University of Tennessee Athletics
Postgame Notes
January 08, 2003 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 8, 2003
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Tennessee vs. Kentucky
Jan. 8, 2003
Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tenn.
Records
* Tennessee falls to 7-3 (0-1 SEC), while Kentucky improves to 10-3 (1-0 SEC)
Series Notebook
* Kentucky leads the all-time series 131-62
* UK leads the series 45-43 in games played in Knoxville
* UK is Vols' most frequent hoops opponent (193rd meeting) ... Series dates back to 1910
* UT has won three of last five meetings in Knoxville ... UK's last win at Thompson-Boling Arena was in 2001 (103-95)
* Two teams split the season series a year ago, with each team winning on their home court
SEC Opener
* Tonight's game was the SEC opener for both teams
* Tonight's loss ended the Vols' three-game win streak league openers
* UT had not lost an SEC opener since 1999 at Auburn (90-62)
* Tennessee's last SEC opener loss at home was in 1995 (57-56) to Georgia
* Vols defeated Ole Miss in Knoxville 82-76 in last year's SEC Opener
Slay Leads Vols With 22 Points
* Entered game as the SEC's leading scorer (22.6 ppg)
* Scored 103 the last four games (25.8 ppg/game)
* 22 points tonight a career-best vs. Kentucky (previous: 18 in 2001 at Knoxville)
* 60th career game of scoring double figures, including all 10 games this season
* 16th career game of scoring 20 or more points and seventh this season
Higgins Moves to Fourth on UT Three-Point List
* Four three-point FGs moved Higgins in a tie with Vincent Yarbrough for No. 4 on UT's all-time list with 179
* Connected on 4-of-5 from three-point range ... Was 3-of-3 from long range in the first half
* Finished with 17 pts--second most of season; 26th career game in double figures and fourth of the season
* Fouled out with 7:38 remaining and UK leading 62-60 ... First DQ this season and fourth of career
Watson Excels in First SEC Game
* Recorded 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals
* 15 points--second most this season
* Connected on 8-of-11 from FT line ... 8 FTs and 3 steals are a career-highs (third time this season with 3 steals)
Homecourt Advantage
* Vols are 71-12 (.855) at Thompson-Boling Arena since the 1997-98 season
* UT is 6-1 at home this season
* Vols are now 31-11 vs. SEC teams at home since 1999
Quickly....
* Tonight's game is UT's first against a ranked team this season ... Vols were 3-5 last season vs. teams ranked in AP Top 25
* UT starters Crump and Higgins each picked up 3 fouls in the first half ... Higgins fouled out with 7:38
* Vols held UK to 35 percent FG shooting in first half, UK connected on 50 percent (11-of-22) second half
* UK outrebounded the Vols 35-27
* Vols had 17 turnovers, but had just 5 in the second half
Next Game
* UT travels to Ole Miss Saturday (1 p.m.-EST/JP TV)
