The one way EJ Montgomery etched his name in Kentucky basketball lore
Let’s stipulate up front, all college students — the ones who don’t play basketball and the ones who do — have every right to quit school to take a job whenever they want.
Still, I understand why Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball fans get frustrated with UK players who seemingly have no hope of immediately playing in the NBA turning pro with remaining college eligibility.
Last week, EJ Montgomery entered his name into the 2020 NBA Draft, though it is thought he is unlikely to hear his name called. If that happens, Montgomery would become at least the 11th player with remaining eligibility to exit UK by a means other than the NBA Draft since 2015-16.
The No. 11-ranked prospect in the class of 2018 by Rivals.com, the 6-foot-10 Montgomery will depart UK after two seasons having averaged 4.7 points and 4.6 rebounds.
However, Montgomery will at least leave Lexington having etched his name into the top five on one of the quirkier lists in UK basketball lore.
After his heroics in UK’s 2019-20 regular-season finale at Florida, Montgomery has claimed a spot on my list of the five most memorable tip-ins in Kentucky Wildcats basketball history.
5. Jeff Brassow vs. Arizona, 1993 Maui Classic finals.
The setup: Khalid Reeves sank two free throws with 5.5 seconds left to give undefeated Arizona a 92-91 lead. UK Coach Rick Pitino eschewed a timeout and Kentucky pushed the ball into the front court. Rodrick Rhodes launched a three-pointer from the deep right wing. It missed.
The tip-in: Brassow flew in from the left side, reached his arm back at an awkward angle and guided Rhodes’ miss off the glass. The ball went into the basket milliseconds ahead of the buzzer. It gave No. 5 UK a 93-92 win over No. 13 ‘Zona.
The impact: The Brassow tip-in gave Kentucky the Maui Classic championship and sent Pitino on a memorable hug-filled, celebratory jaunt around the court.
4. EJ Montgomery at Florida, 2019-20 regular-season finale.
The setup: Down 18 on the road with 11:55 left in the game, Kentucky rallied furiously and was within one and had the ball inside the final 15 seconds. From the left baseline, Keion Brooks attacked the basket, but missed a driving layup. Brooks then tipped the rebound toward the rim.
The tip-in: Soaring in from right of the basket, Montgomery pushed the ball over the rim and into the hoop with 11.6 seconds left. The UK defense made the bucket stand up for a 71-70 win.
The impact: We’ll never know. Had Montgomery’s tip-in, coming at the end of an epic Kentucky rally, primed the Wildcats for a deep NCAA Tournament run? The coronavirus pandemic and the efforts to contain it denied us that answer.
3. Cedric Jenkins vs. Louisville, 1987-88 regular season.
The setup: No. 1 Kentucky had blown a 13-point halftime lead and was trailing archrival Louisville 75-74 as the Rupp Arena clock ticked inside the final five seconds. With U of L denying the ball to UK star Rex Chapman, Wildcats guard Ed Davender was forced to take a jumper from the right baseline. It bounded off the rim.
The tip-in: UK big man Cedric Jenkins tipped Davender’s miss toward the basket, only to see it come off the rim. A second Jenkins’ tip hung briefly on the rim, then dropped in with one second left to give the Cats a 76-75 win.
The impact: Deprived Louisville of a victory in Rupp Arena that would have knocked Kentucky out of the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
2. DeMarcus Cousins vs. Mississippi State, 2010 SEC Tournament finals.
The setup: Kentucky was down three with 4.9 seconds left in regulation. UK’s Eric Bledsoe was going to the foul line for two free throws. Bledsoe made the first foul shot, then missed the second on purpose. Kentucky’s John Wall came up with a long rebound near the right corner, then fired up an air ball.
The tip-in: DeMarcus Cousins batted in Wall’s miss just ahead of the buzzer to force an overtime — setting off a raucous, full-court celebration among the Kentucky players.
The impact: UK went on to give John Calipari his first SEC tourney title, winning 75-74 in OT.
1. Mike Phillips vs. Charlotte, 1976 NIT finals.
The setup: Kentucky was clinging to a 68-67 lead over upstart UNC-Charlotte and its star Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell. The 49ers fouled UK point guard Larry Johnson with nine seconds to play. Shooting the front end of the bonus, Johnson watched his free throw rim out.
The tip-in: The 6-10 Phillips overpowered Maxwell to rebound Johnson’s miss, then put it back in with seven seconds to go. Fouled, Phillips cashed the foul shot to give UK a 71-67 win.
The impact: After starting the season 10-10, a sophomore-dominated Kentucky roster ended its season on a 10-game win streak and gave UK its second NIT championship (the first came in 1946).
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 4:06 PM.
