| # | Name | Pos | Class | Ht. | Wt. | Hometown (School) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #8 | Marvin Akers (L) | F | Jr. | 6-3 | 190 | Jeffersonville, IN (High) | All-SEC Tournament; |
| #15 | Melvin Brewer (L) | C | Jr. | 6-5 | 194 | New Albany, IN (High) | - |
| #7 | Milt Ticco (L) | F-C | Jr. | 6-3 | 190 | Jenkins, KY | - |
| #13 | Ermal Allen (L) | F | Sr. | 5-10 | 160 | Morristown, TN (High) | All-SEC [First Team]; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #9 | Kenneth England (L) | G | Jr. | 6-1 | 180 | Campbellsburg, KY (High) | - |
| #16 | Carl Staker (L) | G | Sr. | 6-3 | 193 | Maysville, KY (High) | - |
| #5 | James King (L) | G | Sr. | 6-3 | 180 | Sharpe, KY (High) | All-SEC [Second Team]; All-SEC Tournament; |
| #19 | Waller White (L) | F | Sr. | 6-1 | 160 | Lawrenceburg, KY (Kavanaugh) | - |
| #12 | Vincent Splane (L) | F | So. | 6-1 | 180 | Madisonville, KY (High) | - |
| #18 | Frank Etscorn | F | Jr. | 6-1 | 178 | Valley Station, KY (High) | - |
| #20 | James Mathewson (L) | F | Jr. | 6-2 | 170 | Vanceburg, KY | - |
| #3 | Adrian Back (L) | G | So. | 6-0 | 173 | Hodgenville, KY (Buffalo HS) | - |
| #11 | Ed Lander (L) | C | So. | 6-3 | 188 | Lexington, KY (Lafayette) | - |
| #6 | Lloyd Ramsey (L) | F | Sr. | 6-2 | 177 | Lexington, KY (University High) | - |
| #4 | Bruce Boehler | G | So. | 5-11 | 170 | Lorain, OH (High) | - |
| #13 | Louis Robertson | F | Jr. | 5-11 | 165 | Yorktown, IN (High) | - |
| Schedule | Player Statistics | Game Statistics |
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1941-42 Squad |
Front Row: Bruce Boehler, Louis Robertson, Vincent Splane, Adrian Back, Frank Etscorn, James Mathewson |
Season Review - Basketball (Kentuckian)
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Head Basketball Coach |
"They weren't great because of natural ability, but because they wanted to win," said Coach Adolph Rupp in commenting on the sensational record; and certainly the veteran 'Cat mentor knew what he was talking about, for his charges met representatives from the Big Ten Conference, the Far West, the deep South, Mexico and the Mid-West, in addition to members from their own Southeastern Conference during the regular season. In a special game for charity at Louisville, the 'Cats were pitted against a highly touted bunch of former All-Americans and college stars representing the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. The Big Blue also participated in the national tournament eliminations, a very great honor bestowed upon only eight of the nation's best teams.
Gaining momentum as the campaign progressed. the Kentuckians won their opener, lost the second outing, then copped three straight, dropped another, triumphed four more times in a row lost two and then won their last four scheduled starts before entering the Southeastern eliminations at Louisville.
Not a single home floor loss was sustained by the Wildcats, thus keeping at only seven the number of home defeats suffered by Kentucky basketball teams since Coach Rupp assumed the pilot's post 11 years ago. All except one of 1941-42's four defeats were atoned for in return engagements.
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Ermal Allen and Waller White at forwards, Mel Brewer in the pivot position, and Captain Carl Staker and Marvin Akers at guards were the 'Cats who started the majority of the games. Captain Staker's steady floor work and leadership, Akers' long shots, Allen's speed and offensive punch, Brewer's rebounding and White's point-making is the "behind-the-scenes' answer to Kentucky's great record.
Capable replacements were handy in Ken England and Adrian Back at guards, veteran Jim King at center, and Milt Ticco and Lloyd Ramsey at forwards. Vincent Splane also saw some service at a forward post.
"Big Train' Akers, mentioned on many All-American selections, paced the team in regular season scoring by tallying 150 points. Brewer came next with 140. Allen was placed on the All-Conference team upon the conclusion of the tourney in Louisville, and Akers and King were awarded second-team berths.
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KENTUCKY 31, MIAMI U. 25
The Wildcats began the season unimpressively, defeating Miami University, 31-25, in Alumni gym. The Big Blue was never in danger, but failed to show its expected strength. Defense was up to par, as the visitors were held to eight field goals, but the highly touted 'Cat offense didn't live up to expectations. Waller White, Kentucky forward, was the game's high scorer with 10 points.
OHIO STATE 43, KENTUCKY 41
Displaying a much better brand of ball than that shown in the opener, the charges of the "man in the brown suit" were nosed out, 43-41, by Ohio State on the Buckeye court. Kentucky, trailing 42-39 with less than a minute to go, almost copped the verdict, Jim King scored on a crip, and with seconds remaining, Milt Ticco missed an easy crip that would have put the Wildcats ahead. Miller scored the last Ohio State tally by sinking a free throw. The score was knotted 11 times during the closely contested melee, being deadlocked at 24-24 at halftime. Ticco tabbed nine points to gain scoring honors for Kentucky, while Dick Fisher's 14 topped the Buckeye attack.
KENTUCKY 42, NEBRASKA 27
Coming from behind in the second half, Coach Rupp's cagers sent the Kentucky students home for the Xmas holidays in happy spirits by trouncing Nebraska, 42-27, at Lexington. The Wildcats were badly off form in the first half, making only seven of 46 attempts from the field, and trailed, 16-15, at half-time. After the intermission, however, the Kentuckian's made 10 of 34 field goal trys. Mel Brewer score 11 points in addition to playing an excellent game on rebounds. Held, towering Nebraska center, led the boys from the com country with 13.
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KENTUCKY 64, SOUTH CAROLINA 25
Jumping into a 35-13 first half advantage, Kentucky had little trouble in besting the Gamecocks of South Carolina. The pace by the victors was so rapid that a befuddled Gamecock, Stanley Statisca, even scored a fielder for Kentucky. UK's Ticco scored 15 points during the first nine minutes of the game to capture scoring honors, while Westmoreland's six were tops for the losers.
KENTUCKY 49, TEXAS A. & M. 29
Coach Rupp used 14 players in the Texas A. & M. rout. A near capacity crowd witnessed the fast tilt, which saw the Texans fight to the very last. Jim King's rebounding and Marvin Aker's long shots stood out for the Kentuckians. Akers amassed 14 point, nearly all of them on efforts from far out on the floor. Ermal Allen played a good floor game and was outstanding on the defense. Ted Nabors nine points was the best A. & M. scoring mark, all tallied in the second half.
KENTUCKY 62, WASHINGTON AND LEE 42
The 'Cats ran up a 17-5 lead over Washington and Lee in the first five minutes of play and increased it to 36-16 at the intermission. The Big Blue's first five left the game six minutes before the first half ended with the score at that point being 32-13. Ticco's 16 points vanned the Kentucky attack, while a Paris, Ky., boy, Bill Bryan, led the losers with nine.
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KENTUCKY 40, XAVIER 39 Two charity heaves by Allen with only three seconds left to play erased a 39-38 Xavier lead and gave Kentucky a 40-39 hairbreadth decision over the Musketeers at Cincinnati. Rough play marked the contest, with 24 personals being called on the Wildcats and 17 on the losers. The score was tied three times during the first half, but the Big Blue pulled away to a 22-15 half-time lead. Captain Bert Robben of the losers was the game's offensive star with 19 points, while Brewer was best for the winners with 10.
KENTUCKY 40, TENNESSEE 46
Tennessee stopped the Kentucky winning streak at first straight by handing the 'Cats a 46-40 setback at Knoxville. The Vols were in top form, and held a slight lead all the way, despite the efforts of Allen, who scored 17 points for the losers. The game got off to a slow start, but the defending SEC champions rallied to lead, 26-20, at the half way mark. Captain Bernie Mehen registered 13 points to top the Vol point-making, and also played a good floor game.
KENTUCKY 51, GEORGIA 26
Delving deeper into the Southland, Kentucky handed Georgia its worst basketball defeat in four years by trampling the Bulldogs, 51-26, at Athens. The visitors ran up a 9-0 lead before the Bulldogs scored. Akers led the Kentucky scorers with 11 points, and Captain Bobby Moore, touted as one of the best players in the SEC, topped Georgia with 13.
KENTUCKY 63, GEORGIA TECH 53
The boys from the Bluegrass won their second straight game in the cotton kingdom by trouncing Georgia Tech, 63-53, at Atlanta. Kentucky could never go into a commanding lead, and topped the Engineers only 55-51 with four minutes left to play. Lax guarding by the hosts in the waning moments allowed Brewer to score the winning points. Brewer and Captain Carlton Lewis of Tech were the game's high scorers with 20 points each. Kentucky made 15 of 16 free throws, Akers missing the only one.
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KENTUCKY 56, MEXICO 26
Coach Rupp's proteges violated the "good neighbor" policy by running roughshod over the University of Mexico, 56-26, on the 'Cat hardwood. In settling the international basketball question the Kentuckians jumped into a 11-1 lead in the first five minutes of play, increasing it to 33-7 at the intermission. Fifteen players saw service for the winners, with Ed Lander, third-string center, setting the scoring pace with nine points. Bribesca of the Mexicans topped individual point-making with 10 markers.
KENTUCKY 55, GEORGIA 38
The Wildcats were unimpressive in scoring their second win of season over Georgia Tech, 55-38, on the home court. Kentucky turned in its worst performance of the season, as the 'Cat cagers passed poorly, fumbled and had about as much grace and poise as a herd of elephants. Akers was high pointmaker for the home squad with 12 points, while Rowland's 17 points led Georgia.
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KENTUCKY 35, ALABAMA 41
Alabama registered a mild upset by defeating Kentucky, 41-35, at Tuscaloosa for the Tide's 11th victory in 12 starts. 'Bama used only seven men in registering its first victory over UK since 1940. The winners held the lead throughout the first two minutes of play, topping the invaders, 23-18, at half-time. Kentucky's Captain Carl Staker was banished for what the officials ruled an intentional foul on Roth, Alabama guard. Adair dropped in 11 points to pace the Tide, and Akers scored 12 to lead Kentucky.
KENTUCKY 42, NOTRE DAME 46
Notre Dame trailed Kentucky, 22-15, at halftime, but came back to score a 46-43 triumph and continue its jinx over the Bluegrass basketeers. It was the roughest game of the season on the Irish court, as the 22 personals on Kentucky and 15 on Notre Dame testify. The visitors appeared headed for their first victory over the "Fighting Irish," but the hot pace fell short. Rensberger topped the victorious attack with 17 points, while Staker and Brewer shared top honors for the Wildcats with seven each.
KENTUCKY 50, ALABAMA 34
After a nip and tuck first half battle that ended with the score knotted at 21-all, the 'Cats came back after the intermission to nip Alabama, 50-34, on the Kentucky court. A whistle concerto by the referees marred the tilt which saw Alabama's Roth removed for unnecessary roughness, and technical fouls called on Forward Ramsey and Coach Rupp of Kentucky for what the horn-tooters deemed too vigorous protests of decisions. The 'Cat rebounding in the second half was the decisive factor, as the Kentucky squad scored 22 points to Alabama's six during the first 15 minutes of play in the second period.
KENTUCKY 36, TENNESSEE 33
A capacity crowd saw Kentucky avenge its early season defeat at Knoxville by handing Tennessee a 36-33 setback in Alumni gym. Brewer of the Wildcats completely outshone the highly publicized Points, Inc.. composed of brothers Dick and Bernie Mehen, by scoring 13 points and turning in an excellent defensive game. Bernie collected eight tallies, while Dick registered nine. The Vols led, 21-20, at the half in the tilt which was a typical Kentucky-Tennessee game in which just about everything happened. Doc Clark, Vol guard, even made a pass at colorful Coach Rupp when the Kentucky mentor stood up to protest the decision.
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KENTUCKY 57, GEORGIA TECH 51
Kentucky merely toyed with Georgia Tech in gaining a 57-51 decision over the Engineers at Lexington. The Wildcats played a sluggish game and trailed, 44-43, at one stage of the tilt. Waller White of Kentucky and Stevens of Georgia Tech were ejected early in the game for unnecessary roughness. Both teams displayed accuracy at the free throw line, the winners converting 17 of 19 attempts, and Georgia Tech making 11 of 13 tosses. Akers contributed 18 points toward the 'Cat cause, while Johnson and Hearn with 12 each led the Engineers.
KENTUCKY 44, XAVIER 36
The Baron's basketeers concluded the regular scheduled season with their fourth straight victory, a 44-36 verdict over Xavier on the Wildcat floor. The caliber of play displayed by both teams was poor, but the game was one of those typical nip and tuck UK-Xavier meetings. Kentucky was weak on rebounds during the first half, which saw the score knotted four times. Roughness marred the tilt, with the Wildcats being guilty of 18 personals and the Musketeers 15. Akers' 12 points topped the victorious offensive, and Captain Bert Robben's 14 was the best scoring mark for Xavier.
KENTUCKY WINS SOUTHEASTERN DIADEM
Entering the Southeastern Conference tournament as co-favorite with Tennessee, the Wildcats bested Florida, Mississippi and Auburn to advance to the titular melee, where they nosed out Alabama, surprise winner over Tennessee in the semi-finals.
The 'Gators from down Florida way gave Kentucky a little more trouble than anticipated, before bowing, 42-36, in the 'Cats' first tourney tilt. The quarter-final round held little anxiety for Coach Rupp's maple board disciples, as Kentucky scored a 59-32 decision over Mississippi to advance to the semi-final eliminations.
'Twas the semi-final clash with Auburn that provided the first real scare for Kentucky. Only a rally sparked by Jim King, substitute center, in the last 10 minutes of play saved the day for the Wildcats. Trailing 18-11 at the half, Kentucky deadlocked the score at 28-28 with eight minutes to go on King's one-handed effort from the side, and went on to win, 40-31.
The championship classic kept the 8,500 fans present in a constant state of excitement, as the 'Cats' and 'Bama waged a fierce duel before Kentucky gained a 36-34 nod. Accuracy at the free-throw line won the game for the Bluegrass netters, who held a bare 16-15 half-time lead. Alabama made 13 field goals to Kentucky's 12, but the 'Cats converted 12 of 13 free throws, while the Tide could make only eight of 12. Kenny England, sub guard. tabbed 13 points to pace the Kentuckians to the title. Hines and Roth divided 'Bama offensive honors with seven points each. Governor Johnson presented the trophy to the victorious 'Cats, and Lt. Gov. Myers awarded the runner-up trophy to Alabama.
'CATS PLAY POST-SEASON GAMES
First post-season bit of work done by the SEC titlists was against the strong Great Lakes team at Louisville, where Uncle Sam's seamen the second half, but the first-period advantage of 30-17 was too much to overcome.
The 'Cats scored a mild upset by toppling Illinois. Big Ten basketball champion, 46-44, in the first game of the eastern eliminations of the National Basketball Tournament at New Orleans. An improved man-to-man defense in the second half enabled the Kentuckians to overcome a 22-20 half-time deficit and notch the verdict.
Dartmouth combined speed and finesse to hand Kentucky its worst defeat in many years, 47-28. in the tourney final. The Wildcats were badly off form and had lost their poise.
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Back Row: Davis, Withers, Beard, Hamm, Benton, Parker Front Row: Harris, Allen, Stevenson, Rollins, Head, Coach McBrayer |
The University of Kentucky freshman basketball team passed through one of its shortest seasons in playing a four game schedule.
In the win and loss column we find that the season was a split affair; Kentucky losing two to Cumberland Junior College and winning two from the soldiers of Fort Knox. The Cumberland College team defeated the Kittens in the first game, 37-35 and in the second, 39-35.
On the win half of the schedule the Freshmen defeated the Knox boys, 57-39, in the first and 58-48 in the second games played here and there.
Due to the fact that the freshman teams are only so much matter in the hands of the coaches to be molded into varsity players and that very little attention is paid to the individual! player unless he is exceptional, we find that it is hard to judge this year's team, for it made but four public appearances and was given very little publicity. Thus it would be unfair for one who stands on the outside to praise or criticize, for the freshmen haven't had the opportunity of showing what type of sophomore basketeers they would make if given the chance.
But we firmly believe that they will make good, for Coach Paul McBrayer has told us that even though the schedule was light and two losses were suffered the kittens didn't fold up and quit as it might be expected but continued to drill as hard as if they were playing a full schedule of tough opposition. "They worked hard when there were no games to play for they wanted to better themselves," McBrayer said.
The starting five on this year's Kitten team were Benton, Davis, Parfler, Rollins and Hamm.
Those filling in as able substitutes and completing the squad were Allen, Head, Beard, Harris, Dickerson, and Stevenson.
-- JIM CARROLL
