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Kentucky Basketball: Examining the all-time Tubby Smith team

By Joey Loose

Feb 17, 2007; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA: Kentucky Wildcats head coach Tubby Smith shouts at his team during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2nd half at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL. The Tide defeats the Wildcats 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 17, 2007; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA: Kentucky Wildcats head coach Tubby Smith shouts at his team during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2nd half at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL. The Tide defeats the Wildcats 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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(L-R) Erik Daniels #14, Chuck Hayes #44, Antwain Barbour #33 and Cliff Hawkins #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats walk towards the sideline during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals game (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(L-R) Erik Daniels #14, Chuck Hayes #44, Antwain Barbour #33 and Cliff Hawkins #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats walk towards the sideline during the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament semifinals game (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Kentucky basketball all-time Tubby Smith team: Sixth Man

Cliff Hawkins

While a starting guard as a sophomore and senior, Cliff Hawkins fits well as a sixth man, season as that was his role in 2003 during his junior season. He was a Top 40 recruit from Virginia who didn’t initially live up to his potential, but he blossomed into an impactful point guard for the Wildcats.

He worked his way back into the starting lineup after dealing with academic issues as a junior and really came through as a senior. He averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, leading the entire SEC in both assists and steals. That fantastic end to his college career also earned him Third Team All-SEC honors.

Gerald Fitch

Like Hawkins, Gerald Fitch played at Kentucky between 2000 and 2004 and was an important weapon in the backcourt, though this 6’3 shooting guard from Georgia did spend the majority of his career in the starting lineup. Fitch couldn’t quite get onto the list at the two backcourt positions but certainly stood out across his four years in Lexington.

His on-court numbers improved with each season, and by his senior year, he was averaging 16.2 points per game to lead the Wildcats. For his career, he shot just under 40% from beyond the arc and was named SEC Tournament MVP as a senior, leading the Wildcats to another decent run in the postseason. He was also given Second Team All-SEC honors in 2004.

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