SEC Tourney: Kentucky to play Georgia
March 14, 2008
The first round of SEC Tournament action has concluded. Georgia defeated Mississippi 97-95 in OT on a last second shot. This means that Kentucky will take on the Bulldogs later tonight at approximately 9:45 pm est.
Complete first round SEC Tournament scores
| 1 | 2 | Total | ||
| [E5] South Carolina | 37 | 40 | 77 | Final |
| [W4] LSU | 34 | 39 | 73 | |
| 1 | 2 | Total | ||
| [W6] Auburn | 36 | 46 | 82 | Final |
| [E3] Vanderbilt | 47 | 46 | 93 | |
| 1 | 2 | Total | ||
| [W5] Alabama | 46 | 34 | 80 | Final |
| [E4] Florida | 23 | 46 | 69 | |
| 1 | 2 | OT | Total | ||
| [E6] Georgia | 44 | 40 | 13 | 97 | Final |
| [W3] Mississippi | 40 | 44 | 11 | 95 | |
Headlines: Tournament Time
March 13, 2008
The SEC Tournament finally kicked off today!
We’ll find out our opponent (late) tonight. Gonna be a long day 
Here are some of the latest headlines making the rounds in basketball land. Read more
Hump Links
March 12, 2008
Game Watching
Billy Gillispie watched recruit Verdell Jones play last night. Jones finished with a game-high 16 points.
Meeks Update
Jodie Meeks could end up having surgery, but Kentucky has not lost hope he could play again at some point this post-season.
Irked
Joe Crawford was not happy about being named to the All-SEC second team.
“I think I could have been first team,” he said in a calm voice. “I think that adds a little motivation.”
5 minutes with…
The Chattanooga Times Free Press has a funny Q&A with Kentucky’s Joe Crawford.
Included…
Q. Every SEC player says that Ramel talks the most trash …
A. “That’s about right.”Q. … so what’s the funniest thing you’ve heard him say?
A. “Besides constantly talking about New York? Let’s see (starts laughing), he did write ‘Smooth’ (Bradley’s nickname) on his graduation diploma.”
Q. Harshest criticism you’ve heard about yourself?
A. “There’s been a lot of things that have been tough on me. I guess the main one is that I’m a selfish player.”
Q. Who would be at your dream dinner party?
A. “Ashley Judd and Michael Jordan.”
Anti-Pearl
The Tennessee Vol’s Bruce Pearl’s sharing of the SEC Coach of the Year award with Kentucky’s Billy Gillispie shows that he’s despised among his peers.
CATLANTA
Kentucky hopes to bring back the excitement of “Catlanta“.
Aspirations
The newly verbally committed Kevin Galloway hopes to be playing in the NBA as soon as possible.
Odds
A Sea of Blue de-constructs the SEC tournament to see to probability of each team winning.
Kentucky: 2008 SEC Awards
March 11, 2008
The 2008 SEC awards were announced today. Here’s how Kentucky faired in those.
Kentucky’s Billy Gillispie and Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl shared SEC Coach of the Year.
Patrick Patterson shared the SEC Freshman of the Year award with Florida’s Nick Calathes. (It’s good to see Patterson still get this despite the injury)
FIRST TEAM ALL-SEC
Ramel Bradley, Kentucky
SECOND TEAM ALL-SEC
Joe Crawford, Kentucky
Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
SEC ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Patrick Patterson, Kentucky
SEC ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
Ramel Bradley, Kentucky
Great job by those guys! A nice well deserved showing.
Some bits of news
March 11, 2008
SEC Honors
The Southeastern Conference will name Billy Gillispie and Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl as its co-SEC coaches of the Year.
Commitment
Breaking last night… Kentucky received a verbal commitment from Kevin Galloway, a 6-7 Juco PG/SF out of the College of Southern Idaho.
He had originally committed to USC out of high school in 2006.
Toreros
Kentucky’s loss to San Diego may not look so bad after all.
The Toreros beat Gonzaga 69-62 to win West Coast Conference tourney and earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The Unbreakables
“To think that back in December this team would be thought of fondly would have been the ultimate in bad jokes.”
“This team that was understandably loathed just a couple of months ago may go down in the annals of UK basketball history as one of the most admired.”
And it’s done it because it’s been “Unbreakable.”
All-SEC
Rivals.com announced the All-SEC teams and a couple of Kentucky players made showings.
Patrick Patterson was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and also the All-SEC Second Team. Ramel Bradley joined Patterson on the All-SEC Second Team.
Under Pressure
Heading into the SEC Tournament, the ‘Cats have already been pressure tested.
Who?
Perry Stevenson has been filling the void left by Patrick Patterson.
Best Arenas
The Gainesville Sun did a survey where they asked 13 writers and broadcasters to rank the SEC’s best arena and the toughest arena for an opposing team.
Kentucky placed 3rd among the ‘Best arenas’ and 2nd as the ‘toughest arena’.
Audio: Billy Gillispie Call-in Show 3/10/08
March 10, 2008
Here’s a basic rundown and audio download of the Coach Billy Gillispie call-in radio show from earlier this evening.
Tom Leach opens the show with a reminder of the upcoming SEC Tournament game. Read more
Headlines: We are Kentucky
March 10, 2008
Reflection
Kentucky’s Senior Day was emotional for all.
Skinny Guy
Perry Stevenson again steps up in Patterson’s absence.
Florida’s Nick Calathes…
“The long, skinny guy (pause), Stevenson stepped up big for them.”
Tough Times
Despite tough times early on. Joe Crawford and Ramel Bradley stuck through it and persevered.
“There’s a few times that I was thinking about just giving up.”
Send Off
Former ‘Cats teammates Rajon Rondo and Randolph Morris help with the Senior Day send off at Rupp. Rondo helped present them with framed jerseys and Morris sent along a recorded video message.
Emotional
Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie tears up during the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home”.
State your case
If not Pearl, Billy Gillispie has a case for SEC Coach of the year.
Dick Vitale Says…
Dick Vitale was on ESPN’s Mike & Mike. Said Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl was great, but Billy Gillispie is SEC Coach of the Year.
Satisfying
A very good and crazy, but satisfying end to this season.
Kentucky over Florida: Total Team Effort
March 9, 2008
A very nice win to close out the regular season and to give the seniors a great, well deserved going away present.
I thought it was our best team effort game of the season. Many of the guys stepped up today and gave a great showing.
Wow! Perry Stevenson…how about that performance out there? An amazing job by the big guy. He was definitely a difference maker today and deserves a game ball.
Derrick Jasper showing again his improved shot making capabilities. Unbelievable three from the corner, did he call bank? I had commented just after the last game about his shooting and wanting him to do it more. I guess he caught wind of that.
Ramon Harris had another solid game and is improving game by game.
The seniors contributed as I expected they would, but did struggle a little at times. I thought Ramel was trying to force too much early in the game. Joe did also, but faired a little better. I know the pressures of it being Senior Day played a role and they wanted to go out with a bang.
We should of easily won this game, but as usual we let the other team come back and make it close at the end. Please, oh please quit doing this to us. I just don’t know how much more we can take.
Billy Gillispie looked fired up after the game. He wanted that win.
The bottom line is it’s a win. I now believe the streak will continue and we’ll be in the NCAA tournament once again. Who would of thought that back in January? It’s been a great turnaround by this team and just shows you how it’s not over till it’s over.
The ‘Cats now look forward to the SEC Tournament. They will next play Friday March 14th at 9:45 pm and will face the winner of that Thursday’s Georgia/Ole Miss game.
