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WIN NUMBER 2000

(Special from Brian Melton)

The Kentucky Wildcats became the first team in NCAA Men’s Basketball history to win 2000 games by defeating the Drexel Dragons Monday night 88-44.  The feat was over a hundred years in the making and man was it worth the wait.  As the last few seconds ticked off the clock the crowd erupted while confetti and streamers shot into the air and onto the court.  It was truly a fitting celebration for an absolutely amazing accomplishment.  Coach John Calipari described his team’s role in making history.  “We weren’t a part of many of those 2,000 wins and we had a job to do and that was drag us across the line before that other blue team got there.  This is a special moment for this program and this state.”

            The tradition and history of Kentucky basketball is visible at every game with the videos, championship banners, and longstanding traditions that make the program what it is today.  And on this night there was evidence of this programs greatness around every corner of storied Rupp Arena.  Adolph Rupp’s son Herky, along with Coach Joe B. Hall, and the late Bill Keitley’s wife and daughter joined the team at half court to celebrate the victory.  Former players like Kenny Walker and Kyle Macy were everywhere, and Jamal Mashburn made his first trip back to Kentucky since his jersey had been retired in 1999 to call the game for the ESPN broadcast. 

            The magnitude of the event across the Big Blue Nation could be seen in the stands as well.  The excitement level of the crowd was evident from the player introductions to the final seconds as the fans awaited the chance to again enjoy the spotlight on our beloved program.  Not many times do you see the entire crowd standing and cheering at the end of forty-point victory, but then you have to realize that this is Kentucky. 

Coach Calipari tried to minimize his importance in reaching the 2000 win plateau.  He couldn’t be any more wrong.  When you look at how the last two years had gone and with the way North Carolina was quickly catching up, it is almost hard to believe what happened on Monday night.  Without Calipari and the influx of talent and positive energy he has brought into the program I truly believe that the fans of that awful powder blue team would have stolen our moment in history.

As for the game itself, Kentucky completely dominated the smaller Dragons from the tip.  Patrick Patterson continues to impress with his unbelievable outside shooting touch.  DeAndre Liggins was impressive on the defensive end of the court as he personally disrupted the Drexel offense by harassing the point guard, not to mention the two threes he made as well.  The Cats continued their hot shooting from the free throw stripe as well.  Who would have thought we’d ever be saying that?  Not me. 

Next up for the Wildcats are the 49ers of Long Beach State Wednesday afternoon.  This should be a very interesting test for the Cats as both teams will try to get out and run.  Hopefully Santa received my Christmas wish list and UK will give me win number 2001 a couple of days early.

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WIN NUMBER 2000

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