Cats reign supreme: UK ranked No. 1 for 1st time since '03

Cats reign supreme: UK ranked No. 1 for 1st time since '03
http://www.ukathletics.com/blog/index.html


Ten months ago Kentucky was playing in the National Invitational Tournament. Now it's on top of the college basketball word, unanimously ranked No. 1 in both major polls for the first time this season.

Following Kentucky's 101-70 rout of Arkansas and Texas' two straight losses last week, the Cats have taken over the top spot in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, picking up all 65 first-place votes in the AP and all 31 in the Coaches Poll.

It's the first time UK has been ranked No. 1 since March 2003.

"I tried to tell them those seven national titles are not a burden; they're a badge of honor," head coach John Calipari said after Saturday's game. "No. 1 in the country is not a burden; that's an honor. We'll see how we respond now."

UK easily beat out Kansas for the top spot, which came in at No. 2 in both rankings.

Villanova, Syracuse and Michigan State followed at No. 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Last week's No. 1, Texas, dropped to No. 6 in both polls.

It's the 18th season the Cats have been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll during the course of the year.

AP Top 25
1. Kentucky (65) 19-0 1,625
2. Kansas 18-1 1,519
3. Villanova 18-1 1,503
4. Syracuse 19-1 1,455
5. Michigan State 17-3 1,324
6. Texas 17-2 1,307
7. Georgetown 15-3 1,124
8. Duke 16-3 1,120
9. West Virginia 15-3 1,113
10. Purdue 16-3 977
11. Kansas State 16-3 960
12. Brigham Young 20-1 894
13. Gonzaga 16-3 847
14. Tennessee 15-3 837
15. Temple 17-3 707
16. Wisconsin 16-4 635
17. Pittsburgh 15-4 599
18. Mississippi 15-4 411
19. Connecticut 13-6 286
20. Ohio State 14-6 270
21. Vanderbilt 15-3 264
22. Georgia Tech 14-5 194
23. New Mexico 18-3 180
24. Baylor 15-3 157
25. UAB 17-2 125

ESPN/USA Today Poll
1. Kentucky (31) 19-0 775
2. Kansas 18-1 739
3. Villanova 18-1 714
4. Syracuse 19-1 680
5. Michigan State 17-3 627
6. Texas 17-2 613
7. Duke 16-3 555
8. Gonzaga 16-3 533
9. West Virginia 15-3 506
10. Brigham Young 20-1 485
11. Georgetown 15-3 483
12. Purdue 16-3 420
13. Kansas State 16-3 409
14. Tennessee 15-3 385
15. Temple 17-3 339
16. Wisconsin 16-4 282
17. Pittsburgh 15-4 267
18. Butler 16-4 213
19. Connecticut 13-6 199
20. Mississippi 15-4 151
21. Clemson 15-5 112
22. Georgia Tech 14-5 105
23. Vanderbilt 15-3 71
24. Ohio State 14-6 62
25. Northern Iowa 17-2 60

No UNC, yipeeeeeeeee

*Blue Dude walks up to the podium as if accepting an award*

Wow, there's so many people to thank. Tubby Smith for walking away to Minnesota after letting the program slip. Billy Clyde for being a supreme douchebag and getting fired while allowing the program to slip, further, but IMO most of the blame goes to the Tub for leaving the cupboard relatively empty, but hey they're both gone so no need to keep bringing up the past.

The 13 guys that wear the Kentucky jersey each and every game and give their best in whatever they do to contribute. Mitch Barnhart for getting his head out of his ass and hiring John Calipari. John Calipari for bringing excitement back to the bluegrass and being a great ambassador of the program.

Kansas State and UConn for beating Texas in the same week, couldn't of achieved this without you. Kansas for losing to UT, so thank the Vols. UNC for SUCKING and showing themselves out of the rankings, making this moment in time even more great and special. F-You Roy Williams and have a nice glass of GFY! U of L needs to be thanked for being a bunch of boneheads during their games. UL Fans, don't cry because big brother is back on top, you had your shot last year and blew it so, GFY.

Thanks cant go enough though to Coach Cal for his excellent recruiting prowess getting a great class coming and keeping Daniel Orton on board. Orton started off slow but I think he'll get it turned around. Wall, Bledsoe and Cousins' body of work speaks for itself. Thanks again to the other guys that contribute like I said before. Finally we need to thank PATRICK FREAKIN PATTERSON for electing to come back his junior year and to be the leader on the floor that this team would've needed.

Thank you for making big blue basketball exciting and fun again.

Blue Dude wrote:*Blue Dude walks up to the podium as if accepting an award*

Wow, there's so many people to thank. Tubby Smith for walking away to Minnesota after letting the program slip. Billy Clyde for being a supreme douchebag and getting fired while allowing the program to slip, further, but IMO most of the blame goes to the Tub for leaving the cupboard relatively empty, but hey they're both gone so no need to keep bringing up the past.

The 13 guys that wear the Kentucky jersey each and every game and give their best in whatever they do to contribute. Mitch Barnhart for getting his head out of his ass and hiring John Calipari. John Calipari for bringing excitement back to the bluegrass and being a great ambassador of the program.

Kansas State and UConn for beating Texas in the same week, couldn't of achieved this without you. Kansas for losing to UT, so thank the Vols. UNC for SUCKING and showing themselves out of the rankings, making this moment in time even more great and special. F-You Roy Williams and have a nice glass of GFY! U of L needs to be thanked for being a bunch of boneheads during their games. UL Fans, don't cry because big brother is back on top, you had your shot last year and blew it so, GFY.

Thanks cant go enough though to Coach Cal for his excellent recruiting prowess getting a great class coming and keeping Daniel Orton on board. Orton started off slow but I think he'll get it turned around. Wall, Bledsoe and Cousins' body of work speaks for itself. Thanks again to the other guys that contribute like I said before. Finally we need to thank PATRICK FREAKIN PATTERSON for electing to come back his junior year and to be the leader on the floor that this team would've needed.

Thank you for making big blue basketball exciting and fun again.

You forgot the fans

Also, thanks Jodie Meeks for leaving a year early and making room for Mr. Wall and Mr. Bledsoe. Hated to see you go, but not missing you so much now.

Thanks to all the real fans who stuck by the team through thick and thin. Who watched every game no matter how bad we were.

Wildcat Fanatic wrote:Thanks to all the real fans who stuck by the team through thick and thin. Who watched every game no matter how bad we were.

This. And I think we have thousands of those. Best fans in the world.

Man! It is good to be back on top!

BK

*Blue Dude Retakes the podium*

Also Like to thank the fans who stuck in there. Without your support and dedication, this could not be possible.

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There you go BDUKFP haha, but i was just trying to be silly earlier w/ the acceptance speech