Cats Clinch SEC East
Gerald Fitch scored 23 points, including 5-of-8 3-pointers, leading No. 9 Kentucky over LSU 70-64 Sunday. The victory clinched the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title for Kentucky (21-4, 11-3).
LSU views UK game as 'biggest' of the year' When they're playing
well, Jaime Lloreda and Brandon Bass make LSU (17-7, 7-6) one of the SEC's best teams. But recently, the Tigers have had sand kicked in their faces.
Tigers' scratch runs deepLSU MIGHT HAVE TO EARN
NCAA BID WITHOUT LLOREDA Kentucky's chance to win at LSU grew dramatically yesterday. So did the urgency with which LSU must try to rescue a season spiraling downward.
Tubby turns his attention to stretch run
Here is how Gerald Fitch described the head coach at this time of year: "He be more hyper." "At 6 a.m. Tubby's out there shooting jump shots, when we're out there yawning."
Cats' strength is Tigers' weakness Kentucky and LSU are going in opposite
directions. The reason can be traced to defense. Kentucky goes into today's game having held five straight opponents to less than 40-percent shooting. In two of the last three games, the Cats have enjoyed their largest
margin of victories in Southeastern Conference play.
UK grad flags down a piece of home while in Kuwait Because he serves in the Army
Reserve, Lexington police officer Matthew Silver recently spent his 33rd birthday in Kuwait. His family sent him a reminder of home as a present: a blue UK flag.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 14 Erik
Daniels F 6-8 214 Sr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 Jr. 24 Kelenna Azubuike G-F 6-5 208 So.
UK's Sunday games a test for churchgoers Never mind the controversy over the Mel
Gibson movie. What about the conflict between the passion of the Christ and the passion of the Cats?
Football
quiet jersey a good fit as Hall preps for draft Antonio Hall did not waste much time moving on with his career after his final snap as a Kentucky Wildcat. Shortly
after UK's season finale in November, the man who protected Jared Lorenzen's blind side departed Lexington for the Jersey Shore in order to begin preparations for the NFL Draft and hasn't been back to the Bluegrass since.
(02-28-04)
Basketball
Red-Hot Kentucky Travels to Bayou for SEC Cat
Fight Fresh off a 32-point victory over Tennessee, Kentucky travels to Baton Rouge Sunday to face an LSU team looking to snap a three-game losing streak in a CBS matinee game. Tipoff is 4 p.m. ET.
Fitch likes look of these Wildcats
A case of food
poisoning notwithstanding, it was a lot easier for Gerald Fitch to stomach the University of Kentucky's performance against Tennessee while spending all but 35 seconds on the bench.
Men's Basketball Press Conference QuotesHead Coach Tubby Smith On Jaime Lloreda … “He’s been back
for a game or two, so he should be getting back in shape. His injuries probably didn’t allow him to sustain his endurance and stamina, so I’m sure after a couple days of being back on the court he’ll be ready. When he is at
full capacity, he is a very talented player. He makes a difference.”
It's not too early to talk about seeds It is the time of the basketball year when
you are not supposed to think about it, but you think about it anyway.
More like Tarzan than a JaneAfter being criticized for a
lack of toughness, UK sophomore forward Kelenna Azubuike has averaged 15 points and six rebounds over his past four games.
Fitch says Barbour ought to keep job University of Kentucky guard Gerald
Fitch said yesterday that Antwain Barbour should retain the starting job that Fitch lost when he injured a finger.
physical educationAll it took was a hint from
his coach to unleash Azubuike's inner warrior By noting a few weeks ago how Kelenna Azubuike looked like Tarzan but played like Jane, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith did more than motivate his
laid-back sophomore to play more aggressively. He also inspired wisecracks for other UK players to throw at Azubuike.
Lexington a special place for Dickie V.A little known, It's Awesome
Baby! fact. The soon-to-be (keep your fingers crossed) Hall of Fame legend that is Dick Vitale all started right here in Lexington.
Baseball
Gilvin Hits Slam, Cats Ground Air Force, 11-1
Casey Gilvin blasted a
grand slam over the fence in right field to highlight a six-run third inning, as Kentucky defeated Air Force, 11-1, on Friday at the Service Academy Tournament in Millington, Tenn. The rally was started by J.B. Schmidt, who dropped a bunt down the third base line to reach. That was followed by a Justin
Scutchfield single and a Spencer Graeter walk, setting the table for Gilvin. Jesse Barber singled in John Shelby and Mike Breyman later in the inning to give the Cats a 6-1 lead.
(02-27-04)
Basketball
Cats win second SEC game in row, 71-54 The University of Kentucky women's basketball
team won its second consecutive Southeastern Conference game, downing visiting South Carolina 71-54 last night.
Potts' rainbows are gold for Cats
Before last night's final home game of the season, Sara Potts closed her eyes and visualized. The junior walked herself through the game step by step by step.
LSU another big challenge for Wildcats Not having a starter over 6-8 would
hamper most Division I teams. However, it hasn't stopped Kentucky's Erik Daniels, Chuck Hayes and Kelenna Azubuike from more than holding their own against opposing teams.
Hawkins still learning what Smith expects Playing point guard for coach Tubby
Smith at the University of Kentucky has been a constant learning experience for Cliff Hawkins.
UK senior Hawkins still learning the point
When his
senior season comes to an end, this is what University of Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins hopes the Wildcat faithful will say about him, long after he has moved on to either professional basketball or coaching.
Kentucky Wildcats Report Only one team can top the success the University of
Kentucky has enjoyed over the past two seasons.
Since Red-Blue, Pitino in the red TUBBY'S COACHING JOB AMONG HIS BEST We now have a new Exhibit No. 1 in why you should never, never, NEVER overreact to the outcome of a single college basketball game.
(02-26-04)
Basketball
Potts of Gold Junior
Sara Potts scored 17 of her game-high 24 points in the first half as she led the Wildcats to a 71-54 victory over visiting South Carolina Thursday night in Memorial Coliseum
Clockwork 'O' throttles orange
Antwain Barbour sightings have been rare this season, but they seem to be slightly more abundant at Rupp Arena, where the University of Kentucky men's basketball team whipped Tennessee 92-60 last night.
There's a good reason for Tubby's madness
For most of
the University of Kentucky's 102nd basketball season -- the 14th in a row, incidentally, in which it has now won at least 20 games -- the riddle vexing the commonwealth has concerned the how and why of coach Tubby Smith's
substituting. Nobody can quite figure it out.
Barbour's fast start keys big win for Wildcats An
18-point performance by Gerald Fitch against Auburn on Saturday might have been good enough to get the Kentucky senior guard back into the starting lineup Wednesday night against Tennessee.
Kentucky picks apart Tennessee The night's first shot, a corner 3-pointer by
C.J. Watson, started to pop out of the basket, then decided to fall back in. An omen, perhaps, that fate would smile on Tennessee this night.
NCAA Game Summary - Tennessee at Kentucky Kelenna Azubuike scored 17
points and Cliff Hawkins had 15 to go with seven assists, as ninth-ranked Kentucky defeated SEC-rival Tennessee, 92-60, at Rupp Arena. Antwain Barbour added 16 points and Chuck Hayes had 14, as the Wildcats (20-4, 10-3 SEC)
recorded their 14th consecutive 20-win season.
(02-25-04)
Basketball
Hot Outside Shooting Keys Cats' 32-Point Win
Over Vols Erik Daniels was one of five double-digit scorers for No. 9 Kentucky as they went 11-of-19 from 3-point range in a 92-60 victory over Tennessee on Wednesday night.
(9) Kentucky 92, Tennessee 60 Kelenna Azubuike scored 17 points and No. 9 Kentucky went 11-of-19 from
3-point range in a 92-60 victory over Tennessee on Wednesday night
Kentucky Battles South Carolina in Home Finale
The Kentucky women’s basketball team will battle the South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. ET in the Wildcats’ home finale. Although UK honored its six seniors on Sunday vs. Alabama, Thursday’s game marks
the players’ final game in Memorial Coliseum.
Women's Basketball Press Conference QuotesHead Coach Mickie DeMoss Quotes
“We are excited about the South Carolina game, especially coming off a win against Alabama. It appears that they have been playing better since we played them earlier in the year. Their leading scorer, Kelly Morrone, is
leading the conference in three-point shooting and (Cristina) Ciocan has had a very good career. They have been a mystery team, to me, because they are very talented. They are the type of team that on a given night they
could really play well. This is the last official home game for our seniors and we’re excited. We’re looking forward to a big game and a big crowd.”
Tubby's task: Keep UK focusedCats often get lost
in hype, adulation
From historical to hysterical. From cruise control to bobbing like a cork in a whirlpool. That's the difference in Kentucky from last season to this season, Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday.
Men's Basketball Press Conference Quotes - TennesseeHead Coach Tubby Smith On
Tennessee… “As we get ready for Tennessee, we seem to have everybody back healthy. Gerald’s hand is fine now and he has been shooting the ball well lately. He played well Saturday and he shot the ball well among other
things. I have been pleased with the effort we have been getting from everybody overall, especially guys that have come off the bench and given us a big lift. We are going to need these kids to continue to grow and get
better down the stretch."
Cats trying to improve before tourney While insisting that Kentucky will not
overlook Tennessee tonight, UK sophomore Kelenna Azubuike admitted that the No. 9 Wildcats are confident about their chances in postseason play
Vols are SEC's road worriers A 71-60 loss at Georgia last weekend marked
Tennessee's sixth consecutive defeat by a double-digit margin on the road this Southeastern Conference season. The margin of defeat in those six games has been 38, 21, 22, 17, 13 and 11 points.
Hawkins has keys for Cats Like a father who lets his son borrow
the car, coach Tubby Smith is telling Hawkins, his senior point guard, to call more of the team's plays. Hawkins will determine when to put the pedal to the floor and when to gear down.
Tubby Won't Tell Cats He's Satisfied Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is as happy with his team
as he's been all season. He just hopes his players don't hear about it.
Smith exhorts Wildcats Smith said his team this season isn't as "serious-minded" as some recent
Kentucky squads, like the 1998 team that won the NCAA title or the 2003 team that advanced to the Elite Eight. But Smith figures it's too late in the season for the ninth-ranked Wildcats (19-4, 9-3 Southeastern Conference)
to change their personality, so he's got to adapt his coaching methods.
(02-24-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Looking for 20th Win in Rematch with Volunteers
Kentucky looks to record its 14th-consecutive 20-win season when Tennessee visits Rupp Arena Wednesday. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. and the game will be televised by JP Sports.
UK coach understands tough love During his playing career at Kentucky, senior
point guard Cliff Hawkins readily admits there have been plenty of times where he's had a "love-hate" relationship with coach Tubby Smith.
Turnovers will be key for Vols at UK The slower the pace for Wednesday's
Kentucky-Tennessee game, the better Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson apparently will like it.
Handle with care, or notGUARDS' HAND INJURIES
COULD BE A FACTOR IN UT-UK GAME You could say the Kentucky-Tennessee game Wednesday night will boil down to a show of hands. Each team's leading scorer continues to be productive despite the pain from
an injury to his shooting hand. The question is this: To what lengths does a team go to exploit the other side's injury problem?
Men's RPI rankings The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) has been used by the NCAA since 1981 to
supplement the selection of at-large teams and the seeding of all teams for the NCAA basketball tournament.
Baseball
Graeter’s Bomb Propels Cats to 8-6 Win Over Eastern Michigan Spencer Graeter launched an opposite field
home run over the score board in right field to break a 6-6 tie in the bottom of the eighth inning as Kentucky defeated Eastern Michigan, 8-6, on Tuesday. The win earned the Cats a split in the four-game series with the Eagles.
(02-23-04)
Basketball
Taking A Cut Nazr Mohammed has been frustrated with his lack of playing time with the Atlanta Hawks,
but, due to a big trade made by the Hawks , the former UK's thought his time might be now in Atlanta.
Scramble for tourney hits maddening stage In April, the NCAA will stage its 66th Final Four in San
Antonio's Alamodome. That makes 65 somewhat of a magic number - 65 teams make the field, there have been 65 previous national championships.
SEC's Dogs and Cats Not Fit for Final Four Run Well, while Mississippi St. and Kentucky find themselves in the
Top 10 and in the mix for a No. 1 or 2 seed, they aren't among our favorites for the NCAA Tournament. Today, we look at the Bulldogs and the Wildcats, and we find that for all their success this season, neither is built for
a serious March Madness run. And before you accuse the crew of a North vs. South bias, we also attach the pretender tag to the Pittsburgh Panthers - a team that's played no one all season and will be in for a rude awakening
come March 25.
UK tops Alabama, ends six-game skid Freshman Angela Phillips scored 14 points to
lead the University of Kentucky women's basketball team to a 62-59 victory over Alabama yesterday on Senior Day at Memorial Coliseum.
Seniors finally survive a close one As usual, the fingernails of Kentucky players,
coaches and fans got a little shorter yesterday afternoon. But for a change, it wasn't all for nothing.
Cats' Helm stays calm Kentucky's only in-state player was surprised by her dry
eyes as Senior Day festivities got under way yesterday at Memorial Coliseum.
Stansbury can appreciate Smith's work at UK As a youngster growing up in Wolf Creek in
Meade County, Rick Stansbury spent many winter nights with his ears perked up to the call of Kentucky basket-ball games on radio.
Baseball
Kentucky and Eastern Michigan to Complete Series on Tuesday Kentucky is set to host Eastern Michigan on Tuesday afternoon in the
final game of a four-game series between the two schools. Kentucky defeated the Eagles, 18-7, on Sunday after EMU had taken the first two games of the weekend by scores of 14-5 and 17-13, respectively.
UK Women Sink the Tide on Senior Day
Four Wildcats scored in double figures and Kentucky’s seniors combine for 36 points and 16 rebounds as UK snapped a six-game losing streak and defeated Alabama 62-59 on “Senior Day” in Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.
Kentucky vs. Alabama Post-Game Quotes Kentucky Head Coach Mickie DeMoss “I
am very happy about the out come of the game today. It was good to win at home; it was good to win on “Senior Day.” We were doing all the right things. It was certainly not an easy game, but I was proud of the way we
handled their last run down the stretch. All the close games that we have played in certainly gave us some experience to handle the game. We usually come out on the short end but not today. The team handled the pressure
situation a lot better today. It was a total team effort with balanced scoring.”
'Cats trip up Tigers On a day when Auburn perhaps had the better
team, the Tigers couldn't convince themselves of that.
Auburn misses when it matters When it was time to win, Kentucky
took over a bruising Southeastern Conference game Saturday at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.
Fitch delivers despite pain
Gerald Fitch's sore shooting
hand bothered him the entire game, but not nearly as much as it pained Auburn.
Cats quiet soft talk by flexing muscles
It should've been in Akron. Or Detroit. Or Gary. Someplace gritty. Someplace grimy. If you're picking a venue for a Toughman competition, you want a hard city built by hard men who have lived hard lives.
FITCH LENDS CATS A HAND Rather than a formality, the post-game handshake line was
a potential minefield for Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch here yesterday. So he protectively held his injured right finger behind his back as he slapped palms and shook hands as a makeshift lefty.
Rondo plans to be at UK Here's a bulletin for you: Kentucky has a plan for making
its roster fit within NCAA recruiting limits. So says Doug Bibby, an assistant coach at Ballard High and a guiding light for UK recruit Rajon Rondo. In a confident tone, Bibby said Rondo would have a scholarship no matter
how UK made its nine new players over a two-year period fit under the NCAA limit of eight.
Bench boost bodes well for post-season
Thanks to Gerald Fitch's 18 points, Kentucky's bench outscored Auburn's reserves 29-25 yesterday. That marked the third straight game (and the fifth time in the last nine games) that the Cats' substitutes outscored their
counterparts.
Baseball
Kentucky Offense Breaks Out in 18-7 Win Over Eastern Michigan
The
Kentucky offense erupted for 18 runs on 19 hits as the Wildcats defeated Eastern Michigan, 18-7, at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Sunday. UK brought home seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and collecting six hits.
Bat Cats Break Out in 18-7 Win Over Eastern Michigan The Kentucky offense erupted for 18 runs on 19 hits as the Wildcats defeated Eastern Michigan, 18-7, at Cliff Hagan Stadium on
Sunday. UK brought home seven runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, sending 10 batters to the plate and collecting six hits. Kentucky scored in six different innings, including three in both the first and second.
Football
Retro craze comes to Commonwealth Hoping to add a little spice to what otherwise seems like a ho-hum home game with Ohio University, the University of Kentucky will
attach itself to the ever-popular "throwback" theme sweeping the national sports scene these days.
Tamme back in action He still doesn't know exactly what caused the problem or even when it may flare up again. What Jacob Tamme does know, though, is that he
again has been cleared to play football.
Auburn hopes to make dance card
After losing four
of its last five games, salvation finally came for Auburn University in the form of a convincing and improbable 80-68 win at No. 24 LSU on Wednesday.
Kentucky at Auburn The last time Auburn won consecutive games against
ranked opponents was during the 1986 NCAA tournament, when it beat St. John's and Nevada-Las Vegas
Senior walk-on loves being a Wildcat
Given the way the
University of Kentucky hasn't been blowing teams out this season, it's doubtful Matt Heissenbuttel will leave the bench again.
UK looks to improve position
At this point in the men's
basketball season, some teams such as Auburn University are fighting to get into the NCAA Tournament.
Kentucky's Moss not average walk-on
Chuck Hayes doesn't count himself among those who are surprised that sophomore walk-on Ravi Moss has become a consistent contributor for the University of Kentucky basketball team.
Not your average walk-onWith his toughness,
Moss proves he belongs at UK
Like "liberal" in politics, the term "walk-on" carries a negative stigma in college athletics. "It's definitely like a label that sticks with you," said Ravi Moss, a Kentucky player who's giving "walk-on" a good connotation
this season. "You know, walk-ons really don't get a lot of respect. They're not thought of as a real player."
Seniors carve out own legacy at UKCAREERS
REWARDING DESPITE FEW WINS Six seniors will burst through hoops bearing their resemblance into the arms of their parents and family at center court of Memorial Coliseum this weekend.
Cats face big test down low With a center who threatens Shaquille O'Neal's
career record for blocks and two veteran forwards, Auburn has the means to neutralize Kentucky's power source: its inside tandem of Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels.
Eastern Michigan Wins a Wild One, 17-13
Kentucky left 16 runners on base and fell to Eastern Michigan for the second time in as many days, 17-13, on Saturday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats out hit the Eagles, 20-15, and got three hits each from Casey Gilvin, Spencer Graeter, Aaron Edwards and Jesse Barber.
Kentucky Set for Cat Fight on the Plains Kentucky and
Auburn battle on the hardwood after both earning double-digit SEC wins Wednesday. The Wildcats, who topped Arkansas by 17 in Rupp Arena, visit Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum to face an Auburn team which earned an impressive
12-point road win at No. 24 LSU Wednesday. Tip-off is approximately 2 p.m. ET and it will be televised by JP Sports
UK, IU, U of L recruits show wares Not many of the estimated
5,000 fans in attendance last night at Louisville Gardens left without something to smile about after Oak Hill Academy beat Ballard 89-68 in high school boys' basketball.
Daniels keys Cats' offensive stride Daniels, who had struggled
in his two previous games, scoring a total of 10 points and hitting just 5of15 shots, broke loose from his mini-slump, and the Cats followed suit, shooting 57.4 percent.
Rondo dazzles the home folks University of Kentucky basketball fans looking for a sneak peek at the
Cats' point guard of the future got an eyeful last night.
Win against Wildcats would be a stunner Kentucky has had the
utter audacity to lose four games this basketball season, but you'll have to pardon Cliff Ellis if he doesn't send the Wildcats and their demanding fans a sympathy card.
Hawkins Distributes The Fun in Win Over Arkansas When Cliff Hawkins passes the ball around well,
Kentucky is tough to beat. Hawkins was at his best Wednesday against Arkansas, matching his career high with 11 assists, grabbing a team-high five rebounds and committing only one turnover in No. 9 Kentucky's 73-56 win over
Arkansas.
UK back at full strength After seeing early leads dissolve in past games, the Cats finally found a way to
put an opponent away for good.
Rondo, Telfair in McDonald's game Two University of Kentucky recruits — former
Eastern High star Rajon Rondo and Detroit guard Joe Crawford, plus University of Louisville signee Sebastian Telfair and Indiana University recruits Josh Smith and D.J. White were named yesterday to play in the McDonald's
All American high school boys' basketball game March 31 in Oklahoma City.
Kentucky Wildcats Report Big Blue Nation is locked in a Big Blue brain cramp
trying to figure out how the University of Kentucky men's basketball team is going to bring in two more recruits.
Rondo, too, gives U of L the blues Amber Rondo was sitting in the front row at Louisville
Gardens last night, and the jersey on her back said it all.
Drejer's decision disturbs coachesODOM SAYS
EXIT TO PROS RAISES 'HUGE RED FLAG' Christian Drejer's abrupt abandonment of Florida's team this week sparked a mixture of sympathy, empathy and outrage. Most alarming was an apocalyptic
scenario painted by South Carolina Coach Dave Odom in which Drejer's jump to a Spanish pro team begins a trend of players leaving college teams at any time for a pro deal.
Cats play tough, but fall to Arkansas All-America candidate Shameka Christon and
Rochelle Vaughn combined for 33 second-half points as host Arkansas defeated Kentucky 69-58 in women's basketball yesterday.
Football
Juco recruits took fresh path to UK
The University of Kentucky's five junior-college football recruits don't fit "typical" Juco pedigrees. For one, all five players enrolled at UK in January and will have a spring practice under their belts before fall camp begins, which is viewed as a luxury for Juco prospects.
Consistent Cats defeat TigersUK baseball head coach John Cohen called just about everyone’s number Wednesday, but he got the
results he wanted.
(02-19-04)
Basketball
Cats Fall to Arkansas in FayettevilleAll-America candidate Sameka Christon and Rochelle Vaughn combined for 33 second-half points for Arkansas as the Lady Razorbacks defeated Kentucky 69-58 in Fayetteville, Ark., on Thursday. Danyelle Payne scored a
career-high 20 points for the Wildcats while Sara Potts followed with 15 and tied the school record with Stacey Reed for the most three-pointers in a career with 176. SeSe Helm added 11 points in the loss
Wildcat Trio Named to NABC All-District Teams
Kentucky forwards Erik Daniels and Chuck Hayes and guard Gerald Fitch were named to the 2004 National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District Teams, announced Wednesday. Daniels and Fitch were named first-team in
District 7, while Hayes was selected to the second team.
Up with chickens, Cats slop Hogs A thrashing from Georgia
and a pair of 6a.m. practices made for a punchy University of Kentucky basketball team last night.
Fitch returns to UK lineup
University of Kentucky senior
guard Gerald Fitch had barely broken a sweat when he was fouled while driving to the basket, sending him to the free-throw line.
Daniels keys UK win vs. Arkansas Erik Daniels was almost non-existent in the
University of Kentucky's last game, drawing the ire of UK coach Tubby Smith.
Fitch's return a big success Senior guard Gerald
Fitch returned after a three-game absence and chipped in eight points, two assists and two steals off the bench in ninth-ranked Kentucky's 73-56 rout of Arkansas Wednesday night at Rupp Arena.
Cats catch a breather Figuratively speaking, clouds parted and gave way to shafts
of sunlight. "A feel-good game," Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith called last night's 73-56 victory over visiting Arkansas.
WIN, THOUGH, TAKES EDGE OFF 6 A.M. PRACTICES As get-well cards go, this one will
do. Arkansas was the antibiotic last night to Kentucky's February funk from Saturday's surprise loss at Georgia. A 73-56 win over the Hogs last night at Rupp Arena will take a bit of the edge off those Tubby-ordered 6 a.m.
practices.
UK's schedule Record 18-4, 8-3 SEC Date Team Result Score Nov. 21 Winthrop W
65-44 Nov. 28 TENNESSEE TECH W 108-81 Dec. 1 a-Marshall W 89-76 Dec. 6 b-UCLA W 52-50
Cats need win at Arkansas, coach says The women's basketball teams from Kentucky
and Arkansas have something in common when they tangle at 8 tonight in Fayetteville, Ark.
Kentucky Football Notebook Three UK juco recruits in nation’s top 100
... Three UK jucos named to All-USA Team ... Derek Abney and Jared Lorenzen featured in draft diaries.
(02-18-04)
Basketball
Cats Cruise Past Arkansas, 73-56
Kentucky jumped out to a 9-0 lead and never trailed Wednesday night en route to a 73-56 win over Arkansas. Erik Daniels scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats.
Storm season arrives for the Wildcats
UK basketball players called Sunday the quiet before the storm. The storm hit Monday in the form of a 6 a.m. practice.
Fitch expected to play tonight
Even though the pain hasn't
subsided, the wait might finally be over for University of Kentucky senior guard Gerald Fitch.
Arkansas (11-11) vs. (9) Kentucky (17-4) Looking to avoid a second straight upset loss, Kentucky hopes to have leading
scorer Gerald Fitch back in the lineup for Wednesday's Southeast Conference matchup with Arkansas.
After the upper echelon, SEC is a mess With three weeks left in the regular
season, the Southeastern Conference has an upper echelon and a lower echelon and not much in between.
Tall Order In Rupp Arkansas' rickety roller-coaster ride through the Southeastern
Conference seems to be peaking.
UK puts in extra practice
University of Kentucky
head coach Tubby Smith complimented sophomore walk-on guard Ravi Moss for his intelligence several times during Smith's press conference Tuesday.
Snooze means lose for CatsTUBBY ORDERS 6 A.M.
DRILLS AS PREP FOR POST-SEASON If last weekend's loss at Georgia was a wake-up call, then Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith reset the alarm for 6 a.m. Smith returned UK to those early morning workouts on
Monday, two days after Georgia manhandled the Cats. The timing, Smith insisted, was purely coincidental.
QB returns to face UK after 7 OTs When Kentucky fans saw Matt Jones last fall, he was quarterbacking
Arkansas to a 71-63 victory over UK in a seven-overtime football classic.
Baseball
Kentucky Defeats Georgetown, 8-4
Caleb Stewart went 2-for-3,
including his first home run of the young season, with two walks, two runs scored and two RBI to lead Kentucky past Georgetown College, 8-4, at Cliff Hagan Stadium on Wednesday.
(02-17-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Look to Return to Winning Ways
Against Arkansas Kentucky returns home to Rupp Arena Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET, hosting Arkansas to begin a stretch where three of its next four games are against SEC Western Division foes. The game will
be televised by JP Sports.
Fitch's return would help ballhandling Leading scorer Gerald Fitch practiced
with Kentucky Monday and coach Tubby Smith thinks he should be "available" when the ninth-ranked Wildcats host Arkansas Wednesday.
Injured Fitch should be back vs. ArkansasSMITH:
SENIOR HAD GOOD PRACTICE Injured guard Gerald Fitch should play against Arkansas on Wednesday, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday. Should he play, Fitch will wear a protective sleeve on the
injured finger of his shooting hand. And he'll know he may have to play with pain.
Walk-on earns respect
Gutsy is an apt word to describe
Ravi Moss' long three-pointer with 7:06 remaining in the University of Kentucky's 74-68 loss at Georgia on Saturday.
Hogs improving, despite losses The second half of the SEC schedule has started the
same for the Arkansas Razorbacks as did the first half, with three consecutive losses.
Baseball
Kentucky to Host Georgetown College on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Kentucky baseball team will play host to the
Georgetown College Tigers on Wed., Feb. 18, at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats have scheduled the game to replace one of the two games that were rained out this past weekend in Rock Hill, S.C.
(02-16-04)
Basketball
Loss adds to pain of injured Fitch
As he watched the game
slip away from his teammates, University of Kentucky senior guard Gerald Fitch couldn't stand it any longer.
Despite loss to Georgia Cats remain in the top 10 weekly pollsAfter
the thumping UK received in Athens on Saturday most of us would have expected the Cats to have dropped out of the top 10 in the AP and Coaches poll. However, based no doubt in part on their SOS and RPI ranking (4th),
Kentucky is ranked 9th. in both polls released today
UK can't handle physical Bulldogs
Fittingly, the church
bells on the north side of Georgia's campus rang minutes after the Bulldogs rang the No. 8 University of Kentucky's bell for the second time this season.
Loss brings DeMoss to tears Coach Mickie DeMoss couldn't hide it anymore. In
her seat on the sidelines, in front of the 4,991 fans that helped Kentucky set a new season attendance record yesterday, the first-year coach sat with her head cradled in her hands.
(02-15-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Fall To Mississippi State The
Kentucky women’s basketball team struggled to find its offense, scoring a season-low 41 points while committing 22 turnovers in a 54-41 loss to Mississippi State on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Memorial Coliseum
UK's Fitch may miss more time Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch, a graduate of Westside, didn't accompany the
Wildcats to the game due to a sprained finger on his shooting hand.
Finesse Dogs' team turns rabid The most vigorous defensive stand made by anyone connected
with last year's Georgia team came when former coach Jim Harrick vehemently denied there was anything wrong within a program that orchestrated a no-show A and extra benefits for ex-guard Tony Cole.
Georgia Sweeps Cats Sweeps week? There won't be a sweeter encore in Athens anytime soon, not
after Georgia's struggling basketball team upset No. 8-ranked Kentucky for the second time in less than a month on Saturday.
Cats get ripped up — twice Tubby Smith, who might value
physical and mental toughness above all other basketball attributes, has now seen his Wildcats play soft twice this season against the inartistic but aggressive Bulldogs.
Felton has winning formula vs. Cats Mike Krzyzewski couldn't do it. Neither could Bob
Knight. Denny Crum, Dean Smith and the Wizard himself, John Wooden, all failed as well.
Rattled and rolled Kentucky had Georgia on its mind yesterday. And that was
not a good thing. For a second time this season, Georgia's physical style threw UK off kilter and careening toward defeat. A one-sided second half, which featured a pair of double technical fouls, gave Georgia a 74-68
victory and moved UK Coach Tubby Smith to use the S-word: Scared.
Tubby burns when Cats play scared These are the ones that burn. These are
the ones that bore into his heart and carve a hole in his soul. Tubby Smith takes no loss well. He takes losses such as yesterday's even less so. Much less so.
Azubuike 'one of the few bright spots' To borrow a phrase from Kentucky Coach
Tubby Smith, Kelenna Azubuike looked and played like Tarzan in yesterday's 74-68 loss at Georgia.
Sweep talk Yesterday marked only the 24th time in 71 years of Southeastern
Conference play that a league team has swept Kentucky in their two-game regular-season series. The schools who have swept the Cats:
To coaches' regret, '5/8' rule still has life Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith
doesn't know how his program will become compliant with rules limiting recruiting. But one way he's openly advocated -- the NCAA rescinding the limitation known as the "5/8 rule" this spring -- does not appear likely.
Football
'I am going to make it' This is the first installment of an NFL Draft diary written by Jared Lorenzen. The former University of Kentucky quarterback is in
California preparing for the April 24-25 draft and will chronicle his progress for the Herald-Leader.
(02-14-04)
Basketball
Georgia Completes Series Sweep of Cats
Kelenna Azubuike's career-high 23 points weren't enough Saturday as Kentucky lost its third Southeastern Conference game -- two at the hands of Georgia -- in falling to the Bulldogs 74-68 in Athens, Ga.
UK Women Look To Break Attendance Record Sunday
After a much needed bye week the Kentucky women’s basketball team are back in action when they play host to Mississippi State on Sunday, Feb. 15, looking break the all-time attendance record and avenge an 80-67 loss to the
Bulldogs earlier this year. It’s Alumni Day at Memorial Coliseum and several former Wildcats will be honored during halftime. Game time is set for 2 p.m. ET.
(8) Kentucky (17-3) vs. Georgia (11-10) Sidelined with a broken hand for the next month, Kentucky guard Gerald
Fitch had just one message for his replacement, fellow senior Antwain Barbour.
Sweep of Wildcats would be soothing Georgia lost to Winthrop by 20 points at home, couldn't beat
struggling Auburn or Alabama, and is coming off a 22-point loss at Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
Catching up with... Dicky Beal Twenty years ago, Dicky Beal underwent back-to-back-to-back
knee surgeries that nearly cost him his senior season at Kentucky.
Felton uses Wildcats as model for growing Bulldogs Georgia's immediate goals today are simple. Entering a
nationally televised 1 p.m. game against No. 5 Kentucky in Stegeman Coliseum, the Bulldogs are fighting for their lives.
Kentucky hopes to avoid season sweep Just in case Kentucky's players had forgotten their first
meeting with Georgia, coaches gave them a little reminder this week.
Saul Smith wants to be a coach after all TUBBY'S SON IS UK'S STUDENT MANAGER Bad enough Saul Smith grew up the son of a coach. Then he played for the coach, who doubled as his father. There were doubters.
Critics. The constant cry of "Daddy's Boy."
Cats hope to shoot straightUK most likely
without Fitch again Georgia collapsed its defense around the basket and used physical play to upset Kentucky last month. The Cats hope to use outside shooting to neutralize the same strategy in
today's rematch at Georgia.
Azubuike out to disprove Smith If Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith hoped piercing
words would spur better play from Kelenna Azubuike, his plan might work. Azubuike sounded eager to play when asked about Smith's sharp comments before UK's game against Alabama earlier this week. In calling for more
physical play, the UK coach said Azubuike looked like Tarzan, but played like Jane.
UK needs Barbour to bark Antwain Barbour's high school
basketball coach didn't see the University of Kentucky's game on Tuesday night. He didn't have to.
Wildcats ready to battle some physical
In case any of the
University of Kentucky men's basketball players forgot how physical the Georgia Bulldogs are, UK's coaching staff showed them a few snippets on tape.
Baseball
Action at Coca Cola Classic Postponed Due to Rain Baseball action at the Coca Cola Classic in Rock Hill, S.C., has been
postponed for Saturday. Kentucky, originally scheduled to play host Winthrop at 3:30 p.m. (ET) this afternoon, and rescheduled to play Maryland at 7 p.m. Saturday evening, now will play Maryland at 10 a.m. on Sunday, weather permitting.
Kentucky Baseball Has Schedule Change The Kentucky baseball team has had a change in its schedule at the Coca Cola Classic in
Rock Hill, S.C. The Wildcats, originally scheduled to play host Winthrop at 3:30 p.m. (ET) this afternoon, will now play Maryland at 7 p.m. this evening, weather permitting.
(02-13-04)
Basketball
Cats Ready for Dawg Fight
Kentucky travels to Athens, Ga., Saturday looking to avenge its Jan. 17 loss to Georgia in Lexington. The game will be televised by CBS and tipoff is scheduled for approximately 1:05 p.m.
Cats know these Dogs have bite Considering Georgia scored only 39 points at Vanderbilt and went without a field goal over a 14-minute stretch Wednesday, it would
seem logical for No. 8 Kentucky to expect a routine win Saturday.
Men's Basketball Press Conference QuotesHead Coach Tubby Smith On preparing for Georgia… “We really need to emphasize that their team matches up
pretty well against us in terms of size and mobility, especially with Damien Wilkins. He gave us problems, along with Rashad Wright, the last time we played. Jonas Hayes and Chris Daniels are very mobile forwards that make you play at both ends. I know Rashad (Wright) didn’t play against Vanderbilt and
you can see when he’s not around that they have some problems. I assume he’ll play Saturday.”
The University of Kentucky's fifth starter for the Georgia game won't be decided until Saturday when the ninth-ranked Wildcats take on the Bulldogs in Stegeman Coliseum.
Cats, Dogs have 'guarded' optimismFITCH, WRIGHT EXPECTED TO RETURN FROM INJURIES Kentucky and
Georgia expect to have star players back in time for Saturday's game at Athens. UK's leading scorer, Gerald Fitch, returned to practice yesterday after missing two games because of a sprained index finger on his shooting hand.
Transfer gears up for next two years As the Kentucky Wildcats have continued to squeak out one-point victories and struggled to find answers off their bench, one player has sat quietly to
the side.
Baseball
Casey at the Bat- Gilvin Delivers in the Ninth as Cats Win, 3-2 Casey Gilvin singled to right field with two outs in the bottom
of the ninth inning to score John Shelby from second base and give Kentucky a 3-2 victory over Kent State on Friday. Shelby had laced a double to left to set the stage for Gilvin. The game was part of the Coca Cola Classic, hosted by Winthrop University. The win was Kentucky’s first under new head coach
John Cohen.
BOYD KNOWS Shane Boyd can’t walk down the halls of the Nutter Training Facility without his teammates picking on him.
Football
Juco transfers answer opportunity knocking at UKCHANCE TO PLAY, AND PLAY IN THE SEC, LURED RECRUITS EAST
Ernie Pelayo and B. Jay Parsons both admit to not knowing a whole lot about the Kentucky football program before being recruited by Rich Brooks.
Fitch probably will play tomorrow University of Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch probably will play
against Georgia tomorrow after missing two games with a sprained index finger on his right (shooting) hand. Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday that the senior would practice for the first time since injuring the finger at
Florida on Feb.3.
The ball bounces back to Kentucky Using six degrees of separation, 10 reasons why
Kentucky truly is Hoops Nation: 1. The polls: Kentucky is ranked No. 8 in the latest Associated Press poll. Louisville is No. 9. I know, I know, Pennsylvania owns teams in the 3 (St. Joseph's) and 4 (Pittsburgh) spots, but
that's an aberration. When was the last time either of those two schools were so high in the rankings? UK and U of L are regular visitors, both now hanging in the top 10.
Starter or first off the bench?Barbour's success complicates lineup
Antwain Barbour's emergence as an effective starter ushers in lonely-at-the-top time for Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith. With Barbour blossoming as an emergency starter, Smith must decide whether to stick with the
new lineup. If so, who comes off the bench? Senior Gerald Fitch, whose hand injury created a starting position for Barbour? Or slumping Kelenna Azubuike, whose missed shots and soft play led Smith to openly zing the
sophomore wing?
Cats visit veterans hospital This was a day for the No. 8-ranked Wildcats to forget
about the Southeastern Conference race and the rapid-fire succession of games.
Things not Wright for Dogs in loss Georgia point guard Rashad Wright wore street clothes Wednesday
night, and Vanderbilt wore out the Bulldogs 61-39 at Memorial Gym.
Baseball
Kentucky Baseball Prepared to Open Season
in Coca Cola Classic The Kentucky baseball team will open its 2004 season on Friday when it takes on Kent State at 12:30 p.m. (ET). The game is the first in the Coca Cola Classic, hosted by
Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
Football
Football Press Conference QuotesJunior college signees B. Jay Parsons and Ernie Pelayo made themselves available to the media Thursday following their workout. Click to read their quotes.
(02-11-04)
Basketball
The Barbour fills the
bill If the University of Kentucky's basketball players weren't surprised by Antwain Barbour's breakout performance last night, it's because they've seen him play that way in practice.
Barbour may stay in starting lineup
Leading scorer Gerald Fitch might be able to play when Kentucky takes on Georgia Saturday, but that doesn't necessarily mean Antwain Barbour will come out of the starting lineup....
Kentucky vs. Alabama Post-Game Quotes
Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith Opening Statement ... “I thought our defensive effort about three quarters of the way through the first picked up. We were playing against a team in Alabama that is
very long and they have players that can beat you in certain ways. We did a good job on Kennedy Winston in limiting his touches and making him take some tough shots, as well as keeping the ball off Earnest Shelton as best
we could.”
Wildcats brought 'A' game- Antwain In the middle of the first half last night in Rupp Arena, we finally witnessed the moment that had been on
hold through 16 months, 1 1/2 seasons, 52 games and 1,000 groans from University of Kentucky fans.
Presenting the Antwain Barbour CONFIDENCE COMES AT BEST POSSIBLE TIME FOR CATS The old rule of thumb is that sometimes junior college players fail to find their groove until the second half of
their second season.
No sweat, this time Last
night, you could say, Kentucky visited the Barbour-y coast. Thanks in large part to Antwain Barbour, Kentucky broke its habit of winning or losing in the final minute.
Thomas provides lift off bench
Freshman Sheray Thomas scored his first points since December in Kentucky's 66-55 victory over Alabama last night. Thomas' career-high four points, which matched his season total going into the game, included a layup off a
high-post pass from Chuck Hayes and a fastbreak dunk. He hadn't scored since the game against Eastern Kentucky on Dec. 23.
(02-10-04)
Basketball
Barbour Steps Up as UK Sinks Alabama, 66-55 Antwain Barbour scored six points in an 11-2 second-half Kentucky run and finished career-high 23 points as the Wildcats handed Alabama its fifth straight loss, 66-55
on Tuesday night
Close Encounters
While hitting clutch shots and making defensive stands go a long way toward winning close games, even UK basketball coach Tubby Smith wonders if a greater power is sometimes at work.
Daniels SEC
player of the week As Erik Daniels has discovered since he arrived at the University of Kentucky four years ago,
anonymity has its advantages
Point-guard
showdown When University of Kentucky senior point guard Cliff Hawkins thinks about the way Alabama senior point
guard Antoine Pettway plays, it's almost like looking in the mirror.
The calm amid the storm
Preparation, experience help ease pressure in late-game situations Island of calm in a stormy sea. That's the huddle atmosphere Kentucky seeks during the regularly frenetic finishes of games. While fans rave like
23,000 Howard Deans, the Cats talk about executing one of the strategies they've practiced repeatedly.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Alabama Probable
starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 3 Kennedy Winston F 6-6 205 So. 33 Jermareo Davidson F 6-11 200 Fr. 23 Demetrius Smith G 6-2 210 Sr.
Daniels has grown into 'stud player'
Kentucky center/forward Erik Daniels won the Southeastern Conference Player of the Week award for last week, the league announced yesterday.
(02-09-04)
Basketball
East-Leading Wildcats Ready as Tide Rolls into Lexington
The Wildcats face their third Southeastern Conference Western Division opponent of the season as Alabama visits Rupp Arena for a Super Tuesday showdown at 7 p.m. on ESPN ... Erik Daniels was named SEC Player of the Week for his performances
against Florida and South Carolina.
Cats Fall to No. 24 Florida, 76-56 Bernice Mosby scored 13 points
and Vanessa Hayden added 11 to lift No. 24 Florida to its fifth consecutive victory, 76-56 over Kentucky on Sunday.
Conferences head toward homestretch Conference play is half over in college basketball. So far we've seen some
great runs (Stanford and Saint Joseph's), some major surprises (Air Force and South Carolina), some crashing disappointments (Missouri and Florida) and one blowup at the salad bar (Bob Knight strikes again).
Hayes more than just 'all right' Perhaps what makes Chuck Hayes so good, and so valuable, is that
no matter how well he does, he's never satisfied.
South Carolina misses rare chance for Rupp South Carolina knew it had the chance of a lifetime. The
Gamecocks had the ball with just 4.3 seconds to play and the possibility of a last-shot victory in Rupp Arena against Kentucky.
Living on the edge Gerald Fitch's absence alone could have doomed them, never
mind the two turnovers they committed in the final 25 seconds
Early 33-7 burst lifts Gators past Cats
Bernice Mosby scored 13 points and Vanessa Hayden added 11 to lift No. 24 Florida to its fifth consecutive victory, 76-56 over Kentucky yesterday.
Opponent Score UK is 7-0 this season in games decided by five points or fewer: UCLA 52-50 Michigan State
79-74 North Carolina 61-56 Mississippi State 67-66
Football
Freshmen will get on-the-job training It didn't seem all that long ago that the typical coach-speak on
national signing day was about how, in an ideal world, an entire freshman class would be redshirted.
Baseball
Baseball Season Tickets Now on SaleThe John Cohen era of Kentucky baseball officially kicks off next weekend with a tournament in Rock Hill, S.C. The following weekend, the Cats will play their first home games of the 2004 season. Tickets are
now on sale.
(02-08-04)
Basketball
Cats Fall to No. 24 Florida, 76-56 Senior SeSe Helm scored a career-high 27
points, but it wasn't enough as No. 24 Florida handed Kentucky its fourth consecutive loss, 76-56 on Sunday.
Both Gamecococks', Wildcats' defenses shine It was no surprise to Kentucky head coach
Tubby Smith that Saturday's showdown for the lead in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference was a defensive affair.
Another close shave Kentucky's penchant for playing last-second, last-shot melodramas continued yesterday. So
did the Cats' close-enough-to-automatic ability to win them.
Tubby terrific at crunch timeFEW COACHES ARE BETTER WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE
LINE Memo to the Cardiac Cats: Cut it out. We've had enough. Our tickers can't take it. High drama is a good thing, yes, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
Time off Sparks improvement When he played "meet the press" last week, Patrick Sparks gave new meaning to the
term guarded optimism. Sparks, who is sitting out this season as a transfer, told reporters that he expects to be better than ever when he resumes his college career next season for Kentucky. And he was already pretty good: All-Sun Belt Conference as a
sophomore for Western Kentucky.
Streaking Gators UK's next challenge The Kentucky women's basketball team looks to snap a three-game losing
streak today when it takes on No. 24 Florida at 3 p.m. in Gainesville, Fla..
Wildcats and Gamecocks Battle for First Place in East Ninth-ranked
Kentucky hosts No. 25 South Carolina Saturday in a midseason conference matchup to decide first place in the SEC’s Eastern Division. The Wildcats are a half game back of the Gamecocks and battle at Rupp Arena, Saturday at 1 p.m.
Men's Basketball Press Conference Quotes - South Carolina Head Coach Tubby Smith: On preparing
for South Carolina… “As we prepare for a very good South Carolina team, we had to go back through the stuff that we needed to look at and break down the Florida film. We did some good things against Florida and hopefully we can continue to build on that.
Going against a team like South Carolina, who has really improved a lot this year and is playing as well as anyone in the country and especially this conference, their confidence has to be very high after winning an overtime game against a very good Alabama
team.”
(25) South Carolina (19-3) vs. (9) Kentucky (15-3) The last time Kentucky's leading scorer was limited by injury, the Wildcats' basketball season
ended. This time, it could hurt them as they try to seize the Southeastern Conference East division lead.
Tough test at Rupp As good as Wednesday's Southeastern Conference win over Alabama felt, the South Carolina's Gamecocks had no choice but to
immediately put it behind them.
Carolina Travels to Sea of Blue to Play Kentucky Saturday on TV No. 25 South Carolina, 19-3 and 6-2 in the SEC, travel to Lexington,
Ky. for a 1 pm (EST) match-up with the Wildcats of Kentucky on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Kentucky game will be broadcast by Jefferson-Pilot with announcers David Steele (play-by-play) and Larry Conley (color analyst) making the call. USC is 7-2 in televised contests
this year.
Odom knows playing at UK 'real problem' South Carolina is having a far more successful season than most imagined
this year, but coach Dave Odom has a lot to worry about going into Saturday's game at Kentucky.
Wildcats will be without Fitch UK guard Gerald Fitch will miss today's game against South Carolina
because of a sprained finger, ending the basketball team's run of luck with injuries.
Sparks bides time for 'Cats One Southeastern Conference assistant coach who heavily recruited
Patrick Sparks out of Muhlenberg North High School (Ky.) wishes to this day that his university had not backed off Sparks.
Gamecocks like their new view- from the top Every now and then South Carolina forward Carlos Powell likes to check the
Southeastern Conference standings to make sure the Gamecocks still lead the Eastern Division.
Barbour gets callSenior will assume Fitch's spot against Gamecocks
Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith was not coy about Gerald Fitch's status. UK will be without its leading scorer against South Carolina today and for an indefinite period into the future.
Sparks says he'll get UK scholarship However Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith squeezes his roster into compliance with NCAA
recruiting limitations, Patrick Sparks is confident he'll have a scholarship.
Nothing won except memories50 years later, Cats reunite to note title-less 25-0 season
One of the best teams in college basketball history is nowhere to be found in the NCAA record books. One of the rare undefeated teams in college hoops history did not even make it to the NCAA Tournament. But it did finish No. 1 in the country,
according to The Associated Press poll.
(02-06-04)
Basketball
Injury may force Fitch to sit out vs. Gamecocks UK senior guard Gerald Fitch didn't practice yesterday because of
a sprained finger, and his status for tomorrow's game against South Carolina is uncertain.
Gamecocks turn it around The University of South Carolina was picked to finish last in the Southeastern
Conference East Division in the preseason media poll.
Cats could face battle for division lead without Fitch As Kentucky heads into Saturday's East
Division showdown at home against No. 25 South Carolina, the Wildcats could be without leading scorer Gerald Fitch who has a ``sprained'' finger on his right shooting hand.
Kentucky Wildcats Report One of the keys to UK's defensive success against Florida on Tuesday was the job it did against forward
David Lee.
Sprained hand tendon might keep Fitch out Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith voiced doubt about Gerald Fitch being able to play against
South Carolina on Saturday. Fitch sprained a tendon on his shooting hand at Florida on Tuesday.
Surprisingly, Gamecocks in fight for lead
According to a pre-season media vote, South Carolina would finish last in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. "Man, that's not good," guard Josh Gonner said yesterday. "We had to show we could play this game."
Cats take a step back Throwback stuff is all the rage these days. Throwback jerseys, throwback warmups, throwback hair styles.
Kentucky's women had a throwback kind of game last night against Auburn, but not in that groovy sort of way.
(02-05-04)
Basketball
No. 19 Auburn Too Much for Kentucky, 71-54
Sara Potts scored 19 points and Danyelle Payne added 12, but it wasn't enough as No. 19 Auburn held off an early second-half rally to defeat Kentucky 71-54 on Thursday night.
UK isn't going away If one game changes the season for the University of Kentucky basketball team this season, it was Tuesday.
Cliff the edge at cliff's edge for Wildcats University of Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins said he could see Florida wilting Tuesday
night, and he was the one applying most of the heat.
Wildcats can go deep They victoriously strutted off Florida's O'Connell Center floor, gazing at the remaining bitter
Gators fans who stayed to taunt them.
Cats look to end skid against No. 19 Auburn The Kentucky women's basketball team looks to get back on the winning track when it takes on No.
19 Auburn tonight in Memorial Coliseum.
Cats are just good enoughFew teams extraordinary, so UK can find ways to win In some
ways, college basketball hasn't changed. Bob Knight still has issues. Dick Vitale still lathers praise on his Rolodex of coaches. John Clougherty gets more television time than Regis. The veteran official is like a situation comedy, running nightly in syndication.
GUARD SHAKES OFF VANDY ERRORS, DIVERTS ACCLAIM FOR FLORIDA WIN Cliff Hawkins commits three turnovers down the stretch. Kentucky loses at
Vanderbilt. Cliff Hawkins makes a key steal and converts it into the go-ahead basket, then pads the lead with free throws. Kentucky wins at Florida.
Football
Brooks: Cats covered every need Ten minutes into his press conference, Rich Brooks got the "thumbs up" signal from recruiting coordinator
Joker Phillips.
Kentucky gets its signal caller- Georgia's Brown University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks discussed each of the players in his
2004 signing class in alphabetical order yesterday at Commonwealth Stadium, but he probably would have mentioned Joe Joe Brown first anyway.
UK football recruits A list of football players signing with or orally committing to Kentucky:
Cats make late catchesTOUTED QB, RUNNING BACK SIGN WITH KENTUCKY It's a trait that
hasn't translated to the field yet, but Kentucky coach Rich Brooks and his staff showed they can perform down the stretch in the recruiting process.
(02-04-04)
Basketball
Cats Prepare For No. 19/22 Auburn
The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to get back on the winning track when they take on No. 19/22 Auburn on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum.
UK goes on the attack The game was won -- and almost lost -- at the one place University of Kentucky coach Tubby
Smith could live with.
Cats do the chomping Florida's David Lee was blocked from the basket by Kentucky's Chuck
Hayes during the first half of last night's game in Gainesville, Fla., where the Cats avoided back-to-back Southeastern Conference losses.
Breathing new life into seasonHAWKINS LISTENS TO SMITH, AND THE
RESULT MOVES UK INTO TIE FOR FIRST IN SEC EAST
After Cliff Hawkins missed the first of his two free throws with 23.1 seconds left and Kentucky clinging to a two-point lead, Tubby Smith yelled for his point guard's attention.
NERVES OF STEAL Kentucky's 68-65 victory against Florida last night proved that eyes are more than
the window to the soul. Eyes also are the gateway to a thrilling come-from-behind victory.
How the Cats came back The result of each possession in last night's Kentucky-Florida game after the
Gators took a 65-57 lead with 2:57 to play:
Fouls plague Gators’ loss By defeating UF 81 times in 105 attempts, Kentucky knows how to stop the Gators.
No. 9 Kentucky ends game with 11-0 run to edge Gators Erik Daniels scored 22 points and Cliff
Hawkins had a crucial steal and scored four points in an 11-0 game-ending run that gave No. 9 Kentucky a 68-65 victory over No. 21 Florida on Tuesday night.
Football
2004 Kentucky Football Signing Day
Head Coach Rich Brooks will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. ET today to talk about his first signing class.
Mayfield star a real building blockerUK LANDS A BIG ONE IN MICAH
JONES Immense restoration projects begin at the foundation, of course. You can't raise a Sears Tower without girders of steel. You can't lift a fallen football program without blocks of granite.
Wildcats anticipate letters from 19MAYFIELD'S JONES IS HEADLINER ON
EVE OF SIGNING DAY When Micah Jones orally committed to Kentucky in December, he said he wanted to be a part of the class that "turned around Kentucky football."
Henry Clay's White to sign with UK today, but might sit out a year Aubrey White of Henry Clay, one
of the most athletic football players in the state, will sign with Kentucky today, but he might have to spend a year at Hargrave Military in Virginia before joining the Cats.
Football signings kick off now Coach Rich Brooks could sign as many as 22 high school
prospects, including two of the state's best in Mayfield offensive lineman Micah Jones and Warren Central receiver Lonnell Dewalt, who said he also wants to play basketball.
(02-03-04)
Basketball
Kentucky 'Steals' a Win at Florida Cliff Hawkins picked off a Christian Drejer pass and scored four points during an 11-0 game-ending run as Kentucky rallied to knock off Florida 68-65 Tuesday night in Gainesville.
Players accept Smith's planned changes If Tubby Smith wants to have a set playing rotation and more defined roles for his players, that's fine with his
players.
(9) Kentucky (14-3) vs. (21) Florida (13-5) Kentucky and Florida both know how competitive the Southeastern Conference is this season. With both teams
coming off upset conference losses, the ninth-ranked Wildcats look to continue their recent dominance of the No. 21 Gators as they meet Tuesday in Gainesville in what has become one of the SEC's biggest rivalries.
Florida to test Cats It was this time last year when Florida was ranked No. 1 and looking like the class of the Southeastern Conference. Or that's how it
appeared until UK rolled to a 23-point halftime lead and coasted to a 70-55 victory over the Gators.
Stockton's stock declines at UK University of Kentucky sophomore Brandon Stockton has been a casualty of head coach Tubby Smith's substitution
patterns.
Gators look for change in their forecast
The weather outside fit the mood inside. It was dreary and wet here yesterday, gray skies and thick clouds draping the O-Dome. No sun in the Sunshine State.
Patience thing of pastTubby wants to show starters consequences
It's line-in-the-sand time for Kentucky. "Oh yeah," UK Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday. "We've tried to be very patient, but we're way past that margin of being more patient."
Kentucky at Florida When: 9 Records: No. 9 UK 14-3, 4-2 SEC; No. 21 Florida 13-5, 4-3 Series: UK leads 80-24 Last meeting: UK won 69-67 on March 8 at Gainesville
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Sr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 Jr. 24 Kelenna Azubuike G-F 6-5
208 So
Donovan won't change plan Take away the transition game. Make it a battle of half-court offense and defense. That's the plan opponents used to frustrate and/or
beat Kentucky this season. But run-and-gun Florida plans to try to win playing the Wildcats' up-tempo game.
Football
2004 Kentucky Football Signing Day
Feb. 4 is the official signing day for Kentucky
football. Check back beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday for live updates on the signees. Bios will be included when available.
"Little" joy in recruiting process In late October, eight games into T.L. Hanna’s football season, Rafael Little made up his mind. Enough was enough.
(02-02-04)
Basketball
Wildcats Look to Rebound in Tough Road Battle at Florida Kentucky hopes to bounce back this week when it
travels to Florida for a Super Tuesday battle with the Gators on ESPN. Tip off is scheduled for 9:05 p.m. ET. The Wildcats have won four-straight against UF and six of their last seven.
Cats fall to Rebels in double overtime The University of Kentucky women's basketball team missed seven of its last 13 free throws and lost to Mississippi 90-88 in
double overtime yesterday.
Kentucky's shooters feel the chill If Vanderbilt's game plan was to force Kentucky to take, and miss, outside shots, it worked perfectly.
(02-01-04)
Basketball
UK Women Fall to Ole Miss in Double OvertimeThe Kentucky women's basketball team missed
seven of 13 free throws in the final minutes, falling to Ole Miss in double overtime, 90-88, despite a career-high 30 points from Sara Potts and 24 points from SeSe Helm.
Wildcats can't escapeThe University of Kentucky basketball team had won so many close games this season that the outcomes seemed almost
predestined.
Wildcats fall at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt needed a victory desperately, and its timing was perfect against No. 5 Kentucky.
Cats run out of their supply of late heroics We found the chosen representatives still in their blue uniforms, lined up outside the Kentucky locker room, their
backs to the wall, frowns upon their faces, awaiting the inquisition.
Wildcats hope road momentum is enough to stop Mississippi The Kentucky women's basketball team travels to Oxford to face Mississippi at 3 p.m. today at the
C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum. The Wildcats (9-10, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) are looking to snap the Lady Rebels' six-game win streak at home and chart UK's second straight conference road win. The Cats defeated South Carolina in Columbia last Sunday.
Tubby suspects he's got scaredy-Cats That Vanderbilt shot 26 free throws to Kentucky's nine yesterday made Tubby Smith mad. Mad at his own team, that is. The UK
coach absolved the referees of blame for the free-throw disparity in Vanderbilt's 66-60 victory. Instead, he cited UK's lack of aggressiveness going to the basket.
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