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The Helms Athletic Foundation

Founded in Los Angeles in the mid-1930s by Bill Schroader and Paul Helms, the Helms Foundation researched records to rank the nation’s top teams dating back to 1901. From 1939, when the NCAA Tournament started, the Helms and NCAA champions were the same, except for 1939-40-44-54. In addition to its NCAA championship years of 1948, ‘49, ‘51, ‘58, ‘78 ’96 and ‘98, Kentucky was named the Helms National Champion in 1933 (20-3) and 1954 (25-0).

Kentucky players Forest Sale (1933) and Leroy Edwards (1935) were named Helms National Players of the Year.

On This Day in UK Basketball History

On March 2, 1970, Dan Issel scored 42 points against Auburn.

 

On March 2, 1991, before a crowd of 24,310, the then-largest crowd in Rupp arena history, the Wildcats closed out the 1990-91 season with a 22-6 overall record. Although UK was ineligible for the SEC title because of probation, the Wildcats secured the best record in the league (14-4) with a 114-93 win over Auburn to end its two-year probation. A ceremony and parade followed.

 

On March 2, 1996, with a 101-63 victory over Vanderbilt in Rupp Arena on Senior Day, UK became the first team in 40 years to finish with a perfect record in the SEC, a 16-0 sweep. It was the Wildcats’ 25th win in a row, tying the school record for consecutive wins in a season. Two games later, they set the new record at 27 games.

 

On March 2, 2012, Darius Miller, in his final performance at Rupp Arena, led Kentucky in scoring with 17 points on Senior Night in a 30-point win over Georgia.

 

Wildcats Born on This Date

March 3, 1905

Len Tracy