November 2007 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (11-30-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   WKU  78  --  UK  74  (OT) Cats Fall to Western Kentucky in Overtime     Senior Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) scored 21 of her team-high 25 points but it wouldn’t be enough, however, as the Kentucky women’s basketball team fell to intrastate rival Western Kentucky in overtime, 78-74, in Rupp Arena Friday. N.C. might be without PG Lawson vs. UK     Top-ranked North Carolina might be without point guard Ty Lawson for a second straight game when the Tar Heels travel to Kentucky on Saturday. Patterson: UK’s chance to ’show world’    Freshman Patrick Patterson saw the Saturday game against No.1 North Carolina as a chance for Kentucky to make a statement. Cats vs. Tar Heels as big as it gets    It doesn’t get any bigger. Stevenson glad Heels are No. 1    Perry Stevenson had a career-game with 18 points and 10 rebounds against Stony Brook earlier this week. Patterson hopes to hit big time with upset win over UNC    Throughout the country in 2007, fresh faces have changed college basketball programs. Freshmen like Indiana's Eric Gordon, UCLA's Kevin Love and Kansas State's Michael Beasley have taken over their programs and are becoming household names. Basketball legend Ralph Beard dead at 79    Ralph Beard, University of Kentucky basketball legend and Olympic gold medalist, has died at the age of 79.He died Thursday at his home in Louisville, Ky., of heart failure, the Louisville Courier-Journal reported. 2 former UK basketball players die    UK basketball legends Ralph Beard and Tommy Cron died yesterday. Beard was 79; Cron was 64. Beard's personal class outshines his big mistake    Make note of this: Ralph Beard never tried to twist the story, never gave you a "no comment," never pointed a finger at anybody but Ralph Beard Hope that a troubled soul now rests in peace     On a sunny October day in 2002, I sat in a Perkins restaurant in Louisville with Ralph Beard. During the 100th year of University of Kentucky basketball, I'd gone to talk with the player that old-timers say might, even now, be the greatest ever to wear Blue & White. Cats look to topple Toppers after rough games in paradise    After a bittersweet trip to Honolulu over Thanksgiving Break, the women's basketball team is back in Lexington and ready to move on after losing two of three games at the 29th annual Rainbow Wahine Classic. Renewed rivalry reunites old friends    Crystal Kelly was barely in the locker room on Tuesday night after beating Morehead State before her cell phone showed a text message. Criticism hounds Heels, as well    It's not in the Constitution that North Carolina corners the market on winning basketball. Coach Roy Williams made that declaration recently to calm Tar Heel fans juiced to the gills with expectation. Tar Heels looking tough    In basketball vernacular, teams coached by Hall of Famer Roy Williams are not generally considered tough. Cats anxious to battle with No. 1 Tar Heels     When Kentucky freshman forward Patrick Patterson was asked if he was hungry to face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, Patterson’s eyes lit up. UNC's next stop: Rupp Arena    Heels face UK in midst of six-game road swing    They shut off the lights at Value City Arena on Wednesday night, and Ohio State basketball fans welcomed No. 1 North Carolina with feverish screams and the frenetic waving of red glow-sticks.             Kentucky Wildcats Football   Cat-lanta still possible for Wildcats    The University of Kentucky is still uncertain of its destination for the 2007 bowl season. The SEC bowl picture won't start rounding into shape until after Saturday's league championship game between LSU and Tennessee. The league office will communicate with school and bowl representatives late Saturday night and early Sunday to finalize the bids, and UK will get official confirmation of where they'll be headed sometime Sunday afternoon. The school will hold a 6:30 p.m. news conference on Sunday... True Blue-lievers  When Andre Woodson and Dominic Lewis left the local high school playing ranks, they departed to a sea of uncertainty at the University of Kentucky. Charges dropped against UK fans    University of Kentucky football fans who were arrested after they stormed the Commonwealth Stadium field to celebrate the Wildcats' victory against Louisiana State will not face trespassing charges. Kentucky fans in clear after rushing field      Kentucky fans who swarmed the field after the Wildcats upset then-No. 1 LSU have had trespassing charges against them dismissed.             Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   MSU  3  -  UK  0  (Final) Kentucky Ends One of Finest Seasons in School History.     The Kentucky volleyball team concluded one of the finest seasons in school history on Friday evening, falling to Big Ten Conference member Michigan State, 3-0 (30-28, 30-23, 30-27) , in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament hosted by the University of Dayton in the Frericks Center. Getting to round 3 not an easy road for Cats    People love when the third attempt at anything is finished up in a charming way. That's why we like the sturdiness of the third pig's brick house standing strong against the brisk of a final huff and puff. And of course there's good ol' Goldie, who outlasted the first two bowls of poorly made porridge before arriving at the third that's just right. (11-29-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Ex-UK guards Beard, Kron die     Ralph Beard, and Tommy Kron, two beloved former Kentucky Wildcats, died Thursday. "It's a sad day because we've lost two valued members of our basketball family," UK Coach Billy Gillispie said. "Both men did a lot to build the tradition of Kentucky basketball, and both meant a great deal to the University of Kentucky and to this state." Ex-UK star Ralph Beard dies    Ralph Beard, who played on the University of Kentucky’s first two NCAA championship teams and became a member of UK’s Fabulous Five only to see his basketball career ruined in a 1950s college basketball betting scandal, died early yesterday. Former UK All-American Ralph Beard dies    Ralph Beard, an All-American guard for Kentucky in the 1940s and a key figure in college basketball's biggest betting scandal, died Thursday. He was 79. "Rupp's Runt" Tommy Kron dies    Tommy Kron, a key player for the famous University of Kentucky basketball team known as “Rupp’s Runts” died today in Louisville. Ralph Beard of UK basketball's Fabulous Five dead    Ralph Beard, the point guard for the University of Kentucky’s “Fabulous Five” championship basketball teams and one of the greatest players to ever come out of the state, died early this morning. He was 79. UK great Beard dead at 79     Ralph Beard left the University of Kentucky's basketball program having won national championships in 1948 and '49 and with a reputation as one of the all-time greats on the hardwood. Wildcats ready for big man    After rugged North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough destroyed almost every other big man in the country he faced during his sophomore season, spindly University of Kentucky forward Perry Stevenson secretly wished what most players probably wouldn't openly admit. UK Hoops Renews Rivalry With WKU    After a three-year absence, Kentucky women’s basketball renews its rivalry with instate foe Western Kentucky University when the Wildcats meet the Lady Toppers Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. ET in Rupp Arena. Dunlap Named SEC Freshman of the Week     Kentucky’s Victoria Dunlap (Nashville, Tenn.) was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week after averaging 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game during the three-day Rainbow Wahine Classic last week, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced Tuesday. Jasper's surgery never the same     When Kentucky sophomore Derrick Jasper underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee in June, he entered a realm dreaded by NBA players. Justifiably so in some cases. Unnecessarily so in others. Cats-Tar Heels likely to continue     The winningest teams in talks to extend series    The basketball bond between the universities of Kentucky and North Carolina isn't likely to end soon. Carolina's Lawson says he'll play against UK      North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson, who sat out tonight’s win against Ohio State, said afterward that he “definitely” will play when the No. 1 Tar Heels play at Kentucky on Saturday.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Tamme named Academic All-American     Kentucky tight end Jacob Tamme has been named an Academic All-American. UK Exceeds Preseason Predictions    A look back at the predictions made by the national preseason magazines shows that the Kentucky football team exceeded the projections by the publications that forecast a final record. 2007 Football Awards Announced     Quarterback André Woodson, one of the Southeastern Conference’s most prolific all-time passers, commanded two of the top University of Kentucky football team awards for the 2007 season, Coach Rich Brooks announced Wednesday. Woodson voted team MVP    University of Kentucky senior quarterback Andre Woodson was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player, the school announced yesterday. Players pick Woodson as Kentucky's MVP    University of Kentucky quarterback Andre' Woodson was voted the Wildcats' MVP by his teammates, the school announced yesterday.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Kentucky Volleyball Begins NCAA Quest on Friday     Making its school-record third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, the Kentucky Volleyball team begins its title quest on Friday when it opens postseason play against Michigan State. (11-28-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Cats To Participate in 2008 Vegas Invitational     Kentucky was named as one of the eight teams invited to participate in the 2008 Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational, taking place next fall. Cats' big men rise as the rest slumber     Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie benched freshman A.J. Stewart for sleeping at a pre-game meeting. It certainly would have been understandable if anyone fell asleep watching Kentucky beat Stony Brook 62-52 last night. UK finds help on inside    Given the sloppy way the University of Kentucky was playing against Stony Brook, sophomore Perry Stevenson didn't have any time to reflect on the best game of his career. Cats 'lucky' to win     With the way Kentucky is playing, it might be a bigger upset for the Wildcats to beat No. 1 North Carolina on Saturday than it was when Gardner-Webb beat UK earlier this month. Fallling asleep benches Stewart     On Monday, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie was praising the energy freshman A.J. Stewart provided and talking about his potential. 'Not a very pretty game at all'    It has been three weeks since UK fell to Gardner-Webb in Rupp Arena, but the opening moments of last night's game against Stony Brook had an eerily similar feeling to the loss against the Runnin' Bulldogs. The Cats could not score, could not take the lead, could not hold on to the basketball and found themselves in an early deficit. Trouble with zone 'D' could haunt UK this season    Here's an open letter to the coaches that are going to play Kentucky this season: Guard the Cats' offense with a zone defense. There's no need to call Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim to perfect it. Just run the standard version that you've taught for years. Be afraid; be very afraid    Some advice for Saturday, leave the children at home. North Carolina comes to town. The big bad Tar Heels. You know. Tyler Hansbrough. Ty Lawson. Roy Williams. Blue Heaven. The nation's No. 1 college basketball team, depending on the particular poll or computer rankings. Cats may have been caught looking ahead to No. 1 UNC    Call it at case of looking ahead.  With North Carolina looming on Saturday, it was probably hard for the Kentucky Wildcats to get up for an 0-5 Stony Brook team, which had lost to Lafayette, American and Columbia. Stevenson raises the bar with best individual performance to date    After sophomore forward Perry Stevenson’s 18-point, 10-rebound performance in Kentucky’s 62-52 victory over Stony Brook on Tuesday night, highly touted freshman forward Patrick Patterson thought this could become the usual from Stevenson. Stevenson helps right rocky Cats    UK finds Stony Brook a bit treacherous but wins 62-52    Perry Stevenson scored on putbacks. He grabbed rebounds. He showed a soft touch in the lane. Kentucky 62, Stony Brook 52     Patrick Patterson had 19 points and matched his career-high 12 rebounds as Kentucky survived a sloppy start and pulled away from Stony Brook 62-52 Tuesday night. (11-27-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK  62  --  Stony Brook 52  (Final) Cats Overcome Slow Start; Defeat Seawolves     Perry Stevenson and Patrick Patterson each notched double-doubles combining for 37 points and 22 rebounds as Kentucky defeated Stony Brook, 62-52, Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. North Carolina lists Lawson as ‘limited’     North Carolina lists point guard Ty Lawson as “limited” going into Wednesday night’s game at Ohio State. Gillispie talks up competitive drive    Michael Porter's first meeting with Billy Gillispie included a pointed question from coach to player: Are you willing to settle for being the third- or fourth-string point guard? Cats won't look ahead    With a game against No. 1 North Carolina ahead on Saturday, it would seem easy for Kentucky to potentially overlook winless Stony Brook tonight. Meeks not improving     Sophomore guard Jodie Meeks is not making the kind of recovery from a stress fracture that Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie hoped he would. Cats hope to avoid a Gardner-Webb repeat in a similar 'trap game' tonight    Saturday will mark the first day of December, the month when the college basketball season heats up as the temperature outside cools down. Saturday will also bring UK's first ranked opponent into Rupp Arena this year when North Carolina, No. Competing in practice is key to UK's success     After taking a quick glance at UK's record, any blind mouse can see the Cats have played in four games, three of which resulted in wins - and of course that blemish to Gardner-Webb. Cats still looking for a team identity     Through this early-season portion of the schedule, Kentucky seeks an identity. "I don't think there's anything we can hang our hat on right now," UK Coach Billy Gillispie said yesterday. "As a young team, you have to start to identify things to hang your hat on. Are you a great defensive and rebounding team? Are you a team that never turns the ball over? Gillispie: Don't take foe lightly    Stony Brook sounds more like a local horse farm than a Division I basketball team. What's UK's ID?    Gillispie wants Cats to learn strengths    Billy Gillispie knows who his players are. Now the University of Kentucky basketball coach wants to figure out what his team is.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Hellish finish puts UK year in purgatory    So this is purgatory. The most entertaining Kentucky football season since the Tim Couch era ended Saturday evening in a place somewhere between heaven and hell. UK says Brooks is not retiring    University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks was on the road recruiting yesterday. LexCath's Guy appears headed for UK    The University of Kentucky football program is set to pick up a huge in-state commitment from Lexington Catholic High School senior Winston Guy.             Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Third straight NCAA tourney bid sets school record     In the most successful season in over a decade, the UK volleyball team expected a selection in the NCAA tournament this year. The team anxiously sat through the selections of 56 other teams Sunday night, but finally the Cats heard their name called for a school-record third straight year. (11-26-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK women leave Hawaii with victory      The Kentucky women's basketball team salvaged its visit to the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Hawaii with a 76-55 win over Lipscomb in the tournament's seventh-place game yesterday. UK tops Lipscomb in Hawaii    Elliott leads Cats with 23 points    Sarah Elliott scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the University of Kentucky women's basketball team beat Lipscomb 76-55 in the seventh-place game of the Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu yesterday. Gillispie using competitive practices to pick game starters    Billy Gillispie used five starters all of last season at Texas A&M. Through four games at Kentucky, he's already used eight. Gillispie: Meeks’ recovery 'disappointing'    University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie said today that the status of injured guard Jodie Meeks “doesn’t look good.” UK's Benson leaves basketball team    University of Kentucky freshman Kerry Benson has left the basketball program, Billy Gillispie said today. Gillispie finds holes in defense    After Kentucky beat Texas Southern 83-35 last night, Coach Billy Gillispie lectured his players. The subject: each and every one of the five baskets the Tigers scored in the second half. Meeks’ injury concerns Gillispie; Benson quits    Freshman Alex Legion used another sport to explain Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie’s desire for tough play. Cats Host Stony Brook in Mid-Week Battle     Kentucky takes on Stony Brook in its fifth-straight game at Rupp Arena, part of a season-opening, six-game homestand. Patterson Named SEC Freshman of the Week     Freshman Patrick Patterson has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office on Monday. Crawford starter again    When the public address announcer at Rupp Arena announced the starting lineup for the University of Kentucky before playing Texas Southern, the loudest cheers from the crowd came after the introduction of senior guard Joe Crawford.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   'Cats left to ponder what might have been    Steve Johnson thought it was over. Watching Kentucky kicker Lones Seiber line up for a 35-yard field goal attempt in double overtime on Saturday, the Wildcats wide receiver thought Kentucky would finally end two decades of misery at the hands of Tennessee. Winston Guy commits to UK    Lexington Catholic defensive back Winston Guy has committed to the University of Kentucky. He had originally committed to Arkansas over the summer but had re-opened the process and decided to stay closer to home, picking the Wildcats according to several media reports. UK's Brooks says he's not retiring    University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks is on the road recruiting. Catholic defensive back commits to UK    Lexington Catholic senior defensive back Winston Guy has committed to play college football at Kentucky. UK Coach Rich Brooks and assistant Chuck Smith visited Guy and his family Sunday evening, just 24 hours after the Cats’ 52-50 four-overtime loss to Tennessee. Brooks denies reports that he will retire as UK coach    Rich Brooks said there is no truth to rumors that he is about to retire as the University of Kentucky’s football coach. UK looks headed back to Music City    Barring some unexpected twists this week, look for Kentucky to be headed back to Nashville to play in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31. Licking wounds, awaiting bowl bid    It's too early for a final judgment. The emotions are too high, the wounds too fresh from Saturday's 52-50, quadruple-overtime loss to the dreaded Tennessee Volunteers. Besides, Kentucky has another game to play. Desperate times called for determined Vols       Tight end Chris Brown couldn't bear to watch. The Tennessee senior turned his back from the playing field at Commonwealth Stadium and shielded his eyes from the big screen to the left.             Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Cats Make Third Straight NCAA Tournament      For a school-record third consecutive year, the Kentucky volleyball team is among the NCAA Tournament field of 64, earning an at-large bid Sunday evening. The Wildcats begin their title quest in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday when they square off with Michigan State. (11-25-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Elliott's Double-Double Leads UK Past Lipscomb     Senior center Sarah Elliott recorded her 10th career double-double and the Wildcats snapped a two-game losing streak with a 76-55 win against Lipscomb on Sunday in the seventh-place game of the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. Crawford's career game leads romp in Rupp      If UK fans needed a pick-me-up Saturday night, Joe Crawford wasted no time in giving them one. After UK's narrow loss on the football field to No. 19 Tennessee, the senior guard ensured the basketball team would not suffer the same fate in Rupp Arena, scoring a career-high 32 points to lead the Cats to an 83-35 victory over Texas Southern in front of 21,445 fans. Time to spread some holiday cheer     To acknowledge repeated reader requests, and in recognition of the holiday, let's have an upbeat UK Basketball Notebook this week. Let it burst with positive news that soothes the soul and puts us in a thankful mood. Turnovers doom Wildcats   CATS WILL PLAY LIPSCOMB FOR SEVENTH PLACE     Brittainey Raven scored 17 points to lead No. 21 Texas to a 72-60 victory over Kentucky yesterday in the second round of the Rainbow Wahine Classic. No. 21 Texas 72, Kentucky 60     Brittainey Raven scored 17 points to lead No. 21 Texas to a 72-60 victory over Kentucky on Saturday in the second round of the Rainbow Wahine Classic. Kentucky slaughters Texas Southern    Joe Crawford returned to the starting lineup last night and proceeded to remind everyone why he was Kentucky's leading returning scorer from last season. Crawford’s career-high 32 help Kentucky thump Texas Southern     Joe Crawford had a career-high 32 points in his first start of the season and Kentucky cruised past Texas Southern 83-35 Saturday night. Bradley's big night a sign he's on board     Ramel Bradley didn’t hesitate when Kentucky lost a possession because of a shot-clock violation in the Wildcats’ 83-35 win over Texas Southern on Saturday night. Cats feast on Texas Southern    Thanksgiving had passed, but the Kentucky Wildcats had a feast Saturday night. Crawford scores career-high 32 as UK wins big    University of Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie has sent Joe Crawford not-so-subtle messages all season. Last night against Texas Southern, Crawford sent one back. Making his first start of the season, the senior guard led all scorers with a career-high 32 points to lead UK past the Tigers 83-35 before 21,445 in Rupp Arena. Another Rose Hill youngster likes Cats    Rose Hill Christian already has one basketball underclassman committed to the University of Kentucky -- sophomore Dakotah Euton. And the 6-foot-8 Euton has a teammate who would like to join him in Lexington.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Cats fall to Tennessee 52-50 in 4th overtime     Rich Brooks called it disappointing. Keenan Burton called it devastating, and Andre Woodson could barely fight the tears back as he tried to put the loss to the Tennessee Volunteers into words. However the players chose to describe it, they all agreed on one thing: this loss hurt a little bit more than the rest. So close, it hurts     This was it. Forget about Kentucky's 22-game losing streak to Tennessee, or the 17-point lead the Vols had over UK late in the third quarter yesterday. These Cats seniors are just as unforgettable     Almost a full hour after he'd worn No. 3 in Commonwealth Stadium for the final time, Andre Woodson would not take his blue uniform off. Tamme's pride shines through even after painful loss     As he slowly walked off the Commonwealth Stadium field for the final time, Jacob Tamme had to be heartbroken as he knelt to kiss the turf to say good-bye to what has been his Old Kentucky Home for the last five years. After slow start, Cats go down swinging against Vols     Tennessee was playing for a spot in the Southeastern Conference championship game, but Kentucky had just as much to play for in Saturday's game that it eventually lost 52-50 in four overtimes. Cats' defensive turnaround enables rally against Vols     Tennessee’s offense wasn’t a surprise to Kentucky. Trying to stop the Volunteers in the first 15 minutes was another matter. Tennessee beats Cats in four overtimes     After all Tennessee overcame to get to this point, the lopsided losses, the calls for the coach to be fired, blowing a 17-point lead was no reason to get down. Despite last play, Woodson will get back up   Andre Woodson didn’t want to pick himself off the cold Commonwealth Stadium field Saturday night. Cats 'so close' but so crushed    UK rallies big only to fall to Vols for 23rd straight time    The Wildcats' 23rd straight loss to the Volunteers was dripping with drama, but at the end of the four-overtime thriller, it was the same old story: Tennessee 52, UK 50. Cats' bowl locale still a mystery destination   Tennessee is headed to the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.   (11-24-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK 83  --  TSU  35  (Final) Wildcats Cruise Past Texas Southern    Joe Crawford scored a career-high 32 points and Kentucky shot 61 percent as they eased past the Texas Southern Tigers, 83-35, Saturday night in Rupp Arena. Kentucky Falls to No. 21 Texas    Kentucky dropped its second consecutive game in the 29th Annual Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic as No. 21/22 Texas defeated the Wildcats, 72-60, on Saturday in the second-round of the consolation bracket. Stewart gives UK a spark off bench    Cats play tonight vs. Texas Southern    Before the season, University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie joked that A.J. Stewart didn't always know what he was doing but at least the athletic freshman was doing it fast. Washington holds off on decision     Neither Kentucky nor Southern California wanted to let Leonard Washington join their team at mid-season. So the power forward prospect has decided to put off his college choice until the spring. Hot-shooting Gophers top Cats    Samantha Mahoney scored a career-high 29 points last night, but Kentucky's defense struggled in the second half and the Cats fell to Minnesota 92-80 in the first round of the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   UT  52  --  UK  50  (Final - 4 OT) Cats Fall to Vols in 4th OT     Despite a valiant second-half comeback by UK to send the game into overtime, the tying two-point conversion in the fourth overtime fell short and the Cats were defeated by visiting Tennessee, 52-50, in Commonwealth Stadium. Volunteers claim SEC East title with 52-50 win over Kentucky    Sorry Georgia, resilient Tennessee is back on top in the SEC East. UK falls to Tennessee 52-50    In what is sure to become an instant classic, the University of Kentucky had its chances but just could not get over Rockytop, falling to Tennessee 52-50 in quadruple overtime. Vols outlast Kentucky, win SEC East     Tennessee defeated Kentucky 52-50 in four overtimes on Saturday in Lexington, Ky., to win the SEC East title. The Vols will play LSU next Saturday in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. For Wildcats, it's all about fun in games    Woodson says UK needs to loosen up against Vols    Maybe the effort could be better. Certainly the execution could improve. But quarterback Andre' Woodson figures the solution to his University of Kentucky football team's late-season swoon is simpler than that. Volunteers, Cats too close to call    The betting line says Kentucky. Logic suggests Tennessee. That's what makes today's matchup between the Wildcats and Volunteers so intriguing and hard to get a read on. Walk-on has seen Cats beat Vols before     The vast majority of current Kentucky football players were not even alive the last time the Wildcats defeated Tennessee in football. UK says bring on the Vols     Maybe the effort could be better. Certainly the execution could improve. But quarterback Andre' Woodson figures the solution to his University of Kentucky football team's late-season swoon is simpler than that.   (11-23-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Hot Shooting Lifts Minnesota Over UK Hoops     Five of eight Minnesota players placed in double figures Friday and the Golden Gophers used hot shooting to take a 92-80 win against Kentucky on Friday in the Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center. Cats shooting for Minnesota     The Kentucky women's basketball team will meet Minnesota for the first time today in the opening round of the Rainbow Wahine Classic. Cats Continue Home Stretch Against TSU     Kentucky takes on Texas Southern in its fourth-straight game at Rupp Arena, part of a season-opening, six-game homestand. Click for game and television information. 'Coach Gillispie is never satisfied'     When asked about the improvement he saw in Kentucky's 80-54 victory over Liberty Wednesday, Coach Billy Gillispie couldn't keep himself from veering off course.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Kentucky hoping to play spoiler to Volunteers     A lot is riding on Tennessee's matchup with Kentucky this weekend. A dream come Blue    Senior Day caps climb from depths to success    For four years or more, the seniors on the University of Kentucky football team have poured blood and sweat into the program. Now it's time for the tears. Expect plenty to be shed tomorrow, when a 16-man senior class — one of the most significant in UK football history — plays against Tennessee in its final home game at Commonwealth Stadium. Woodyard UK's secret recruiting weapon    When Wesley Woodyard decided to spurn offers from more established programs to help resurrect University of Kentucky football four years ago, the Wildcats landed not only a playmaking linebacker but also a dealmaking recruiter. Seniors sign off     KEENAN BURTON What was the high point of your UK career? The bowl game and beating top-ranked teams. What was the low point of your UK career? Being hurt my senior year. Please, make 'Rocky Top' stop     In hell, Rocky Top plays on and on and on. It was some years back -- they're not even sure exactly how many -- when Peggy Gabriel and her husband Jim were in Tennessee for a family obligation.   (11-22-07)                                    Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Meets Minnesota in Rainbow Wahine Classic     The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to continue their winning ways when they meet first-time opponent Minnesota Friday, Nov. 23 in the opening round of the 29th Annual Jack in the Box Rainbow Wahine Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. Crawford tough man to keep down    It's tough. Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be? He's a senior. He's coming off post-season knee surgery. He's got a new coach. A new coach who, when your Joe Crawford, isn't the easiest guy to please. Patterson helps UK regroup    Freshman Patrick Patterson has the size and skills to be a dominant basketball player, but coach Billy Gillispie says the one thing holding him back is the lack of a mean streak. Patterson's 23 helps Kentucky regroup against Liberty     The nice guy version of Patterson proved plenty for Liberty to handle Wednesday night as he had a career-high 23 points, helping Kentucky brush off the rust of a two-week layoff with an 80-54 victory. Kentucky on a Mission in Triumph over the Flames    The Kentucky Wildcats had two weeks to mull over their 84-68 loss to Gardner-Webb in the 2K College Sports Classic. The time off worked against the Flames, as Liberty fell, 80-54, to Kentucky in its first game since the setback, Wednesday night, inside the famed Rupp Arena. Cats improve in win over Liberty     Billy Gillispie is not grading on the curve.  While most Kentucky basketball fans would view a 26-point victory far more favorably than a 16-point loss, the Cats' first-year coach saw it through his own lens. Patterson and Cats do the stuffing this time    Gillispie still hungry for improvement    Asked what his team had done better in its 80-54 win against Liberty last night, University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie started to answer, then wound his way into a different subject entirely. Fanning the Flames     Patrick Patterson became the first Kentucky freshman in six years to score at least 20 points and grab 10 or more rebounds in a game. He also became the first UK player to test whether Coach Billy Gillispie's never-satisfied persona has an off switch. Gillispie looking for 'presence' on the floor     Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie wants his team's presence to be known. After all, that's been the trademark of a Gillispie-coached team.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   UK's shot at Vols is a lifetime chance   22-year skid older than most Cats    There isn't a player on the University of Kentucky football team who can remember the last time the Wildcats beat Tennessee. Improved UT secondary awaits test vs. Kentucky     It's difficult to determine what will get picked on more: That leftover turkey or Tennessee's secondary this weekend at Kentucky. Ainge stands and delivers    Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge probably hasn't even had to throw his jersey in with the rest of the dirty laundry following most of the Volunteers' football games this fall.   (11-21-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK  80  --  Liberty  54  (Final) Cats Blow Out Flames, 80-54    Freshman Patrick Patterson had a career-high 23 points to go along with a game-high 10 rebounds as the Kentucky Wildcats got back on the winning track with a 80-54 victory over the Liberty Flames, Wednesday night in Rupp Arena. Humble and ready to rumble    As embarrassments go, Kentucky's loss to Gardner-Webb made a big impression. "Two weeks of being embarrassed," forward Perry Stevenson said yesterday in reference to the time since UK last played. "I don't think I've ever been embarrassed more than a couple minutes at a time." Wildcats back in action after loss    Two weeks have passed since the University of Kentucky basketball team's shocking loss to Gardner-Webb, and the players are eager to replace those negative memories with some positive ones. Wildcats eager to put big upset behind them     Long layoff gives UK time to improve    It's been two weeks since the University of Kentucky basketball team took the court for a game. Gillispie not worried about his contract    University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie said yesterday that he isn't concerned about working with a "memorandum of understanding" rather than a formal contract. Gillispie's Wildcats finally returns to action after Gardner-Webb loss     Two weeks have passed since Kentucky's shocking loss to Gardner-Webb, and the players are eager to replace those negative memories with some positive ones.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   (19) Tennessee (8-3) at Kentucky (7-4)    SEC foes will collide in Lexington, as the Kentucky Wildcats welcome the 19th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers to town. With a win on Saturday, Tennessee can claim a share of the SEC Eastern Division crown, and by virtue of a tie-breaker over Geo... Cats want to run     Kentucky's passing game made quarterback Andre Woodson a potential Heisman Trophy candidate earlier this season and garnered national respect for the Wildcats. UK vs. UT Available Online Via Pay-Per-View     The Kentucky vs. Tennessee football game will be streamed online as part of CSTV's pay-per-view service. Tamme, R. Williams are Game Captains     Senior tight end Jacob Tamme and senior strong safety Roger Williams have been named game captains for Saturday’s contest vs. Tennessee, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Senior's stay short, sweet     Steve Johnson is a little different than most of the 16 Kentucky seniors who will play their final collegiate home game against Tennessee on Saturday. Will Vols protect their stellar sack mark?    As the University of Kentucky football team prepares for its game against Tennessee this week, the Wildcats might want to take notes on pass protection. Brooks says loyalty defines UK's senior class    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks acknowledges saying goodbye to this year's crop of seniors will be even tougher than usual.   (11-20-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Cats Return to Action Against Liberty     Following a two-week layoff, Kentucky returns to action Wednesday night by hosting the Liberty Flames out of the Big South Conference. Gillispie offers injury updates on Cats   Kentucky sophomore guard Derrick Jasper has been allowed to run the last two days, but coach Billy Gillispie still won't speculate on when he might be able to play. Gillispe credits Bradley, Crawford for 'mindset' change     Billy Gillispie thinks his team is getting better and understands more about what it takes to compete the way he wants. Bully for them? Liberty fears worst     Surely, Gardner-Webb's victory over Kentucky made all the little schools believe they can beat a college basketball powerhouse. That seems pertinent considering UK's next three opponents are Liberty, Texas Southern and Stony Brook.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Wildcats could foil Vols    Kentucky coach Rich Brooks has always said his top goal this season was for the Wildcats to be a factor in the Southeastern Conference race. This wasn't exactly what he had in mind. Burton wants win    Keenan Burton has heard plenty about Kentucky's 22-game losing streak to Tennessee. Cats land tight end    Tight end Sean Stackhouse of Jacksonville, Fla., has given what he calls a "soft verbal" to the University of Kentucky. Vols put no stock in history vs. 'Cats    UT wary despite 22 straight wins    Streaks, trends, tendencies. They're a part of the fabric of college football. Fans love to brag about them; the players and coaches are fully aware of them. Seniors relish final days in blue    When the UK seniors exit Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, they will walk off C.M. Newton Field for the final time as players. The 15 seniors will not walk away with the best senior class record in the history of UK football. Cats let year slip away, now they'll try to save it against Tennessee     You don't have to be a brain surgeon - or a school nurse for that matter - to understand what's gone wrong with the UK football team. Fulmer has Tennessee vying for title     Phillip Fulmer doesn't quite have the horses he's had on some of his better Tennessee football teams. There are no Peyton Mannings under center or Jamal Lewises in the backfield, no Donte Stallworths out wide and no Albert Haynesworths or John Hendersons on the defensive line. Up-and-down season at crossroads with Vols     On a philosophical plane, I have no idea if Rich Brooks embraces dualism. But the 2007 Kentucky Wildcats are on the verge of proving that the same football season can embody two diametrically opposed concepts. Cats want to finish season right way    Recent struggles put damper on year    There have been historic wins. There have been memorable moments.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Kentucky Volleyball Inks Three Standouts     Middle blocker Gretchen Giesler, setter Christine Hartmann and middle blocker Becky Pavan each have signed National Letters of Intent to play at Kentucky next season, head coach Craig Skinner announced Wednesday. Three Kentucky Volleyball Players Named to All-SEC Teams     Junior Kentucky middle blocker Queen Nzenwa was named a first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection to highlight a cast of three Wildcats named to the 2007 All-SEC teams, the league office in Birmingham, Ala., announced Tuesday. Kentucky Volleyball Notebook -- Nov. 20    Wildcats finish season with 22 wins, fourth place in SEC ... Several Kentucky players set career highs at Arkansas ... Current players ascend up school and SEC records.   (11-19-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Hoops survives second-half comeback    Despite abysmal shooting and poor offensive decision-making, the UK women's basketball team held on to defeat Florida Atlantic, 61-53, in front of 4,875 fans at Memorial Coliseum to gain its second victory of the season. Cats put best spin on unsightly win     If Matthew Mitchell hadn't made a career out of coaching, he could have excelled in public relations. Givens' school pride no hit with daughter     Jaimie Givens was stretching with her Florida Atlantic teammates when the freshman saw her father, Jack "Goose" Givens, walk into Memorial Coliseum yesterday.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Cats take away but fail to take advantage    The Georgia Bulldogs gave UK every chance it needed to steal a win in Athens, Ga., Saturday, but despite forcing four turnovers, the Cats fell 24-13 in front of 92,746 fans at Sanford Stadium. Head coach Rich Brooks said earlier in the week that UK (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) needed to force more turnovers against its opponents, but his team couldn't take advantage of takeaways on Saturday. Loss makes Senior Day vital to salvage season    Georgia had its Senior Day on Saturday. UK will have its send-off on Saturday against Tennessee. Wildcats Meet Tennessee on Senior Day     Having secured back-to-back seven-win seasons for the first time in 30 years, the Kentucky football team looks to return to its winning ways, playing host to the 19th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, on senior day Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium UK hopes to send seniors off with a win over Tennessee     The University of Kentucky football team will try to send its seniors off on positive note Saturday when they host Tennessee in the regular-season finale. Brooks: UK must regain balance     A Kentucky football season that started out with so much sizzle has started to fizzle of late. The Wildcats, who were once 5-0 and the No. 8 team in the country, have now lost four of their last six and are unranked in both polls. UK's Pulley expects to start     Former Kentucky Mr. Football Curtis Pulley played quarterback and wide receiver for Kentucky in 2005 and 2006. However, this year he's redshirting for academic reasons and having to watch his teammates play. Kentucky and Tennessee both will have a lot at stake     Both coaches know there will be plenty at stake when Kentucky hosts Tennessee on Saturday. Win over Vols will make it all better     I know you. As a Kentucky football fan, you believed your team would beat Tennessee. This would be the year you would break that 22-year losing streak. UK falls out of AP Top 25 poll     Kansas' improbable climb has the unbeaten Jayhawks ranked higher than ever and preparing to play their biggest game ever. Ex-UK coach fired by Baylor after 5 straight losing seasons     Baylor coach Guy Morriss was fired Sunday, a day after the Bears finished their 12th consecutive losing season with their 12th straight Big 12 loss.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Cats Shut Down Arkansas in Regular-Season Finale    Kentucky middle blockers Nicole Britenriker (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Queen Nzenwa (Baltimore, Md.) combined for 30 kills and 15 blocks Sunday as the Wildcats held off Arkansas 3-2 (30-27, 20-30, 30-21, 23-30, 16-14) in Barnhill Arena in the final regular-season match for the Wildcats.   (11-18-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Mahoney Leads UK Hoops Over Florida Atlantic     Despite a dismal shooting performance from the field and 22 turnovers, the Kentucky women’s basketball team hit 25-of-40 from the free throw line to defeat Florida Atlantic, 61-53, on Sunday for the Wildcats’ fifth consecutive victory in Memorial Coliseum. Owls bring daughters to dads' old turf     Jack Givens' normally boisterous voice turns to quiet reverence when asked about Memorial Coliseum. Michael Porter's father offers insights      Gary Porter, the father of Kentucky sophomore guard Michael Porter, is the coach at Modesto (Calif.) High School where one of his players was former UK standout Chuck Hayes, who now starts for the Houston Rockets. Minnesota's signings beat Cats' in one analyst's view    Recruiting analyst Van Coleman rates Minnesota ahead of Kentucky in this fall's signings. OK, now that I've got your attention, please don't send me any of your inane e-mail messages. The point is not to say Tubby Smith did a better job recruiting than Billy Gillispie.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Offense stalls despite four Georgia turnovers     Andre Woodson was sacked by Georgia's Marcus Howard in the fourth quarter yesterday. The Kentucky offense has given up 17 sacks in the last four games. Bulldogs give, but Cats don't take     Georgia did its part to give Kentucky a chance to pull off its biggest Southeastern Conference road win of the Rich Brooks era. The eighth-ranked Bulldogs put the ball on the ground four times, spotted UK an early 10-point cushion and generally sleepwalked through most of the first half. Weary Wildcats limping to finish line     All along, Rich Brooks said a season is a marathon, not a sprint. Unfortunately for him, looks like he was right. As the finish line approaches, his Kentucky football team looks tired, winded, beat up. It commits errors it didn't commit earlier in the season. It is a step slow, a beat behind. Execution is off. Opportunities are lost. So are games. Where in the world is the Kentucky offense?     Shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday, the Atlanta office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued an all-points bulletin. This may be the most massive missing persons case in American history. Wildcats flame out in 24-13 downer    Hot start wasted as Georgia rallies    Long before the questions to UK's Andre' Woodson finish, it was clear he had run out of answers. His No. 22 Wildcats had just lost 24-13 to No. 8 Georgia, and Woodson was at a loss, unable to explain his team's latest offensive implosion or the skid that has sent UK to four defeats in its last six games. Cats' offense has suddenly gone catatonic    Defense was supposed to be the unit that made University of Kentucky football fans hide their eyes and gnaw their fingernails directly to the cuticles. Couldn't stop the run. Barely better against the pass. Specialized in giving up gut-torching big plays. 'Creeper' gives Cats the creeps    Nobody put a hand on Kelin Johnson. As a result, he put his stamp on Georgia's 24-13 victory over the University of Kentucky yesterday at Sanford Stadium.               Kentucky Wildcats Baseball   Elizabethtown's Bouthilette signs with Kentucky    Sean Bouthilette plans to spend the next four years of his baseball career with an old friend.   (11-17-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Hoops Faces Florida Atlantic Sunday     The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to get back on the winning track when it returns to the friendly confines of Memorial Coliseum Sunday, Nov. 18 to play host to Florida Atlantic at 2 p.m. EST. 'Contract' confounds Gillispie's attorney    Billy Gillispie's seven-year deal to coach Kentucky's basketball team could potentially pay him in excess of $20 million. That UK considers a two-page preliminary memo a sufficient contract flusters Gillispie's attorney.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Georgia beats UK 24-13     Georgia rallied from 10 points down in the first half, took control of the game in the third quarter and held off Kentucky's attempts to mount a comeback, beating the Cats 24-13 today at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. Bulldogs rally to down Kentucky     Thomas Brown's touchdown early in the second half gave Georgia the lead, as the eighth-ranked Bulldogs rallied from an early hole to beat 22nd-ranked Kentucky, 24-13. #8 UGA 24  -- #22 UK 13 (Final) Cats can't capitalize on turnovers, fall to Georgia 24-13     The Georgia Bulldogs gave UK every chance the Cats needed to steal a win in Athens, Ga., Saturday, but despite forcing four turnovers, UK fell 24-13 in front of 92,746 fans at Sanford Stadium. Head coach Rich Brooks said earlier in the week that UK (7-4, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) needed to force more turnovers, but his team couldn't take advantage Saturday. Georgia dominates second half     CATS GAIN ONLY 29 YARDS RUSHING    Georgia did its part to give Kentucky a chance to pull off its biggest Southeastern Conference road win of the Rich Brooks Era. Bulldogs now wait to see SEC title future     Knowshon Moreno ran for 124 yards, Matthew Stafford surprised Kentucky with a 10-yard touchdown run and No. 8 Georgia overcame four turnovers and an early deficit to beat 22nd-ranked Kentucky 24-13 Saturday. No. 8 Georgia clinches tie for SEC East, beating Kentucky 24-13     Georgia has done all it can. Now, the Bulldogs need a little help to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game. No. 8 Georgia 24, No. 22 Kentucky 13     Georgia has done all it can. Now, the Bulldogs need a little help to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game. SEC East runs through Woodson's hands     Kentucky QB can affect outcome against UGA, Vols    The kid who can determine the fate of the SEC's Eastern Division doesn't play for one of the contenders. He learned to throw with his mother in the backyard. He is a kinesiology major and soft-spoken. Only last year, he almost quit. Third victim would be a first    A victory today over Georgia would allow the Kentucky football team to equal the number of wins they got in last year's breakthrough Music City Bowl season. Richt replaces stoic with stoke it    Mississippi State's Sylvester Croom may be SEC Coach of the Year. LSU's Les Miles may end up taking the national championship this year. How 'bout a red-out? Richt out of gimmicks    The Great Motivator seems to have run out of ideas. The best Mark Richt could do for Saturday's crucial Kentucky-Georgia game was a "red-out." Dawgs could be Wildcats' toughest test    Beating hot team on the road would be quite a feat for UK    The University of Kentucky football team has toppled a No. 1. It has stood toe-to-toe with ranked foes and fought to the finish. And yet, for all the No. 22 Wildcats have faced -- and overcome -- this season, they might not have stared down a tougher task than today's game at No. 8 Georgia. Wildcats Look for First Win in Athens Since 1977    Having captured back-to-back seven-win seasons for the first time since the 1976-77 campaigns, Kentucky looks to continue its winning ways and chart its first win in Athens since 1977 when the Wildcats and red-hot Georgia Bulldogs square off on Saturday. Former Football Coach John Ray Passes Away     John Ray, former Kentucky football coach from 1969-72, passed away in his home in Granger, Ind., Wednesday of complications from cardiopulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. He was 81.   (11-16-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Gillispie's contract remains unsigned     After failing to agree to specific language in a formal contract, University of Kentucky athletics officials and Billy Gillispie have decided to continue operating under the terms in a "Memorandum of Understanding Offer" originally crafted at the time of the basketball coach's hiring. Pitino hasn't matched his UK success    When the Hartford Hawks invade Freedom Hall Saturday night, Rick Pitino will be officially starting his seventh season -- where does the time go? -- as head coach of the Louisville Cardinals. 'Founding Father' in a brown suit    Kentuckians have long regarded Adolph Rupp as the father of basketball in the state, even though the game was nearly 40 years old when he got here.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Georgia meets Kentucky with BCS game at stake    BCS fever is gripping Georgia fans these days, with a big-money bowl game well within the Bulldogs' reach. If eighth-ranked Georgia (8-2, 5-2 SEC) wins out, the Bulldogs are all but assured of an at-large bid to a Bowl Championship Series game - probably the Sugar Bowl. Little will play at Georgia     Kentucky's chances of ending a 14-game losing streak to Georgia in Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., got a boost on Thursday when UK coach Rich Brooks announced that senior Rafael Little will be available to play. Healthy Little key to hopes for miracle    The Cats were miraculous the last time they suited up in a no-win situation - it ended in UK downing the top team in the nation. Now, as the football Cats are set to play Georgia between the hedges tomorrow, the Big Blue faithful are hoping for another phenomenon as the team takes the show on the road. Players, coaches try to explain offense's disappearance    Just where has that potent Kentucky offense been lately? It wasn't long ago that the Wildcats were putting up 40-plus points on the likes of Louisville and Arkansas, and they even hung 43 on the nation's No. 1 team, Louisiana State, albeit in three overtimes. Wildcats face streaking Georgia football team amid heated SEC title race    There's more work ahead for Mark Richt, but the Georgia football coach joked this week that part of him wishes he could quit while he's ahead.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Volleyball Closes Regular-Season at Arkansas Sunday    The Kentucky volleyball team closes its 2007 regular season on Sunday when it travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the Arkansas Lady ‘Backs. Opening serve in Barnhill Arena is slated for 2 p.m. EST. Skinner revives UK's winning ways      Finishing his second year as assistant head coach at volleyball powerhouse Nebraska in 2004, Craig Skinner was in a great situation. Only four years after a national championship win, Skinner could have stayed Lincoln, Neb., with plenty of success to come.   (11-15-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   National Collegiate HOF to Honor Rupp     Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp is one of four “Founding Fathers” who will be honored Sunday night at the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame induction celebration at Kansas City’s new Sprint Center. Gillispie, UK have 'understanding,' but not contract     After failing to agree to specific language in a formal contract, University of Kentucky athletics officials and Billy Gillispie have decided to operate under the terms in a “Memorandum of Understanding Offer” originally crafted at the time of the basketball coach’s hiring. 6-6 recruits say yes to Wildcats    The day the University of Kentucky received some good news about its future, it announced another setback for its already battered team. Liggins, Miller make it official    In his eight months as Kentucky coach, Billy Gillispie has signed four prospects considered among the top 35 nationally: freshmen Patrick Patterson and Alex Legion last spring, plus two high school seniors who signed yesterday: wing Darius Miller of Maysville and guard DeAndre Liggins of Chicago. Capital pains for UK women    Jessica Adair scored a career-high 29 points to lead No. 14 George Washington to a 75-65 win over Kentucky last night. George Washington handles Kentucky    Samantha Mahoney scored 17 to lead Kentucky (1-1). Sarah Elliott added 13 points. Meeks' injury latest low blow to Cats    Sophomore guard could miss 6 weeks    A loss to Gardner-Webb. The temporary loss of a standout player. It hasn't been the best of weeks for University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Woodson a Finalist for Unitas Award     André Woodson has been named a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the nation’s top senior quarterback. Wildcats hope to hold the lines    Rich Brooks knows the plays of his offensive and defensive lines have been just as important to No. 22 Kentucky's resurgence as quarterback Andre Woodson. UK's Rafael Little goes through an entire practice    University of Kentucky tailback Rafael Little went through an entire practice this morning, a sign that Wildcats coach Rich Brooks called “very encouraging” heading into Saturday’s game at Georgia. The grit behind the glory     Playing time or not, unheralded scout team committed to preparing UK for success Three times a week, Stuart Hines walks out the front door of Baldwin Hall around 7 a.m. and heads to the E.J. Nutter Training Facility. He spends the next two hours lifting weights, putting on his pads and occasionally visiting the training room. SEC season one for the ages    Thanksgiving is a week away, but it's time to give thanks now. Break out the turkey, pass the dressing and let us acknowledge gratitude for the football feast that is sadly closing toward a conclusion. Georgia eyes SEC title; set for Kentucky    A little over a month ago, Georgia coach Mark Richt stopped talking about the Southeastern Conference race. He figured there wasn't any point after the Bulldogs were blown out by Tennessee. UK O-line wants to reverse its slide    Brooks: Unit must be physical again    Maybe there was nowhere to go but down. Maybe the University of Kentucky's offensive line can't hope to play any better than it did in last month's upset of Louisiana State.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Marshall ends UK's men's soccer season, 3-1    The University of Kentucky men's soccer team, leading Marshall 1-0 midway through the first half, gave up three goals in 17 minutes and fell 3-1 in the first round of yesterday's Conference USA Tournament. Marshall Ends Soccer's Season with 3-1 Win    Leading 1-0 midway through the first half, the Kentucky men’s soccer team allowed three unanswered goals in a span of 17 minutes, to give Marshall a 3-1 win in round one of the Conference USA Tournament, ending UK’s season, on a cloudy afternoon at UAB’s West Campus Field.   (11-14-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Kentucky's Meeks out with stress fracture    Kentucky will be without its top outside shooter for at least a month after guard Jodie Meeks was diagnosed with a stress fracture. UK's Meeks to miss 4-6 weeks with stress fracture     A stress fracture will sideline Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks for four to six weeks, the player's father said Wednesday. The player and his family learned of the injury on Tuesday. "A stress fracture in the pelvic region," Orestes Meeks said. Kentucky Falls to No. 14/12 George Washington     Jessica Adair scored a career-high 29 points to lead No. 14 George Washington to a 75-65 win against Kentucky on Wednesday night. Wildcat Basketball Adds Two Players     Kentucky men’s basketball signed highly-rated high school seniors DeAndre Liggins and Darius Miller to National Letters of Intent Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period for college basketball. Tough test comes early for Cats    Kentucky's first road game of the season comes against No. 14 George Washington tonight, and Coach Matthew Mitchell says he's ready to find out how good his Cats can be. Cats still smarting from backdoor cuts    Before his team's game against Kentucky, Gardner-Webb Coach Rick Scruggs drew a parallel to the movie Hoosiers. He joked about measuring the baskets, like movie coach Gene Hackman did, to assure the plucky underdog that the goals were the same as back home: 10 feet off the floor. The mighty opponent could be cut down to size.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Little Questionable For Georgia Game     Senior tailback Rafael Little is questionable for the Georgia game, Coach Rich Brooks announced after Wednesday morning’s practice. Kentucky may lose RB for Georgia duel     Kentucky running back Rafael Little is questionable for Saturday's game at No. 8 Georgia after injuring his back in last week's win over Vanderbilt. Georgia 'Cats want a win back home    Braxton Kelley is a realist. If he were a few inches taller and packed on 20 pounds of muscle, he might have ended up at Georgia. Georgia counts on big plays     Kentucky has been able to use big plays to win games this year. But so has Georgia. Pivotal SEC Showdown Pits Cats Against Dawgs    Two teams with lofty postseason aspirations meet in Athens this Saturday, as the eighth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs host the 22nd- ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Cats' Clayton lost his hearing, not his courage    This football season has produced some of the loudest moments in University of Kentucky history. Tougher drills for Cats    Coach Rich Brooks has given his banged-up University of Kentucky football team some much-needed rest in recent weeks. Cats out to prove Georgia victory was no 'fluke'    Jacob Tamme could not stop crying. For 15 minutes the senior tight end balled his eyes out as he walked among the thousands of people on C.M. Newton Field at Commonwealth Stadium looking for whomever he could hug following last year's 24-20 win over Georgia. Georgia's top dog    The Bulldog Nation rejoiced two years ago when Coach Mark Richt signed the nation's top high school quarterback in Matthew Stafford. Woodson a winner on, off the field     Random notes: It's good to know that away from the spotlight some athletes are just as they seem. Last Friday, the eighth-grade students from a nearby middle school were at a local pizza place during a field trip when in walked some UK football players, including Andre Woodson.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Last year's snub motivates soccer team    By the time the men's soccer team reached conference play this year, it appeared that hope for a successful 2007 season had been lost.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Cats Don't Let Weather Get in Way of 3-1 Win at Tennessee    Heavy rains in the Knoxville area, coupled with a leak in the Stokely Athletics Center roof delayed Kentucky’s volleyball match with Tennessee for 61 minutes early in game four, but the inclement weather surrounding the match didn’t dampen the Wildcats’ intensity, as UK won a 3-1 (28-30, 32-30, 30-19, 30-26) decision against the Lady Vols on Wednesday evening.   (11-13-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Cats Face Big Road Test at George Washington    The Kentucky women’s basketball team will travel to Washington, D.C., for the Wildcats’ first road test of the season against No. 14/13 George Washington Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 5:15 p.m. EST. Louisville expects stellar recruiting class; Indiana, Kentucky also to add key players    The early national signing period for college basketball prospects is going to kick off Wednesday with a flurry of action among the local schools. Legion still confident    Like most freshmen, Alex Legion has already had some ups and downs during his University of Kentucky basketball career. Georgia forward high on wish list    In his first six months on the job, new Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie recruited four players rated among the nation's top 35. But, as he's fond of noting, the recruiting job is never done. Wildcats drop out of AP poll    The Atlantic Sun Conference doesn't have any members in the Top 25, but its teams knocked a couple of big-name schools out of the rankings.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Bulldogs not likely to overlook UK this time    More than a year after the University of Kentucky mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to stun Southeastern Conference power Georgia, the Wildcats remembered the monumental win like it was a week ago. Cats know what to expect from Georgia    Georgia's primary motivation against Kentucky should be winning to maintain its chance to win the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division and play in the SEC championship game. Jarmon, Smith are Game Captains    Sophomore defensive end Jeremy Jarmon and sophomore tailback Alfonso Smith have been named game captains for this week’s contest at Georgia, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Georgia game defines Cats    Kentucky football has had its fair share of marquee moments over the past few months: The Music City Bowl win over Clemson, its first win over archrival Louisville in five years, and its first win over a No. 1 team (Louisiana State) since 1964. Horse player    For many Kentucky fathers, having a son playing a key role during one of the best stretches of UK football in decades would lead to a closet full of buttonless shirts. UK's surge began with Georgia    Last year's upset of Bulldogs gave Wildcats confidence    Eric Scott remembers chewing his fingernails down to nothing in the closing minutes. He remembers the interception that sealed it and the text messages that flooded his phone afterward.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Rice Named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year    Kentucky sophomore defender Barry Rice has been named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, the league office announced Tuesday. UK Opens C-USA Tournament with Marshall    Winners of six of their last 10 games, the Kentucky men’s soccer team kicks off post-season play, earning the three-seed and a matchup with sixth-seeded Marshall in the Conference USA Tournament, beginning on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. EDT at UAB’s West Campus Field. (11-12-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Louisville, Indiana in top 10 of first regular season poll    The University of Kentucky is ranked the equivalent of No. 39 coming off last week's loss to Gardner-Webb. Kentucky dropped from 20th. Gillispie says Cats need new attitude    Kentucky will have had two weeks of practice before the next game: Liberty on Nov. 21. The last game suggested the Cats will need plenty of time for corrections.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   UK has plenty to play for    The University of Kentucky saw its dreams of reaching the Southeastern Conference Championship Game die late Saturday night with Florida's 51-31 win at South Carolina. UK's Rich Brooks: Back to basics preparation for game against University of Georgia    Beating Georgia won’t be easy for the University of Kentucky football team. UK's Jarmon SEC defensive lineman of the week     University of Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon today was named Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance last Saturday at Vanderbilt. Wildcats can't win SEC, but could still improve bowl prospects    Even though Kentucky can't win the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division, coach Rich Brooks thinks the Wildcats will be a factor down the stretch. UF's last hope: Kentucky?    En route to a waiting bus in Sunday morning's wee hours, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow reflected. When he could have celebrated the most impressive evening of his college career, Tebow instead lamented what he and his Gators teammates didn't do this year. Georgia's offense worries Brooks      Kentucky continues to be ranked in the top 25, has a 7-3 overall record and for the second straight year is drawing interest from numerous bowl scouts. Wildcats Look for First Win in Athens Since 1977    Having captured back-to-back seven-win seasons for the first time since the 1976-77 campaigns, Kentucky looks to continue its winning ways and chart its first win in Athens since 1977 when the Wildcats and red-hot Georgia Bulldogs square off on Saturday. Woodyard a Lott Trophy Semifinalist    Senior linebacker Wesley Woodyard has been named a semifinalist for the Lott Trophy by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation ... Jeremy Jarmon is SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week ... UK vs. UT game will be at 1:30. Big Blue Crush Kicks Off Monday      The Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) is ready for the 20th annual Big Blue Crush, scheduled for Nov. 12-16. The blood drive competition pits UK fans against UT fans. Ready for bowl season? Not so fast, Cats fans    For Kentucky football fans with that seventh-win itch to pre-book specific bowl game reservations, a pair of hyphenated words should give pause. Florida rooting for UK   Not long after Florida rolled over South Carolina on Saturday, coach Urban Meyer was asked if he was now a big University of Kentucky fan.   (11-11-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Boo birds show up early this season    It took two games for a noisy segment of Kentucky fans to change Big Blue to big boo. Boos and grumbles could be heard repeatedly during UK's 84-68 loss to Gardner-Webb in Game 2 of the Billy Gillispie era. Newcomers lift Cats in opener    With a new coach and six new players, there is always the potential for error, especially in the first game of the season. But little went wrong for Kentucky and new coach Matthew Mitchell last night in a 74-59 victory over South Carolina Upstate. UK, IU hope to sign top prospects   Singleton, Jones are respective targets     The early national signing period for high school basketball prospects begins Wednesday, and there are still unanswered questions for the men's teams at the University of Kentucky and Indiana University.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Wildcats Advance in Rankings    Following the 27-20 win at Vanderbilt, the Kentucky football team has advanced in the national rankings released Sunday, Nov. 11 ... Big Blue Crush taking place Nov. 12-16. LSU ranked Number 1 in AP poll; UK rises to 22    Despite having one loss to Kentucky this season, LSU is ranked Number 1 in the Associated Press poll, ahead of unbeaten Kansas, which is ranked No. 4. Cats clean up nicely    Last week's open date did not make Kentucky a well-oiled machine against Vanderbilt yesterday. A flurry of penalties, questionable calls and a stout Commodores defense had the Wildcats out of sync for much of the afternoon. Seven is so much better than six    The upcoming statement may sound as daffy and wrongheaded as some of those officials calls that had Rich Brooks twisted into an outraged pretzel yesterday at Vanderbilt Stadium. The Cat collapse: a thing of the past?    Across Kentucky's tortured football history, the Wildcats have performed more late-game renditions of Heartbreak Hotel than all our nation's Elvis Impersonators combined. UK shows resilience in 27-20 win over Vandy    Give this Kentucky football team credit for not being afraid of adversity. Special teams come through for Wildcats     Kentucky's kicking game has given coach Rich Brooks many troubling times this season. UK atop Nashville charts    Already 7-3, Wildcats want an even bigger record    You'd think with all the good fortune the University of Kentucky football team keeps having in this town, the Wildcats would be dying to come back. But after escaping yesterday with a 27-20 win against Vanderbilt, the Wildcats were hoping to bid a Big Blue adieu to Music City. Vandy's plan nearly works    One of Vanderbilt's objectives heading into its Southeastern Conference matchup with visiting Kentucky was to control the ball and control the clock. Beating Vandy is Cats' latest Senior Moment    Keenan Burton, Mr. Elusive, did not return the kickoff to start the second half of the University of Kentucky's game at Vanderbilt yesterday. Star receivers mostly contained    Keenan Burton was back. Earl Bennett was everywhere. But ultimately, neither star receiver was a deciding factor in the University of Kentucky's 27-20 win against Vanderbilt yesterday at Vanderbilt Stadium. Kentucky keeps its SEC title hopes alive    Kentucky is likely headed to a bigger bowl game than last year. Vandy's defense lets momentum slip away late    In the first half of their meeting with No. 24 Kentucky, Vanderbilt's defensive unit clearly frustrated the Wildcats. Adams' efforts go to waste    Mackenzi Adams limped into the interview room after a fourth-quarter Vanderbilt drive came up short, allowing Kentucky to walk away with a 27-20 SEC decision.   (11-10-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK  74  --  USCU  59  (Final) UK Hoops Opens Mitchell Era with Win    Kentucky benefitted from balanced scoring and potent long-range shooting Saturday to open the Matthew Mitchell era with a 74-59 win against USC-Upstate in Memorial Coliseum. Loss costs Kentucky more than just pride     Kentucky athletic officials do not warm to the proposed subjects of conversation: Losing. Refunding money. But that's the position UK finds itself in after Wednesday night's loss to Gardner-Webb. Tubby says Cats will bounce back Former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith had an ironic message for panicky UK fans: Be patient. As UK coach, Smith did not get the benefit of the doubt from a noisy segment of fans. When he watched a portion of Wednesday night's loss to Gardner-Webb, he saw a team that can greatly improve with time. Post problems could continue in Cats' opener     Sarah Elliott loves the members of Kentucky's training staff, but she's getting really tired of spending so much time with them. "I want to stay out of the training room and be out on the floor," said Elliott, UK's leading returning scorer from last year. "That's all I want to do. I'm ready to be out on the floor again."               Kentucky Wildcats Football   UK  27  --  VU  20 (Final) No. 24 Cats hold off Vanderbilt 27-20    Andre Woodson threw for 222 yards, Rafael Little had 70 yards rushing and No. 24 Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 27-20 on Saturday. Cats hold off Vandy    Kentucky is likely headed to a bigger bowl game than last year. Woodson leads No. 24 Kentucky to 27-20 win over Vanderbilt    Andre Woodson threw for 222 yards, Rafael Little had 70 yards rushing and No. 24 Kentucky beat Vanderbilt 27-20 on Saturday to keep its slim hopes of a berth in the Southeastern Conference title game alive. Rivals no longer also-rans in SEC    For years, Kentucky and Vanderbilt have tried to climb out of the SEC East basement. Vandy aims to keep ball from Kentucky    Expect Vanderbilt to be in a rush when No. 24 Kentucky visits in today's Southeastern Conference matchup. This year, Vandy-UK is crucial    'Dores seek bowl eligibility; Cats go for seventh victory    There's plenty on the line when the University of Kentucky football team takes on Vanderbilt today in Nashville, Tenn. No, seriously. It's a rarity in a series marked more by mistakes than high stakes, but the Wildcats and Commodores both enter today's 2 p.m. EST game with something to shoot for.   (11-09-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Hoops Opens 34th Season of Basketball Saturday    The 34th season of varsity women’s basketball at Kentucky and the Matthew Mitchell era officially begin Saturday when UK plays host to the South Carolina-Upstate Spartans in the 2007-08 season opener. Tip-off in Memorial Coliseum is slated for 7 p.m. EST. Game-day practices examined    Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie halted a drill when he noticed Patrick Patterson out of position. When he asked Patterson for an explanation, the heralded freshman began saying, "I thought..." UK gets 2-week schedule break    It is just about every player's dream to be shown on ESPN's "SportsCenter" top-10 segment in which the sports network's anchors pay homage to the 10 most spectacular plays of the day. Kentucky duo with Michigan ties not finding time in starting lineup      Alex Legion could be starring for new Michigan coach John Beilein.   Instead, the freshman is trying to make an impact with the Kentucky Wildcats. What writers around the nation are saying about Kentucky's loss    What writers around the nation are saying about Kentucky's loss. 1. This is not Tubby Smith's fault. I know it's easy to blame everybody's favorite punching bag, but it's also wrong. A team with Jodie Meeks, Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley -- three players Smith left behind -- should beat any Atlantic Sun team. In fact, Smith could take the unheralded roster he has at Minnesota and handle Gardner-Webb. So don't be off-target with the criticism, Kentucky fans, and you know who you are. Even fans who didn't see upset will remember it for a long time    By yesterday afternoon, everyone in the giddy little burg of Boiling Springs, N.C., was of one mind. The mind-boggling basketball upset performed Wednesday by the local college, Gardner-Webb University, over mighty Kentucky is about the biggest thing ever to happen to this town of 3,996. It's easy to break down Cats' breakdown    Gardner-Webb jumped out early, then kept executing    While the college basketball world was searching for answers, Billy Gillispie was searching for players.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Cats faces Vanderbilt with bowl games in sight    For years, Kentucky and Vanderbilt have tried to climb out of the SEC East basement. Stuck in a logjam of talented teams, the traditional bottom dwellers have struggled to compete against Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Wildcats vs. Commodores. Not exactly a marquee matchup, right? Seniors know what's at stake against Vandy    The situation is not exactly the same as it was a year ago after Kentucky lost 49-0 at LSU and found its season in limbo. However, the Cats' 31-14 loss to Mississippi State two weeks ago has turned Saturday's game at Vanderbilt into a must-win scenario for UK. UK's Little likes being funny    Senior running back Rafael Little is finishing his career at the University of Kentucky. As we sat at CATS (The Centre for Academic and Tutorial Services) where student-athletes gather for tutors and study time, you could tell everyone that walked by had something to say. Lumpkin finally gets to hit the road    Saturday's Kentucky-Vanderbilt game is big for many reasons, but there's an extra added twist involved for UK defensive tackle Ricky Lumpkin. Kentucky Returns to Action at Vanderbilt   Coming off back-to-back losses and an open date, the Kentucky football team hopes to bounce back on Saturday when it travels to Nashville to face Vanderbilt. Clot sidelines UK's Grigsby indefinitely    Junior cornerback Ahmad Grigsby is out indefinitely after a blood clot was found in his subclavicle artery, Brooks said yesterday. Wildcats wary of hungry Commodores    With Vanderbilt one win away from becoming bowl eligible, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks knows the Wildcats can't take the Commodores lightly Saturday.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Lindsey’s Two Goals Boosts USC to 2-1 OT Win    South Carolina forward Mike Lindsey netted two goals, highlighted by the game-winner in the 94th minute, to lead the host Gamecocks to a 2-1 overtime win over the Kentucky men’s soccer team, in front of 827 fans at Eugene E. Stone III Stadium. Streaking Wildcat Soccer Travels to South Carolina    The streaking Kentucky men’s soccer team puts its four-game Conference USA winning streak on the line, traveling to Columbia, S.C., for its final regular season match of the season, a 7 p.m. EDT showdown on Friday with South Carolina.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Volleyball Captures First 20-Win Season Since 1993    Four Kentucky players registered double-digit kills Friday and the Wildcats notched their first 20-win season since the 1993 campaign with a convincing 3-0 (30-19, 30-24, 30-28) sweep of South Carolina in Memorial Coliseum.   (11-08-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Chuck Hayes asks, Gardner-Who?    Former Kentucky star Chuck Hayes confessed that he’d never heard of Gardner-Webb until the Runnin’ Bulldogs beat UK Wednesday night. When he heard the name, he thought it was the name of a children’s book. No Garden party for UK after stunning upset    On the night of his 48th birthday, professed hoops junkie Billy Gillispie watched a masterfully played game. Runaway at Rupp - Cats looked fatigued, defense lacking in 84-68 setback    At least Gardner-Webb coach Rick Scruggs and most Kentucky fans agreed on one thing. Gardner-Webb coach enjoys this bus trip    Rick Scruggs has taken a lot of bus trips in his coaching career. Some have been longer than others. Gillispie shoulders blame for loss    Billy Gillispie had a surprisingly pleasant demeanor when he came to explain what happened to his Kentucky basketball team in an 84-68 loss to Gardner-Webb on Wednesday. Webb snares Cats    With almost four minutes left, fans began slowly filing out of Rupp Arena. No more hope. No more New York. Maybe no more honeymoon for new Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie. Instead of blowing out candles, Gillispie's team got blown out    Look at it this way. Now there really is nowhere to go but up. "Life goes on," said Billy Gillispie. Although life sure can throw rocks upside your head, even on your birthday. Gardner-Webb stuns No. 20 Kentucky    Coach Billy Gillispie's second game at Kentucky turned out to be the first shocker of the college basketball season. Gardner-Webb knocks off No. 20 Kentucky in College Hoops Classic     Kentucky's players will get plenty of time to ponder their first bout with adversity in the Billy Gillispie era. New York, New York? Need work, need work    Wildcats fall behind 14-0, never recover Billy Gillispie's honeymoon lasted only until his birthday. Gardner-Webb stunned the No. 20 University of Kentucky 84-68 last night in Rupp Arena, giving Gillispie his first loss as the Wildcats' head coach on the day he turned 48 With Tubby Smith in charge, Gophers men's basketball team dares to dream    If you want to know the difference in pressure between coaching at Kentucky and Minnesota, look at the expectations.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   UK football player hospitalized with blood clot    University of Kentucky junior cornerback A.J. Grigsby is out indefinitely after being hospitalized for a blood clot in an artery. Burton and Tamme Finalists for Awards    Wide receiver Keenan Burton and tight end Jacob Tamme have been named finalists for the Fred Biletnikoff Award and the Wuerffel Trophy, respectively. Vandy's Bennett tough to match    It's Vanderbilt week at the University of Kentucky, which means it's time for the annual Earl Bennett questions to pop up. Bennett, a 6-foot-1, 202-pound junior, became the Southeastern Conference's career leader in receptions last month, surpassing former Wildcat Craig Yeast.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   UK women fall in SEC soccer tournament    The University of Kentucky women's soccer team lost to top-seeded Florida 4-0 yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Orange Beach, Ala.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Rumely and Sauer Named Second-Team Academic All-District    Kentucky's Sarah Rumely and BriAnne Sauer each have been named to the 2007 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team for their successes on the court and in the classroom, it was announced Thursday. Wildcats Return Home to Face South Carolina    The Kentucky volleyball team returns to Memorial Coliseum for its final home regular-season weekend beginning Friday when the Wildcats play host to South Carolina. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m. EST.   (11-07-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   GW  82  --  UK  68  (Final) Gardner-Webb 84, Kentucky 68    Grayson Flittner and Thomas Sanders keyed the first upset of the college basketball season Wednesday -- Gardner-Webb's 84-68 win over Kentucky.The 22nd-ranked Wildcats fell in the second round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic to a team that went... Gardner-Webb shocks Kentucky in College Hoops Classic    Grayson Flittner scored 22 points, Thomas Sanders had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Gardner-Webb upset 20th-ranked Kentucky, 84-68, at the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic. Wildcats Upset in College Hoops Classic    Gardner-Webb shot out to a 14-0 lead to start the game and the Wildcats could not overcome the deficit as they fell to the Runnin' Bulldogs, 84-68, Wednesday night in Rupp Arena in the second round of the College Hoops Classic. First 'W' for Billy G.    Kentucky beat Central Arkansas 67-40 last night in Billy Gillispie's debut as head coach. But he did not celebrate. Instead, he all but apologized. UK finds its way out of the blue    The person who one month ago thought Mark Coury would be the Most Valuable Player in Billy Gillispie's first official game as the new Kentucky basketball coach, please raise your hand. Walk-on Coury sets tone in opener     Whatever sophomore Mark Coury has to do to stay in Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie's good graces, he'll do it. Kentucky opens Gillispie era with romp of Central Arkansas    Joe Crawford scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting as No. 20 Kentucky opened the Billy Gillispie era by upending Central Arkansas, 67-40, in the opening round of the Lexington region in the 2K Sports College Hoops... Kentucky 67, Central Arkansas 40    Joe Crawford scored 20 points Tuesday as No. 22 Kentucky dispatched Central Arkansas 67-40 in the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic. Billy Gillispie, who spent the past three seasons coaching at Texas A&M, inherited a Wildcats team that finished 22-12 un... No. 20 Kentucky-Gardner Webb Preview    Last season, Billy Gillispie's Texas A&M team finished second in the country in field-goal percentage defense. It didn't take him long to bring those kind of results with him to Kentucky. Bulldogs ready for Cats    Aaron Linn figures the largest crowd he has ever played in front of is about 3,000. Gillispie era begins with win    Joe Crawford scored 20 points and No. 20 Kentucky began the Billy Gillispie era with a 67-40 victory over Central Arkansas on Tuesday night in the opening round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic. Kentucky cruises in Gillispie's debut    The Wildcats (1-0) advanced to the second round Wednesday night against Gardner-Webb, which defeated Alabama A&M 69-55. Gillispie has an ace in the hole    Crawford enters late, warms up fast    Joe Crawford sat and waited, biding his time far longer than most anyone expected. When the University of Kentucky guard finally got his senior season off to an on-court start last night, he made up for lost time. Crawford came off the bench with 6:55 left in the first half and sparked UK with a game-high 20 points, pacing the No. 20 Wildcats to a 67-40 victory over Central Arkansas at Rupp Arena in Billy Gillisipie's official debut as UK head coach. State of the Cats is primary issue for new coach    Sure, yesterday was Election Day in the Commonwealth. But it was also Inauguration Day. Kentucky elects a governor every four years. But the University of Kentucky has welcomed a new basketball coach just six times since 1930. The early returns on Billy Gillispie's first game as UK coach: Wildcats 67, Central Arkansas 40. Gillispie era opens at Kentucky with 27-point win    Kentucky's players get little time to celebrate their season-opening victory, not that new coach Billy Gillispie was particularly pleased with the performance anyway. Gillispie's first take not good    In his 10 seasons as Kentucky's coach, Tubby Smith never had a team hold an opponent to 20 percent shooting. Billy Gillispie's players accomplished the feat Tuesday night in his first game.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Woodson, Woodyard are Award Semifinalists    Quarterback André Woodson and linebacker Wesley Woodyard have been named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award, respectively, by the Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania. Wildcats bring act to Music City for clash with Commodores    The 24th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats are desperate for a victory, and they hit the road for Saturday's SEC clash with the Vanderbilt Commodores. Rested Wildcats finally healthy following bye week    While No. 25 Kentucky is anxious to get back on the field Saturday at Vanderbilt, the bye week allowed the banged up Wildcats to heal. Cats set for Vandy    Vanderbilt's 49-22 loss at No. 17 Florida last week did nothing to change Kentucky coach Rich Brooks' view of the Commodores. Time for another big game from Little   Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson had to be hoping for Kentucky running back Rafael Little to delay his return to the lineup for one more week. Little returns at right time    Senior tailback has played his best against Vanderbilt    The University of Kentucky football team has just the panacea for all that has ailed running back Rafael Little. The Wildcats will play at Vanderbilt on Saturday. Little will return to the Cats' lineup after missing three games. The Commodores have always brought out the best in the 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior. Burton, Little back at full speed    A healthy Keenan Burton and Rafael Little will certainly help the University of Kentucky's offense. Just don't forget what they can do on special teams, too. Burton's 25.3-yard kickoff return average ranks seventh in the Southeastern Conference. Little ranks eighth in punt-return average (8.0) in the SEC. Little expected to play    Despite a thigh bruise that kept him out of Kentucky's past three games, Rafael Little is expected to play Saturday when the 24th-ranked Wildcats visit Vanderbilt.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Soccer's Season Comes to End in SEC Tournament    The defending Southeastern Conference champion University of Kentucky women’s soccer team rode a five game unbeaten streak to advance to the conference tournament and fell in the quarterfinals to the top-seeded and No. 22 ranked Florida Gators, 4-0, Thursday at the Orange Beach Soccer Complex. Fenix Named First Team All-SEC     Senior captain Kelsey Fenix has been named a first team All-SEC performer as voted on by league coaches and announced by the league office on Tuesday.   (11-06-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK  67  --  CAU  40  (Final) Coury Notches Double-Double in UK Win    Sophomore Mark Coury made the most of his first career start, scoring 10 first-half points on the way to a career-high 13 points and 10 rebounds as Kentucky defeated Central Arkansas, 67-40, in the first round of the College Hoops Classic Benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Gillispie says Cats aren't ready yet    Ready or not -- and to hear the coach, Kentucky's not ready -- the Billy Gillispie era begins tonight. While acknowledging the good cause (finding a cure for cancer) associated with the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic, Gillispie said of tonight's opener against Central Arkansas: "It's too early to play. Wildcats will not rely on tradition    Billy Gillispie doesn't buy the notion that just because his players have the word Kentucky across their jerseys that they will automatically win games when matched up against schools without the same basketball pedigree. Gillispie still has big expectations     Kentucky has several deficiencies that concern coach Billy Gillispie. Billy's Debut    On the eve of his 48th birthday, Billy Clyde Gillispie of Graford, Texas, will coach the Kentucky Wildcats tonight in Rupp Arena for the first time in an official game. Wildcats women exhibit flaws    Exhibition games are supposed to be learning experiences. If Kentucky learned anything from its final exhibition game last night it's that it has a lot of work to do. Gillispie far from satisfied as Wildcats' season begins    His opening night is supposed to be an open-and-shut case. But don't tell Billy Gillispie that. The new University of Kentucky basketball coach will open his first season for real tonight against Central Arkansas at Rupp Arena.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Leger, Kelley are Game Captains   Offensive guard Jason Leger and linebacker Braxton Kelley have been named game captains for Saturday’s contest at Vanderbilt, Coach Rich Brooks has announced. Little expected to play for Wildcats against Vanderbilt    Kentucky running back Rafael Little will return to the lineup on Saturday against Vanderbilt after missing three games with a thigh injury. Cats' only thought is Vanderbilt    Just to make sure his players understand how important Saturday's game at Vanderbilt it, Kentucky coach Rich Brooks sent a subtle message to his players. This week, all that matters is Vanderbilt    Something jumped out at Kentucky receiver Keenan Burton as he walked into the locker room Sunday. UK's schedule board, which lists all 12 games in the 2007 season, had been tampered with. The first nine games of the Wildcats' 6-3 start remained intact, and Saturday's 2 p.m. matchup with Vanderbilt was also up and running. SEC East up for grabs if Auburn defeats Georgia    Ordinarily scoreboard-watching is not something I would recommend for the University of Kentucky football team. Not on the second Saturday in November. Winning at Vanderbilt has often been tricky for the Wildcats. This season, a season energized by Kentucky's victory against Louisiana State, is different. Healthier Cats focus on Vanderbilt    There are three games remaining in the University of Kentucky football team's regular season, but you wouldn't know it if you walked through the team's training center. The schedule board in the locker room has been altered to show only one game — Saturday's tilt at Vanderbilt — in an effort to keep the Wildcats focused on the task at hand.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Dan Williams Named to National Team of the Week    Sophomore Kentucky goalkeeper Dan Williams has been named to the Soccer America Team of the Week, in recognition of his five-save performance in UK’s upset win over No. 1 SMU on Saturday, the magazine announced Tuesday.   (11-05-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Hoops Falls to OGBM    Playing without post players Sarah Elliott and Eleia Roddy, the UK Hoops team was out-rebounded 43-38 and fell to the Ohio Legends 88-79 on Monday in Memorial Coliseum. Billy Gillispie Era Opens Tuesday Night    With the exhibition schedule complete, the Billy Gillispie Era officially begins Tuesday when 20th-ranked Kentucky takes on Central Arkansas in the first round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer. Kentucky Opens Season Against Central Arkansas    Billy Gillispie recorded his most recent victory at Rupp Arena. Kentucky fans hope for many more of the same from their new coach. Too much fouling concerns Gillispie    Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie would rather see his team foul than not play aggressively. However, even the UK coach admits his Wildcats fouled too much in their two exhibition games last week. UK's Harris out with stress fracture    University of Kentucky forward Ramon Harris has a stress fracture and won’t be available for the basketball team’s season opener tomorrow against Central Arkansas. Harris out indefinitely for No. 20 Kentucky    Kentucky forward Ramon Harris is out indefinitely after injuring his left foot in an exhibition game on Saturday. UK hosts Ohio Legends in final exhibition game    The UK women's basketball team will close its pre-season schedule by hosting the Ohio Legends tonight in Memorial Coliseum. In its first exhibition game Thursday, UK defeated Kentucky Wesleyan 83-61 behind senior guard Samantha Mahoney's 13 points. Mahoney led four Cats in double figures, including freshman forward Victoria Dunlap, who had 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Better guard play wanted    Once reliable University of Kentucky center Randolph Morris decided to sign a free agent contract with the New York Knicks in March, the most pressing question for the Wildcats entering this season seemed to be who would fill his role? Little guy walks on, wears the Big Blue    At 5 feet 7 and 150 pounds, Dusty Mills was never confused with an NCAA Division I basketball prospect in his time as a reserve player at Noblesville (Ind.) High School. After averaging just two points and 1.7 assists as a senior at Noblesville, Mills has become of the most improbable stories in college basketball. He came to the University of Kentucky as an accounting student and made it through a tryout with 23 others to become a walk-on for the nation's winningest program.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Little, Burton to return to UK line up    The University of Kentucky football team will be in better shape physically when it plays at Vanderbilt on Saturday. Kentucky Returns to Action at Vanderbilt    Coming off back-to-back losses and an open date, the Kentucky football team hopes to bounce back on Saturday when it travels to Nashville to face Vanderbilt. UK at Georgia Selected by Lincoln Financial Sports    The Kentucky at Georgia football game on Nov. 17 has been selected by Lincoln Financial Sports for live regional television. Game time in Athens will be 12:30 p.m. Dogs-Wildcats get early afternoon kickoff    The Nov. 17 Georgia-Kentucky game was picked up by Lincoln Financial Sports to be televised at 12:30 p.m. CBS opted to broadcast LSU at Ole Miss for its 3:30 p.m. slot, meaning ESPN will likely choose the Vanderbilt-Tennessee game in Knoxville for its 7:45 p.m. broadcast. The Kentucky game will be Georgia's first game on Lincoln Financial this season. Kentucky goes from reeling to healing    By the time Mississippi State got to town more than a week ago, the Kentucky offensive juggernaut was sputtering more than a Pinto at the Kentucky Speedway. No rest for recruiters during Cats' bye week    An open date not only allowed the University of Kentucky football team time to rest and heal up, it also gave the UK coaching staff time to hit the recruiting trail. LSU back where it started; UK back in polls    A week off seems to have given the UK football team some life in the eyes of college football pollsters. UK re-entered the rankings in a tie for 24th this week. The Cats had fallen out of the poll after last week's loss to Mississippi State.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Tim Crone Named to National Team of the Week    After coming off the bench to net two crucial goals to lift the Kentucky men’s soccer team to an improbable 2-1 upset win over No. 1 SMU, sophomore forward Tim Crone has been named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, it was announced Monday morning. Crone Named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week    Already honored on the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, sophomore forward Tim Crone has received his second accolade of the day, earning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors, after netting both goals in leading the Kentucky men’s soccer team to an improbable 2-1 upset of No. 1 SMU on Saturday.   (11-04-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK Hoops Concludes Preseason Play Monday    The Kentucky women’s basketball team concludes preseason play Monday when the Wildcats play host to the Ohio Legends. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EDT and the game will be carried live on the Big Blue Sports Network (radio) with Neil Price. Patrick's Day    During the first television timeout of the second half, Kentucky Coach Billy Gillispie decided he wanted his team to deliver a crushing blow. In other words, attention Patrick Patterson. Gillispie tells guards to take it slow    After Kentucky beat Seattle 82-63 last night, Billy Gillispie said the two words UK fans hate to hear: slow down. The UK coach was speaking of his lead guards, Ramel Bradley and Michael Porter. New coach, new direction    Billy Gillispie having been on the job for a mere six months -- six months of the off-season -- we don't know everything we need to know about the new Kentucky basketball coach. Gillispie says Cats need work on defense    Two games into the Billy Gillispie era at Kentucky, it's easy to like some things. Patterson dominates as Cats beat Seattle in exhibition    Freshman Patrick Patterson scored 17 points and had a perfect shooting night to help No. 20 Kentucky tune up with an 82-63 exhibition victory over Seattle on Saturday night. Joe Crawford trying to earn more playing time    Southeastern Conference coaches thought so highly of Kentucky senior Joe Crawford that they put him on the preseason all-conference second team. Patterson puts on his own exhibition    Freshman keys 82-63 romp over Seattle in final tuneup    On a night when the University of Kentucky honored its basketball past, Patrick Patterson offered a glimpse into the future. The freshman forward had 17 points and seven rebounds last night as the Wildcats topped Seattle 82-63 in Rupp Arena in their final exhibition game of the season. On good terms with great expectations    Billy Gillispie embraces being the Great Blue Hope    A program with seven national championship banners, a passionate fan base, a new $30 million practice facility and a reserved seat in the national media spotlight has its advantages and its distractions. UK fans recall sweet music of Fiddlin' Five     Most of the people standing in line for autographs at the University of Kentucky basketball museum yesterday weren't alive when the Fiddlin' Five won the school's fourth NCAA Championship in 1958. But they lined up all the same, waiting to shake hands with one of the most storied groups in UK history.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Tamme enjoys seeing his wife on TV    He's helped Kentucky upset the nation's No. 1 team and been named a finalist for one of college football's most prestigious awards. Lyons says Cats won't crumble    After Kentucky lost 49-0 to LSU last year, receiver Dicky Lyons confidently guaranteed that the Cats would beat Mississippi State.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Soccer Upsets No. 1 SMU in 2-1 Comeback Win    Tim Crone netted the game-winning goal in the 65th minute, to lead the Kentucky men’s soccer team to a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 win over the No. 1 SMU Mustangs on a chilly Saturday night at the UK Soccer Complex. SMU men's soccer loses at Kentucky, 2-1    The SMU men's soccer team had a 1-0 halftime lead but surrendered two-second half goals to lose its first Conference USA game of the season to Kentucky, 2-1. The loss was the first for SMU (11-3-2, 6-1-1) in nearly two months. Kentucky is 5-2 in conference games.               Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Volleyball Drops Four-Game Match to Ole Miss    The Kentucky volleyball team was denied its 20th victory of the season Sunday for the second consecutive match, falling in a hard-fought four-game contest (31-33, 25-30, 30-27, 39-41) at the Gillom Sports Center.               Kentucky Wildcats Baseball   Slugging Veterans Highlight Fall World Series   Sawyer Carroll doubled twice and drove in a run, and Clint Tilford and Brock Baber combined to allow only one earned run, as the UK Black team edged the UK Blue in game seven of the annual Kentucky Baseball Fall World Series.   (11-03-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   UK  82  --  SU  63 (Final) Patterson's Complete Game Leads to UK Victory    Freshman Patrick Patterson had 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and was a perfect 6-6 from the field as the Wildcats defeated Seattle, 82-63, at Rupp Arena Saturday night in the second and final exhbition. Seattle's big chance    Four years ago when Tubby Smith was Kentucky's coach, a complete stranger approached him at a recruiting camp in Las Vegas. "We've got two things in common," Joe Callero said as the men shook hands. "We're both from large families. ... " Cats picked sixth in pre-season poll    The pre-season All-Southeastern Conference first and second teams were unveiled yesterday along with a predicted order of finish, overall champion and a pre-season player of the year. Improvement promised for 2nd UK exhibition    The last and only time the University of Kentucky played Seattle University, an NCAA championship was at stake. Crawford playing catch-up    Gillispie says senior's conditioning, defense lagging    Joe Crawford watched "Boot Camp" from the sideline, and you can imagine the range of emotions the University of Kentucky guard felt as he saw his teammates go through coach Billy Gillispie's grueling preseason conditioning drills. North Carolina is No. 1 in AP Top 25; Louisville, Kentucky ranked    No. 1. Kansas State is making a rare appearance in the Top 25 rankings. Expect Kentucky, Gillispie to pour it on UCA    Billy Clyde Gillispie will get his first real experience as the head basketball coach of the Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday night when the University of Central Arkansas ventures into Rupp Arena for the season opener.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Cats are preparing for 'bye' this week    It seems like Keenan Burton has been around forever, but the senior receiver is in the final stages of his University of Kentucky career.   (11-02-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   Bradley willing to talk more    The more Billy Gillispie gets to watch Ramel Bradley play, the more enamored the Kentucky coach is with his senior lead guard. UK's Fiddling Five to be honored    Kentucky will honor its 1958 national championship basketball team, and the team it faced in the finals that year, Saturday night when the Wildcats host Seattle in an exhibition game. UK To Honor 1958 NCAA Champions     Kentucky honors its 1958 national championship basketball team Saturday night when the Wildcats host Seattle in an exhibition game. An autograph session will be held before the game. Law says Gillispie is always pushing    Acie Law IV remembered how Billy Gillispie reacted the day after a lopsided victory. In a word (OK, two): Not well. "You may have had 35 points and eight assists, and you won," said Law, the star lead guard for Gillispie at Texas A&M last season. "And he's going to chew you up the next day. Things you could have done better. Open-and-shut Cats    First-year University of Kentucky women's basketball coach Matthew Mitchell entered Memorial Coliseum last night exactly the same as he exited it: to a standing ovation. KENTUCKY SEC PREVIEW : Wildcats keeping same standards    It’s been an exciting football season at Kentucky. The Wildcats already are bowl-eligible, including victories over then-AP No. 1 LSU and Louisville. Gophers rock in Tubby's exhibition debut    With chants of 'Tuh-BEE! Tuh-BEE!' filling the student section, Tubby Smith's tenure at Minnesota got off to a rousing start.               Kentucky Wildcats Football   Burton says he's feeling 'better'    Keenan Burton drops his head and flashes a knowing smile when he answers the question.               Kentucky Wildcats Soccer   Soccer Closes Regular Season with 1-0 Win at Vandy    On a night that was supposed to be celebrating Vanderbilt seniors, it was UK senior Megan Jones that was doing the celebrating as she scored the match’s lone goal in UK’s (10-6-3, 4-6-1 SEC) 1-0 win at Vanderbilt (6-9-3, 3-5-2). Soccer Plays Host to No. 1 SMU    Winners of three of its past four, the Kentucky men’s soccer team finishes its regular season home slate, as the No. 1 SMU Mustangs travel to Lexington for a 7 p.m. EDT Saturday game at the UK Soccer Complex. Chad Hagerty Named Academic All-District    Kentucky junior midfielder Chad Hagerty has been named to the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-District first team in district four, the organization announced on Thursday.             Kentucky Wildcats Volleyball   Volleyball Falls in Five to LSU    Senior middle blocker Nicole Britenriker (Cincinnati, Ohio) notched her 17th double-double of the season with 19 kills and a season-high 22 digs, but Kentucky couldn’t complete its comeback on Friday in a 3-2 (20-30, 30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 10-15) loss to LSU in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.             Kentucky Wildcats Baseball   Fall World Series Game Six Set for Saturday    Despite a two-homer performance from UK outfielder Collin Cowgill, the Kentucky Black team earned a 9-5 win over the UK Blue squad, in game five of the annual Kentucky Baseball Fall World Series, held Friday evening at Cliff Hagan Stadium.   (11-01-07)               Kentucky Wildcats Basketball   A shooting start    The Billy Gillispie era of Kentucky basketball began not with a full-throated roar last night. Presumably, that will come later -- and repeatedly -- in this debut season for the new UK coach. Cats exhibit grasp of the little things    Remember, it was an exhibition. But it was Billy Gillispie's first exhibition, first exhibition game as the Kentucky basketball coach last night, with the Cats hitting the floor for the first time with an actual opponent lined up on the other side. Cats Take Down Panthers in First Exhibition    The Matthew Mitchell era began Thursday in Memorial Coliseum in front of 2,119 fans as the Wildcats used an in-your-face pressure defense to force 30 turnovers and defeat NCAA Division II foe Kentucky Wesleyan 83-61 in their first exhibition game. Elliott, Mahoney Named Preseason All-SEC    Seniors Sarah Elliott (McKee, Ky.) and Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) were named to the preseason All-SEC team as selected by league coaches and announced by the conference office Thursday. The league coaches also picked Kentucky to finish sixth in the standings. UK women forced to go small    The Kentucky basketball women will have a different look tonight, and not just because they have a new coach. In their first exhibition of the season, the Cats will be considerably smaller with their two tallest post players sitting this game out. Cats effective from outside    When Kentucky players had a chance to fire away from 3-point range, they didn't hesitate. Cats hit the ground running    During the Southeastern Conference media days, Billy Gillispie pleaded for everyone to let freshman Patrick Patterson "breathe" before huge expectations were put on him. Big win still has its flaws    Gillispie says Cats need to play smarter    Billy Gillispie asks three things of his basketball teams: to play hard, to play smart and to play together. Last night his first University of Kentucky team gave him two out of three in his first exhibition game as coach, and that was good enough for a 99-64 rout of Pikeville College at Rupp Arena. It's all business as Billy Gillispie launches his era    The collection of bodies near center court was still twisting across Rupp Arena's floor, but Austin Cox had already snatched his white towel and started sprinting from the baseline to wipe away the perspiration. And I do mean sprinting. Kentucky opens Gillispie era with exhibition blowout    Billy Gillispie took the court as Kentucky's coach for the first time Wednesday night and, if one exhibition game is any indication, he's making good on his promise to turn up the tempo. UK ushers in Gillispie era with exhibition win    The Wildcats used some impressive 3-point shooting and numerous fast-break baskets to run all over Pikeville College 99-64.

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