January 2004 WildcatZone.Com News Archive

(01-31-04)

      Basketball
  • UK Women Head To Ole Miss on Super Bowl Sunday    The Kentucky women’s basketball team travels to Oxford, Miss on Super Bowl Sunday to face Ole Miss at 3 p.m. ET at the C.M. “Tad” Smith Coliseum. All the action can be heard live on WLXG-AM Sports Radio 1300 with Chris Cross.
  • Commodores Upset Cats 66-60    Dan Cage hit a 3-pointer with 2:18 left that gave Vanderbilt the lead for good, and the Commodores held on to upset fifth-ranked Kentucky 66-60 Saturday. Gerald Fitch and Erik Daniels each had 14 to lead Kentucky.
  • Vanderbilt knocks off No. 5 Kentucky    Vanderbilt needed a victory desperately, and its timing was perfect against No. 5 Kentucky.
  • Vandy stops No. 5 Kentucky 66-60 for key SEC victory    Vanderbilt the lead for good, and the Commodores held on to upset fifth-ranked Kentucky 66-60 Saturday.
  •  
  • Daniels keeps an eye on Freije    The most intriguing matchup in the University of Kentucky's game today against Vanderbilt will pit guts against glory.
  • Last season's roll began in Nashville    The site of today's game between the University of Kentucky men's basketball team and Vanderbilt is where the formula was uncorked last season.
  • Smith says UK lacks ferocity    The more University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Tubby Smith compares this season's team to last season's the more sleep he loses.
  • Smith: '03 Cats beyond compare  Measuring this year's team against last making coach ill   Drooping eyelids. A tired face resting in an open palm. A body slumped into a chair. Tubby Smith looked sick during Kentucky's victory over Mississippi on Wednesday. A distracted performance in the post-game news conference enhanced the impression.
  • LINEUPS, STATISTICS    Vanderbilt Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 33 Julian Terrell F-C 6-9 244 So. 35 Matt Freije F 6-10 249 Sr. 24 Scott Hundley G 6-5 215 Sr.
  • UK big men set sights on Freije    Although Vanderbilt's Matt Freije was voted the pre-season Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, Kentucky's Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels are fighting for the chance to defend him today.

(01-30-04)

      Basketball
  • Lady Vols once again dominate Cats, 81-72    The University of Kentucky's slogan for its women's basketball game against Tennessee last night was "Keep the Orange Out." Nice try.
  • DeMoss' showing makes old boss proud   One suspects that Faith Hill -- former worker in the Reba McEntire Fan Club -- sings with a little more relish when she knows a famous red-head is in the building.
  • Lady Vols pull rank    There were a few seconds in last night's Kentucky-Tennessee game when almost all of the 8,429 people in Memorial Coliseum thought it could happen.
  • Daniels' quirks keep foes guessing   UK CENTER HAS KNACK FOR GETTING OPEN   Arguably Kentucky's most consistent player also is its most unpredictable. Or, if you prefer, UK's most dependable scorer also is its most easily overlooked.
  • Hundley may start vs. UK   Former Scott County star Scott Hundley figures to make his first start of the season when Vanderbilt plays Kentucky on Saturday. Hundley, one of the Southeastern Conference's most productive reserves, may start in place of suspended forward Corey Smith.
  • Vandy to play UK short-handed    When the University of Kentucky plays Vanderbilt on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., the Commodores won't have 6-foot-6 junior forward Corey Smith.
  • Struggling Vanderbilt seeks cure against Kentucky    When Kentucky and Vanderbilt last met, the Commodores could do little wrong.
  • Kentucky Wildcats Report    UK is listed as one of seven schools being considered by high school senior Juan Diego Palacios, a 6-8 forward from Centereach, N.Y., and a native of Colombia.

      Football
(01-29-04)

      Basketball
  • No. 1 Tennessee Edges UK 81-72    Sara Potts had a career-high 29 points but Tennessee's Shanna Zolman sank a key 3-pointer with 1:06 left to lead the No. 1 Lady Vols to an 81-72 win over Kentucky on Thursday night in Memorial Coliseum
  • Daniels, Barbour lift UK past Rebels, 71-61    The University of Kentucky football team has filled a number of recruiting needs, but a large void remains at quarterback.
  • UK photo gallery
  • Barbour finds shot just in time for UK    Sweat pouring down his face, Antwain Barbour jogged off the Rupp Arena floor after the final buzzer sounded.
  • UK's tiny 'Cats play big for Tubby    Within the famous litany of Kentucky basketball teams, there is little, so far, to distinguish this one.
  • Barbour ends slump, makes four 3s in Kentucky's victory    Antwain Barbour's patience during a season-long shooting slump paid off.  
  • Big night may be big boost for Barbour    Antwain Barbour clanged a 3-pointer on his first shot Wednesday, then blew a layup and was 0-of-2. A here-we-go-again sigh leaked from the crowd.  
  • Daniels Hits career-high 24 points as Wildcats win    Kentucky finally got stronger as it played longer.  
  • No. 5 Kentucky Beats Mississippi 71-61    Erik Daniels scored a career-high 24 points and reserve Antwain Barbour hit four 3-pointers to lift No. 5 Kentucky past Mississippi 71-61 on Wednesday night. 
  • 'heart and soul'    Hayes' defense slows down Rebels' Reed    Chuck Hayes' first shot, a layup off a sharp Gerald Fitch assist, drawing the evening's first blood, came 33 seconds into the game.
  • Barbour breaks out    After a career that went from Prince to pauper, Antwain Barbour knew Kentucky fans had all but given up on him. How could Barbour not know? He had nearly two seasons to read the never-shy Rupp Arena crowd.
  • Story lines abound with No. 1 in town  DEMOSS DOESN'T WANT CATS TOO HYPED UP    Last night at dinner, it was just two old friends getting together. Just "Pat" and "Mickie," not "Coach Summitt" and "Coach DeMoss."
  • Cats hope crowd favors blue as its hue  There's nothing like being a Kentucky player and running onto the floor under the spotlight as your name is called. There's nothing like it, until the house lights come up at Memorial Coliseum and you look around and realize the crowd has a bright orange hue.
  • Fitch pitches in at the line  Ole Miss limited Kentucky's leading scorer to 14 points last night. But Gerald Fitch found other ways to contribute to the Cats' victory.

(01-28-04)

      Basketball
  • Daniels' Career-High Carries 'Cats to Win Over Ole Miss    Erik Daniels poured in a career-high 24 points and Kentucky thwarted several Ole Miss comeback attempts during the second half as the Wildcats improved to 14-2 and 4-1 in the SEC with a 71-61 win Wednesday night.
  • Wildcats aim to set game tempo    The last time a physical basketball team came into Rupp Arena, it muscled its way to an eight-point victory.
  • Kentucky's Smith sees trouble in Ole MissTubby Smith sees many similarities between Ole Miss and the last team that marched into Rupp Arena and pulled off a huge upset.    
  • Smith wants more running from Wildcats       Kentucky coach Tubby Smith sounds like he's talking football when he explains what the Wildcats have to do to beat Mississippi on Wednesday.  
  • Kentucky building stockpile of guards    No Fitch? No Hawkins? No problem.
  • Kentucky vs. Mississippi    TONIGHT'S PROBABLE STARTERS
  • Hayes one Cat who got message on getting to line   University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith has been searching for more of a football-type toughness from his players, and in one drill during practice, players don't get off a shot without taking a shot.
  • Wildcats land shooting star from Michigan   Point guard Rajon Rondo from Oak Hill Academy committed to UK on Friday, and Crawford, a former Michigan commitment, followed suit late yesterday.
  • Georgia could be a model for Rebels  
    SMITH SAYS UK MUST CONTROL TEMPO   Kentucky plays Mississippi tonight with Georgia on its mind. UK's last home game saw Georgia enter as an unheralded opponent and leave an upset victor. A style that combined physical aggressiveness and a patient insistence on halfcourt basketball helped made it so. Georgia's modest ranking and UK's understandable letdown also played a role.
  • Crawford adds to UK's guard roster   INCOMING BACKCOURT AMONG NATION'S BEST   Highly regarded prospect Joe Crawford knew for months that he wanted to play for Kentucky. On Monday night, he let the basketball world know by committing to UK.
  • 'stronger than a scoreboard'   Coaches' friendship shouldn't suffer after sideline switch   Only one person can say she saw legendary coach Pat Summitt on her hands and knees, wailing in pain as each contraction crept up and down her spine.
  • LINEUPS, STATISTICS   Mississippi Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 1 Aaron Harper F 6-7 217 Sr. 23 Justin Reed F 6-8 240 Sr. 33 Chris Rhodes F 6-7 260 Jr.
  • UK men's basketball recruiting   Incoming players Players who have signed with or committed to Kentucky for 2004-05: Player Ht. Wt. Pos. Hometown High school Joe Crawford 6-4 205 G Detroit Renaissance

(01-27-04)

      Basketball
  • UK-UT SEC Teleconference Quotes   Kentucky Head Coach Mickie DeMoss  On UK's season so far… “I thought we had a pretty good preseason and then we got into the conference and I guess it was just the luck of the draw. We started out playing ranked teams in Vandy, Georgia and LSU. We had our hands full. We played well in some of those games and then got our first win (Jan. 25) at South Carolina which was a timely win for us heading into this match up with Tennessee. It gave our team a little boost of energy and confidence. We’re excited about the match up with Tennessee and we know our fans in Lexington are excited as well.”  
  • No. 1 Lady Vols Invade Memorial    It's a bitter-sweet matchup as Kentucky head coach Mickie DeMoss faces her former Lady Vol team and goes head-to-head with her friend and former boss Pat Summitt. DeMoss spent 18 seasons as the top assistant at UT and helped lead the Lady Vols to an unprecedented six NCAA championship titles and 13 Final Four appearances.  
  • Men's Basketball Press Conference Quotes - Ole Miss    Head Coach Tubby Smith    On his reflection on the Notre Dame game… 
    “Looking back on the Notre Dame game, I thought we did a good job overall of getting more consistency in time and score and late-game situations. Good teams are going to make runs at you. I think we were kind of spoiled by last year’s team putting people away pretty much by the half or midway through the game. This team is still learning how to (put games away). I think a lot of it has to do with the input we get from people coming off the bench, making sure we have positive influence and results from every player that went in the game.”  
  • Wildcats Host Ole Miss in 400th Game at Rupp Arena    Kentucky returns home to host the Ole Miss Rebels in the Wildcats’ 400th game at Rupp Arena. UK closed non-conference play with a win over Notre Dame on Sunday and welcomes an Ole Miss squad riding a two-game SEC win streak.
  • Ole Miss Basketball Game Notes    OLE MISS LOOKS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT SEC WIN: Ole Miss looks for its third consecutive Southeastern Conference win Wednesday at No. 5 Kentucky, in the Rebels' first Eastern Division matchup of the year. Ole Miss polished off a perfect week Saturday with a 71-60 home win over Alabama. Justin Reed tied his career high in points with 28 and posted his third double-double of the season. Aaron Harper nailed five three-pointers Saturday to tie the Rebel career record. Harper is averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists over the last three games.  
  • Rebels' experience concerns Smith    Before Kentucky played Georgia, Tubby Smith warned everyone that playing in Rupp Arena against a team perceived not to be among the Southeastern Conference's best did not guarantee a win for the Wildcats.  
  • Barnes says winning is what Wildcats do best    Because he doesn't follow University of Kentucky basketball on a daily basis, Rod Barnes didn't know about all the problems Tubby Smith's team was having.
  • ERRATIC CATS ACTUALLY VERY CONSISTENT    A 14th Century English proverb holds that "Time and Tide wait for no man." A 21st Century Kentucky Wildcats proverb holds that the tides may be unceasing, but time can be stopped.
  • Cats' 'big' men just Rebels' size    Hayes, Daniels 'underrated,' but Ole Miss harbors hope    The inside tandem of Chuck Hayes and Erik Daniels led Kentucky to a victory Sunday and Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas to a conclusion.
  • Rondo already dreaming of matchup with Telfair    The matchup of the two freshmen is more than 10 months away, but it's not hard to envision the hype that will surround the University of Kentucky's game at UofL next season.
  • Rick Pitino takes medical leave of absence    University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is taking an indefinite leave of absence to seek treatment for an undetermined medical condition that left him in agony.
  • Crawford chooses Kentucky over U-M    Detroit Renaissance guard Joe Crawford, ranked the No. 1 high school player in Michigan by The Detroit News, picked Kentucky over Michigan.
  • AP Top 25    Cats Move up to number 5 

(01-26-04)

      Basketball
  • Rondo commits to Wildcats    Kentucky picked up a verbal commitment from Louisville guard Ranjo Rondo over the weekend.  
  • UK’s 'warrior' slugs fighting Irish    Every time the Joyce Center’s capacity crowd came to its feet, Chuck Hayes put them right back in their seats.
  • Frigid weather thaws Cats' bench    I know the key to UK’s success.  Play all games in frigid cities.
  • It's Chuck over luck    Hayes lifts Wildcats to 71-63 victory over frenzied Fighting Irish.
  • Rondo opts to attend Kentucky    Rajon Rondo left the Bluegrass State to finish his high school career, but the former Eastern High star will return for college.
  • UK controls whole game   Anyone who has followed the University of Kentucky Wildcats this season wouldn't be surprised to hear that junior forward Chuck Hayes led UK in scoring and rebounding against Notre Dame.
  • Irish Blue-collared    Once upon a time, Notre Dame was the home address for the storybook upset. The Irish regularly humbled the high and mighty, as yesterday's reunion of the school's most historic David-and-Goliath moment reminded.
  • Digger tries, but can't deliver another upset    PEP TALK STIRS ECHOES ON 30TH ANNIVERSARY    Digger Phelps was being, well, Digger Phelps. The celebrated guests were supposed to be his 1974 Notre Dame basketball team. Yet in his pinstripe suit and purple tie, the former Irish skipper could not resist commandeering halfcourt as his halftime podium. He rallied the faithful with a Howard Dean-style, red-faced rant.
  • Bench comes up big for Cats    For a team with a well-chronicled depth problem, Kentucky had a strange-sounding strategy yesterday: Wear down Notre Dame. But thanks to Josh Carrier and Lukasz Obrzut, the strategy worked.
  • Point guard Rondo commits to Wildcats
    Chald up a recruiting victory for Tubby Smith over Rick Pitino. Oak Hill Academy point guard Rajon Rondo committed to Kentucky this weekend, picking the Cats over Pitino's Louisville Cardinals.

(01-25-04)

      Basketball
  • No Luck for the Irish - Cats Win 71-63    Chuck Hayes scored 21 points, Gerald Fitch added 15 and No. 9 Kentucky scored 44 points inside to beat Notre Dame 71-63 Sunday, its 10th straight win over the Irish.
  • (8) Kentucky 71, Notre Dame 63    Notre Dame put a scare into Kentucky, but it was not enough for that elusive first win over a ranked team. 
  • Hayes, Kentucky Hold Off Late Irish Run    Everyone makes a run against Kentucky. Austin Peay did it. So did Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Tennessee.
  • Kentucky 75, South Carolina 61    Danyelle Payne had 18 points and six assists to lead Kentucky past South Carolina 75-61 on Sunday. 
  • UK Women Capture First SEC Win    The Kentucky women's basketball team captured their first win in the Southeastern Conference with a 75-61 victory over South Carolina on Sunday in Columbia. Five Wildcats scored in double-figures as Danyelle Payne led the way with 18 points and a career-high six assists. Shambrica Jones charted her second career-double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
  • Irish star has fizzled vs. UK    Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas hasn't had a whole lot of fun playing against the University of Kentucky the past two seasons, and there's no real reason for him to look forward to today's game either.
  • Barbour's coaches await 'true Antwain'   THEORIES VARY AS TO WHY UK SENIOR KEEPS STRUGGLING   Antwain Barbour had the ball at Tennessee when the referee's whistle stopped play. Palming, a basketball infraction that went out of style about the time bell-bottoms came in, was the call.
  • Same old story for Irish   Maybe the Kentucky-Notre Dame game should be moved to Groundhog Day. Like the Bill Murray movie, the game-day theme keeps repeating itself over and over.
  • LINEUPS, STATISTICS    Kentucky Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 14 Erik Daniels F 6-8 214 Sr. 44 Chuck Hayes F 6-6 247 Jr. 24 Kelenna Azubuike G-F 6-5 208 So
  • Pfeiffer will be missed when UK, South Carolina battle to avoid 0-5 SEC start    Kentucky at South Carolina When: 2 p.m. Radio: WLXG-AM 1300 Either Kentucky or South Carolina will get off the Southeastern Conference schneid today.
  • W.Va. recruit still expected to wear blue    As AM radio disc jockeys used to say, the hits just keep on coming. Kentucky recruit Adam Williams has gotten little respect since committing two years ago. His status as second-team all-Kanawha County at the time of his commitment sparked a chorus of who's he? Then came the rumors last fall that UK would renege on the scholarship offer.

      Football

  • No QB recruits if Heffner passes   The University of Kentucky's chances to sign a quarterback for the 2004 recruiting class appear to be coming down to a last-ditch effort to sway Memphis Melrose product Antonio Heffner away from South Carolina.

(01-24-04)

      Basketball
  • Wildcats' backcourt has been struggling    One half of the University of Kentucky's backcourt is a brooding type.
  • Wildcats Look To Snap Four-Game Losing Streak at South Carolina    The Kentucky women's basketball team looks to snap a four-game losing streak in the conference and a four-game losing streak to South Carolina when they travel to Columbia, S.C. to take on the Gamecocks on Sunday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. ET in the Colonial Center.
  • Fitch's shooting has Smith concerned   The University of Kentucky football team has filled a number of recruiting needs, but a large void remains at quarterback.
  • Smith plays shot doctor for slumping Fitch   UK COACH CHALLENGES SENIOR TO FIND OTHER WAYS TO SCORE   An extended meeting with Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith at mid-week came as no surprise to Gerald Fitch. "We have to have an extended meeting after I go 1-for-13," Fitch said yesterday. "You know what I mean?"
  • Cats keep options open   If the NCAA's so-called "5/8" scholarship limitation remains in effect, Kentucky can add only one more recruit for next year. The key word in that sentence is "if."
  • Mono sidelines Wildcats' Pfeiffer   The Kentucky women's third-leading scorer, Jenny Pfeiffer, will miss three to six weeks with mononucleosis, team physician Dr. James Jagger said yesterday.

(01-23-04)

      Basketball
  • UK's 'psyche' worries Notre Dame coach    Not having a star player might present some drawbacks for the University of Kentucky, but it also creates a dilemma for opposing coaches.
  • Wildcats Close Non-Conference Play Against Notre Dame    Kentucky travels to South Bend, Ind., Sunday for its final non-conference regular season game. It’s the final matchup in a four-year home and home contract with the Fighting Irish. The game will be broadcast by CBS at 4 p.m. ET. UK has won each of the previous three meetings in the current contract.
  • Notre Dame Faces Rival Kentucky    The 2003-04 campaign marks the 99th season of basketball at Notre Dame.  
  • Kentucky Basketball Press Conference Quotes    Head Coach Tubby Smith    On the win at Tennessee…   “After evaluating the Tennessee tape, we found areas we need to address. I thought that they were clock management, time and the score, and I think we covered some of that yesterday. Today we will start to focus in on some of the things we have to get ready for against a good Notre Dame team. I was really happy for Cliff, and I think it is a big boost for him to make that shot. It was putting a lot of stress on a lot of people, including myself, but hopefully we can play better and play with more consistency. We are happy to be right at the top in the SEC, especially in this league. I bet there is not another league in the country where (no team has a losing record). There is so much balance in the SEC, I think it will be a real struggle and a real test all year long for everybody.”  
  • Third time a charm?   Notre Dame point guard will try to shake his UK slump   Notre Dame point guard Chris Thomas entered his name into the NBA draft last spring. For six weeks, he attended pre-draft camps. He worked out for five teams. He discovered that his celebrated status -- first Indiana Mr. Basketball to play for the Irish, Big East Rookie of the Year, Notre Dame's Mr. Indispensable -- translated into nothing better than a second-round pick. If that.
  • Carrier finally gets his chance at UK    When Kentucky senior guard Cliff Hawkins found himself in a slump with 12 turnovers in two games, Josh Carrier never considered himself the solution to the problems Hawkins was faced with.
  • Kentucky Wildcats Report    University of Kentucky coach Tubby Smith hasn't ruled out the possibility of signing two more recruits in the spring even though the Wildcats currently have just one scholarship to offer.
  • Inconsistent 'Cats worrying Smith    Kentucky has won 22 of its last 23 SEC games, but there's reason for legitimate concern in Lexington.  
  • Saul Smith hits pole, avoids charges   Saul Smith, the son of Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith, won't be charged after a sport utility vehicle he was driving hit a light pole on Masterson Station Drive early yesterday in Lexington.
  • Cats remain winless in SEC   Kentucky couldn't hold on to a three-point halftime lead, falling to Mississippi State 80-67 last night. The Wildcats are off to an 0-4 start in Southeastern Conference play.

      Football

(01-22-04)

      Basketball
  • UK Women Fall To Mississippi State    The Kentucky women’s basketball team could not hold on to a three-point halftime lead as they fell to Mississippi State 80-67 in Starkville on Thursday. MSU’s Tan White had a career-high night, recording career-high 33 points, including 12-of-13 from the free throw line, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals while Tiania Burns hit five three-pointers for 20 points.
  • Wildcats living on the precipice    The pattern for the University of Kentucky Wildcats is becoming all too familiar.
  • Notre Dame star says Irish must contain Cats inside    Chris Thomas knows what Notre Dame needs to be able to do defensively to beat Kentucky Sunday.
  • Point guard Rondo weighings offer from UK offer; U of L, Illinois on his list   Oak Hill Academy senior Rajon Rondo, one of the nation's top high school point guards, recently received a scholarship offer to play basketball at the University of Kentucky and now is giving the Wildcats serious consideration.
  • Cats looking for answers inside and out   VOLS GAME HIGHLIGHTS PROBLEMS AT LOW POST, 3-POINT RANGE   After watching his team mix good play with bad yet again, Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith all but gave up on the Wildcats gaining a seamless precision this season.
  • Quickest to 400   Tubby Smith won his 300th game Tuesday with Kentucky's 69-68 overtime win at Tennessee. Smith's career record is 300-111 in 13 seasons. Smith will have to go 100-24 to break the top 10 for quickest to 400 wins.
  • RONDO WEIGHS UK AND LOUISVILLE   Although Kentucky already has three perimeter players set to join the team next year, two more highly regarded prospects may join the Cats.
  • Cats, Mississippi St. aim for 1st SEC win   The Kentucky women's basketball team looks for its first win in the Southeastern Conference tonight in Starkville, Miss., against Mississippi State. The Lady Bulldogs also seeks their first victory in the SEC.

(01-21-04)

      Basketball
  • Hawkins picks good time to break slump    Cliff Hawkins was tired of hearing what was wrong with his play
  • Officials, not team, frustrate Smith    Tubby Smith might have been frustrated, but Gerald Fitch was relieved
  • UT-UK Post Game Quotes    KENTUCKY HEAD COACH TUBBY SMITH     "It was one of those games that we knew would be a war.  Tennessee was a challenge for us; they showed a lot of character. I thought we showed a lot of heart. We never could shake them. We had the opportunities to close the game out, but we couldn't get the stops defensively. "
  • Fitch- I was just missing shots    Kentucky's leading scorer, guard Gerald Fitch, saw Tennessee defenders as innocent bystanders to the worst shooting game of his college career.
  • UK wins by digging just deep enough    Chuck Hayes played 42 minutes. That would be 42 long, hard, exhausting minutes on a 6-foot-6, 250-pound frame. Battling through his battle fatigue, the Kentucky junior scored 18 points. He grabbed 16 rebounds.
  • Cats skate over thin ice    Shackled in chains. Straightjacketed. Blindfolded. Suspended high in the air for all to see. 
  • Wildcats Survive Vols' Comeback, Pick Up Road Win in OT    One of Kentucky's winning streaks is still alive. 
  • Wildcats escape Knoxville with OT win    The University of Kentucky men's basketball team held Tennessee scoreless in the final four minutes of overtime to escape Thompson-Boling Arena with a 69-68 Southeastern Conference victory last night.
  • Mistake proves fatal to Vols' hopes of upset    One of the last things Tennessee Coach Buzz Peterson told his players as they broke the huddle in the final seconds of regulation was not to give up a 3-pointer. 
  • No. 9 Kentucky 69, Tennessee 68, OT    Chuck Hayes scored off his own miss with 3:49 left in overtime to lead ninth-ranked Kentucky to a 69-68 victory Tuesday night over Tennessee.  
  • No. 9 Kentucky 69, Tennessee 68, OT
    One of Kentucky's winning streaks is still alive. Chuck Hayes scored off his own miss with 3:49 left in overtime to lead ninth-ranked Kentucky to a 69-68 victory Tuesday night over Tennessee.
  • Wildcats escape Knoxville with OT win
    The University of Kentucky men's basketball team held Tennessee scoreless in the final four minutes of overtime to escape Thompson-Boling Arena with a 69-68 Southeastern Conference victory last night.
  • Top prep point guard Rondo is interested in Kentucky    Former Kentucky all-state point guard Rajon Rondo attended the University of Kentucky's game against Tennessee at Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday night.
  • Wildcats escape with overtime win    Back to normal.    Back to Kentucky basketball.     Back to doing what it has done exceptionally well -- winning on the road, but just barely.
  • Hawkins, Wildcats find a way to win    The thought was too painful to even think about for Cliff Hawkins.
  • Kentucky hits boards hard against Tennessee    Beaten and embarrassed by their sluggish play on the boards, the Kentucky Wildcats took coach Tubby Smith's challenge to heart. What Smith wants are warriors, not wimps when it comes to physical play.

(01-20-04)

      Basketball
  • Wildcats Survive Vols' Comeback, Pick Up Road Win in OT    Chuck Hayes scored 18 points, pulled down 16 rebounds and scored the go-ahead basket with 3:49 remaining in overtime to lift Kentucky to a 69-68 win over Tennessee on Tuesday night.
  • Wildcats Travel to Starkville In Search of First SEC Win    The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks for their first win in the Southeastern Conference when they travel to Starkville, Miss., to face Mississippi State on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams are looking for their first win in conference play.
  • Knoxville is a welcome sight for Cats, Vols   Coaches Buzz Peterson of Tennessee and Tubby Smith of Kentucky both are glad that tonight's game is being played in Knoxville and not Lexington's Rupp Arena
  • Smith says UK needs to be more physical   Tubby Smith apparently wants to make sure his team understands it must be much more physical if it wants to challenge for the Southeastern Conference championship this season.
  • No relief has come from Cats' reserves
    "Hopefully, we'll just wear them out," Tennessee forward Brandon Crump said yesterday. "They will probably stay with us pretty much until the end of the game, but I know they're going to get tired."
  • Smith says let's get physical, tired of being pushed around    Georgia stormed into Rupp Arena on Saturday and turned the Wildcats into pussycats, snapping the University of Kentucky's 21-game winning streak in Southeastern Conference play.
  • A bad road trip    Here are the records since 1998-99 of SEC teams on the road in conference play:
  • Kentucky at Tennessee   
  • Cats too tabby, not enough tiger   Smith wants no more SEC sand kicked in UK's face    If there was a defining moment in Kentucky's loss to Georgia last weekend, it came when freshman Steve Newman fouled Antwain Barbour with a purpose. That's a polite way of saying Newman sent Barbour flying rather than give up a breakaway dunk.
  • First-off-the-bench auditions continue
    So far this season, Kentucky has brought new meaning to the basketball term "sixth man." Six different players have been either the first reserve in a game or part of an initial mass substitution.

      Football
(01-19-04)

      Basketball

(01-18-04)

      Basketball
  • Kentucky vs. Georgia Post-Game Quotes    Kentucky Head Coach Tubby Smith  On were the game broke down … “Georgia really took us out of our game- when you see Eric (Daniels) with only one rebound, and when you go right on down the line you don’t see anyone with high numbers. Again we were coming off the win against Mississippi State where we were able to escape with a lucky shot. We have to improve our intensity and we have to improve our toughness in order to sustain. If we don’t we are going to have a tough time."
  • Dawg gone! UK streak over    Georgia (9-5, 1-2) came into Rupp Arena and ripped the streak out of the Cats' hands, 65-57, with a bump-and-grind defense that inspired envy from UK coach Tubby Smith, whose trademark has been tough defense.
  • The Streak ends at 21    Rashad Wright scored 20 points to lift Georgia past No. 5 Kentucky 65-57 on Saturday, ending the Wildcats’ 21-game Southeastern Conference winning streak.
  • Fitch lags, sets tone for 'Cats    After he was quiet for much of Saturday's game against Georgia, Kentucky guard Gerald Fitch didn't have much to say following the No. 5-ranked Wildcats' 65-57 loss in Rupp Arena.
  • Seniors helps snap SEC streak    No matter how Georgia's senior class is remembered -- for the Jim Harrick scandal, losing to Winthrop by 20 points at home, or persevering through a difficult transition -- it forever left its mark in school history on Saturday.
  • This loss leaves Cats with questions   Teams lose games they're not supposed to lose every 15 seconds in college basketball. The University of Kentucky just isn't supposed to be one of those teams.
  • Elizabethtown's Barbour effective for UK off bench against Georgia  Elizabethtown's Antwain Barbour wasn't the first player Kentucky coach Tubby Smith called on off the bench Saturday against Georgia.
  • Kentucky not good enough to overlook any of the teams left on its schedule   How impressive had Kentucky's 21-game winning streak through the Southeastern Conference been?
  • An SEC loss was inevitable, but to Georgia Ð in Rupp Arena?   At Mississippi State? Sure. Road game. Ranked team. Lawrence Roberts. It would not have been a shock to see it stop in Starkville.
  • Let's not dis disassociation   Love this concept, disassociation. The last item from my Tuesday column, where I predicted Mississippi State would end Kentucky's SEC winning streak?
  • GONE TO THE DOGS   Now we know how lowly Georgia beat highly rated Georgia Tech. Reflecting the scrappy nature of their coach, the Bulldogs go toe to toe with a supposedly superior opponent. The Bulldogs take the initative, draw strength from staying close and, not encumbered by expectation, complete a surprising upset.
  • Remorseful Bennett wants to coach again
    Honk if you've heard this hoary sports platitude: It's not important if you fall. It's important that you get up after falling and try again.
  • 1983-84 Wildcats: Where are they now?
    The 1983-84 UK team, which was honored yesterday in Rupp Arena: Paul Andrews, 6-3, freshman, London, Ky. -- CEO of 109-bed hospital in Jacksonville, Fla. Not married, no kids.
  • Smith turns to Carrier for some relief   Despite some embarrassing statistics, Kentucky Tubby Smith sounded encouraged by his bench's contributions in the 65-57 loss to Georgia yesterday.
  • Cats concentrate on their offense   When you can't score, you can't win. Kentucky has learned that the hard way with an 0-2 start in the Southeastern Conference. Coach Mickie DeMoss said coaching this team is akin to putting together a puzzle. The Wildcats have the frame of the puzzle in place with their defense, but they can't seem to make the pieces in the middle lock into place on offense.

(01-17-04)

      Basketball
  • Georgia Snaps UK Streak, Deals 'Cats First SEC Loss    Georgia brought Kentucky's 19-game SEC regular-season win streak to a halt Saturday, handing the Wildcats a 65-57 loss and denying coach Tubby Smith his 300th career win.
  • Georgia Knocks Off No. 5 Kentucky 65-57    Rashad Wright scored 20 points to lift Georgia past No. 5 Kentucky 65-57 on Saturday, ending the Wildcats' 19-game Southeastern Conference regular-season winning streak.
  • Georgia 65, No. 5 Kentucky 57    A little rest was all Georgia needed to record another upset.
  • Felton's task today same; roster isn't
    The last time Georgia coach Dennis Felton took a basketball team to Rupp Arena, he emerged with an upset victory over the University of Kentucky.
  • Hawkins' play has been slipping    Cliff Hawkins has been consistent his last three games, but not in a way he would like to be.
  • Tubby goes after 300th win    If the University of Kentucky beats Georgia today at Rupp Arena, it will give seventh-year UK head coach Tubby Smith his 300th career victory.
  • New-look Dogs come to Rupp    Felton brings discipline to Georgia program
    With a perspective that comes with playing for three head coaches, Damien Wilkins succinctly summed up the dawning of the Dennis Felton era at Georgia.
  • LINEUPS, STATISTICS    Georgia Probable starters No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. 12 Damien Wilkins G-F 6-7 230 Sr. 50 Chris Daniels F 6-7 220 Sr. 33 Jonas Hayes F-C 6-8 240 Sr.
  • fighting through it    Kentucky point guard Cliff Hawkins might have lost the ball and his composure in recent games. But he hasn't lost his competitiveness or will to come back strong, beginning with today's game against Georgia.

      Football

  • UK FOOTBALL    RB works toward eligibility, considers Arkansas offer    With national signing day less than three weeks away, Paducah Tilghman's Joe Casey is weighing his options. Casey, who is listed as one of the nation's top high school running backs by most recruiting services, was one of the first oral commitments secured by Rich Brooks' staff at Kentucky. But two things -- Casey's academic status and the University of Arkansas -- have thrown that commitment for a loop.

(01-16-04)

      Basketball
  • Tubby Smith Looks for 300th Win Against Georgia    Just days after an Erik Daniels buzzer-beater lifted Kentucky over Mississippi State to keep its 21-game Southeastern Conference win-streak alive, the Cats face Georgia in Rupp Arena this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET as Tubby Smith goes for his 300th career win.
  • Cats worry Felton    Georgia coach Dennis Felton says Kentucky "rarely" loses in Rupp Arena
  • Rival coaches praise Smith for Cats' 21-game SEC win streak    Because of the parity throughout the Southeastern Conference, rival coaches refer to Kentucky's 21-game win streak in conference play with words like phenomenal, extraordinary and remarkable.
  • UK Women Play Host To No. 14 LSU    The Kentucky women’s basketball team looks to snap a two-game losing streak in the Southeastern Conference when it plays host to 14th-ranked LSU on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 2 p.m. ET at Memorial Coliseum.
  • Kentucky Wildcats Report    UK announcer happy about buzzer-beater    Cliff Hawkins' inbounds pass, which eventually found its way to a wide-open Erik Daniels for the game-winning basket in the University of Kentucky's 67-66 victory over Mississippi State on Tuesday night, seemed to float across the court in slow motion.
  • Beasts or burden? Cats mull streak   BUT SEC COACHES MARVEL AT REIGN   "Tremendous." "Absolutely incredible." "Truly remarkable." "Extraordinary." "Phenomenal." "Unbelievable." "Amazing." That's how Southeastern Conference coaches labeled Kentucky's 21-game (and counting) winning streak against league teams yesterday.
  • Cote grew into basketball    Soccer, not hockey, was Bernard Cote's first love.
  • Cote learning to help Kentucky's bench    For someone who has rarely played in his career at the University of Kentucky, sophomore forward Bernard Cote has a pretty solid grasp of how to be successful when coach Tubby Smith sends him into games.

(01-15-04)

      Basketball
  • Wildcats start fast, implode late    How about these monikers?    Heart Attack 'Cats, Cardiac 'Cats or Chameleon 'Cats.
  • Doyel's Dribbles    Dribbler feelin' a little Kentucky fried  This is why nobody outside the state of Kentucky likes Kentucky.
  • With his back healed, Coté carries Cats' load    With many questioning who would fill the void left by departed center Marquis Estill, Bernard Coté’s name was rarely mentioned in the off season.  
  • THIS WEEK IN THE SEC- Kentucky emerges as league's best    Not that anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line is surprised, but the Kentucky Wildcats have emerged as the leading favorite to win the Southeastern Conference men's basketball championship.  
  • Wildcats know how to win    It's time to quit looking at all the shortcomings Tubby Smith's team has and start focusing on one thing - the Wildcats just keep winning.
  • UK's Hail Mary answered    Seldom have 10,432 basketball fans, many wearing maroon and white body paint and screaming as if they had just seen Jason from "Friday the 13th," suddenly gone quiet in such unison as they did Tuesday night at Mississippi State's Humphrey Coliseum.
  • Wildcats fighting off foes — barely    Don't look back, University of Kentucky basketball team. Mississippi State is gaining on you.
  • Fresh faces limit UK's depth despair   SUBS PROVIDE A LIFT TO SAGGING EFFORT ON THE BOARDS   Surely Erik Daniels' game-winner was Kentucky Coach Tubby Smith's favorite shot at Mississippi State. Probably close behind were baskets by reserves Bernard Cote and Lukasz Obrzut, not simply because each point was precious in UK's 67-66 victory. But their baskets suggest that Kentucky is making progress toward developing a bench.

(01-14-04)

      Basketball
  • ERIK THE READY    The third largest crowd in Humphrey Coliseum history came to watch undefeated Mississippi State play unflappable Kentucky last night.
  • Last-second magic    Sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good.
  • Right place and right time    Erik Daniels picked a loose ball out of the air and scored a layup as time expired, giving U of K a 67-66 victory over Mississippi State last night.
  • Right place, right time    Daniels makes clutch play for UK   Chuck Hayes said, "Somebody loves us up there." Cliff Hawkins said, "Oh yeah." Gerald Fitch said, "Most definitely. Even last year we had a lot of luck, being abl