&qye 22
December AA
Oscar Combs
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Cox and yours truly will host a holiday special about two of Kentucky's most famous sports familiesthe Wayne Chapmans and the Eddie Suttons. The parents of two Wildcats reveal some very private feelings and observations of being basketball coaching families as well as having sons as outstanding players . . . Congratulations to Dan Issel. He's finally been honored by the University of Kentucky and the ceremonies were truly fitting for one of the most popular Wildcats to ever wear the Blue and White. And we're just as proud of him as we were 20 years ago. Dan is a credit to every organization he has been associated with, but most of all, Dan is one outstanding person, even if he had never dribbled a basketball. I'm glad to know him as a friend . . . One of the first people to call UK assistant Dwane Casey after the victory over Indiana was prep blue-chipper Don MacLean. He called to congratulate Casey on the big victory. His enthusiasm has not subsided at all with the Big Blue and All-Star Sports Publications' Bob Gibbons says he still believes MacLean will wind up signing with UK. If he does, the Wildcats are gonna be Final Four material for a long, long time . . . The game ball from the Kentucky-Louisville game brought $12,000 for the Lexington Child Abuse Council. The game ball first was auctioned off and brought $10,000 from a group of fans and then given back and auctioned off a second time for $2,000. It was signed by coach Eddie Sutton and his staff. Sutton, along with members of the team, attended the charitable function held at a Lexington nightclub after the game. Some 1,000 people paid $20 each to attend the function and mix with the Wildcats. The project is a very worthwhile event and it was certainly great to see it raise the much-needed funds, but one would think organizers could pick a more approprite place to hold such an event which involves young people who are supposed to be role-models . . . Nightclubs and taverns must be the "in" things for university-sponsored events these days. The UK athletics department hosted a media party the night prior to the Kentucky-Louisville clash, but it wasn't held at any of the normally-accepted sites like convention centers, hotel suites or ballrooms. No, this one went straight to a local tavern. Invited guests were told by a UK spokesperson to enter from the back. What was that old sixties' record, "What's Going On Behind The Green Door?" . . . Speaking of changing times, UK athletics director Cliff Hagan recently told the UK Dance Cats to tone down their acts at Wildcat basketball games after UK apparently received several complaints that their dress apparel and acts were becoming offensive to some fans. They now wear different costumes . . . Former Wildcat All-American Kevin Grevey had his own version of a Kentucky Derby party at his popular restautant in Virginia near Washington DC. last Saturday. Over 100 Kentucky and Louisville fans showed up and partied while watching the game on national television. Grevey hasn't lost any of his love for the Blue and White ... A couple people close to former pro great Jerry West said he became more than a little irritated with two Kentucky sportswriters in Indianapolis who kept trying to get West to compare Rex Chapman with himself. One of West's colleagues on the pro circuit said West couldn't believe how "stupid" anyone could be to compare a college sophomore with any pro player who had already proven himself over the long haul . . . Both UK games in the UKIT this weekend will be televised live over the UK Television Network. In Lexington, WKYT-TV, Channel 27 will be the station and in Louisville, it will be JVAVE-TV, Channel 3. Should UK get upset on Friday, the network would televise the consolation game at 6:30 p.m. Otherwise, only the championship game will be televised.
Russell Rice
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participants:
John Wooden, a three-time Purdue All-American who once made 138 straight free throws for a pro team in Indianapolis, compiled a 566-140 record after 25 seasons (1949-73) at UCLA, where his teams won 10 NCAA titles, including seven straight, during a 12-year period. Before going to UCLA, Wooden had a 218-42 high school record at Dayton. Ky.. and South Bend. Ind., and was 47-14 at Indiana State.
Ken I.oeffler played five years as a pro after graduation from Penn State: coached Geneva (1929-35), Yale (1936-42). Denver (1946). LaSalle (1950-55) and Texas A&M (1956-57). He had a 319-213 college record; in addition to NCAA and NIT championships, he had a second in each at LaSalle. He also coached the NBA Bombers (1947-49). He was a professor of business law at the University of Nebraska.
Hal Bradley coached basketball 32 years without a losing season, with stops at high schools in Georgetown and Norwich. N.Y. plus Hartwich College. Duke and Texas, compiling a 337-169 overall collegiate record.
Willie Naulls, destined to become the first UCLA All-American for Wooden, played pro ball for the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics. He became the first black in the NBA to be named captain
of his learn (New York). He averaged 15.8 points in 716 pro games.
Tom Gola. \\\\o scored 2.222 points in his high school career, was named MVP in the NCAA championships in 1954. A three lime All-American, lie played on Explorer teams that won 101 of IIS games, averaging 20.') points and 10.2 rebounds per game. A 6-6 guard-forward, lie played professionally with Philadelphia Si, Louis and New York from 1956-66. averaging 11.3 points in 648 games. He compiled a 37-13 coaching record at LaSalle (1968-69).
Bob Watkins.
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 If Keith Williams becomes more assertive as a leader, allowing LaBradford Smith to mature and use some of his immense skills...
 If Coach Denny Crum can find other ways to blend Felton Spencer into the team, perhaps not as a starter, then the Cardinals can become a Top 20 team again.
Even though the team Crum has this season is, save one, the same one that finished 18-14 last year, given Crum's track record, most of us expect UofL will mature, and earn its way back to the Top 20 and the NCAA Tournament.
People...
* One of Kentucky's premier high school football coaching positions may be vacant before next spring. North Hardin High's coach of eight seasons Charlie Lynch is ready to move into administration if a job becomes available.
"Football has been my life," Lynch, who is 40, said last week. "But you have to think about the future."
No decision will be made until the spring hiring period however.
In terms of population, North Hardin, a Class 4-A school, is in one of Kentucky's fastest growing areas.
*s Rich McCune, a 6-3V2, 250-pound tackle from Breathitt County High became the first in-state prospect to commit to the University of Kentucky last week. But McCune, who has a 3.6 grade point average, didn't just commit, he made a commercial through his coach Mike Holcomb.
"Rich hopes some of the other top prospects in the state will make the decision to go with him to UK," Holcomb said. 'Whatever, I think UK got an outstand football player and a good citizen, in Rich McCune."
If McCune is anything like the last southeastern Kentucky youngster to sign with UK, then coach Jerry Claiborne has done well. Junior to be Vic Adams from Middlesboro should project as an AU-SEC player next year.
Parting shot
) Business reporter Jane Bryant Quinn: "The rule of staying alive as a forecaster (sports predicter?) is to give 'em a number or give 'em a date, but never give 'em both at once."
@ Unfortunately, Notre Dame's Tim Brown (for whom I voted) was negative in his initial remarks after winning won the 53rd Heisman Trophy. Brown said he took it personally when some media types suggested he might not be the most deserving winner "because I didn't think I'm a bad person," he said.
Did anyone hear or read that Brown was a "bad person?"
Anyway, Brown finished far ahead of Syracuse quarterback Don McPherson in the nationwide balloting of sports writers and broadcasters. He had 1,442 points (320 first place votes) to 831 for McPherson.
"I just wanted to cry because I was so relieved," he said when his name was announced. "Everything was behind me and I didn't have to worry anymore."
Worry? What happened to "thrilled, honored, humbled?"
McPherson: "I felt mostly relief for Tim Brown. He went through the whole season as the 'Heisman Trophy candidate' and by mid-season he was the 'Heisman Trophy winner.' That's a great deal of pressure."
Did I miss something here? What higher honor in college football is there than being mentioned as the leading candidate for a Heisman Trophy?
One had to relish Gordon Lockbaum's reaction to the balloting. The Holy Cross wide receiver and defensive back finished third in the voting with 657 points.
"I'm happy with the finish," Lockbaum said. "To finish third is a great experience."
And so it goes.B
Stan Torgerson
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mellow pink. . .Ole Miss basketball coach Ed Murphy is writing a novel in his spare time. And no. it has nothing to do with basket ball. "The main character has a choice between a career as an undertaker or a politician," Murphy says. "His older brother has already beaten him out of being the priest in the family." How's that again. Ed?
The Last Word: Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors talk ing about Vanderbilt quarterback Eric Jones:
"After the game (won by Tennessee 38-36), I told him he is a great football player and that I hoped he would lake early graduation."
Todd Hallum
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to the opponent's top scoring guard.
The keys for DeVoe rest with the improved play from Roth and ;onsistent contributions from role players such as Elvin Brown, Anthony Richardson, Mark Griffin and Ian Lockhart. Last year the Vols were snake bit, losing four contests in overtime and also ;ix defeats by three points or less. DeVoe hopes to reverse those close calls this season.
OLE MISS: Another puzzling team to figure this season is Ole Miss. Coming off an NIT appearance in his initial campaign at Ole Miss, coach Ed Murphy has to replace six regulars from last year's 15-14 squad.
Roderick Barnes and Charles Prater are his only proven players returning. However, he will rely heavily on his son Sean this season in the pivot. JC transfers Johnny Payton and Mike Paul are two players Murphy hopes will progress as the team prepares for non-conference games against Tulsa and New Orleans and Temple in the Sugar Bowl Classic. Because Murphy's teams play with so much intensity every game, the Rebels can't be taken lightly by any conference foe, especially in Oxford.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: You have to shed a tear for coach Richard Williams, who began the season without his two top scorers and rebounders from last year's team.
Both Hubert Henderson, the Rebels' leader in rebounds and Anthony Blakley, who averaged 11.7 points per game in 1986-87 have left the team. This year Williams hopes guards Reginald Boykin and Robert Woodard can take up some of the missing slack. Already MSU has a feather in its cap, doing something it hasn't accomplished for the last 20 road outingswin! A recent 72-68 road win at Rice broke a 20-game losing streak on the road. However, the Bulldogs once again appear to be cellar-bound this season.
AUBURN: SEC funny man Sonny Smith arguably has the best front line in the conference. Seriously.
The front line of Jeff Moore, Chris Morris and Mike Jones is one of the best rebounding tandems in the country. In addition, 6-11 freshman center Matt Greiger has been a pleasant surprise and will add more beef underneath. Meanwhile, Auburn's guard play is Smith's main concern.
Can Terrance Howard, Johnny Lynn and Derrick Dennison get the job done on a consistent basis? Auburn's early exams will oc cur during the Illini Classic (Illinois) and the Cotton States Tournament (Villanova and Georgia Tech) in late December.
ALABAMA: Besides putting his foot in his mouth during a Birmingham radio call-in show earlier this year, Wimp Sanderson may have to calm down on the sidelines and slowly bringing his unit along.
Heaven forbid such a thing.
Recently, Sanderson unknowingly cursed rival UAB when asked why 'Bama had to play a game in the Birmingham Civic Center during the day instead of at night.
The early-season sensation for the Crimson Tide so far has been the exciting play of freshman guard Alvin Lee. During the Tide's 78-69 victory over USC in Birmingham, Lee tied a school record with eight three-pointers while scoring a game-high 33 points.
Forward Michael Ansley is one the most underrated forwards in the league, but. . .he has to contribute underneath if the Tide expects to roll on. Also, center William DeVaughn has added to Alabama's attack with his overall improvement from a year ago.
Though the Tide will be competitive, Sanderson will be watching as well as hoping that his youthful squad will develop the needed chemistry to compete this season in the SEC.