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November 20, 1997: The Tubby Smith era begins

Tubby Smith - Dave Martin / AP Photo

and Tubby Smith made their debuts in front of enough cameras to match a Hollywood movie premiere.  Smith, though, inherited a far more talented squad of players, a group that raced to a 39 point blowout of .  The eagles managed only 16 baskets made out of 58 shots taken, while their counterparts were white hot.  (6 for 6, 15 points), Jamal Magliore (4 for 4, 8 points), (6 for 8, 12 points) and Heshimu Evans (5 for 7, 10 points) made this one look easy.  and , the heroes of the March to come, were a combined 2 for 10, the only downside to an otherwise easy romp.

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Kentucky vs Tennessee (On time)

On This Day In UK Basketball History

On February 11, 1987, Kentucky defeated Tennessee 91-84 in overtime.  Kentucky was down 10 points to Don DeVoe’s Volunteers with 1:13 left in Rupp Arena when the Wildcats unleashed a ferocious rally. Rex Chapman hit a running 12-footer over 6-foot-11 UT center Doug Roth with three seconds left to force overtime —where UK won before 23,002 fans.  One of the all-time miracle comebacks in Kentucky basketball history.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

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