Some of you may have written the Wildcats off for the season, but Joe B. Hall knows a team can still come to life after most have left it for dead.
The 1985 Wildcats lost 3 of their last 5 regular season games but made it to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen
Cats show grit in battling past Missouri
There were spectacular plays by both teams, the kind of standout, shout-out-loud plays that make highlight reels and lasting memories. But the one John Calipari wanted to talk about first after his Kentucky team battled past Missouri 90-83 in a Rupp Arena overtime thriller late Saturday night was of the quiet variety. “There was a play where…
Cauley-Stein’s career night leads Wildcats past Vanderbilt, 74-70
Willie Cauley-Stein scored 20 points, and his two crucial blocks and key rebound in the final 34 seconds helped Kentucky outlast Vanderbilt 74-70 Wednesday night for its first win without injured star center Nerlens Noel. Cauley-Stein, a 7-foot freshman manning the post for Kentucky (18-8, 9-4 Southeastern Conference) with Noel sidelined, blocked attempts by Kyle Fuller and…
Noel’s knee injury overshadows UK’s loss at Florida
The play, up until the very end, was nothing out of the ordinary for Nerlens Noel. Following a turnover, the freshman forward furiously pursued Florida guard Scottie Wilbekin. Making up ground with his long strides and characteristic hustle in the open court, Noel saved a sure basket with his 106th block of the season. But…
Polson a model for what Coach Cal wants Cats to be
Continuing a recent tradition, John Calipari channeled his inner philosopher as he fielded questions from the media. Ostensibly, Coach Cal was at the podium to talk basketball. The Wildcats had just won their fifth game in a row – 72-62 in a bruising rematch with Auburn – but he was more interested in talking about…
Cats grind out 72-62 win against Auburn
Kyle Wiltjer’s 14 points led five Kentucky players in double figures as the Wildcats outlasted Auburn 72-62 Saturday for their fifth straight win. Though tighter than the Wildcats’ 75-53 beating of the Tigers three weeks ago at Auburn, the victory provided their longest winning streak this season and some momentum before Tuesday’s Southeastern Conference showdown at…
Balanced attack leads Cats over Gamecocks
Julius Mays’ 15 points led five Kentucky players in double figures, and the Wildcats blew out South Carolina 77-55 Tuesday night to move within a game of first-place Florida in the Southeastern Conference. Kentucky (16-6, 7-2) began the night two games behind Florida before the No. 2 Gators suffered their first conference loss, 80-69 at…
Noel, Mays lead Cats in overtime win at Texas A&M
Freshman Nerlens Noel had a season-high 19 points and Julius Mays also scored 19, including five in overtime, to lead Kentucky to a 72-68 win over Texas A&M on Saturday. The Wildcats (15-6, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) led by one point before Mays made two free throws with 15 seconds left. Texas A&M (13-8, 3-5) had a chance to tie…
Trio of former Cats to represent Kentucky in NBA Rising Stars Challenge
Though Kentucky lost its lone representative on the NBA All-Star roster when Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo suffered a season-ending knee injury last weekend, there will still be plenty of UK flavor at the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend. On Wednesday afternoon, the NBA released the rosters for its annual Rising Stars Challenge, which is…
Wiltjer, Noel lead Kentucky to critical road win at No. 16 Ole Miss
Kyle Wiltjer scored a career-high 26 points and Nerlens Noel set a school record with 12 blocked shots as Kentucky beat No. 16 Mississippi 87-74 on Tuesday night. Kentucky (14-6, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) looked like it might run away with the win, taking a 73-56 lead with 10 minutes remaining. But the Rebels roared back with 16 straight…