Kentucky’s men’s basketball team became the first NCAA program to reach 2,000 wins with an 88-44 defeat of Drexel on Monday.

The Wildcats are now 2,000-635-1 in 107 seasons.

“We weren’t a part of many of those 2,000 wins. We had a job to do, and that was to drag us across the line before that other blue team got there,” coach John Calipari said, referring to North Carolina, which is right behind the Wildcats with 1,992 wins. “This is a special moment for this program and this state.”

Kansas also is close behind with 1,980 victories.

The Wildcats earned their 1,000th win in 1969 under legendary coach Adolph Rupp. It took only 40 years to earn the next 1,000. The program has amassed seven national titles in 11 decades.

The team celebrated 2,000 wins under a shower of confetti at Rupp Arena, falling on fans commemorative T-shirts and mingling with former coaches and players. Even Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was on hand to celebrate.

Wildcats guard Ramon Harris acknowledged that the players were excited to be a part of something that was bigger than themselves.

“Two thousand wins is very special, but we didn’t win 2,000 all by ourselves,” he said. “It was a history of players and coaches who really made it happen.”

Former player Derek Anderson, part of Kentucky’s winning squads in the 1990s and the national title team in 1996, reminisced about his playing days and the thrill of being part of a team that is embraced by so many people.

“We left a legacy, and people still remember it, and that’s what you’re always remembered for when you’re on this Earth or when you’re gone,” he said. “It’s what you did while you were here. We made history.”

Kyle Macy, who played on Kentucky’s 1978 national championship team and serves as the color commentator for the Wildcats telecasts, gave credit to the fans for making the program what it is.

“It’s not only the victories. It’s the fans,” he said. “That to me, more than anything, is what makes this program different and outstanding more than any other place.”