I don't think I'll be saying anything surprising, shocking or offensive if I say the 2013-2014 UK Hoops squad didn't meet the expectations of themselves or their fans. After 2 back to back trips to the Elite 8, with 4 experienced seniors and our highest ranked recruiting class to date in the Mitchell era, most people felt a trip to Nashville and the Final Four was all but guaranteed. After delivering on an outstanding SEC tournament run, the BBN could all but taste the long awaited glory that is the Women's Final Four...and then Baylor happened, which goes to show just how cruel March Madness can be.
Best of The Best:
UK vs. Baylor - December 6th, 2013
Based on the replies to our April 4th article, for many of you the Baylor game was truly the best game of the year. Your Kentucky Wildcats played a 60 minute stunner in Arlington, going head to head with one of the most feared players (and most appallingly dressed coaches) in the country. No one who witnessed it will soon forget the incredible play coming off the bench from Jennifer O'Neill, who delivered a career high 43 points. This game is sure to become an instant classic, and if it isn't referenced in every women's basketball highlight reel for the next 10 years, someone at ESPN needs a serious talking to.
UK vs. Tennessee - February 15th, 2014
The Wildcats gave their fans a long-awaited (and only slightly belated) Valentine's Day present this year after beating Tennessee on the road for the first time since 1985. In what we can only hope will become a new tradition, the Cats won their first ever game at Thompson-Boling Arena with a monster 24 point performance from Jennifer O'Neill, backed up with another 17 points from DeNesha Stallworth.
UK vs. South Carolina - March 8th 2014
Less than 2 weeks after the Gamecocks clobbered the Cats 81-58 at Memorial, UK Hoops clawed back in a 68-58 battle to reach the SEC Tournament Championship Game. Bria Gross led the team with 14 points, to include 2 back-to-back beauties from three-point range. Freshman phenoms Linnae Harper and Makayla Epps each delivered a double digit performance, leaving their coaches and fans giddy with delight over their SECT debuts.
This happened too:
UK's regular season games against Florida (January 5th, 2014 and February 9th, 2014)
We lost. Gators won. It stunk. ‘Nuff said.
UK vs. Duke - December 22nd, 2013
The Rupp Arena magic was just not happening that Sunday - even with the chance to win a partial stake in a race horse or the support of the 23,706 fans who attended. DeNesha Stallworth was out due to a mid-December surgery on her knee, and let's just say she was missed. Also missing was our free throw shooting, where the Cats delivered a truly horrid 42%.
UK vs. Tennessee - March 9th, 2014
Another battle in the Border War is always fun, and this one would have been too...if not for UK going down by 1 point. Despite DeNesha Stallworth's massive 21 point performance, 15 points from the tres, and delivering 77% of our shots from the charity stripe, the Cats dropped a heartbreaker in yet another instant classic at the SEC Tournament Championship. (Next time, Vols, that title is ours!)
TL; DR
This squad will forever be planted in my memories as one of my favorites because of the players. I adored these seniors, whose stories were so different and unique, and who so obviously loved playing for this school and these fans. My Jennifer O'Neill fan-girling got a little more pronounced. Bria Goss blew my mind with her free throw skills, because 90% (?!?) is just unreal. Janee Thompson was Janee Thompson and really, that's kind of awesome. Our frosh blossomed in the tournament and all one could do was dance with glee at the thought of another 3 years.
This season opened with very high hopes, and ended on a very painful one. There was a lot of joy - and pain - along with way, but throughout the season our players shone as a team - and a program - that deserved national attention and consideration as a contender. For that, and for so many amazing moments, we say a hearty thank you.