2008–09 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
| 2008–09 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings |
|
Conf |
|
|
Overall |
| Team |
W |
|
L |
|
PCT |
|
|
W |
|
L |
|
PCT |
| East |
| South Carolina |
10 |
|
6 |
|
.625 |
|
|
21 |
|
10 |
|
.677 |
| Tennessee |
10 |
|
6 |
|
.625 |
|
|
21 |
|
13 |
|
.618 |
| Florida |
9 |
|
7 |
|
.563 |
|
|
25 |
|
11 |
|
.694 |
| Vanderbilt |
8 |
|
8 |
|
.500 |
|
|
19 |
|
12 |
|
.613 |
| Kentucky |
8 |
|
8 |
|
.500 |
|
|
22 |
|
14 |
|
.611 |
| Georgia |
3 |
|
13 |
|
.188 |
|
|
12 |
|
20 |
|
.375 |
| West |
| #21 LSU |
13 |
|
3 |
|
.813 |
|
|
27 |
|
8 |
|
.771 |
| Auburn |
10 |
|
6 |
|
.625 |
|
|
24 |
|
12 |
|
.667 |
| Miss. State† |
9 |
|
7 |
|
.563 |
|
|
23 |
|
13 |
|
.639 |
| Alabama |
7 |
|
9 |
|
.438 |
|
|
18 |
|
14 |
|
.563 |
| Ole Miss |
7 |
|
9 |
|
.438 |
|
|
16 |
|
15 |
|
.516 |
| Arkansas |
2 |
|
14 |
|
.125 |
|
|
14 |
|
16 |
|
.467 |
|
† SEC Tournament winner
Rankings from AP Poll |
The 2008–09 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represents the University of Kentucky in the college basketball season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Billy Gillispie, who was in his second year as coach. The Wildcats play their home games at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. The team's season started with a controversial early Midnight Madness event on October 10, 2008 which is not the traditional date for celebration that coincides with the first day of NCAA-sanctioned regular practice sessions that occurred on October 17, 2008.
On March 15, 2009, the Wildcats accepted a bid to the 2009 National Invitation Tournament, ending a streak of 17 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship dating back to 1992.[1]
Roster
| # |
Name |
Height |
Weight (lbs.) |
Position |
Class |
Hometown |
Previous Team(s) |
| 1 |
Darius Miller |
6'7" |
223 |
G/F |
Fr. |
Maysville, KY, U.S. |
Mason County HS |
| 2 |
Matt Scherbenske |
6'0" |
165 |
G |
Jr. |
Lexington, KY, U.S. |
Oak Hill
Oral Roberts Eagles |
| 3 |
Kevin Galloway |
6'7" |
215 |
G/F |
Jr. |
Sacramento, CA, U.S. |
Sacramento HS
Southern Idaho |
| 22, 5 |
Ramon Harris |
6'7" |
218 |
G/F |
Jr. |
Anchorage, AK, U.S. |
West Anchorage HS |
| 10 |
Landon Slone |
6'3" |
188 |
G |
Fr. |
Paintsville, KY, U.S. |
Paintsville HS |
| 11 |
Adam Delph |
6'1" |
161 |
G |
Fr. |
Louisville, KY, U.S. |
PRP |
| 12 |
Mark Krebs |
6'5" |
207 |
G |
Jr. |
Newport, KY, U.S. |
Newport Central Catholic HS |
| 13 |
Michael Porter |
6'3" |
198 |
G |
Jr. |
Modesto, CA, U.S. |
Modesto Christian |
| 14 |
Mark "Buddy" Halsell |
5'11" |
182 |
G |
So. |
St. Charles, MO, U.S. |
St. Charles HS
SW Illinois |
| 15 |
AJ Stewart |
6'7" |
218 |
F |
So. |
Jacksonville, FL, U.S. |
Arlington Country Day HS |
| 21 |
Perry Stevenson |
6'9" |
215 |
F |
Jr. |
Lafayette, LA, U.S. |
Lafayette HS |
| 23 |
Jodie Meeks |
6'4" |
208 |
G |
Jr. |
Norcross, GA, U.S. |
Norcross HS |
| 25 |
Donald Williams |
6'3" |
205 |
G |
Fr. |
Baton Rouge, LA, U.S. |
Progressive Christian Academy |
| 30 |
Dwight Perry |
6'1" |
173 |
G |
Jr. |
Durham, NC, U.S. |
Southern HS |
| 33 |
Matt Pilgrim |
6'8" |
233 |
F |
Jr. |
Cincinnati, OH, U.S. |
Bridgton Academy
Hampton |
| 34 |
DeAndre Liggins |
6'6" |
202 |
G |
Fr. |
Chicago, IL, U.S. |
Findlay Prep (Las Vegas, NV) |
| 43 |
Jared Carter |
7'2" |
277 |
C |
Sr. |
Georgetown, KY, U.S. |
Scott County HS |
| 54 |
Patrick Patterson |
6'9" |
235 |
F/C |
So. |
Huntington, WV, U.S. |
Huntington HS |
| 55 |
Josh Harrellson |
6'10" |
265 |
C |
So. |
St. Charles, MO, U.S. |
St. Charles HS
SW Illinois |
Incoming signees
| Name |
Hometown |
High school / college |
Height |
Weight |
Commit date |
DeAndre Liggins
G |
Chicago, Illinois |
Findlay Prep |
6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
202 lb (92 kg) |
Jun 27,
2007 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 89 |
Darius Miller
G/F |
Maysville, Kentucky |
Mason County |
6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
223 lb (101 kg) |
Sep 7,
2007 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 91 |
Kevin Galloway
G/F |
Sacramento, California |
College of Southern Idaho |
6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
215 lb (98 kg) |
Mar 10,
2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: n/a |
Josh Harrellson
C |
St. Charles, Missouri |
Southwestern Illinois Community College |
6 ft 10 in (208 cm) |
265 lb (120 kg) |
Apr 29,
2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: n/a |
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 15 Rivals: 21 |
Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
2008–09 schedule and results
| Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Record |
| Exhibition |
| November 3, 2008* |
7:00 |
Missouri-Saint Louis |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 111–53 |
0–0 |
| November 7, 2008* |
7:00 |
Ouachita Baptist |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 94–72 |
0–0 |
| Regular Season |
| November 14, 2008* |
7:00 |
VMI |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
L 103–111 |
0–1 |
| November 18, 2008* |
9:00 |
at #1 North Carolina |
|
Dean Smith Center • Chapel Hill, NC |
ESPN |
L 58–77 |
0–2 |
| November 22, 2008* |
12:00 |
Delaware State |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY
(2008 Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational) |
FSN South |
W 71–42 |
1–2 |
| November 24, 2008* |
7:00 |
Longwood |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY
(2008 Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational) |
FSN South |
W 91–57 |
2–2 |
| November 28, 2008* |
11:59 |
vs. Kansas State |
|
Orleans Arena • Las Vegas, NV
(2008 Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational) |
ESPNU |
W 74–72 |
3–2 |
| November 29, 2008* |
10:30 |
vs. West Virginia |
|
Orleans Arena • Las Vegas, NV
(2008 Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Invitational) |
ESPN 2 |
W 54–43 |
4–2 |
| December 3, 2008* |
7:00 |
Lamar |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 103–61 |
5–2 |
| December 6, 2008* |
5:00 |
#22 Miami (FL) |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
ESPN |
L 67–73 |
5–3 |
| December 7, 2008* |
3:00 |
Mississippi Valley State |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 88–65 |
6–3 |
| December 13, 2008* |
4:00 |
Indiana |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
CBS |
W 72–54 |
7–3 |
| December 20, 2008* |
12:00 |
Appalachian State |
|
Freedom Hall • Louisville, KY |
FSN South |
W 93–69 |
8–3 |
| December 22, 2008* |
7:00 |
Tennessee State |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 102–58 |
9–3 |
| December 27, 2008* |
3:00 |
Florida Atlantic |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 76–69 |
10–3 |
| December 29, 2008* |
7:00 |
Central Michigan |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
FSN South |
W 84–52 |
11–3 |
| January 4, 2009* |
4:30 |
at #18 Louisville |
|
Freedom Hall • Louisville, KY
(Battle for the Bluegrass) |
CBS |
L 71–74 |
11–4 |
| SEC Regular Season |
| January 10, 2009 |
2:00 |
Vanderbilt |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
Raycom |
W 70–60 |
12–4 (1–0) |
| January 13, 2009 |
9:00 |
at Tennessee |
|
Thompson-Boling Arena • Knoxville, TN |
ESPN |
W 90–72 |
13–4 (2–0) |
| January 18, 2009 |
9:00 |
at Georgia |
|
Stegeman Coliseum • Athens, GA |
Raycom |
W 68–45 |
14–4 (3–0) |
| January 21, 2009 |
9:00 |
Auburn |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
Raycom |
W 73–64 |
15–4 (4–0) |
| January 24, 2009 |
3:00 |
at Alabama |
|
Coleman Coliseum • Tuscaloosa, AL |
Raycom |
W 61–51 |
16–4 (5–0) |
| January 27, 2009 |
7:00 |
at Ole Miss |
#24 |
Tad Smith Coliseum • Oxford, MS |
ESPN |
L 80–85 |
16–5 (5–1) |
| January 31, 2009 |
3:00 |
South Carolina |
#24 |
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
Raycom |
L 77–78 |
16–6 (5–2) |
| February 3, 2009 |
7:00 |
Mississippi State |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
Raycom |
L 57–66 |
16–7 (5–3) |
| February 10, 2009 |
9:00 |
Florida |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
ESPN |
W 68–65 |
17–7 (6–3) |
| February 14, 2009 |
1:00 |
at Arkansas |
|
Bud Walton Arena • Fayetteville, AR |
CBS |
W 79–63 |
18–7 (7–3) |
| February 17, 2009 |
9:00 |
at Vanderbilt |
|
Memorial Gymnasium • Nashville, TN |
ESPN |
L 64–77 |
18–8 (7–4) |
| February 21, 2009 |
1:00 |
Tennessee |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
CBS |
W 77–58 |
19–8 (8–4) |
| February 25, 2009 |
7:00 |
at South Carolina |
|
Colonial Life Arena • Columbia, SC |
Raycom |
L 59–77 |
19–9 (8–5) |
| February 28, 2009 |
4:00 |
#18 LSU |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY |
CBS |
L 70–73 |
19–10 (8–6) |
| March 4, 2009 |
8:00 |
Georgia |
|
Rupp Arena • Lexington, KY
(Senior Night) |
Raycom |
L 85–90 |
19–11 (8–7) |
| March 7, 2009 |
2:00 |
at Florida |
|
O'Connell Center • Gainesville, FL |
CBS |
L 53–60 |
19–12 (8–8) |
| SEC Tournament |
| March 12, 2009 |
1:00 |
vs. Ole Miss |
|
St. Pete Times Forum • Tampa, FL
(SEC Tournament First Round) |
Raycom |
W 71–58 |
20–12 |
| March 13, 2009 |
1:00 |
vs. #16 LSU |
|
St. Pete Times Forum • Tampa, FL
(SEC Tournament Quarterfinals) |
Raycom |
L 67–58 |
20–13 |
| NIT |
| March 17, 2009* |
9:30 |
UNLV |
|
Memorial Coliseum • Lexington, KY
(NIT First Round) |
ESPN |
W 70–60 |
21–13 |
| March 23, 2009* |
7:00 |
at Creighton |
|
Qwest Center Omaha • Omaha, NE
(NIT Sweet Sixteen) |
ESPN |
W 65–63 |
22–13 |
| March 25, 2009* |
7:00 |
at Notre Dame |
|
Edmund P. Joyce Center • South Bend, IN
(NIT Quarterfinals) |
ESPN2 |
L 77–67 |
22–14 |
| *Non-Conference Game. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll. |
Game notes
VMI
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| VMI |
57 |
54 |
111 |
| UK |
47 |
56 |
103 |
North Carolina
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
25 |
33 |
58 |
| UNC |
41 |
36 |
77 |
Delaware State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| DSU |
23 |
19 |
42 |
| UK |
37 |
34 |
71 |
Longwood
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| LW |
24 |
33 |
57 |
| UK |
51 |
40 |
91 |
Kansas State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
37 |
37 |
74 |
| KSU |
29 |
43 |
72 |
West Virginia
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
16 |
38 |
54 |
| WVU |
26 |
17 |
43 |
Lamar
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| LU |
30 |
31 |
61 |
| UK |
56 |
47 |
103 |
Miami-FL
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UM-FL |
46 |
27 |
73 |
| UK |
26 |
41 |
67 |
Mississippi Valley State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| MSVU |
31 |
34 |
65 |
| UK |
39 |
49 |
88 |
Indiana
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| IU |
13 |
41 |
54 |
| UK |
36 |
36 |
72 |
Appalachian State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| ASU |
21 |
48 |
69 |
| UK |
53 |
40 |
93 |
Tennessee State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| TSU |
24 |
34 |
58 |
| UK |
59 |
43 |
102 |
Florida Atlantic
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| FAU |
37 |
32 |
69 |
| UK |
37 |
39 |
76 |
Central Michigan
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| CMU |
23 |
29 |
52 |
| UK |
42 |
42 |
84 |
Louisville
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
35 |
36 |
71 |
| UL |
38 |
36 |
74 |
Vanderbilt
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| VU |
27 |
33 |
60 |
| UK |
31 |
39 |
70 |
Tennessee
Jodie Meeks set two single-game school records in Kentucky's 90–72 win at Tennessee. He scored 54 points in the game, breaking Dan Issel's previous record of 53 points, which had stood since 1970. Meeks also scored 10 three-point field goals in the game, breaking a record that had been held by Tony Delk since 1996.[2]
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
41 |
49 |
90 |
| UT |
37 |
35 |
72 |
Georgia
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
38 |
30 |
68 |
| UGA |
19 |
26 |
45 |
Auburn
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| AU |
33 |
31 |
64 |
| UK |
34 |
39 |
73 |
Alabama
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
19 |
42 |
61 |
| UA |
25 |
26 |
51 |
Ole Miss
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
39 |
41 |
80 |
| UM |
37 |
48 |
85 |
South Carolina
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| USC |
36 |
42 |
78 |
| UK |
37 |
40 |
77 |
Mississippi State
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| MSU |
37 |
29 |
66 |
| UK |
24 |
33 |
57 |
Florida
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UF |
30 |
35 |
65 |
| UK |
30 |
38 |
68 |
Arkansas
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
40 |
39 |
79 |
| UA |
29 |
34 |
63 |
Jodie Meeks broke thr 40 point barrier again this game with 45 points. He set the record for most points in Arkansas' stadium, Bud Walton Arena
Vanderbilt
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
30 |
34 |
64 |
| VU |
30 |
47 |
77 |
Tennessee
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UT |
24 |
34 |
58 |
| UK |
31 |
46 |
77 |
South Carolina
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
28 |
31 |
59 |
| USC |
46 |
31 |
77 |
LSU
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| LSU |
36 |
37 |
73 |
| UK |
28 |
42 |
70 |
Georgia
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UGA |
47 |
43 |
90 |
| UK |
49 |
36 |
85 |
Florida
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
22 |
31 |
53 |
| UF |
29 |
31 |
60 |
Ole Miss
First-round game in the 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament.
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
36 |
35 |
71 |
| UM |
38 |
20 |
58 |
LSU
Quarterfinals of the 2009 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
23 |
35 |
58 |
| LSU |
28 |
39 |
67 |
UNLV
First Round of the 2009 NIT. Game played at Memorial Coliseum (on the campus of UK) instead of Rupp Arena due to a scheduling conflict with the 2009 KHSAA Sweet Sixteen Boys' Championship.[3]
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UNLV |
24 |
36 |
60 |
| UK |
36 |
34 |
70 |
Creighton
Sweet 16 of the 2009 NIT
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
31 |
34 |
65 |
| CU |
33 |
30 |
63 |
Notre Dame
Quarterfinals of the NIT
| Teams |
1st Half |
2nd Half |
Final |
| UK |
26 |
41 |
67 |
| ND |
34 |
43 |
77 |
Season honors and awards
All-SEC
| Team |
Player |
Position |
| First |
Jodie Meeks |
Guard |
| First |
Patrick Patterson |
Forward |
| All-SEC |
SEC Player of the Week
SEC Freshman of the Week
| Date |
Player |
Position |
| 12/8 [8] |
DeAndre Liggins |
Guard |
| SEC Freshman of the Week |
Pre-Season All-SEC
Class of 2009 Commitments/Signees
| Name |
Hometown |
High school / college |
Height |
Weight |
Commit date |
Daniel Orton
C |
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
Bishop McGuinness |
6 ft 10 in (208 cm) |
260 lb (120 kg) |
Oct 12,
2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 97 |
Demarcus Cousins
C |
Mobile, Alabama |
LeFlore |
6 ft 9 in (206 cm) |
250 lb (110 kg) |
Apr 8,
2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 98 |
Jon Hood
SG |
Madisonville, Kentucky |
Madisonville-North Hopkins |
6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
May 25,
2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 89 |
GJ Vilarino
PG |
McKinney, Texas |
McKinney |
6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
170 lb (77 kg) |
Apr 10,
2007 |
| Scout: Rivals: ESPN grade: 88 |
Konner Tucker
PG |
Fort Worth, Texas |
Lon Morris |
6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
Mar 19,
2009 |
| Scout:N/A Rivals:N/A |
| Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: N/A Rivals: N/A |
Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
References
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| Eastern Division |
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| Western Division |
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| Tournament |
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