Walter's Wildcat World – All About Kentucky BasketballSince 1998, honoring Kentucky basketball history, players, teams, moments, and traditions.

Tag: Florida

Josh Harrellson last to cut the nets in postgame celebration

2011 SEC Champs

Standing gleefully on the court after winning his second straight SEC Tournament Championship, UK’s lone senior called out instructions for cutting down the nets.  “Freshmen first!” Harrellson said. “Freshmen first.”  It was Harrellson’s second time celebrating an SEC Tournament title, but his first playing a significant role on the team.  “I definitely wanted to be…

Kentucky trounces cold-shooting Florida to win 2nd straight SEC tournament

2011 SEC Champions

Brandon Knight scored 17 points, Darius Miller hit two crucial 3-pointers and Kentucky (No. 16 ESPN/USA Today, No. 15 AP) cruised to another Southeastern Conference tournament title, routing regular-season champion Florida 70-54 on Sunday.  The 12th-ranked Gators (26-7) had a miserable day shooting, especially guards Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker. They combined to go 7…

Darius Miller’s career night downs Florida; Calipari notches 500th career win

Darius Miller

Darius Miller scored a career-high 24 points and Brandon Knight added 16 points and six assists as No. 22 Kentucky surged past No. 13 Florida 76-68 on Saturday. The Wildcats (20-8, 8-6 Southeastern Conference) won their 33rd straight home game and gave coach John Calipari his 500th career victory in bouncing back from a difficult overtime loss to Arkansas on Wednesday. Miller topped the career high of 22 set last week against South Carolina with the kind of dynamic, aggressive play Calipari has been searching for all season.

Florida aims to spoil Kentucky’s 32-game home winning streak today

Shortly after No. 13 Florida beat Georgia on Thursday to clinch a share of the SEC East division title, coach Billy Donovan warned his team about Kentucky’s 32-game home winning streak. “We’ve broken a lot of streaks this year,” Florida senior forward Alex Tyus said with a smile. “So we’d like to break some more.” Florida is coming into its matchup today at No. 22 Kentucky confident, even though the Wildcats have been dominant at home in John Calipari’s two seasons as coach. Under Calipari, Kentucky hasn’t lost at Rupp Arena.

Eloy Vargas provided the Cats with 14 big minutes Saturday

Eloy Vargas

Eloy Vargas has been a punching bag for criticism this year because of his timid play, but the junior forward provided the Cats with 14 big minutes Saturday. He only logged two points, four rebounds and one assist, but he filled in admirably for Harrellson while he sat on the bench in foul trouble. Vargas won’t be pleased with a loss, but he can take consolation in the fact that he played well in his return to Florida, where he played at his freshman year.

Kentucky drops another heartbreaker in loss to Florida, 70-68

Chandler Parsons scored 17 points, Alex Tyus made two big defensive plays late and Florida beat No. 10 Kentucky 70-68 Saturday night. The Gators, who have struggled from the free-throw line all season, went 18 of 22 from the stripe and hit some clutch ones late. Erving Walker hit both ends of two one-and-ones in the closing minutes.