your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats squeaked past arch-nemesis #5 Arkansas, 95-93, in overtime to win the SEC Tournament in Atlanta. The 1990s as a whole provided some of the most exciting basketball in the history of the SEC as these two teams were guaranteed to put on a show when they matched up together. Nolan Richardson's squad took the earlier meeting, 94-92, in Fayetteville, but the SEC Tournament provided a "neutral" site for the second meeting. The crowd of over 30,000 would not be disappointed as the up-and-down game would be tied at the end of regulation. After being down 19 points, Kentucky clawed their way back and had a chance to win in regulation, but Rodrick Rhodes missed two free throws with 1.3 seconds left to send the game to the extra frame. Rick Pitino would not play Rhodes in the overtime due to his near emotional breakdown on the court after the misses. Arkansas scored the first seven points of overtime and eventually got the lead to nine before Kentucky got things working. The Backs missed four of six free throws down the stretch and Tony Delk hit a key 3-pointer with 39 seconds left to cut the lead to 93-90. Antoine Walker and Anthony Epps then had consecutive steals to give UK a 94-93 lead as time was winding down. A last second Arkansas heave bounced off the rim, giving Kentucky the title. The win came despite Kentucky going a paltry 3-18 from 3-point range. Ten players saw at least 10 minutes of action and all ten scored, led by Antoine Walker's 23 points - 7 rebounds - 3 steals.

your #15 University of Kentucky Wildcats beat the Ole Miss Jar Jar Binx, 77-55, to win the SEC Tournament, their eighth in the past ten years. Tubby's squad jumped out early in Nashville and took a 36-19 lead into the break. At that point, the game was decided, and the Cats went on to take what was beginning to look like the Kentucky Invitational. Junior All-American and SEC Player of the Year Tayshaun Prince single-handedly gave Mississippi all they wanted, finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds, on 10-15 shooting (6-8 from 3-point range). He went on to earn SEC Tournament MVP unanimously and put Big Blue on the run they wanted going into the NCAA Tournament. Sophomore Keith Bogans added 19 points - 5 rebounds - 4 assists on 8-11 shooting from the field. The Championship moved UK to 22-9 on the season, a huge improvement after starting the 2000-01 campaign 3-5. Tayshaun and Company would enter the NCAAs as the #9 team in the country, and ultimately lose to Southern Cal in the Sweet 16.

your #3 University of Kentucky Wildcats needed a game winner by Kenny "Sky" Walker as time expired to beat Auburn in the SEC Championship game, 51-49. The game was a freak show of talent, putting five of the nation's premier college basketball players on display at Vanderbilt Memorial Gym in Nashville. Kentucky's Sam Bowie, Melvin Turpin, and Kenny Walker dominated the inside for UK, while Charles Barkley and Chuck Person controlled the middle for the Tigers. The game was a slugfest that went back-and-forth until the final buzzer sounded when Jim Master found Sky Walker on the elbow for the winner. Walker's shot hit the front of the iron, bounced into the air and found the bottom of the basket for a lil' string music, sending The Round Mound of Rebound to the floor in tears. The Cats were led by Walker (12 points - 9 rebounds), Turpin (13 points - 5 rebounds), Master (10 points), and Dicky Beal (7 assists). It was the 14th SEC Tournament Championship for Kentucky.

your top-ranked University of Kentucky Wildcats gave Nolan Richardson the beatdown he deserved with a 95-75 thrashing of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament. The Hogs seemed to be a shell of their former selves, as the "40 Minutes of Hell" is just what they got from arguably the best college basketball team ever. Antoine Walker shimmied his way to 21 points - 14 rebounds - 5 assists - 2 steals, giving him player of the game honors. The most scary statistic of the game was the fact senior All-American Tony Delk went only 1-9 from 3-point range. A 20 point victory over the proverbial thorn in our side with our MVP shooting like that was a great sign for Big Blue Nation. Walter McCarty added 17 points - 4 blocks - 3 steals and freshman phenom Ron Mercer contributed 11 points off the bench. The win was the 27th straight for the '96 Cats. The streak would end at 27, though, as Mississippi State would catch us sleeping in the Championship game.

your #7 University of Kentucky Wildcats absolutely destroyed #15 South Carolina, 86-56, to take their sixth SEC Tournament Championship in seven years, and their 21st overall SEC Tournament Championship. The most impressive part of the beating was that Kentucky didn't have the services of Jeff Sheppard due to an ankle injury, and Nazr Mohammed was less than 100% with a separated shoulder. Only three Cats got into double figures and twelve players saw court time as Tubby's squad built a ten point lead by halftime. Wayne Turner picked up the slack (with Sheppard out) and finished the contest with 18 points, including two 3-pointers, and four assists. Allen Edwards added 15 points and five assists, and super-sub Heshimu Evans had 11 points - 6 rebounds - 3 assists for the winners. And to add salt to the gaping South Carolina wound, Myron Anthony finished 3-3 from the field for 7 points and the human victory cigar Steve Masiello's three minutes of action saw him make a 3 and have an And-1. There ya go South Carolina, Steve Masiello balled on you.

your #10 University of Kentucky Wildcats honored the most compelling group of seniors ever as The Unforgettables walked onto the Rupp Arena floor one last time. The quartet of Deron Feldhaus, Sean Woods, John Pelphrey, and Richie Farmer changed the culture of a basketball powerhouse that had buried itself in NCAA sanctions into (ultimately) one of the most talked about teams in the country. Make no mistake, though, as the most dominant player on the floor was super sophomore Jamal Mashburn, who had 30 points in the 99-88 shootout win over Allan Houston and Tennessee. On the senior side, Sean Woods got ejected and spent most of the day in the locker room, not before dishing out six assists. John Pelphrey (9 points - 7 assists - 5 steals - 4 rebounds), Deron Feldhaus (13 points - 4 rebounds), and Richie Farmer (15 points - 4 assists) were enough of a supporting cast to help Mash send the boys out on a high note. The game was also the last Rupp Arena game for "The Voice of the Wildcats" Cawood Ledford.

your #7 University of Kentucky Wildcats started their postseason march by taking out future Kentucky assistant David Hobbs and Alabama in the SEC Tournament 81-72. After a close first half, Big Blue steadily pulled away in the second stanza even without a suspended Jamaal Magloire. Tubby Smith suspended the big man for a violation of team rules and didn't even notify the team that he wouldn't be playing until halftime. No matter, as UK had nine players see at least 13 minutes of action, led by Jeff Sheppard (17 points), Wayne Turner (9 points - 8 assists), and Scott Padgett (12 points - 13 rebounds). The highly acclaimed trio, along with sculpted sixth man Heshimu Evans (7 points - 10 rebounds) put Big Blue Nation on its back and slammed its way into the semifinals where they would take on #16 Arkansas. The difference in the Bama game, though, was the beating put forth on the glass by the Wildcats, outworking the Tide 53-32.