New Year’s Eve at Rupp Arena was a very special day for everyone involved. Kentucky was finally able to adequately recognize the career of former Wildcat head coach Tubby Smith, who won the 1998 National Championship at UK and compiled an overall record of 263-83 during his tenure from 1997-2007.
Now the head coach at his alma mater of High Point, Coach Smith returned to Rupp Arena one final time for a proper jersey retirement. Kentucky ran away with the easy win, but the pregame ceremonies and speech from Coach Smith didn’t leave one dry eye in the whole arena.