2017 SEC Tournament Pregame Pep Rally Held By UK Alumni Association

SEC Tournament Pregame Pep Rally in Nashville

Traveling to the Music City to watch the Cats? Don't miss the Greater Nashville UK Alumni Club Tournament Pregame Pep Rally on Friday, March 10, at the Wildhorse Saloon, located at 120 2nd Ave. North, Nashville, Tennessee. The event will begin at 9 a.m. CST, 10 a.m. EST. Cost is $10 for members and students and $15 for nonmembers who preregister and for walk-ups. Children 12 and under are admitted for free.

Special musical guests will be the band Halfway to Hazard and country music performer Corey Kenton. The UK Band, Cheerleaders and DanceTeam will also make a special appearance. Raffle items and merchandise vendors will also be on hand. Visit www.ukalumni.net/secpeprally to make your reservations. For questions about the event, please contact Antoine Huffman at ashuff2@gmail.com.

The UK Alumni Association is a membership supported organization committed to fostering lifelong engagement among alumni, friends, the association and the university. For more information about the UK Alumni Association or to become a member, visit www.ukalumni.net or call 1-800-269-2586.

Bam Adebayo Earns Second Straight SEC Freshman of The Week Honors

After helping Kentucky win its 48th regular-season Southeastern Conference crown, freshman forward Bam Adebayo was named the league’s top-performing freshman on Monday for a second straight week.

Adebayo provided a consistent presence for the Cats in two historic comeback victories this week. He logged 14.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game in wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.

The Little Washington, North Carolina, native began the week with 16 points and six boards as Kentucky overcame a 19-point deficit – the largest comeback by the Wildcats since Feb. 22, 1997 -- for a 73-67 win over the Commodores. 

Adebayo was magnificent in the full-court press, coming up with two steals and a block to aid the Wildcat surge. He also scored 10 of his 16 points after the break and was 6 of 7 from the free-throw line in the decisive second half. 

Kentucky found itself in familiar territory on the road at Texas A&M in its quest to clinch the SEC title outright. The Aggies jumped out to a 15-point first-half advantage, but the Cats wasted little time in mounting a comeback and taking a lead before halftime. Kentucky would eventually prevail for a 71-63 win, marking the largest comeback on the road in the Calipari era.

Adebayo scored 13 points and added a team-high eight rebounds. He also posted two blocks and an assist, while playing a team-high 36 minutes. He was 6 of 7 from the field for the game and had four offensive rebounds as UK logged a game-high 11 second-chance points. 

UK’s freshman big man has been sensational in the Wildcats’ eight-game winning streak to end the regular season. Adebayo has averaged 11.2 rebounds per game over his last five games. He has pulled down at least six during the eight-game winning streak. He has also reached double figures in scoring in six of the eight games.

For the week, Adebayo led the team in rebounding and field-goal percentage. He was third on the team in scoring and second in both blocks and steals for the week.

Kentucky has now won the SEC Freshman of the Week a league-leading eight times this season. Adebayo’s honor is the second of his career and the 11th weekly award of the season for the Wildcats, most in the conference.

Malik Monk Named Sporting News Second-Team All-American

Kentucky’s freshman guard Malik Monk continued hauling in All-America honors on Monday, most notably the second-team All-America honors from the Sporting News.

The Sporting News is one of four “major” NCAA-recognized All-America teams that the NCAA uses for its consensus All-America teams. The other three are the Associated Press, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Monk was joined on the Sporting News All-America Second Team by Luke Kennard (Duke), Nigel Williams-Goss (Gonzaga), Dillon Brooks (Oregon) and Josh Jackson (Kansas).

The Sporting News honor marks the third All-America selection for Monk on Monday. He was named to USA Today’s second team as well as NBC Sports’ second team. Freshman teammate De’Aaron Fox made USA Today’s third team.

It’s the third straight season a Wildcat has made one of the Sporting News All-America teams. Willie Cauley-Stein (first team) and Karl-Anthony Towns (third team) made it in 2015, while Tyler Ulis (first team) was selected last season. 

Monk electrified crowds with his prolific scoring outbursts and high-flying violent dunks throughout the season. He averaged 21.2 points per game, edging South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell for the scoring title by a fraction of a point. He is the fourth freshman in the history of the SEC to win the regular-season scoring title.

He is ranked among the top 20 nationally in scoring and second among all freshmen. No John Calipari-coached player has ever averaged more than 21.2 points for an entire season (Dajuan Wagner at Memphis in 2002). He’s scored in double figures in all but one game this season and has 17 games of 20 points or more, including a Kentucky freshman record 47 points vs. North Carolina in December.

The freshman from Lepanto, Arkansas, is the only freshman in program history with four 30-point games, and six times this season he has scored at least 20 points in a half.

Malik Monk a Finalist For Wooden Award

Kentucky men’s basketball freshman guard Malik Monk is one of 15 players on the John R. Wooden Award national ballot, announced Saturday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The Wooden Award is presented annually to the top player in college basketball.

The finalists are candidates for the Wooden All American Team, out of which the Wooden Award winner will be selected. All 15 players on the ballot have proven to their universities that they are making progress towards graduation.

Voting will take place from March 13-20. Nearly 1,000 members of the national college basketball media make up the majority of the voting body. They take into consideration a player’s entire season of play, as well as opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. 

Fans may vote through the fan voting site at woodenawardvote.com.

The Wooden Award All American Team, consisting of the nation’s top 10 players and the five finalists for the Wooden Award, will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament and will be the focus of a 30-minute show March 27 on ESPNU at 8 p.m. The winner of the award will be announced during the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show on April 7.

Monk, one of five freshman finalists, certainly has the credentials to win the national player of the year award.

The freshman from Lepanto, Arkansas, is one of the most prolific scorers in the country. Averaging 21.7 points per game, he is ranked 13th nationally in scoring, second among all freshmen and first in the Southeastern Conference. No John Calipari-coached player has ever averaged more than 21.2 points for an entire season (Dajuan Wagner at Memphis in 2001-02). He’s scored in double figures in every game this season and has 17 games of 20 points or more, including a Kentucky freshman record 47 points vs. North Carolina in December.

Monk is the only freshman in program history with four 30-point games, and six times this season he has scored at least 20 points in a half.

Among Monk’s most notable moments this season include the game-winning shot vs. North Carolina, a game-tying shot to force overtime vs. Georgia (a game the Wildcats won in extra time), 30 second-half points in a comeback victory vs. Florida, and a back-breaking 3-pointer vs. Vanderbilt in another second-half barrage.

Monk has proven to be one of Calipari’s most dynamic scorers ever. Routinely a feature on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays for his jaw-dropping dunks, he’s also proven to be one of the nation’s top 3-point shooters. He’s made 92 3-pointers through 30 games, just behind Jamal Murray (95) at this point in the season when he went on to break the UK freshman record with 113 3-pointers a season ago.

The Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the 2017 John R. Wooden Award will be announced during the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show on April 7.

Previous winners of the Wooden Award include such notables as Larry Bird (1979), Michael Jordan (‘84), Tim Duncan (‘97), Kevin Durant (‘07), Trey Burke (’13), Doug McDermott (‘14), Frank Kaminsky (’15) and Buddy Hield  (’16). UK’s Anthony Davis won it in 2012.

Some Notes From Kentucky's Win Over Texas A&M

Men’s Basketball Postgame Notes

Kentucky at Texas A&M, Reed Arena, College Station, Texas

March 4, 2017
Attendance: 9,528

Notes compiled by Jake Most

Final Score: No. 9/9 Kentucky 71, Texas A&M 63

                                                       

Team Records and Series Notes:

·       Kentucky has won eight in a row and is 26-5 overall.

·       UK finished the regular season 16-2 in the Southeastern Conference and claimed its 48th regular-season league championship as well as the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament. It is UK’s fifth crown in eight seasons under John Calipari.

o   The conference championship is Calipari’s 15th regular-season league title as a head coach. He won five at UMass, five at Memphis and now five at Kentucky. He is the only coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to have won at least five regular-season titles at three different schools.

·       Texas A&M’s two-game winning streak ended and the Aggies closed the regular season 16-14 overall, 8-10 in the SEC.
Kentucky leads the series 8-3. UK has won three in a row dating to last season’s SEC Tournament Championship game.

o   This was the first time in four games in College Station, Texas, that the game didn’t go to overtime.

·       Next for the Wildcats: UK will open up the SEC Tournament on Friday in Nashville, Tennessee’s Bridgestone Arena. As the No. 1 seed UK will play at 1 p.m. ET.

In the First Half:

·       Kentucky’s starting lineup featured De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk, Isaiah Briscoe and Derek Willis.

o   Kentucky improved to 5-0 with this lineup.

o   After coming off the bench the previous seven games, Willis has started two in a row.

o   Adebayo is the only Wildcat to have started all 31 games of the regular season this year.

·       Texas A&M scored the first six points and held UK scoreless through the first 4:54 of the game.

·       Texas A&M stretched its lead to double digits at the 13:32 mark when Tyler Davis completed a traditional three-point play to make it 14-2.

·       After entering the game at the 16:56 mark, Dominique Hawkins scored five of Kentucky’s first seven points.

·       Hawkins’ made 3-pointer at the 11:15 mark extended UK’s streak of 1,005 consecutive games with a triple. 

·       Kentucky trailed by as much as 15, at 19-4 with 12:09 to play.

o   It was the third straight game the Wildcats have fallen behind by double digits.

·       Kentucky outscored the hosts 28-9 over the final 12 minutes of the first half.

·       Willis gave UK its first lead, 24-23, with a made 3 at the 3:09 mark.

o   Including Willis’ 3, UK seniors (Willis, Hawkins and Mychal Mulder) scored nine straight of UK’s points to give the Wildcats a 30-27 lead.

·       Briscoe hit a layup with one second remaining to give UK a 32-28 halftime lead.

In the Second Half:

·       De’Aaron Fox scored Kentucky’s first eight points of the second half.

·       UK opened up a double-digit lead for the first time at the 14:06 mark, 47-35, via a Willis 3-pointer.

·       Having led by as much as 12 at 53-41 as late as the 11:24 mark, Texas A&M cut UK’s lead to four, 55-51, with 6:10 on the clock.

o   UK scored five straight points after that to stretch its lead to nine.

o   Concluded at the 2:10 mark UK used a 9-2 lead to stretch its lead back to 11, 64-53.

·       Kentucky led by as much as 14, with 40 seconds remaining.

Team Notes:

·       Fighting back to win from a 15-point deficit, Kentucky made its biggest comeback in a road game of the John Calipari era.

·       Kentucky came back from a double-digit deficit to win for the third game in a row.

o   UK fought back from as much as 12 points vs. Florida last week, down 19 points on Tuesday against Vanderbilt and down 15 Saturday.

·       Kentucky’s six turnovers tied its season low (at Vanderbilt on Jan. 10, 2017).

·       Kentucky held Texas A&M to 63 points.

o   UK is 17-0 this season when limiting the opponent to 72 or fewer points.

·       Kentucky shot 44.1 percent from the field. UK is 25-1 this season when shooting at least 42 percent.

·       Kentucky and Texas A&M tied in the rebounding battle. UK had won rebounding in the seven previous games. In any event, UK is 8-0 in its last eight games when winning or tying in the rebounding department.

o   UK has outrebounded opponents by 10.9 boards per game during the current eight-game win streak.

·       Calipari has a 688-192 (.782) on-court record, including a 243-52 (.824) mark at UK.

Player Notes: 

·       Freshman De’Aaron Fox scored a team-high 19 points.

·       He made a career-high tying two 3-pointers on four attempts.

·       He scored 15 of his points in the second half, including Kentucky’s first eight after halftime.

·       Freshman Malik Monk scored a season-low six points.

·       His streak of games in double-figures scoring ended at 30.

·       Freshman Bam Adebayo had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting (with four dunks) from the field.

·       He added eight rebounds and three blocks.

·       He is averaging 11.2 rebounds over the last five games.

·       Sophomore Isaiah Briscoe had seven points and once again stalked the backboards with six rebounds.  He has averaged 7.4 boards rebounds in the last 12 games.

·       Briscoe dished eight assists against one turnover.

·       He’s dished 15 assists compared with one turnover in the past two games.

·       Senior Derek Willis scored 11 points, reaching double-figure scoring for the 10th time this season.

·       He grabbed six rebounds and blocked a season-high tying three shots for the second game in a row and third time overall.

·       Senior Dominique Hawkins scored eight points – two off his career-high – all in the first half.

·       Shooting 3 of 6 from the field, he tied season high in both makes and attempts.

·       He had three assists and two steals.

·       His two steals tied his season high for the sixth time.

INFO For Caliper's 2017 Father/Son Overnight Camps

Dates for 2017 Father/Son and Overnight Camps Set 
A limited number of spots are available for all camps

Online registration

Registration for two of John Calipari’s most popular camps – the Father/Son Camps and the Overnight Camps – opened Thursday.

Similar to 2016, both camps will be split into separate sessions in 2017 to accommodate for their recent popularity. The Father/Son Camps will feature three separate opportunities (June 9-10, June 16-17 and June 30-July 1) and the Overnight Camps will have two separate sessions (June 11-14 and June 18-21).

A limited number of spots are available for all camps and are based on a first-come, first-served basis, with online registration recommended as the fastest and most efficient form of registering campers. The Father/Son and Overnight Camps have sold out every summer during Coach Cal’s tenure at UK, so early registration is encouraged to secure a spot.

All camps will be held on the University of Kentucky campus and feature UK’s upgraded dormitory and dining facilities, including the Baldwin/Ingels complex and “The 90,” UK’s new dining facility. Buses will be provided to transport campers to all of the basketball facilities. Full-time athletic trainers will be stationed at each site throughout the duration of the camp, along with UK basketball staff members in all dorms to accommodate any questions or concerns campers may have. It is UK's goal to ensure a safe and fun environment, which provides all campers the opportunity to maximize their Kentucky basketball experience.

Once a camper’s registration is complete, the camper will receive a confirmation email with details of necessary paperwork needed (physical, insurance and consent), along with a list of items campers will need to bring for camp. Any camp-related questions can be called into the men's basketball camp line at 859-257-9457 or 859-257-1916 or by email at ukmbbcamps@uky.edu.

2017 FATHER/SON CAMPS

The first John Calipari Father/Son Camp is scheduled for June 9-10, the second session will be June 16-17 (Father’s Day weekend) and the third session will be June 30-July 1.

Traditionally UK's most popular camp, this year's father and son participants will be treated to instruction from the Kentucky coaches and staff, along with current and former Wildcat players through detailed skill work and competitions in the Joe Craft Center and Memorial Coliseum. Father and son teams will compete with fellow campers of appropriate age groups (based on son's age/grade level) in competitions that incorporate skills learned throughout the camp. The skill work is designed to give both father and son drills and techniques to take home and continue working on together.

The Father/Son Camp is open to all fathers and sons ages 6-17, regardless of previous basketball experience. The commuter cost of the camp is $165 per individual and includes:

·         Three meals (including dinner on Friday during registration)

·         Camp T-shirt

·         Three sessions of instruction and competition

·         Photo and autograph opportunities with UK staff and players

The overnight cost of the camp is $190 per individual and includes all the items listed above plus the supervised dorm room for one night

Check-in for the Father/Son Camps will run from 2-5 p.m. on the Friday of each session on the third floor of the Common's Market, located within the Kirwan-Blanding Dorm Complex. All camp facilities, including dorms, dining, parking, camp store and gyms, will be clearly marked with signs once parents and campers enter any of the University of Kentucky campus entrances. For those who may miss the scheduled registration, UK will have staff members available after camp activities begin to complete your check-in at the Kirwan-Blanding Dorm Complex.

Camp activities are set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and conclude at the awards ceremony on Saturday at 4 p.m. Both the opening and closing of the Father/Son Camps will be held in the Seaton Center, located on Complex Drive.

Checkout for those campers staying in dorm rooms will be immediately following the awards ceremony. Early checkout will also be available during the lunch break on Saturday for those campers who wish to check out of their rooms prior to the conclusion of camp at 4 p.m. Complete camp itineraries will be emailed to parents prior to the start of camp.

Cancellation policy: The $100 deposit is non-refundable except in the case of injury, illness or mandatory school event. If a cancellation is made for any other reason, tuition will be refunded less the $100 deposit if the cancellation is made before the first day of camp. Once the camp session has begun there will be no refunds, except in the case of injury or illness. This includes the cancellation of practices due to severe weather. The convenience fee associated with online registration is non-refundable.

2017 OVERNIGHT CAMPS

 

The first John Calipari Overnight Camp is scheduled for June 11-14 and the second session will be June 18-21. Both camps are open to boys ages 7-17.

The Overnight Camp offers four days of skills training, team games, individual competitions and a division tournament. Campers will be pre-assigned to appropriate age/grade level divisions in which all skills work, competitions and games will take place. Skills work will be taught by UK coaches and staff, along with current and former Wildcat players. Each camper will be assigned a team within their respective age groups. Complete camp itineraries, gym schedules, and day camper drop-off and pick-up information will be included in the confirmation email sent to parents prior to the start of camp. Parents are encouraged to visit any of the gym sites to watch their children participate in camp activities.

The cost of the camp is $460 for overnight campers and $350 for day campers.

To register as an overnight camper and stay in a dorm room for this year's Overnight Camp, participants must be 12 years of age prior to the first day of camp (June 12 for Session 1 and June 19 for Session 2). Campers below the age of 12 must register and participate as a day camper/commuter. No exceptions, per University of Kentucky Athletics Department policy.

Overnight Camp cost includes:

·         Dinner during registration Sunday, three meals on Monday and Tuesday, and breakfast and lunch on Wednesday

·         Supervised dorm room for three nights (Sunday to Wednesday)

·         Four days of instruction, competitions and team play

·         Camp T-shirt

·         Photo and autograph opportunities with UK staff and players

Day Camp cost includes:

·         Dinner during registration Sunday, three meals on Monday and Tuesday, and breakfast and lunch on Wednesday

·         Supervised drop-off (8:30 a.m.) and pick-up (8:30 p.m.) every day of camp

·         Four days of instruction, competitions, and team play

·         Camp T-shirt

·         Photo and autograph opportunities with UK staff and players

Registration for both sessions will take place on the third floor of the Common's Market, located within the Kirwan-Blanding Dorm Complex on UK's campus. Registration for overnight campers will be from 1-4 p.m. Registration for day campers will be held from 2-4 p.m.

All camp facilities, including dorms, dining, parking, camp store and gyms, will be clearly marked with signs once parents and campers enter any of the University of Kentucky campus entrances. For those who may miss the scheduled registration, there will be staff members available after camp activities begin to complete your check-in at the Kirwan-Blanding Dorm Complex.

The dinner for campers only will take place from 3-5 p.m. on the first floor of the Common's Market, and camp activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Seaton Center located directly across the street. Campers will be escorted by UK camp staff to the Seaton Center for the beginning of camp activities. Camp for both sessions will conclude with the awards ceremony on Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the Seaton Center. Dorm checkout for campers 12 years old and above will be immediately following the awards ceremony. Parents and campers will check out of their room by returning keys to the front desk located on the first floor of their dorm building, and will then receive a checkout slip to be presented to the camp checkout on the third floor of the Common's Market to receive their original key deposit.

Cancellation policy: The $200 deposit is non-refundable except in the case of injury, illness or mandatory school event. If a cancellation is made for any other reason, tuition will be refunded less the $200 deposit if the cancellation is made before the first day of camp. Once the camp session has begun there will be no refunds, except in the case of injury or illness. This includes the cancellation of practices due to severe weather. The convenience fee associated with online registration is non-refundable.

Derek Willis Named To SEC Community Service Team

 Kentucky senior forward Derek Willis was named to the Southeastern Conference’s Men’s Basketball Community Service team on Thursday. Willis is UK’s representative on the 14-man team that honors players’ exemplary service to their communities. 

This marks the 19th year for the SEC Community Service Team for men’s basketball. All 21 league-sponsored sports have had a Community Service Team since 2004. The team honors student-athletes beyond the field for their on-going efforts in the community. 

Willis has been a mainstay in the community since his arrival on campus in 2013. He spent countless hours serving in any capacity he can.

A regular visitor at the UK Children’s Hospital, he befriended, Zack. Willis and Zack, a Progeria (a progressive genetic disorder that causes children to age rapidly), have bonded at the hospital, at Progeria events, at games and more. 

Willis has delivered gifts, served dinner and sang Christmas carols to families in the Lexington community every holiday season in his four years at Kentucky. He is an annual participant in UK’s Back Pack Program with God’s Pantry to help pack and distribute lunches to students across the city. During the God’s Pantry delivery over the years, he has played kickball and other activities with students.

Other initiatives he’s been a part of include: serving Thanksgiving lunch at the Salvation Army, volunteering at the Alonzo Mourning basketball camp, UK Athletics blanket project for the UK Children’s Hospital, hospital visits at the Final Four in Indianapolis in 2015 and the Samaritan’s Feet experience at the Bahamas in 2014.

UK’s senior from Mt. Washington, Kentucky, is having the most productive season of his career during his final campaign. He’s averaging 6.9 points and a career-high 4.9 rebounds per game.