Your all-inclusive guide to Kentucky Basketball
It’s October and talk around campus revolves around one thing: basketball!
Consider this you’re crash course in Kentucky basketball lingo, as well as a preview to the upcoming basketball season.
For those of you who don’t know, Kentucky basketball is often called the “greatest tradition in basketball history.” UK was the first team to 2,000 wins (December 21, 2009 against the Drexel Dragons) dubbing our school “UK2K,” and we have the all-time highest winning percentage. UK has played in a record number of NCAA tournaments (51), is tied with UNC in NCAA tournament wins (105), and ranks second in national titles(7). The Cats have played in a record 151 tournament games total; they have an NCAA record of 42 Sweet-16 appearances and 33 Elite-8 appearances. Kentucky has played in 14 Final Fours (fourth place all time) and has had 10 championship game appearances (second place, tied with Duke).
Head Coach John Calipari (affectionately known as Coach Cal) is beginning his third year as head coach at Kentucky and has quite an impressive track record. Twenty-one of his players are now in the NBA, including former UK players John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe, Patrick Patterson, Daniel Orton, Enes Kanter, Josh Harrellson, Brandon Knight and DeAndre Liggins. Coach Cal also has three Sweet-16 appearances and two final fours.
As impressive as that may be, Kentucky fans expect one thing: 8, as in our 8th national title. Lucky for us, we have the #1 recruiting class walking among us in the halls of campus now (for the third year in a row).
Due to the current NBA lockout, many of Coach Cal’s past players have been hanging around Lexington, working out with coach and the team. There have been many NBA celebrities on campus the last few weeks, including LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, Jodie Meeks, and DeMarcus Cousins.
You’re currently walking the same campus as basketball legends.
Around Lexington, basketball is a big deal. People take basketball really (REALLY) seriously, especially the students. So if you really just don’t care, or if your hometown is Chapel Hill, N.C., I would keep that on the down low.
Lets meet the 2011-12 team
#1 Darius Miller– A 6’8” guard from Maysville, Ky. He is a senior and has played for the Wildcats for four years now.
#3 Terrence Jones– A 6’9” forward from Portland, Ore. He is a sophomore playing his second season at UK.
#4 Jon Hood– A 6’7” guard from Madisonville, Ky. After suffering an ACL injury over the summer, Hood has been recovering for the upcoming season. Hood is a junior and this will be his third season as a Wildcat.
#5 Jarrod Polson– A 6’2” guard from Nicholasville, Ky. Polson is a sophomore this year and in his second season as a Wildcat.
#10 Twany Beckham– A 6’5” guard from Louisville, Ky. Beckham is a junior transfer from Mississippi State playing his first season as a Wildcat.
#12 Ryan Harrow– A 6’2” guard from Marietta, Ga. A sophomore transfer from North Carolina State, this will be his first season playing at UK.
#14 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist– A 6’7” forward from Somerdale, N.J. This is his freshman year and first season as a Wildcat.
#20- Doron Lamb– A 6’4” guard from Queens, N.Y. Lamb is a sophomore and will be playing his second season as a Wildcat.
#22 Stacey Poole Jr.– A 6’4” guard from Jacksonville, FL. Stacey is a sophomore and will be playing as a Wildcat for his second season.
#23 Anthony Davis– A 6’10” forward from Chicago, Ill. This is his freshman year and first season as a Wildcat.
#25 Marquis Teague– A 6’2” guard from Indianapolis, Ind. This is his freshman year and first season as a Wildcat.
#30 Eloy Vargas– a 6’11” guard from the Dominican Republic. Vargas is a senior and will be playing his second season at UK.
#33 Kyle Wiltjer– A 6’9” freshman forward from Portland. Ore. This is his freshman year and first season as a Wildcat.
What to expect at a game
You won’t see a fan not wearing blue. People wear UK gear from head to toe, going as far as wearing blue wigs. Our championship winning cheerleaders, dance team and band are all present to hype up the crowd (not that they weren’t already). It is loud and rowdy and very few people sit!
Upcoming Basketball Events
October 15: Big Blue Madness- Held at 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena.
October 26: Blue/ White Scrimmage. Held at 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena Half the team will wear blue and half will wear white in a scrimmage each other.
November 2: Game 1 vs. Transylvania. A Lexington rivalry at 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena.
November 7: Game 2 vs. Morehouse at 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena.
November 11: Game 3 vs. Marist at 7 p.m. in Rupp Arena.
November 15: Game 4 vs. Kansas Jayhawks. This will be our first away game and a HUGE game against another basketball dynasty. This game will be in New York City at 9 p.m., make sure you’re watching!
November 19: Game 5 vs. Penn State will be held in Connecticut at noon and broadcast by ESPN 3.
Click here for the 2011-2012 Men’s Basketball Schedue.
Things every UK student should know and understand
whether or not you like basketball, you’ll hear all about it
BBN– Big Blue Nation, this is referring to UK’s fan base.
“Can’t wait for 8!”– We want an 8th national title so badly, we created a phrase for it. (Our last championship was won in 1998).
Big Blue Madness– This is the first official basketball practice of the season. This year it will take place October 15 at 7 p.m. (it used to be at midnight) in Rupp Arena. I’m sure you saw the students and general public camping out for several days in “Tent City” outside Memorial Coliseum for a CHANCE to get tickets, very serious business. Tickets can also be obtained online. Also referred to as BBM or Midnight Madness.
Wildcat Lodge– Where the basketball players (men’s and women’s) live.
Joe Craft Center– Where the men’s and women’s training facilities and basketball offices are located. The UK ticket office is also there.
Rupp– Rupp Arena is named for UK’s first men’s basketball coach, Adolph Rupp. This is where the men’s basketball team plays. Located in downtown Lexington, it is also home to numerous conventions and concerts and seats 23,500 people.
The eRUPPtion Zone– The student section in Rupp Arena. Located directly behind a basket, the eRUPPtion zone is known for being rowdy, energetic, and school spirited. There are no seats in the eRUPPtion zone, so you stand the entire time. Students paint themselves, wear all blue, cheer, hold up a #1 when we are shooting free throws and serve as a distraction when the other team is shooting.
March Madness– It’s literally madness in Lexington during March, when the NCAA basketball tournaments occur.
Sweet 16– The 16 teams to win the first round of games during March Madness. The UK men’s basketball team has 42 Sweet 16 appearances, including the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons
Elite 8– These are the teams that win their Sweet 16 games. UK men’s basketball has 33 Elite 8 appearances, including the last two years.
Final Four– These are the last 4 teams left in the NCAA tournament. You must win the Elite 8 game to get to the Final Four. UK men’s basketball has 14 Final Four appearances, including last year.
“3 Goggles”– Popularized by the 2010-2011 team, every time a 3 point shot is made by a UK player, the student section and players all make an “OK” sign but hold up 3 fingers and place it over their eye.
“Miller Time!”– No, it’s not what you think. Although the beer company popularized the phrase, UK students use it when Darius Miller makes a good play.
The John Wall– Even though former player John Wall has left UK to play in the NBA for the Washington Wizards, his dance lives on. You will see fans “Doing the John Wall” quite a bit during basketball season. The John Wall dance is simply flexing, and moving your forearm in and out.
And now you are all set to enjoy the men’s basketball season as an educated fan! Go Cats!!