the rotation for the nation's No. 8-ranked team.
SEC standings East Conf. All Kentucky 0-0
9-1 Florida 0-0 8-2 South Carolina 0-0 8-3 Vanderbilt 0-0 8-4
Georgia 0-0 6-4 Tennessee 0-0 6-5 West Arkansas 0-0 12-1
Scheduling blues Kentucky's much-discussed
pre-conference schedule motivated a fan to do some research. Joe
Burgess, a retired public relations man, checked to see if UK faced
not just weak but historically weak competition this November and
December.
(1-1-05)
Basketball
Men
Morris delivers taste of talentUK FRESHMAN TUNES UP FOR SEC WITH
BREAKOUT GAME
He ran the floor. He dominated inside. He scored a career-high 25
points (or five more points than he'd had in the previous three
games).
Randolph Morris' statistics
Game-by-game statistics for UK freshman center Randolph Morris:
Opponent mi fg-a ft-a rb pf a to bs st pts Coppin State 11 1-2 5-7 3
4 0 0 0 0 7
Morris grows up for Wildcats
There's
no hiding anymore for Randolph Morris. No using the, "I'm just a
freshman" excuse that became somewhat irrelevant a few years ago
through the advent of high school all-star games televised on
national TV and summer basketball camps and tournaments where kids
play in front of hundreds of college basketball coaches.
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