February 2007 WildcatZone.Com News Archive (2-28-07)              Men Perry Leads Cats to Senior Night Win     In his last game at Rupp Arena, senior Bobby Perry scored a season-high 22 points to lead Kentucky to a 82-70 victory over Georgia Wednesday night. Wildcats have Two Selected NABC All-District     Juniors Joe Crawford and Randolph Morris were selected to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District teams as announced by the organization this afternoon. Smith focused on wins, not job status    Kentucky coach Tubby Smith insists there is still time for his team to fix its problem and have a successful season. Seniors making Rupp farewell    It didn't take long for Lukasz Obrzut to realize just how important the University of Kentucky basketball team is to its devout fans. Bobby Perry     When he wants to get away from his attempts at tickling the twine, Bobby Perry tickles the ivories. "When I was a child I would bang on my grandmother's piano, but I was never serious about taking lessons," said Perry the other day. "My parents made me take lessons, and I hated it. I absolutely hated it. Every Monday from fourth grade to, like, 10th grade my mom made me take piano lessons and I hated it. But now I'm thankful she made me stick to it." SENIOR SEND-OFF     They came to Kentucky from foreign or hostile lands. Lukasz Obrzut is from Poland, Sheray Thomas from Canada. Bobby Perry immigrated to Kentucky from the enemy territory (in the view of UK fans) of Durham, N.C. SHERAY THOMAS     Sheray Thomas has always seemed Kentucky's Quiet Man. The on-court attributes of Thomas that have earned Tubby Smith's trust -- defending the post, for instance -- don't exactly roar off a stat sheet. Watch out: At this point, everyone is a target    Welcome to the University of Kentucky. Home of the tire tracks. Perhaps you've seen the skid marks on the backs of the Kentucky basketball players, who, after losing a fourth straight game to Vanderbilt, heard their head coach, Tubby Smith, say on Sunday, "We've won in the past this way, so it's a matter of personnel." Pressure's on Tubby    If the recent speculation about Tubby Smith's job security has taken a toll on the University of Kentucky head coach, he has done a good job of shielding his players from it. Players feel pressure, too     With his job security now thrust onto the public stage, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith said yesterday that he does not want his players thinking they can save his job with a good post-season showing. Fans hot but Tubby cool    In a news conference yesterday, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith says recent speculation about his future is just the usual fan discontent. Tubby says boss backs him    Cats players say that they do, too   Tubby Smith conceded yesterday that the statement his athletic director, Mitch Barnhart, made Monday about the state of the University of Kentucky basketball program could be interpreted different ways. It's Senior Night and a whole lot more    It's supposed to be one of college sports' biggest spectacles, but men's basketball Senior Night at the University of Kentucky has been reduced almost to an afterthought. Smith remains cool despite the rising heat    In the University of Kentucky's new basketball practice facility, it's nearly impossible to get the championship reminders out of your sight line. Banners wait around every corner. Smith: UK players shouldn't worry about him     First place is out of reach. Second place looks doubtful. With two tough games left, it'll even take some work for Kentucky to finish as high as fourth in the Southeastern Conference's Eastern Division.   Baseball Baseball Improves to 9-0 with 6-2 Win     The Kentucky bullpen retired 20 consecutive batters and Brian Spear hit his first home run of the season, as the No. 21 Kentucky baseball team improved to 9-0 on the season, defeating the Xavier Musketeers 6-2, on a lovely Wednesday evening at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Baseball Clobbers Oakland; Hosts Xavier Wednesday     The No. 21 Kentucky baseball team utilized a five-run seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and defeat the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 9-3. Kentucky plays host to Xavier Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST. Cats score 5 runs in 7th, stay unbeaten    Sean Coughlin drove in two runs and Mike Brown doubled twice as the Kentucky baseball team utilized a five-run seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and defeat Oakland 9-3 last night at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (2-27-07)              Men Jai Lucas, major UK prospect, to attend Georgia game     One of Kentucky’s prime recruiting targets plans to attend Wednesday night’s game against Georgia. Tubby Smith says he doesn’t want players to worry about his job     With his job security now thrust onto the public stage, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith said Tuesday that he does not want his players thinking they can save his job with a good post-season showing. Tubby must deal with more than the usual heat    This March at UK is going to be less about the Big Dance than about the delicate dance between coach and athletic director. Kentucky Honors Seniors Against Bulldogs     Kentucky returns home for the final time this season as the Cats host Georgia on Senior Night. Tipoff at Rupp Arena is 8:00 p.m. ET with Senior Night festivities beginning approximately 7:40. Clock ticks for UK's Thomas    He'll always have Louisville. As the unheralded career of University of Kentucky forward Sheray Thomas draws to a close, he will proudly leave the place where he learned how to be a man and cling to the fond memories he has of his teammates and head coach Tubby Smith. Perry has no regrets entering senior night    Bobby Perry came to Kentucky expecting to play in the Final Four and contend for a national championship. Barnhart calls UK season 'disappointing'    Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart knew several media members wanted to question him about coach Tubby Smith's basketball program after the Wildcats suffered another disappointing loss Sunday at Vanderbilt. Wildcats have lost mental toughness    SMITH TRULY MISSES PLAYERS LIKE HAYES    What I know: After its late-game meltdown at Vanderbilt on Sunday, Kentucky stands 2-5 this season in games decided by five points or less. Former UK announcer, player, coach dies at 87    Carl Luther "Hoot" Combs, a University of Kentucky announcer who played basketball at UK for Adolph Rupp and was a football graduate assistant for Paul "Bear" Bryant, has died. He was 87. Experts on UK: Don't worry but be winners     Kentucky has won enough to assure itself of an NCAA Tournament bid, two longtime observers of the process said yesterday. But lose to Georgia on Wednesday and at Florida on Sunday, and that bid might begin slipping through UK's hands like many of this season's would-be victories.   Baseball No. 21 Kentucky Opens Week Hosting Oakland     The No. 21 Kentucky baseball team looks to continue its winning ways as it plays host to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, Tuesday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. EST. (2-26-07)              Men Meeks Named SEC Freshman of the Week    Freshman guard Jodie Meeks has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week as announced by the league office this afternoon. Barnhart asks UK fans to give March a chance    But the man in charge of UK athletics said today it’s too early to talk about the state of Wildcat basketball. Wildcats self-destruct down stretch vs. Vandy     Tubby Smith might want to learn Polish soon, the native language of senior center Lukasz Obrzut or maybe French, the native tongue of senior forward Sheray Thomas. Klutz in clutch, UK caves again     For 7th time, Cats blink with game in balance    In love, perhaps, the first cut is the deepest. In college basketball, that seventh cut -- especially when it comes in a late February game freighted with post-season implications -- wounds clear to a team's heart. Cats, coach have no one to blame but themselves    At the end, they just stood there looking -- looking in vain at the officials for a last-second foul, looking at the Memorial Gymnasium crowd as it burst into celebration, looking to the floor in disbelief. Tubby rips, roars after Cats' loss    Lets players have it after Vandy rallies    Tubby Smith looked spent. His energy expended prodding his University of Kentucky basketball team on the court -- and blistering it afterward -- in a 67-65 loss to No. 17 Vanderbilt at Memorial Gymnasium yesterday, Smith sat in his postgame news conference with a bottled water and a blank stare. Vanderbilt duo takes over 2nd half    The shot they'll show on the highlight reel is the one Derrick Byars sank to beat the University of Kentucky yesterday afternoon at Memorial Gymnasium. Byars guides Vandy's late rally by Kentucky      Vanderbilt led Kentucky for only about 25 seconds Sunday.              Women UK Hoops to Meet Arkansas in SEC Tournament    The Kentucky women’s basketball team will face 10th-seeded Arkansas in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament Thursday, March 1. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m. EST at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. Cats sunk as Gators sink their free throws    FLORIDA SENDS PECK OUT A WINNER    With their faint NCAA hopes on the line, UK's women's basketball team misfired at the line and left Florida an 83-79 loser in its regular-season finale. UK ends regular season with loss    Florida made five three throws in the last 39 seconds to seal a 83-79 victory in the visiting University of Kentucky women's basketball team's regular-season finale yesterday.   Baseball No. 25 Kentucky Completes Sweep of TTU     Kentucky broke open a tie game with a five-run seventh inning as the No. 25 Kentucky baseball team put the finishing touches on a sweep of the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in front of 1,734 fans at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (2-25-07)              Men Vandy edges sloppy Cats    Kentucky’s failure to execute in the clutch may never have been more painfully on exhibit this season than here Sunday. Cats fall to Vandy 67-65     Trailing until the game's final seconds, Vanderbilt rallied to stun Kentucky 67-65 at Memorial Gymnasium this afternoon.  Vanderbilt didn't take its first lead until 25.5 seconds remained in the game on a basket by forward Derrick Byars, who led the Commodores (19-9, 9-5 Southeastern Conference) with 26 points. No. 17 Vanderbilt 67, Kentucky 65     Derrick Byars grabbed a rebound off his own missed foul shot and scored to give No. 17 Vanderbilt its first lead with 25.5 seconds left and the Commodores held off Kentucky for a 67-65 victory Sunday. It's likely bye bye if Cats can't win    SMITH DOESN'T WANT UK IN SEC FIRST ROUND AGAIN    A loss today at Vanderbilt will put Kentucky a game behind the Commodores for second place in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division. Numbers game     The number of consecutive seasons in which the University of Kentucky men's basketball team has won 20 or more games. The Wildcats (19-8) can make it 17 seasons in a row with a victory today at Vanderbilt. Here is a look at the current 20-win-season streaks of other Southeastern Conference teams as well as those for the next four winningest programs of all time and rivals Louisville and Indiana. What we'll see     Today Rick Pitino had the Untouchables and the Unforgettables. Tubby Smith this year has the Unwatchables -- at least for the first 10 minutes of every game. If the Cats can avoid their customary slow start today against Vanderbilt, a first-round bye in the Southeastern Conference Tournament is within their reach. UK has a lot on the line at Vanderbilt   Looks to end skid vs. Commodores   There is seeding at stake. There is a possible bye in the first round of the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament on the line. Green: UK 'unbelievable'    Draymond Green knew as he watched the University of Kentucky basketball team play Florida two weeks ago that he wanted to be a Wildcat.              Women Wildcats Fall at Florida in Regular-Season Finale     Freshman Kentucky guard Amani Franklin scored a career-high 17 points and senior forward/center Jennifer Humphrey notched her 15th career double-double, but Florida defeated the Wildcats, 83-79, in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Cats can't let Gators' emotions get best of them    Senior day is final home game for coach    Kentucky had to ride out Florida's wave of pressure at the end to win earlier this month. In this game, UK will have to ride out the Gators' wave of emotion.   Baseball DeJesus, Coughlin Rally UK For 6-4 Win     The No. 25 Kentucky baseball team rallied from a two-run deficit to top the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 6-4, clinching the series on an overcast Saturday afternoon in front of 2,081 fans at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Cats score four runs in seventh to clinch series    The Kentucky baseball team rallied from a two-run deficit to beat Tennessee Tech 6-4, clinching the series at Cliff Hagan Stadium. No. 25 Wildcats rally in 7th inning, improve to 6-0    Belt finishes 10th at USA Indoors    The No. 25 University of Kentucky baseball team rallied with four runs in the seventh inning to beat Tennessee Tech 6-4 yesterday at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (2-24-07)              Men Growls, no meows    MORRIS PROMISES MORE INTENSITY IN VANDY REMATCH    The strategy that Vanderbilt used to beat Kentucky last month boiled down to this: We've got Randolph Morris surrounded; come out with your hands up. Vandy has UK's number    Tubby Smith doesn't care if any of his players know the names of Vanderbilt's No. 4 (Derrick Byars) or No. 32 (Shan Foster). Get Morris mad, and you'll get the Wildcats glad    UK big man wants to raise his intensity    It was suggested to Randolph Morris yesterday that perhaps he might start seeking someone to be a pregame target, a person to draw his ire and spark his fire before he takes the court. The University of Kentucky center flashed a wide grin and gave his trademark chuckle as he nodded his head. UK men's 1,000-point club     Junior Randolph Morris on Tuesday night became the 53rd Wildcat to score 1,000 career points. The top 10 1. Dan Issel 2,138 2. Kenny Walker 2,080              Women UK women lament faint bubble status    CLOSE LOSSES PROVIDE LITTLE CONSOLATION TO CATS    The silent prayers went unanswered in big games this season. Fingers are calloused and bruised from all of the crossing and uncrossing during tight games.   Baseball Carroll Doubles Twice as UK Rolls to 10-2 Win     The Wildcats broke open a tied game by plating six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as the No. 25 Kentucky baseball team steamrolled the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 10-2, on a sunny Friday evening at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (2-23-07)              Men Kentucky Looks for Series Split with Vanderbilt     Kentucky hits the road for the third time in five games looking to split the regular season series with the 17th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville. Tipoff at Memorial Gymnasium is 2:00 p.m. ET Wildcats worry Vandy's Stallings     Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings isn't sure if having three straight wins over Kentucky will have any impact on his team in Sunday's game. Cats playing for a tourney bye   Kentucky is playing for a day off. UK recruit Green had "unbelievable" trip    People told Draymond Green what to expect on his visit to the University of Kentucky and the UK-Florida game. Byars still costing cats    Kentucky winless vs. former recruit now a Vandy star    Tennessee All-American Bernard King. Florida's veteran core of Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Chris Richard, Corey Brewer, Taurean Green and Lee Humphrey. Whatever cavemen played for Tennessee in 1916 and 1917. Vandy has gem in Byars    The text messages exchanged between Vanderbilt junior swingman Derrick Byars and his closest confidante are often simple and direct, a reflection of his quiet demeanor. SEC race far from clear    All season long the coaches of the Southeastern Conference have talked about how competitive the league is this season. This year, Vandy adoring its 'Dores    Talented team has fans excited as it stays near top of SEC East    Despite a loss Wednesday at Mississippi State, the No. 17 Commodores (18-9, 8-5 SEC) are tied with the Wildcats (19-8, 8-5) for second place in the SEC East behind defending national champion Florida. UK recruiting could be damaged by fans' criticism    Want to know the easiest job in college basketball today? Recruiting against the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.              Women Cats Travel to Forida for Final Regular-Season Game     The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to end the regular season on a winning note when they travel to Gainesville, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 25 to take on the Florida Gators at 3 p.m. EST in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.   Baseball Kentucky Hosts Tennessee-Tech in Three-Game Set     The No. 25 Kentucky baseball team, off to a 4-0 start to the 2007 season, gets set to host Tennessee-Tech in a three-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m. EST at Cliff Hagan Stadium. (2-22-07)              Men Obrzut has enjoyed his time in the U.S. and at UK      Lukasz Obrzut knows it would be nice to have his family at Rupp Arena on Wednesday when he plays his final home game for the University of Kentucky. However, he also understands why family members will still be in Poland and not at midcourt with him. Focus key for Cats against Vanderbilt    Ramel Bradley knows what he has to do if he's going to help Kentucky beat No. 21 Vanderbilt. Wildcats pleased with fans' patience    PLAYERS SAY THEY FELT SUPPORTED DURING LOSING STREAK    In perhaps the season's biggest upset, the fickle followers of Kentucky basketball got credit for steadfast loyalty in times of trouble.   Baseball Carroll, McKinney Propel UK to 8-5 Home Win     Sawyer Carroll and Matt McKinney contributed three hits each as the No. 25 Kentucky baseball team opened its home season with a 8-5 win over in-state rival Murray State, Wednesday evening at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Focus slips, but Bat Cats prevail    Carroll, McKinney have 3 hits, 2 RBI apiece    Opening day at Cliff Hagan Stadium yesterday might have distracted Kentucky's Wildcats. Not enough to blemish their record, though, as the Cats overcame Murray State 8-5 yesterday. (2-21-07)              Men Morris keeps head in the game for UK    Randolph Morris knew he had to do more than just put his head in the game after what happened Saturday. Meeks provides spark off the bench    Jodie Meeks hasn't been a major part of Kentucky's lineup overhaul lately, but it hasn't hindered his ability to contribute. Tigers not intimidated by Rupp, Cats    While the mood of the LSU players and coaches wasn't one of celebration after their 70-63 loss to Kentucky on Tuesday, it definitely wasn't one of somber defeat, either. Cats correct skid    Meeks ties career high to stop losing streak at 3    For a change, Kentucky was the team making the clutch play or the critical stop. Once started, Kentucky had no off-switch on grace under pressure (as Hemingway defined courage). With the score tied inside the final five minutes, UK ran off 10 straight points en route to a 70-63 victory over Louisiana State last night. Technically, Brady helped Kentucky win    Question: To break their February funk/fade, the Kentucky basketball team needed which of the following to happen most last night at Rupp Arena: UK stops the bleeding    Even without a Big Baby around, the University of Kentucky was almost reduced to tears. Wildcats still hope they can finish season strong    Another game, another slow start.  Sound familiar Kentucky fans?  It should. Cats wobble out of skid    As usual, they have to erase big deficit    The Cats (19-8, 8-5 Southeastern Conference) trailed by 16 points two-thirds of the way through the first half but pulled within one at the break and took the lead early in the second half. They held on despite a flurry of rallies by the Tigers (14-13, 3-10), who were playing without star center Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Cats so cool they're room temperature    They stroll into the tunnel like a bunch of guys walking to the front door of a nightclub. Cool. Quiet. In little groups. Kentucky 70, LSU 63     Randolph Morris had 20 points and Jodie Meeks matched a career high with 18 as Kentucky snapped a three-game losing streak with a 70-63 victory over Louisiana State Tuesday night.   Baseball Baseball Hosts Murray State in Home Opener    The No. 25 Kentucky baseball team will open the home slate of its 2007 season with a Wednesday matchup against in-state rival Murray State. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. EST. SPORTS BRIEFS     The Kentucky baseball team will open the home slate of its 2007 season with a matchup today against Murray State. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. The contest will mark the first chance for fans to see a revamped Cliff Hagan Stadium, which underwent an exterior makeover during the off-season. The Wildcats, who won a school-record 44 games last year, will be paced by a trio of pre-season All-Americans: Sean Coughlin (Sr., C), Collin Cowgill (Jr., OF), and Greg Dombrowski (Jr., RHP). Football Changes in 2007 Kentucky Football Schedule     Changes in the Kentucky football schedule will give the Wildcats eight home games in the 2007 season, along with a Thursday night ESPN game at South Carolina. UK gets 8 home games for 2007    KENT STATE REPLACES MATCHUP AT TEMPLE IN SCHEDULE SHAKEUP    The University of Kentucky football team won't be making a trip to the City of Brotherly Love in 2007. An originally scheduled game at Temple has been replaced with a home game against Kent State. The switch gives UK eight home games for the first time in school history. Cats will play 8 home games next season   Kent State replaces Temple on schedule   A shift in UK's 2007 football schedule, announced yesterday, will result in a school-record eight home games in the upcoming season. (2-20-07)              Men Cats Hold On to Beat LSU, 70-63    Randolph Morris' ninth double-double of the season along with a career-high tying 18 points from Jodie Meeks helped Kentucky stave off the LSU Tigers for a 70-63 win Tuesday night at Rupp Arena. Point guard UK Achilles' heel    Recent losses and battered psyches aren't the only things two fragile Southeastern Conference teams hoping to finish out the season on a high note have in common. Smith says Cats need win tonight    Fans are not the only ones second guessing Kentucky coach Tubby Smith because of the Wildcats' three-game losing streak. LSU's Davis won't play tonight    There is no more entertaining player in college basketball than LSU's Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Cats won't face LSU's 'Big Baby'    Davis' quad still on the mend    Glen Davis, the reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, will not play for LSU at Kentucky tonight. Davis did not make the trip to Lexington. Tough times for Tubby    Smith refuses to let critics distract him    The University of Kentucky has lost three straight games, slipping to 18-8 overall and 7-5 in the Southeastern Conference as Louisiana State visits Rupp Arena tonight at 9. Cats get commitment from Michigan junior    The University of Kentucky men's basketball program has a new commitment -- though not from heralded seniors Patrick Patterson or Jai Lucas. Cats get commitment from 6-foot-7 forward     Draymond Green, a 6-foot-7 junior forward from Saginaw, Mich., has committed to Kentucky. Green committed to UK after attending the Florida game on Feb. 10. He picked Kentucky over such schools as Michigan, Michigan State, Xavier, Nevada and Indiana. Smith wants Cats as steady as Steele     Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith suggested a way his team can break its habit of falling behind early, rallying late and then falling short of victory: The Cats need to "Steele" a victory, he said yesterday. (2-19-07)              Men Kentucky Returns Home to Host LSU     The Wildcats return home and look to break their current three-game skid as they host the LSU Tigers, losers of two straight themselves. Tipoff at Rupp Arena is 9:00 p.m. ET. Tubby shares blame for Flat Cats' play     It's easy to fault Kentucky's players for their uninspired effort during a large part of Saturday's 72-61 loss at Alabama. What's wrong with UK?     Kentucky has lost three straight SEC games for the second straight year. What do you think is wrong with the Cats? Some doubts about Wildcats' confidence    After a third straight defeat, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith acknowledged his concern about the team's confidence. "We have to be concerned with just where we are mentally," he said after Alabama beat UK 72-61 Saturday. "We'll want to keep them pumped up. Let them know we're better than this." Bradley's basket would have pulled Cats within four    Kentucky center Randolph Morris couldn't believe he inadvertently knocked a clutch basket by teammate Ramel Bradley back up through the rim on Saturday. Nor could he believe the basket interference call that robbed UK of a chance to close within four of Alabama in the final minute. UK has ideas on how to put brakes on 3-game skid    Guards look to be more aggressive   Things have been uneven lately for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.              Women Wildcats' seniors spark victory over Arkansas   Jennifer Humphrey scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead three University of Kentucky seniors in their last regular-season home game, and the Wildcats beat Arkansas 87-60 yesterday...   Baseball Kipnis Named National Freshman of the Week     The early season recognition continues to roll in for the Kentucky baseball team, as freshman Jason Kipnis was named the National Freshman of the Week by Collegebaseball.rivals.com, the website announced Monday. Jason Kipnis Named SEC Freshman of the Week    Kentucky outfielder Jason Kipnis has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Monday afternoon. Cats complete 3-game sweep at Furman     Sawyer Carroll, Sean Coughlin and Ryan Wilkes drove in two runs apiece as UK put the finishing touches on a sweep of the Furman Paladins with a 13-4 win yesterday at Furman Stadium. (2-18-07)              Men UK in threefall mode    What Coach Tubby Smith called Kentucky's "M.O." led to another KO yesterday. For the third straight game, the Cats fell behind by a double-digit margin before rallying tantalizingly close to victory. 'My head wasn't in the game'     His team had lost its last two games. His team teetered on the edge of irrelevance in its league. His team needed him to combat two quality players around the basket. Don't worry, Rutledge is still watching     With Kentucky trailing 43-38 midway through the second half against Florida last weekend, at least one fan had seen enough. "Where's Don Rutledge when you need him?" the fan yelled, referring to a veteran referee who worked many UK games. Cats taking too long to get it together    By mid-February a college basketball team should be firmly gripping the wheel for the stretch drive. Kentucky is grasping at straws. Wildcats follow familiar script    They fall behind, catch up, then lose    There's an old adage that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. If it's true, then the No. 20 University of Kentucky basketball team yesterday continued a descent into February madness, losing 72-61 to No. 25 Alabama in a game that looked frustratingly familiar to the Wildcats. A February to forget for Wildcats    In lieu of a new column from yesterday's University of Kentucky basketball loss at Alabama, please refer to previous columns from Wildcat losses to Vanderbilt, Florida and Tennessee              Women Hot Shooting Leads UK to Senior Day Win     Kentucky seniors Nastassia Alcius, Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer combined for 37 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Wildcats to an 87-60 win over Arkansas in Rupp Arena Sunday A classy turnaround     There's no question Jennifer Humphrey can rebound. The senior became Kentucky's No. 2 all-time leading rebounder behind standout Valerie Still in the Cats' last game. Humphrey, DeMoss formed tight friendship after cantankerous beginnings    There's no question Jennifer Humphrey can rebound. The senior became Kentucky's No. 2 all-time leading rebounder behind standout Valerie Still in the Cats' last game. Senior plays her last UK home game today, but she's got memories and movies to look back on     Jenny Pfeiffer has a vast DVD collection.   Nearly 500 of them line the shelves at her home in North Vernon, Ind., and at her apartment off campus. UK must fight 'Backs to get ahead     The Kentucky women's basketball team will look to snap a two-game losing streak and push for a higher seed in the Southeastern Conference Tournament when the Cats return to Rupp Arena for their final home game of the regular season against Arkansas today.   Baseball Carroll, Coughlin Blast UK to Sweep of Furman     Sawyer Carroll, Sean Coughlin, and Ryan Wilkes drove in two runs apiece, as the No. 26 Kentucky baseball team put the finishing touches on a sweep of the Furman Paladins with a 13-4 win on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Furman Stadium. Nine-run inning carries Bat Cats    KIPNIS HOMERS TWICE IN THE SIXTH    Jason Kipnis homered twice during a nine-run sixth inning, and Billy Grace added a three-run shot as the No. 26 UK baseball team rolled over Furman 16-3 yesterday at cold, windy Furman Stadium in Greenville, S.C.             Football When UK wins big, so does Barnhart   Athletic director gets bigger bonuses than many head coaches   When the University of Kentucky football team won the Music City Bowl in December, Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart told reporters he was surprised to find out that his performance bonus for such a win was $30,000, twice as much as the $15,000 head coach Rich Brooks was set to receive. (2-17-07)              Men No. 20 Cats Fall to No. 25 Tide, 72-61     Richard Hendrix had 16 points and nine rebounds, and No. 25 Alabama fought off several rallies Saturday for a 72-61 win over No. 20 Kentucky, handing the Wildcats' their third straight loss. Remorseful Morris vows tougher play    The response was honest, remorseful and one that would make a head coach think a player had learned a lesson. Too-soft Cats need to 'man up'    SMITH LOOKING FOR MORE AGGRESSION AGAINST ALABAMA'S INSIDE VETERANS    Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith spoke of possible lineup changes -- plural -- for today's game at Alabama. What he'd probably really like to change is UK's "soft" approach to basketball. Smith plans to shake up lineup   But UK coach isn't saying just how   Something has to change for the University of Kentucky basketball team, and so it will. Tubby Smith only wishes he knew what to rearrange. The UK coach is likely to start with his starters when the 20th-ranked Wildcats (18-7, 7-4 Southeastern Conference) take a two-game losing streak to No. 25 Alabama (18-7, 5-6) for a 3 p.m. tipoff today. Injuries have tested Steele's nerves     Alabama's Ronald Steele had been lauded as one of the Southeastern Conference's best point guards. Now he's almost a sad figure, a mere shadow of his former self because of ankle and knee injuries.              Women UK Hoops Plays Host to Arkansas on Senior Day     The Kentucky women’s basketball team returns to Rupp Arena for its final home game of the regular season Sunday at 12 p.m. ESTRANGED DAD TO WATCH ALCIUS FOR FIRST TIME    This is one of three profiles of UK seniors, who will be honored Sunday on Senior Day before the Arkansas-Kentucky game. Look for profiles of Jennifer Humphrey and Jenny Pfeiffer in Sunday's Herald-Leader.   Baseball Kipnis Homers Twice as UK Rolls to 16-3 Win    Jason Kipnis homered twice and Billy Grace added a three-run home run as part of a nine-run sixth inning, as the No. 26 Kentucky baseball team rolled over the Furman Paladins 16-3, on an overcast Saturday afternoon at Furman Stadium. DeJesus, Wilkes Power UK to Season Opening Win     Led by the arm of Andrew Albers and the bats of Antone DeJesus and Ryan Wilkes, the No. 26 Kentucky baseball team began the 2007 season with a 12-1 trashing of the Furman Paladins, on a sunny afternoon at Furman Stadium.             Football Lawmakers take time out for Wildcats    UK football team recognized in both chambers    An impromptu pep rally broke out in the House chambers yesterday as lawmakers honored the University of Kentucky football team for their victory in the Music City Bowl. (2-16-07)              Men UK Looks to Remain Perfect Against SEC West     Kentucky hits the road for the second straight game and looks to keep its perfect record against the SEC West division intact against Alabama. Tipoff at Coleman Coliseum is 3:00 p.m. ET. Smith says he might go with lineup change against Bama     Tubby Smith wouldn't be specific about what lineup changes he might make, but he did indicate he "probably" would change Kentucky's starting lineup for Saturday's game at Alabama. Tide will test UK's defense     One reason Kentucky lost 89-85 at Tennessee on Tuesday was because the Wildcats' interior defense was lacking. Injured Steele still impresses Smith      Alabama senior point guard Ronald Steele knew this might be a challenging season. Hendrix has the power for Tide    If Alabama forward Richard Hendrix could float through the lane unnoticed, he would gladly avoid the contact he draws as other teams try to slow him down. 25 games in, Cats still need a leader    Upperclassmen not stepping up    Sometimes it's Ramel Bradley leading a comeback with critical baskets. But if you ask University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith which of his players is the team's leader, he won't have an answer at the ready. Sustained success is more difficult than it used to be    The paper was taking the Baron to task for kicking junior guard Bob Tallent off the team for talking back in practice.              Women Cats Fall in Overtime to No. 11 Georgia     Tasha Humphrey had a game-high 28 points and 10 rebounds as No. 11 Georgia survived with an 82-72 overtime victory against Kentucky on Thursday night. Wildcats run out of gas in overtime    Second-half surge not enough in must win    There were a lot of boxing analogies being thrown about last night. But no analogy could adequately summarize what Kentucky was experiencing after taking its latest body blow of the season, an 82-72 overtime loss to No. 11 Georgia. Wildcats fall in overtime 82-72 after battling back in 2nd half    Tasha Humphrey had a game-high 28 points and 10 rebounds as No. 11 Georgia survived with an 82-72 overtime victory against the host University of Kentucky last night.   Baseball Cats to defend SEC with blend of vets, 'rookies'    'ATHLETIC, SMART' TEAM BOASTS DEEP PITCHING STAFF    Armed and dangerous. Southeastern Conference baseball teams are advised to be on the lookout for the University of Kentucky baseball team, which opens its season today at Furman. (2-15-07)              Men Lapses make life tough on Wildcats    Throughout its history, some of the University of Kentucky's basketball teams have been identified by nicknames such as the "Unforgettables," who played in what is still considered the best NCAA tournament game in history against Duke in 1992 East Regional final. For Cats to compete, consistency is crucial    MORRIS: 'IT'S NOT A PROBLEM WE'RE NOT CAPABLE OF FIXING'    Poor shooting nullified stout defense in Kentucky's loss to No. 1 Florida last weekend. Porous defense voided sizzling shooting in Kentucky's loss at Tennessee on Tuesday. All together now, everybody: Ten-loss ...    Here it comes again. "Ten-loss Tubby." Where have we heard that one before? It's inevitable now. Tuesday's 89-85 loss at Tennessee dropped Kentucky to 18-7. The Cats still must visit Alabama, Vanderbilt and Florida. With Louisiana State and Georgia scheduled to visit Rupp Arena, the two remaining home games aren't layups.              Women Cats Face Nationally-Ranked Georgia in Rupp    The Kentucky women’s basketball team will look to make a push in the conference standings when they play host to No. 11 Georgia Thursday, Feb. 15 in Rupp Arena at 7 p.m. EST. Cats need playoff push to start against Georgia     The Kentucky coaches know there is enough pressure on their team. They're not going to add to the stress by making tonight's game too big.             Football Brooks knows what Brown can do for UK     Coordinator's career has followed coach's    Rich Brooks has always seen something special in Steve Brown. It started when Brooks brought the lightly recruited Brown to the University of Oregon as a player in 1979.         Baseball Wildcats Rely on Young Talent on Mound     While one of the major components of Kentucky Baseball’s successful season - perhaps the most notable to fans – was the Wildcats’ offensive prowess. And while UK hit 99 home runs last season, it was the success of the pitching staff that allowed the Wildcats to turn those big innings into complete-game wins. Coughlin Paces Wildcat Backstops     The 2007 Kentucky baseball season gets kicked off on Friday in Greenville, S.C. with a three-game series vs. Furman. UKAthletics is previewing the season with an in-depth look at the infield, outfield, pitchers, and catchers. (2-14-07)              Men Kentucky rallies again, falls short again at UT    How can a team play so well at times and then play so poorly - all in the same game? Crawford leads UK comeback    The situation looked hopeless for Kentucky. Cats Split Season Series With Tennessee     Joe Crawford's 24 points and Randolph Morris' double-double weren't enough to get past Chris Lofton and the Vols as they fell to UT, 89-85, Tuesday night in Knoxville, Tenn. Accommodating Cats    Porous post defense negates second-half rally from 16 down    Make that close but no cigars (plural). For the second straight game, Kentucky showed a never-quit spirit by battling back from a double-digit deficit. But alas, UK also never quit turning the ball over or playing maitre d' defense (Can I show you to your basket? The only thing Chris Lofton can do is shoot    The only thing Chris Lofton can do is shoot. That's what the detractors said. He can't play defense. He can't penetrate. He can't rebound. He can't drive. He can't handle the ball. He can't make the pass. He can't do this. He can't do that. Defense fails Wildcats    On the night that the University of Kentucky found its missing offense, its defense and poise went missing. Vols finish Cats in the end game    UK roars back from 16 down, then falters    The University of Kentucky men's basketball team has played 25 games, has practiced countless hours and has navigated the choppy waters of more than half its Southeastern Conference schedule. Interior 'D' grades an 'F' for Wildcats    For 38 minutes and 31 seconds of game time, a University of Tennessee fan just behind press row absolutely blistered referees because University of Kentucky center Randolph Morris had not been whistled for a single foul. King recalls Vols' streak of success over Cats     Three days after Florida became the second Southeastern Conference program to record a fifth straight victory over Kentucky, former Tennessee All-American Bernard King explained how the Vols managed that difficult trick 30 years ago. Volunteers take the Wildcats 89 - 85     The University of Kentucky men's basketball team has played 25 games, has practiced countless hours and has navigated the choppy waters of more than half its Southeastern Conference schedule.            Baseball Baseball Begins 2007 Season at Furman    The 2007 Kentucky baseball season gets underway this weekend with a three-game series with Furman in Greenville, S.C. beginning on Friday at 3 p.m. ET at Furman Stadium. Baseball Preview: DeJesus, Cowgill Anchor Outfield    The 2007 Kentucky baseball season gets kicked off on Friday in Greenville, S.C. with a three-game series vs. Furman. UKAthletics is previewing the season with an in-depth look at the infield, outfield, pitchers, and catchers. (2-13-07)              Men 'Cats must face Lofton this time    Ramel Bradley was only half-joking when he said he thought that he and Tennessee junior guard Chris Lofton were about equal when it came to their 3-point shooting abilities. Bradley 'manages' to fix free throw woes    Ramel Bradley is willing to take help about his shooting anywhere he can get it. Smith wants team on same page    Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has a simple goal for his team. Cats and Gators: an SEC sea change?    FLORIDA GOOD NOW, BUT SO WERE PLENTY OF UK'S PURSUERS    Kings can be overthrown, of course. In the Lute Olson Era, Arizona supplanted UCLA as the pre-eminent men's college basketball program in the Pac 10. Cats want a storybook ending    Cohesion, patience vs. Vols are the 1st steps    The story of the University of Kentucky men's basketball season is far from over. This time, UT has Lofton     For the second time in 16 days, Kentucky plays Tennessee. Yet it feels like the first time. That's because Tennessee star Chris Lofton will play when UK takes on the Vols in Knoxville tonight. No. 20 Kentucky looking to stay ahead in Tennessee rivalry    Tennessee is promoting its matchup with No. 20 Kentucky like it's the game of the year. Lofton always up for Kentucky     Chris Lofton said he got over being spurned by Kentucky a long time ago. (2-12-07)              Men Wildcats Seek Series Sweep of Volunteers     Kentucky looks to improve upon its 3-1 SEC road record as they venture into Knoxville, Tenn., and Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday to take on Tennessee and attempt to sweep the season series with the Vols. Lofton's return to Tennessee lineup changes the game with Kentucky    For the second time in 16 days, Kentucky plays Tennessee. But it feels like the first time. UK can't dwell on loss to Florida    If three of the nation's elite teams are supposed to be Florida, North Carolina and UCLA, then Kentucky could be poised to have a lot more success in March than many people want to believe. Healthier Lofton will test Wildcats     Chris Lofton still laughs when he thinks about Mason County hosting a Bruce Pearl Day in honor of his coach at Tennessee last summer. 'Cats to meet fully loaded Volunteers    The University of Kentucky men's basketball team already owns a win against Tennessee this season. Cats' spin sounds almost like win    UK TAKES PRIDE IN COMEBACK THAT NEARLY CAUGHT FLORIDA    It turns out that close does count. Kentucky took solace in playing No.1 Florida so close a buzzer-beating shot by Ramel Bradley would have sent the game into overtime. After the 64-61 loss, the Cats spoke of riding a ripple effect to future victories. Time to bust a handful of Gator myths    Florida is unflappable. Well, no. This was the Saturday surprise. In the hustle and bustle of top-ranked Florida's 64-61 win over Kentucky, the Gators committed a pair of late mental errors that handed the host Cats a shot at overtime. Alas, a shot that missed, of course. These days, UK's the underdog    It isn't even on the beach. The University of Florida sits no closer to the ocean than it does to the Okefenokee Swamp, barely closer to the evening tide than it does the Crimson Tide. But you take a guy like Joakim Noah, who's from New York, and his father's a Frenchman, and his mother's a Swede, and he's got more family in Cameroon, and Billy Donovan invites him to Florida and maybe he thinks it's all sand and spring break and the strength coach is David Hasselhoff. Or a fellow like DeShawn Wynn, the running back from Reading. Probably everybody he grew up around takes their vacations in either Florida or Pigeon Forge, and he's not really much for quilting or miniature golf, so he signs up for the Gators and down go the Buckeyes and along comes a national championship. Shots won't fall for 'Cats    The power of positive thinking is about all the University of Kentucky has left after the Wildcats clunked their way to a 64-61 loss to No. 1 Florida. Kentucky enters critical part of schedule    One thing became clear after Kentucky’s narrow 64-61 loss to Florida on Saturday night. Swagger intact, Wildcats move on    Tough schedule on road to March    If another few shots had dropped, if somehow the University of Kentucky men's basketball team had managed to upset No.1              Women Parker and Lady Vols Too Much for UK    Candace Parker scored 22 of her 31 points in the first half and third-ranked Tennessee cruised to an 84-62 win over Kentucky on Sunday. Parker, press pummel Cats    Tennessee hands UK worst defeat of season    Last season's upset loss at Kentucky was upsetting for Tennessee. Just when the Lady Vols had put visions of UK's players rolling around celebrating on the Rupp Arena floor out of their minds, it would show up again in technicolor. No. 3 Tennessee crushes Kentucky     Candace Parker scored 22 of her 31 points in the first half and third-ranked Tennessee cruised to an 84-62 win over Kentucky on Sunday. (2-11-07)              Men Cats wary of vengeful Vols     Kentucky's players screamed and piled on top of one another, celebrating their upset win over top-ranked Tennessee. Their coach didn't have time to feel joy before a sinking feeling took over. No. 1 Florida 64, No. 20 Kentucky 61     Corey Brewer scored 16 points and top-ranked Florida held off No. 20 Kentucky 64-61 on Saturday night for its 16th straight victory. No. 1 Gators escape Rupp with 16th straight win     Last year, Florida ran through the NCAA tournament. This season, the Gators are dominating the Southeastern Conference. THREE-POINT DISAPPOINTMENT    3-for-22 from long range; Bradley too little, too late    Kentucky had a shot to beat the No. 1 team in the nation last night. Yet in another sense, UK did not have a shot to beat Florida. If a few shots fall, so would Florida    ADD FREE-THROW SHOOTING TO UK WOES    If just four more had gone down. Four more free throws. If just two more had gone down. Two more three-pointers. If just one had gone down. Ready to be toppled, Gators still end up on top    Amazing for a defending national champion with five starters back, Florida made bone-head plays under late-game pressure. Fans get jump on 'Gameday' fun     MORE THAN 2,800 POUR INTO RUPP FOR EARLY SHOOT OF ESPN SHOW    To put it simply, it was pure pandemonium. There probably isn't a better way to describe the scene at Rupp Arena yesterday morning for the filming of the early edition of ESPN's College GameDay. UK gets shot at win in second half      For 13 minutes, Kentucky didn't look like it belonged on the floor with Florida, the defending national champion. Morris leads Cats     When Randolph Morris is in the equation, anything is possible. Cats' late rally falls short against No. 1 Florida    Corey Brewer scored 16 points and top-ranked Florida held off No. 20 Kentucky 64-61 on Saturday night for its 16th straight victory. Gators are the true Beasts of the SEC East    The last time the Florida Gators came into Rupp Arena with the No. 1 ranking the Kentucky Wildcats made sure they didn’t leave that way by handing them a 70-55 defeat on Feb. 4, 2003. UK team continues to be a puzzle    Good luck figuring out this Rubik's Cube of a basketball team at UK. Just when you think you have one side solved, you turn it over and something else is out of whack.             Football Mustafaa was no surprise to Brooks, staff    UNFAMILIAR RECRUIT WAS LONGTIME UK TARGET    As University of Kentucky officials passed out the official list of recruits for UK's 2007 class before Rich Brooks took the mike, just about all of the media in attendance scanned the sheet of paper to find an unfamiliar name. (2-10-07)              Men #1 UF  64  --  #18 UK  61 Cats' Comeback Falls Short Against No. 1 Gators     Ramel Bradley scored 20 points but his three-pointer at the buzzer fell short as UK fell 64-61 to No. 1 Florida Saturday night at Rupp Arena. Oh, to chomp the champs    Cats hungry to prove themselves against No. 1    Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith doesn't expect the crowd and Rupp Arena atmosphere to affect No. 1 Florida tonight. The Gators are too good for that. Insti-Gator: Noah's spunk riles foes    FLORIDA CENTER IS PLAYER YOU LOVE TO HATE, YET WOULD LOVE TO HAVE    Joakim Noah is annoying. He yells. He screams. He snarls. He smirks. He thumps his chest. He plays to the crowd. He has a ponytail. Florida's 6-foot-11 junior center is the player you love to hate. Ever hear about the one who got away?     Florida swingman Corey Brewer, an all-tournament selection in the 2006 Final Four and arguably the Southeastern Conference's best defender, might have been playing for Kentucky tonight. Morris must put a stop to Noah down low     Poor defense by center Randolph Morris last weekend inspired a bit of wit from Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith. Kentucky vs. No. 1     How UK has fared against teams ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll. Wildcats relish chance to regain elite status    In the four seasons he has worn a University of Kentucky uniform, senior Bobby Perry has played in some significant regular-season games. Just call it pre-March madness    Hungry Wildcats will try to knock off defending champs    There's no denying that the University of Kentucky men's basketball team is a little extra-amped for tonight's game against Florida. But if the No. 20 Wildcats are tense about a visit from the nation's No. 1 team, they're showing no signs. Gators target Kentucky's SEC East supremacy     A basketball video game commercial depicts a Florida player resembling Joakim Noah dunking on a Kentucky player resembling Randolph Morris. Then, the footage rewinds, and he does it again and again and again. Roles have reversed in series    Senior center Chris Richard has been around long enough to remember the rough patches in the Florida-Kentucky ... Stepping up    It's a curious ritual. A few weeks ago, Florida junior Taurean Green began patting down teammate Corey Brewer during pregame introductions. Florida embraces options    Al Horford has an idea, a way to make these No. 1 Florida Gators thrive even more than they have the last nine weeks. UF, he says, needs more Lee Humphrey. (2-9-07)              Men Cats Seek 400th Rupp Arena Win vs. No. 1 Gators    Kentucky seeks its 400th win at venerable Rupp Arena when it hosts top-ranked and defending national champion Florida Saturday night. Tipoff is 9:00 p.m. Promotional Activities Surrounding Florida Game     In preparation for Saturday’s match-up between the 18th ranked Wildcats and the top-ranked Florida Gators, the University of Kentucky is preparing for a myriad of promotional events leading up to the game. Georgia coach says Gators have 'all the parts'    The first time Georgia played Florida, the Bulldogs had 22 turnovers and lost 67-51 to the host Gators. Cats say their psyche is fine after blown lead    Blowing most of a 28-point lead and allowing South Carolina to score 61 points in the second half would not seem like the ideal way for Kentucky to prepare for No. 1 Florida. Morris faces 'big' test against Florida    Before the season started, Florida junior center/forward Al Horford noted that he thought the Southeastern Conference had the "best bigs in the nation" because almost every team had at least one quality interior player. Donovan has own coaching tree    PELPHREY, GRANT ATTEST TO HIS WORK ETHIC    It doesn't seem all that long ago that Billy Donovan arrived at Kentucky as a fresh-faced novice hoping to learn how to be a college coach. His mentor was another assistant on Rick Pitino's UK staff, Tubby Smith. Is storming the court unthinkable?    Regal or not, UK's an underdog, and some students say they'd storm    As I was saying, the reason Kentucky and Florida aren't basketball rivals is because ... ... well, ... ... Kentucky isn't living up to its end. This Gator thrives on the haters    Florida forward Joakim Noah walked around campus early this week with a stack of fan mail. Victim's advice: Bring skill, luck   The latest head coach to suffer a defeat at the expense of the seemingly infallible No. 1 University of Florida had nothing but praise for the dominant Gators, who haven't lost a game since Dec. 3. Fans flood Noah with road 'hate'    Florida big man expects to draw UK faithful's ire    Joakim Noah the 6-foot-11 junior gets more attention than any of his teammates on the road -- most of it negative. He's sure to get harassed when the top-ranked Gators (22-2, 9-0 Southeastern Conference) play at the 20th-ranked University of Kentucky (18-5, 7-2) tomorrow night. Gators' skin looks awfully thick    Billy Donovan has said that more basketball teams suffer through prosperity than poverty. An inside look at Selection Sunday    Finishing my 11th hour sitting inside a first-floor conference room at NCAA headquarters in downtown Indianapolis, surrounded by enough computers to fly a 747 and enough statistics to choke an accountant. I was debating the fairness of shipping UK to the San Jose Regional of the 2007 NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed. Gators plan to embrace atmosphere in Rupp    Kentucky figures to throw everything into its game against No. 1 Florida on Saturday. The question is this: Can the Rupp Arena Cat-mosphere set at full blast unnerve the Gators?                 Women Cats claw back to beat Rebels    UK WINS BOARD BATTLE 47-27   A balanced scoring attack and a dominating performance on the boards carried Kentucky to a come-from-behind 69-61 victory over Mississippi last night in C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum at Oxford. KENTUCKY 69, MISSISSIPPI 61: Cats claw back to beat Rebels    A balanced scoring attack and a dominating performance on the boards carried Kentucky to a come-from-behind 69-61 victory over Mississippi last night in C.M. "Tad" Smith Coliseum at Oxford. (2-8-07)              Men Blowout turns shaky for UK    Sub-freezing temperatures didn't prevent a reported 23,653 fans from showing up at Rupp Arena to watch the University of Kentucky host South Carolina Wednesday night. Smith tries humor after poor defense in second half   For 20 minutes, No. 20 Kentucky looked like a team that could be poised to give No. 1 Florida fits Saturday. Perry helps Cats get off to hot start    Kentucky may have blown a 22-point halftime lead and barely hung on to beat South Carolina 95-89 here Wednesday, but thanks to Bobby Perry the Wildcats came out blazing. Ramel Bradley has a special fan in the stands    As Ramel Bradley left the court following Kentucky's 95-89 win over South Carolina here Wednesday, he pointed toward his mother, Daisy Rice, who returned the favor. Benching shows Tubby's as serious as Cats have to be     This is Tubby's team. It's not Ramel's team. Or Joe's team. Or Bobby's team. Or Derrick's team. Or Woo's team. It's not your team. It's not my team. And after last night, we know it's not Randolph's team. Wildcats still searching for complete game    This easily could have been a trap game for the Kentucky Wildcats.   After all, they were coming off a huge road victory over Arkansas in which they rallied from a 14-point second half deficit and Saturday’s game just happens to be when the top-ranked and defending national champion Florida Gators come to town. Wildcats fend off Gamecocks' late surge   South Carolina trailed by 28 points in 2nd half    Tubby Smith figures he's been singing the same song long enough. Drought kills rout     Kentucky's 95-89 victory over South Carolina last night stirred the comic in Coach Tubby Smith's soul. He evoked belly laughs from reporters in his post-game news conference. He smiled. He chuckled. He flashed his wit. He poked fun. He brought absurdist humor to a basketball setting. Perry finds shot without thinking     Like a frog in high school biology class, Bobby Perry's game has been dissected thoroughly this season. Last night, he gave fans a healthy heart and intact self-confidence to examine. No. 20 Kentucky 95, South Carolina 89    Ramel Bradley scored 21 points and Bobby Perry added a season-high 18 to help No. 20 Kentucky beat South Carolina 95-89 on Wednesday night.                 Women UK  69  --  Ol' MS  61 Big Second Half Lifts UK Hoops   Kentucky used a big second half to overcome a 15-point first-half deficit Thursday, and the Wildcats out-rebounded Ole Miss 47-27 to notch a 69-61 win in C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum. UK women look to avenge OT loss    The Kentucky women's basketball team travels to Oxford, Miss., tonight looking for revenge against Mississippi. The Wildcats fell to the Rebels earlier this season in overtime in Memorial Coliseum. Ole Miss connected on 18 of 23 free throws, including five free throws in overtime to give them a 67-65 win. Cats to get heavy rotation in the SEC    PLAY VOLS, LSU TWICE FOR NEXT TWO YEARS    The Southeastern Conference schedule doesn't get any lighter for Kentucky next season. As Coach Mickie DeMoss noted on her radio show this week, the rotation for UK's two home-and-away series has fallen to games with league powers Tennessee and Louisiana State. Football Music City Bowl Generates Record Monetary Impact    Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Presented By Bridgestone representatives announced today that the 2006 Bowl generated a record $20.7 million impact on the local economy. Analyst raves about UK signee Stafford    ESPN.com analyst Tom Luginbill sang some high praise yesterday on the ESPNU signing day coverage for the University of Kentucky’s highest profile recruit. Brooks likes class that lacks sparkle    COACH 'VERY EXCITED;' EXPERTS NOT AS IMPRESSED    There wasn't a big in-state name like Micah Johnson to light up the marquee regarding Kentucky's 2007 football class. Nor was there a last-minute signing bonanza like Corey Peters, something that UK Coach Rich Brooks called "a jelly donut at the end." Brooks: Ratings aren't all that matter    Cats showed that this year, coach says    A red-hot finish, eight wins and a bowl victory. At the University of Kentucky, that constitutes a banner football season. (2-7-07)              Men #20  UK  95  --  USC  89 Cats Survive Gamecock Comeback    Four Wildcats scored in double figures, led by Ramel Bradley's 21, as Kentucky held off a late South Carolina run to win 95-89, Wednesday night at Rupp Arena. Smith likes team's play     Tubby Smith is never prone to being too positive about his team no matter how well the Wildcats are playing. Last season's SEC tourney loss helps Cats focus tonight     While it would seem easy for Kentucky to assume it will beat South Carolina tonight, Joe Crawford knows better than to take a win for granted. Florida a bad word for Cats    Kentucky can't overlook Gamecocks    When Kentucky routed South Carolina last month, UK guard Joe Crawford scored 21 points in the first 21 minutes. Although he only went on to equal a then career-high 23 points, Crawford left Columbia satisfied . . . for the moment. UK avoids peeking ahead to Gators    Before reporters were allowed to speak with University of Kentucky guard Joe Crawford on Tuesday afternoon, media relations director Scott Stricklin uttered a simple instruction. Cats save Gators for later    Say they'll be focused on gamer Gamecocks    For almost a month now, Joe Crawford has made it clear he's looking forward to playing Florida. Smith urges Bradley to lead less with heart     A classic Star Trek dynamic exists in Kentucky basketball this season. It's the logic-versus-emotion relationship between Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith and guard Ramel Bradley. Kentucky has one game to shore up defense before Gators arrive     Kentucky coach Tubby Smith says he's not asking much from his players on defense. He just wants them to give all-out effort for 35 seconds on each possession -- the exact amount of time it takes for the shot clock to expire. Kentucky players ordered not to look past South Carolina     Don't ask the Kentucky basketball players who they will play on Saturday night. They're forbidden to talk about it. Football Bios of Kentucky's 2007 football recruiting class     A list of the University of Kentucky's 2007 football recruiting class, along with short bios compiled by UK Media Relations Director Tony Neely: Brooks happy with in-state recruiting effort    One priority in every recruiting class for Rich Brooks will be in-state offensive linemen. Brooks says signees could be underrated     Kentucky coach Rich Brooks knows his recruiting class doesn't have the star power of some other Southeastern Conference schools and might not even have the pizzazz of last year's class at UK. 'Cats haul in 28 recruits    A red-hot finish, eight wins and a bowl victory.  At the University of Kentucky, that constitutes a banner football season. Coach Brooks Addresses 2007 Signing Day    Wednesday marked the first day Division I schools could officially sign players for the 2007 season. Click to read about UK's signees plus Coach Brooks' press conference quotes. Bowl win not expected to affect signing today    There have been a few exceptions, but for the most part the University of Kentucky hasn't been able to draw the mega blue-chip football prospects to Lexington in recent memory. SEC landing top recruit classes    Those Southeastern Conference football teams are at it again, jockeying for position and vying for top-10 rankings. Georgia end likely UK-bound    Cardinals still waiting on several prospects    The University of Kentucky apparently has locked up its top recruit, but some questions remain for Louisville as the college football national signing period starts today. Defensive end D.J. Stafford of LaGrange, Ga. — and defensive-back teammates Mychal Bailey and Randall Burden — will sign with the Wildcats in a ceremony this morning at school, their coach, Steve Pardue, said. Pundits like Cats' group of 'overachievers'    Kentucky, Georgia stars headline crop    If nothing else, the University of Kentucky's football recruiting class this year will be one of the largest, with as many as 26 players expected to sign. (2-6-07)              Men 'Cats keep eyes on Gamecocks    Tubby Smith isn’t worried that his University of Kentucky basketball team won’t properly prep for its game tomorrow against South Carolina. Wildcats Look for Third Straight Win, Host USC     Kentucky, riding the momentum of a two-game winning streak, hosts South Carolina looking to sweep the season series against the Gamecocks for the 12th time since 1992. Tipoff at Rupp Arena is 8:00 p.m. ET. Florida looms, but Cats say they're not looking past South Carolina game     When Kentucky routed South Carolina last month, Kentucky guard Joe Crawford scored 21 points in the first 21 minutes. Although he equalled only a then-career-high 23 points for the entire game, Crawford left Columbia satisfied. For the moment. ESPN’s College GameDay Coming To Rupp    ESPN’s College GameDay is coming to Lexington this weekend for 18th-ranked Kentucky’s game against top-ranked Florida. Meeks cool on court    It's no secret that University of Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks is the most frequent recipient of head coach Tubby Smith's tongue-lashings during practice. South Carolina coach likes Cats' defense    Normally it is offense that generates notoriety for Kentucky junior guards Ramel Bradley and Joe Crawford. Erratic Wildcats trouble Smith    COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN ILLUSTRATES PROBLEMS    A rousing come-from-behind victory can create a tsunami-like wave of momentum that carries the winner to further success. However, Tubby Smith wasn't confident that his Kentucky team got that benefit at Arkansas last weekend. Florida No. 1, Kentucky No. 20 in men's AP poll     The Florida Gators are No. 1 for the fourth straight week. This time, there's no doubt about it. Football U of L, UK wait for late signees    Tomorrow is the first day of the college football national signing period, but there’s still work to be done for the universities of Louisville and Kentucky. Letter of discontent     Recruitment of Rockcastle lineman a cautionary tale    It was a Saturday morning, the fourth of November. Brad Durham was riding high. The night before, the lineman and his Rockcastle County High teammates had blasted Clay County 39-12 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. Eastern announces 2007 schedule, will face UK in season opener     Eastern Kentucky University will open its 2007 season with a game at the University of Kentucky, EKU announced yesterday. The NCAA Division I-AA program will play the I-A Wildcats on Sept. 1 for the second time. UK rolled 52-7 in 1998. Eastern will receive a payout of $200,000. (2-5-07)              Men 'Cats rally behind Bradley    Say what you want about Ramel Bradley's shot selection and penchant for dramatics, but the University of Kentucky needed every ounce of his confidence, enthusiasm and playmaking ability to rally from a 14-point deficit for a 82-74 victory against Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena on Saturday. Road win is good sign for Cats    If Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl is right, Kentucky either has established - or is close to doing so - that it could be the Southeastern Conference's second best team going into postseason play.             Women Cats avoid second-half collapse    UK NEARLY BLOWS 28-POINT LEAD    Sometimes it's not about how scenic the drive is. Sometimes it's just about reaching the destination. Kentucky got there the hard way yesterday, but it arrived in victory lane for the first time in four tries with an 84-74 win over a Florida team that has yet to earn a conference win. Wildcats women hold off Gators' Florida rally to win 84-74    Junior Samantha Mahoney led the University of Kentucky women's basketball team with 21 points, and the host Wildcats survived a late Florida rally to win 84-74 yesterday. UK (15-9, 4-5 Southeastern Conference) led 71-53 with 4:38 left in the game. The Gators (6-18, 0-9) then went on a 19-6 run over the next 3:27 to pull within 77-72. (2-4-07)                    Men UK target Patterson still not ready to choose a school     Patrick Patterson is considered the top unsigned senior high school basketball player in the country, and last week he played on the campuses of two of the six schools still in the running for his services. Elite topic elicits little response     ESPN radio host Colin Cowherd grew up in the seaside town of Grayland, Wash. He is the son of an optometrist. He thinks Kentucky basketball has diminished as a national entity. Meeks' poise impresses teammate     Kentucky guard Jodie Meeks wasn't the highest freshman scorer in the 82-74 victory at Arkansas yesterday. But that didn't mean he didn't stand out as what teammate Randolph Morris called "a rarity." Run-of-Ramel win    Bradley's 22 second-half points spark comeback    His Cheshire cat smile in place, Ramel Bradley dribbled the ball near midcourt as the final seconds of Kentucky's 82-74 victory at Arkansas ticked off the clock yesterday. He bounced on his toes and, as the final horn sounded, he cuffed a hand around his right ear as if to ask the student section how it felt about a UK victory about as unlikely as it was sweet. UK feeling February momentum     This was Kentucky's best win of the year. Given the circumstances. Given the site. Given the talented, if inconsistent, opponent. Given the margin, 14 down with 16:44 to go at the aforementioned site. Given the date on the calendar. Cats hog-tie Arkansas     Ramel Bradley scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half, and Kentucky rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Arkansas 82-74 Saturday. Second-half surge brings Cats spring to life in 2nd-half surge   Comeback win is first step in February march   The Wildcats began a brutal February march yesterday with an 82-74 victory over Arkansas in front of 19,379 fans at Bud Walton Arena, rallying from 14 points down in the second half. Bradley makes plenty of noise in UK's victory    Ramel Bradley talks so much that sometimes his University of Kentucky basketball teammates screen him out like another piece of background noise.           Women UK Hoops Holds Off Florida      Junior guard Samantha Mahoney (Detroit) scored a game-high 21 points and junior center Sarah Elliott (McKee, Ky.) added 18 Sunday as Kentucky snapped a three-game losing streak with a 84-74 win in Memorial Coliseum. Wildcats hoping to get back on track     After three straight losses and eight of the last nine games being decided by 10 points or less, the Wildcats are anxious for a win when Florida comes to Memorial Coliseum today.       Football In recruiting, it's hard to tell truth from the tabloid     You gotta love recruiting season. It's rivaled perhaps only by the Hollywood beat in terms of rumors, innuendos, half-truths, speculation and wavering. (2-3-07)                   Men UK  82  --  UA  74 Cats win it, 82-74 Suddenly, the University of Kentucky is a second-half team. Another sizzling second half led the Wildcats back from the brink of a blowout to beat Arkansas. No. 24 Cats Rally to Beat Hogs, 82-74     Ramel Bradley scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half, and Kentucky rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat Arkansas 82-74 Saturday. Cats rally again    BRADLEY HAS CAREER-HIGH 24 POINTS    For the second straight season, the sight of Arkansas turned Kentucky into the Comeback Cats. UK rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to beat the Razorbacks 82-74 Cats hope Arkansas starts fab Feb.    HOGS CAN BE INCONSISTENT, BUT THEY'VE BEATEN RANKED TEAMS    Ready or not (and this off week surely helped the preparations), here comes Kentucky into February. "This is the most important part of the year," guard Joe Crawford said yesterday "This is what we've been preparing for all year." Hogs freshman comes out shooting    PATRICK BEVERLEY ISN'T BASHFUL -- EITHER DURING INTERVIEWS OR PLAYING THE GAME    A first impression jumped through the telephone immediately. Patrick Beverley of Arkansas is not the typically shy freshman. "What's up, man?" he said breezily. "How you doing?" Morris facing tall test    Randolph Morris doesn't like chasing around agile guys who play like they're small forwards for the better part of 40 minutes. Cats, Hogs try to rediscover spark sizzle in rivalry    Today's 1 p.m. tipoff between the Wildcats (16-5, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) and Razorbacks (14-7, 3-4) will air on Lincoln Financial Sports (WAVE-3 locally) and not CBS -- and the fact that it's being played the day before the Super Bowl instead of as a game-day lead-in -- says this isn't the elite rivalry it once was. Crawford not 'a kid' anymore     Joe Crawford is Kentucky�s second-leading scorer on the season, but the SEC's top scorer in conference games for all players. (2-2-07)                Women Gators' Mori will have fans in Lexington     One Florida basketball coach will have his own local fans when the Gators take on the host University of Kentucky women Sunday. Cats just can't slam the 'Dores    Late layup sends UK women to sixth loss in 8 games    Kentucky keeps waiting for its happy ending. The UK players thought the wait was over last night, that it could erase all of the bad memories of heart-breaking losses this season with a win over No. 15 Vanderbilt. Wildcats' late rally falls short    Last-second layup gives Vandy 63-62 win    Another Southeastern Conference women's basketball game turned into yet another tough loss for the University of Kentucky last night. Dee Davis scored on an acrobatic driving layup with 1.6 seconds left as Vanderbilt pulled out a 63-62 decision, handing the Wildcats their fifth loss in the past six games in front of 5,680 fans at Memorial Coliseum.              Men Razorbacks remember last season's loss     Arkansas forward Charles Thomas can still remember the disappointment he felt last year when the Razorbacks blew an 18-point first-half lead and lost to Kentucky in Rupp Arena. Cats hope to have Hogs as Super Bowl appetizer    There was a time when a basketball game between the University of Kentucky and Arkansas was a Super Bowl Sunday lead-in. Wildcats Travel to SEC West Foe Arkansas     Kentucky, 3-0 this year against SEC West opponents and 2-1 in SEC road play, puts both marks on the line this weekend when it travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the Razorbacks. Tipoff at Bud Walton Arena is 1 p.m. ET. It's a tough Hill to climb    ARKANSAS CENTER IS HAVING A BREAKOUT JUNIOR YEAR    Alabama students brought a banner to their seats behind one of the baskets last weekend. The banner read "Playing for Arkansas, so easy even a caveman can do it." Beside that message was an enlarged mug shot of Arkansas center Steven Hill. Arkansas tandem an odd couple    Two of the most intriguing players on the Arkansas basketball team couldn't be more different UK travels to Arkansas on Saturday    To be successful in the Southeastern Conference, winning on the road is essential.       Football Brooks' staffers get sizable pay raises    One of the goals for Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks during his recent contract negotiations was to get raises for his assistants. It looks as if Brooks' mission has been accomplished. All seven UK assistant football coaches who returned to the staff this season have been given two-year contracts and salary increases according to copies of the contracts that were obtained by the Herald-Leader. (2-1-07)                Women No. 15 Vandy Edges Wildcats     Dee Davis' basket with 1.6 seconds remaining Thursday lifted No. 15 Vanderbilt past Kentucky 63-62 in Memorial Coliseum. In need of a heat wave in February    Cats need to find stride vs. Vandy   There's no sense in ignoring the obvious. Kentucky has the same team back, but it's not the same team that won nine Southeastern Conference games and earned a first-round bye in the tournament.              Men What to wear for Florida game?    Students say white! UK says blue-white!    Besides offensive flow and transition defense, Kentucky needs to improve its color coordination. Not one, but two plans are under way for how fans should dress when UK plays Florida in Rupp Arena on Feb. 10. In a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, those plans have been progressing simultaneously for more than a month with neither aware of the other. Moses' coach says Cats can do better    EFFORT ISSUES, ACADEMIC CONCERNS FOLLOW PROSPECT TO OKLAHOMA STATE    Prospect Marshall Moses told Kentucky yesterday that he had committed to Oklahoma State. Even his own coach said UK shouldn't lament the loss.       Football No. 30 deserves a name, too    NOTES ON UK TICKET PRICES, BARBARO AND A SQUIRREL    Random notes: Maybe with the ticket-price increases, UK can afford to put Dwight Perry's name on the back of his jersey. Did you realize that over the past four years, Rich Brooks has one more post-season victory than the now retired Bill Parcells?

Our Privacy statement can be read here...   Disclaimer:  This site solely owned by WildcatZone.Com and is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Kentucky, the Southeastern Conference, or the NCAA copyright (c) 1997-2006, WildcatZone.Com (except where otherwise indicated)