Headlines: Kentucky Wildcats Defeat the Tigers

• Bud Dupree to the Bengals?
• Cats’ bigs lead the way to a dominating win over Auburn  Tigers.
• Kentucky hangs Delk’s jersey in the rafters.
• Kentucky football program holds junior day; leads to two big offers.
• Former Wildcats sent packing at the NBA trade deadline.

Bud Dupree – Kentucky football star – could be looking at settling down only 83 miles out of Lexington, in Cincinnati. The Bengals met with former Cats pass rusher at the NFL combine in Indianapolis the past weekend. Cincinnati currently has the 21st overall pick in the draft and Bud Dupree is one of their main targets for the pick.

"After the defense registered 43 sacks in 2013, that number plummeted to 20 in 2014. That’s not going to cut it, especially in a division with Joe Flacco and Ben Roethlisberger, not to mention Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers being on the 2015 schedule as well. That’s where Kentucky’s Bud Dupree could come in. One of the top pass-rushers in this year’s draft, Dupree recorded 21.5 sacks over the past three seasons as a hybrid 3-4 outside linebacker/defensive end. … Dupree could be the fourth edge pass rusher drafted after Nebraska’s Randy Gregory, Missouri’s Shane Ray and Florida’s Dante Fowler. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Dupree as the 25th-best player in the draft, putting him right in the Bengals’ range at pick No. 21. The question with Dupree has been if he could play defensive end at the NFL level after playing more like a 3-4 outside linebacker at Kentucky. Cincinnati appears to think he could play DE in the NFL, which makes him a guy to watch out for come draft time."

Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky linebacker Alvin Dupree speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

As expected, the Cats absolutely obliterated the Auburn Tigers last night in Kentucky’s’ 27th victory of the season – putting the Cats at 27-0, also Coach Cal’s 100th victory in Rupp. Kentucky’s big men led the way to victory with Karl Anthony-Towns and Dakari Johnson both having great games – and even dunking on each other at times.

"No. 1 UK, in moving to 27-0 (14-0 Southeastern Conference), was dominant in a 110-75 win. The Cats overwhelmed with their strength and length, outscoring the Tigers 62-24 in the paint and outrebounding them by a margin of 44-22. The Cats came in waves with Karl-Anthony Towns and Dakari Johnson leading the way. Towns had 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, while Johnson had 13 points and six rebounds in just 16 minutes. “I thought Karl and Dakari were outstanding today,” John Calipari said. “The other guys all played pretty well but those two stood out.” Towns’ performance continued a run of recent strong play, with Saturday being his fifth double-digit scoring performance in seven games and third double-double of the stretch. Johnson, on the other hand, had a breakout game of sorts. The 7-foot sophomore has struggled at times to score in the post this season, but experienced no such issues against Auburn. He made 6 of 7 from the field and made quick, decisive moves in doing so. “It’s about getting deeper position,” Johnson said. “That’s what Coach has been telling me, so I won’t have to take as many dribbles and stuff. I can take one or two dribbles then go right up. That’s what we’ve been trying to focus on the last couple of games.” Johnson’s worthiest opposition on Saturday wasn’t the opposition at all. It was Marcus Lee. Midway through the second half, Johnson found himself in prime offensive-rebounding position when Devin Booker missed a short jumper. But instead of Johnson grabbing the rebound and putting it in for an easy two points, Lee streaked in trailing the play and dunked over his teammate. “I tried to get the offensive rebound and then somebody just came over the back,” Johnson said. “I was like–I was mad at first because it was my offensive rebound, then I saw Marcus. So it was crazy.” Johnson went sprawling and Lee tripped over him. “We were very confused, because we both ended up on the floor, and he was like, ‘You jumped over me and fell on me,’ ” said Lee, who had six points and eight rebounds on the night when Tony Delk, who preceded Lee in wearing number 00, had his jersey retired. “I was like, ‘Sorry.’ It was kind of like a big awkwardness.” Awkwardness aside, the play gave a little insight into what it looks like when the Cats go at each other on the practice floor at the Joe Craft Center."

Pretty funny if you ask me. But maybe next time Lee should try it on the opposing team.

Feb 21, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) rebounds the ball against Auburn Tigers forward Jordon Granger (25) in the first half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports