This post is meant simply to list the most important accomplishments of this incredibly special team. I'll be adding to it.
TEAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (our 8th title, won by five different coaches)
FINISHED #1 IN BOTH MAJOR POLLS (stayed #1 the final 8 weeks of the season)
PERFECT 16-0 IN SEC (only third time in history - all by UK)
CONTINUED NATION'S LONGEST HOME WINNING STREAK (currently 52 games)
WON 24 CONSECUTIVE GAMES
NCAA RECORD FOR TEAM BLOCKED SHOTS (335 in a single season)
INDIVIDUAL HONORS
ANTHONY DAVIS - NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR (our first ever AP, Naismith or Wooden winner)
ANTHONY DAVIS - FINAL FOUR MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST - NCAA TOURNAMENT SOUTH REGION MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER
ANTHONY DAVIS - SEC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ANTHONY DAVIS, MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST - ALL-SEC FIRST TEAM
INDIVIDUAL RECORDS
ANTHONY DAVIS - NCAA FRESHMAN RECORD FOR BLOCKED SHOTS (186 - also our new single-season school record)
ANTHONY DAVIS - UK FRESHMAN RECORD FOR REBOUNDS (415)
DARIUS MILLER, TERRENCE JONES, DORON LAMB - ALL JOINED 1000-POINT CLUB
DARIUS MILLER - MOST GAMES PLAYED IN UK HISTORY (152 in his career)
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Kentucky's "easiest" run to the title game?
For any diehard UK fan, this has been a (Ryan?) harrowing, but extremely rewarding NCAA Tournament to follow. We endured three interminable waits before three awkward (in the case of WKU) or bitter (IU and UofL) rivalry games. In between, we battled two Big 12 opponents which presented differing strategic challenges.
However, if you believe what Cal says (that the team doesn't really care about the rivalry pressure), then this has arguably been UK's easiest road to the title game since their very first one in 1948. I wouldn't necessarily make that argument myself, for two main reasons:
1) More games now (1948/49 - 2 wins needed to reach title, 1951/58/66 - 3, 1975/78 - 4)
2) Regardless of what Cal says, I think the enormous fan pressure carries over to the team, and the IU and UofL games were absolutely draining experiences for all involved.
Still, from a purely objective perspective, the fact remains that this is UK's first title game appearance since 1948 (when the AP Poll didn't exist yet) without having to beat a top-5 opponent. You may also dispute the validity of the polls (which I often do), and teams like 2012 Louisville clearly can catch fire and play at a level above that which their rankings would indicate. On the flip side, Kansas may have faced a highly-ranked UNC team, but without Kendall Marshall that ranking (and seed) were essentially meaningless. Let's make a list anyway, shall we?
UK's Roads to the Title Game, Past and Present (rankings are final AP poll):
1948 - Columbia, Holy Cross
1949 - #14 Villanova, #4 Illinois
1951 - Louisville, #9 St. John's, #5 Illinois
1958 - Miami OH, #8 Notre Dame, #5 Temple
1966 - #19 Dayton, #9 Michigan, #2 Duke
1975 - #10 Marquette, C Michigan, #1 Indiana, #6 Syracuse
1978 - #15 FSU, #19 Miami OH, #4 Michigan State, #5 Arkansas
1996 - SJSU, #16 Va. Tech, #10 Utah, #13 Wake Forest, #1 UMass
1997 - Montana, Iowa, #12 St. Joseph's, #2 Utah, #3 Minnesota
1998 - SC State, St. Louis, #19 UCLA, #3 Duke, #10 Stanford
2012 - WKU, Iowa St., #16 Indiana, #9 Baylor, #17 Louisville
Using this (admittedly) heavily flawed approach, it seems like the toughest years were:
1) 1975 - three top-10 teams (including an undefeated IU squad)
2) 1978 - four ranked teams, two top-5 teams
3) 1997 - two top-3 teams
However, if you believe what Cal says (that the team doesn't really care about the rivalry pressure), then this has arguably been UK's easiest road to the title game since their very first one in 1948. I wouldn't necessarily make that argument myself, for two main reasons:
1) More games now (1948/49 - 2 wins needed to reach title, 1951/58/66 - 3, 1975/78 - 4)
2) Regardless of what Cal says, I think the enormous fan pressure carries over to the team, and the IU and UofL games were absolutely draining experiences for all involved.
Still, from a purely objective perspective, the fact remains that this is UK's first title game appearance since 1948 (when the AP Poll didn't exist yet) without having to beat a top-5 opponent. You may also dispute the validity of the polls (which I often do), and teams like 2012 Louisville clearly can catch fire and play at a level above that which their rankings would indicate. On the flip side, Kansas may have faced a highly-ranked UNC team, but without Kendall Marshall that ranking (and seed) were essentially meaningless. Let's make a list anyway, shall we?
UK's Roads to the Title Game, Past and Present (rankings are final AP poll):
1948 - Columbia, Holy Cross
1949 - #14 Villanova, #4 Illinois
1951 - Louisville, #9 St. John's, #5 Illinois
1958 - Miami OH, #8 Notre Dame, #5 Temple
1966 - #19 Dayton, #9 Michigan, #2 Duke
1975 - #10 Marquette, C Michigan, #1 Indiana, #6 Syracuse
1978 - #15 FSU, #19 Miami OH, #4 Michigan State, #5 Arkansas
1996 - SJSU, #16 Va. Tech, #10 Utah, #13 Wake Forest, #1 UMass
1997 - Montana, Iowa, #12 St. Joseph's, #2 Utah, #3 Minnesota
1998 - SC State, St. Louis, #19 UCLA, #3 Duke, #10 Stanford
2012 - WKU, Iowa St., #16 Indiana, #9 Baylor, #17 Louisville
Using this (admittedly) heavily flawed approach, it seems like the toughest years were:
1) 1975 - three top-10 teams (including an undefeated IU squad)
2) 1978 - four ranked teams, two top-5 teams
3) 1997 - two top-3 teams
Monday, March 26, 2012
Kentucky's history in Final Four games
(updated through 2016)
UK has reached 17 Final Fours. Like every other important statistical measure, this one places UK high on the national list - behind only UNC and UCLA. Let's take a look at UK's results in national semifinals and title games.
Semifinals: UK is 12-5 (70.6%)
Wins: Holy Cross (1948), Illinois (1949 and 1951), Temple (1958), Duke (1966), Syracuse (1975), Arkansas (1978), UMass (1996), Minnesota (1997), Stanford (1998), Louisville (2012), Wisconsin (2014)
Losses: Dartmouth (1942), Georgetown (1984), Michigan (1993), UConn (2011), Wisconsin (2015)
In the seeded era: 5-4 (55.6%)
As a #1 seed: 3-3 (50%) - won in 96, 97 and 12; lost in 84, 93 and 15
Note: UK has only played one team seeded lower than #3 in a national semifinal - 4-seeded Louisville in 2012.
All-time semifinal team:
C Bill Spivey - 28 points in '51
F Alex Groza - 50 points combined in '48 and '49
F Jack Givens - 47 points combined in '75 and '78
G Jeff Sheppard - 27 points in '98
G Louie Dampier - 23 points in '66
Honorable mention - Anthony Davis - 18 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks in 2012
National title games: UK is 8-4 (67%)
Wins: Baylor (48), Oklahoma State (49), Kansas State (51), Seattle (58), Duke (78), Syracuse (96), Utah (98), Kansas (12)
Losses: UTEP (66), UCLA (75), Arizona (97), UConn (14)
In the seeded era: 3-2 (60%)
As a #1 seed: 2-1 (67%)
Note: In the seeded era, UK has met a 7 seed (UConn), two 4s (Syracuse and Arizona), a 3 (Utah) and a 2 (Kansas).
All-time title team:
C Bill Spivey - 22 points in '51
F Alex Groza - 25 points in '49
F Jack Givens - 41 points in '78
G Tony Delk - 24 points in '96
G Vernon Hatton - 30 points in '58
Honorable mention: James Young with 20 points and 7 boards in the loss to UConn, Anthony Davis had 6/16/6 against Kansas, Doron Lamb had 22 points.
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
UK has reached 17 Final Fours. Like every other important statistical measure, this one places UK high on the national list - behind only UNC and UCLA. Let's take a look at UK's results in national semifinals and title games.
Semifinals: UK is 12-5 (70.6%)
Wins: Holy Cross (1948), Illinois (1949 and 1951), Temple (1958), Duke (1966), Syracuse (1975), Arkansas (1978), UMass (1996), Minnesota (1997), Stanford (1998), Louisville (2012), Wisconsin (2014)
Losses: Dartmouth (1942), Georgetown (1984), Michigan (1993), UConn (2011), Wisconsin (2015)
In the seeded era: 5-4 (55.6%)
As a #1 seed: 3-3 (50%) - won in 96, 97 and 12; lost in 84, 93 and 15
Note: UK has only played one team seeded lower than #3 in a national semifinal - 4-seeded Louisville in 2012.
All-time semifinal team:
C Bill Spivey - 28 points in '51
F Alex Groza - 50 points combined in '48 and '49
F Jack Givens - 47 points combined in '75 and '78
G Jeff Sheppard - 27 points in '98
G Louie Dampier - 23 points in '66
Honorable mention - Anthony Davis - 18 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks in 2012
National title games: UK is 8-4 (67%)
Wins: Baylor (48), Oklahoma State (49), Kansas State (51), Seattle (58), Duke (78), Syracuse (96), Utah (98), Kansas (12)
Losses: UTEP (66), UCLA (75), Arizona (97), UConn (14)
In the seeded era: 3-2 (60%)
As a #1 seed: 2-1 (67%)
Note: In the seeded era, UK has met a 7 seed (UConn), two 4s (Syracuse and Arizona), a 3 (Utah) and a 2 (Kansas).
All-time title team:
C Bill Spivey - 22 points in '51
F Alex Groza - 25 points in '49
F Jack Givens - 41 points in '78
G Tony Delk - 24 points in '96
G Vernon Hatton - 30 points in '58
Honorable mention: James Young with 20 points and 7 boards in the loss to UConn, Anthony Davis had 6/16/6 against Kansas, Doron Lamb had 22 points.
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
12 Coaching Matchups in UK/UofL Rivalry History
(updated through 2016)
UK and UofL are both storied programs (though of course, the former more than the latter). They both have had success under multiple head coaches.
The biggest names are as follows...
For UK:
Adolph Rupp (6 Final Fours, 4 NCAA titles)
Joe B. Hall (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
Rick Pitino (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
Tubby Smith (1 Final Four, 1 NCAA title)
John Calipari (4 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
For UofL:
Bernard "Peck" Hickman (1 Final Four)
Denny Crum (6 Final Fours, 2 NCAA titles)
Rick Pitino (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
There have been twelve different coaching matchups in the rivalry's history. Here's the rundown....
UK's John Tigert vs. UofL's Von Wolther: 1-0 (1913)
UK's Alpha Brumage vs. player-coached UofL squad: 3-1 (1914, 1915)
UK's James Park vs. UofL's Ed Bowman: 1-1 (1916)
UK's George Buchheit vs. UofL's John O'Rourke: 2-0 (1922)
UK's Adolph Rupp vs. UofL's Peck Hickman: 2-1 (1948, 1951, 1959)
UK's Joe B. Hall vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 2-2 (1983, 1984)
UK's Eddie Sutton vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 3-1 (1985-1988)
UK's Rick Pitino vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 6-2 (1989-1996)
UK's Tubby Smith vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 2-2 (1997-2001)
UK's Tubby Smith vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 4-2 (2001-2006)
UK's Billy Gillispie vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 0-2 (2008, 2009)
UK's John Calipari vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 8-2 (2010-2016)
As you can see, only one matchup in the history of the rivalry (Gillispie vs. Pitino) went in favor of the Cardinals.
Overall records for coaches with multiple matchups in the rivalry
Rick Pitino: 12-14 (6-2 for UK, 6-12 for UofL)
Denny Crum: 7-13 (all with UofL)
Tubby Smith: 6-2 (all with UK)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
UK and UofL are both storied programs (though of course, the former more than the latter). They both have had success under multiple head coaches.
The biggest names are as follows...
For UK:
Adolph Rupp (6 Final Fours, 4 NCAA titles)
Joe B. Hall (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
Rick Pitino (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
Tubby Smith (1 Final Four, 1 NCAA title)
John Calipari (4 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
For UofL:
Bernard "Peck" Hickman (1 Final Four)
Denny Crum (6 Final Fours, 2 NCAA titles)
Rick Pitino (3 Final Fours, 1 NCAA title)
There have been twelve different coaching matchups in the rivalry's history. Here's the rundown....
UK's John Tigert vs. UofL's Von Wolther: 1-0 (1913)
UK's Alpha Brumage vs. player-coached UofL squad: 3-1 (1914, 1915)
UK's James Park vs. UofL's Ed Bowman: 1-1 (1916)
UK's George Buchheit vs. UofL's John O'Rourke: 2-0 (1922)
UK's Adolph Rupp vs. UofL's Peck Hickman: 2-1 (1948, 1951, 1959)
UK's Joe B. Hall vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 2-2 (1983, 1984)
UK's Eddie Sutton vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 3-1 (1985-1988)
UK's Rick Pitino vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 6-2 (1989-1996)
UK's Tubby Smith vs. UofL's Denny Crum: 2-2 (1997-2001)
UK's Tubby Smith vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 4-2 (2001-2006)
UK's Billy Gillispie vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 0-2 (2008, 2009)
UK's John Calipari vs. UofL's Rick Pitino: 8-2 (2010-2016)
As you can see, only one matchup in the history of the rivalry (Gillispie vs. Pitino) went in favor of the Cardinals.
Overall records for coaches with multiple matchups in the rivalry
Rick Pitino: 12-14 (6-2 for UK, 6-12 for UofL)
Denny Crum: 7-13 (all with UofL)
Tubby Smith: 6-2 (all with UK)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
Saturday, March 24, 2012
UK's sweet win over IU, by the numbers
A few notes on the most intriguing numbers from our Sweet 16 triumph:
1) 102 points scored:
- most for UK in regulation of an NCAA tournament game since 1996 (110 in first round versus San Jose State)
- most for UK in regulation of a Sweet 16 or later matchup since 1993 (106 in Elite 8 versus Florida State)
- the record for UK in tournament games: 113 (vs. Mt. St. Mary's in 1995)
- the record for UK in any game: 143 (vs. Georgia in 1956)
2) 90 points allowed:
- most for UK opponent in regulation of an NCAA tournament game since 1992 (98 in second round by Iowa State)
- most for UK opponent in regulation of ANY game since 2009 (102 in early-season OOC game by Sam Houston State)
- the record for an opponent in a tournament game: 107 (by Western Kentucky in 1971 - UK lost 107-83)
- the record for an opponent in any game: 150 (by Kansas in 1989 - UK lost 150-95)
3) 192 points combined:
- most in regulation of any UK NCAA tournament game since 1992 (204 in 106-98 win over Iowa State)
- most in regulation of any UK game of ANY sort since 2009 (194 in 102-92 win over Sam Houston State)
- the record for a tournament game: 208 (109-99 UK win over Notre Dame in 1970)
- the record for any game: 245 (150-95 UK loss against Kansas in 1989)
4) Only 14 combined turnovers (6 by UK, 8 by IU) in spite of the breakneck pace:
- UK and its opponents actually played equally clean games, or even more so, a few times this year.
- However, it was the fewest combined turnovers I could find in any UK NCAA tournament game dating back to at least the mid-1980s. It might be a record.
5) UK hit 35 of 37 free throws, for an astonishing 95% as a team.
- By now you probably already know this is an NCAA tournament record percentage for any team with 35+ attempts.
- In addition, UK has not attempted so many free throws since the infamous referee-challenged UofL game earlier this season.
- UK has not MADE so many free throws in ANY game since a December, 1987 win over Cincinnati (also hit 35, out of 41). And the last time they made more was against Auburn all the way back in 1981 (36 of 49).
6) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, as part of his superb all-around game, hit a perfect 10 of 10 from the line.
- The last time a UK player shot 10 or more free throws in a game, and made them all, was also against IU: Brandon Knight 12/11/10, in an 81-62 victory at Rupp. He made 10 of 10 as well.
1) 102 points scored:
- most for UK in regulation of an NCAA tournament game since 1996 (110 in first round versus San Jose State)
- most for UK in regulation of a Sweet 16 or later matchup since 1993 (106 in Elite 8 versus Florida State)
- the record for UK in tournament games: 113 (vs. Mt. St. Mary's in 1995)
- the record for UK in any game: 143 (vs. Georgia in 1956)
2) 90 points allowed:
- most for UK opponent in regulation of an NCAA tournament game since 1992 (98 in second round by Iowa State)
- most for UK opponent in regulation of ANY game since 2009 (102 in early-season OOC game by Sam Houston State)
- the record for an opponent in a tournament game: 107 (by Western Kentucky in 1971 - UK lost 107-83)
- the record for an opponent in any game: 150 (by Kansas in 1989 - UK lost 150-95)
3) 192 points combined:
- most in regulation of any UK NCAA tournament game since 1992 (204 in 106-98 win over Iowa State)
- most in regulation of any UK game of ANY sort since 2009 (194 in 102-92 win over Sam Houston State)
- the record for a tournament game: 208 (109-99 UK win over Notre Dame in 1970)
- the record for any game: 245 (150-95 UK loss against Kansas in 1989)
4) Only 14 combined turnovers (6 by UK, 8 by IU) in spite of the breakneck pace:
- UK and its opponents actually played equally clean games, or even more so, a few times this year.
- However, it was the fewest combined turnovers I could find in any UK NCAA tournament game dating back to at least the mid-1980s. It might be a record.
5) UK hit 35 of 37 free throws, for an astonishing 95% as a team.
- By now you probably already know this is an NCAA tournament record percentage for any team with 35+ attempts.
- In addition, UK has not attempted so many free throws since the infamous referee-challenged UofL game earlier this season.
- UK has not MADE so many free throws in ANY game since a December, 1987 win over Cincinnati (also hit 35, out of 41). And the last time they made more was against Auburn all the way back in 1981 (36 of 49).
6) Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, as part of his superb all-around game, hit a perfect 10 of 10 from the line.
- The last time a UK player shot 10 or more free throws in a game, and made them all, was also against IU: Brandon Knight 12/11/10, in an 81-62 victory at Rupp. He made 10 of 10 as well.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Helms Titles for North Carolina? Kansas? UK?
(updated through 2016)
If you want more information on the Helms Foundation, the easiest place to start for a simple explanation is the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helms_Athletic_Foundation
To briefly summarize, a bunch of people got together in 1936 and decided to retroactively award national titles to basketball and football teams, back to 1901 and 1883 respectively. They then continued to award titles until they dissolved in 1982, in spite of the fact that the NCAA was already doing so in a more official capacity beginning in 1939.
The main reason it's a big deal is because Kansas and North Carolina actually like to get ahead by claiming their Helms titles. Kentucky, meanwhile, was also awarded a couple Helms titles but only claims its official NCAA banners.
Here are a couple lists I compiled, showing that UK would be perfectly happy to count Helms (but they don't bother)...
Official NCAA list:
1) UCLA - 11
2) UK - 8
3) UNC - 5
3) IU - 5
3) DUKE - 5
6) UCONN - 4
7) KU - 3
7) UofL - 3
With Helms titles added (and years added in parentheses):
1) UCLA - 11
2) UK - 10 (1933, 1954)
3) UNC - 6 (1924)
4) KU - 5 (1922, 1923)
4) IU - 5
4) DUKE - 5
7) UCONN - 4
7) WISCONSIN - 4 (1912, 1914, 1916)
9) LOUISVILLE - 3
9) SYRACUSE - 3 (1918, 1926)
9) COLUMBIA - 3 (1904, 1905, 1910)
9) CHICAGO - 3 (1907, 1908, 1909)
The biggest beneficiaries would be Wisconsin, Syracuse, Columbia and Chicago, which otherwise receive no major attention as top historical basketball programs. Of course Kansas would also jump a couple rungs on the ladder of blue bloods, and UNC would break its tie with IU and Duke.
If you want more information on the Helms Foundation, the easiest place to start for a simple explanation is the Wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helms_Athletic_Foundation
To briefly summarize, a bunch of people got together in 1936 and decided to retroactively award national titles to basketball and football teams, back to 1901 and 1883 respectively. They then continued to award titles until they dissolved in 1982, in spite of the fact that the NCAA was already doing so in a more official capacity beginning in 1939.
The main reason it's a big deal is because Kansas and North Carolina actually like to get ahead by claiming their Helms titles. Kentucky, meanwhile, was also awarded a couple Helms titles but only claims its official NCAA banners.
Here are a couple lists I compiled, showing that UK would be perfectly happy to count Helms (but they don't bother)...
Official NCAA list:
1) UCLA - 11
2) UK - 8
3) UNC - 5
3) IU - 5
3) DUKE - 5
6) UCONN - 4
7) KU - 3
7) UofL - 3
With Helms titles added (and years added in parentheses):
1) UCLA - 11
2) UK - 10 (1933, 1954)
3) UNC - 6 (1924)
4) KU - 5 (1922, 1923)
4) IU - 5
4) DUKE - 5
7) UCONN - 4
7) WISCONSIN - 4 (1912, 1914, 1916)
9) LOUISVILLE - 3
9) SYRACUSE - 3 (1918, 1926)
9) COLUMBIA - 3 (1904, 1905, 1910)
9) CHICAGO - 3 (1907, 1908, 1909)
The biggest beneficiaries would be Wisconsin, Syracuse, Columbia and Chicago, which otherwise receive no major attention as top historical basketball programs. Of course Kansas would also jump a couple rungs on the ladder of blue bloods, and UNC would break its tie with IU and Duke.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Undefeated seasons in SEC men's basketball history
Updated through 2016
There have been a total of 24 undefeated regular seasons in the history of SEC men's basketball (1932-33 to now). No surprise, Kentucky owns 15 of them.
1933 Kentucky = 8-0
1934 Kentucky = 11-0
1935 Kentucky = 11-0
1935 LSU = 12-0 (also "national champions" although they only had to win 1 game for it)
1937 Georgia Tech = 10-0
1938 Kentucky = 6-0
1944 Georgia Tech = 2-0
1944 Tulane = 4-0
1946 LSU = 8-0
1946 Kentucky = 6-0
1947 Kentucky = 11-0
1948 Kentucky = 9-0
1949 Kentucky = 13-0
1951 Kentucky = 14-0
1952 Kentucky = 14-0
1953 LSU = 13-0
1954 LSU = 14-0
1954 Kentucky = 14-0
1956 Alabama = 14-0
1996 Kentucky = 16-0
2003 Kentucky = 16-0
2012 Kentucky = 16-0
2014 Florida = 18-0
2015 Kentucky = 18-0
Among those 24 teams, only 9 went on to also win the SEC tournament and complete a truly perfect conference season. It's important to note that four teams (1953 LSU, 1954 LSU, 1954 Kentucky, 1956 Alabama) didn't get to play in a tournament because league tournaments weren't held from 1953 through 1978. So to be truly accurate, 9 of 20 possible teams have completed the entire gauntlet.
Here are the seven clean SEC sweeps:
1933 Kentucky = 12-0
1946 Kentucky = 10-0
1947 Kentucky = 15-0
1948 Kentucky = 13-0
1949 Kentucky = 17-0
1952 Kentucky = 18-0
2003 Kentucky = 19-0
2014 Florida = 21-0
2015 Kentucky = 21-0
There have been a total of 24 undefeated regular seasons in the history of SEC men's basketball (1932-33 to now). No surprise, Kentucky owns 15 of them.
1933 Kentucky = 8-0
1934 Kentucky = 11-0
1935 Kentucky = 11-0
1935 LSU = 12-0 (also "national champions" although they only had to win 1 game for it)
1937 Georgia Tech = 10-0
1938 Kentucky = 6-0
1944 Georgia Tech = 2-0
1944 Tulane = 4-0
1946 LSU = 8-0
1946 Kentucky = 6-0
1947 Kentucky = 11-0
1948 Kentucky = 9-0
1949 Kentucky = 13-0
1951 Kentucky = 14-0
1952 Kentucky = 14-0
1953 LSU = 13-0
1954 LSU = 14-0
1954 Kentucky = 14-0
1956 Alabama = 14-0
1996 Kentucky = 16-0
2003 Kentucky = 16-0
2012 Kentucky = 16-0
2014 Florida = 18-0
2015 Kentucky = 18-0
Among those 24 teams, only 9 went on to also win the SEC tournament and complete a truly perfect conference season. It's important to note that four teams (1953 LSU, 1954 LSU, 1954 Kentucky, 1956 Alabama) didn't get to play in a tournament because league tournaments weren't held from 1953 through 1978. So to be truly accurate, 9 of 20 possible teams have completed the entire gauntlet.
Here are the seven clean SEC sweeps:
1933 Kentucky = 12-0
1946 Kentucky = 10-0
1947 Kentucky = 15-0
1948 Kentucky = 13-0
1949 Kentucky = 17-0
1952 Kentucky = 18-0
2003 Kentucky = 19-0
2014 Florida = 21-0
2015 Kentucky = 21-0
UK has won 22 straight overall, 22 straight against SEC teams
The NCAA record for most consecutive conference victories (counting both regular season and tournament) is owned by Kentucky - 64 straight from 1945 to 1950.
The current team owns a 22-game streak against the SEC - the final three games of 2011, the three games of the 2011 SEC tournament, and the 16 regular season games this year.
Here are the top streaks in SEC history:
1) UK 1945-1950 = 64 straight
2) UK 1952-1955 = 34
3) UK 1950-1951 = 29
4) LSU 1953-1954 = 27 (bookended by losses to UK)
5) UK 1995-1996 = 26
6) UK 1932-1934 = 23
7) Current streak = 22
8) UK 2003-2004 = 21
The current team owns a 22-game streak against the SEC - the final three games of 2011, the three games of the 2011 SEC tournament, and the 16 regular season games this year.
Here are the top streaks in SEC history:
1) UK 1945-1950 = 64 straight
2) UK 1952-1955 = 34
3) UK 1950-1951 = 29
4) LSU 1953-1954 = 27 (bookended by losses to UK)
5) UK 1995-1996 = 26
6) UK 1932-1934 = 23
7) Current streak = 22
8) UK 2003-2004 = 21
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Most impressive regular season run at the top since...?
Being #1 obviously puts a target on your back, and this UK team has withstood the pressure unlike many in recent seasons. This week, UK will remain #1 for the 7th consecutive AP poll.
Over the last few years, a number of teams have put together equal or better streaks:
2005-06 Duke = preseason #1, plus 10 additional weeks
2007-08 UNC = preseason #1, plus 10 additional weeks
2008-09 UNC = preseason #1, plus 7 additional weeks
2009-10 KU = preseason #1, plus 8 additional weeks
2010-11 Duke = preseason #1, plus 9 additional weeks
The obvious caveat here: all of the above streaks began at the season's outset, when it's arguably easier to retain the #1 ranking against an often-shoddy non-conference schedule. Sure you might be tested in an early-season tournament or in-state rivalry game, but you won't be challenged as consistently as you are during the conference schedule.
Therefore, I think you have to go back to 2004-05 to find a run at the top more striking than this Kentucky team. That year's Illinois team stayed at #1 for a remarkable 15 weeks through the heart of the season, before going on to lose in the national title game.
Over the last few years, a number of teams have put together equal or better streaks:
2005-06 Duke = preseason #1, plus 10 additional weeks
2007-08 UNC = preseason #1, plus 10 additional weeks
2008-09 UNC = preseason #1, plus 7 additional weeks
2009-10 KU = preseason #1, plus 8 additional weeks
2010-11 Duke = preseason #1, plus 9 additional weeks
The obvious caveat here: all of the above streaks began at the season's outset, when it's arguably easier to retain the #1 ranking against an often-shoddy non-conference schedule. Sure you might be tested in an early-season tournament or in-state rivalry game, but you won't be challenged as consistently as you are during the conference schedule.
Therefore, I think you have to go back to 2004-05 to find a run at the top more striking than this Kentucky team. That year's Illinois team stayed at #1 for a remarkable 15 weeks through the heart of the season, before going on to lose in the national title game.
Congrats to the Cats: First set of objectives complete
1) First 30-win regular season in Kentucky history.
2) Third 16-0 SEC team of all-time (all by UK teams - 1996, 2003, 2012).
3) This team's streak of 22 straight wins is the sixth-longest single-season winning streak in UK history (record is 27), and the eighth-longest overall (including those spanning multiple seasons, record is 32).
4) Will remain #1 in the AP poll for the seventh straight week (UK's longest streak since 11 consecutive weeks during the 1977-78 season).
2) Third 16-0 SEC team of all-time (all by UK teams - 1996, 2003, 2012).
3) This team's streak of 22 straight wins is the sixth-longest single-season winning streak in UK history (record is 27), and the eighth-longest overall (including those spanning multiple seasons, record is 32).
4) Will remain #1 in the AP poll for the seventh straight week (UK's longest streak since 11 consecutive weeks during the 1977-78 season).
Friday, March 2, 2012
Bombs Away on Senior Day
1) UK hit 15 of 27 three-point field goal attempts last night in their 79-49 destruction of hapless Georgia.
In that sense, it was almost a throwback game to the Pitino era, because:
- only once has a Cal team hit 15+ threes (15/33 against ETSU in the 2010 NCAA First Round)
- neither of Gillispie's squads hit 15+
- only once did a Tubby team ever hit 15+ (16/32 against Tulane in Freedom Hall, 2002)
...but Pitino's teams, due to a combination of strategy and (at times in the earlier years) desperation, were flinging up massive numbers from behind the arc.
The overall team record: 21 made threes (out of 48) in a 1989 loss to North Carolina
The most recent date with more than 15: January 2nd, 2002 against Tulane (16 of 32)
The Senior Day record: 20 made threes (out of 35) in the 1995 obliteration (127-80) of LSU
2) Darius Miller hit 5 of 9 three-point attempts in his final game in Rupp Arena.
This was 1 away from his career high of 6 made threes against South Carolina in 2011.
The overall record for any UK player: 10 made threes (out of 15) by Jodie Meeks at UT in 2009
The most recent date with more than 6: December 22nd, 2010 against Winthrop (Lamb hit 7 of 8)
The Senior Day record: 6 made threes (out of 8) by Tony Delk in the same LSU beatdown from 1995
3) Six different Wildcats hit threes - even Anthony Davis!
Miller had 5, Lamb and Wiltjer 3 each, Teague 2, Davis and MKG one each.
Our Cats have actually topped this a fair number of times in history.
The overall record for any UK team: 9 players made a total of 16 threes against Tulane 1/2/02 (Prince, Hawkins, Fitch, Bogans, Carruth, Carrier, Hayes, Estill, Heissenbuttel)
The most recent date with more than 6: the same 2002 Tulane game
The Senior Day record: 7 different players, twice (3/4/95 vs LSU, 3/2/91 vs Auburn)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
In that sense, it was almost a throwback game to the Pitino era, because:
- only once has a Cal team hit 15+ threes (15/33 against ETSU in the 2010 NCAA First Round)
- neither of Gillispie's squads hit 15+
- only once did a Tubby team ever hit 15+ (16/32 against Tulane in Freedom Hall, 2002)
...but Pitino's teams, due to a combination of strategy and (at times in the earlier years) desperation, were flinging up massive numbers from behind the arc.
The overall team record: 21 made threes (out of 48) in a 1989 loss to North Carolina
The most recent date with more than 15: January 2nd, 2002 against Tulane (16 of 32)
The Senior Day record: 20 made threes (out of 35) in the 1995 obliteration (127-80) of LSU
2) Darius Miller hit 5 of 9 three-point attempts in his final game in Rupp Arena.
This was 1 away from his career high of 6 made threes against South Carolina in 2011.
The overall record for any UK player: 10 made threes (out of 15) by Jodie Meeks at UT in 2009
The most recent date with more than 6: December 22nd, 2010 against Winthrop (Lamb hit 7 of 8)
The Senior Day record: 6 made threes (out of 8) by Tony Delk in the same LSU beatdown from 1995
3) Six different Wildcats hit threes - even Anthony Davis!
Miller had 5, Lamb and Wiltjer 3 each, Teague 2, Davis and MKG one each.
Our Cats have actually topped this a fair number of times in history.
The overall record for any UK team: 9 players made a total of 16 threes against Tulane 1/2/02 (Prince, Hawkins, Fitch, Bogans, Carruth, Carrier, Hayes, Estill, Heissenbuttel)
The most recent date with more than 6: the same 2002 Tulane game
The Senior Day record: 7 different players, twice (3/4/95 vs LSU, 3/2/91 vs Auburn)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Kentucky could win SEC by record-tying number of games
UK has already clinched its 45th regular season SEC title. Now it's just a question of "by how much?"
If they finish 16-0, it will be only the third time any SEC team has done that. The first two were also Wildcat teams, in 1996 and 2003.
If UK wins its final two games, AND Vanderbilt loses its final game on the road at Tennessee (a decent chance of that), UK would win the whole SEC by a 6-game margin.
But that wouldn't be unprecedented. It would only tie the 1996 team, which not only won the SEC by 6 games over eventual national semifinalist Mississippi State, but also won the East by a whopping 7 games over the 9-7 Georgia Bulldogs.
Largest league-winning margins in SEC divisional play (since 1991-92 season):
1) 1996 Kentucky (16-0) - 6 games
2) 2003 Kentucky (16-0) - 4 games
3) 2007 Florida (13-3) - 3 games
3) 2009 LSU (13-3) - 3 games
Largest division-winning margins in SEC divisional play:
1) 1996 Kentucky (16-0) - 7 games
2) 2004 Mississippi State (14-2) - 6 games
3) 1995 Kentucky (14-2) - 5 games
3) 1999 Auburn (14-2) - 5 games
If they finish 16-0, it will be only the third time any SEC team has done that. The first two were also Wildcat teams, in 1996 and 2003.
If UK wins its final two games, AND Vanderbilt loses its final game on the road at Tennessee (a decent chance of that), UK would win the whole SEC by a 6-game margin.
But that wouldn't be unprecedented. It would only tie the 1996 team, which not only won the SEC by 6 games over eventual national semifinalist Mississippi State, but also won the East by a whopping 7 games over the 9-7 Georgia Bulldogs.
Largest league-winning margins in SEC divisional play (since 1991-92 season):
1) 1996 Kentucky (16-0) - 6 games
2) 2003 Kentucky (16-0) - 4 games
3) 2007 Florida (13-3) - 3 games
3) 2009 LSU (13-3) - 3 games
Largest division-winning margins in SEC divisional play:
1) 1996 Kentucky (16-0) - 7 games
2) 2004 Mississippi State (14-2) - 6 games
3) 1995 Kentucky (14-2) - 5 games
3) 1999 Auburn (14-2) - 5 games
Rating the conferences by median Basketball Power Index
ESPN's new BPI, or Basketball Power Index, is more comprehensive and logical than the established RPI, or Ratings Percentage Index. I have immediately adopted it as a preferred measure.
As with any index, if you want to examine pools of teams against one another, especially to compare conferences, you want to compare median rather than mean. This gives you an indication of how difficult an average game is for any team in that conference.
It paints a slightly surprising picture:
1) Big 12 - median BPI 28 - much better than mean, shows that most game nights are no cakewalk in the 2012 version of this league
2) Big Ten - median BPI 47 - everyone knows this is a strong league, no surprise here
3) Big East - median BPI 59.5 - also ranked third in mean BPI and mean RPI
4) ACC - median BPI 63 - better than they fare in mean BPI
5) SEC - median BPI 77 - worse than they rate in mean BPI
6) Pac-12 - median BPI 78 - much better than their mean BPI
6) Atlantic 10 - median BPI 78 - much better than their mean BPI
8) MWC - median BPI 80 - worse than their ranking for mean BPI
9) MVC - median BPI 106 - as expected
10) WCC - median BPI 146 - as expected
In some ways, the SEC performed better in this year's nonconference games than would've been expected. However, the overall rigor of the league is still roughly on a plane with the Pac-12, A-10 and MWC. As always, the NCAA tournament will provide us with much more data for assessment of each league's strength.
As with any index, if you want to examine pools of teams against one another, especially to compare conferences, you want to compare median rather than mean. This gives you an indication of how difficult an average game is for any team in that conference.
It paints a slightly surprising picture:
1) Big 12 - median BPI 28 - much better than mean, shows that most game nights are no cakewalk in the 2012 version of this league
2) Big Ten - median BPI 47 - everyone knows this is a strong league, no surprise here
3) Big East - median BPI 59.5 - also ranked third in mean BPI and mean RPI
4) ACC - median BPI 63 - better than they fare in mean BPI
5) SEC - median BPI 77 - worse than they rate in mean BPI
6) Pac-12 - median BPI 78 - much better than their mean BPI
6) Atlantic 10 - median BPI 78 - much better than their mean BPI
8) MWC - median BPI 80 - worse than their ranking for mean BPI
9) MVC - median BPI 106 - as expected
10) WCC - median BPI 146 - as expected
In some ways, the SEC performed better in this year's nonconference games than would've been expected. However, the overall rigor of the league is still roughly on a plane with the Pac-12, A-10 and MWC. As always, the NCAA tournament will provide us with much more data for assessment of each league's strength.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Kentucky's records on Senior Day
This Thursday, the University of Kentucky will honor Darius Miller and Eloy Vargas, and then face the Georgia Bulldogs.
In the 108 final home games of each previous season, UK is 93-15 (86.1%).
In the 78 final home games since UK joined the SEC, UK is an absurd 74-4 (94.9%).
In fact, UK won on 30 straight Senior Days (1933 through 1963, no season in 1952-53), and then topped that by winning on 32 straight Senior Days (1965 through 1996).
The vast majority of matchups have been with conference opponents, and among those teams, only Arkansas has never been scheduled on Senior Day.
With all that winning, the losses really stand out in your memory. Who can forget the 1997 disappointment against Eddie Fogler's Gamecocks, allowing South Carolina to steal the regular season crown? Or the 2009 loss to Georgia, which probably sealed Billy Gillispie's fate?
UK's most common opponents on Senior Day and their record against them:
Vanderbilt: 24-1
Tennessee: 13-1
Auburn: 7-0
Florida: 6-1
Mississippi State: 5-0
Centre: 4-1
Xavier: 4-0
Alabama: 4-0
LSU: 4-0
Georgia Tech: 4-0
Georgetown College: 3-1
Georgia: 3-1
UK's largest margins of victory on Senior Day:
1) +62, 2003 against Vanderbilt (106-44)
2) +47, 1995 against LSU (127-80)
3) +43, 1955 against Tennessee (104-61)
3) +43, 1946 against Xavier (83-40)
5) +39, 1974 against MSU (108-69)
6) +38, 1996 against Vanderbilt (101-63)
7) +37, 1947 against Georgia Tech (83-46)
8) +36, 1954 against Vanderbilt (100-64)
9) +35, 1972 against Auburn (102-67)
10) +33, 1949 against Vanderbilt (70-37)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
In the 108 final home games of each previous season, UK is 93-15 (86.1%).
In the 78 final home games since UK joined the SEC, UK is an absurd 74-4 (94.9%).
In fact, UK won on 30 straight Senior Days (1933 through 1963, no season in 1952-53), and then topped that by winning on 32 straight Senior Days (1965 through 1996).
The vast majority of matchups have been with conference opponents, and among those teams, only Arkansas has never been scheduled on Senior Day.
With all that winning, the losses really stand out in your memory. Who can forget the 1997 disappointment against Eddie Fogler's Gamecocks, allowing South Carolina to steal the regular season crown? Or the 2009 loss to Georgia, which probably sealed Billy Gillispie's fate?
UK's most common opponents on Senior Day and their record against them:
Vanderbilt: 24-1
Tennessee: 13-1
Auburn: 7-0
Florida: 6-1
Mississippi State: 5-0
Centre: 4-1
Xavier: 4-0
Alabama: 4-0
LSU: 4-0
Georgia Tech: 4-0
Georgetown College: 3-1
Georgia: 3-1
UK's largest margins of victory on Senior Day:
1) +62, 2003 against Vanderbilt (106-44)
2) +47, 1995 against LSU (127-80)
3) +43, 1955 against Tennessee (104-61)
3) +43, 1946 against Xavier (83-40)
5) +39, 1974 against MSU (108-69)
6) +38, 1996 against Vanderbilt (101-63)
7) +37, 1947 against Georgia Tech (83-46)
8) +36, 1954 against Vanderbilt (100-64)
9) +35, 1972 against Auburn (102-67)
10) +33, 1949 against Vanderbilt (70-37)
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
The most efficient stat collectors in UK history
Since Anthony Davis is filling up the stat sheet every night, I wanted to see what the best statistical seasons were. I calculated this one by simply adding all the positive stats (points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocked shots) and dividing by minutes played.
Some issues here:
1) There are more advanced measures out there (taking into account pace, etc.)
2) Before 1979-80, no steals or blocked shots stats are available
3) Before 1962, no minutes played data are available
So we'll have to look at it by era.
Since 1980:
1) Demarcus Cousins 2009-10 = 1.223 stats per minute. 29th best scoring year in UK history and 8th best rebounding.
2) Jamal Mashburn 1992-93 = 1.071 per minute. 8th best scoring year in UK history.
3) Jamal Mashburn 1991-92 = 1.010 per minute. 3rd best scoring year in UK history.
4) Randolph Morris 2006-07 = 1.006 per minute. 9th best blocked shots year in UK history.
5) Anthony Davis 2011-12 = 0.996 per minute. Already the #1 shot blocking season in UK history.
6) Kenny Walker 1984-85 = 0.993 per minute. 9th best scoring year in UK history.
1962-79:
1) Dan Issel 1969-70 = 1.299 per minute. Top scoring season, 9th best rebounding season. Achieved highest per-minute stat collecting rate without even having steals or blocked shots accounted for.
2) Dan Issel 1968-69 = 1.106 per minute. 4th best scoring, 6th best rebounding season.
3) Cotton Nash 1963-64 = 0.989 per minute. 13th in points, 22nd in rebounds.
4) Kevin Grevey 1974-75 = 0.974 per minute. 5th in points.
5) Jim Andrews 1971-72 = 0.971 per minute. 22nd in points, 24th in rebounds.
Prior to 1962:
Because there are no data for minutes played, I won't bother to list these numerically. But the top three, in some order, would be:
Bill Spivey 1950-51
Cliff Hagan 1951-52
Cliff Hagan 1953-54
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
Some issues here:
1) There are more advanced measures out there (taking into account pace, etc.)
2) Before 1979-80, no steals or blocked shots stats are available
3) Before 1962, no minutes played data are available
So we'll have to look at it by era.
Since 1980:
1) Demarcus Cousins 2009-10 = 1.223 stats per minute. 29th best scoring year in UK history and 8th best rebounding.
2) Jamal Mashburn 1992-93 = 1.071 per minute. 8th best scoring year in UK history.
3) Jamal Mashburn 1991-92 = 1.010 per minute. 3rd best scoring year in UK history.
4) Randolph Morris 2006-07 = 1.006 per minute. 9th best blocked shots year in UK history.
5) Anthony Davis 2011-12 = 0.996 per minute. Already the #1 shot blocking season in UK history.
6) Kenny Walker 1984-85 = 0.993 per minute. 9th best scoring year in UK history.
1962-79:
1) Dan Issel 1969-70 = 1.299 per minute. Top scoring season, 9th best rebounding season. Achieved highest per-minute stat collecting rate without even having steals or blocked shots accounted for.
2) Dan Issel 1968-69 = 1.106 per minute. 4th best scoring, 6th best rebounding season.
3) Cotton Nash 1963-64 = 0.989 per minute. 13th in points, 22nd in rebounds.
4) Kevin Grevey 1974-75 = 0.974 per minute. 5th in points.
5) Jim Andrews 1971-72 = 0.971 per minute. 22nd in points, 24th in rebounds.
Prior to 1962:
Because there are no data for minutes played, I won't bother to list these numerically. But the top three, in some order, would be:
Bill Spivey 1950-51
Cliff Hagan 1951-52
Cliff Hagan 1953-54
Among other websites consulted, one of my main sources for this and many other posts is the peerless UK resource (and probably the best site of its kind for any sports team) known as "The Kentucky Basketball Statistics Project" operated by Jon Scott. Available at http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html
Updates on Miller, Davis, Jones, Lamb in UK career rankings
Here are a number of statistical categories where current Wildcats are climbing the career rankings - some in just their first year on the team. Along with the current ranking, I also listed where they will likely finish this season in the rankings.
Blocks:
Anthony Davis - 10th - likely to finish 5th
Terrence Jones - 14th - likely to finish 11th
Darius Miller - 18th
Scoring:
Darius Miller - 46th (one of 58 in the 1000-point club) - likely to finish 38th
Terrence Jones - 70th - likely to reach 1000 points and finish 55th
Doron Lamb - 74th - likely to finish 64th
Rebounds:
Terrence Jones - 47th - likely to finish 30th
Assists:
Darius Miller - 29th - likely to finish 23rd
Steals:
Darius Miller - 29th - likely to finish 27th
Terrence Jones - 43rd - likely to finish 39th
Made 3's:
Darius Miller - 10th
Doron Lamb - 21st - likely to finish 18th
Blocks:
Anthony Davis - 10th - likely to finish 5th
Terrence Jones - 14th - likely to finish 11th
Darius Miller - 18th
Scoring:
Darius Miller - 46th (one of 58 in the 1000-point club) - likely to finish 38th
Terrence Jones - 70th - likely to reach 1000 points and finish 55th
Doron Lamb - 74th - likely to finish 64th
Rebounds:
Terrence Jones - 47th - likely to finish 30th
Assists:
Darius Miller - 29th - likely to finish 23rd
Steals:
Darius Miller - 29th - likely to finish 27th
Terrence Jones - 43rd - likely to finish 39th
Made 3's:
Darius Miller - 10th
Doron Lamb - 21st - likely to finish 18th
Who are the top scorers in Kentucky basketball history?
Here are the top ten cumulative scorers in UK history:
1) DAN ISSEL - 2138
2) KENNY WALKER - 2080
3) JACK GIVENS - 2038
4) KEITH BOGANS - 1923
5) TONY DELK - 1890
6) JAMAL MASHBURN - 1843
7) KEVIN GREVEY - 1801
8) TAYSHAUN PRINCE - 1775
9) COTTON NASH - 1770
10) ALEX GROZA - 1744
And the top ten per-game AVERAGES:
1) DAN ISSEL (1st in total scoring) - 25.8 points per game from 1967-68 through 1969-70 (only played 3 seasons)
2) COTTON NASH (9th in total scoring) - 22.7 points per game from 1961-62 through 1963-64 (only played 3 seasons)
3) KEVIN GREVEY (7th in total scoring) - 21.4 points per game from 1972-73 through 1974-75 (only played 3 seasons)
4) BOB BURROW (56th in total scoring) - 20.1 points per game from 1954-55 through 1955-56 (only played 2 seasons)
5) JAMAL MURRAY (102nd in total scoring) - 20.0 points per game in 2015-2016 (only played 1 season)
6) LOUIE DAMPIER (12th in total scoring) - 19.7 points per game from 1964-65 through 1966-67 (only played 3 seasons)
7) BILL SPIVEY (39th in total scoring) - 19.3 points per game from 1949-50 through 1950-51 (only played 2 seasons)
8) CLIFF HAGAN (17th in total scoring) - 19.2 points per game from 1950-51 through 1953-54 (only played 3 seasons)
9) JAMAL MASHBURN (6th in total scoring) - 18.8 points per game from 1990-91 through 1992-93 (only played 3 seasons)
10) MIKE CASEY (14th in total scoring) - 18.7 points per game from 1967-68 through 1970-71 (only played 3 seasons)
Interestingly, there has been a shift in the scoring trends at UK lately. Notice that eight of the top ten scoring averages are from before 1980?
Only four players since 1980 have finished their UK careers with an average of 17 points per game or higher:
Rex Chapman (17.6 ppg)
Jamal Mashburn (18.8 ppg)
Brandon Knight (17.3 ppg)
Jamal Murray (20.0 ppg)
In spite of the trend since 1980 of lower "star" scoring averages for UK teams, we might see the second player in two years to break into the top 10 - Malik Monk!
1) DAN ISSEL - 2138
2) KENNY WALKER - 2080
3) JACK GIVENS - 2038
4) KEITH BOGANS - 1923
5) TONY DELK - 1890
6) JAMAL MASHBURN - 1843
7) KEVIN GREVEY - 1801
8) TAYSHAUN PRINCE - 1775
9) COTTON NASH - 1770
10) ALEX GROZA - 1744
And the top ten per-game AVERAGES:
1) DAN ISSEL (1st in total scoring) - 25.8 points per game from 1967-68 through 1969-70 (only played 3 seasons)
2) COTTON NASH (9th in total scoring) - 22.7 points per game from 1961-62 through 1963-64 (only played 3 seasons)
3) KEVIN GREVEY (7th in total scoring) - 21.4 points per game from 1972-73 through 1974-75 (only played 3 seasons)
4) BOB BURROW (56th in total scoring) - 20.1 points per game from 1954-55 through 1955-56 (only played 2 seasons)
5) JAMAL MURRAY (102nd in total scoring) - 20.0 points per game in 2015-2016 (only played 1 season)
6) LOUIE DAMPIER (12th in total scoring) - 19.7 points per game from 1964-65 through 1966-67 (only played 3 seasons)
7) BILL SPIVEY (39th in total scoring) - 19.3 points per game from 1949-50 through 1950-51 (only played 2 seasons)
8) CLIFF HAGAN (17th in total scoring) - 19.2 points per game from 1950-51 through 1953-54 (only played 3 seasons)
9) JAMAL MASHBURN (6th in total scoring) - 18.8 points per game from 1990-91 through 1992-93 (only played 3 seasons)
10) MIKE CASEY (14th in total scoring) - 18.7 points per game from 1967-68 through 1970-71 (only played 3 seasons)
Interestingly, there has been a shift in the scoring trends at UK lately. Notice that eight of the top ten scoring averages are from before 1980?
Only four players since 1980 have finished their UK careers with an average of 17 points per game or higher:
Rex Chapman (17.6 ppg)
Jamal Mashburn (18.8 ppg)
Brandon Knight (17.3 ppg)
Jamal Murray (20.0 ppg)
In spite of the trend since 1980 of lower "star" scoring averages for UK teams, we might see the second player in two years to break into the top 10 - Malik Monk!
What are the best jersey numbers in UK basketball history?
Here are what I consider to be the top jersey numbers in UK men's basketball.
#44 - One 2000-point scorer (Dan Issel), Three 1000-point scorers (Cotton Nash, Chuck Hayes, Bill Lickert)
#34 - One 2000-point scorer (Kenny Walker), Three 1000-point scorers (Mike Casey, John Pelphrey, Scott Padgett)
#12 - Four 1000-point scorers (Ralph Beard, Deron Feldhaus, Rodrick Rhodes, Tom Parker)
#15 - Three 1000-point scorers (Alex Groza, Ed Davender, Jeff Sheppard) plus DeMarcus Cousins (575)
#10 - Three 1000-point scorers (Louie Dampier, Keith Bogans, Dirk Minniefield) plus James Blackmon (866)
#4 - Three 1000-point scorers (Kyle Macy, Gerald Fitch, Derrick Miller) plus Rajon Rondo (654)
#3 - Three 1000-point scorers (Rex Chapman, Ramel Bradley, Terrence Jones) plus Allen Edwards (819)
#20 - Three 1000-point scorers (Jimmy Dan Conner, Jim Master, Doron Lamb)
#21 - One 2000-point scorer (Jack Givens), one 1000-point scorer (Tayshaun Prince)
Then there are a lot of jerseys with two 1000-point scorers each:
#24 - Johnny Cox, Jamal Mashburn...plus Antoine Walker (806), Kelenna Azubuike (970)
#25 - Winston Bennett, Jim Line...plus Anthony Epps (811)
#32 - Joe Crawford, Derrick Hord...plus Jared Prickett (998), James Lee (996), Richie Farmer (898)
#33 - Ron Mercer, Randolph Morris
#35 - Kevin Grevey, Reggie Hanson...plus future AD C.M. Newton
#42 - Pat Riley, Jamaal Magloire
#54 - Melvin Turpin, Patrick Patterson
#55 - Mike Phillips, Jim Andrews
And some other solid numbers with only one...
#6 - Cliff Hagan
#22 - Only Mike Pratt reached 1000, but Patrick Sparks (714) and Alex Poythress (966) wore the number too
#23 - Only Jodie Meeks reached 1000, but Derek Anderson (674), Anthony Davis (567) and Jamal Murray (720) wore the number too
#27 - Wallace Jones
#30 - Only Frank Ramsey reached 1000, but Julius Randle (599) wore the number too
#31 - Only Sam Bowie reached 1000, but good ol' Joe B. Hall also wore it (never scored in 3 games)
#50 - Only Bob Burrow reached 1000, but Marquis Estill (936) wore the number too
#52 - Vernon Hatton
#53 - Rick Robey
#77 - Bill Spivey
#44 - One 2000-point scorer (Dan Issel), Three 1000-point scorers (Cotton Nash, Chuck Hayes, Bill Lickert)
#34 - One 2000-point scorer (Kenny Walker), Three 1000-point scorers (Mike Casey, John Pelphrey, Scott Padgett)
#12 - Four 1000-point scorers (Ralph Beard, Deron Feldhaus, Rodrick Rhodes, Tom Parker)
#15 - Three 1000-point scorers (Alex Groza, Ed Davender, Jeff Sheppard) plus DeMarcus Cousins (575)
#10 - Three 1000-point scorers (Louie Dampier, Keith Bogans, Dirk Minniefield) plus James Blackmon (866)
#4 - Three 1000-point scorers (Kyle Macy, Gerald Fitch, Derrick Miller) plus Rajon Rondo (654)
#3 - Three 1000-point scorers (Rex Chapman, Ramel Bradley, Terrence Jones) plus Allen Edwards (819)
#20 - Three 1000-point scorers (Jimmy Dan Conner, Jim Master, Doron Lamb)
#21 - One 2000-point scorer (Jack Givens), one 1000-point scorer (Tayshaun Prince)
Then there are a lot of jerseys with two 1000-point scorers each:
#24 - Johnny Cox, Jamal Mashburn...plus Antoine Walker (806), Kelenna Azubuike (970)
#25 - Winston Bennett, Jim Line...plus Anthony Epps (811)
#32 - Joe Crawford, Derrick Hord...plus Jared Prickett (998), James Lee (996), Richie Farmer (898)
#33 - Ron Mercer, Randolph Morris
#35 - Kevin Grevey, Reggie Hanson...plus future AD C.M. Newton
#42 - Pat Riley, Jamaal Magloire
#54 - Melvin Turpin, Patrick Patterson
#55 - Mike Phillips, Jim Andrews
And some other solid numbers with only one...
#6 - Cliff Hagan
#22 - Only Mike Pratt reached 1000, but Patrick Sparks (714) and Alex Poythress (966) wore the number too
#23 - Only Jodie Meeks reached 1000, but Derek Anderson (674), Anthony Davis (567) and Jamal Murray (720) wore the number too
#27 - Wallace Jones
#30 - Only Frank Ramsey reached 1000, but Julius Randle (599) wore the number too
#31 - Only Sam Bowie reached 1000, but good ol' Joe B. Hall also wore it (never scored in 3 games)
#50 - Only Bob Burrow reached 1000, but Marquis Estill (936) wore the number too
#52 - Vernon Hatton
#53 - Rick Robey
#77 - Bill Spivey
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Southeastern Conference Title history
Updated through the 2012 SEC Tournament.
Here are some random stats and facts concerning SEC titles through the years.
The first SEC basketball season was 1932-33. Tulane, Georgia Tech and Sewanee were among the 13 original members. Those three eventually left (in 1966, 1964 and 1940 respectively). In 1991-92, Arkansas and South Carolina joined to make it a 12 team league split into two divisions. Now, it's a 14-team league with no divisions.
This is the 81st regular season of SEC basketball.
Here are the regular season title winners (including shared titles):
Kentucky - 45
LSU - 11
Alabama, Tennessee - 8
Mississippi State - 6
Florida - 5
Vanderbilt - 3
Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech - 2
Georgia, South Carolina, Tulane - 1
Ole Miss, Sewanee - 0
So altogether, Kentucky has 45, and the rest of the SEC 50.
SEC regular season titles with sole possession:
Kentucky - 35
LSU, Alabama - 6
Mississippi State - 4
Tennessee, Florida - 3
Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Auburn - 2
Georgia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina - 1
Tulane, Ole Miss - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has 35, and the rest of the SEC 31.
SEC East Division Titles (including shared titles) - note that the divisions no longer exist...
Kentucky - 13
Florida, Tennessee - 5
South Carolina - 2
Vanderbilt, Georgia - 1
Altogether, Kentucky has 13 East Division titles, and the rest of the division 14.
SEC East Division Titles with sole possession:
Kentucky - 9
Tennessee - 3
Florida, Vanderbilt, South Carolina - 1
Georgia - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has sole possession of 9 East titles, and the rest of the division 6.
Just for the heck of it, the West Division titles:
MSU - 7 (4 unshared)
Ole Miss - 5 (3 unshared)
Arkansas, LSU - 4 (both have 3 unshared)
Alabama - 3 (2 unshared)
Auburn - 1 (1 unshared)
I certainly wouldn't have recalled Ole Miss having that level of success...
SEC Tournament championships (note that there have only been 52 tournaments in 79 seasons)
Kentucky - 27
Alabama - 6
Tennessee - 4
Mississippi State, Florida, Georgia - 3 (one of Georgia's is UK's forfeited 1988 title)
Vanderbilt - 2
Georgia Tech, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas - 1
South Carolina, Sewanee, Tulane - 0
Altogether, UK has 27 tournament titles, and the rest of the SEC 26.
Double-title years (won the regular season and the tournament)
Kentucky - 15 (12 unshared regular season titles, 3 shared titles)
Florida, Alabama - 1 (Florida in 2007, Alabama in 1987, both were unshared)
Kentucky accomplished the triple crown, with the NCAA title, in 1948, 1949, and 1998.
Based on all-time success within conference regular season and tournament play, here are the rankings:
1) Kentucky - 72 combined titles
2) Alabama - 14
3) LSU, Tennessee - 12
5) MSU - 9
6) UF - 8
7) Vanderbilt - 5
8) Georgia - 4
9) Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech - 3
12) Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tulane - 1
15) Sewanee - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has 72 titles, and the rest of the SEC 75.
Here are some random stats and facts concerning SEC titles through the years.
The first SEC basketball season was 1932-33. Tulane, Georgia Tech and Sewanee were among the 13 original members. Those three eventually left (in 1966, 1964 and 1940 respectively). In 1991-92, Arkansas and South Carolina joined to make it a 12 team league split into two divisions. Now, it's a 14-team league with no divisions.
This is the 81st regular season of SEC basketball.
Here are the regular season title winners (including shared titles):
Kentucky - 45
LSU - 11
Alabama, Tennessee - 8
Mississippi State - 6
Florida - 5
Vanderbilt - 3
Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech - 2
Georgia, South Carolina, Tulane - 1
Ole Miss, Sewanee - 0
So altogether, Kentucky has 45, and the rest of the SEC 50.
SEC regular season titles with sole possession:
Kentucky - 35
LSU, Alabama - 6
Mississippi State - 4
Tennessee, Florida - 3
Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Auburn - 2
Georgia Tech, Georgia, South Carolina - 1
Tulane, Ole Miss - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has 35, and the rest of the SEC 31.
SEC East Division Titles (including shared titles) - note that the divisions no longer exist...
Kentucky - 13
Florida, Tennessee - 5
South Carolina - 2
Vanderbilt, Georgia - 1
Altogether, Kentucky has 13 East Division titles, and the rest of the division 14.
SEC East Division Titles with sole possession:
Kentucky - 9
Tennessee - 3
Florida, Vanderbilt, South Carolina - 1
Georgia - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has sole possession of 9 East titles, and the rest of the division 6.
Just for the heck of it, the West Division titles:
MSU - 7 (4 unshared)
Ole Miss - 5 (3 unshared)
Arkansas, LSU - 4 (both have 3 unshared)
Alabama - 3 (2 unshared)
Auburn - 1 (1 unshared)
I certainly wouldn't have recalled Ole Miss having that level of success...
SEC Tournament championships (note that there have only been 52 tournaments in 79 seasons)
Kentucky - 27
Alabama - 6
Tennessee - 4
Mississippi State, Florida, Georgia - 3 (one of Georgia's is UK's forfeited 1988 title)
Vanderbilt - 2
Georgia Tech, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas - 1
South Carolina, Sewanee, Tulane - 0
Altogether, UK has 27 tournament titles, and the rest of the SEC 26.
Double-title years (won the regular season and the tournament)
Kentucky - 15 (12 unshared regular season titles, 3 shared titles)
Florida, Alabama - 1 (Florida in 2007, Alabama in 1987, both were unshared)
Kentucky accomplished the triple crown, with the NCAA title, in 1948, 1949, and 1998.
Based on all-time success within conference regular season and tournament play, here are the rankings:
1) Kentucky - 72 combined titles
2) Alabama - 14
3) LSU, Tennessee - 12
5) MSU - 9
6) UF - 8
7) Vanderbilt - 5
8) Georgia - 4
9) Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia Tech - 3
12) Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tulane - 1
15) Sewanee - 0
Altogether, Kentucky has 72 titles, and the rest of the SEC 75.
First 30-win regular season in UK history?
The top regular season win totals in UK history:
1) 29-2 (2010)
2) 27-1 (current)
2) 27-2 (1948)
2) 27-4 (1997)
5) 26-1 (1996)
5) 26-3 (2003)
5) 26-3 (1986)
8) 25-0 (1954)
8) 25-1 (1949)
8) 25-1 (1970)
8) 25-2 (1978)
UK has exactly 3 games remaining, so they have to stay perfect to set the new school mark.
They wouldn't be the first in NCAA Division I history to accomplish it, however.
Examples I've found of 30+ win regular seasons:
1987 UNLV (30-1)
1998 Kansas (30-3)
2008 Memphis (30-1) (now vacated)
I will add to this list as I research this further. You'd be surprised by how inconsistent/inaccurate various sources can be on a question like this.
1) 29-2 (2010)
2) 27-1 (current)
2) 27-2 (1948)
2) 27-4 (1997)
5) 26-1 (1996)
5) 26-3 (2003)
5) 26-3 (1986)
8) 25-0 (1954)
8) 25-1 (1949)
8) 25-1 (1970)
8) 25-2 (1978)
UK has exactly 3 games remaining, so they have to stay perfect to set the new school mark.
They wouldn't be the first in NCAA Division I history to accomplish it, however.
Examples I've found of 30+ win regular seasons:
1987 UNLV (30-1)
1998 Kansas (30-3)
2008 Memphis (30-1) (now vacated)
I will add to this list as I research this further. You'd be surprised by how inconsistent/inaccurate various sources can be on a question like this.
Kentucky's longest winning streaks
After their gutsy win in Starkville, our Cats are now 27-1, and riding the nation's longest winning streak (19 games).
That's tied for the 8th longest single-season winning streak in school history. The 2009-2010 team also won 19 in a row (to start the season) before falling at South Carolina in late January.
UK's top single-season winning streaks:
1) 27 games (1995-96 - ended with a loss to MSU in the SEC tournament final)
2) 26 (2002-03 - lost to Marquette in NCAA Elite 8)
3) 25 (1953-54 - went undefeated that season)
4) 23 (1965-66 - lost at Tennessee in March)
4) 23 (1951-52 - lost to St. John's in NCAA regional final)
6) 21 (1950-51 - lost to Vanderbilt in SEC tournament final)
6) 21 (1948-49 - lost to Loyola Chicago in NIT, then won the NCAA tournament)
8) 19 (2009-10 - lost at South Carolina in January)
8) 19 (2011-12 - still active)
UK's top overall winning streaks:
1) 32 games (25 in 1953-54, 7 in 1954-55, lost at home to Georgia Tech to end it)
2) 27 (1995-96)
3) 26 (2002-03)
3) 26 (15 in 1945-46, 11 in 1946-47, lost to Oklahoma A&M in the Sugar Bowl)
5) 25 (2 in 1964-65, 23 in 1965-66)
6) 24 (16 in 1947-48, 8 in 1948-49, lost to St. Louis in the Sugar Bowl Championship)
6) 24 (8 in 1932-33, 16 in 1933-34, lost to Florida in the SEC tournament)
8) 23 (1951-52)
9) 21 (1950-51)
9) 21 (1948-49)
11) 19 (2009-10)
11) 19 (2011-12, still active)
UK's final winning streaks in title seasons:
1947-48 = 16 games
1948-49 = 3
1950-51 = 5
1957-58 = 5
1977-78 = 13
1995-96 = 6
1997-98 = 13
That's tied for the 8th longest single-season winning streak in school history. The 2009-2010 team also won 19 in a row (to start the season) before falling at South Carolina in late January.
UK's top single-season winning streaks:
1) 27 games (1995-96 - ended with a loss to MSU in the SEC tournament final)
2) 26 (2002-03 - lost to Marquette in NCAA Elite 8)
3) 25 (1953-54 - went undefeated that season)
4) 23 (1965-66 - lost at Tennessee in March)
4) 23 (1951-52 - lost to St. John's in NCAA regional final)
6) 21 (1950-51 - lost to Vanderbilt in SEC tournament final)
6) 21 (1948-49 - lost to Loyola Chicago in NIT, then won the NCAA tournament)
8) 19 (2009-10 - lost at South Carolina in January)
8) 19 (2011-12 - still active)
UK's top overall winning streaks:
1) 32 games (25 in 1953-54, 7 in 1954-55, lost at home to Georgia Tech to end it)
2) 27 (1995-96)
3) 26 (2002-03)
3) 26 (15 in 1945-46, 11 in 1946-47, lost to Oklahoma A&M in the Sugar Bowl)
5) 25 (2 in 1964-65, 23 in 1965-66)
6) 24 (16 in 1947-48, 8 in 1948-49, lost to St. Louis in the Sugar Bowl Championship)
6) 24 (8 in 1932-33, 16 in 1933-34, lost to Florida in the SEC tournament)
8) 23 (1951-52)
9) 21 (1950-51)
9) 21 (1948-49)
11) 19 (2009-10)
11) 19 (2011-12, still active)
UK's final winning streaks in title seasons:
1947-48 = 16 games
1948-49 = 3
1950-51 = 5
1957-58 = 5
1977-78 = 13
1995-96 = 6
1997-98 = 13
Comeback stats on the comeback Cats
Last night was a huge win for a number of reasons, including:
- clinched at least a tie of our 45th regular season SEC crown
- beat our current most hated rival in the SEC West
Let us not forget the halftime score: MSU 41, UK 28.
This game was tied for the third largest halftime deficit from which UK recovered to win its storied history. The only two to beat this one were both historic games that any fan will easily recall:
1994 @ LSU: down 16 in Baton Rouge, eventually fell behind by 31, then somehow won 99-95
2004 @ UofL: down 16 in Freedom Hall (only scored 16 in the first half), and Patrick Sparks' free throws won it
Later that same 2004-2005 season, UK was down 29-16 at the half in Oxford, MS, and came back to win.
The true "Comeback Cats" (the 1998 championship team) were down 10 twice at halftime in the NCAA tournament - the title game against Utah, and the regional final against Duke - another famous game of course, as UK would eventually trail by 17.
- clinched at least a tie of our 45th regular season SEC crown
- beat our current most hated rival in the SEC West
Let us not forget the halftime score: MSU 41, UK 28.
This game was tied for the third largest halftime deficit from which UK recovered to win its storied history. The only two to beat this one were both historic games that any fan will easily recall:
1994 @ LSU: down 16 in Baton Rouge, eventually fell behind by 31, then somehow won 99-95
2004 @ UofL: down 16 in Freedom Hall (only scored 16 in the first half), and Patrick Sparks' free throws won it
Later that same 2004-2005 season, UK was down 29-16 at the half in Oxford, MS, and came back to win.
The true "Comeback Cats" (the 1998 championship team) were down 10 twice at halftime in the NCAA tournament - the title game against Utah, and the regional final against Duke - another famous game of course, as UK would eventually trail by 17.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Will there be a 5th bid for the SEC? If so, who gets it?
We all hate our conference rivals throughout the regular season, but it's good to have some conference bragging rights at tournament time.
One positive is that at least our overall conference RPI is OK this season - 4th behind the Big Ten, Big East and Big 12, and ahead of the MWC, ACC and Pac 12.
The issue at hand is whether we can get a 5th team in. In the 20 tournaments since the SEC expanded to 12 teams, the SEC has had at least 5 bids in 14 tournaments (70% of the time), and 6 bids in 8 years (40% of the time).
The only exceptions:
1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2010 = 4 bids
2009 = 3 bids
Kentucky and Florida are locks.
Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are nearly locks as well, barring collapses.
Lunardi currently has Alabama listed as an 8 seed, comfortably in the tournament. But as we all know, they've suspended a number of star players and just lost at lowly LSU. They are in real danger of blowing their bid, and most likely will, unless those players return to action.
Some details on the three teams with a chance, all of whom have 5-5 league records:
Alabama - around 30th in the RPI, with a great win over Wichita State and one bad loss at South Carolina. Two SEC road wins, and 4 of 6 remaining games are at home. If it weren't for the suspensions, I think they would easily make it into the tournament.
Ole Miss - around 50-55 in the RPI, with two good wins over Miami and Mississippi State, and one bad loss at Auburn. One SEC road win, and they have 3 home and 3 road remaining.
Arkansas - around 65-70 in the RPI. A great team at home (undefeated in league play and an excellent win over Michigan, although one puzzling early loss to Houston). A horrible team on the road. They have chances to improve their rating with home wins over Florida and Alabama...but they'll also probably lose at Tennessee and take an RPI blow from that.
My unfortunate conclusion is that if Anthony Grant can't right the ship quickly, the SEC will only have four bids.
One positive is that at least our overall conference RPI is OK this season - 4th behind the Big Ten, Big East and Big 12, and ahead of the MWC, ACC and Pac 12.
The issue at hand is whether we can get a 5th team in. In the 20 tournaments since the SEC expanded to 12 teams, the SEC has had at least 5 bids in 14 tournaments (70% of the time), and 6 bids in 8 years (40% of the time).
The only exceptions:
1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2010 = 4 bids
2009 = 3 bids
Kentucky and Florida are locks.
Mississippi State and Vanderbilt are nearly locks as well, barring collapses.
Lunardi currently has Alabama listed as an 8 seed, comfortably in the tournament. But as we all know, they've suspended a number of star players and just lost at lowly LSU. They are in real danger of blowing their bid, and most likely will, unless those players return to action.
Some details on the three teams with a chance, all of whom have 5-5 league records:
Alabama - around 30th in the RPI, with a great win over Wichita State and one bad loss at South Carolina. Two SEC road wins, and 4 of 6 remaining games are at home. If it weren't for the suspensions, I think they would easily make it into the tournament.
Ole Miss - around 50-55 in the RPI, with two good wins over Miami and Mississippi State, and one bad loss at Auburn. One SEC road win, and they have 3 home and 3 road remaining.
Arkansas - around 65-70 in the RPI. A great team at home (undefeated in league play and an excellent win over Michigan, although one puzzling early loss to Houston). A horrible team on the road. They have chances to improve their rating with home wins over Florida and Alabama...but they'll also probably lose at Tennessee and take an RPI blow from that.
My unfortunate conclusion is that if Anthony Grant can't right the ship quickly, the SEC will only have four bids.
What a difference a coach makes
After coaching his Cats to a tough win in Memorial Gym last night, Cal has still never lost to any SEC team more than once.
Let's compare his SEC records to the 4-year horror show known as the "Tubbispie Era." This includes SEC tournament games.
Cal overall SEC: 41-8 (84%)
Tubbispie overall SEC: 42-30 (58%)
Cal regular season SEC: 35-8 (81%)
Tubbispie regular season SEC: 38-26 (59%)
Cal at home SEC: 21-0 (100%)
Tubbispie at home SEC: 22-10 (69%)
Cal on the road SEC: 14-8 (64%)
Tubbispie on the road SEC: 16-16 (50%)
Cal in the SEC tournament: 6-0 (100%)
Tubbispie in the SEC tournament: 4-4 (50%)
Tubbispie also had a losing record against four different teams (UF, LSU, MSU and VU).
Cal's record against those four: 15-2 (88%)
Tubbispie against those four: 8-18 (31%)
Let's compare his SEC records to the 4-year horror show known as the "Tubbispie Era." This includes SEC tournament games.
Cal overall SEC: 41-8 (84%)
Tubbispie overall SEC: 42-30 (58%)
Cal regular season SEC: 35-8 (81%)
Tubbispie regular season SEC: 38-26 (59%)
Cal at home SEC: 21-0 (100%)
Tubbispie at home SEC: 22-10 (69%)
Cal on the road SEC: 14-8 (64%)
Tubbispie on the road SEC: 16-16 (50%)
Cal in the SEC tournament: 6-0 (100%)
Tubbispie in the SEC tournament: 4-4 (50%)
Tubbispie also had a losing record against four different teams (UF, LSU, MSU and VU).
Cal's record against those four: 15-2 (88%)
Tubbispie against those four: 8-18 (31%)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Stats from the Florida game, in perspective
1) UK beat hated SEC rival Florida by 20 points.
On the surface, that already sounds nice. But consider the following:
- this is only the 14th time in AP poll history (since '48-49) that UK has beaten a top-10 opponent by 20 points
- UK hasn't beaten Florida by 20 since Senior Day 2004
- UK has now won four SEC games in a row by 20 or more points. They haven't done that since 1993, and haven't won five in a row by that margin since 1959. The school record is 12 SEC victories in a row by 20+, which happened in the undefeated 1954 season.
2) UK made 60% of its threes (9 of 15)
- this was the best percentage since making 10 of 16 (63%) against Boston University 11/30/10
- last time they bested this in league play was 12 of 19 (63%) at #24 UT 1/13/09 (the Meeks 54 game)
- last time they made 60% or more of their threes against a top ten opponent was....never
3) UK held hot-shooting Florida to 6 of 27 from behind the arc
- the last time an opponent shot a worse percentage while still hoisting up 27+ attempts was Liberty, which went 6 of 28 on 11/21/07
- the last time a league opponent "accomplished" that was South Carolina, which went 6 of 28 on 1/11/03 at Rupp
On the surface, that already sounds nice. But consider the following:
- this is only the 14th time in AP poll history (since '48-49) that UK has beaten a top-10 opponent by 20 points
- UK hasn't beaten Florida by 20 since Senior Day 2004
- UK has now won four SEC games in a row by 20 or more points. They haven't done that since 1993, and haven't won five in a row by that margin since 1959. The school record is 12 SEC victories in a row by 20+, which happened in the undefeated 1954 season.
2) UK made 60% of its threes (9 of 15)
- this was the best percentage since making 10 of 16 (63%) against Boston University 11/30/10
- last time they bested this in league play was 12 of 19 (63%) at #24 UT 1/13/09 (the Meeks 54 game)
- last time they made 60% or more of their threes against a top ten opponent was....never
3) UK held hot-shooting Florida to 6 of 27 from behind the arc
- the last time an opponent shot a worse percentage while still hoisting up 27+ attempts was Liberty, which went 6 of 28 on 11/21/07
- the last time a league opponent "accomplished" that was South Carolina, which went 6 of 28 on 1/11/03 at Rupp
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Kentucky-South Carolina series
Updated March 15th, 2013
Overall series: UK 47-10
In Lexington: 25-2 (only lost in '97 and '09)
In Columbia: 18-6
In Carolina's current home (Colonial Life Arena): 7-3
In the postseason: 4-2 (3-2 SEC, 1-0 Southern)
Other specific game sites
Rupp: 22-2
Memorial: 1-0
Alumni: 2-0
Frank McGuire Arena: 11-2
Carolina Fieldhouse: 0-1
Georgia Dome (Atlanta): 2-1
Gaylord Entertainment Center (Nashville): 1-1
Atlanta Municipal Auditorium: 1-0
Highs and Lows
Regular season home high: beating Carolina by 45 in Rupp in 1979. Macy, Bowie, Anderson and Hord all scored at least 18 points as UK racked up 126.
Regular season road high: winning by 38 in Columbia in 2007. Joe Crawford led the way.
Regular season low: losing at home on Senior Day 1997, thanks to BJ McKie's 13 free throws. UK was whistled for 29 fouls at Rupp.
Postseason high: UK winning 86-56 in the 1998 SEC Tournament Championship game, without Jeff Sheppard.
Postseason low: UK losing in the quarterfinals (their first game) of the 2002 SEC Tournament. UK was ranked 12th in the country, and Carolina was the lowly E6 seed.
Overall series: UK 47-10
In Lexington: 25-2 (only lost in '97 and '09)
In Columbia: 18-6
In Carolina's current home (Colonial Life Arena): 7-3
In the postseason: 4-2 (3-2 SEC, 1-0 Southern)
Other specific game sites
Rupp: 22-2
Memorial: 1-0
Alumni: 2-0
Frank McGuire Arena: 11-2
Carolina Fieldhouse: 0-1
Georgia Dome (Atlanta): 2-1
Gaylord Entertainment Center (Nashville): 1-1
Atlanta Municipal Auditorium: 1-0
Highs and Lows
Regular season home high: beating Carolina by 45 in Rupp in 1979. Macy, Bowie, Anderson and Hord all scored at least 18 points as UK racked up 126.
Regular season road high: winning by 38 in Columbia in 2007. Joe Crawford led the way.
Regular season low: losing at home on Senior Day 1997, thanks to BJ McKie's 13 free throws. UK was whistled for 29 fouls at Rupp.
Postseason high: UK winning 86-56 in the 1998 SEC Tournament Championship game, without Jeff Sheppard.
Postseason low: UK losing in the quarterfinals (their first game) of the 2002 SEC Tournament. UK was ranked 12th in the country, and Carolina was the lowly E6 seed.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Three interesting stats from last night's Kentucky-Tennessee game
1) UK shot 54% and UT only 28%.
The 26% difference is the largest since a 29% advantage against Marist earlier this season.
For a bigger difference in an SEC regular season game, though, you have to go back to January 16th, 2007 when UK won 87-49 at South Carolina, and shot 63% to their 27%.
2) UK won by 25 points while only hitting a single three-point field goal (out of 10 attempts).
Over the years, the Wildcats' streak of games with a made three-pointer has had a number of similarly close calls. The most recent was the SEC Tournament quarterfinal against Alabama on March 3rd, 2010, when they hit only 1 of 13. Darnell Dodson hit that three.
The last regular season game with only 1 made three-pointer:
11/29/08 vs WVU (made 1 of 5, won by 11, Jodie Meeks hit the lone three)
The last SEC regular season game with only 1 made three-pointer:
2/12/08 at Vanderbilt (made 1 of 10, lost by 41, Ramel Bradley hit the lone three)
The last time UK made only 1 three-pointer, and won by 25 or more:
12/20/03 vs Indiana (made 1 of 8, won by 39, Kelenna Azubuike hit the lone three)
Finally, to meet all the criteria of last night's game (SEC, regular season, one made three-pointer, won by 25+):
2/1/97 vs Georgia (made 1 of 9, won by 25, Allen Edwards hit the lone three)
3) UK made 24 of 27 free throw attempts (89%).
The last superior performance (with at least 20 attempts) was against Georgia on 2009 Senior Day. In spite of their ridiculous accuracy at the line (26-28, 93%), UK managed to lose to an atrocious team and assure Billy G of being fired after the season.
Earlier that same season (1/13/09), UK won by 18 at Tennessee in the infamous Jodie Meeks 54 game. UK was 18 of 20 from the line (90%), with Jodie going 14 for 14.
The 26% difference is the largest since a 29% advantage against Marist earlier this season.
For a bigger difference in an SEC regular season game, though, you have to go back to January 16th, 2007 when UK won 87-49 at South Carolina, and shot 63% to their 27%.
2) UK won by 25 points while only hitting a single three-point field goal (out of 10 attempts).
Over the years, the Wildcats' streak of games with a made three-pointer has had a number of similarly close calls. The most recent was the SEC Tournament quarterfinal against Alabama on March 3rd, 2010, when they hit only 1 of 13. Darnell Dodson hit that three.
The last regular season game with only 1 made three-pointer:
11/29/08 vs WVU (made 1 of 5, won by 11, Jodie Meeks hit the lone three)
The last SEC regular season game with only 1 made three-pointer:
2/12/08 at Vanderbilt (made 1 of 10, lost by 41, Ramel Bradley hit the lone three)
The last time UK made only 1 three-pointer, and won by 25 or more:
12/20/03 vs Indiana (made 1 of 8, won by 39, Kelenna Azubuike hit the lone three)
Finally, to meet all the criteria of last night's game (SEC, regular season, one made three-pointer, won by 25+):
2/1/97 vs Georgia (made 1 of 9, won by 25, Allen Edwards hit the lone three)
3) UK made 24 of 27 free throw attempts (89%).
The last superior performance (with at least 20 attempts) was against Georgia on 2009 Senior Day. In spite of their ridiculous accuracy at the line (26-28, 93%), UK managed to lose to an atrocious team and assure Billy G of being fired after the season.
Earlier that same season (1/13/09), UK won by 18 at Tennessee in the infamous Jodie Meeks 54 game. UK was 18 of 20 from the line (90%), with Jodie going 14 for 14.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
19 points in the second half? Fewest since...
19 is the fewest points in any half since we scored 16 in the first half against West Virginia in 2008 (a game we came back to win).
And the fewest points in a second half since scoring 18 on our way to losing 46-45 at Michigan State in 2000.
Defensively, of course we had great success, only giving up 18 points to Georgia in the second half. We've topped that in two different first halves this year - 14 points by Radford in the first half, 15 by Penn State.
If I'm not mistaken, you have to go back to the same 2008 game against West Virginia to find a lower second half point total by an opponent (17).
To find a previous game where UK won in spite of scoring less than 19 points in a second half, you have to go back 31 years. UK did it twice in 1981:
12/29/81 against Notre Dame - Won 34-28 in OT after scoring 18 in the first half and only 5 in the second. 5 points is still our record low for any half in any game.
1/10/81 against Tennessee - Won 48-47 in spite of scoring 18 in the second half.
The relevant link from Jon Scott's site: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/gamehalflowukoverall.html
And the fewest points in a second half since scoring 18 on our way to losing 46-45 at Michigan State in 2000.
Defensively, of course we had great success, only giving up 18 points to Georgia in the second half. We've topped that in two different first halves this year - 14 points by Radford in the first half, 15 by Penn State.
If I'm not mistaken, you have to go back to the same 2008 game against West Virginia to find a lower second half point total by an opponent (17).
To find a previous game where UK won in spite of scoring less than 19 points in a second half, you have to go back 31 years. UK did it twice in 1981:
12/29/81 against Notre Dame - Won 34-28 in OT after scoring 18 in the first half and only 5 in the second. 5 points is still our record low for any half in any game.
1/10/81 against Tennessee - Won 48-47 in spite of scoring 18 in the second half.
The relevant link from Jon Scott's site: http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/gamehalflowukoverall.html
Head-to-head records of college basketball "blue bloods"
(updated at the end of calendar year 2016)
The top six programs in college basketball history are almost universally recognized among historians as: Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, Duke and Indiana. The first tier is clearly UK, UNC and UCLA, with the other three lagging a bit behind.
Here is a look at their head-to-head results, listed by winning percentage:
1) UNC .558 (177-140)
2) UK .557 (88-70)
3) IU .481 (51-55)
4) Duke .466 (139-159)
5) UCLA .449 (31-38)
6) KU .354 (29-53)
The breakdown...
UK is:
32-25 against IU
22-7 against KU
15-23 against UNC
12-9 against Duke
7-6 against UCLA
UNC is:
134-108 against Duke
23-15 against UK
8-3 against UCLA
6-5 against KU
6-9 against IU
IU is:
25-32 against UK
9-6 against UNC
8-6 against Kansas
6-6 against UCLA
3-5 against Duke
Duke is:
108-134 against UNC
10-6 against UCLA
9-12 against UK
7-4 against KU
5-3 against IU
UCLA is:
10-7 against KU
6-6 against IU
6-10 against Duke
6-7 against UK
3-8 against UNC
KU is:
6-8 against IU
7-10 against UCLA
7-22 against UK
5-6 against UNC
4-7 against Duke
Notes:
- UNC has a winning record against everyone except IU (6-9)
- UK has a winning record against everyone except UNC (15-23)
- Obviously the most matchups in any series is UNC/Duke (242 games)
- Kansas has a losing record against every other blue blood
- UCLA's only winning record is against Kansas (10-7)
- UofL (probably the 7th best team all-time - although they rated above IU in my most recent analysis) has losing records against all the top six teams shown here. As of the end of calendar year 2016, the Cardinals are 5-7 against Duke, 16-34 against UK, 8-10 against IU, 5-11 against UNC, 5-6 against Kansas, and 7-15 against UCLA.
The top six programs in college basketball history are almost universally recognized among historians as: Kentucky, North Carolina, UCLA, Kansas, Duke and Indiana. The first tier is clearly UK, UNC and UCLA, with the other three lagging a bit behind.
Here is a look at their head-to-head results, listed by winning percentage:
1) UNC .558 (177-140)
2) UK .557 (88-70)
3) IU .481 (51-55)
4) Duke .466 (139-159)
5) UCLA .449 (31-38)
6) KU .354 (29-53)
The breakdown...
UK is:
32-25 against IU
22-7 against KU
15-23 against UNC
12-9 against Duke
7-6 against UCLA
UNC is:
134-108 against Duke
23-15 against UK
8-3 against UCLA
6-5 against KU
6-9 against IU
IU is:
25-32 against UK
9-6 against UNC
8-6 against Kansas
6-6 against UCLA
3-5 against Duke
Duke is:
108-134 against UNC
10-6 against UCLA
9-12 against UK
7-4 against KU
5-3 against IU
UCLA is:
10-7 against KU
6-6 against IU
6-10 against Duke
6-7 against UK
3-8 against UNC
KU is:
6-8 against IU
7-10 against UCLA
7-22 against UK
5-6 against UNC
4-7 against Duke
Notes:
- UNC has a winning record against everyone except IU (6-9)
- UK has a winning record against everyone except UNC (15-23)
- Obviously the most matchups in any series is UNC/Duke (242 games)
- Kansas has a losing record against every other blue blood
- UCLA's only winning record is against Kansas (10-7)
- UofL (probably the 7th best team all-time - although they rated above IU in my most recent analysis) has losing records against all the top six teams shown here. As of the end of calendar year 2016, the Cardinals are 5-7 against Duke, 16-34 against UK, 8-10 against IU, 5-11 against UNC, 5-6 against Kansas, and 7-15 against UCLA.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The blue bloods of college basketball
Consulting a variety of sources I was able to compile rankings among NCAA men's basketball teams in the following categories:
All-time wins
NCAA tournament appearances
NCAA tournament wins
NCAA Final Fours
NCAA titles
By averaging the rankings through the end of the 2011-2012 season, you get the following output:
1 - Kentucky - average ranking of 1.6
2 - UNC - 2.2
3 - UCLA - 3.6
4 - KU - 4.2
4 - Duke - 4.4
6 - Indiana - 7.0
7 - Louisville - 8.4
8 - Syracuse - 10.4
9 - UConn - 14.2
10 - Cincinnati - 15.2
11 - Michigan State - 16.8
12 - Arizona - 16.8
13 - Utah - 17
14 - Georgetown - 17.6
15 - Arkansas - 17.8
16 - Villanova - 18.6
17 - Ohio State - 19.2
18 - Oklahoma State - 19.8
19 - Marquette - 22.8
20 - NC State - 24.2
UK has a record of 149-96 against the rest of the top 10.
UK has a record of 227-139 against the rest of the top 20.
The teams UK has beaten up on, among the all-time top 20:
Kansas 21-6
Louisville 30-15
Syracuse 8-3
Cincinnati 27-10
Utah 9-2
Arkansas 25-8
Villanova 6-1
UK also has winning records against UCLA, Duke, Indiana, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State and NC State. UK is 7-7 against Marquette.
The only losing records for UK against the teams in the all-time top 20:
UNC 13-22
UConn 1-3
Arizona 2-3
Georgetown 0-2
Teams with top credentials in at least one area but lacking either longevity or tournament success:
Temple (6th in wins)
St. John's (7th in wins)
Notre Dame (9th in wins)
Penn (10th in wins)
Washington (14th in wins)
BYU (15th in wins)
Western Kentucky (16th in wins)
Purdue (17th in wins)
Florida (t-8th in titles)
Texas (t-11th in appearances)
Illinois (t-15th in appearances)
Overall, I think this system does a good job assessing each school's relative merits. Most people (with any historical knowledge of the game) would subjectively name the same top 6 that were produced here. Below the top 6, you see a mixture of teams with upward momentum (Syracuse, UConn, Mich. St., Ohio St.) and downward (Utah, Arkansas, NC State). Most importantly, UK is #1.
All-time wins
NCAA tournament appearances
NCAA tournament wins
NCAA Final Fours
NCAA titles
By averaging the rankings through the end of the 2011-2012 season, you get the following output:
1 - Kentucky - average ranking of 1.6
2 - UNC - 2.2
3 - UCLA - 3.6
4 - KU - 4.2
4 - Duke - 4.4
6 - Indiana - 7.0
7 - Louisville - 8.4
8 - Syracuse - 10.4
9 - UConn - 14.2
10 - Cincinnati - 15.2
11 - Michigan State - 16.8
12 - Arizona - 16.8
13 - Utah - 17
14 - Georgetown - 17.6
15 - Arkansas - 17.8
16 - Villanova - 18.6
17 - Ohio State - 19.2
18 - Oklahoma State - 19.8
19 - Marquette - 22.8
20 - NC State - 24.2
UK has a record of 149-96 against the rest of the top 10.
UK has a record of 227-139 against the rest of the top 20.
The teams UK has beaten up on, among the all-time top 20:
Kansas 21-6
Louisville 30-15
Syracuse 8-3
Cincinnati 27-10
Utah 9-2
Arkansas 25-8
Villanova 6-1
UK also has winning records against UCLA, Duke, Indiana, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State and NC State. UK is 7-7 against Marquette.
The only losing records for UK against the teams in the all-time top 20:
UNC 13-22
UConn 1-3
Arizona 2-3
Georgetown 0-2
Teams with top credentials in at least one area but lacking either longevity or tournament success:
Temple (6th in wins)
St. John's (7th in wins)
Notre Dame (9th in wins)
Penn (10th in wins)
Washington (14th in wins)
BYU (15th in wins)
Western Kentucky (16th in wins)
Purdue (17th in wins)
Florida (t-8th in titles)
Texas (t-11th in appearances)
Illinois (t-15th in appearances)
Overall, I think this system does a good job assessing each school's relative merits. Most people (with any historical knowledge of the game) would subjectively name the same top 6 that were produced here. Below the top 6, you see a mixture of teams with upward momentum (Syracuse, UConn, Mich. St., Ohio St.) and downward (Utah, Arkansas, NC State). Most importantly, UK is #1.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
UK headed back to #1...a few AP poll statistics
This week should be UK's 92nd appearance at #1 in the AP poll. That total trails UCLA (134), Duke (122) and UNC (108). So to those who say "I don't want to be #1 until April," I understand the sentiment but it'd be nice to catch up somewhat in this statistic. Also, fear not: UK has a solid 152-25 record all-time at #1, which is an 85.9% winning rate.
Obviously being #1 makes us even more of a target. The teams who've knocked us off our perch most often:
Vandy (4 times)
St. Louis (3)
Georgia Tech (3)
Indiana (2)
Mississippi State (2)
Title seasons during which UK was ranked #1: 1949, 1951, 1978, 1996 (but not in '48, '58 or '98)
By my count this is the 9th different season during which UK lost and then regained the #1 ranking. Three of the previous times, the ranking was lost without an actual loss on the court...pollsters just got tired of the Cats, I suppose. And three of the previous eight occurrences were during title years - '51, '78, and '96.
This is the 18th season and 24th different calendar year with UK rated as #1.
Thanks again to Jon Scott's site (http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html) as one of the main resources for questions like this. I also consulted collegepollarchive.com for this post.
Obviously being #1 makes us even more of a target. The teams who've knocked us off our perch most often:
Vandy (4 times)
St. Louis (3)
Georgia Tech (3)
Indiana (2)
Mississippi State (2)
Title seasons during which UK was ranked #1: 1949, 1951, 1978, 1996 (but not in '48, '58 or '98)
By my count this is the 9th different season during which UK lost and then regained the #1 ranking. Three of the previous times, the ranking was lost without an actual loss on the court...pollsters just got tired of the Cats, I suppose. And three of the previous eight occurrences were during title years - '51, '78, and '96.
This is the 18th season and 24th different calendar year with UK rated as #1.
Thanks again to Jon Scott's site (http://www.bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/statistics.html) as one of the main resources for questions like this. I also consulted collegepollarchive.com for this post.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Anthony Davis: Sultan of Swat
With 67 blocks in his first 15 collegiate games, Anthony Davis will crush Kentucky's single-season record (held by Melvin Turpin in '82-83 and Andre Riddick in '93-94) of 83.
In fact it's likely that he'll make it into the UK career top 10 in just one season of work. That would require only 136.
He has virtually no shot at David Robinson's single-season mark of 207, but he'll finish in elite company nonetheless.
In fact it's likely that he'll make it into the UK career top 10 in just one season of work. That would require only 136.
He has virtually no shot at David Robinson's single-season mark of 207, but he'll finish in elite company nonetheless.
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