UK Wildcats Blog

UK Classic Player Profile: Kyle Macy

One of the most popular players to ever wear a Kentucky uniform was guard Kyle Macy. After transferring from Purdue, Macy began his career as a Kentucky Wildcat during the 1977-78 season where he was a member of that National Championship winning team. During that season, Macy was recognized as a 3rd Team All-American, All SEC, and earned the NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player. Macy's impact on the program was apparent right at the start of his career and it was obvious that he was on his way to becoming a fan favorite.

During the 1978-79 season, Macy again earned All-American honors along with a 1st Team All-SEC designation. In addition to his on court honors, Macy was also named an Academic All-American.

In his senior season at Kentucky, Macy would continue to develop as one of the best players in college basketball. The 1979-80 season would see Kyle achieve consensus First-Team All-American honors. Macy was also honored as the SEC Player of the Year.

Macy was also famous for his unique free throw shooting style. Many young Wildcat fans grew up wiping their hands on their socks in a tribute to this Wildcat Legend and his famous free throw shooting routine.

After his senior season at Kentucky, Macy was drafted in the NBA by the Phoenix Suns with the 22nd pick in the first round. Macy also spent time with the Chicago Bulls and the Indiana Pacers. Macy was a participant in the first NBAThree Point Contest in 1986. Macy's post-NBA career has included coaching at Morehead State, working on UK basketball broadcasts and he is currently the head coach and VP of Basketball Operations of the ABA Bluegrass Stallions.

Kentucky Big Blue Madness 2009

One of the most significant nights in the history of the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball program took place on Friday, October 16, 2009. That night, Big Blue Madness 2009 unfolded at Rupp Arena in front of one of the most enthusiastic and charged up crowds in the history of the event. The arrival of new Kentucky coach John Calipari has the fans of the Kentucky basketball program revitalized and ready to enjoy the season that is to come.

The excitement surrounding this 2009-10 edition of the Kentucky Wildcats is at a level that fans have not seen in quite some time. With the arrival of freshman like John Wall and the return of Patrick Patterson, 2009-10 should signal the return to the top of the college basketball world for the Kentucky Wildcats.

The excitement in Rupp Arena during the introductions of the players was the kind of thing that gives chills to a loyal Wildcats fan. You could feel the anticipation in the arena as the 2009-10 team was introduced. Loud cheers were heard for each player and the introduction reached a fever pitch when Coach Calipari took the stage. The 2009-10 version of Big Blue Madness will go down in history as one of the greatest events to ever take place in the history of Kentucky Basketball.

UK Uniform History: 1993-94

During the mid 1990's, the Kentucky basketball program went through a trend where the team was wearing some of the most outlandish basketball shorts ever designed. Converse used the Kentucky basketball program as a platform to try out new design ideas and unusual styles. The 1993-93 Wildcats wore one of those crazy uniforms sets.

The team's uniform shorts featured an unusual striping pattern that completely broke the mold in shorts design, especially at a program with the traditional history of Kentucky. The stripes swirled around the shorts from the front to the back and created a look like nothing else the team had ever seen before. The shorts were also paired with a jersey design that featured the traditional KENTUCKY arch in white on the white jerseys and in blue on the blue jerseys. This was another break from Kentucky uniform tradition.

These uniforms are probably most remembered as the set that the Wildcats wore in the Mardi Gras Miracle game against LSU in 1994 in which they came back from a 31 point deficit to win the game. These uniforms will forever be remembered because of this great game, which was one of the best in UK basketball history.

1990-91 Kentucky Wildcats

This classic Kentucky Wildcats team poster features the 1990-91 basketball team. The 1990-91 team featured several players who would go down in history as some of the most significant of all-time in the program.

The 1990-91 season marked the arrival of freshman sensation Jamal Mashburn. Mashburn would go on to become an All-American and would be the catalyst for the revival of the UK program back to national prominence.

This team also featured the future members of the "Unforgettables", John Pelphrey, Deron Feldhaus, Sean Woods and Richie Farmer. Those players would be forever cemented in UK history in the 1991-92 season with the memorable game against Duke for a trip to the Final Four. Those four players joined the Wildcats program at its darkest hour and went on to become Kentucky legends.

The 1990-91 Wildcats, coached by Rick Pitino, finished the season with a 22-6 record and earned the best record in the SEC. Due to the sanctions the school was under, they were not recognized as the SEC champs however. Notable members of the 1990-91 UK coaching staff included future UK head coach Tubby Smith and other future NCAA head coaches in Herb Sendek and BIlly Donovan. The 1990-91 Wildcats had key wins over Cincinnati, Kansas and Louisville.

The 1990-91 Kentucky team was the one that was to end up setting the table for the team's return to the NCAA tournament and the Final Four. In the years to follow, the program would go on to appearances in the FInal Four and ultimately the National Championship in 1996 and 1998. This 1990-91 team poured the foundation for what was to become the college basketball program that would dominate the decade of the 1990's.

UK Classic Player Profile: Rex Chapman

One of the most exciting players ever to don a University of Kentucky basketball uniform was Rex Chapman. A high school superstar at Apollo High School in Owensboro, Chapman was a highly recruited player. After choosing to become a part of the Kentucky basketball tradition, Chapman arrived at UK with much hype and national media attention.

Chapman was famous for his remarkable three point shooting, incredible ability to score in large numbers, and his spectacular dunks. In his two seasons at Kentucky, Chapman was named to the All-SEC team both years and led the Wildcats to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament in 1988. Chapman scored 38 points in that game against Villanova. Chapman scored 1073 points in his two year Kentucky career, which is currently 48th on the all-time list.

After only two seasons, Rex Chapman declared for eligibility in the NBA draft. Chapman was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the 8th overall pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. While playing with the Charlotte Hornets, Chapman finished second to Dominique Wilkins in the 1990 NBA Slam Dunk Competition. Chapman's NBA career also included playing for the Washington Bullets, Miami Heat and the Phoenix Suns. Chapman currently serves as the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Denver Nuggets.

UK Classic Player Profile: Jamal Mashburn

One Kentucky Wildcats player who holds a special place in the hearts of UK basketball fans is Jamal Mashburn. Mashburn arrived at Kentucky shortly after the probation era and the arrival of coach Rick Pitino. Mashburn was the first blue chip star to sign with the Wildcats since that time and would go on to become a key player in the resurrection of the Kentucky basketball program. Mashburn arrived at Kentucky after being named Mr. Basketball in the state of New York in 1990 and as a Parade All-American.

Mashburn had an instant impact at Kentucky in his freshman year. He helped lead the WIldcats to a 22-6 record and was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and was a 3rd team All-SEC player.

In his sophomore season, Mashburn was a member of one of the most loved teams in UK history. The 1991-92 team, dubbed the Unforgettables, posted a 29-7 record and were one step away from the Final Four, losing to the Duke Blue Devils in one of the greatest college basketball games ever played 104-103 in overtime.

In Mashburn's junior season, the "Monster Mash" led Kentucky to a record of 30-4 and a trip to the NCAA Final Four. The trip back to the Final Four marked the official return of Kentucky basketball to national prominence. Mashburn would become a consensus first team All-American, SEC Player of the Year, First team All-SEC, and a member of the NCAA All-FInal Four and All-Regional teams. At the time, Mashburn ranked 4th in all-time Kentucky scoring. (he is currently sixth). After Mashburn's junior season, he declared his intentions to enter the NBA Draft.

Mashburn would be drafted with the fourth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 1993 NBA Draft. Mashburn had an outstanding rookie season with the Mavericks, averaging nearly 20 points per game and being voted to the NBA's All-Rookie team. Mashburn had a solid NBA career with the Mavericks, Heat, Hornets and 76ers. Injuries mounted and led to Mashburn's retirement from the NBA in 2006. Mashburn can now be seen doing NBA commentary for ESPN.

What does it mean to be a Kentucky Wildcat?

The University of Kentucky has a basketball tradition like no other school in the nation. UK Basketball has one of the most passionate fan bases in all of sports and a tradition of success over its entire history. There have been so many great moments, memorable games and unforgettable players who have worn the Kentucky uniform over the years.

What does it mean to be a part of the Kentucky basketball program? This video from the 2008 UK Big Blue Madness features former players Dan Issel, John Pelphrey, Sam Bowie, Sean Woods, Richie Farmer, Kenny Walker, Cameron Mills and Reggie Hansen expressing what it meant for them to be a part of the greatest college basketball tradition of all-time. Being a part of the University of Kentucky basketball program is special, and these players sum it up very well.

The 30th Anniversary of the Cats' Pause Yearbook

For thirty years Kentucky fans have looked forward to an event that takes place every preseason. No, it's not Midnight (or Big Blue) Madness or the tipoff of the season that I am referring to (though those are two great days for Kentucky fans!) For the last three decades, Wildcats fans have looked forward to the release of the Cats' Pause Kentucky Basketball Yearbook.

Today the thirtieth edition of the Cats' Pause Kentucky Basketball Yearbook hit newsstands around the Bluegrass State. The cover of this year's edition features the key figures who are going to return the Kentucky basketball program back to prominence in college basketball, new head coach John Calipari, freshman sensation John Wall and junior superstar Patrick Patterson. The excitement surrounding the arrival of Coach Calipari has the fans of Kentucky Basketball anticipating this season more than they have in a long time.

Before Kentucky basketball fans had all of the media outlets of today available to them, the Cats' Pause Yearbook was the only way they could get all of the information they needed for the upcoming season. Fans waited with great anticipation to get their hands on the newest edition. Before the days of the internet, the Cats' Pause Yearbook was the only source that fans had for information on all of the players and coaches and on the state of recruiting and blue chip high school stars.

The Cats' Pause has become a time machine for all of the great players and teams from the last thirty years of Kentucky basketball history. The classic covers over the years have featured some of the greatest players in the history of the program. The information in these classic yearbooks can be reflected upon today to remember the members of the UK program who have made Kentucky basketball what it is today. Looking back at the last thirty years of the Cats' Pause Yearbook allows you to see the best high school players of the times, some of whom have gone on to great basketball fame. As a Kentucky basketball fan in the 1980's and 1990's, the Cats' Pause Yearbook release was an event that was not to be missed.

That great feeling of anticipation has returned to the Big Blue Nation this season. The excitement surrounding the arrival of John Calipari and the freshman class have once again made getting your hands on the Cats' Pause Yearbook a must. The Cats' Pause has always been the source for Kentucky basketball history. The 2009-10 edition will go down in history as the first from the new era of Kentucky basketball and will become one of the most sought after collectibles in the future. If you haven't done it yet, get down to your nearest book store and get your hands on the latest edition of the Cats' Pause Yearbook and get the great feeling that you always had when you got your hands on this classic piece of UK history all over again.