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Hot night' in Alaska spurs Miller's confidence
UK guard learning different hoop aspects
Not every athlete can suddenly fit into a team concept after being the star of the show in high school.
Derrick Miller thought he learned that lesson his freshman year at Kentucky. However, the 6-6 guard
Larry Vaught
Cats' Pause Columnist
found out differently last season.
He played in just 16 games and averaged only 5.3 minutes per contest after appearing in 29 games for an average of 13.2 minutes his first year.
Miller pouted on and off the floor and even briefly considering leaving UK.
"Some people have to learn things the hard way and I guess I am one of them," said Miller. "I deserved to play more my freshman year.
"Last year I would make a mistake and come out. I would get mad about it. Now I understand that Coach (Eddie) Sutton is the boss and I've got to listen to him.
"I'm looking at last year now as paying my dues for big-time college basketball. I think it is my turn to get more playing time and to be happy. That's why I decided it wouldn't be smart to leave."
The decision certainly paid off last week when Miller scored a career-high 36 points in UK's win over California in the Great Alaska Shootout. He hit 12 of 14 shots, including seven three-pointers, in what has to rank as one of the finest shooting games in UK history.
The smile he had after that performance was in sharp contrast to last season, which wasn't a happy time for Miller. And it wasn't just because of his lack of playing time.
His grandparents, William and Nancy Baldwin, each died during the 1987-88 season.
"I never want to go through a season like that again," said the Georgia native. "The death of my grandparents hurt me more than anything.
"They were more like a brother and sister to me. I could talk to them about anything and it's been hard for me to let go of them.
"I don't worry about the basketball part of last year. I don't even think about that. But death is something you can't change."
He can change his reputation, though, as strictly a three-point shooter. He was Georgia's Class A Player of the Year his senior season and a third team Parade magazine All-American because of his deadly outside jumper.
Miller hit 43.2 percent from three-point range his first season at UK but made just three of 24 long-range shots last season.
"My confidence is back and I want the basketball," said Miller. "Once my grandmother died last year there was just no way I could concentrate on the court. I tried but I know the coaches had to wonder if Derrick Miller would ever perform again.
"Then my grandfather died and it got even worse. They had been so happy I was here getting an education instead of running around on the streets of Savannah. But after they died there were days I did not want to even be bothered. I wouldn't even talk to the coaches."
His attitude started changing when teammate^Etex Chapman announced he was leaving for the National Basketball Association. That decision plus the graduation of Ed Davender meant UK needed two guards, including a consistent outside shooter.
"I know I can contribute heavily this year just like Rex and Ed did the last two years," said Miller.
"Coaches can't teach you everything. You learn shortcuts on the floor by playing.
"I can help this team. I've got to show more positive leadership. I know I've got to back that up by hustling more than I ever have. Nobody will have to tell me to play hard this year."
He proved that when he lost his starting job after just one game. He played only briefly in UK's first three games but was ready for his chance against California.
Miller said, "I know I'll get to play more this year. There is no need to get down. That's the difference this year."
The UK coaches noticed a difference in Miller's attitude immediately this year. "Derrick has really matured," said UK assistant James Dickey. "He's been very positive in everything he has done. He has worked as hard from the first day of preseason conditioning until now as anybody on the squad."
Miller understands he must do more than shoot to help the Wildcats. He must be able to play defense, handle the basketball and rebound, three qualities he has not shown before at Kentucky.
"I have to show people I am a more complete player than they think," said Miller. "The coaches know I can put the ball on the floor. I wasn't real strong coming out of high school and got bumped around a lot. That made me quit handling the ball but this year I know I have to do it.
"I like to rebound, too. Coach Sutton stresses for his guards to help on the boards. I'm small but I can get rebounds. I can also play defense. It's an area I have improved in and must keep working to get better."
He has also shown an ability to shoot on the move this season. "Derrick could always shoot if he was open and set," said Sutton. "Now, though, he's showing he can come off a pick and hit the shot. That's a big plus for us and him."
Miller has added 20 pounds to his frame since his arrival at UK and will play at 170 this year. He feels the extra weight and strength will benefit him.
He feels added togetherness will do the same for the Wildcats, who have drawn even closer because of the current NCAA probe.
"This is the closest team I have ever played on," said Miller. "We are more like brothers. Togetherness is our big motto.
"I speak up a lot and give advice to the younger players. That may sound strange to some people but the other players know I have been through a lot here.
"I play to win. Not every fan thinks that but I don't
Miller's game reaches new heights
play just to make myself happy. As long as we win. I'll be happy.
"I realize now we just had better players in front of me the last two years. That wasn't easy for me to understand. Now, though, everybody will get a chance and I want to be one of the guys who steps up and takes responsibility to help us have a better team than everyone expects."
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DESPITE ALL the problems UK's basketball program has endured the last six months, Mrs. Jennie Pelphrey remains firmly behind UK Coach Eddie Sutton.
And that's important because her son, John, is one of the players suffering because of the current NCAA investigation.
"I have no gripes with Coach Sutton or any of his assistants," said Mrs. Pelphrey recently. "I appreciate what he has done for John. I'm not just talking about basketball, either.
"I like the educational aspects of his program. We get his grades twice a semester plus a critique of John's study habits and class attendance. I appreciate that.
"John has gotten a fair break at Kentucky and now the rest is up to him. It's unfortunate so much has gone on recently but I just want him concentrating on his studies and basketball. And Coach Sutton makes sure he does that."
Mrs. Pelphrey. like most UK fans, worries about the NCAA probe and wonders when it will finally end. But she's as true blue today as the day her son signed his scholarship with Kentucky.
She's also proud of her son, something she wishes she had told him more often during his high school career at Paintsville.
"His father and I probably should pat John on the back more," said Mrs. Pelphrey. "I'm probably his biggest critic. But we always wanted John to blend in with his teammates even if it meant sacrificing individual rewards. We tried to teach him that the success of the team was the most important thing."
It's a lesson he obviously learned.
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NOTRE DAME Coach Digger Phelps thinks opponents who write off this year's Kentucky team are making a mistake.
"Don't knock Kentucky out yet," said Phelps. "I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Kentucky get a bid to the NCAA Tournament at the end of the year.
"Kentucky is a very deceptive team. They are young but they have some great athletes. They are going to be better than a lot of people think."
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THE STATE'S sports editors are in Lexington this weekend to pick nominees for the third annual Mr. Football.
The first winner was tight end Frank Jacobs of Newport Catholic while last year Kurt Barber of Paducah Tilghman, a tight end-linebacker, took the top honor.
Both, though, left the state. Jacobs plays for top-ranked Notre Dame while Barber is at Southern California.
No matter who wins this year's top honor, UK Coach Jerry Claiborne and his staff need to keep the state's best players at home.
Kentucky has more than its normal share of Division I prospects this season and the Wildcats certainly need to convince the best to wear the blue and white.
This is the first big weekend of recruiting for Claiborne. It would certainly be a boost if he could land this year's Mr. Football as well as most of the state's other top talent.