Anthony Davis LOVES Playing For USA Basketball

On the heels of being called "The Next Super Star in The NBA" by the New York Times, Anthony Davis gives you another reason to respect what he does on and off the court with a simple Facebook post...

"I love playing for USA Basketball, I think some guys look at it as you don't get paid, so you don't have to play, or whatever. But, that's their own opinions. I love playing here, I love playing the game of basketball. Any time I get a chance to represent my country on the court, get to meet and interact with the servicemen and women who do so much for us, it's a great opportunity to kind of show your appreciation. I love doing things like this and I look forward to future years when I get a chance to play with USA Basketball as well."

There's no REAL way of knowing if Anthony Davis will in-fact be the "next superstar" of the NBA, but with an attitude like this, he is well on his way.

First Game At Commonwealth Stadium

Since Kentucky's first football game of the season is this Saturday I thought this was fitting. 

This is a photo of fans going to a football game on September 15, 1973 when Kentucky played their first game in the NEW Commonwealth Stadium against Virginia Tech. The Cats won 31-24.

Also, the Twitter account that posted this picture is worth following. @KYPhotoArchive They post some pretty interesting stuff...

Time Set For Kentucky vs. Buffalo Mens Basketball Game

The game time for the Kentucky-Buffalo contest slated for Sunday, Nov. 16 at Rupp Arena, has been set for noon ET on ESPNU.

The game marks the first time the two programs will meet on the hardwood.

Some New Additions To The UK Mens Basketball Staff

The UK men’s basketball program has added Joel Justus as the director of men’s basketball analytics and Robert Harris as assistant strength and conditioning coach, head coach John Calipari announced Thursday.

Justus’ main responsibilities will include analyzing player and team performance, utilizing various stats and data to help develop efficient strategies through video.

Justus comes to UK after serving as the head coach at Davidson Day High School in Davidson, N.C., since 2012. In both years at the helm, he guided the Patriots to the Elite Eight in the state tournament.

Prior to his time at Davidson Day, Justus served as the head boys’ basketball coach at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry, Va., from 2008-12. During his time at Woodberry Forest, he guided his team to the Virginia Prep League regular season championship in 2010, while advancing to the Virginia Prep League championship game in consecutive years, a first in more than two decades.

Justus has spent time in college basketball, as an assistant coach at Elon University from 2004-08, where he helped guide the Phoenix to a Northern Division title in 2006 and the Southern Conference championship game in 2008.

A 2004 graduate of UNC Wilmington, he helped the Seahawks as a student-athlete capture two Colonial Athletic Association titles, made three postseason appearances (NIT in 2001; NCAAs in 2002 and 2003) and was team captain his senior season.

Harris joins the program as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the men’s basketball team. He came to UK after serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for football at the University of Arkansas.

Prior to his stint at Arkansas, Harris worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals for three years. With the Bengals, Harris was responsible for assisting in the development of the programs and weight room operations.

He began his career as an intern with Kentucky’s football strength and conditioning program in 2009 before joining the Velocity Sports Performance staff. With Velocity, he assisted head performance coaches with workouts and assisted with development programs for NFL draft prospects.

Harris then joined Ohio State’s football program as an intern assisting with the coordinating and implementation of strength training and conditioning programs for the Buckeyes. 

A member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, he is certified as a Performance Enhancement Specialist by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as a USA Weightlifting Club Coach. Harris is also certified by the National Association of Speed and Explosion, as well as Functional Movement Systems.

Harris is a graduate of Kentucky State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education in 2009. He earned a master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University in Sports Administration in 2010.

John Calipari's Coaches Clinic Set For Oct. 25

The 2014 John Calipari Coaches’ Clinic has been set for Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Joe Craft Center. Last year’s clinic was sold out, so early registration is encouraged to reserve a spot.

The day-long event, intended for male and female coaches, gives a unique look into the coaching philosophies and strategies that Coach Cal uses in guiding the eight-time national championship basketball program at Kentucky. Included in this year’s clinic will be a chance to tour the Joe Craft Center and the training facilities used by the Wildcats, with staff members available to answer questions.

Attendees will be given exclusive access to watch Calipari and his staff conduct two practice sessions with the 2014-15 Wildcats. There will be opportunities to ask questions of Coach Cal and his staff after the practices.

The cost of the clinic is $100. Registration will close on Oct. 22, so please secure your spot for this year’s clinic early.

Check-in for the 2014 Coaches’ Clinic will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the lobby of the Joe Craft Center.

Parking will be available only in the E lot located on the north side of the Joe Craft Center. Attendees must park in a legal parking spot in the E lots only (parking in R lots is not permitted).

Please note that participants of recruiting age (males or females currently in the 7th-12th grade, junior college or prep school) are not permitted to register for or attend the clinic.

Registration is available online and any clinic related questions can be called into the men’s basketball camp line at 859-257-9457 or 859-257-1916.

SCHEDULE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Time	Activity
7:30 – 9 a.m.	Check-in/registration
9 – 9:15 a.m.	Welcome/Coach Cal introduction
9:15 – 9:30 a.m.	Pre-practice warm-up/stretch
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.	Practice
11:30 a.m. – noon	Q&A with Coach Calipari and staff
Noon – 1:30 p.m.	Lunch (on your own)/facilities will be open for tour
1:30 – 3 p.m.	UK assistant coaches speaking presentations
3 – 5 p.m.	Practice
5 p.m.	Q&A with Coach Calipari and staff/closing remarks

*camp schedule subject to change

John Calipari Coaches’ Clinic

Date: Oct. 25, 2014
Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (lunch on your own)
Check-in: 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Location: Joe Craft Center (338 Lexington Ave.)
Cost: $100 (registration will close on Oct. 22)

Keith Bogans Among Others To be Inducted Into the UK Athletics Hall Of Fame

Six University of Kentucky greats will be inducted into the UK Athletics Hall of Fame in late September. The 2014 class includes former UK student-athletes Keith Bogans (men’s basketball), Pat Etcheberry (track and field athlete/coach, also strength and conditioning coach), Marty Moore (football), Passion Richardson (track and field athlete/coach), Terry Shumpert (baseball) and Sarah Witten (women’s tennis). The class will be formally inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend, Sept. 26-27, in conjunction with the football game against Vanderbilt.

Keith Bogans, Men’s Basketball, 2000-03

Associated Press third-team All-America in 2003 in addition to National Association of Basketball Coaches second-team All-America honors … First-team All-SEC member (AP and Coaches) in 2003 and second-team All-SEC (AP and Coaches) in 2001 … Named 2003 SEC Tournament MVP and earned All-SEC Tournament team honors in 2001 … Made 2000 All-SEC Freshman Team … Ranks fourth on UK’s all-time scoring list with 1,923 points … Ranks second in UK history in three-point field goals made (254) and started the second-most games in UK history with 122 … Led UK to two Elite Eight finishes in the 2000 and 2003 NCAA Tournaments … 11 seasons in the NBA.

Pat Etcheberry, Track and Field, 1963-67 / Track and Field Assistant Coach 1967-79 / Track and Field Head Coach, 1979-84 / Strength and Conditioning Coach 1973-89

Former track athlete and coach who went on to become a world-renowned strength and conditioning trainer … Won the SEC championship in the javelin in 1966 … Throw of 220-11 ranks fourth in school history … Represented his native country of Chile in the 1964 Olympics … A participant in the 1967 and 1971 Pan American Games … Was UK assistant track coach for 12 years and head coach five years  … UK’s first strength and conditioning coach, a role he held from 1973-89 …  A legend in the field of sports fitness, Etcheberry has trained nearly two dozen tennis champions, 15 Olympic medalists and numerous world-class athletes, including Pete Sampras, Monica Seles, Nick Faldo, Dan Jansen and Charles Woodson, as well as former Wildcats Rex Chapman, Kenny Walker and Dermontti Dawson.

Marty Moore, Football, 1990-93

Linebacker who finished his playing days at UK ranking fourth in tackles with 470 … Named first-team All-SEC by both the Associated Press and Coaches in 1993 … UK’s Most Valuable Senior while helping lead the Wildcats to the 1993 Peach Bowl … AP second-team All-SEC as a junior … Led SEC in tackles as a sophomore and junior … Named to the Sophomore All-America team by Football News …UK’s Most Outstanding Linebacker for three consecutive years ... Two-year member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll and received UK’s Senior Scholastic Award … Played in the East-West Shrine Game … Was the last pick of the 1994 NFL Draft, but defied the odds by earning a spot on the New England Patriots and went on to an eight-year career in the NFL.

Passion Richardson, Women’s Track and Field, 1994-97 / Track and Field Assistant Coach 2001-05

A bronze medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics as she ran the anchor leg on the United States’ 4x100-meter relay team in the opening round and semifinals … Also the silver medalist in the 60-meter dash at the 1997 USA Indoor Championships … While at UK, was a four-time All-American in the 55 meters, 100 meters and 4x100-meter relay… Continues to hold the UK record at 60 meters, 100 meters and was part of the school-record 4x100-meter relay team … Was SEC bronze medalist at 100 meters in 1997 … She was on the World University Games Gold Medal 4x100-meter relay team in 1997 and took the silver medal in the same event at the Pan-American Games that same year … Later served as an assistant coach for UK track and field and is currently an academic counselor for UK Athletics.

Terry Shumpert, Baseball, 1985-87

Named an All-American in 1987 as a junior for the 40-15 Wildcats …First-team All-SEC as a sophomore and junior … All-SEC Tournament in 1987 … Prolific hitter finished his career with a .333 average after batting .364 as a sophomore and .376 as a junior … Belted 19 doubles in two different seasons … Is one of just five players in school history to hit 10 home runs and steal 20 bases (10-28) in a season (1986) … Ranks third in school history in stolen bases with 66 … Played for Team USA in the 1986 Amateur World Series .. Drafted in the second round of the 1987 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals … Played 14 years in the major leagues for six teams.

Sarah Witten, Women’s Tennis, 2000-03

Ranks as the only player in UK women’s tennis history to earn three consecutive All-America selections (doubles in 2001-03) … Remains one of only two players with four career All-America accolades (singles in 2003 and doubles in 2001-03) … Finished as the NCAA doubles runner-up in 2003 … Led UK to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2002 and 2003 … Ranked among the nation’s top doubles tandems in 2003 with two different players (No. 4 with Amy Trefethen and No. 14 with Nathalie Roels) … Coupled with teammate Carolina Mayorga to rank seventh in 2002 and 23rd in 2001 … Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three years.

The UK Athletics Hall of Fame was started in 2005 to recognize and honor persons whose participation and contributions enriched and strengthened the university’s athletic program. The charter class included 88 individuals who had previously had their jersey retired by UK.

There is a five-year waiting period – after leaving UK – to be eligible for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.  A committee consisting of Hall of Famers, media members, campus representatives, and current coaches and administrators elects new inductees each year.

Official Box-score From Kentucky Loss To Dominican Republic National Team

Notes From Kentucky's Loss To The Dominican Republic National Team

Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes Dominican Republic 63, Kentucky 62 August 17, 2014
Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium

Team Records, Notes

•   Kentucky finishes the Bahamas tour with a 5-1 record after suffering its first defeat of the trip today.
  
• 
    Including a trip to Canada for an exhibition series in 2010, the Wildcats are now 7-1 in exhibition contests in the John Calipari era.
  
• 
    Assistant coach John Robic served as Kentucky’s head coach in today’s contest.
  
• 
    Kentucky shot 50.8 percent from the field in the six contests.
  
• 
    Nine of 11 players who appeared in the contest scored in today’s game. UK had at least nine players score in all six games this week.
  
• 
    Kentucky had 108 assists on 183 made field goals in the tournament.
  
  First Half Facts
  

•   Kentucky used the starting lineup of Devin Booker, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress in all six games.
  
• 
    Kentucky’s first subs off the bench remained the same with the squad of Dominique Hawkins, Marcus Lee, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Ulis and Derek Willis.
  
• 
    A 9-3 run by the Dominican’s lifts the designated visitors to a 19-17 advantage midway through the half.
  
• 
    Kentucky trailed by as many as seven at 24-17, which was also the largest deficit in all six games in the Bahamas.
  
• 
    UK’s second unit utilized a 13-3 run to cap the stanza which was highlighted by a Ulis running floater before the buzzer to give Kentucky a 36-29 lead at the break.
  
• 
    Ulis led the scoring for Kentucky in the opening half with 10 points for his second straight double- digit performance. He also had a pair of assists and a steal.
  
• 
    Towns and Lee led the rebounding effort with three apiece, while Ulis and Hawkins both had two assists.
  
• 
    Poythress, Towns and Willis all had eight first half points to aid the Wildcat cause.
  
  Second Half Facts
  
  • 
      UK began the second half with its original starting lineup for the first time this tournament.
    
  • 
      Kentucky led for the entire second half until the final 30 seconds of play.
    
  • 
      UK held a 59-46 lead with under nine minutes to play.
    
  • 
      The Dominican Republic utilized a 17-3 run over the final eight minutes of action to earn the victory on a less than five-second made field goal by Jack Michael Martinez.
    
  • 
      Aaron Harrison had six second-half points to lead the scoring for the Wildcats.
    
  • 
      Ulis posted three assists in the half.
    
  • 
      Johnson had eight of his nine rebounds in the final stanza.
    
    Individual Notes
    

 Dominique Hawkins scored seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the floor. o Connected on his second 3-pointer of the tournament
o Hit 42.9 percent of his field goals in the six games

 Dakari Johnson led the team with nine rebounds and had five points.

o Had a team-high 44 rebounds for the tournament
o Also posted a squad-best 16 offensive rebounds in the six contests

 Karl-Anthony Towns logged 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.
o Also added three blocks, a tournament-high for any UK player
o Averaged 11 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the week

 Tyler Ulis scored in double-figures with a team-high 12 points while also dishing out five assists.
o Scored in double-digits in two straight contests
o Notched 24 assists in the six games for an average of four a game
o Averaged 7.7 points and shot 47.4 percent from behind the arc for the tournament with a
squad-equaling high of nine 3-pointers

 Derek Willis poured in 10 points and snagged three rebounds
o All four of his made field goals came by way of a dunk, he also had two made free throws o Scored 36 points in the six contests 

Cats Go 5-1 In The Bahamas Falling To The Dominican Republic Team 63-62

The Cats end their Big Blue Bahama Tour with a record of 5-1, losing their final game 63-62 to an Orlando Antigua coached Dominican Republic National team.

There is no doubt that fatigue played a huge part in today's loss to the Dominicans as you could tell that this Kentucky team didn't have the same type of energy that they showed in the other five games. Six games in eight days is a lot of basketball for anyone and that's a lot of wear on the body.

Throughout today's game, the starting five of the Harrison Twins, Devin Booker, Alex Poythress and Dakari Johnson looked slow on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. The urgency we witnessed at the beginning of this tour was not there at the end as time after time they gave up easy transition points and offensive rebounds. The second five of Ulis, Lee, Towns Jr., Willis and Hawkins were clearly the better team today as they displayed more energy and hustle than anyone else that stepped on the floor for the Cats, but in the end, that just wasn't enough. 

Me personally, the second five have been the most fun to watch the entire Bahamas trip. They played the best defense, a little better offense and gave the opposition a hard way to go on both ends of the floor.

In the end, how can anyone complain with what we've seen the past eight days? For a team to play the way Kentucky has against some very good teams is beyond impressive. Then you add in the fact that it's just the middle of August and you can't help but be excited about what were going to see come November.

I've received messages from fans of other schools saying they don't understand why Kentucky fans are so excited about how they played in the Bahamas because they aren't really playing anyone. Well, if the best French professional team and a team (The Dominican Republic International Team) that will be playing Team USA next week isn't good competition, then I don't know what is. Let's see ANYONE else in the country play the same teams in the same amount of time then take a look at their record. I bet at the end, they would love to finish 5-1.

Notes From Kentucky vs. Dominican Republic

Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes
Kentucky 83, Dominican Republic National Team 71
August 15, 2014
Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium

Team Records, Notes
Kentucky improves to 4-0 on its 2014 exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
Including a trip to Canada for an exhibition series in 2010, the Wildcats are now 7-0 in exhibition contests in the John Calipari era.

Associated head coach Kenny Payne served as Kentucky’s head coach in today’s contest.

The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. ET. UK will have a rematch with Champagne Chalons-Reims Basket. The Cats previously defeated the French pro team, 81-58, on Monday. 

UK dished out 18 assists and has combined for 76 assists in the four contests for an average of 19 dimes a game.  For the third consecutive game, the Wildcats shot better than 50 percent from the field. UK poured in 35 made field goals on a 51 percent shooting clip in today’s contest. 

Kentucky tied its Bahamas-tour high with six made 3-pointers. Alex Poythress and Tyler Ulis led the way as both players sunk two from long range. 

First Half Facts

Kentucky used the starting lineup of Devin Booker, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress for the fourth consecutive outing. Kentucky’s first subs off the bench remained the same with the squad of Dominique Hawkins, Marcus Lee, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Ulis and Derek Willis.

The teams exchanged points back-and-forth to begin the half. Johnson scored UK’s first four points. Poythress ignites a UK run to take a 14-9 lead following a breakaway lay-in. 
Kentucky then goes on a 7-0 run to take a 32-24 lead with 7:42 remaining. The run was capped by a Booker 3-pointer.

UK did not allow the Dominicans to score a field goal over the final 4:03 of the half which sparked a stanza-ending 13-6 run to earn a 47-36 edge at the break. Johnson and Poythress led the way in the opening half. Johnson had eight points and eight rebounds, while Poythress posted 13 points and four rebounds.

Second Half Facts

UK began the second half with Hawkins, Lee, Towns, Ulis and Willis in the lineup for the fourth straight game. That unit opened the half on another quick run sparked by consecutive alley-oop dunks by Lee.  

The run stretched to as many as 9-0 with a Hawkins’ floater ending the spurt. 
With 13 minutes remaining in the half, Johnson secured a double-double becoming the third different Wildcat to have double-digits in both points and rebounds during the exhibition contests. 

The Dominicans, however, did not go away and clawed back to within 12 at 68-56.
Towns had eight points and six rebounds after the break. 

Poythress contributed seven points to become the first player to reach the 20-point plateau during the trip.

Individual Notes

Andrew Harrison posted eight points and added a team-high six assists.
Has four or more assists in all four games
Totaled 21 assists in four games for an average of 5.25 assists per outing

Dakari Johnson secured a double-double with 10 points and a squad-best 12 boards.
Is the third different player to register a double-double in the Bahamas
Averaging 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the four contests
One of three players with at least 10 offensive rebounds

Marcus Lee scored eight points and added a trio of rebounds
Has made 10 field goals in the last two games that have all come by way of a jam
Averaging 9.5 points and is shooting 73.9 percent from the floor

Alex Poythress led the team with 20 points and contributed five rebounds.
Leads the team averaging 15 points a game
Also contributing 7.3 rebounds Shooting at a team-high 74.2 percent from the floor
One of two players to score in double-digits in all four games.

Karl-Anthony Towns posted 12 points and seven rebounds in today’s win.
Had eight points and six rebounds after the half Averaging 12.8 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds per game Is one of two players to score in double-figures in all four games

Boxscore From Today's Kentucky vs. Dominican Republic Game

Kentucky Mens Basketball Conference Schedule Released

The Southeastern Conference announced its 18-game men’s basketball schedule for the 2014-15 season Friday evening.

All 18 of Kentucky’s conference games will appear on national television (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, CBS or SEC Network). Television information and start times for the remainder of the non-conference schedule will be released at a later date.

UK’s conference schedule opens at home in the friendly confines of Rupp Arena where UK is 83-4 and 39-3 in league play under sixth-year head coach John Calipari. The Wildcats kick off the conference home schedule against Ole Miss on Jan. 6. The game will tip at 7 p.m. ET and air on the SEC Network.

The Blue and White will hit the road for the first time in league play at Texas A&M on Jan. 12 (CBS) before returning to Lexington on Jan. 13 to host Missouri (ESPN). The Wildcats take to the road again traveling to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama on Jan. 17 (ESPN/ESPN2) and then return to Rupp Arena on Jan. 20 to host Vanderbilt (SEC Network). Kentucky closes out January with two straight road games at South Carolina (Jan. 24, ESPN/ESPN2) and Missouri (Jan. 29, ESPN) before returning home to host Alabama on Jan. 31 (SEC Network).

Kentucky opens February at home against Georgia on Feb. 3 (ESPNU) followed by two straight on the road at Florida (Feb. 7, ESPN) and LSU (Feb. 10, ESPN). The Wildcats will alternate between home and road for the remainder of the month beginning with a home date on Feb. 14 against South Carolina (ESPN/ ESPN2) before traveling to Tennessee on Feb. 17 (ESPN). Kentucky returns home on Feb. 21 to host Auburn (ESPN/ ESPN2) before heading out again on Feb. 25 to Starkville, Miss. to take on Mississippi State (SEC Network). UK closes out February at home hosting Arkansas on Feb. 28 (CBS).

March opens with a March 3 date at Georgia (ESPN), but Kentucky celebrates Senior Day on March 7, closing out the regular season schedule against Florida on CBS.

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., with the semifinals and championship game being broadcast nationally on ESPN. The SEC Network will televise tournament games the first three days.

SEC Network Information for Armstrong Customers

Tomorrow, the SEC Network is set to launch and some people still aren't sure if their cable provider is going to carry the network or have been told that they will not carry it.  Armstrong customers are among the lucky ones as Armstrong and ESPN reached an agreement two weeks ago.

Here's the information I received today from Armstrong Cable. It's everything their subscribers need to know for the launch tomorrow...

"The SEC Network will be available as part of our Variety Pack ($10.95/mo) or HD Advantage Pack ($6.00/mo).  The channel should be added on the 14th to both of those service levels.

If a customer of ours does not presently subscribe to those service levels, they can be added quickly by calling us."

There you have it. If you have one of or both of the above mentioned cable packages, the SEC Network will be added tomorrow as part of that package. Just in time too as the remaining three game of Kentucky's Big Blue Bahama Tour will be carried on the SEC Network EXCLUSIVELY.

UK Alumni Basketball Game definitely CANCELED

I can now confirm that the Alumni Game has FOR-SURE been canceled due to various conflicts with some of the players schedules. A lot of the players that have played in the past have become unavailable to play this year.

Those who have purchased tickets already for the Alumni Game will receive a FULL REFUND so not to worry. The Alumni Game WILL resume in 2015.

Calipari had a quote upon the news of the cancellation of the even...

"With what we've been able to do with bringing our busy back for the fans and raising money for charity, the UK Alumni Charity Game has turned into one of my favorite events at UK. Unfortunately, due to a number of circumstances out of our control, we are going to have to cancel this year's game. We consider the alumni game to be a first-class experience, but without the presence of several of our key alums who had previous commitments, including to USA Basketball, we didn't feel we could meet the standard that we have set for fans. We still had enough commitments to field our team, but it was becoming increasingly difficult to secure enough members for the non-UK team. While I'm disappointed for our fans and for the great organizations we were able to help with the game, I'm happy we will still be able to make an impact on our community with the proceeds from my fantasy experience."

John Wall had a commitment in China and Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins are involved with Team USA.

Just a heads up on ticket refunds. Those tickets that have been purchased in person need to be returned to the point of purchase, tickets purchased online or over the phone will be credited back to the card used for the original purchase.

The Rupp Arena box office is open Monday-Friday form 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST.

Kentucky Alumni Game To Be Canceled? Possibly...

Some disappointing news seems to be leaking this evening as Ryan Lemond, co-host on Kentucky Sports Radio radio show with Matt Jones Tweets out that this years UK Alumni Game will be canceled.

I'm not sure as to why, but Ryan wouldn't tweet it unless there was some truth. I'll do some digging to find out more.

But, for now, it looks like there will be NO Alumni Game this season and that makes me sad...

Box-Score From Kentucky's Win Today Over Puerto Rico

Notes From Kentucky's IMPRESSIVE/DOMINATING Win Over Puerto Rico

Kentucky Basketball Postgame Notes
Kentucky 93, Puerto Rico National Team Reserves 57 August 12, 2014
Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium
Team Records, Notes

•   Kentucky improves to 3-0 and 2-0 against the Puerto Rico National Team Reserves on its 2014 exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
  
•   Including a trip to Canada for an exhibition series in 2010, the Wildcats are now 6-0 in exhibition contests in the John Calipari era.
  
•   Assistant coach John Robic served as Kentucky’s head coach in today’s contest.
  
•   The Wildcats return to action on Friday, Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. ET. UK will play the Dominican National
  Team coached by former UK assistant Orlando Antigua. Former Wildcat Eloy Vargas is also expected to suit up for the DRNT.
  
•   UK dished out 21 assists and has combined for 58 assists in the three contests.
  
•   For the third straight contest, at least 10 Kentucky players scored at least one basket. All but one who appeared in the game netted at least two points.
  
•   Kentucky dominated the boards and hauled in 41 for the game. Six different players had three or more snags.
  
•   Entering the contest, UK had combined to shoot 50 percent from the floor. In today’s victory, the Cats utilized a 62 percent shooting clip and charted 15 field goals by way of a dunk. Marcus Lee led the way with a team-high six dunks. Each one of his made field goals came in the form of a jam.
  
•   The Wildcats sunk a Bahamas-tour-high six 3-pointers in today’s game at a 50 percent rate. Sophomore Aaron Harrison hit three triples, while Tod Lanter, Tyler Ulis and Derek Willis also hit from long range.
  
  First Half Facts
  
  •   Kentucky used the starting lineup of Devin Booker, Aaron Harrison, Andrew Harrison, Dakari Johnson and Alex Poythress for the third consecutive outing.
    
  • 
      Kentucky’s first subs off the bench remained the same with the squad of Dominique Hawkins, Marcus Lee, Karl-Anthony Towns, Tyler Ulis and Derek Willis.
    
  • 
      Puerto Rico jumped out to an early 4-0 advantage and kept the game close midway through the opening stanza.
    
  • 
      Poythress ignited a 7-0 UK run behind three offensive rebounds in back-to-back possessions.
    
  • 
      UK held an 18-12 lead at the 10:21 mark and went on a 16-2 overall run following a Willis 3-pointer and then a feed from Hawkins to Willis for an alley-oops dunk to give the Blue and White a 34-14 edge.
    
  • 
      Kentucky led by as many as 22 following consecutive Aaron Harrison 3-pointers from the left wing.
    
  • 
      UK combined for seven first half dunks, with more than half coming in transition.
    
  • 
      Poythress led the way with nine opening half points and six rebounds.
    
  • 
      Andrew Harrison had seven first half points and four assists.
    
  • 
      Karl-Anthony Towns added eight points in first half.
    

Second Half Facts

•   UK began the second half with Hawkins, Lee, Towns, Ulis and Willis in the lineup for the third straight game.
  
• 
    That unit opened the half on a 5-0 run; and has now put together at least a two-possession stretch of points in three straight games to open the second half.
  
•   Lee capped the run with a steal and run out one-handed jam to push UK’s lead to 28.
  
• 
    Kentucky pushed the advantage to 39 following Aaron Harrison’s third made triple of the game at 86-49.
  
• 
    UK earned its largest lead following a Lanter made 3-pointer and an EJ Floreal made layup at 91- 51.
  
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    Lee and Johnson both led all second half scorers with eight points apiece. Johnson also hauled in a squad-best four rebounds after the break.
  
  Individual Notes
  

 Aaron Harrison poured in 12 points paced by a 3-for-4 day behind the arc. o Hauled in three rebounds and added a pair of steals in the win.
o Averaging 10.7 points per game and shooting at a 57 percent clip.

 Andrew Harrison logged nine points and a team-high six assists. o Has four or more assists in all three games.
o Was a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe.

 Dominique Hawkins dished out four assists and added two points and two steals. o Notched six assists in three games.
o Has at least one steal in every game in the Bahamas.

 Marcus Lee totaled 14 points and seven rebounds.
o Made six field goals all by way of a dunk.
o Grabbed two offensive boards and five on the defensive end.
o Shot 86 percent from the floor and is shooting .722 during the Bahamas tour.

 Alex Poythress notched a double-double with team highs in points (15) and rebounds (10). o Scored six points off of dunks.
o Totaled 15 offensive rebounds in three games.
o Has gotten to the free throw line a team-best 16 times.
o Shooting 68 percent from the field.
o Is leading the team in points (13.7) and rebounds (8.0) in the tournament. 

 Karl-Anthony Towns posted 10 points and six rebounds in today’s win.
o Is averaging 13 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the tournament.

 Tyler Ulis scored a tournament personal-best seven points and added four assists.
o Has passed out three or more assists in every contest in the Bahamas.
o Connected on a 3-pointer for the second straight game.
o Also contributed a pair of steals and has four total swipes in three games.

 Derek Willis totaled nine points and five rebounds in the win. o Six points came from dunks.
o Has connected for a 3-pointer in back-to-back games. o Posted at least five rebounds in two straight contests. 

Kentucky vs. Texas Basketball Game Time Set

As a part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, the game time for the Kentucky-Texas contest slated for Friday, Dec. 5 at Rupp Arena, has been set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The Kentucky-Texas contest will mark one of 10 total games in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge for the 2014-15 season.

UK and Texas have met only once before. Kentucky captured an 86-61 win in the 1993 Maui Classic.

2014 SEC/Big 12 Challenge Presented by Sonic

Wednesday, December 3^rd

·         Auburn @ Texas Tech – SEC Network / ESPN3 (9pm ET)

Thursday, December 4^th

·         LSU @ West Virginia – ESPN2 (7pm ET)

·         Baylor @ Vanderbilt – ESPNU (7pm ET)

·         Arkansas @ Iowa State – ESPN2 (9pm ET)

·         TCU @ Ole Miss – ESPNU (9pm ET)

Friday, December 5^th

·         Texas @ Kentucky – ESPN (7pm ET)

·         Florida @ Kansas – ESPN (9pm ET)

·         Missouri @ Oklahoma – ESPNU (9:30pm ET)

Saturday, December 6^th

·         Oklahoma State @ South Carolina – ESPNU (12pm ET)

·         Kansas State @ Tennessee – ESPN2 (3:15pm ET)