MEET A WILDCAT
LINVILLE PUCKETTJuniorGuard Winchester, Ky.
/
Although he is the smallest man in the starting lineup and often the littlest performer on the floor, "Little Lin" Puckett makes up for his lack of size (he's only a six footer) with pure determination and stellar, colorful play. The three-time All-State star of Clark County's state high school champions is rated one of the craftiest passers in the game. He consistently demonstrates amazing accuracy with a behind-the-back pass that generally catches opponents flat footed and leaves the crowd gasping in surprise as well. Observers also pay tribute to his uncanny ability to pass the ball through the outer defenses of the opposing team and, when things go haywire under the basket, it's generally Puckett who grabs the elusive spheroid and breaks out of the melee dribbling to set up another play. Puckett developed well with each game last season, fitting so perfectly into the Kentucky style of play that Coach Rupp gave him a starting nod in the final seven games of the highly successful campaign. Despite the fact that he is not a prolific scorer, Puckett is one of the most vital cogs in the Wildcats' attack plans with his very accurate long shot, ability to drive in for a close jump shot or crip and unusually effective passing to teammates. He holds the Coliseum record for the longest field goal with a 53'6" shot completed against Mississippi State last season. Also very accurate at the free throw line, he hit eight out of eight tries in the Xavier contest earlier this season.
KENTUCKY BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 1954-55
1 9 5 4 UK Opp.
Dec.    4Louisiana St. (H) .... 74 58
Dec. 1 1Xavier (A) ............ 73 69
Dec.  18Temple (H) ............ 79 61
UK INVITATIONAL TOURNEY
Dec. 21Utah .................... 70 65
Dec. 22LaSalle .................. 63 54
Dec. 30St. Louis (H) .......... 82 65
19 5 5
Jan.     1Temple (A) ............101 69
Jan.    8Georgia Tech .............. Home
Jan.  10DePaul ........................ Home
Jan.  15Tulane ........................ Away
Jan.   17Louisiana State ............ Away
Jan. 22Tennessee .................... Away
Jan. 29Vanderbilt .................... Away
Jan. 31Georgia Tech ................ Away
Feb.    3Florida ........................ Home
Feb.    5Mississippi .................... Away
Feb.    7Mississippi State .......... Away
Feb.    9Georgia ........................ Home
Feb.  14Xavier ........................ Home
Feb.  19DePaul ........................ Away
Feb. 21Vanderbilt .................. Home
Feb. 26Auburn ........................ Home
Feb. 28Alabama ...................... Home
Mar.   5Tennessee .................... Home
page four