Five Things You Need To Know About The Kentucky - Duke Rivalry
Tonight, the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Team takes the court against the Duke Blue Devils. For many of us, this is a game fueled by intense rivalry, which makes it rather surprising that this will only be the twenty-first time the teams have met over the span of eighty-five years.
As we count down to tip-off, here are a few must-know trivia tidbits to fuel your #BBN obsession. Go Big Blue!
The Atlanta City Auditorium, site of the 1930 Southern Conference Championship.
1. The Kentucky-Duke rivalry spreads over eighty-five years. The teams first met in March 1930 in Atlanta, at the semifinals of the Southern Conference Tournament.Duke won that game, 37-32. (Duke went on to lose to Alabama in the finals.)
2. The teams have met twenty times: Kentucky has won 11 of those games, while Duke has won 9.
3. The record for most points scored by a single player in a Duke-Kentucky game is held by UK legend Jack "Goose" Givens in the 1978 National Championship Game. Givens scored 41 points, including 18 fields goal.
4. Kentucky holds 8 National Championship Titles; Duke has 5.
5. The 1992 East Regional Final game is remembered by most Kentucky fans as perhaps the most painful loss to Duke. The 104-103 overtime Blue Devils win included Christian Laettner's memorable technical foul against Aminu Timberlake and that last shot -- you know the one, because the Worldwide Leader shows it a thousand times every spring -- well, you know how it ended.
The HerKentucky Guide to Big Blue Madness
Tonight's the night, BBN. Big Blue Madness, our first glimpse at the 2016 Wildcats. The greatest recruiting tool in college basketball, where we've learned over the years that Drake is a 'Cats Fan, and that at least one Miss America bleeds blue and where we've seen Coach Pitino on a Harley, Mr. Keightley jump out of a cake, and as many sick dance moves as Coach Mitchell cares to lay down. In honor of tonight's event, here's some Big Blue Madness Trivia for y'all.
- The first Kentucky Wildcats late night practice was held on October 15, 1982. Although UK Coach Joe B. Hall was not the first coach to hold an open scrimmage or practice to kick off basketball season, his "Midnight Special" is credited with popularizing the custom.
- Big Blue Madness was held in Memorial Coliseum from 1982-2004 and was moved to Rupp Arena in 2005.
- Although the free event welcomes thousands of Wildcats super-fans, the unofficial guests of honor are always high schoolers. The blue chip recruits whom we hope to sway toward the Big Blue Nation are conspicuously in attendance. The day after the 1991 Big Blue Madness, all four recruits in attendance -- Rodrick Rhodes, Jared Prickett, Tony Delk, and Walter McCarty -- verbally committed to UK.
- Some of the celebrities who've attended Big Blue Madness include Drake, Secretariat owner Penny Chenery, Miss America Heather French, and, of course, Ashley Judd.
- The 2002 Big Blue Madness celebrated the 100th anniversary of Kentucky Basketball. A giant birthday cake was brought to center court prior to the player introductions, with Mr. Wildcat, Bill Keightley, stealing the show by jumping out of the cake.
- When it became clear that the Internet was here to stay, tickets to BBM became even harder to acquire. The 2000 Big Blue Madness market the first time that tickets were available for online purchase; all 700 were distributed in 13 minutes. The remaining 8,000 were gone in 10 minutes to those waiting in line.
- In 1995, seniors Tony Delk and Walter McCarty made their grand appearance as "Cat"man and Robin.
- And, of course, in 2012, this happened. And it was the best.
The KY Kernel has a great rundown of this year's 'Cats. I don't know about y'all, but I sure am excited to meet them!
Go Big Blue!!!
Bear Bryant and the Kentucky Wildcats
Remembering a legend of college football.
On September 11, 1913, Paul William Bryant was born in Munro Bottom, Arkansas, the eleventh of twelve children born to Wilson Monroe and Ida Kilgore Bryant. From a young age, he was undertaking legendary things, like the time when, at age 13, he agreed to wrestle a bear at a carnival. The nickname "Bear" stuck.
Kentucky Coach Bear Bryant with Team Captains Vito Parilli and Doug Mosely, 1953. Image via KDL
By 1930, Bear was a high school football player whose team won the Arkansas state championship, but he didn't quite make it to graduation. In fact, when the Bear was offered a football scholarship to the University of Alabama, he had to finish up his degree at a Tuscaloosa-area high school while undertaking fall practice with the Tide.
January 1, 1951 -- Bear Bryant's Wildcats win the Sugar Bowl
Now, here in Kentucky, we know Bear Bryant as the Coach who toughened up the Wildcat football team for eight seasons and reinvented the way we recruited our players. He took the 'Cats to their first Bowl game in 1947 and on to their first SEC Conference title in 1950.
Sugar Bowl Champion Kentucky Wildcats. Image via Big Blue Fans.
The 1950 Wildcats went on to upset the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl, with a final score of 13-7. That Sugar Bowl game is considered one of the greatest upsets in college football history, as the Wildcats ended Oklahoma's run for an undefeated season.
Now, as we all know, Coach Bryant stayed in Lexington through 1953. The stories are murky about why he left us to coach the A & M Aggies. Some say it's over a fight with Coach Rupp over a Cadillac, a watch, or maybe a cigarette lighter. Others say that the rivalry between the two legendary Kentucky coaches has been over-dramatized. In 1966, Bryant himself told Sports Illustrated: "The trouble was we were too much alike, and he wanted basketball No. 1 and I wanted football No. 1...In an environment like that one or the other has to go."
When you have the two best coaches ever to coach their respective sports, the stakes are high.
I hear that, after his 8 seasons at Kentucky were over, he tried his hand at coaching Down South and took to wearing a snazzy hat. I'll leave the stories of those years to our friends in Alabama who can tell them way better than I ever could.
Here's to Coach Bryant and the 1951 Sugar Bowl. Go Big Blue!
What to wear to the SEC Tournament
It's only a few hours until the Wildcats take over Nashville, but who's counting? Like Hunter S. Thompson in the above quote, I always believe that Kentucky will go undefeated in March and win everything. This year, we've got a really good chance of doing it.
Whether you're cheering the 'Cats on at home or in NashVegas, here are my picks for most stylish, fun ways to rep the BBN.
Shop Local Kentucky's Seersuckertucky Sweatshirt. I'm just in love with this.
Since you're in the Music City, you need some boots. Seriously, you need an excuse for these.
Letter Raglan from Shop Local KY. This is so classic and old-school.
I honestly never take my Maya Brenner Kentucky necklace off. It's the perfect way to express your Bluegrass pride wherever you go.
Legacy Tee From High Street Fly. Go Cayuts.
These Tory Burch flats are a perfect way to stay cute and comfortable.
Go 'Cats!!
The HerKentucky UK Wildcats Personality Quiz
What does your favorite UK Wildcat say about your personality?
Here in Kentucky, it's hard not to be caught up in Wildcats fever right now.We've got more McDonald's All-Americans than Ole Miss has Miss America hopefuls, and you can't turn on the TV without hearing the question "Can Kentucky remain undefeated?"
If your favorite Wildcat is...
Willie Cauley-Stein:
You work hard and play harder. At work, you're known as the person who bills 80 hours a week and still has time to organize the company's Happy Hours. You probably also play video games while you're on conference Calls. (Click to Tweet!)
Trey Lyles:
People often describe you as "mysterious." Even your closest family and friends don't always know what you're thinking or doing... (Click to Tweet!)
Andrew Harrison:
You're a very loyal person. You stick by an idea or project until it comes to fruition. You may say "I told you so!" a little too often. (Click to Tweet!)
Alex Poythress:
You've had some health problems, but you know you'll be back in The Game soon. People should know better than to count you out just yet. (Click to Tweet!)
Karl-Anthony Towns:
You're intense and motivated. Some call you passionate, others call you explosive. You have huge successes and, often, huge disappointments, but you give life your all. (Click to Tweet!)
Dakari Johnson:
You've got a great sense of humor. People like to have you around, because you make them laugh and you can always reach the items on the top shelf. (Click to Tweet!)
Aaron Harrison:
You're a team player. You get the job done, and people know that they can always depend on you. (Click to Tweet!)
Devin Booker:
Friends, relatives, and colleagues genuinely like you. You get promoted frequently, and your accomplishments are often celebrated. (Click to Tweet!)
Tyler Ulis:
Your nickname might as well be "The Energizer Bunny." What you lack in height, you make up for in energy, talent, and personality. You're usually considered the life of the party. (Click to Tweet!)
Marcus Lee:
People consider you a truly unique individual. You aren't afraid to be yourself or to stand out in the crowd. (Click to Tweet!)
Who's your favorite Wildcat?
Nothing Compares to the Old Dawahares.
Remembering the quintessential Kentucky department store.
Last week, my beau and I were browsing around the men's suits section of a local mall-based chain store. Later that week, we went in one of those UK and U of L-themed fan stores. Both times, I left with the same sigh of resignation:
"None of this can compare to the old Dawahares."
As any long-time Kentuckian can tell you, Dawahares was the Kentucky-based department store. Founded in 1907 in the tiny Eastern Kentucky coal camp town of Neon by Syrian immigrant S.F. Dawahare, the company expanded to over 30 stores in its heyday, and was in business for over 105 years. Unfortunately, the family-owned retailer filed for bankruptcy and was forced to close its remaining outlets in order to liquidate assets.
Over the century that Dawahares was in business, the small, mid-price outlets simply were Kentucky's hometown stores. Dawahares was known for outfitting the entire family. The extensive selection of men's suits and sports jackets were the place to shop for holidays and celebrations, with a selection to please everyone from UK coaches to countless grandpas to young men purchasing their first suits. The store felt like family for many of us in small town Kentucky -- we often went in to say hello to the salespeople as much as to actually shop. And, as our friend Allison (the PinkLouLou!), reminds us, the folks at Dawahares often went out of their way to help friends and neighbors.
And then, there was the UK gear. Oh my goodness, the UK gear.
Dawahares had a special knack for stocking Kentucky Wildcats apparel that was over-the-top, yet not-quite tacky. They always had the most delightful UK sweaters that worked equally well for the grandmas who attended basketball games and their granddaughters, who wore the blue-and-white sequins and appliques with just a hint of irony.
I thought it would be fun to pick out a few pieces of UK gear that have a Dawahares vibe -- things that I think they'd carry if they were still in business today.
I can't get enough of this '47 Brand cardigan sweater. Like my very favorite pieces from Dawahares, this would work equally well for you, your mom, or your grandma. It would be so fun to style it with leggings and wellies, or as an alternative to a coat.
And how about this Dooney & Bourke UK-print Shopper Tote? This would be so much fun for game day!
The golf shirts, cowgirl boots, house shoes and, of course, sweaters, in the galleries below keep the Dawahares vibe alive. Something tells me I'll be buying more than a few of these!
Do you have fond memories of Dawahares?
HerKentucky's Holiday Wish List for the Sports Fan
Great gift ideas for the Kentucky native and sports fan on your holiday list!
Here in Kentucky, we love our college sports teams a lot. Our loyalties are pretty intense, and we never tire of finding new ways to rep our teams. Here are the HerKentucky picks for the very best gifts for your favorite sports fan!
Tervis Tumbler Water Bottle. I LOVE mine; I carry it everywhere. This UK Logo bottle will please any Wildcats fan!
Kentucky Wildcats Business Card Holder by Louisville Stoneware. What a fun way to bring your team loyalty to the office with you! Contact Stoneware for customization options.
Tipsy Elves UK Ugly Christmas Sweater. They call it "Ugly"; I think it's pretty cute. Either way, it's the most unique piece of Kentucky Wildcats swag I've seen in a while. (Available in ladies' and men's styles!)
Louisville Stoneware U of L Cardinals Salt and Pepper Shakers. The cutest Cardinals I've ever seen, and a perfect keepsake for your favorite Louisville fan.
University of Kentucky needlepoint cufflinks by Smathers and Branson. So preppy and cute!
Louisville Cardinals Women's Red Metallic Thread Scarf. Stay warm at the Belk Bowl!
Clayton & Crume L1C4 keychain. This is simply adorable. Heavy canvas twill affixed to high quality leather and made right here in Louisville.
For the ridiculous UK fan who has everything, how about a Rupp Arena replica dog bed? I can assure you that I'd be getting these for my own dogs if they made 'em big enough.
This EKU Tervis Tumbler is perfect for the Colonels fan on your list. I think Santa may bring this one to my dad...
Tickets to the UK - U of L Basketball Game. It's a long-shot, I know. The tickets are astronomical. But, something tells me that this game will be worth it. If you find any good leads, let me know.
U of L Fingerless Gloves. How cute are these?
A Trip to the Bahamas to watch WKU in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. If that isn't feasible, then how about the sweatshirt for the event?
Clayton & Crume #BBN keychain. So nobody forgets you're part of Coach Cal's #lafamilia.
Louisville Cardinals Needlepoint Flask from Smathers and Branson. The cutest way to sneak a nip.
We're so excited to give away a few of these amazing presents to lucky HerKentucky readers. Clayton & Crume has provided us with a UK keychain and a U of L keychain, and Tipsy Elves sent us a ladies' sweater! Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below!
Good luck, and Happy Holidays from HerKentucky!