Tonight at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN, the Kentucky Wildcats, ranked #17 in the latest AP Poll, will renew their long-standing rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ranked #23 in the latest AP Poll, at Kentucky’s favorite home away from home, Freedom Hall, in the 4th season of the SEC/Big East Invitational. This is Kentucky’s 2nd appearance in the inter-conference event and Notre Dame’s first appearance. Through the first 3 seasons, the Big East holds a slight 7-5 victory lead in the series. Here are some numbers and facts of interest headed into tonight’s game:
Various Records
Kentucky’s record vs. Notre Dame: 41-18 (.695) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. schools located in the state of Indiana: 93-49 (.655) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. schools currently in the Big East Conference: 165-72 (.696) (5-5 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record when ranked #17 in the AP Poll: 9-3 (.750) (7-3 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. Notre Dame when ranked #17 in the AP Poll: 2-0 (1.000)
Kentucky’s record vs. opponents ranked #23 in the AP Poll: 2-2 (.500)
Kentucky’s record playing in the month of December: 470-115 (.803) (9-1 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing Notre Dame in the month of December: 21-5 (.808) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing on December 8th: 16-4 (.800) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. Notre Dame when both teams are ranked in the AP Poll: 11-2 (.846) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing in Freedom Hall: 58-18 (.763) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record playing Notre Dame at Freedom Hall: 19-4 (.826) (8-2 in the last 10 meetings)
Kentucky’s record vs. Mike Brey: 4-1 (.800)
Kentucky/Notre Dame Series Records
Most points scored by Kentucky: 113 points (12/28/1974)
Most points allowed by Kentucky: 111 points (12/29/1964)
Least points scored by Kentucky: 19 points (1/12/1929)
Least points allowed by Kentucky: 16 points (1/12/1929)
Most combined points scored by Kentucky and Notre Dame: 209 points (12/28/1974)
Least combined points scored by Kentucky and Notre Dame: 35 points (1/12/1929)
Kentucky’s largest margin of victory: 47 points (12/30/1961)
Kentucky’s largest margin of defeat: 21 points (2/10/1036)
Kentucky’s smallest margin of victory: 1 point (1/8/1944)
Kentucky’s smallest margin of defeat: 1 point (1/27/1945 and 1/4/1941)
Kentucky’s longest winning streak: 10 games (12/1/1990 to 1/25/2004)
Kentucky’s longest losing streak: 7 games (2/10/1936 to 2/7/1942)
Kentucky And Freedom Hall: Their Home Away From Home
Tonight will be the 77th time that Kentucky has played at Freedom Hall and it’s been the site for many great moments for the Wildcats. Kentucky defeated Seattle 84-72 on March 22nd, 1958 for their 4th national title at Freedom Hall. They played in the NCAA Tournament at Freedom Hall once more in 1961, losing to #1 Ohio State 87-74 in the Mideast Regional Finals. Kentucky began playing neutral-site regular season games there on December 30th, 1958 against Illinois, winning 76-75, and have played at least one game at Freedom Hall every season since. The most games Kentucky played at Freedom Hall in one season is 3 in the 1974-1975 season. Here are Freedom Hall records for Kentucky:
Kentucky Team Records At Freedom Hall
Most points scored: 116 points (vs. Marshall, 12/19/1995)
Most points allowed: 121 points (#24 North Carolina, 12/27/1989)
Least points scored: 34 points (vs. Notre Dame, 12/29/1981)
Least points allowed: 28 points (Notre Dame, 12/29/1981)
Most combined points scored: 231 points (Kentucky – 110 #24 North Carolina – 121, 12/27/1989)
Least combined points scored: 62 points (#2 Kentucky – 34 Notre Dame – 28 (Overtime) 12/29/1981)
Kentucky’s largest margin of victory: 47 points (#6 Kentucky – 100 Notre Dame – 53, 12/30/1961)
Kentucky’s largest margin of defeat: 22 points (Kentucky – 75 #14 Louisville – 97, 12/31/1988)
Kentucky’s smallest margin of victory: 1 point (#9 Kentucky – 61 #5 Temple – 60, 3/21/1958, #1 Kentucky – 76 Illinois – 75, 12/30/1958)
Kentucky’s smallest margin of defeat: 1 point (#7 Kentucky – 89 Indiana – 90 (2 Ovetimes) 12/11/1971)
Kentucky’s longest winning streak: 7 games (12/21/1990 to 12/7/1994)
Kentucky’s longest losing streak: 2 games (12/29/1970 to 12/11/1971, 12/8/1973 to 12/29/1973, and 12/31/1988 to 12/27/1989)
Kentucky Individual Game Records At Freedom Hall
Points: 46, Jodie Meeks (12/20/2008)
Rebounds: 19, Kenny Walker (12/31/1984)
Assists: 14, John Wall (11/30/2009)
Steals: 6, John Wall (11/30/2009)
Blocks: 6, Melvin Turpin (12/28/1983) and Anthony Epps (12/19/1995)
Free Throws Made: 17, Roger Newman (3/18/1961)
Field Goals Made: 16, Mike Pratt (12/27/1969)
3-Point Field Goals Made: 9, Jodie Meeks (12/20/2008)
Opponent Individual Game Records At Freedom Hall
Points: 50, Austin Carr, Notre Dame (12/29/1970)
Rebounds: 30, Jerry Lucas, Ohio State (3/18/1961)
Assists: 13, King Rice, North Carolina (12/27/1989)
Steals: 5, James Bullock, Purdue (12/28/1983) and Terrence Williams, Louisville (1/4/2009)
Blocks: 11, Samaki Walker, Louisville (1/1/1995)
Free Throws Made: 14, Kelly Tripucka, Notre Dame (12/27/1980)
Field Goals Made: 21, Austin Carr (12/29/1970)
3-Point Field Goals Made: 7, Damon Bacote, Alabama (1/21/1998), Kedric Mays, Tennessee-Chattanooga (12/5/2006), and Robert Vaden, UAB (12/15/2007)
Kentucky Individual Game Records vs. Notre Dame
Points: 44, Dan Issel (3/12/1970)
Rebounds: 18, Carroll Burchett (12/30/1961)
Assists: 8, Sean Woods (12/1/1990)
Steals: 5, LeRon Ellis (1/31/1988)
Blocks: 5, Jamaal Magloire (12/14/1996)
Free Throws Made: 13, Dan Issel (12/27/1969)
Field Goals Made: 17, Dan Issel (3/12/1970)
3-Point Field Goals Made: 5, Jodie Meeks (3/25/2009), Keith Bogans (1/19/2002), and Richie Farmer (1/2/1992)
Notre Dame Individual Game Records vs. Kentucky
Points: 52, Austin Carr (3/12/1970)
Rebounds: 27, Ron Reed (12/29/1964)
Assists: 9, Tim Singleton (12/3/1988)
Steals: 4, Tim Singleton (12/3/1988)
Blocks: 3, Jordan Cornette (1/25/2004) and Ryan Humphrey (1/13/2001)
Free Throws Made: 14, Kelly Tripucka (12/27/1980)
Field Goals Made: 22, Austin Carr (3/12/1970)
3-Point Field Goals Made: 4, Ryan Ayers (3/25/2009), Matt Carroll (1/19/2002), Joe Frederick (3/5/1990), and Kevin Ellery (12/3/1988)
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