Kentucky vs. Transylvania Preview

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, it's time once again to preview Kentucky's next opponent on the basketball court. So let's not waste any time and get right to it. The first game, although it's an exhibition is Transylvania University...

Location: Lexington, Kentucky (the two teams are so close that Transy actually WALKS to Rupp Arena the day of the game)

Est: 1780

Type: Private

Students: 1,110

Athletics: NCAA Divison III, HCAC

Colors: Crimson/White

Mascot: Pioneers

School Motto: In That Light, We Pass On The Light

An interesting side note... Thomas Jefferson, yes that Thomas Jefferson once made this statement to a friend in a letter when he was governor of Virginia.... "If we are to go a begging anywhere for education, I would rather it should be to Kentucky than any other state." Sure he made that statement in reference to Transylvania, but I'd like to think he was talking about Kentucky as whole.

NOTABLE ALUMNI:

Stephen F. Austin: Founder of the state of Texas.

Cy Barger: Major League Baseball Player

Ned Beatty: Actor

John C. Breckinridge: Vice President of the United States, Secretary of War; Confederate States of America.

Jefferson Davis: President of the Confederate States of America; Transferred to West Point.

John Calvin McCoy: Founder of Kansas City, Missouri

James S. Rollins: Missouri politician, "Father of the University of Missouri".

George Shannon: Member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition

Throughout the history of this series the Cats and the Pioneers have faced off a total of 5 times with the Cats winning 4 out of 5. The last loss came in the very first match-up on 1-20-1911 by a score of 18-23 The most recent clash saw Kentucky win going away 74-28 on 11-5-2012.

While this season looks like it will be a route, probably one of the biggest in the history of the series, you still can't help but feel a little nervous before a game like this one. I mean, how hard would it be to deal with a loss to Transy with a loaded roster such as the one Kentucky has put together this season.

Besides the nerves that I am probably alone in having, it's good to see these two teams face each other. It brings a lot of attention to the community and state and gives the guys that play for Transy a chance to play against a National power house, something that they will remember for the rest of their lives, in Rupp Arena no less. So let's get ready to tip the exhibition season off this Friday night and get this much awaited season underway.