Barnhart Hopes Tubby Stays Every time Tubby Smith’s Kentucky basketball team has even a minor
misstep, people across the commonwealth cry out for the coach’s dismissal.
Kentucky-South Carolina Scouting Report South Carolina has won just three times in Columbia, but UK needed a Cliff Hawkins’ miracle shot last season to avoid starting
0-3 in the SEC.
USC's Odom Talks About UK Game South Carolina Coach Dave Odom spent much of his allotted time on the Southeastern Conference’s Thursday teleconference with the media
talking about the Gamecocks tilt with surging Kentucky this Saturday.
Cats' ability to win on road signals new maturity level Kentucky's ability to win away from its comfort zone in Rupp Arena is a clear signal
of why coach Tubby Smith was bubbling with enthusiasm in October about this team.
Kentucky Wildcats Report Many coaches look forward to an open week, but the University of Kentucky's Tubby Smith would have preferred to play this week. With the
Wildcats riding a nine-game winning streak, he's concerned that a week between games could do more harm than good.
Coaching search cost UK $20,000The University of Kentucky spent close to $20,000 on its search for a football coach, half of which went to a firm
that did background and reference checks.
(01-30-03)
Basketball
Kentucky at South Carolina NotesKentucky, one of two undefeated teams remaining in league play, makes its first appearance in the
Gamecocks' new Carolina Center when the two teams battle for the second time this season. Just 19 days have passed since the first meeting that saw host UK build a 21-point second-half lead before holding off South Carolina for the 62-55 victory on Jan. 11.
A Labor Of Love For Big Blue FansKentucky can make the claim that it is to college basketball what Notre Dame is to college
football. Only Kansas can come close to such sustained success for such a long period of time.
Gerald Fitch's statistics at UK Year G-S MPG FG-A PCT 3FG-A PCT FT-A PCT RPG APG TO BS ST PPG 00-01 34-26 19.8 76-167 .455 29-71 .408 49-71 .690 4.4 1.9 46 8 40 6.8
Fitch's switch lifts UK Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch has gone from grating to grateful in the last 12 months. Despite Fitch's many misadventures last season, UK Coach Tubby Smith gave
him second, third, fourth and fifth chances last season.
Football
UK Football NotebookTexas natives Otis Grigsby, Ronnie Riley and Nick Seitze honored by the San Antonio News-Express;
Glenn Palulak will participate in the Hula Bowl in Wailuku, Maui. The game is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 1, at 9 p.m. EST, will be televised live on ESPN
UK adds Murray to schedule Division I-AA Murray State has replaced Florida Atlantic and coach
Howard Schnellenberger on Kentucky's 2003 football schedule, which was released Wednesday.
Cats to challenge Murray State during 2003 The University of Kentucky football schedule for 2003 has been completed, with the addition of in-state foe Murray State, UK Athletics
Director Mitch Barnhart has announced.
(01-29-03)
Basketball
Defense Is A Key To Kentucky's SuccessIt seems to be their birthright, yet it's important to note that the Kentucky Wildcats are solidly
in the top 10 and at the top of the Southeastern Conference.
Women's Basketball
UK Women's Basketball Participates In NCAA 'Take A Kid To The Game' ProgramArea youngsters will have an opportunity to experience the college
game-day atmosphere when the Kentucky women's basketball team plays host to NCAA basketballs' annual Take A Kid The Game (TAKG) program on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003. Kids, ages 18 and younger, will receive a free ticket to watch the Wildcats take on No. 16 South Carolina in Memorial Coliseum at 2 p.m. ET. UK students and
employees with valid faculty/staff identification will be also be admitted free. All other adults are only
Football
UK Football Notebook: Murray State Joins the ScheduleThe Kentucky football schedule for the 2003 season has been completed with
the addition of in-state foe Murray State, UK Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart has announced. The Wildcats will play host to the Racers on Sept. 6
Brooks making major strides with Wildcats in early going The University of Kentucky men's basketball team has won nine straight games and
turned an otherwise vulnerable defense into a smothering unit that continues to stifle the most potent offenses.
Cats get two new commitments The University of Kentucky has picked up two more verbal commitments for its 2003 recruiting class. Woodstock (Ga.) tight end Eric Scott and Carbon (Utah)
linebacker Jan Jorgensen have told Rich Brooks and his staff that they will sign with the Wildcats on national signing day Feb. 5. Both players visited the UK campus this past weekend.
UK hires final two assistants Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks completed his new coaching
staff Tuesday with the hiring of Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer and UCLA wide receivers coach Ron Caragher.
Holmes star could still sign with UK While it is appealing to Brandent Englemon that a
football program as rich in tradition as the University of Michigan is interested in him, the Holmes High School football standout said Tuesday night he still may wind up signing with the University of Kentucky next week.
three to the fore If the University of Kentucky Basketball Museum is on the ball, it will soon unveil a new interactive exhibit: Visitors will be asked to vote for college basketball's
2003 national coach of the year.
Tubby happy but not satisfied with Wildcats After Kentucky limited Alabama to 23.8-percent shooting (the worst accuracy for a UK opponent in 10 years), Tubby Smith called for his team
to improve defensively.
Break gives Wildcats chance to refuel With the University of Kentucky basketball team riding a
nine-game winning streak and playing so well it has outscored Southeastern Conference opponents by 13 points per game, it would not seem to be the best time for UK to have a week between games. But coach Tubby Smith and several players say otherwise.
Football
UK Football Staff Loaded With Experience With the official announcement Tuesday of Mike Archer as defensive coordinator and Ron Caragher as running backs coach, Rich
Brooks has now completed his first staff as boss of the Kentucky Wildcats.
Cats Land TE From Peach Tree StateKentucky's search for a tight end in the Class of 2003 has come to a conclusion with Woodstock (Ga.) standout
Eric Scott giving his verbal commitment to the Wildcats.
Utah Prep LB Jorgensen Commits To UKThe Utah Utes are getting close to finishing their first recruiting class under new football coach
Urban Meyer. After securing verbal commitments over the weekend from junior-college linebacker Reza Williams and prep defensive lineman Tony Castaldi, a total of 13 players have promised to join them. It would have been 14, but Carbon linebacker Jan Jorgensen has decided to sign instead with Kentucky.
Cats Reportedly Get Prep LB From Utah
Kentucky football came a step closer to finalizing its recruiting class Monday night, landing another verbal commitment from Utah linebacker Jan Jorgensen.
Prized recruit visits UK While one of the nation's premier high school football recruits is
now seriously considering playing for the University of Kentucky, another player who has already committed to UK is now considering playing elsewhere.
Archer, Caragher Complete Coaching StaffCoach Rich Brooks' full-time coaching staff has been completed with the official hiring
of Mike Archer as defensive coordinator and Ron Caragher as running backs coach.
(01-27-03)
Men's Basketball
UK Fans Should Appreciate Tubby
Don't they make your brown (black, green) eyes blue? We're talking about those Kentucky Wildcats. And can Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith get just a little bit of love? At least blow him a kiss. How he does what he does may not make for "SportsCenter" highlights, but if
you want results, Mr. Smith delivers.
UK's Smith knows defense wins championships Get over it. Tubby Smith's teams are never going to consistently average in the 90s. They are never going to shoot you out of the gym by
threes. They are never going to full-court press you into one expanding puddle of nervous sweat.
Kentucky's defense still improving It is a 3˝-game stretch that has not only turned the
University of Kentucky basketball team's season around, but has now turned the Wildcats into a legitimate Final Four contender, and it all began with a halftime speech and a new belief in defense and teamwork.
Women's Basketball
Georgia free throws nip Cats' comeback Christi Thomas had 18 points and 12 rebounds and made six free throws in the final 40 seconds as No. 24 Georgia defeated Kentucky 71-59 yesterday.
When Larry Ivy was ousted last March as University of Kentucky athletic director, UK President Lee Todd promised tighter university control over the sanction plagued department.
The University of Kentucky athletic department could face a deficit of $750,000 or more for the 2002-03 academic year, athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a recent interview.
Men's Basketball
Wildcats embarrass Alabama With a swarming defense and a barrage of uncontested shots, No. 8
Kentucky showed Alabama how a true basketball power plays.
UK the big squeeze of SEC The Kentucky Wildcats are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of SEC basketball. They are the Baltimore Ravens, circa 2000, of SEC basketball.
WIPEOUT: UK RIPS TIDE Mike Tyson versus Pee Wee Herman in the ring. Catherine Zeta-Jones against Olive Oyl in a beauty contest. The matchup of Kentucky's defense against Alabama's
offense suggested a mismatch of such proportions.
Rupp-arena debut Many fans go a lifetime without attending a Kentucky basketball game. But after last Wednesday, Goldie Hart is not among them. Hart, a 79-year-old grandmother from
Corbin, has been a UK fan for years. Yet she had not been to a game.
Hawkins' fire gets some players a little hot Kentucky's defensive leader, point guard Cliff Hawkins, showed again last night that there's no off switch on his intensity. With UK well on
the way to a 63-46 victory over Alabama, Hawkins dived to the floor to try to grab the ball from a prone Mo Williams. In the tussle, Hawkins kicked the Alabama player.
UK defense turns Tide For the second straight Southeastern Conference basketball game, a University of Kentucky guard who was silent in the first half broke loose in
the second to carry the Wildcats to victory.
Wildcats Downed By No. 24 Georgia 71-59Christi Thomas had 18 points and 12 rebounds and made six free throws in the final 40
seconds as No. 24 Georgia defeated Kentucky 71-56 Sunday. Alexis Kendrick had 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists to lead the Lady Dogs, who won their eighth straight despite shooting 35 percent.
Road-challenged Cats in Dog house Kentucky has not won in six road games this season. Georgia has not lost in six home games this season. Therein lies the challenge for Coach Bernadette
Mattox's Wildcats today against the No. 24 Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
(01-25-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 8 Kentucky Shuts Down No. 15 Alabama, 63-46Gerald Fitch scored 16 points and No. 8 Kentucky kept No. 15 Alabama in a freefall,
beating the Crimson Tide 63-46 on Saturday night and ending its school-record 28-game home winning streak. The Wildcats (15-3, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) defeated Alabama for their ninth consecutive win. It's Kentucky's longest winning streak since winning the final 13 games and the national title in 1998
and the first four games of the following season.
Wildcats want to keep Tide at lowest point The saying goes, ''Kick 'em while they're down. They're that much closer to your foot.'' That will be
the University of Kentucky's mantra tonight when it plays at Alabama, a team formerly ranked No. 1 that has lost four of its past seven games.
Alabama in tailspin after fast start While the University of Kentucky is exceeding
expectations, the University of Alabama has failed to live up to its preseason hype.
Cats, Tide going opposite directions Tonight's Kentucky-Alabama game is like magnets and the Julia Roberts-Lyle Lovett marriage. Opposites come together. Kentucky entered the season
with relatively modest expectations, then made its relatively modest ranking a rallying cry. The Cats go to Tuscaloosa riding a season-best eight-game winning streak and newly minted top-10 ranking.
Notebook | Prosperity can be toughest foe Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith did not embrace the notion that great expectations can derail a team like Alabama. "I don't know if it's the
pressure of expectations as much as it's dealing with prosperity ... ," he said. "That pat on the back. Everything is hunky-dory. You've living on your laurels from the past season, and subconsciously, before you know it, it's upon you.
Kentucky-Alabama: Game Of The DayThe Crimson Tide hope its sweet home Alabama, as the team tries to turnaround a disastrous stretch in which it was
beaten up on the road.
UK Coach Knows How Bama FeelsTubby Smith figures Alabama has fallen prey to target
practice, a phenomenon the Kentucky basketball coach knows better than most.
Kentucky-Alabama: The Low Down
Lowdown: Tide is 3-0 this
season against ranked opponents. . . . With eight straight wins, the Wildcats are riding their second-longest winning streak under Smith.
Catching Up With Ex-Wildcat MashburnIn a league where names like Michael, Shaq and Yao command the headlines, Jamal
Mashburn of the New Orleans Hornets is flying below the radar, quietly producing big numbers in the 10th season of what has become a remarkably underrated career.
Ex-Cat Padgett Knows Hoops And MoviesAs much as he would enjoy it, the Jazz's Scott Padgett has never had a chance to attend the
annual Sundance Film Festival -- what with a young son, a pregnant wife and a hectic pro basketball schedule to juggle.
Women's Basketball
Mattox Returns To Alma Mater As Cats Take On No. 24 GeorgiaThe Kentucky women's basketball team travels to No. 24 Georgia on Super Bowl Sunday
for the only regular-season meeting between the teams this season. The game will tip off at 2:30 p.m. ET at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Ga.
Male's Bush says he'll visit UK today The University of Kentucky is now officially in the Michael Bush sweepstakes. Bush, Kentucky's 2002 Mr. Football and one of the country's top gridiron
prospects, said last night that he will be in Lexington today on an official visit to UK.
(01-24-03)
Men's Basketball
For UK, ugly looks so good Kentucky is proving that the allure of basketball, like beauty, lies in the eyes of the beholder. After his team lost to UK Wednesday night, Auburn Coach
Cliff Ellis gave his assessment of UK: What the Cats may lack in new-age flights of fancy, they can make up in sweaty old-school defense.
Wildcats Ready To Battle TideThe Alabama basketball team is learning how difficult maintaining success in the SEC can be and who better to ask advice from than the visiting Kentucky Wildcats.
UK Star Retakes Control Of GameNext is Alex Groza, the big man of Kentucky's first national championship team in 1948, the only member of the Fabulous Five among the Tremendous Ten, the upper reaches of UK's all-time scoring list. Then comes Cotton Nash, Kentucky's cover boy of
the 1960s.
Hawkins is UK's point man on defense, too It was a play late in Wednesday's 67-51 win against
Auburn which perhaps typified the relentless way the University of Kentucky basketball team has been playing defense lately, especially junior point guard Cliff Hawkins.
Kentucky vs. Alabama NotesKentucky will look to extend its win streak to nine games and remain undefeated in Southeastern Conference
play when it travels to Tuscaloosa to face the nation's 15th-ranked team, Alabama. Press Conference Quotes
Kentucky Wildcats Report Tubby Smith was joking a few weeks ago when he said he wasn't sure if his team would ever hold an opponent under 40 percent shooting.
Women's Basketball
Cats dump slump, 83-66 For the Kentucky women, it was nice to not be on the receiving end of a dominating performance. After being trampled in two straight games on the road last week,
the Cats did a little stampeding of their own last night with an 83-66 win over Mississippi.
JUCO running back will sign with Wildcats New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks moved
within a couple of commitments of filling his first recruiting class when the coach of junior-college running back Draak Davis said he will sign next month to play at UK.
(01-23-03)
Men's Basketball
Cats D-molish Auburn "We want Heissenbuttel, we want Heissenbuttel," the students chanted. Victory was assured. His team led by 16 points with barely a minute left in this battle of
Southeastern Conference unbeatens. Yet Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins hounded Auburn's Derrick Bird into a five-second call.
Let's suppose Keith Bogans makes four shots Let's suppose Keith Bogans makes four shots. Out of 15. Let's suppose Erik Daniels and Marquis Estill combine for eight shots, six points,
and never see the free-throw line.
Bogans put focus on being stopper University of Kentucky senior guard Keith Bogans may not
have started out Wednesday's game against Auburn guarding the Tigers senior star forward Marquis Daniels, but he wanted to make sure he was on him when the game was on the line.
'Cats spread wealth The University of Kentucky basketball team is now showing that it's not
only going to defend well on a regular basis, but that it's going to be tough to defend against at all five positions on the floor, too.
Bogans climbing to new heights Next is Alex Groza, the big man of Kentucky's first national
championship team in 1948, the only member of the Fabulous Five among the Tremendous Ten, the upper reaches of UK's all-time scoring list. Then comes Cotton Nash, Kentucky's cover boy of the 60's.
Fitch finally gives 'em fits A frustrated Gerald Fitch walked off the Rupp Arena basketball court at halftime last night with his jersey covering his face after
missing all six of his shots.
Fitch goes from zero to hero in Cats' win
When Kentucky needed to find some much-needed offense Wednesday night to keep its perfect
Southeastern Conference season intact, Gerald Fitch not only jumped at the challenge, he took over the game.
Women's Basketball
Kentucky Takes Convincing 83-66 Win Over Ole MissThe Kentucky women's basketball team exploded on a 19-6 run in the second half to
defeat Ole Miss, 83-66, on Thursday, Jan. 23 in conference action at Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky improves to 9-7 overall, 2-2 in the Southeastern Conference
At home, Cats look to snap slump Coach Bernadette Mattox said she isn't worried about the UK women's confidence despite suffering their worst back-to-back defeats in school history.
Another Wildcat Out On Women's TeamKentucky women's basketball received more bad news Thursday as walk-on Jennifer Goin was
diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left foot. She could miss up to six weeks. Goin's injury comes just one day after Wildcat guard Jenny Pfeiffer broke her left hand, forcing her to possibly miss the remainder of the season.
Kentucky Football NotebookWildcat kick returner Derek Abney will travel to Orlando, Fla., Friday and Saturday for the All-America
Banquet sponsored by the Football Writers Association of America. The banquet will be Friday night and the FWAA All-America team will be introduced during the Rotary Gridiron Classic All-Star Game on Saturday
Cats land fast junior-college running back The University of Kentucky football program might have found its replacement for Artose Pinner. Draak Davis, a 5-foot-8, 165-pound running
back from Solano Community College in California, has committed to sign with UK in February, according to his junior-college coach, Floyd Burnsed.
(01-22-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 8 Kentucky Wins Eighth Straight; Downs No. 24 Auburn, 67-51Gerald Fitch scored 15 of his 16 points in the second half and Keith Bogans added 13 as No. 8 Kentucky beat No. 24 Auburn 67-51 Wednesday night, its eighth straight victory. Jules Camara also had 13 points for the Wildcats (14-3, 4-0 SEC), who are off to their best start
in league play since the 1997-98 team won its first eight SEC games.
Auburn may generate as much surprise as fear around the Southeastern Conference. Skeptics point to a, uh, manageable pre-conference schedule and a 4-0 SEC start built against teams
with a combined league record of 4-11.
A return to the top 10 this week made Kentucky a true athletic rarity: a team not looking for respect. "When you're in the top 10, that's respect," forward Chuck Hayes said. "That's what we always wanted. People know we're for real."
AUBURN Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 3 Marquis Daniels F 6-6 200 Sr. 4 Marco Killingsworth F 6-7 235 So. 34 Kyle Davis C 6-10 235 Jr.
Auburn surprising rest of SEC If everyone who believed that Auburn could challenge for the Southeastern Conference men's basketball title sat in the same room, coach
Cliff Ellis would be a lonely man.
Azubuike keeps his patience in backup role University of Kentucky freshman swingman Kelenna
Azubuike has a message for UK fans wringing their hands about his lack of playing time and that it might lead to him leaving after the season: relax.
'Cats hope to attack the inside The onus is on University of Kentucky senior center Marquis
Estill to take away Auburn's defensive weapon -- Kyle Davis who has helped the Tigers lock up opposing offenses so far this season.
Stopping Daniels Will Be Key For Cats
Auburn's Marquis Daniels and
Kentucky's Erik Daniels aren't related, but they'll know each other pretty well by the end of tonight's game between the teams at Rupp Arena.
UK To Find Out About AuburnThere are two schools of thought on the Auburn Tigers basketball team that will invade Rupp Arena Wednesday night, both of which
have merit.
Surging Wildcats Lean On DefenseThroughout his career, Kentucky coach Tubby Smith's reputation has rested on his teams' ability to
play solid man-to-man defense.
Women's Basketball
Wildcats Look To Get Back on Winning Track Against Ole MissThe Kentucky women's basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing
streak when it plays host to Ole Miss on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. ET in Memorial Coliseum. The Lady Rebels travel to Lexington with an 11-5 overall record, 1-3 in the Southeastern Conference
Watkins' Sports In Kentucky As Nolan Richardson brought forty-minutes-of-hell to
college basketball, Tubby Smith's troupe introduced Kentucky Wildcat fans last week to 60 minutes of heaven.
Kentucky vs. Auburn NotesTwo of the three unbeaten teams in Southeastern Conference play will square off when Auburn invades Rupp
Arena Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 7 PM ET. Kentucky is coming off a big win over Notre Dame while Auburn comes in after beating archrival Alabama. Tuesday's Press Conference
Kentucky-Auburn Is Game Of Week The surging Tigers take their perfect conference record Wednesday into that most inhospitable place for visiting teams: cavernous
Rupp Arena in Lexington.
Scouting Kentucky Auburn is ranked 24th by the Associated Press while Kentucky is ranked #8 by the Associated Press and 10th in the ESPN/USA Today poll.
The Tigers are ranked 25th by Collegerpi.com while the Wildcats are 16th.
Success no shock to Ellis Auburn Coach Cliff Ellis was college basketball's John the Baptist: a lone voice crying in the wilderness (or, as Auburn prefers, the "Loveliest Village on the
Plain").
Hayes is giving UK his best Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels have agreed that if one of them has a big game, the other keeps egos in check.
No. 8 Wildcats, No. 9 Cardinals join AP's top 10 The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville men's basketball teams jumped into the top 10 of The
Associated Press rankings released yesterday.
Wildcats enjoy breather before SEC action Perhaps in making future schedules, the University
of Kentucky will look back on this season as a model for how to ease into Southeastern Conference play.
Jenny Pfeiffer Suffers Broken Hand; Out IndefinitelyThe University of Kentucky women's basketball guard Jenny Pfeiffer has suffered a broken
left hand and may be lost for the remainder of the season. The freshman starter fell during practice on Tuesday, breaking her third and four metacarpal bones of her non-shooting hand.
'Cats, Brooks land touted QB recruit Chalk up the first recruiting coup for new University of
Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks and his staff.
Woodson decides to stay with UK Andre Woodson may have had second thoughts about his football future at the University of Kentucky, but it
took only two meetings with new coach Rich Brooks and his staff to make him believe UK was still the place for him.
(01-20-03)
Men's Basketball
Pitino and Tubby are deserving of praise
We come today in praise of Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. One coach who has gotten it done faster than many can believe. One coach who has gotten it done better than many can admit.
Shorter rotation boosts UK
Now that the University of Kentucky basketball team has found its identity over the last two games as Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said he believes it has, it will be up to UK coach Tubby Smith to find a way to keep the harmony.
Vandy drubs Cats in 84-50 rout Jenni Benningfield scored a career-high 24 points as No. 17 Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 84-50 yesterday. Vanderbilt (11-5, 1-2 Southeastern Conference)
trailed 30-28 with 3:43 remaining in the first half before Benningfield -- a former Kentucky Miss Basketball -- scored on a layup to tie the game, sparking an 11-0 run to close the period.
UK hires special teams coach First-year University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks essentially
finished filling his staff Saturday when the school released information that Steve Ortmayer had been hired to coach special teams and tight ends. He will also be assistant head coach.
(01-19-03)
Men's Basketball
Kentucky Trounces IrishRanked No. 10 by the Associated Press and No. 9
by ESPN/USA Today, Notre Dame was out-classed by the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats, 88-73, on Saturday afternoon at Rupp Arena. The 88 points were the most yielded in regulation play during Mike Brey’s two-and-a-half seasons with the Irish.
Sudden surge shows Cats have found themselves They honored Kentucky's 1978 national championship team yesterday at Rupp Arena. The 25th anniversary edition. Givens. Robey. Macy. Lee,
Joe B and on down the line. The producers of a magnificent March in the days of the infamous January slump.
Irish suffer Hayes-ing His 17 points, 16 rebounds help Cats show why 'we're scary team' University of
Kentucky forward Chuck Hayes grabbed 16 rebounds, gave up his body on a diving save and surprised the opponent by getting inside for easy baskets.
Wildcats are really good; just ask Irish If you want a handle on where this University of Kentucky basketball team currently resides in the Hoopsworld
hierarchy, buttonhole Mike Brey.
Team Play Key To Wildcat Victory Notre Dame coach Mike Brey talked Saturday evening about Kentucky having found its identity
in the past two weeks.
Short Benching At Vandy Motivates HayesOn the sidelines, there's plenty of time to think. And so Chuck Hayes returned
from a brief benching last week as the most motivated he had been in his Kentucky tenure.
BLUE HAYES ENGULFS IRISH Four times in the first six minutes, a Notre Dame team supposedly brimming with confidence took high-percentage shots. Each time a Kentucky defender swatted the
shot away.
Hawkins' play off bench sparkling Content to come off the bench. Frustrated going to the bench. That's been the yin and yang of Kentucky guard Cliff Hawkins' game recently. Formerly the
starting point guard, he's content to contribute off the bench. And his play sends opponents to their bench frustrated.
Cats Drill Irish, Win Seventh Straight Whatever Tubby Smith said to Chuck Hayes at halftime of the Vanderbilt game earlier this week, it lit a fire under the
sophomore.
big-time player Kentucky's otherwise forgettable victory over Virginia Military Institute last season included a memorable individual performance.
Women's Basketball
Women's Hoops Falls To No. 17 Vanderbilt, 84-50Jenni Benningfield scored a career-high 24 points as No. 17 Vanderbilt beat Kentucky 84-50
Sunday. Vanderbilt (11-5, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) trailed 30-28 with 3:43 remaining in the first half before Benningfield scored on a layup to tie the game, keying an 11-0 run to close the period. The Commodores then outscored Kentucky 12-4 in the first five minutes of the second half. Rita Adams and SeSe Helm
scored 12 each for Kentucky (8-7, 1-2).
Rams connection provides Cats' assistant head coach Veteran NFL assistant Steve Ortmayer yesterday became the seventh coach added to Rich Brooks' staff at Kentucky. Ortmayer (ORT-my-er)
was hired as assistant head coach, special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. He has 25 years of experience in the NFL, 17 as a special teams coach.
(01-18-03)
Men's Basketball
No. 16 Kentucky Shuts Down No. 10 Notre Dame, 88-73Chuck Hayes had 17 points, 16 rebounds and five assists - all career highs - as No.
16 Kentucky used strong defense to beat No. 10 Notre Dame 88-73 on Saturday. Marquis Estill scored 18 - 14 in the second half - and Erik Daniels added 15 points and six rebounds for the Wildcats (13-3), who beat the Irish for the ninth straight time. Matt Carroll scored 29 and Chris Thomas added 14 for Notre
Dame (14-3), which shot 34 percent from the field and 32 percent from 3-point range.
Kentucky 88 Notre Dame 73 Kentucky coach Tubby Smith accurately predicted the key to
beating No. 10 Notre Dame.
Fitch's offense key to 'Cats' success Is junior guard Gerald Fitch's point production the biggest offensive key to the University of
Kentucky basketball team winning games?
'Cats to keep eyes on Thomas Notre Dame sophomore Chris Thomas is already known as one of
college basketball's best point guards, so the way University of Kentucky junior guards Gerald Fitch and Cliff Hawkins look at it, today is their chance to make a name for themselves.
Wildcats put focus on Thomas Notre Dame's Chris Thomas is one of the most dominant point guards in the nation. And that's just fine with the 16thranked
University of Kentucky basketball team as it prepares to face No. 10 Notre Dame at 2 p.m. today in Rupp Arena.
THIS IS THE POINT A tattoo on one of his arms says something about Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas and, perhaps, a lot about Kentucky's plan to beat the Irish today.
No. 10 Notre Dame at No. 16 UK When: 2 p.m. Records: Notre Dame 14-2; UK 12-3 TV: CBS-27 Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1 Series: UK leads 39-17 Last year: UK won 72-65 on Jan. 19 at
South Bend, Ind.
UK's 1978 champs get spotlight Kentucky will honor its 1978 national championship team at halftime today. Most of the members of the team, including the starting five and Coach Joe B.
Hall, will be honored in this 25th anniversary year of their ultimate achievement.
LINEUPS, STATISTICS Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 So. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Jr. 50 Marquis Estill C 6-9 236 Sr.
Don't hold your breath for Digger One and dones: My impression of a Digger Phelps pre-game analysis of Kentucky-Notre Dame: "A lot will depend on the defense, whether Kentucky will hit
them with the zone, and play that pressing man-to-man, which will cut the Notre Dame half-court pressure, and the way the Irish like to hit the glass, and Kentucky has been very good on the boards, of course, when they're not good on the boards, in that zone defense of theirs."
Women's Basketball
Cats no match for No. 2 LSU Doneeka Hodges snapped out of her shooting slump in time for Louisiana State to cruise to victory. Hodges, who averaged just 7.6 points, shot 6-for-8 from
three-point range and finished with 24 points as LSU beat Kentucky 82-39 on Thursday night to stretch its winning streak to 15.
Archer joins Kentucky coaching staff Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer has
resigned to become defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky.
Archer will coach Wildcats' defense If new University of Kentucky defensive coordinator Mike Archer has been reminded of one thing this week, it's that life is short. Archer,
49, joined Rich Brooks' staff, in part, because of a series of events that made him cling even closer to his family.
Archer returning to Kentucky New University of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks has brought another former Wildcats assistant back to the Bluegrass. Mike Archer, who has
spent the past seven seasons as linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will return for his second stint as UK's defensive coordinator. He ran the Wildcats defense from 1993-95 under Bill Curry.
Kentucky vs. Notre Dame NotesThe Wildcats play host to Notre Dame in the Cats' final non-conference regular season game. The
nationwide CBS game also serves as a 25th anniversary celebration of the 1978 National Championship team at Kentucky. Pre-Game Press Conference Quotes
Pressure a matter of pride True story: During Tubby Smith's first season as coach, his Wildcats compiled a 22-3 record by mid-February. This development prompted a fan to call in a
sports radio program. Despite that record, the fan said, "I haven't given up on them yet."
Hawkins' play might lead to starting role Kentucky fans should not be surprised if Cliff Hawkins makes his first start of the season Saturday against Notre Dame. Hawkins' leading role
in UK's come-from-behind victory at Vanderbilt on Tuesday has Coach Tubby Smith pondering the move. So does the task of trying to contain Notre Dame's quick, penetrating point guard, sophomore Chris Thomas, a former Indiana Mr. Basketball.
Hawkins may start at point Based on the way junior point guard Cliff Hawkins played in the
second half against Vanderbilt on Tuesday night, University of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith is considering starting him in Saturday's game against Notre Dame.
LSU dominates Cats Doneeka Hodges snapped out of her shooting slump in time for Louisiana State to cruise to victory. Hodges, who averaged just 7.6 points, shot six of eight from
three-point range and finished with 24 points as LSU beat Kentucky 82-39 last night to stretch its winning streak to 15.
Cats Travel To Music City Looking To Slam `Dores Kentucky looks for its first win in the Music City in eight tries when the Wildcats travel to Nashville, Tenn., to
take on No. 14 Vanderbilt on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 3 p.m. ET at Memorial Gym. WLXG Sports Radio 1300 with Chris Cross will carry the game live.
Steelers coach may join 'Cats Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers coach Mike Archer is expected to
make a decision today about whether or not he will become defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky, and according to a source he is leaning toward taking the job.
Choosing coach is athletes' right So Guy Morriss is trying to woo his former Kentucky recruits to Baylor, boasting to ESPN the Magazine that at least four would-be Cats may instead be
Bears.
University of Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart signed a contract yesterday that holds him much more accountable than his predecessors for problems in UK's sports program.
Barnhart, UK finally agree on AD's contract Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart on
Wednesday signed a seven-year contract laden with incentives for on-the-field successes but giving the school wide latitude to fire him.
Men's Basketball
UK sizes up Vandy, adjusts On-the-toes arousal creates unforgiving pressure. Emotional engagement activates sweaty effort. Kentucky showed its heart and its muscle in a second-half
dismantling of Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.
UK Basketball NotebookKentucky will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1978 National Championship this weekend, Jan. 17-18. All
but two members of the title squad are scheduled to return to Lexington for the UK-Notre Dame game on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m.
Women's Basketball
Women's Hoops Falls To No. 2 LSU, 82-39Doneeka Hodges shot 6-of-8 from 3-point range and finished with 24 points as No. 2 Louisiana
State stretched its winning streak to 15 games with an 82-39 victory over Kentucky on Thursday night. LSU (15-0, 3-0 Southeastern Conference) matched the school record for longest winning streak - set in the 1995-96 season - and got off to its best start ever
Wildcats seeking first road win The Kentucky women's basketball team will take on No. 2 LSU in the first of two Southeastern Conference road games against ranked opponents this week.
The Cats and the Lady Tigers will tip off at 8 tonight in Baton Rouge, La.
Kentucky an easy sell for Phillips The native son comes home. Joker Phillips, who was a receiver at the University of Kentucky from 1981-84 and was an assistant coach under Bill Curry
from 1988-96, recently returned to the Bluegrass to serve as recruiting coordinator and receivers coach on Rich Brooks' first UK staff.
Archer taking time to weigh options Mike Archer, a candidate for Kentucky defensive coordinator, said yesterday that he should make a decision regarding his coaching future in the next
three days.
Kentucky Football NotebookLinebacker Brad Booker, defensive end Travis Day, wide receiver Maurice Marchman, offensive lineman Paul
Webb, and linebacker Durrell White, who committed to Kentucky last year, have enrolled in the University. All five players have begun the off-season workout program and will be able to participate in spring practice.
