Right: Allen Edwards is the most versatile player on the team, according to Coach Smith. Below: Power forward Scott Padgett has earned acclaim as a preseason honorable' mention by Street & Smith's.
Like his uncle, the 6-3 Hogan is a prolific scorer. He averaged 27.4 points per game in leading Deerfield High School to a 25-5 record and a super-sectional herth in the Illinois State Tournament. He shot 47.' percent from the field, 40.7 percent from the three-point line and 85.9 percent from the foul line.
"You can't leave him open, that's for sure," Smith said. "Ryan is a gifted shooter with excellent shooting fundamentals."
Walk-on Steve Masiello, a 6-2 sophomore who played in 2 3 games a year ago, will also have an opportunity for playing time this season. But Coach Smith's trump card may be Allen Edwards. The 6-5 utility man played every position except center last year, and played extremely well during the regular season, averaging 10.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game during SEC play But a sprained back just before postseason play limited bis production until a fractured ankle against Georgia in the SEC Tournament Championship nearly ended his season.
"Allen is very versatile," Smith said. "He shoots the ball better than you think and he's just an all-around player, probably the most complete player on our roster."
Edwards started 18 of the 38 games in which he played in last season, including 15 consecutive starts late in the season at small forward. Smith has plans to play the senior at the one, two and three positions, and possibly at power forward.
A welcome addition to this year's squad is Heshimu Evans. The 6-6 forward transferred
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HIS IS WHERE WE ARE THE STRONGEST
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to Kentucky from Manhattan College a year ago. After sitting out UK's 1996-97 campaign, the junior is expected to make an immediate impact.
"He's relentless," Smith said. "On the offensive and defensive boards he's extremely strong and can finish on the break. He reminds me a lot of Shandon Anderson, who I coached at Georgia. He's going to be a guy we can really count on to do a lot of different things. He's a guy who is going to give you the extra effort, diving for loose balls and being aggressive.
"I Ic's so aggressive, I hope that carries over to the rest of the aiuad."
As a sophomore, Evans averaged a team-leading 13.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game to earn All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors. As a freshman, he was the Rookie of the Year in the MAAC.
Also helping out at forward is freshman Myron Anthony. The Florida native is a stout 6-7, 220 pounds, who can handle the ball and finish on the break.
"Myron's hallhandling skill is an outstanding trait to possess," Smith said. "He will he asked to play some power forward early but he'll probably swing between the three and the four."

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