Also had Jarred Prickett redshirt the 95-96 team. Lost early to UMASS bc of them trying to start the most talented 5, running Delk at the 1.. But when they made the switch to Anthony Epps as a true PG, and more so a straight up leader! Great defensively, could get in the lane and find others, and although very unorthodox, he could knockdown the outside shot well enough to keep you honest. But they simply took off once that switch was made
Thanks for the comment, I thought I mentioned Prickett but I guess I didn't so thanks for pointing that out. Moreover, thanks for talking about Delk at the PG position. I honestly had no idea about that because I thought Epps was the PG the whole season. But thanks for the two great comments. I always appreciate extra information. I hope you enjoy the 2022-2023 college basketball season.
This was the era of kentucky basketball that I grew up with. Went to my first game on my birthday in 96 to see patino and the wildcats. Wish we would have hired him instead of st John's. Best time of my life being a wildcat fan back then and still today #BIGBLUENATION
Thanks for the comment. I enjoyed reading it. Kentucky was so good back then. Wow, that would have been something if Pitino went back to Lexington. Thanks again, hope you enjoy the 2023-2024 season with Kentucky's recruiting class coming in.
Antoine Walker 6th overall draft pick by The Celtics (1996) Tony Delk 16th overall draft pick by The Hornets (1996) Walter McCarty 18th overall draft pick by The Knicks (1996) Mark Pope 52nd overall draft pick by The Warriors (1996) Ron Mercer 6th overall draft pick by The Celtics (1997) Derek Anderson 13th overall draft pick by The Cavaliers (1997) Nazr Muhammad 29th overall draft pick by The Utah Jazz (1998)
Jeff Sheppard was nice. That was something that he sat out a year because UK had so much talent. I myself, also curious to see Jeff's son play. Furthermore, I am a huge Dajuan Wagner fan as I'll be interested in seeing his son play for UK next year. Thanks again.
Thank you so much Jordan for the comment and watching the video. Kentucky was so good from '95-'98. I remember cheering against them a lot because they were so good. But Kentucky was awesome. Thanks again.
I’m a Celtics fan and My greatest Memory of Pitino was this quote following Vince Carter’s game winner for Toronto at the fleet center (1999) “Bird ain’t walking 🚶♂️ through the door 🚪 McHale ain’t walking through the door 🚪 Parrish ain’t walking through the door 🚪 and if you’re expecting them to walk through the door 🚪 they’re going to be grey and old” Walker McCarty Mercer Delk Four of these players were with the Celtics
That quote will never be forgotten. When Brad Stevens has hired by the Celtics, someone wrote a a comment that Matt Howard, Ronald Nored and Shelvin Mack (former Butler players) ain't walking through that door. That comment made me laugh. As always, I love your comments.
Now there are so many transfers but at the time, it was strange seeing Rodrick Rhodes in the yellow and maroon but Kentucky was so deep at the time and I understood why he transferred. Thanks for the comment and watching the video.
I will gladly take your word for it. He looked like a choir boy on court with Kentucky, but when I see him on the sideline as a head coach, he looks intense. I loved him in the 6th man. Thanks for the comment, I enjoyed reading it.
I really like your comment because of your love of defensive basketball. That's very rare for me to see. I really liked that 2003 Marquette team and even though they were hot, I thought they would have a tough time scoring against UK, but somehow, Marquette won. But Kentucky was so good on D that season. Thank you so much for the comment, I really enjoyed reading it.
Sorry for getting to this comment late, but that would've been so interesting to see Pitino back in Lexington. But on the other hand, it will be interesting to see Pope, the captain on that '96 team leading the Wildcats. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching the video.
Interesting comment. Marquette was playing quite well on offense with Wade, Diener and Steve Novak seemed like never missed. But that Kentucky team was tough on D and who knows with a healthy Bogans. Thanks for commenting and watching the video. I appreciate it.
@@90sSportsNostalgia Thanks. UKs defense was smothering the entire year. Wade was insane that game, I just feel with Bogans limited mobility it allowed Marquette to exploit it and they did a good job of it, obviously.
Thanks again for commenting. During the mid-90s, that was my college basketball viewing prime, and Kentucky was so good. I can understand why it was the best era of your life. Enjoy the Cats during the 2021-2022 season.
Mercer had all the smoke. Another bench player named JP Blevins, a KY high school prodigy. His HS legend was hyped up big. Became a sharp shooter off the bench. But a disappointment.
JP Blevins ok. WOW, that's a name. Thanks for bringing that name up. Did not know about him being a prodigy in high school. Thanks for mentioning that. I barely remember him. I'm looking his numbers up right now on Big Blue History . Net. Thanks again for watching and commenting.
@@90sSportsNostalgia no thank you! There’s always been a soft spot in KY for the homegrown kids that grew up true blue UK fans. Especially The Unforgettables.
And about those 90’s uniforms... in 96 they wore denim! The road units would get sweaty and weigh a ton! The home just had denim on the sides. But the tapas ones were like blue jeans! Players hated them but for 4 years in the 90’s we had totally unique unis. No team in NCAA had the same uniforms. FASHION FORWARD CATS!
@@baloothepibble8421 So sorry for the late reply, but wow, denim. I had no idea about that situation. I can imagine the players hating them. Thank you so much for the information. The Cats had unique uniforms in the '90s and are quite memorable for me. But wow, the denim makes them even more unique. Already I have been looking at the way too early top 25, and many have the Cats around the top-10. Thanks again for the comment and it was great to learn something new.
First of all, thank you so much for watching the whole video and noticing that I mentioned that Badgers team later on in the video . I greatly appreciate it. That 99-00 Badgers teams was something else on D. First they stuffed a Fresno State team with something like 6 future NBA players. I was a Courtney Alexander fan, and Badgers guard, Ryan Kelly (I think that was his name), shut him down. Then Wisconsin went up against a talented Arizona team and their defense was awesome. Then they shut down Stromile Swift and LSU then defeated Purdue in their Elite Eight game. But Wisconsin's D during that tournament run has stuck with me forever. It was so impressive. D. Bennett was a great coach. Next March, I hope to do a video about them. Sorry for writing so much but I just wanted to mention how much that Wisconsin team impressed me on defense. Also, thank you so much for subscribing. I miss Ian's Pizza there in Madison.
As a UK fan I liked Tubby as a person. But not as our basketball coach. His only FF at UK (and eventual only championship) came with Rick Pitino’s players. Once he was left to recruit for himself he really only had one stellar class (Rondo, Morris, Crawford, etc). While I thought he was great coach and was really good at doing more with less (talent wise) he was just too lazy on the recruiting trail to be our head coach. Fast forward to today and we’ve got a similar, but reversed, situation with John Calipari. Really good recruiter. But I think he’s a lazy basketball coach as he has done so little with so much talent. When you look at his rosters and see how they finished it honestly a little embarrassing
Thanks for commenting and watching the video. I don't think it was a good fit for Tubby but I do respect Tubby as a solid coach and I do understand your view. Thanks again. Soon college basketball will be here.
Tubby was pretty good but started recruiting less than Kentucky standard players in like 06-07 and just didn't produce high Kentucky standards.. Rajon Rondo was my favorite UK player recruited by Tubby.
Thank you so much for watching the video. Yeah, I do understand Tubby not producing to the high standards. Rando of course was nice. I liked that backcourt with him and Sparks.
This one and done BS has tainted college basketball so bad.. and NBA sucks now too. Used to be Pristine. Gotta ask..who is best? Kentucky 95 96, 11 12 (Davis) or 14 15 (Townes)? And you think UK needs to ditch Cal? I do...he has been substandard the last 7 years. Not horrible but we can get better..
Thanks for the comment as I enjoyed reading it. Furthermore, thank you so much for asking my opinion on something. My sports fandom declined since the mid-late 2000s and thus, the easy answer for me is the '96 team. But I will say this, I would also like to respectfully add in the 2009-2010 team (I can't believe they lost to West Virginia). I'm a Memphis Tigers fan, those players like John Wall and Cousins were committed to go to Memphis but then followed Cal to UK. But anyways, that '96 team was so good but also, that 2015 team was something else especially down low and if I'm not mistaken I believe Devin Booker was coming off the bench. Which team do you think was the best? You probably have a much better point of view than I do. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching the video.
@@90sSportsNostalgia Devin Booker was a freshman and Cal used a two platoon system. Yeah that John Wall team was like 35-3. Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe were on the team.
Thank you so much for taking the time to watch this video. What are your thoughts about Kentucky Wildcats basketball in the 1990s?
Great channel!
Thank you so much Charles. I appreciate your words so much. You're the best.
Also had Jarred Prickett redshirt the 95-96 team.
Lost early to UMASS bc of them trying to start the most talented 5, running Delk at the 1.. But when they made the switch to Anthony Epps as a true PG, and more so a straight up leader! Great defensively, could get in the lane and find others, and although very unorthodox, he could knockdown the outside shot well enough to keep you honest. But they simply took off once that switch was made
Thanks for the comment, I thought I mentioned Prickett but I guess I didn't so thanks for pointing that out. Moreover, thanks for talking about Delk at the PG position. I honestly had no idea about that because I thought Epps was the PG the whole season. But thanks for the two great comments. I always appreciate extra information. I hope you enjoy the 2022-2023 college basketball season.
This was the era of kentucky basketball that I grew up with. Went to my first game on my birthday in 96 to see patino and the wildcats. Wish we would have hired him instead of st John's. Best time of my life being a wildcat fan back then and still today #BIGBLUENATION
Thanks for the comment. I enjoyed reading it. Kentucky was so good back then. Wow, that would have been something if Pitino went back to Lexington. Thanks again, hope you enjoy the 2023-2024 season with Kentucky's recruiting class coming in.
Also that 02-03 UK team was on a 26 game winning streak going into Marquette game. Went perfect through SEC.
I was so impressed how Kentucky went through the SEC that year.
It also didn’t help that a great Florida program stole some of their shine within the SEC during the 2000s decade.
Antoine Walker
6th overall draft pick by The Celtics (1996)
Tony Delk
16th overall draft pick by The Hornets (1996)
Walter McCarty
18th overall draft pick by The Knicks (1996)
Mark Pope
52nd overall draft pick by The Warriors (1996)
Ron Mercer
6th overall draft pick by The Celtics (1997)
Derek Anderson
13th overall draft pick by The Cavaliers (1997)
Nazr Muhammad
29th overall draft pick by The Utah Jazz (1998)
As a kid Jeff Sheppard and tashawn prince were my favorites. Can't wait to see what the wildcats do with Sheppards son this season
Jeff Sheppard was nice. That was something that he sat out a year because UK had so much talent. I myself, also curious to see Jeff's son play. Furthermore, I am a huge Dajuan Wagner fan as I'll be interested in seeing his son play for UK next year. Thanks again.
Yeah this year's team must get some bench replacements. If Cal plays lance Ware he's just stupid. Should have replaced him this year.
Was 7 in 1990 and man oh man..what a great era to grow up with my cats!!
Thank you so much Jordan for the comment and watching the video. Kentucky was so good from '95-'98. I remember cheering against them a lot because they were so good. But Kentucky was awesome. Thanks again.
I’m a Celtics fan and My greatest Memory of Pitino was this quote following Vince Carter’s game winner for Toronto at the fleet center (1999)
“Bird ain’t walking 🚶♂️ through the door 🚪 McHale ain’t walking through the door 🚪 Parrish ain’t walking through the door 🚪 and if you’re expecting them to walk through the door 🚪 they’re going to be grey and old”
Walker
McCarty
Mercer
Delk
Four of these players were with the Celtics
That quote will never be forgotten. When Brad Stevens has hired by the Celtics, someone wrote a a comment that Matt Howard, Ronald Nored and Shelvin Mack (former Butler players) ain't walking through that door. That comment made me laugh. As always, I love your comments.
He needed Tim Duncan the Celtics lost the lottery to the Spurs.
Kentucky fan here with inside info. A lot more that went into that Rhodes transfer… js
Knew when his time was up
Now there are so many transfers but at the time, it was strange seeing Rodrick Rhodes in the yellow and maroon but Kentucky was so deep at the time and I understood why he transferred. Thanks for the comment and watching the video.
Idk how I missed this! GREAT VIDEO!
Thank you so much. I greatly appreciate it especially coming from a huge Kentucky fan.
I got to play 1 on 1 with Travis Ford. Dude is TOUGH AS NAILS.
I will gladly take your word for it. He looked like a choir boy on court with Kentucky, but when I see him on the sideline as a head coach, he looks intense. I loved him in the 6th man. Thanks for the comment, I enjoyed reading it.
Jamaal Magloire 🇨🇦
19th overall draft pick by The Charlotte Hornets 🐝 in 2000
Jamaal was a tough post defender.
I love defensive basketball. The 2002-03 Wildcats are my favorite college team ever
I really like your comment because of your love of defensive basketball. That's very rare for me to see. I really liked that 2003 Marquette team and even though they were hot, I thought they would have a tough time scoring against UK, but somehow, Marquette won. But Kentucky was so good on D that season. Thank you so much for the comment, I really enjoyed reading it.
Jeff Shepherd's son has signed with Kentucky.
I definitely have to check that out. I had no idea about that. Thanks for the commenting and watching the video. Jeff was awesome back in the day.
@@90sSportsNostalgia Jeff's actually married to a former Kentucky great from the women's team.
Pitino might return to Kentucky as a farewell tour.
Sorry for getting to this comment late, but that would've been so interesting to see Pitino back in Lexington. But on the other hand, it will be interesting to see Pope, the captain on that '96 team leading the Wildcats. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching the video.
Marquette won because Keith Bogans was basically playing on one leg after rolling his ankle severely in the sweet 16 game.
Interesting comment. Marquette was playing quite well on offense with Wade, Diener and Steve Novak seemed like never missed. But that Kentucky team was tough on D and who knows with a healthy Bogans. Thanks for commenting and watching the video. I appreciate it.
@@90sSportsNostalgia Thanks. UKs defense was smothering the entire year. Wade was insane that game, I just feel with Bogans limited mobility it allowed Marquette to exploit it and they did a good job of it, obviously.
Best era of my life..Wish Pitino hadnt gone to the Celtics (2014-15 was my favorite team though 😔)
Thanks again for commenting. During the mid-90s, that was my college basketball viewing prime, and Kentucky was so good. I can understand why it was the best era of your life. Enjoy the Cats during the 2021-2022 season.
@@90sSportsNostalgiahaha I did enjoy the 2021 22 cats other than St Peters.
Mercer had all the smoke. Another bench player named JP Blevins, a KY high school prodigy. His HS legend was hyped up big. Became a sharp shooter off the bench. But a disappointment.
JP Blevins ok. WOW, that's a name. Thanks for bringing that name up. Did not know about him being a prodigy in high school. Thanks for mentioning that. I barely remember him. I'm looking his numbers up right now on Big Blue History . Net. Thanks again for watching and commenting.
@@90sSportsNostalgia no thank you! There’s always been a soft spot in KY for the homegrown kids that grew up true blue UK fans. Especially The Unforgettables.
And about those 90’s uniforms... in 96 they wore denim! The road units would get sweaty and weigh a ton! The home just had denim on the sides. But the tapas ones were like blue jeans! Players hated them but for 4 years in the 90’s we had totally unique unis. No team in NCAA had the same uniforms. FASHION FORWARD CATS!
@@baloothepibble8421 So sorry for the late reply, but wow, denim. I had no idea about that situation. I can imagine the players hating them. Thank you so much for the information. The Cats had unique uniforms in the '90s and are quite memorable for me. But wow, the denim makes them even more unique. Already I have been looking at the way too early top 25, and many have the Cats around the top-10. Thanks again for the comment and it was great to learn something new.
As a Wisconsin alumni thank you for mentioning the 99/00 Badgers!
First of all, thank you so much for watching the whole video and noticing that I mentioned that Badgers team later on in the video . I greatly appreciate it. That 99-00 Badgers teams was something else on D. First they stuffed a Fresno State team with something like 6 future NBA players. I was a Courtney Alexander fan, and Badgers guard, Ryan Kelly (I think that was his name), shut him down. Then Wisconsin went up against a talented Arizona team and their defense was awesome. Then they shut down Stromile Swift and LSU then defeated Purdue in their Elite Eight game. But Wisconsin's D during that tournament run has stuck with me forever. It was so impressive. D. Bennett was a great coach. Next March, I hope to do a video about them. Sorry for writing so much but I just wanted to mention how much that Wisconsin team impressed me on defense. Also, thank you so much for subscribing. I miss Ian's Pizza there in Madison.
As a UK fan I liked Tubby as a person. But not as our basketball coach. His only FF at UK (and eventual only championship) came with Rick Pitino’s players. Once he was left to recruit for himself he really only had one stellar class (Rondo, Morris, Crawford, etc). While I thought he was great coach and was really good at doing more with less (talent wise) he was just too lazy on the recruiting trail to be our head coach.
Fast forward to today and we’ve got a similar, but reversed, situation with John Calipari. Really good recruiter. But I think he’s a lazy basketball coach as he has done so little with so much talent. When you look at his rosters and see how they finished it honestly a little embarrassing
Thanks for commenting and watching the video. I don't think it was a good fit for Tubby but I do respect Tubby as a solid coach and I do understand your view. Thanks again. Soon college basketball will be here.
I’ve said if we could somehow get tubby as an assistant with Cal it would be unreal.
Tubby was pretty good but started recruiting less than Kentucky standard players in like 06-07 and just didn't produce high Kentucky standards.. Rajon Rondo was my favorite UK player recruited by Tubby.
Thank you so much for watching the video. Yeah, I do understand Tubby not producing to the high standards. Rando of course was nice. I liked that backcourt with him and Sparks.
I’ve always had a question: why did Kentucky, a well-known blue blood basketball school, not recruit so well around that time?
@@JahNuhThunDeeTheOneAndOnlyI think it was Tubbys play style..slow pace all defense
This one and done BS has tainted college basketball so bad.. and NBA sucks now too. Used to be Pristine. Gotta ask..who is best? Kentucky 95 96, 11 12 (Davis) or 14 15 (Townes)? And you think UK needs to ditch Cal? I do...he has been substandard the last 7 years. Not horrible but we can get better..
Thanks for the comment as I enjoyed reading it. Furthermore, thank you so much for asking my opinion on something. My sports fandom declined since the mid-late 2000s and thus, the easy answer for me is the '96 team. But I will say this, I would also like to respectfully add in the 2009-2010 team (I can't believe they lost to West Virginia). I'm a Memphis Tigers fan, those players like John Wall and Cousins were committed to go to Memphis but then followed Cal to UK. But anyways, that '96 team was so good but also, that 2015 team was something else especially down low and if I'm not mistaken I believe Devin Booker was coming off the bench. Which team do you think was the best? You probably have a much better point of view than I do. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching the video.
@@90sSportsNostalgia Devin Booker was a freshman and Cal used a two platoon system. Yeah that John Wall team was like 35-3. Patrick Patterson and Eric Bledsoe were on the team.