| # | Name | Pos | Class | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (School) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #7 | Ralph Carlisle (L) | F | Sr. | - | - | Lawrenceburg, KY (Kavanaugh) | First Team All-SEC; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #14 | Joseph Hagan (L) | F | Jr. | 6-2 | - | Louisville, KY (Male & St. Xavier) | - |
| #13 | Homer Thompson (L) | C | So. | 6-3 | 215 | Jeffersonville, IN (High) | - |
| #3 | Bernard Opper (L) | G | So. | 5-10 | 185 | New York, NY (Morris High) | - |
| #6 | Warfield Donohue (L) | G | Sr. | 6-2 | - | Louisville, KY (St. Xavier) | First Team All-SEC; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #15 | J. Rice Walker (L) | C-F | Jr. | - | - | Lexington, KY (Henry Clay) | Second Team All-SEC; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #26 | Walter Hodge (L) | F | So. | - | - | Paris, KY (High) | Second Team All-SEC; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #27 | Fred Curtis (L) | F | So. | 6-3 | - | Nashville, TN (East) | - |
| #10 | Elmo Head (L) | F | So. | - | - | Shelbyville, KY | - |
| #9 | James Goforth (L) | G | Sr. | 6-0 | 200 | Louisville, KY (Male) | - |
| - | Bob Tice | G | - | - | - | - | - |
| #13 | Robert Davis (L) | C | Jr. | - | - | Dayton, KY (High) | - |
| #5 | John McIntosh (L) | F | Sr. | - | - | Hazard, KY | - |
| #8 | Charles Combs | G | Jr. | - | - | Happy, KY (Berea Academy) | - |
| - | Walter Hatcher | F | So. | - | - | Pikeville, KY | - |
| - | Robert Strohm | - | So. | - | - | Chicago, IL | - |
| Schedule | Player Statistics | Game Statistics |
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1936-37 Squad |
Front Row (l to r): Walter Hatcher, Unidentified #3, Bernard Opper, Robert Davis, Unidentified #20, Elmo Head |
Season Review -Basketball 1936-37 (Kentuckian)
It took the 1936-'37 Rupp-coached edition of Kentucky's famed basketball powerhouses until the last of an erratic season to get into their stride, but when the smoke had cleared away the Big Blue was again perched at the top of the Southeastern heap - Champions of the Southeastern Conference for the season of 1936-'37
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Arriving at the University of Tennessee gymnasium six days later, Rupp again unleashed his Wildcats and they took up at the point from which they had let Vanderbilt off, sweeping aside Louisiana State, previously undefeated Georgia Tech, and, lastly, the defending champions, Tennessee, to bring the championship back to Lexington.
In the number of games won and last, this Kentucky quintet did not look as good as the Blue teams of the past, but this was on paper alone, and throughout the season showed flashes of the power which it finally turned loose to take its place among Kentucky's great cage combinations. The final count was eighteen games won, including three in the tournament, and five lost.
Again the Big Blue placed more than their share on the All-Southeastern team. While high-scoring Ralph Carlisle was securing himself a unanimous place at one forward, Captain Donohue turned in the best performances of his career to be placed at a guard post. Walker, Hagan, and Hodge also won much praise from the critics. And needless to say, the season would have been entirely different had it not been for the fine relief work of Thompson, Opper, Curtis, Goforth, and Davis. These boys are Champions!
Kentucky, 46, Georgetown 21.
A fighting group of sophomores from Georgetown College gave the Wildcats the biggest scare a Kentucky quintet had in an opening game in years before finally wilting in the final minutes to go down 46 to 21. The first half found the 'Cats fighting to hold a small lead, and the period ended with the Big Blue on top 19 to 15. The visitors appeared to tire as the second stanza progressed, while the Big Blue team warmed to their task; and, with Carlisle and Opper showing the way, moved into a safe lead. The game ended with Kentucky's relief men mounting up the margin of victory. Carlisle, with 16 points, topped all scorers.
Kentucky 70, Berea 26.
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Kentucky 31, Alabama 34.
After six years of vain attempts Alabama finally succeeded in defeating a Rupp coached team when they downed the Wildcats, 34 to 31, in one of the best games seen in Lexington all year. It was the 'Cats fourth loss of the campaign, and their second Conference defeat of the season. Each team scored ten field goals, but the Tidesmen gained their superiority by greater accuracy on the free throw line. Alabama led 18 to 17 at the intermission, and the Wildcats were never able to come closer than one point to the visitors in the second period. It was Shoemaker and Tabor, scoring twenty-three points between them, who led the Crimson Tide to victory. For Kentucky Hagan and Donohue stood out with nine and eight points respectively.
Kentucky 34, Xavier 28.
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Kentucky 37, Centenary 19.
In their last game before the holidays, Kentucky handed their Louisiana visitors, the Centenary Gentlemen, a 37 to 19 defeat, but were far from impressive in the process, the various Kentucky combinations appearing ragged both on offense and defense. Hagan scored first for the 'Cats on a pretty shot from the side. The visitors then took a 6 to 2 lead before the Big Blue registered again. It was then Kentucky all the way for the rest of the contest, with Carlisle again in the scoring van, collecting 7 field goals and one free throw for 15 points.
Kentucky 28, Michigan State 21.
The Wildcats displayed great improvement in their first game of the new year, handling the ball in championship fashion at times, to win their fourth straight game of the. season from Michigan State 28 to 21. The contest was close throughout, the 'Cats pulling away in the last few minutes. Midway in the second half Kentucky was enjoying a seven point lead - two minutes later it had been cut to one point, and Captain Donohue called time out. The Spartans registered another field goal several minutes later to hold a slim one point advantage at the half time. The Wildcats spurted again as the second period opened, to pile up a 26 to 15 lead, but their attack again bogged down as the visitors ran their total up to 21. Here Carlisle, who again led the scoring with 14 points, put through a pretty one-handed shot and the game ended without further scoring.
Kentucky 28, Notre Dame 41.
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Kentucky 59, Creighton 36.
Chaffing under their defeat at the hands of Notre Dame, the Wildcats lived up to their names in every respect three nights later and swamped a covey of Creighton Bluejays 59 to 36. Kentucky started fast and, except for one Creighton spurt in the first half which tied the score at 22 all, the visitors could not match the 'Wildcat marksmen. Leading 33 to 22 at the half, the 'Cats resumed their assault in the second period to win handily. Hagan paced the evening's scoring activities with 17 points, as Hodge was turning in another brilliant defensive exhibition.
Kentucky 23, Michigan State 24.
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Kentucky 32, Akron 22.
The Rupp machine returned to the win column when they repelled a stubborn Akron University team, 32 to 22, at Cincinnati. Paced by Joe Hagan, the 'Cats overcame the early Akron lead to be out in front 18-to-8 at the half way mark The second period was nip and tuck, both teams matching goal for goal throughout, as the Wildcats maintained their 10-point lead. Kentucky, although noticeably the superior team, gave an erratic performance. Hagan was easily the outstanding man on the floor, with Mott turning in the best performance for the Ohio team.
Kentucky 43, Tennessee 26.
Taking on their first conference foe of the season, the Wildcats were impressive in rolling over Tennessee's Volunteers 43 to 26. The Big Blue held a comfortable lead during the entire contest, and finished with the second team carrying the burden. With Carlisle and Hagan doing most of the damage, the 'Cats rushed into a 6 to 1 lead in the first three minutes, and stretched it to 23 to 9 by half time. The Volunteers reduced the Blue team's margin to nine points midway in the last half, but Kentucky's offense clicked again to pull the Wildcats out of danger. Carlisle, with seven points, and Tennessee's Johnson, with 10, led the scoring.
Kentucky 41, Vanderbilt 26.
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Kentucky 38, Alabama 27.
Continuing their strong finish program, the Wildcats added Alabama to their conference victims, 38 to 27, the following night at Birmingham. Twice, at the close of each half, the 'Cats spurted to catch the Crimson Tide. With Shoemaker showing the way, the Tide jumped to a 14 to 7 lead. Then Thompson found the range for Kentucky and the Big Blue tied the game up 16 all just as the half ended. Alabama again pulled away as the second half got under way, but soon Carlisle and Thompson located the basket and Kentucky outscored the Tide 21 points to eight in the last 15 minutes. Thompson and Hodge were the most effective for Kentucky, with Shoemaker and Tabor registering 10 points each for the losers.
Kentucky 28, Tulane 35.
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Kentucky 28, Tulane 25.
Showing improvement over their playing of the night before, the Wildcats evened their series with Tulane, 28 to 25, in their second game. Hagan was the shining light of the night on both the offense and defense, registering 10 points, while he was holding Locket to one field goal and two foul shots. The contest was close throughout, with Kentucky leading most of the way.
Kentucky 58, University of Mexico 30.
Returning from their southern trip, the Ruppmen met a plucky University of Mexico five and defeated them 58 to 30. Although outplayed and outclassed, the little Mexicans fought throughout the contest, completely winning the admiration of the Kentucky fans. Dropping through several shots from far out on the floor, the visitors kept fairly close to the Blue quintet during the first half, but with Carlisle, Hagan, and Opper hitting the basket from all angles, the Mexicans were no match for their taller opponents in the last period. Lolo led the visitors with 10 points, Carlisle collecting 15 points during his stay in the game for Kentucky.
Kentucky 24, Tennessee 26.
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Kentucky 51, Vanderbilt 19.
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Kentucky 23, Xavier 15.
The 'Cats played the last game of their regular season without the services of Ralph Carlisle, but they seemed to forget that fact once the game was under way and treated the home fans to a 23 to 15 victory over Xavier. The game was rough throughout, the visitors registering 11 of their 15 points on foul shots, and Kentucky scoring nine of the free throws, out of the total of 34 fouls called. The Big Blue took the lead on the opening tip-off, to hold it during the entire contest. Twice in the first period the visitors pulled within one point of the 'Cats, but were never able to overtake them. Hagan, with nine points, led the Kentucky scoring, while Kruse paced the Musketeers with seven.
THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT
Kentucky 57, Louisiana State 37.
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Kentucky 40, Georgia Tech 30.
Undefeated Georgia Tech stood in the Wildcats path in the second round. But the boys from the Blue Grass showed that records meant nothing to them in eliminating the Engineers from further competition, 40 to 30. The score was tied five times in the first half before Carlisle dropped in two of his famous twist shots, and Curtis added a crip, to give Kentucky a six-point lead at the rest time, 24 to 18. As play was resumed the Wildcats were slow in getting started and Tech spurted to cut their lead to 31 to 30, with only five minutes remaining. The Big Blue then launched their final offensive to score nine points and win their way to the finals.
Kentucky 39, Tennessee 25.
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Freshman Basketball
The Kittens, under the expert tutelage of Paul McBrayer, Kentucky's all-Southern guard of seven years ago, began a most promising season with one of the most highly-touted squads of recent years.
The season opened with a spectacular victory of 38-15 over the Georgetown frosh, in a preliminary tilt to the varsity game with Georgetown in the Alumni gym. Cluggish was the star of this game, with many of his shots from the pivot position.
The Kittens dropped one game to the Manual High cagers in Louisville by the score of 21-20. The game was a close one throughout, and only in the last minute of play did Manual pull out in front to take the game by one point.
Following the brief respite afforded them by the Christmas holidays, the Kittens met and defeated Georgetown on the latter's home court, in a return game, by the score of 41-25. This victory repaired the morale of the men which had been impaired by the loss to Manual.
Morehead's Eaglets were next on the list for the Kittens, and the Kentucky frosh increased their string of victories by a 32-32 (?) win at Morehead.
Soon after the Morehead victory, the frosh met the star varsity of Cumberland College in a stiff battle on the latter's home court in Williamsburg. Helped by a last-minute basket, the Kittens defeated their rivals by the close tally of 27-26.
Eastern was next for the Kentucky frosh, and in a tilt on the Eastern court in Richmond, the Kittens won out by the uncomfortably close score of 37-34.
Cumberland was met in Lexington by the Kittens in a return game, and this time the Kentuckians were not so lucky. Pulling ahead in the second half, the Cumberland five defeated the Kittens in a disappointing battle, 32-23.
The last game of the season was a return engagement with Morehead, in Lexington, and resulted in another victory for the Kitten quintet, by the lopsided tally of 50-13.
Men receiving numerals for the season were: James Goodman, Gilbert Jennings, Harry Denham, Bob Mefford, L. H. Rouse, Sam Duncan, Marion Cluggish, and Bernard Harris.
