Jamal Murray Earns SEC Freshman of The Week

February will forever be a month to remember for freshman Jamal Murray. The sharpshooter averaged 26.4 points per game in eight games during the month and capped it with a 33-point performance at Vanderbilt en route to claiming Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week honors on Monday. It is the fourth such honor of the season for the Kitchener, Ontario native.

Head coach John Calipari has enjoyed a number of prolific players and scorers in his coaching tenure – although, Murray is putting up numbers unlike any other player under Calipari in a long, long time.

Murray enjoyed another spectacular week for the Wildcats who are in the midst of one of the more difficult stretches of the season. He averaged a team-high 28 points per game and added 6.5 rebounds per game in a 1-1 week for the Wildcats. 

Murray opened the week with 23 points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks in a dominating victory over Alabama. He followed that with his third 30-point outing of the season with 33 points at Vanderbilt on 12-of-20 shooting and six made 3-pointers. Murray was electrifying from the start with a Calipari era-best 21 points in the opening stanza. He also added a career-high and team-high nine rebounds. With six made 3-pointers, Murray broke the single-season freshman record for made 3-pointers and that’s not all: 

• It was his third 30-point game of the season, two points shy of his career high

• It was his 14th game this season with at least 20 points, his eighth game in a row. It’s the longest streak since Jodie Meeks had nine consecutive 20-point games in 2008-09

• His 14th 20-point game tied the UK freshman record now shared with Brandon Knight, who had 14 20-point games in 2010-11

• Has 91 3-point field goals this season, breaking the UK freshman record of 87 3-pointers by Knight in 2010-11

• He averaged 26.4 points per game in February, the highest scoring month for a Wildcat since Meeks averaged 28 points per game inJanuary 2009

• Has 27 consecutive double-figure scoring game, the most since Knight had a 28-game double-figure stretch in 2010-11

• He has made at least one 3-point shot in every game this season, the first player in program history to make a triple in each of his first 29 collegiate games

• It’s also a school record for most consecutive games with a 3 to begin a season, regardless of year in school

• It is the second-longest streak in school history, trailing only Tony Delk, who had 32 straight games with a triple

Kentucky leads the league with nine total weekly honors this season. In addition to Murray’s four, sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis has garnered three honors, while freshmen Skal Labissiere and Isaiah Briscoe have both been tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week once this season.

The Wildcats return to the court on Tuesday at Florida. UK takes on the Gators in the final road game of the year at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Kentucky vs. Vanderbilt Final Box-Score

ALL The Information You Need For Coach Cal's Father/Son and Overnight Camps

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

Similar to 2015, both camps will be split into separate sessions in 2016 to accommodate for their recent popularity. The Father/Son Camps will feature three separate opportunities (June 10-11, June 17-18 and June 24-25) and the Overnight Camps will have two separate sessions (June 12-15 and June 19-22).

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. All of the camps listed were sold out the last seven summers, 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 brand-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.

2016 FATHER/SON CAMPS

The first John Calipari Father/Son Camp is scheduled for June 10-11, the second session will be June 17-18 (Father’s Day weekend), and the third session will be the following Friday-Saturday, June 24-25.

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 Coach Calipari, 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.

Cancelation policy: The $100 deposit is non-refundable except in the case of injury, illness or mandatory school event. If a cancelation is made for any other reason, tuition will be refunded less the $100 deposit if the cancelation 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 cancelation of practices due to severe weather. The convenience fee associated with online registration is non-refundable.

2016 OVERNIGHT CAMPS

 

The first John Calipari Overnight Camp is scheduled for June 12-15 and the second session will be June 19-22. 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 Coach Calipari, 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 Coach Calipari, 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.

Cancelation policy: The $200 deposit is non-refundable except in the case of injury, illness or mandatory school event. If a cancelation is made for any other reason, tuition will be refunded less the $200 deposit if the cancelation 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 cancelation of practices due to severe weather. The convenience fee associated with online registration is non-refundable.

Some Notes From Tonights Kentucky vs. Tennessee Game

Kentucky Men’s Basketball Postgame Notes
Tennessee at No. 14 Kentucky  

Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.

Feb. 18, 2016
Attendance: 24,274

Final Score: Kentucky 80, Tennessee 70

Team Records and Series Notes

• Kentucky is now 20-6 on the season. The Wildcats are 10-3 in Southeastern Conference action and are in sole possession of first place in the league standings for the first time this season. 
• UK’s four-game win streak is the longest since opening the season with seven consecutive wins.
• Tennessee is 12-14 overall, 5-8 in SEC play. 
• Kentucky leads the all-time series 152-68.
• Next for the Wildcats: UK plays at Texas A&M on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. EST, televised by ESPN. 

In the First Half

• Kentucky started with the lineup of Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe, Jamal Murray, Derek Willis and Marcus Lee for the fourth straight game.
• Kentucky got its first lead, 11-9, when Jamal Murray hit a 3-pointer with 10:20 left on the clock, extending UK’s streak of 965 games with at least one triple. 
• Murray’s 3-pointer was part of a 15-1 Kentucky run which turned a 9-6 deficit into a 21-10 lead. UK held Tennessee more than nine minutes without a field goal as the Volunteers missed 11 shots during that stretch. 
• The teams battled back-and-forth for the remainder of the opening frame and UK took a 36-30 edge into intermission.
• Kentucky is now 18-3 when owning a halftime advantage. 

In the Second Half

• Ahead 41-35, Kentucky went on a 13-1 run for a 54-36 lead.
• UK eventually built the lead to 22 points at 67-45.
• Tennessee kept battling and got within 12 points at 69-57 but the Wildcats responded with a 7-0 spurt that put the game away.

Team Notes

• Kentucky extended its 35-game home winning streak, second-longest active streak in the nation.  
• Coach John Calipari has the two longest win streaks in Rupp Arena, 55 games and the current stretch of 35.
• UK is 117-4 (.967) at home under Calipari.
• Kentucky has scored at least 76 points in nine straight regular-season SEC games for the first time since the 1995-96 season (12 straight).

• Kentucky made 11 3-pointers. The Wildcats have made at least 10 3s in each of the last four games, the first time since 1993 and the fifth time in school history.
• UK is 5-0 this season (also vs. Louisville) when making double-digit 3s.
• UK held Tennessee to 37.9 percent shooting. UK is 11-0 this season when keeping the opponent under 38 percent from the field.
• This is the 16th-straight game that a Wildcat has scored at least 20 points.
• UK has had five different players score at least 25 in a game this season – Skal Labissiere, Jamal Murray, Alex Poythress, Tyler Ulis and now Derek Willis.
• Calipari has a 655-184 (.781) all-time record, including a 210-44 (.827) mark at Kentucky.

20-Win Seasons

• This is Kentucky’s 60^th season with 20 or more victories, including the eighth year in a row and 25^th time in the last 26 seasons.
• This is Calipari’s 22^nd consecutive 20-win season as a college coach, including seven at Kentucky, nine at Memphis and six at Massachusetts.

Player Notes  

• Freshman Jamal Murray had 28 points and tied his career high for rebounds with nine boards.
• It is his 11^th game this season with at least 20 points, his fifth game in a row.
• It is his 24^th consecutive double-figure scoring game, the most since Brandon Knight had a 28-game double-figure stretch in 2010-11.
• He has made at least one 3-point shot in every game this season, the first player in program history to make a triple in each of his first 26 collegiate games.
• Junior Derek Willis notched a career-high 25 points, 17 of which came in the second half.
• He swished a career-best seven 3-pointers.
• It is his 11^th consecutive game with at least one triple and fifth-straight game with at least two 3-pointers.
• Sophomore Tyler Ulis had 11 points and nine assists.
• He is the first Wildcat in school history with at least four assists in 19 consecutive games (single game assists available since the 1972-73 season).
• Only in his second season at UK, Ulis has become the 16^th player in school history with at least 300 assists. He now has 304.
• Freshman Isaiah Briscoe had five points and 10 rebounds, the second time this season he has claimed double-figure boards.

Kentucky vs. Tennessee OFFICIAL Final Box-Score

Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray Earn Weekly Honors; Again

 Since the start of conference play in early January, there is no better scoring duo in the country in the major conferences than Kentucky’s sophomore Tyler Ulis and freshman Jamal Murray. The duo combined for 53.2 percent of Kentucky’s scoring in dominating victories over Georgia and South Carolina, and for their efforts Ulis was named the Southeastern Conference’s Player of the Week while Murray was tabbed the Freshman of the Week. Ulis was also bestowed as ESPN’s National Player of the Week for his 20.5 points and 10.0 assists per game effort this week.

Ulis earned his third SEC Player of the Week honor, while Murray has now garnered a team-leading three SEC Freshman of the Week honors. Ulis’ ESPN National Player of the Week honor is the team’s first of the season and the first since James Young claimed the honor on Dec. 30, 2013.

With yet another spectacular week – perhaps his finest of the season –Ulis has inserted himself into the national player of the year race. The Chicago native averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 assists and 2.5 steals in leading the Wildcats to a 2-0 week, including a victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks, who were ranked No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll and in a tie with the Wildcats for first place in the SEC heading into Saturday’s game in Columbia, S.C.

Ulis started the week with 14 points, eight assists and three steals in a 34-point victory over Georgia, UK’s biggest win over the Bulldogs since Jan. 29, 1959.

That was just the opening act. 

In a battle of two of the SEC’s three first-place teams and against all sorts of adversity, Ulis was simply dominant. After head coach John Calipari was ejected less than three minutes into the game, the assistant coaching staff gave Ulis the reins of the offense, and he answered with arguably the best game of his career and one of the top individual performances in the SEC this season.

Ulis notched career highs in both points (27) and assists (12) to lead UK to a 27-point win in a hostile environment. He made 7 of 14 field goals – including three as the shot-clock buzzer sounded – was 4 of 8 from behind the arc, and 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Among the achievements Ulis notched following the South Carolina performance:

• Averaging 6.7 assists per game, Ulis is on track to break the UK single-season assists mark set by John Wall in 2009-10
• He ranks first in the SEC in assists per game (6.7) and assist-to-turnover ratio (3.6). He’s 10th nationally in assists per game
• He’s one of only four players in the country averaging at least 16.7 points and at least 6.7 assists per game
• He’s now dished out four or more assists in a school-record 18 straight games
• He’s the first player in school history to have two career games of at least 20 points and at least 10 assists
• He’s now averaging 23.0 points, 8.5 assists and shooting 53.4 percent with a 6.8 assist-to-turnover ratio in UK’s four games vs. ranked opponents (in either the Associated Press Top 25 or USA Today Coaches’ Poll)
• He’s averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game in conference play with a 4.3 assist-to-turnover ratio and a 49.0-percent clip from the floor

He quite simply knows how to put the ball in the basket as indicated by another prolific-scoring performance. Murray averaged a team-high 25.0 points per game in the two dominating victories this week which included 10 made 3-pointers. 

To begin the week, Murray poured in 24 points against the Bulldogs, a game in which he connected on 6 of 10 from 3-point range. He also contributed a pair of steals in UK’s most dominating defensive performance of the season that saw the Wildcats limit the visitors to a mere 22.0-percent shooting clip for the game.

Murray followed that performance with a 26-point output on the road at South Carolina in the team’s most complete win of the season. Murray teamed up with Ulis for 53 of the team’s 89 points (59.6 percent) in the win.

UK’s sharpshooter drained four more shots from long range and has now totaled 76 on the season, which ranks in the top 20 nationally and first in the SEC.

·         Murray leads all SEC freshmen in scoring during league play averaging 21.3 points per game

·         With at least one made 3-point shot in all 25 games this season, Murray tied Darius Miller (2010-11) as the only players to hit at least one 3-pointer in 25 straight games in the John Calipari era

·         Combined with his record-breaking 35-point performance against Florida on Feb. 6, Murray has scored 85 points over a three-game span, the most for any freshman in school history

·         Murray has posted 20 or more points in four consecutive outings, which pushed his season total to 10 on the year. He is just the second freshman in program history to tally 10 or more 20-point games. Brandon Knight, in 2010-11, owns the record with 14 20-point outputs

·          In eight of his last 10 games, Murray has knocked down three or more 3-pointers, including games of eight, six and four over his last three

·         Knight owns the single-season record of made 3-pointers for a freshman at 87, and Murray is only 11 made 3-pointers away from matching that mark. Murray needs just 24 more made 3-pointers to become only the third player in program history to hit 100 or more in a season 

·         Averaging 3.04 made 3-pointers a game, Murray is on pace to break Jodie Meeks’ school record of 117 made 3-pointers in a season. Should UK play in a full 40 games this season and Murray averaged 3.04 made 3-pointers a game, he would finish with 121 made 3-pointers on the year

Kentucky leads the league with eight total weekly honors this season. In addition to Murray’s and Ulis’ six total accolades, freshmen Skal Labissiere and Isaiah Briscoe have both been tabbed SEC Freshman of the Week once this season.

The Wildcats return to the court on Thursday in Rupp Arena. UK welcomes Tennessee for a 7 p.m. ET tilt, which will air live on ESPN.

Ulis and Murray Named To Naismith Trophy Midseason List

Making up arguably the nation’s best backcourt in the country, Kentucky guards Tyler Ulis and Jamal Murray have been named to the Naismith Trophy Midseason List by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.

Kentucky is one of just six players with two players on the midseason list.

Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, founder of the game of basketball, the Naismith Trophy is awarded annually to the women's and men's college basketball players of the year. First awarded in 1969 to UCLA's Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Naismith Trophy was sculpted by Marty C. Dawe of Atlanta and has become one of the most prestigious national honors awarded each year to the top women's and men's college basketball players in the nation.

Each year, the Atlanta Tipoff Club's board of selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country, vote on player performance to ultimately select the winners.

The midseason list usually includes 30 players, but 35 are on this year’s list because of ties in the balloting.

Ulis, who was named to the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 list on Wednesday, has had a spectacular sophomore season in leading Kentucky to an 18-6 record and 8-3 mark in the Southeastern Conference. 

The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 16.2 points, a team-best 6.4 assists per game – which ranks second in the SEC – and boasts an SEC-best 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s scored 20 or more points in nine of his last 13 games, averaging 19.5 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 50.6 percent over that stretch.

The Chicago native is the only player in the SEC averaging at least 16.0 points and 6.4 assists or better. He is one of just five players nationally to achieve that feat (Kahil Felder, Oakland; Kris Dunn, Providence; Juan’Ya Green, Hofstra; Denzel Valentine, Michigan State;) and the lone underclassman.

With 20 points and five assists at Tennessee, Ulis has posted 10 games this season with at least 20 points and at least five assists in the same game, the most by a Wildcat in any season since 1972-73.

Ulis’ value is probably best represented by his performances in Kentucky’s biggest games. He’s averaging a team-best 21.7 points and a team-high 7.3 assists in UK’s three games vs. ranked opponents. He shot 54.5 percent with a 5.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in those games.

He is also only the second player at UK since 1972-73 (the first year UK has full game-by-game assist numbers for) with have at least four assists in 17 consecutive games in a single season. Roger Harden also did it 17 times.

Murray is proving to be one of the most prolific scorers in the country. Averaging 18.5 points per game, he ranks fourth in the SEC in scoring and fifth nationally among all freshmen. If the season ended today, Murray would finish with the highest scoring average in the John Calipari era at Kentucky. Brandon Knight, in 2010-11, ended the season at 17.3 points per game.

The Kitchener, Ontario native is shooting 40.2 percent from behind the arc, seventh in the SEC, and is hitting 3.0 3-point field goals per game, ranked third in the league. He has made a 3-point field goal in all 24 games this season, the only player in program history to do that to start a career, and he’s the first UK player since Darius Miller (2010-11) to make a trey in 24 straight games.

Murray has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, including 22 straight. The last player to score in double figures in that many consecutive games was Brandon Knight in 2010-11.

Among Murray’s biggest scoring outputs this season include a 35-point outing against Florida and a 33-point afternoon vs. Ohio State. His 35 points vs. Florida tied Terrence Jones (Jan. 11, 2011 vs. Auburn) for the single-game school record scoring mark by a freshman. It also tied Jones for the most points in a single game in the Calipari era. He’s the only freshman in school history with two 30-point games in a season.

Poythress Named Academic All-District

 Kentucky senior men’s basketball player Alex Poythress has been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Team and is eligible to earn Academic All-America honors. 

The CoSIDA Academic All-District teams recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. First Team Academic All-District honorees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-America ballot where First, Second, and Third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

Poythress’ honor is the first of his career. The Clarksville, Tenn., native graduated in just three years with a degree in business marketing. He earned a 3.517 undergraduate grade-point average and is now pursuing a master’s of science in kinesiology and health promotion with an emphasis on sport leadership. He finished his first semester of grad school with a 4.0 GPA.

He has appeared on the SEC Academic Honor Roll during every year of college. He is also a two-time Arthur Ashe, Jr., Sports Scholar and has been named to the Athletic Director’s honor roll three times, which honors the student-athlete with the highest GPA of his team.

In addition to the CoSIDA honor, Poythress was tabbed as one of 30 candidates for the Senior CLASS Award honoring students who excel on the court, in the classroom and in the community.

Poythress is averaging 10.0 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game for the 18-6 Wildcats during his final season at Kentucky. He recently became just the 15th player in program history to amass more than 800 points, 500 rebounds and 70 blocks in his career.  

He has appeared in more than 100 career games and made 54 starts. Poythress’ career averages included 8.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

Poythress is seeking to become the first Kentucky men’s basketball player since Mark Pope in 1995 to earn Academic All-America honors. Pope was a third-team selection that season. Kentucky has garnered 12 all-time honors by 10 different players since 1966. Former greats Louie Dampier and Bob Guyette are two-time Academic All-Americans.

Some Notes From Last Nights Pounding Of Georgia

Kentucky Men’s Basketball Postgame Notes
Georgia at No. 22/21 Kentucky

Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.

Feb. 9, 2016
Attendance: 22,136

Final Score: Kentucky 82, Georgia 48

Team Records and Series Notes

• Kentucky is now 18-6 on the season, 8-3 in Southeastern Conference action. Georgia is 13-9 overall, 6-5 in league play. 
• Kentucky leads the all-time series 120-26 and has won five in a row.
• Next for the Wildcats: UK plays at South Carolina on Saturday at noon. 

In the First Half

• Kentucky started with the lineup of Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Briscoe, Jamal Murray, Derek Willis and Marcus Lee for the second straight game.
• Willis broke a 4-4 tie with a 3-pointer, extending Kentucky’s streak of 963 consecutive games with at least one long ball, and giving the Wildcats a lead they never relinquished.
• UK scored on 10 of its first 13 possessions en route to a 24-13 lead in the first eight minutes.
• The Bulldogs moved within 24-18 as the Wildcats went cold, not scoring for more than six minutes until a Skal Labissiere follow dunk. 
• Georgia went the last 13 ½ minutes of the half without a field goal, missing its last 17 shots of the opening period, but staying in the game with free throws.
• Ahead 28-22, UK closed the half on a 14-2 run for a 42-24 halftime lead.
• Kentucky is now 16-3 when owning a halftime advantage. 

In the Second Half

• Kentucky scored the first 10 points of the second half, extending its run to 24-2.
• Georgia’s field goal drought continued until Charles Mann tallied a layup with 15:40 on the clock.  Georgia went 17:57 between field goals, missing 22 shots in that span.

Team Notes

• UK limited Georgia to 48 points, the Wildcats’ best defensive performance of the season. 
• UK is 129-5 (.963) under Calipari when holding the opponent to 63 or fewer points. 
• UK is 62-0 under Coach Cal when limiting opponents to 55 or fewer.
• Georgia shot 22 percent from the field. The last time UK held an opponent under 30 percent was vs. West Virginia (24.1 percent) in the 2015 NCAA Tournament. 
• Kentucky shot 51.8 percent from the field.  It is the 13th time this season, and fifth time in the last six games, that the Wildcats have made at least 50 percent from the field.
• Kentucky had only seven turnovers, just one shy of its season low. UK won points off TOs 15-2.

• Calipari has a 653-184 (.780) all-time record, including a 208-44 (.825) mark at Kentucky.
• Calipari is 116-4 (.967) in Rupp Arena. Calipari has the two longest win streaks in Rupp Arena history – 54 and the current streak of 34.

Player Notes  

• Freshman Jamal Murray had 24 points, including 6-of-10 on 3-point shots.
• It is his ninth game this season with at least 20 points.
• It is his 22^nd consecutive double-figure scoring game.
• He has made at least one 3-point shot in every game this season, the first player in program history to make a triple in each of his first 24 collegiate games.
• His 24 consecutive games with a made 3-pointer are the most since Darius Miller made at least one from long range in 25 consecutive games during the 2010-11 season.
• Sophomore Tyler Ulis had 14 points and eight assists.
• He is the first Wildcat with at least four assists in 17 consecutive games since Roger Harden had 17 straight games in the 1985-86 season.
• Junior Derek Willis notched 11 points. It is his eighth double-figure scoring game of the season.
• Junior Marcus Lee had four points and two rebounds. 
• Lee made both field goal attempts tonight and is 7-on-7 over the last four games.
• Freshman Skal Labissiere had six points and led the Wildcats with seven rebounds. It is the first time this season he has led the team in rebounding.

Tyler Ulis Named To Late Season Wooden Award Top 20 List

Kentucky men’s basketball sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis is one of 20 players on the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 list, announced Wednesday by the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The Wooden Award is presented annually to the top player in college basketball.

The players on the list are considered strong candidates for Wooden Award, though a player does not have to be on the preseason, midseason or late season list to win the award. Fifteen top players who have proven to their universities that they are also making progress toward graduation and maintaining at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA will be submitted to the voters on the ballot prior to the NCAA Tournament.

Voters are permitted to take into consideration the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament when casting the ballot. The 10-man Wooden Award All-American Team will be announced the week of the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament, and the 40th annual presentation of the award will be the anchor presentation of the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show, which will take place the weekend of April 7-9.

Ulis has had a spectacular sophomore season in leading Kentucky to an 18-6 record and 8-3 mark in the Southeastern Conference. He’s one of two SEC players on the list.

The 5-foot-9 guard is averaging 16.2 points, a team-best 6.4 assists per game – which ranks second in the SEC – and boasts an SEC-best 3.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. He’s scored 20 or more points in nine of his last 13 games, averaging 19.5 points and 7.3 assists while shooting 50.6 percent over that stretch.

The Chicago native is the only player in the SEC averaging at least 16.0 points and 6.4 assists or better. He is one of just five players nationally to achieve that feat (Kahil Felder, Oakland; Kris Dunn, Providence; Juan’Ya Green, Hofstra; Denzel Valentine, Michigan State;) and the lone underclassman.

With 20 points and five assists at Tennessee, Ulis has posted 10 games this season with at least 20 points and at least five assists in the same game, the most by a Wildcat in any season since 1972-73.

Ulis’ value is probably best represented by his performances in Kentucky’s biggest games. He’s averaging a team-best 21.7 points and a team-high 7.3 assists in UK’s three games vs. ranked opponents. He shot 54.5 percent with a 5.5 assist-to-turnover ratio in those games.

He is also only the second player at UK since 1972-73 (the first year UK has full game-by-game assist numbers for) with have at least four assists in 17 consecutive games in a single season. Roger Harden also did it 17 times.

Created in 1976, the Wooden Award is bestowed upon the nation’s best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his or her university that he or she is making progress toward graduation while maintaining a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA. The unique Wooden Award trophy is presented to a man and woman each year. Previous winners include such notables as Larry Bird (‘79), Michael Jordan (‘84), Tim Duncan (‘97), Candace Parker (‘07 and ‘08), Kevin Durant (‘09), Maya Moore (‘09 and ‘11), Trey Burke (‘13) and Doug McDermott (‘14).