2014–15 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
NCAA tournament, Final Four
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
Ranking
CoachesNo. 3
APNo. 1
Record38–1 (18–0 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
Home arenaRupp Arena
2014–15 Southeastern Conference men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 1 Kentucky †18–0 1.00038–1  .974
No. 21 Arkansas13–5 .72227–9  .750
LSU11–7 .61122–11  .667
Georgia11–7 .61121–12  .636
Texas A&M11–7 .61121–12  .636
Ole Miss11–7 .61121–13  .618
Vanderbilt9–9 .50021–14  .600
Alabama8–10 .44419–15  .559
Florida8–10 .44416–17  .485
Tennessee7–11 .38916–16  .500
South Carolina6–12 .33317–16  .515
Mississippi State6–12 .33313–19  .406
Auburn4–14 .22215–20  .429
Missouri3–15 .1679–23  .281
† 2015 SEC tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

The 2014–15 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Kentucky in the 2014–15 college basketball season. The team played its home games in Lexington, Kentucky, United States for the 39th consecutive season at Rupp Arena, with a capacity of 23,500. The team was led by sixth-year head coach John Calipari. The team was a National semifinalist in the NCAA tournament, competed in the school's 17th Final Four. It was Calipari's fourth Final Four appearance at Kentucky. The team finished the regular season with a perfect 31–0 record, the best start in school history. For six years, they had been the last unbeaten team to enter the NCAA tournament until Gonzaga in 2021.[1] Their 38 wins is tied with the 2012 Kentucky team for the most in men's Division I history.[2] Their 38–1 record (.974 winning percentage) is the best by a team that did not finish undefeated.

After finishing as the National Runner-up in the 2014 NCAA tournament, the expectations for this team were high. The team, however, would be without some of its top players from the 2013–14 team including starting power forward Julius Randle[3][4] and starting small forward James Young,[5][6] who were first-round draft choices in the 2014 NBA draft. Returning were starting point guard Andrew Harrison,[7] starting shooting guard Aaron Harrison,[7] and starting center Dakari Johnson.[8] Former McDonald's All-Americans Marcus Lee[9] and Alex Poythress[10] also returned to school. Willie Cauley-Stein opted to return to school after his leg injury in the 2014 NCAA tournament.[11] John Calipari once again produced another top recruiting class that was highlighted by Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Wildcats were led by 2015 Consensus All-Americans Cauley-Stein and Towns.

Departures

2014–15 Kentucky departures
Julius Randle entered the NBA draft
James Young entered the NBA draft
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Jon Hood4Guard6'7"215SeniorMadisonville, KentuckyGraduated
Jarrod Polson3Guard6'2"182SeniorWilmore, KentuckyGraduated
Julius Randle30Forward6'9"250FreshmanDallas, TexasEntered 2014 NBA draft
James Young1Forward6'7"215FreshmanRochester Hills, MichiganEntered 2014 NBA Draft

2014–15 newcomers

In November, Kentucky signed another top recruiting class. John Calipari announced four players for his 2014 class during the early signing period on November 14. Trey Lyles (Indianapolis), Karl-Anthony Towns (Metuchen, N.J.), Devin Booker (Grand Rapids, Mich.) and Tyler Ulis (Chicago Heights, Ill.) all signed national letters of intent to play basketball at the University of Kentucky, starting in the 2014–15 season.[12]

Karl-Anthony Towns was the first commitment for the class when verbally committed on December 4, 2012.[13] He was named Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2014.[14] He played for the Dominican Republic National Team in 2012 and 2013 which were coached by John Calipari and Kentucky assistant, Orlando Antigua.[15] He was ranked as No. 6 overall by ESPN and No. 11 by Rivals and Scout.

Tyler Ulis was the second commitment in the class when he verbally committed on September 13, 2013.[16] He committed to Kentucky briefly after he was offered a scholarship. Kentucky had just missed on their primary target, Emmanuel Mudiay, when he committed to SMU on August 24, 2013.[17] Ulis, however, quickly rose the recruiting ranking finishing No. 20 overall by Scout, No. 21 overall by Rivals, and No. 25 overall by ESPN. He chose Kentucky over Iowa, Michigan State, and Southern Cal.[16]

Devin Booker was the third commitment in the class when he verbally committed on October 31, 2013.[18] He was ranked as the No. 18 overall by ESPN and No. 29 overall by Scout and Rivals. As a junior, he was named by Gatorade as the top basketball player in Mississippi.[19] He is the son of the former Missouri and All-American great Melvin Booker. He chose Kentucky over his Dad's alma mater and Michigan.[18]

Trey Lyles was the final commitment in the class when he verbally committed on November 5, 2013.[20] After his senior season, he was named Indiana Mr. Basketball, where he led his high school to a state championship.[21] He committed to Kentucky over rivals Indiana and Louisville. He was rated as the No. 6 overall player by ESPN, the No. 11 overall by Scout, and the No. 13 overall by Rivals.[20]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Devin Booker
G		 Grand Rapids, Michigan Moss Point 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Oct 31, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Trey Lyles
F		 Indianapolis, Indiana Arsenal Tech 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Nov 5, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Karl-Anthony Towns
C		 Metuchen, New Jersey St. Joseph 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Dec 4, 2012 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Tyler Ulis
G		 Chicago, Illinois Marian Catholic 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 150 lb (68 kg) Sep 13, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Kentucky 2014 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "2014 Kentucky Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  • "2014 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.

Pre-season

Roster

The first player to make known his decision was Cauley-Stein, who decided to return to school on April 14.[11] On April 17 Young declared himself eligible for the 2014 NBA draft.[5][6] Shortly after Young's announcement, Lee announced that he would return for his sophomore season on April 18.[9] On April 22 Randle also declared himself eligible for the draft.[3][4] Following Randle's announcement, on April 23 Johnson and Poythress announced they were returning to school.[8][10] The Harrison twins soon after announced that they were returning for their sophomore seasons on April 25.[7]

Off-season rankings

Immediately following the 2014 NCAA tournament, the earliest predictions started being made by the media despite draft status uncertainty. While speculation about Randle and Young's returns remained speculation, projections abounded: 1 CBS Sports,[22] 3 by ESPN,[23] 5 by NBC Sports,[24] 5 by USA Today,[25] 5 by Yahoo! Sports,[26] and 6 by Bleacher Report.[27] Following the April 27 NBA draft entry deadline, revised predictions had Kentucky : 1 by Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, ESPN, NBC Sports,[28][29][30][31] and 2 by USA Today.[32] Along with the projected ranking, the Las Vegas 2015 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament betting lines opened with Kentucky as a 5/1 favorite on April 29.[33]

Accolades

Karl-Anthony Towns, among several Wildcats, was seen by prognosticators as an All-American when the preseason teams were named. USA Today selected him as a First Team All-American.[34] The Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook selected Towns as a Second Team All-American.[35] Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, and NBC Sports selected Towns as a Third Team All-American.[36][37][38] Aaron Harrison was selected by Blue Ribbon and Sports Illustrated as a Second Team All-American.[39] Andrew Harrison was selected by Athlon Sports as a Second Team All-American.[40] Willie Cauley-Stein was selected as a Third Team All-American by Blue Ribbon.[35]

The Southeastern Conference preseason media poll was released at the SEC Media Days in October, it predicted that Kentucky would win the championship and selected Aaron Harrison as its Player of the Year.[41][42] Aaron Harrison was also named to the All-SEC First Team while Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, Poythress and Towns were named to the All-SEC Second Team.[41][42]

USA Today announced its initial coaches poll on October 18 with Kentucky ranked as No. 1 in the country.[43] The Associated Press announced on October 31 that Kentucky was ranked No. 1 to start the season in its initial poll of the season.[44]

Events

Prior to the regular season Kentucky played in a six-game series in the Bahamas from August 10 through August 17 called the Big Blue Bahamas Tour.[45] The three opponents in the series consisted of international clubs and teams from the Dominican Republic, France, and Puerto Rico. Games were played at Kendal G. L. Isaacs National Gymnasium in Nassau, Bahamas. The university spent a total of $792,845.68 on the trip which included flights, lodging, meals, and games.[46]

Tickets for Big Blue Madness, Kentucky's version of Midnight Madness went on sale and sold out on September 20.[47]

Big Blue Madness took place on October 18. The event debuted the team for the 2014–15 season. It included player introductions, a speech by Calipari, and a scrimmage.[48]

The Blue-White scrimmage was the first live game for the team. It occurred at Rupp Arena on October 27. Andrew Harrison scored 19 points, added 18 and the Blue squad dominated the White 94–66.[49]

Roster

2014–15 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
F 00 Marcus Lee 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)220 lb (100 kg) SoDeer Valley Antioch, California
G 1 Devin Booker 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)206 lb (93 kg) FrMoss Point Grand Rapids, Michigan
G 2 Aaron Harrison 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)212 lb (96 kg) SoTravis Fort Bend, Texas
G 3 Tyler Ulis 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)155 lb (70 kg) FrMarian Catholic Lima, Ohio
G 5 Andrew Harrison 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)210 lb (95 kg) SoTravis Fort Bend, Texas
C 12 Karl-Anthony Towns 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)250 lb (113 kg) FrSt. Joseph Piscataway, New Jersey
G 13 Sam Malone 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)185 lb (84 kg) SrScituate Scituate, Massachusetts
F 15 Willie Cauley-Stein 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)240 lb (109 kg) JrOlathe Northwest Olathe, Kansas
G 21 Tod Lanter 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) SrDunbar/Gulf Coast State CC Lexington, Kentucky
F 22 Alex Poythress Injured 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)238 lb (108 kg) JrNortheast Clarksville, Tennessee
G 24 E. J. Floréal 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)200 lb (91 kg) SoDunbar (Lexington, Kentucky) Palo Alto, California
G 25 Dominique Hawkins 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg) SoMadison Central Richmond, Kentucky
G 32 Brian Long 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)155 lb (70 kg) SrRiver Dell Dumont, New Jersey
F 35 Derek Willis 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)216 lb (98 kg) SoBullitt East Mount Washington, Kentucky
F 41 Trey Lyles 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)235 lb (107 kg) FrArsenal Tech Regina, Saskatchewan
C 44 Dakari Johnson 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)255 lb (116 kg) SoMontverde Brooklyn, New York
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on
  • Roster is subject to change as/if players transfer or leave the program for other reasons.

Schedule

November

The season officially began on November 14 with an 85 to 45 victory over Grand Canyon in the first game of the Cawood Ledford Classic at Rupp Arena.[50][51] Willie Cauley-Stein added 12 points, Dakari Johnson had 13 rebounds and 10 points and Trey Lyles had 14 points.[50][51] Two days later on November 16 Kentucky defeated Buffalo 71 to 52 in the second game of the Cawood Ledford Classic at Rupp Arena.[52][53] Buffalo led by 5 at halftime, but Kentucky used a 9 to 0 run to start the second half to regain the lead.[52][53] Two nights later Kentucky traveled to Indianapolis to face No. 5 Kansas in the annual Champions Classic. Kentucky defeated Kansas 72 to 40 which was Kansas' lowest number of points scored since 1962.[54][55] Kentucky's defense was stifling as they limited Kansas to 19.6 percent from the field, and blocked 11 of Kansas' shots.[54][55] Three nights later Kentucky defeated Boston University 89 to 65 at Rupp Arena.[56][57] Aaron Harrison scored 19 points, Devin Booker added 15, and top-ranked Kentucky shot 59 percent from the field.[56][57] Two nights later Kentucky defeated Montana State 86 to 28 in the third game of the Cawood Ledford Classic at Rupp Arena.[58][59] Kentucky opened the second half on a 26 to 0 run, and Montana State's 28 points is the fewest for a UK opponent since the shot clock era began in 1985–86.[58][59] Two nights later Kentucky defeated UT-Arlington 92 to 44 in the final game of the Cawood Ledford Classic.[60][61] Kentucky won consecutive games by at least 48 points (58 points vs. Montana State and 48 points vs. UT Arlington) for the first time since 1954.[60][61] After a five-day break Kentucky defeated Providence 58 to 38 at Rupp Arena.[62][63] Kentucky finished November ranked No. 1 in the AP and USA Today polls and with a 7–0 record.

December

On December 5 Kentucky defeated No. 6 Texas 63 to 51 in a Big 12/SEC Challenge game at Rupp Arena.[64][65] The game was tied at halftime until Kentucky outscored the Longhorns 18 to 2 in the first 8:40 of the second half to make it 44 to 28. Cauley-Stein totaled a career-high 21 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, his first double-double of the season.[64][65] Two nights later Kentucky defeated Eastern Kentucky 82 to 49 at Rupp Arena.[66][67] The only excitement from the game came late when Aaron Harrison made Kentucky's first 3-point basket with a few minutes remaining. Harrison's make extended Kentucky's 908 game streak of making at least one three-pointer.[66] Eastern Kentucky coach Jeff Neubauer proclaimed after the game that his team was "...guarded by the best defensive team in the modern era of college basketball...".[68] Three nights later Kentucky defeated Columbia 56 to 46 at Rupp Arena.[69][70] Columbia opened the game with an 11 to 0 lead and did not surrender the lead until the second half. After the first four minutes Kentucky ended the game on a 56 to 35 run.[69][70] Three days later Kentucky renewed its rivalry with North Carolina at Rupp Arena, defeating the Tar Heels 84 to 70.[71][72] Two days prior to the game Poythress suffered a knee injury that would force him to miss the remainder of the season.[73] Players showed support for their injured teammate by wearing blue "Roar for 22" T-shirts during warmups.[71] Lyles got his first career start in his absence and scored 9 points.[71][72] After a week off Kentucky traveled to Chicago to play UCLA in the inaugural CBS Sports Classic. Kentucky defeated the Bruins in dominating fashion, 83 to 44.[74][75] The Wildcats were leading 24 to 0 before UCLA scored their first point with 12 minutes left in the first half.[74] Kentucky led 41 to 7 at halftime. It was the lowest point total in a half for UCLA and the fewest by a Kentucky opponent since December 1943.[74] After the UCLA game the team took a week off for the Holidays. Upon their return they traveled to the KFC Yum! Center for their first road test of the season against in-state rival No. 4 Louisville. Ulis had a career game, scoring career-best 14 points off the bench to defeat the Cards 58 to 50. This was Kentucky's seventh victory in eight games against Louisville with Calipari as head coach.[76][77]

January

Kentucky opened the SEC portion of their schedule on January 6 at home against Ole Miss. After looking dominant in November and December, the Cats were taken to the wire by the Rebels. UK needed overtime to outlast Ole Miss 89 to 86. Unfazed by trailing Kentucky 12 to 0 and 18 to 5, Ole Miss' Emmanuel Moody helped the Rebels regroup to mount runs of 10 to 0 and 7 to 0 to get within 23 to 22 before eventually taking a 30 to 26 lead with 7:01 left in the half. The Rebels led 38 to 36 at the break behind 50 percent shooting before Kentucky opened the second half with a spurt that put them by as many as six before Mississippi battled back. Wildcats guard Aaron Harrison thwarted the Rebels' quest by scoring 26 points, including two big free throws with 1:29 remaining in overtime to put Kentucky ahead to stay.[78][79] After the scare Ole Miss put into Kentucky, they rebounded on January 10 at Texas A&M behind Booker's 18 points to a 70 to 64 victory in double-overtime. The Aggies rallied in the final minutes to tie it in regulation. Lyles made two foul shots with six seconds left in the first overtime for Kentucky, and Texas A&M took its time before missing a long 3 at the buzzer. Down 66 to 63, Texas A&M's Kourtney Roberson made one of two free throws before a turnover by Lyles gave the Aggies the ball back with 26.9 seconds left. A&M's Danuel House missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left and Kentucky's Johnson made two free throws to seal the game.[80][81] Kentucky returned home on January 13 to defeat Missouri 86 to 37. Aaron Harrison scored 16 points including five 3-pointers to lift Kentucky to their first SEC win in regulation. Cauley-Stein added 13 points and Towns 12 points with 10 rebounds as Kentucky shot 48 percent from the field. The Wildcats also held Missouri to a season-low 27 percent and outrebounded the Tigers 46 to 27 including 30 defensive boards. [82][83] On January 17 Kentucky traveled to Tuscaloosa to defeat Alabama 70 to 48. Kentucky used two big runs to take a 35 to 17 lead by halftime. Alabama trimmed the lead in half with a 13–4 run coming out of the locker room, when the Wildcats missed their first five shots. The rally was short-lived, and then it got worse for the Tide. The Wildcats reclaimed control with 10 straight points en route to a 16–2 run that featured two 3-pointers by Ulis, one by Booker and a powerful dunk by Cauley-Stein. Freshman Devin Booker scored 13 points and remained solid from the perimeter.[84][85] On January 20 Kentucky defeated Vanderbilt 65 to 57 at Rupp Arena. The Wildcats didn't lead by double digits until early in the second half, and that 45 to 33 advantage lasted briefly as the Commodores began answering from the perimeter to stay within reach. Five combined 3-pointers by Vanderbilt's Riley LaChance (16 points) and Matthew Fisher-Davis (13) helped Vanderbilt pull within 58 to 54 with 2:36 left. The Commodores never got closer as the Harrisons closed it out for the Wildcats.[86][87] On January 24 Kentucky traveled to Columbia to defeat South Carolina 58 to 43. In the season prior, Kentucky lost 72 to 67 on this same floor only weeks before their run to the National Championship game. However, the Wildcats turned up the defense to make sure that didn't happen this time after South Carolina's Sindarius Thornwell hit a 3-pointer for a 24 to 23 South Carolina lead with 4:31 left that sent the fans into a frenzy. Ulis started the comeback for Kentucky with a steal and basket before Booker made two fouls shots and a dunk and the Wildcats were on their way. Booker scored seven points in Kentucky's 14 to 0 run that spanned both halves, closing the surge with a 3-pointer that put the Wildcats ahead 37 to 24 with 18:28 remaining.[88][89] On January 29 the Wildcats again traveled to Columbia, this time to defeat Missouri 69 to 53. The Tigers looked game for most of the first half. Milking the clock with crisp ball movement, Missouri was able to crack Kentucky's long and lean front line for easy baskets. Missouri's Keanau Post started it with a rim-rattling dunk a few minutes in, and a pair of dunks by Ryan Rosburg had the fans in Mizzou Arena on their feet. Another dunk by Jakeenan Gant late in the half allowed the Tigers to close within 32 to 25. The Wildcats struggled some more early in the second half, throwing up a series of ugly jumpers and missing a couple shots at the rim. Missouri struggled to take advantage, but did close within 38 to 32 on Clark's basket with 14:25 to go. Foul trouble began to set in, though, with Missouri's Namon Wright and Montaque Gill-Caesar each picking up their fourth with more than 15 minutes left in the game. The Wildcats, with more quality depth, were able to capitalize on their absences and put together a 10 to 2 run to gain control. The Harrison twins led the way. Aaron knocked down a jumper, and after Andrew did the same, he proceeded to the foul line on the next four trips down the floor. Wright fouled out with 8:52 to go. Gill-Caesar joined him less than a minute later. And by the time the Wildcats had hit those free throws, their lead had swelled to 56 to 36.[90][91] On January 30 Kentucky faced off against Alabama for the second time this season at Rupp Arena, defeating the Crimson Tide 70 to 55. Towns scored all 12 of his points in the first half to put Kentucky ahead. Cauley-Stein snapped out of a mini-slump with 12 points and four rebounds, Booker added 11 points with three 3-pointers and Aaron Harrison had 10. Kentucky quickly rolled to a double-digit lead and positioned itself to blow out Alabama before settling for a 37 to 24 advantage at the break. Kentucky controlled the paint 28 to 14 while their bench dominated the Tide 31 to 8. Kentucky also committed just five turnovers while forcing Alabama into 13 mistakes that resulted in 20 points.[92][93]

February

On February 3 Kentucky hosted Georgia at Rupp Arena, defeating the Bulldogs 69 to 58. The Bulldogs were without leading scorer and rebounder Marcus Thornton, who was out due to a concussion. Andrew Harrison scored 23 points and combined with Towns for key baskets down the stretch that helped Kentucky pull away. Harrison's layup with 3:58 remaining provided a 62 to 54 lead before baskets by Georgia's Yante Maten and Nemanja Djurisic pulled the Bulldogs to 63 to 58 with 2:06 left. Towns' short jumper with 1:33 left got the lead to seven, and Tyler Ulis and Harrison each added two free throws in the final minute for the Wildcats.[94][95] On February 7 Kentucky traveled to Gainesville to face arch-rival Florida. Florida swept all three meetings in 2014, winning in Lexington, in Gainesville and in the SEC tournament. Both teams advanced to the Final Four in 2014, but had gone in different directions in 2015. Florida entered the game one game over .500 and struggling mightily through the beginning of SEC play. Aaron Harrison scored 23 points, Towns added 19 and the Wildcats remained unbeaten with a 68 to 61 victory over the Gators before a national television audience on ESPN's College GameDay. Florida led by nine in the first half and used a 6 to 0 run to go up 44 to 42 midway through the second half. However, Cauley-Stein's dunk proved to be the turning point. Florida's Devon Robinson turned the ball over on one end, and Cauley-Stein was the beneficiary on the other. He caught a pass in transition near the foul line, took two steps and then slammed it over Robinson. He was fouled on the play and made the free throw to put Kentucky ahead for good. Free throws were huge down the stretch, too. Kentucky closed out the game from the charity stripe and finished 21 of 22 from there.[96][97] On February 9 traveled to Baton Rouge face LSU before another national television audience on ESPN. Frustrated by the way his team was playing, coach Calipari told them he hoped they'd lose. They almost did. Towns redeemed himself after drawing a technical foul for hanging on the basket and the ire of his coach by hitting a go-head jump hook with 1:30 left and grabbing a clutch offensive rebound against LSU in the final minute to help Kentucky stay unbeaten, defeating the Tigers 71 to 69. Calipari explained that he wanted to make sure his team won't lose elimination games in March over senseless fouls, so even as his assistants pleaded with him to call timeout, he just watched and joined in the ear-ringing frenzy at the sold out Pete Maravich Assembly Center during a stunning 21 to 2 LSU run that gave the Tigers a 66 to 60 lead. LSU's Keith Hornsby had a shot to win it for LSU in the final seconds, but his off-balance 3 bounced off the outside of the rim, and Kentucky was victorious.[98][99] On February 14 Kentucky returned to Rupp Arena to face off against South Carolina for the second time this season. After holding South Carolina to 27 percent shooting in last month's meeting, Kentucky limited the Gamecocks to just 13 of 55 from the field (24 percent) this time. Kentucky had a strong start that put South Carolina in a hole that steadily deepened. The Wildcats led 26 to 6 with 8:21 left in the first half and never eased off in overwhelming South Carolina on both ends. It was 43 to 18 at halftime, and Kentucky poured it on against a Gamecocks squad looking to build off a five-point win over Missouri.[100][101] On February 17 Kentucky traveled to Knoxville to face arch-rival Tennessee. Booker had 18 points and seven rebounds as Kentucky picked up its defense in the second half and pulled away for a 66 to 48 victory over the Volunteers. The victory set a new record for the historic program as they became 26–0 for the first time, though the Wildcats finished the 1953–54 season with a 25–0 mark.[102][103] On February 21 Kentucky returned to Rupp Arena to defeat Auburn 110 to 75. Towns scored 19 points to lead six Kentucky players in double figures. The Wildcats recorded their highest scoring total since 2002 in the blowout win over the Tigers. The victory also extended their best start ever and equaled the 1995–96 squad's school-record 27-game winning streak. At halftime Kentucky hoisted legendary player Tony Delk's #00 jersey in the rafters.[104][105] On February 25 Kentucky traveled to Starkville to face Mississippi State. Kentucky looked slightly mortal for most of the first half, letting a 14-point lead evaporate to 33 to 27. Ulis hit a 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to push the Wildcats' advantage to 36 to 27. They had a few more careless defensive moments early in the second half, which helped Mississippi State briefly make things interesting. Mississippi State's Craig Sword's pass to a wide-open Roquez Johnson led to an easy layup, pulling the Bulldogs within 41 to 37 with 15 minutes remaining. Kentucky responded with the next six points by pounding the ball into the paint and using its significant size advantage to pull away for the win. Lyles scored 18 points, and Kentucky was victorious 74 to 56.[106][107] On February 28 Kentucky returned to Rupp Arena to face off against nationally ranked Arkansas. The Razorbacks entered the game ranked No. 16/18 in the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. This was the first ranked opponent since they defeated Louisville in late December. Arkansas also entered the game on a three-game win streak over Kentucky. The Wildcats seized the tempo from the start with a quick pace that knocked the Razorbacks on their heels. Lyles started things off with a lob dunk from Towns (eight points, five rebounds), who followed with a putback basket. Aaron Harrison (nine points, seven rebounds) soon added a 3-pointer to get a sellout crowd into the game, and Kentucky had plenty more in an energetic if chippy first half by both teams. Arkansas went 0 for 9 from long range and shot 30 percent overall while getting outrebounded 24 to 18 through 20 minutes as Kentucky built a 42 to 26 halftime lead. At one point in the second half the lead swelled to 31 points. The Wildcats clinched the Southeastern Conference regular-season title defeating the Razorbacks 84 to 67.[108][109]

March

On March 2 Kentucky traveled to Athens to for its second meeting with Georgia. Facing the largest second-half deficit of its so-far perfect season, Kentucky clamped down defensively, ripped off a 14 to 0 run and defeat Georgia 72 to 64. Georgia's Yante Maten tipped in a miss of his own shot on the second attempt to put the Bulldogs up 56 to 47 with just over 9 minutes remaining. Towns and Aaron Harrison were huge down the stretch, combining for 12 of the 14 points during the decisive run. Towns had seven, including a three-point play with 2:53 left that put Kentucky ahead to stay. Harrison chipped in with five, and Cauley-Stein came up with a huge dunk off a missed free throw to give the Wildcats a four-point play on one possession.[110][111] On March 7 Kentucky returned to Rupp Arena to face Florida on senior night in the regular season finale. Kentucky embraced its milestone following the 67 to 50 victory over the Gators. The Wildcats gathered at midcourt and donned their blue T-shirts with 31-0 Not Done Yet in white. Kentucky became the first team from a Power 5 conference to achieve a perfect record during the regular season in over twenty-five years.[112][113]

SEC tournament

Kentucky entered the 2015 SEC tournament as the top-overall seed and bye until the quarterfinals. The SEC tournament took place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. On March 13 Kentucky met Florida for the third time of the season with the right to go to the semifinals of the SEC tournament. In the day prior, Florida defeated Alabama in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals. Aaron Harrison and Towns each scored 13 points and Kentucky shut down Florida in the second half to pull away for a 64 to 49 victory. The height advantage helped Kentucky outrebound Florida 39 to 33, including a 16 to 11 edge offensively that created extra chances and earned frequent trips to the free-throw line. Towns also had 12 boards.[114][115] On March 14 Kentucky met Auburn in the semifinals of the SEC tournament. In the day prior, Auburn upset LSU in overtime. Kentucky poured it on against an Auburn squad that lost two players in less than 24 hours. Auburn forward Jordon Granger was suspended for fighting in Friday's quarterfinal win over LSU, and the school announced just before the tipoff that forward Cinmeon Bowers had been suspended for a potential rules violation. Cauley-Stein scored 18 points and Andrew Harrison added 15 to help Kentucky improve to 33–0 in a 91 to 67 victory over the Tigers and advance to the finals of the SEC tournament. The win broke the school-record winning streak of 32 games set from December 5, 1953, to January 8, 1955.[116][117] On March 15 Kentucky met Arkansas in the finals of the SEC tournament. The Razorbacks defeated Georgia in the semifinals the day prior. Cauley-Stein scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kentucky never trailed in beating No. 21 Arkansas 78 to 63 for the program's 28th SEC tournament title. Kentucky scored the first eight points as Andrew Harrison hit two 3s early. Arkansas had not trailed in this tournament, yet against Kentucky the best the Razorbacks could do was tie the game four times with the last at 19-all on a 3-pointer by Qualls with 7:59 left. By the time the Razorbacks worked the ball inside against Kentucky's blue wall, they struggled to knock down shots. After Qualls' 3, they didn't score another field goal the rest of the half. Kentucky scored seven straight as part of a 16–4 run to finish the half with a 41 to 25 lead.[116][118]

NCAA tournament

Kentucky entered the NCAA tournament as the number one overall seed in the Midwest region.[119][120] The top four seeds within the region included Kentucky, Kansas, Notre Dame, and Maryland. The semifinals and finals of the region were held in Cleveland.

Round of 64

On Selection Sunday it was announced that Kentucky would play its opening round games in Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center against the winner of a play-in game between Hampton and Manhattan. Hampton defeated Manhattan 74 to 64 on March 17. On March 20 Kentucky played Hampton, and defeated the Pirates 79 to 56. Towns bounced back from a mini-slump with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Andrew Harrison added 14 points and the Wildcats rolled to an opening game victory.[121][122]

Round of 32

On March 20 8th-seeded Cincinnati and 9th-seeded Purdue squared off in the game prior to Kentucky and Hampton playing. The Bearcats outlasted the Boilermakers 66 to 65 in overtime. On March 22 Cincinnati and Kentucky met in Louisville for a berth to the Sweet 16. This was the first meeting between the two programs since the 2005 NCAA tournament in which Kentucky won. The game was not as easy for the Wildcats like it was in the opening round game against Hampton. Kentucky shot just 37 percent and was outrebounded 45 to 38 yet always seemed in control because of timely baskets and rebounds that Cincinnati failed to get. The physical, pesky Bearcats made the Wildcats work hard for every shot and rebound in an intense contest. Yet the Wildcats succeeded by making life difficult on both ends for Cincinnati, holding the Bearcats to 32 percent shooting including just 24 percent in the second half. Kentucky blocked six shots after halftime and nine overall while also coming up with key rebounds. Kentucky outlasted Cincinnati's physicality, defeating the Bearcats 64 to 51 en route to the Sweet 16.[123][124]

Midwest Regional semifinals

On March 21 4th-seeded Maryland faced off against 5th-seeded West Virginia. The Mountaineers defeated the Terrapins 69 to 59 to set up a match-up against Kentucky in the Sweet 16 in Cleveland. Prior to the game on March 26, West Virginia guard Daxter Miles Jr. guaranteed that the Mountaineers would hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season, claiming the Wildcats were going to be 36–1.[125] The comment by Miles made ESPN's SportsCenter prior to the game and created a lot of commentary prior to the game about the Mountaineers chances against the Wildcats. The commentary by the West Virginia player only fueled the Kentucky players. Within the first eight minutes, Kentucky built an 18 to 2 lead. Rendering West Virginia's full-court pressure wholly ineffective, UK committed just 10 turnovers for the game and shot a scalding 60.9 percent from the field in building an insurmountable 44 to 18 lead. The Mountaineers, meanwhile, were flummoxed on offense. They shot 24.1 percent from the field for the game and at one point had made just 5-of-37 attempts. All told, they managed just 0.582 points per possession and their 39 points were a season low. UK, meanwhile, blocked seven shots. Six players combined for UK's 13 assists on 24 made field goals, while more good passes helped lead to the Cats' 31 free-throw attempts, of which they hit 26. Trey Lyles hit 6-of-7 tries from the line in pacing UK with 14 points, while Andrew Harrison scored nine of his 13 points at the line. Kentucky defeated West Virginia 78 to 39, tying the largest margin of victory ever in a regional semifinal.[126][127]

Midwest Regional Finals

On March 26 3rd-seeded Notre Dame faced off against Wichita State for a berth to the Elite Eight. Notre Dame defeated Wichita State 81 to 70 to set up a meeting with Kentucky two nights later. On March 28 Kentucky and Notre Dame met for a berth to the Final Four. In a game that was considered one of the greatest in NCAA tournament history, Kentucky defeated Notre Dame 68 to 66. Kentucky needed its players to step up in a big game with such high stakes. Towns was foremost among players stepping up when it mattered most. The 6-foot-11 forward played through foul trouble to score nine of his career-best 25 points over that final stretch, including the game-tying basket in the post with 1:12 left. The big 3 came with 3:15 on the clock. The Cats, in the midst of a rally after previously trailing by six points with 6:14 to go, trailed by just two when Aaron Harrison pulled up from the right wing. With six seconds left in an Elite Eight matchup with Notre Dame, Andrew Harrison drove and drew a foul on Notre Dame's Demetrius Jackson. Following a timeout called by the Fighting Irish, he toed the line in a 66–66 game and sank two free throws to give Kentucky a 68 to 66 lead. The margin remained intact as Notre Dame's Jerian Grant missed a contested 3-pointer as time expired. The game between Kentucky and Notre Dame was the highest rated college basketball game on cable of all time.[128][129][130]

National semifinal

On March 26 1-seeded Wisconsin defeated 2-seeded Arizona 85 to 78 for a berth to the Final Four. This set up a re-match between Kentucky and Wisconsin at the Final Four, this time in Indianapolis. On April 4 Kentucky and Wisconsin faced off for a berth to the National Championship game against Duke. The Wildcats, once trailing by nine points in the first half and eight early in the second, were poised to close out another opponent in the final minutes, this time in the Final Four. With an 8 to 0 run and their defense holding Wisconsin scoreless for more than six minutes, the Cats grabbed a 60–56 lead with less than five minutes remaining. The Badgers reeled off an 8 to 0 run of their own that Sam Dekker started. Next, Nigel Hayes tied the game with a put-back. It was the last of Wisconsin's 12 offensive rebounds and 13 second-chance points. The Badgers' 71–64 upset victory increased the perfect season drought to 39 years.[131][132]

Results

Date
time, TV		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
Aug 10*
1:00 pm, ESPNU		 vs. Puerto Rico Reserve W 74–49  –
  19 – Aa. Harrison  7 – Towns  5 – Ulis  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Aug 11*
1:00 pm, ESPNU		 vs. Champagne Châlons-Reims W 81–58  –
  19 – Towns  10 – Towns  5 – An. Harrison  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Aug 12*
1:00 pm, ESPNU		 vs. Puerto Rico Reserve W 93–57  –
  15 – Poythress  10 – Poythress  6 – An. Harrison  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Aug 15*
1:00 pm, SECN		 vs. Dominican Republic W 83–71  –
  20 – Poythress  12 – Johnson  6 – An. Harrison  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Aug 16*
1:00 pm, SECN		 vs. Champagne Châlons-Reims W 77–72  –
  15 – Aa. Harrison  8 – Johnson  7 – An. Harrison  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Aug 17*
1:00 pm, SECN		 vs. Dominican Republic L 62–63  –
  12 – Ulis  9 – Johnson  5 – Ulis  Imperial Arena (–)
Nassau, BAH
Nov 2*
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Pikeville W 116–68  –
  22 – Towns  8 – Tied  9 – An. Harrison  Rupp Arena (21,036)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 9*
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Georgetown (KY) W 121–52  –
  17 – Aa. Harrison  10 – Johnson  6 – An. Harrison  Rupp Arena (21,490)
Lexington, Kentucky
Non-conference regular season
Nov 14*
8:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Grand Canyon
Cawood Ledford Classic		 W 85–45  1–0
  16 – An. Harrison  13 – Johnson  3 – Tied  Rupp Arena (22,533)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 16*
Noon, ESPNU		 No. 1 Buffalo
Cawood Ledford Classic		 W 71–52  2–0
  12 – Tied  12 – Johnson  6 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (22,175)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 18*
9:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 vs. No. 5 Kansas
Champions Classic		 W 72–40  3–0
  11 – Johnson  10 – Cauley-Stein  4 – An. Harrison  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (19,306)
Indianapolis
Nov 21*
7:00 pm, FSN		 No. 1 Boston University W 89–65  4–0
  19 – Aa. Harrison  6 – Johnson  7 – Booker  Rupp Arena (22,485)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 23*
6:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Montana State
Cawood Ledford Classic		 W 86–28  5–0
  18 – Booker  10 – Towns  5 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (22,384)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 25*
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 UT-Arlington
Cawood Ledford Classic		 W 92–44  6–0
  19 – Booker  11 – Towns  5 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (22,639)
Lexington, Kentucky
Nov 30*
2:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 1 Providence W 58–38  7–0
  11 – Tied  6 – Tied  4 – Tied  Rupp Arena (23,601)
Lexington, Kentucky
Dec 5*
7:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 No. 6 Texas
Big 12/SEC Challenge		 W 63–51  8–0
  21 – Cauley-Stein  12 – Cauley-Stein  4 – Tied  Rupp Arena (24,340)
Lexington, Kentucky
Dec 7*
6:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Eastern Kentucky W 82–49  9–0
  19 – Towns  10 – Lyles  6 – Tied  Rupp Arena (23,268)
Lexington, Kentucky
Dec 10*
7:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 1 Columbia W 56–46  10–0
  14 – Aa. Harrison  10 – Tied  3 – Tied  Rupp Arena (22,112)
Lexington, Kentucky
Dec 13*
Noon, CBS		 No. 1 No. 21 North Carolina
Rivalry		 W 84–70  11–0
  15 – Tied  6 – Cauley-Stein  8 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (24,406)
Lexington, Kentucky
Dec 20*
3:30 pm, CBS		 No. 1 vs. UCLA
CBS Sports Classic		 W 83–44  12–0
  19 – Booker  10 – Towns  8 – An. Harrison  United Center (19,726)
Chicago
Dec 27*
2:00 pm, ESPN2		 No. 1 at No. 4 Louisville
Battle for the Bluegrass		 W 58–50  13–0
  14 – Ulis  9 – Tied  4 – Tied  KFC Yum! Center (22,812)
Louisville, Kentucky
SEC regular season
Jan 6
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Ole Miss W 89–86 OT 14–0
(1–0)		  26 – Aa. Harrison  12 – Cauley-Stein  7 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (24,275)
Lexington, Kentucky
Jan 10
1:00 pm, CBS		 No. 1 at Texas A&M W 70–64 2OT 15–0
(2–0)		  18 – Booker  9 – Tied  5 – An. Harrison  Reed Arena (10,411)
College Station, Texas
Jan 13
9:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 Missouri W 86–37  16–0
(3–0)		  16 – Aa. Harrison  10 – Towns  3 – Tied  Rupp Arena (24,248)
Lexington, Kentucky
Jan 17
4:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at Alabama W 70–48  17–0
(4–0)		  13 – Booker  5 – Tied  3 – Tied  Coleman Coliseum (15,383)
Tuscaloosa, AL
Jan 20
9:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Vanderbilt W 65–57  18–0
(5–0)		  14 – Aa. Harrison  10 – Cauley-Stein  4 – Tied  Rupp Arena (24,249)
Lexington, Kentucky
Jan 24
Noon, ESPN		 No. 1 at South Carolina W 58–43  19–0
(6–0)		  18 – Booker  6 – Johnson  6 – Ulis  Colonial Life Arena (18,000)
Columbia, South Carolina
Jan 29
9:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at Missouri W 69–53  20–0
(7–0)		  15 – An. Harrison  7 – Johnson  3 – An. Harrison  Mizzou Arena (13,034)
Columbia, Missouri
Jan 31
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 Alabama W 70–55  21–0
(8–0)		  12 – Tied  5 – Lee  4 – Ulis  Rupp Arena (24,351)
Lexington, Kentucky
Feb 3
7:00 pm, ESPNU		 No. 1 Georgia W 69–58  22–0
(9–0)		  23 – An. Harrison  13 – Towns  7 – An. Harrison  Rupp Arena (24,256)
Lexington, Kentucky
Feb 7
9:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at Florida
Rivalry; College GameDay		 W 68–61  23–0
(10–0)		  23 – Aa. Harrison  8 – Towns  5 – Ulis  O'Connell Center (12,578)
Gainesville, Florida
Feb 10
7:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at LSU W 71–69  24–0
(11–0)		  15 – Cauley-Stein  13 – Towns  4 – An. Harrison  Maravich Center (13,997)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Feb 14
2:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 South Carolina W 77–43  25–0
(12–0)		  14 – Cauley-Stein  13 – Johnson  6 – An. Harrison  Rupp Arena (24,305)
Lexington, Kentucky
Feb 17
7:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at Tennessee
Rivalry		 W 66–48  26–0
(13–0)		  18 – Booker  7 – Tied  6 – Ulis  Thompson–Boling Arena (21,678)
Knoxville, Tennessee
Feb 21
7:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 Auburn W 110–75  27–0
(14–0)		  19 – Towns  10 – Towns  9 – An. Harrison  Rupp Arena (23,403)
Lexington, Kentucky
Feb 25
7:00 pm, SECN		 No. 1 at Mississippi State W 74–56  28–0
(15–0)		  18 – Lyles  10 – Towns  4 – Ulis  Humphrey Coliseum (6,795)
Starkville, Mississippi
Feb 28
4:00 pm, CBS		 No. 1 No. 18 Arkansas W 84–67  29–0
(16–0)		  18 – Tied  9 – Cauley-Stein  3 – Tied  Rupp Arena (24,416)
Lexington, Kentucky
Mar 3
9:00 pm, ESPN		 No. 1 at Georgia W 72–64  30–0
(17–0)		  19 – Towns  7 – Towns  4 – Ulis  Stegeman Coliseum (10,523)
Athens, Georgia
Mar 7
2:00 pm, CBS		 No. 1 Florida
Rivalry; Senior day		 W 67–50  31–0
(18–0)		  14 – Lyles  9 – Towns  3 – Towns  Rupp Arena (24,428)
Lexington, Kentucky
SEC tournament
Mar 13
1:00 pm, SECN		 (1) No. 1 vs. (8) Florida
Quarterfinals		 W 64–49  32–0
  13 – Tied  12 – Towns  4 – Ulis  Bridgestone Arena (18,205)
Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 14
1:00 pm, ESPN		 (1) No. 1 vs. (13) Auburn
Semifinals		 W 91–67  33–0
  18 – Cauley-Stein  7 – Cauley-Stein  6 – Ulis  Bridgestone Arena (19,232)
Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 15
1:00 pm, ESPN		 (1) No. 1 vs. (2) No. 21 Arkansas
Championship game		 W 78–63  34–0
  15 – Tied  10 – Cauley-Stein  6 – Tied  Bridgestone Arena (20,315)
Nashville, Tennessee
NCAA tournament
Mar 19*
9:40 pm, CBS		 (1 MW) No. 1 vs. (16 MW) Hampton
Second Round		 W 79–56  35–0
  21 – Towns  11 – Tied  3 – Tied  KFC Yum! Center (21,639)
Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 21*
2:40 pm, CBS		 (1 MW) No. 1 vs. (8 MW) Cincinnati
Third Round		 W 64–51  36–0
  13 – Aa. Harrison  11 – Lyles  5 – Ulis  KFC Yum! Center (21,760)
Louisville, Kentucky
Mar 26*
9:45 pm, CBS		 (1 MW) No. 1 vs. (5 MW) No. 20 West Virginia
Sweet Sixteen		 W 78–39  37–0
  14 – Lyles  10 – Cauley-Stein  4 – Ulis  Quicken Loans Arena (19,465)
Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 28*
8:45 pm, TBS		 (1 MW) No. 1 vs. (3 MW) No. 8 Notre Dame
Elite Eight		 W 68–66  38–0
  25 – Towns  5 – Tied  4 – Towns  Quicken Loans Arena (19,464)
Cleveland, Ohio
Apr 4*
8:45 pm, TBS		 (1 MW) No. 1 vs. (1 W) No. 3 Wisconsin
Final Four		 L 64–71  38–1
  16 – Towns  9 – Towns  4 – An. Harrison  Lucas Oil Stadium (72,238)
Indianapolis, Indiana
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
MW=Midwest region, W=West region.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Statistics

The team posted the following statistics:[133]

Name GP GS Min. Avg. FG FGA FG% 3FG 3FGA 3FG% FT FTA FT% OR DR RB Avg. PF DQ Ast. TO Blk. Stl. Pts. Avg.
Aaron Harrison39381,00525.81463700.395591870.316791010.78215851002.6612553564343011.0
Karl-Anthony Towns393982221.11452560.566280.2501091340.813921692616.711564453881840110.3
Devin Booker38081721.51352870.470581410.41153640.8281759762.0580423721738110.0
Andrew Harrison393999425.51012670.37836940.3831261590.7921374872.2700139648403649.3
Willie Cauley-Stein39381,01225.91352360.572000.000791280.617891622516.4782384867473498.9
Dakari Johnson39063516.3791560.506000.000901440.625671121794.6691294236142486.4
Tyler Ulis37088223.8671650.40633770.42942520.8081651671.8560135382372095.6
Alex Poythress8888220.316420.381070.00012140.8571218303.817128124445.5
Marcus Lee39042510.947730.644000.0008250.32047601072.761112182731022.6
Derek Willis190753.97180.3895150.333661.00059140.7505832251.3
Dominique Hawkins2391637.110350.2865210.2384100.400313160.714014517291.3
Tod Lanter7181.1111.000111.000000.0000000.000000030.4
Sam Malone81111.4010.000000.000120.5001230.400010010.1
E.J. Floreal130201.5010.000000.000120.5000110.120040110.1
Brian Long101161.6020.000020.000000.0000000.020000100.0
TEAM3949531022.7060
Season Total39
—
7,875
—
1,0062,1500.4682035820.3496859430.7264919911,48238.0665135534082682532,90074.4
Opponents39
—
7,875
—
7502,1160.3541756460.2714436720.6594637521,21531.2778
—
301533941822,11854.3

Honors

Watch lists

Willie Cauley-Stein and Karl-Anthony Towns were two of four SEC players (with Jordan Mickey and Bobby Portis) named to the 30-man Naismith College Player of the Year midseason watchlist.[134][135] Cauley-Stein and Portis were two of 15 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award,[136] Devin Booker and Towns were named as finalists for the Wayman Tisdale Award.[137]

Weekly awards

On November 17 Lyles was named Freshman of the Week by the SEC after 14 points and four rebounds performance in his career debut against Grand Canyon and 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in the win over Buffalo.[138] On December 1 and December 8 Towns was named Freshman of the Week by the SEC after averaging 13 points, 7.5 rebounds in wins over UT Arlington, Providence, Texas, and Eastern Kentucky.[139][140] On December 22 Booker was named Freshman of the Week by the SEC after scoring a game-high 19 points in Kentucky's 83–44 victory over UCLA.[141] On December 29 Ulis became the fourth Wildcat to be named Freshman of the Week by the SEC after he scored a career-high 14 points against Louisville.[142] A day later Ulis was honored on the national level by being named Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Week by the USBWA following his performance against Louisville.[143]

SEC awards

Cauley-Stein and Towns were unanimous first-team All-SEC selections by coaches and the media. Devin Booker and Aaron Harrison were second-team All-SEC selections from the coaches and the media. Towns was the SEC Freshman of the Year, and he, Booker, Lyles, and Ulis were All-Freshman team selections by the coaches and media. Towns became the sixth straight Wildcat to be named SEC Freshman of the Year (Cousins, Knight, Davis, Noel, Randle). Calipari was named SEC Coach of the Year by the coaches media.[144][145] Cauley-Stein, Andrew Harrison, and Aaron Harrison were named to the 2015 SEC All-Tournament Team, and Cauley-Stein was named MVP of the tournament.[146]

National District awards

Cauley-Stein was named District IV (Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida) Player of the Year, Calipari was named District IV Coach of the Year and Booker, Cauley-Stein, Aaron Harrison, and Towns were named to the All-District IV team by the USBWA.[147] Cauley-Stein and Towns were listed on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division I All‐District 21 first team, while Booker was listed on the second team on March 12.[148]

All-American and National awards

Cauley-Stein was a consensus first-team All-American, and Towns was a consensus second-team All-American. The Associated Press named Cauley-Stein as a first-team All-American, and Towns as a second-team All-American.[149] The USBWA named Cauley-Stein a first-team All-American.[150] The NABC named Cauley-Stein a first-team All-American and Towns a second-team All-American.[151] The Sporting News named Cauley-Stein a first-team All-American and Towns a third-team All-American.[152] The AP, NABC, Naismith, Sporting News also named Calipari the National Coach of the Year.[153][154] The NABC named Cauley-Stein its NABC Defensive Player of the Year.[155]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
Week
PollPre2345678910111213141516171819Final
AP1111111111111111111
Coaches11111111111111111113

2015 NBA draft

Player shooting the ball
Player warming up
Player warming up
Player warming up
Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker, and Trey Lyles (left to right) were selected 1st, 6th, 13th and 12th, respectively, in the 2015 NBA draft.

On April 9 UK held a press conference for all players that intended to declare for the 2015 NBA draft. Seven players declared themselves eligible for the draft: Booker, Cauley-Stein, the Harrison twins (Aaron and Andrew), Johnson, Lyles, and Towns.[156][157] Leading up to the draft Towns, Cauley-Stein, Booker and Lyles were projected as lottery picks. The Harrison twins and Johnson were projected as second round draft picks.[158] Towns was projected to be the number one overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[159]

In the draft Towns was selected No. 1 by Minnesota. He was followed by Cauley-Stein, who went to the Sacramento Kings at No. 6; Lyles, who was taken by the Utah Jazz at No. 12; and Booker, who was chosen No. 13 by the Phoenix Suns. In the second round Andrew Harrison was taken No. 44 by the Suns and traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, while Johnson went 48th overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.[160] Towns became the third player (Davis and Wall) in Kentucky history taken first in the draft.[161] The four players taken in the lottery tied the record for most players taken from one school in the lottery (North Carolina, 2005).[162]

NBA draft selections

YearRoundPickOverallPlayerNBA Club
2015111Karl-Anthony TownsMinnesota Timberwolves
2015166Willie Cauley-SteinSacramento Kings
201511212Trey LylesUtah Jazz
201511313Devin BookerPhoenix Suns
201521444Andrew HarrisonPhoenix Suns
201521848Dakari JohnsonOklahoma City Thunder

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kentucky off to best start in school history after win over Tennessee". Sports Illustrated. April 6, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  2. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (April 6, 2015). "How should the 38-1 Wildcats be remembered?". Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Tucker, Kyle (April 22, 2014). "Kentucky's Julius Randle declares for the NBA draft". USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Golliver, Ben (April 22, 2014). "Kentucky's Julius Randle declares for the NBA draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Tucker, Kyle (April 17, 2014). "Kentucky's James Young declares for NBA draft". Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  6. 1 2 Goodman, Jeff (April 18, 2014). "James Young declares for draft". ESPN. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 Katz, Andy (April 25, 2014). "Harrison twins staying at Kentucky". ESPN. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Borzello, Jeff (April 23, 2014). "Center Dakari Johnson returning to Kentucky for sophomore season". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  9. 1 2 Tucker, Kyle (April 18, 2014). "Marcus Lee to return to Kentucky for sophomore season". USA Today. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Tucker, Kyle (April 23, 2014). "Alex Poythress returning to Kentucky basketball team". Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Tucker, Kyle (April 14, 2014). "Willie Cauley-Stein to return to Kentucky for junior season". USA Today. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  12. ↑ "UK, Calipari sign four for 2014". University of Kentucky. November 14, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Karl Towns Jr. commits to Kentucky". ESPN. December 4, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  14. ↑ "UK's Towns named Gatorade Athlete of the Year". Courier-Journal. July 16, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Towns Jr. going global". ESPN. June 18, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  16. 1 2 Roberts, Ben (September 13, 2013). "Chicago point guard Ulis commits to Kentucky". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Emmanuel Mudiay commits to SMU". ESPN. August 24, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  18. 1 2 "Devin Booker commits to Kentucky". ESPN. October 31, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Devin Booker named Player of the Year" (PDF). Gatorade. March 8, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "Trey Lyles commits to Kentucky". ESPN. November 5, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  21. ↑ Neddenriep, Kyle (April 8, 2014). "Tech's Trey Lyles wins IndyStar Mr. Basketball award". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  22. ↑ Parrish, Gary (April 7, 2014). "CBSSports.com 2014-15 Ridiculously Early Preseason Top 25 (and one)". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  23. ↑ Brennan, Eamonn (April 7, 2014). "Way-Too-Early Top 25 for 2014-15". ESPN. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  24. ↑ Dauster, Rob (April 8, 2014). "College Basketball Talk's Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  25. ↑ Gleeson, Scott (April 8, 2014). "Which teams belong in early 2014–15 top 25?". USA Today. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  26. ↑ Eisenberg, Jeff (April 8, 2014). "A way-too-early look at college basketball's best teams for the 2014-15 season". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  27. ↑ Moore, C. J. (April 7, 2014). "Preseason NCAA Basketball Rankings 2014-15: Super-Early Top 25 Experts' Poll". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  28. ↑ Moore, C. J. (May 1, 2014). "Preseason NCAA Basketball Rankings 2014-15: B/R Experts' Updated Top 25 Poll". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  29. ↑ Parrish, Gary (April 28, 2014). "NCAA Basketball: 2014-15 Preseason Top 25 (and one) national rankings". CBS Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  30. ↑ Brennan, Eamonn (April 28, 2014). "Revised top 25: Post-deadline edition". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  31. ↑ Dauster, Rob (April 28, 2014). "College Basketball Talk's Post-Early Entry 2014-2015 Preseason Top 25". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  32. ↑ Auerbach, Nicole (April 28, 2014). "College basketball's super early 2014-15 preseason top 25 revisited". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  33. ↑ Eisenberg, Jeff (April 29, 2014). "Oddsmaker sets Kentucky, Duke and Wisconsin as 2014-15 title favorites". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  34. ↑ "USA TODAY Sports' 2014-15 preseason college basketball All-American team". USA Today. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  35. 1 2 Dortch, Chris (September 22, 2014). "Blue Ribbon announces complete All-America teams, player of year and newcomer of year". Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  36. ↑ Moore, C. J. (November 13, 2014). "B/R's 2014–15 Preseason College Basketball All-American Picks". Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  37. ↑ Dauster, Rob (November 3, 2014). "College Basketball Talk's 2014–2015 Preseason All-American Teams". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
  38. ↑ Parrish, Gary (October 7, 2014). "CBSSports.com 2014-15 Preseason All-America basketball teams". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Marcus Paige, Jahlil Okafor lead SI's preseason All-America team". Sports Illustrated. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  40. ↑ Fox, David (November 10, 2014). "Athlon Sports' 2014-15 College Basketball All-America Team". Athlon Sports. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
  41. 1 2 "Media picks Kentucky to win 2015 SEC Men's Basketball Championship". Southeastern Conference. October 22, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  42. 1 2 Palmer, Tod (October 22, 2014). "Kentucky first in preseason SEC poll". Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  43. ↑ Gleeson, Scott (October 16, 2014). "Kentucky is No. 1 in preseason USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll". USA Today. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  44. ↑ "UK Ranked No. 1 in Associated Press Preseason Top 25". USA Today. October 31, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Men's Basketball to Take 'Big Blue Bahamas' Tour". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. June 13, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  46. ↑ Himmelsbach, Adam (January 15, 2015). "Kentucky's Bahamas trip came at hefty cost". Courier-Journal. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Madness Tickets SOLD OUT". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. September 20, 2014. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  48. ↑ "Top five moments from Big Blue Madness 2014". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 17, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Blue-White Scrimmage Notes". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. October 29, 2013. Archived from the original on April 15, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  50. 1 2 "Kentucky Soars Over Grand Canyon to Open Season". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 14, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  51. 1 2 "Grand Canyon vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  52. 1 2 "Lyles, Ulis Provide Second-Half Spark in 71-52 Win Over Buffalo". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 16, 2014. Archived from the original on July 7, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  53. 1 2 "Buffalo vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 14, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  54. 1 2 "Kentucky's Defense Dominant in Defeat of No. 5 Kansas". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 18, 2014. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  55. 1 2 "Kansas vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 18, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  56. 1 2 "Booker's Second-Half Surge Lifts No. 1 Kentucky Past Boston". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 21, 2014. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  57. 1 2 "Boston U. vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 21, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  58. 1 2 "Kentucky Overpowers Montana State 86-28". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 23, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  59. 1 2 "Montana State vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 23, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  60. 1 2 "Defense, Balance Lead Kentucky to 92-44 Win Over UT Arlington". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 25, 2014. Archived from the original on July 8, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  61. 1 2 "Texas-Arlington vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 25, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  62. ↑ "Kentucky Uses Strong Second Half to Pull Away from Providence". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. November 30, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  63. ↑ "Providence vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. November 30, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  64. 1 2 "Cauley-Stein Does It All in 63-51 Win Over No. 6 Texas". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 5, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  65. 1 2 "Texas vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. December 5, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  66. 1 2 "Kentucky Cruises Past Eastern Kentucky 82-49". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  67. ↑ "Eastern Kentucky vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. December 7, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  68. ↑ "Kentucky-Eastern Kentucky Postgame Quotes". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  69. 1 2 "Kentucky Rallies, Pulls Away from Columbia For 56-46 Win". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 10, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  70. 1 2 "Columbia vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. December 10, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  71. 1 2 3 "Cauley-Stein Sparks Kentucky in 84-70 Win Over UNC". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 13, 2014. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  72. 1 2 "North Carolina vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. December 13, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  73. ↑ "Alex Poythress Out for the Season". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on February 18, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  74. 1 2 3 "Defense Dominant as Kentucky Beats UCLA, Moves to 12-0". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 20, 2014. Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  75. ↑ "UCLA vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. December 20, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  76. ↑ "Cats Outlast Cards for 58-50 Victory". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. December 27, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2015. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  77. ↑ "Kentucky vs Louisville boxscore". ESPN.com. December 27, 2014. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
  78. ↑ "Kentucky Edges Ole Miss 89-86 in Overtime". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 6, 2015. Archived from the original on January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  79. ↑ "Ole Miss vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. January 6, 2015. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  80. ↑ "Key Ulis Three Lifts UK Over Texas A&M in Double OT". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 10, 2015. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  81. ↑ "Kentucky vs Texas A&M boxscore". ESPN.com. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  82. ↑ "Defense Locks Down Missouri as Cats Cruise to 16-0". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  83. ↑ "Missouri vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. January 13, 2015. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  84. ↑ "Booker, Balance Pace Cats to 70-48 Win at Alabama". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 17, 2015. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  85. ↑ "Kentucky vs Alabama boxscore". ESPN.com. January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  86. ↑ "Aaron Harrison's Big Second Half Leads Kentucky to 65-57 Win Over Vanderbilt". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 20, 2015. Archived from the original on January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  87. ↑ "Vanderbilt vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  88. ↑ "Kentucky Defense Stifles South Carolina for 58-43 Win". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 24, 2015. Archived from the original on January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  89. ↑ "Kentucky vs South Carolina boxscore". ESPN.com. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  90. ↑ "Harrisons Headline 69-53 Win at Missouri". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 29, 2015. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  91. ↑ "Kentucky vs Missouri boxscore". ESPN.com. January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  92. ↑ "Balanced Attack Lifts Kentucky Past Alabama 70-55". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. January 31, 2015. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  93. ↑ "Alabama vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  94. ↑ "Towns, Andrew Harrison Spearhead 69-58 Win Over Georgia". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 3, 2015. Archived from the original on February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  95. ↑ "Georgia vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  96. ↑ "Cats Persevere, Defeat Florida 68-61 in Road Test". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 7, 2015. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  97. ↑ "Kentucky vs Florida boxscore". ESPN.com. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  98. ↑ "Cauley-Stein, Towns Key in 71-69 Victory at LSU". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 10, 2015. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  99. ↑ "Kentucky vs LSU boxscore". ESPN.com. February 10, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  100. ↑ "Kentucky Smothers South Carolina for 77-43 Win". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 14, 2015. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  101. ↑ "South Carolina vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  102. ↑ "Kentucky Pulls Away from Tennessee for 66-48 Win". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 17, 2015. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  103. ↑ "Kentucky vs Tennessee boxscore". ESPN.com. February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  104. ↑ "Towns Sparks Offensive Eruption in 110-75 Win". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 21, 2015. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  105. ↑ "Auburn vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  106. ↑ "Lyles, Towns Lead Kentucky to 74-56 Win at Mississippi State". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 25, 2015. Archived from the original on February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  107. ↑ "Kentucky vs Mississippi State boxscore". ESPN.com. February 25, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  108. ↑ "Kentucky Downs No. 16/18 Arkansas, Claims 46th SEC Title Outright". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. February 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  109. ↑ "Arkansas vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  110. ↑ "Towns Powers Late Rally to Edge Georgia 72-64". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  111. ↑ "Kentucky vs Georgia boxscore". ESPN.com. March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  112. ↑ "Kentucky Beats Florida, Completes Undefeated Regular Season". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 7, 2015. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  113. ↑ "Florida vs Kentucky boxscore". ESPN.com. March 7, 2015. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  114. ↑ "Florida vs Kentucky SEC boxscore". ESPN.com. March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  115. ↑ "Towns, Aaron Harrison Help Kentucky Top Florida in SECT Quarters". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 13, 2015. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  116. 1 2 "Kentucky Claims 28th SEC Tourney Title with 78-63 Win Over No. 21/20 Arkansas". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 15, 2015. Archived from the original on March 18, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  117. ↑ "Auburn vs Kentucky SEC boxscore". ESPN.com. March 14, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  118. ↑ "Arkansas vs Kentucky SEC boxscore". ESPN.com. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  119. ↑ "Kentucky Earns No. 1 Seed in NCAA tournament". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 15, 2015. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  120. ↑ "Kentucky leads with the overall No. 1 seed in the March Madness field of 68". NCAA.com. March 15, 2015. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  121. ↑ "Towns' Double-Double Leads Kentucky Past Hampton". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 20, 2015. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  122. ↑ "Hampton vs Kentucky NCAA boxscore". ESPN.com. March 20, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
  123. ↑ "Sweet 16: Lyles, Aaron Harrison Lead Kentucky in Win Over Cincinnati". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 22, 2015. Archived from the original on March 24, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  124. ↑ "Cincinnati vs Kentucky NCAA boxscore". ESPN.com. March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  125. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (March 25, 2015). "Daxter Miles guarantee". Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  126. ↑ "Walking the walk: Cats cruise past West Virginia, into Elite Eight". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  127. ↑ "West Virginia vs Kentucky NCAA boxscore". ESPN.com. March 27, 2015. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  128. ↑ "Notre Dame vs Kentucky NCAA boxscore". ESPN.com. March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  129. ↑ "Andrew Harrison's free throws cap closing rally, send Cats back to Final Four". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 28, 2015. Archived from the original on March 31, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  130. ↑ Lintner, Jonathan (March 28, 2015). "UK-Notre Dame registers record TV rating". Courier-Journal. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  131. ↑ "Wisconsin vs Kentucky NCAA boxscore". ESPN.com. April 6, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  132. ↑ "Dream season ends too soon with loss to Wisconsin". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. April 6, 2015. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 6, 2015.
  133. ↑ "2014-15 Kentucky Wildcats season statistics". University of Kentucky. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  134. ↑ "Men's Naismith Midseason 30 revealed". Naismith College Player of the Year. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  135. ↑ "Kentucky's Cauley-Stein, Towns named to Naismith mid-season watch list". Lexington Herald-Leader. February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  136. ↑ Vecenie, Sam (March 7, 2015). "Wooden Award finalists announced". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  137. ↑ "Booker, Towns Tabbed Finalists for Wayman Tisdale Award". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 4, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  138. ↑ "Lyles Named Freshman of the Week, Four on Wooden List". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. November 17, 2014. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  139. ↑ "Towns Named SEC Freshman of the Week". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. December 1, 2014. Archived from the original on May 29, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
  140. ↑ "Towns Repeats as SEC Freshman of the Week". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  141. ↑ "Booker Named SEC Freshman of the Week". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. December 22, 2014. Archived from the original on May 30, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  142. ↑ "Ulis Named SEC Freshman of the Week". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. December 29, 2014. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  143. ↑ "Ulis Named Wayman Tisdale Freshman of the Week". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. December 30, 2014. Archived from the original on January 1, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  144. ↑ "2015 SEC Men's Basketball Awards announced". SECsports.com. March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  145. ↑ "Calipari, Cauley-Stein, Booker and Towns Lead All-SEC Honors". UKathletics.com. CBS Interactive. March 12, 2015. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  146. ↑ Marcello, Brandon (March 16, 2015). "Auburn's KT Harrell named to SEC all-tournament team". Al.com. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  147. ↑ "Cauley-Stein, Towns Named Sporting News All-Americans". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. March 10, 2015. Archived from the original on March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  148. ↑ "National Association of Basketball Coaches Announces 2014-15 Division I All-District Teams" (PDF). National Association of Basketball Coaches. March 12, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 27, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  149. ↑ "The AP released their All-American teams on Monday". NBCSports.com. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  150. ↑ "USBWA Names 2014-15 All-Americans" (Press release). United States Basketball Writers Association. March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  151. ↑ "Niang, Hield Earn NABC All-America Honors" (Press release). Big 12 Conference. March 30, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  152. ↑ Linton, Chance (March 9, 2015). "Sporting News releases 2014-2015 All-American Team". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on March 11, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  153. ↑ "John Calipari Named NABC Coach of the Year". Kentucky Wildcats. March 31, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  154. ↑ "Calipari's accidental plan for perfection earns him Sporting News Coach of the Year". Sporting News. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  155. ↑ Kentucky Basketball's Willie Cauley-Stein Wins NABC Defensive Player of the Year. Retrieved on April 9, 2015.
  156. ↑ "Seven Wildcats Declare for NBA Draft". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. April 9, 2015. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  157. ↑ Graves, Gary (April 9, 2015). "Seven Wildcats Declare for NBA Draft". Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  158. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (June 23, 2015). "NBA Draft projections for all seven Kentucky Wildcats". Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  159. ↑ Bodner, Derek (June 24, 2015). "Kentucky players will be well represented in NBA draft". USA Today. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
  160. ↑ Braziller, Zach (June 25, 2015). "NBA draft turns into a love-in for John Calipari, Kentucky". New York Post. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  161. ↑ "Wildcats Make History Again with Six NBA Draft Picks". UKAthletics. CBS Interactive. June 25, 2015. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  162. ↑ Fiammetta, Mike (June 25, 2015). "Kentucky ties NBA draft record with four lottery picks". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.