Jules Camara and Marquis Estill played well inside with Estill dominating at times. Chuck Hayes blossomed after a promising freshman year and became a more consistent and important piece of Kentucky's offensive and defensive attack. Gerald Fitch ably assumed the point guard role in the absence of Hawkins and continued to perform well at whatever position on the floor he was asked to assume. Senior guard Keith Bogans assumed a leadership position on the team and proved to be a very consistent and efficient player for the Wildcats, in stark contrast to his dreadful junior year. Daniels, Barbour and Hawkins all returned and began to integrate themselves more into the rotation without disrupting team chemistry. However instead of repeating the pattern, the season took a turn for the better at that point. With Wildcat fans justifiably upset over the loss to their heated rival, the team looked like it was headed down the path "Team Turmoil" took the year previously. He and his new teammates did make a statement, and the Cardinals ran away with the game, handing UK with an 18-point loss. The low point of the season came when Kentucky travelled to Freedom Hall to face not only former UK coach Rick Pitino, but former teammate Marvin Stone who had transferred to the Cardinals at midseason of 2001-02 and was looking to make a statement against his former team. The trip to Hawaii was followed by nail-biters against Indiana (a memorable win which was sealed by an emotional outburst by IU coach Mike Davis) and Michigan State (a disappointing loss). To make matters worse, newcomer swingman Antwain Barbour broke his hand in Hawaii and would be out of action for a number of weeks. This loss prevented a matchup with long-time rival Indiana in the championship game, although the Wildcats did manage to salvage the trip with a win over a tough Gonzaga squad. Kentucky fell in the second round of the Maui Invitational to an inferior Virginia Cavalier squad by shooting a miserable 2-22 from the three-point line. This was followed by news that junior forward Erik Daniels would miss the first four games of the season (due to a minor infraction involving participation in summer games) and starting point guard Cliff Hawkins would be academically ineligible for at least the first semester. Even before the season began, things began to fall apart as inside strongman Jason Parker was dismissed from the team for violating team policies. The season started roughly as the Wildcats struggled early and it looked like Kentucky would fall into a similar pattern of years past. Special events and commemorations were performed throughout the year, from a game against Michigan State which featured 'throw-back' jerseys, a series of bobble-heads of famous UK coaches and players, a commemorative DVD and program, to a reunion of lettermen and naming of a fan's top-5 during halftime of a game against Mississippi State among many other things. The 2002-03 season marked the 100th anniversary of the Kentucky program, which is the winningest men's collegiate basketball program in history. Coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith swept the national coaching awards and after the season signed a multi-year extension to stay on as head coach of the Wildcats. Along the way, the Wildcats swept the always-difficult Southeastern Conference and Southeastern Conference tournament, despite not being picked by many sportswriters as one of the top contenders for their division. Their final record was an impressive 32-4. The 2002-2003 edition rode a nation's best 26-game winning streak before bowing out in the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament to a motivated Marquette Golden Eagle squad. Training Camp: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts) More Team Infoģ17 for 527, 3,620 yards, 23 td, 12 int, & 42 rushes for 63 yards and 1 tdġ78 rushes for 638 yards, 0 td, & 48 catches for 440 yards and 0 tdĥ7 catches for 803 yards, 3 td, & 1 rush for 11 yards and 0 tdĤ0 catches for 472 yards, 4 td, & 6 rushes for 27 yards and 0 tdĢ.0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 0 fumbles recoveredĨ.0 sacks, 0 interceptions, 0 fumbles recoveredĥ.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 fumbles recoveredĢ.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recoveredĩ.5 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble recoveredĠ.0 sacks, 6 interceptions, 0 fumbles recoveredģ.0 sacks, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recoveredĠ.For only the eighth time in UK history, the Kentucky Wildcats finished the regular season ranked #1 in the nation by the Associated Press. Preseason Odds: Super Bowl +1500 O/U: 8.5 Head Coach/de facto General Manager: Bill Belichick Other Notable Asst.: Brian Daboll (Wide Receivers), Jeff Davidson (Offensive Line/Tight Ends), John Hufnagel (Quarterbacks), Eric Mangini (Defensive Backs), Josh McDaniels (Defensive Assistant) and Rob Ryan (Linebackers)
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