Dec. 21, 2009
UK 88 Drexel 44
Crossing a new millennium
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hat started with an 11-10 win over the Lexington YMCA on Feb. 18, 1903, has since developed into the winningest college basketball program of all-time. On Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, the Cats put on a show for all of Big Blue Nation in demolishing Drexel from start to finish in an 88-44 victory that was never in doubt. “That was for the greatest fans in college basketball history,” said UK head coach John Calipari at midcourt of Rupp Arena following the game. “We weren’t a part of many of those 2,000 wins and our job was to drag us across the line before that other blue team got there. This is a special moment for this program and this school and this state. This is the Commonwealth’s team.” After the game, former players and
coaches applauded the current Cats and the milestone victory. Former UK head coach Joe B. Hall thanked his predecessor Adolph Rupp for establishing the program and setting a winning standard. He also had some words for the current team.
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Cat stats
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Most points: 18 by Cousins and Patterson Most assists: 7 by Wall Most rebounds: 13 by Cousins
“I’ve seen teams progress,” said Hall to the Rupp Arena faithful that stayed for the celebration. “But this team is coming along faster than you (Calipari) led us to believe. We’re so proud of this group and Coach Calipari. Thank you, Coach.” Wearing black UK2K shirts, and
dancing with each other and the mascots, the players celebrated the milestone victory while giving thanks to the fans. “I just want to say, I want to thank all of you for supporting us these years and these past three years I’ve been here,” said Patterson at midcourt to the crowd. w“It’s been a roller coaster but this year’s a lot of fun.” The UK players and fans each received commemorative ticket stubs after the game with the date and 2,000 wins on it. The night was big for all of Big Blue Nation, but it wasn’t the finale. “This is one of those things that separates this program from all others,” Calipari said.
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By Metz Camfield
The University of Kentucky men's basketball team poses for photographers with former UK head coach Joe B. Hall during the post-game celebration following the team's win over Drexel on Dec. 21, 2009 in Rupp Arena. [Britney McIntosh] 50
Left: Junior forward Patrick Patterson heads toward the rim for a dunk during the first half of UK's win over Drexel [Adam Wolffbrandt] Top: The UK men's basketball team comes together to celebrate the program's 2,000th win. [Britney McIntosh] Above: UK men's basketball head coach John Calipari speaks to the crowd during the 2,000th win ceremony following UK's win over Drexel. [Adam Wolffbrandt] 51
University of Kentucky Freshman guard Eric Bledsoe hangs from the rim after making a dunk in the second half of UK's 88-44 win over Drexel. [Adam Wolffbrandt]
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Cats fans came prepared to celebrate UK's 2,000th win on Dec. 21, 2009 [Britney McIntosh]
Men's basketball players are spotlighted during the team introductions before the start of the game. [Britney McIntosh] 53
Jan. 2, 2010
UK 71 Louisville 62
Cats win slugfest with Cards 71-62 L
Senior Perry Stevenson blocks a shot from Louisville's Rackeem Buckles in the first half of the game. [Photos by Britney McIntosh]
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Cat stats Most points: 18 by Cousins Most assists: 4 by Wall and Bledsoe Most rebounds: 18 by Cousins
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ouisville had a run in with the Boogie man. They didn’t come out on top. DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins scored 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, and led the No. 3 Cats (15-0) to a physical, and heated 71-62 victory over Louisville in front of a record crowd at Rupp Arena of 24,479. “(The rivalry) is pretty intense,” Cousins said. “I guess you could say it’s a strong hate, but I mean the game was fun.” It was intense enough that in the game’s first 45 seconds, UK head coach John Calipari had to sub out freshman guard Eric Bledsoe for mouthing off at a Louisville player, and three technical fouls were issued, including one on Cousins for an elbow while going for a loose ball. Cousins said afterward he was just going for the ball and the elbow, which some TV announcers said was ejection-worthy, wasn’t intentional. “I was just going for a loose ball,” Cousins said. “It got physical, I guess he couldn’t take it.” The jawing, pushing and shoving actually occurred before the game in the tunnel as the two teams entered and left the court during warm-ups. “If you were here, this thing was as heated and as emotional and physically, grabbing, pushing, shoving kind of game as I’ve coached in,” Calipari said.
After the heated opening minute on the court, sloppy play ensued. The Cats began the game on a 15-3 run before the Cardinals made their first field goal, a layup by sophomore forward Samardo Samuels, 9:06 into the half. The Cardinals made just five field goals in the first half, but UK led by only eight points at the break, thanks in part to a dismal 1-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc and only two points from the bench. Both teams shot considerably better in the second half and the Cardinals took their first lead with 9:51 remaining in the game. Fortysix seconds later, Louisville senior guard Jerry Smith and UK freshman guard John Wall were both called for technical fouls for jawing at each other after the officials had warned them to stop. Wall then rallied the Cats by scoring the game’s next four points. Fellow freshman guard Eric Bledsoe then found senior forward Perry Stevenson down low for a layup that put the Cats up by seven and gave them a lead they wouldn’t surrender the rest of the way. “This win feels real good, ” Cousins said. “They came out talking, all the comments before the game, trying to get physical with us and we beat them physically and it felt good.”
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By Metz Camfield
Left: Freshman DeMarcus Cousins shoots free-throws after drawing a technical foul in the first half. Above: Freshman Eric Bledsoe laughs with Louisville head coach Rick Pitino following Louisville's 71-62 defeat. 61
Left: DeMarcus Cousins reaches after a ball between the legs of Louisville's Jared Swopshire. The tie-up resulted in technical fouls being assessed to both teams. [Photos by Britney McIntosh] Below: Teammates and refferees rush to separate DeMarcus Cousins and Jared Swopshire after a phyisical scramble for a loose ball in the first half.
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University of Kentucky freshman guard Eric Bledsoe talks with freshman DeMarcus Cousins after he is taken out of the game in the second half.
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