2000

What a surreal moment in history.  The winningest program in NCAA history reaching the 2000 milestone.  The celebration: before, during and after.  A team that truly deserved to be on the floor of the momentous game.  The game was called by one of the all time UK greats.  Mashburn was Patterson number one.  Or Patterson is Mashburn two.  Either way, he was a guy that helped re-establish UK to elite status just as Patterson has.  Some have said that reaching 2000 first wasn’t a big deal.  They said that two others might possibly make the milestone this year.  To them I ask; Do you think anyone will get the pre-game coverage provided by ESPNU?  They showed the greatest comeback in history then did a documentary on the Comeback Cats before the game.  During the game they had long interviews with ex-players coaches and fans.  Coverage continued after the game as if UK had won a title.  Do you think anyone else will make that big of a deal over 2000?  The answer is no.  This wasn’t just a big deal, it was a huge deal.  And I would be remiss in not acknowledging the wonderful job ESPNU did on their coverage.  It was spectacular.

The players?  They were as prepared as I’ve seen.  Poor Drexel had zero chance in this game and that is exactly how it should have been.  The kids were focused and played with a sense of meaning like I’ve only seen in the truly big games.  UK was the Harlem Globe Trotters, and Drexel was the Washington General.  Drexel will live to fight another day and no one is worse for wear except maybe a little hurt pride.  But that was the price that was to be paid for the victim of 2000.  The UK faithful was able to celebrate every pass, every block, every steal and every basket as if it were scripted for their entertainment.  And that is how this game should have been.

After the game, Cal brought out Rupp’s son and Joe B.  I cried.  I cried because this team gets it.  I cried because Calipari gets it.  The team played unselfish fundamentally sound basketball until the eight minute mark.  And when they went to some show boating, Call pulled them and put the supporting cast in.  This night was forged on hundreds of players before and countless hours of planning, practice, preparation and sacrifice and there was no room for, “ME” on this night.

I’m only going to mention one player today, and that player is Liggins.  The main reason I’ll only mention him is because he deserves some time on the pedestal.  The secondary reason is because he could very well be the difference in how far UK goes in post season.  UK’s first seven or eight are as good as anyone else’s in the country.  The difference between UK and the two other top teams in their class is depth.  A Liggins playing like he did last night gives UK that ninth guy that would provide a zero drop in performance in a game where it may very well matter.  His pose and passing were perfect.  His spacing and shot selection were sensational.  His defense and demeanor were undeniable.   He knew what to do and he did it.  And he did it as well as anyone on UK’s roster.  It took a long road to get him to this point.  It took some tough love.  And to the kid’s credit, it took some changes and sacrifice on his part.  To Cal, I say another job well done.  To Liggins, I say congratulations on playing a game deserving of 2000.