fanucuys 3,
0ay& 6
UK, UL Headed In Different Directions
You're Hot Stuff One Day, Cold The Next
They went that away. Going up.
Prior to the season, Kentucky, losing Winston Bennett, couldn't imagine in its wildest dreams that it would defeat the defending national champion, Louisville Cardinals. And by 34 points in Louisville? No way.
Going down.
Denny Crum's Cardinals, with sophomore sensation Pervis Ellison, had to have sights set on a victory over Kentucky. It was that obvious.
	
	Nick Nicholas Cats' Pause Columnist
	
Well, things didn't go as planned. To say the least, Kentucky didn't even give the guys from Derby City a chance at trying to contain the visitors' potent outside attack.
The score says it best. Kentucky 85, Louisville 51.
Kentucky ballooned to a 38-28 halftime lead, with Rex Chapman scoring 18 points. Then came a 22-4 spurt following intermission. The Cardinal players, coaches, and most of all the 19.513 packed into Freedom Hall were stunned.
Folks, it was a laugher. But my media cohorts and I would have been laughed out of the state if we'd picked such an outcome.
Chapman's show of shows26 points, four assists, two steals and only two turnovers in 35 minutes of workwas truly amazing.
Now, almost everyone is asking, "Can he get any better?" It's difficult to imagine.
Though depleted in ranks, Kentucky is a lot better than beyond any wildest preseason expectations thought possible. Against Louisville, UK showed everyone in the state, who was either at the game or glued to a television or radio, that it is a team to keep an eye out for. When NCAA tournament time comes around, it might be the 'Cats and not the 'Cards who will make a run at the Final Four. Stranger things have happened, I guess.
Hey. this Kentucky team might be for real. Last Saturday, Louisville found out the hard way.
It's kinda like the mechanics of a golf swingone team's on the upswing (backswing), while the other's on the downswing.
In a way, Crum thought so, too.
It Was lust One Of Those Days
"I've shot 91 one day and turned around and shot 75 the very next day. noted Crum, who received his worst beating ever as coach of the Cards. "Sports is that way. Some nights things go your way and some nights they don't.
"That little thing called momentum can take over. Things kinda snowballed. No matter how hard you try or what you do, things just don't work out."
Yep, the snowball which rolled through Freedom Hall was of monstrous sizes. Afterwards the U of L coach probably was wanting to know the license plate of the Big Blue steam roller which was Lexington bound after the ballgame.
"What else can you say," Crum noted. "They outplayed about us every way you can."
"We're not 34 points better than Louisville," said Sutton, realistically pondering the contest. "It was a game where everything fell into place for us and they (Cardinals) didn't play quite as well."
Kentucky, now ranked 11th in this week's AP poll, is the owner of a sparkling 6-1 mark. On the other hand, U of L falls to 4-6. Those aren't exactly the numbers which champions are made of.
Adding transfer Mike Scott, Cedric Jenkins, Paul Andrews and even Todd Ziegler to the roster will be a great boost to UK's chances of defending its SEC crown. Scott's first game will be against LSU on Jan. 18.
After facing Georgia, the Wildcats will play at Auburn before returning home to face Wimp Sanderson's Alabama squad. Prior to the season at the SEC Media Days, both the Tigers and Crimson Tide were picked to finish ahead of Kentucky in the conference.
"I'm sure our fans now are going to be believers," said Sutton after his Wildcats upended the Cardinals. "I get a lot of mail everyday, and I think there were a lot of people who felt like maybe this would be a year where we may struggle. We'll still struggle because our league is so darn tough.
"I believe this ballclub is going to be pretty good. If we can get
back Cedric, Paul and when Mike Scott becomes eligible we'll be a pretty good basketball team.
"I was really impressed with our front line play."
Center Rob Lock and forwards Richard Madison and Irv Thomas helped neutralize Ellison and Co. Those three combined for 24 points and 29 rebounds. Ellison, who sprained his ankle two nights before the game, was held to four points and four boards in 26 minutes of action.
"It only bothered me when I went up to jump and coming back down," inquired Ellison.
U of L's starting forwardsKenny Payne and Herbert Crook didn't fare much better. Payne scored seven points and grabbed one rebound, while Crook was credited with six points and seven boards.
Madison Too Tough To Handle
Just an eye-catching a figure as Chapman's 26 points was Madison's 17 rebounds. The 6-foot-7 forward/guard hauled down 15 boards in the second half.
Overall, U of L snared only 33 rebounds compared to UK's 41. Not many people would have had the audacity to predict Kentucky would win the battle of the boards. Unless, that person was Denny Crum.
Before Dream Game XI, Crum wasn't too sure his inside game was as productive as his arch-rival's.
"I thought their inside guys played real well," Crum said during his post-game remarks. "Richard Madison had 17 rebounds. And I think a lot of time we forget (such figures). Their guards have certainly have been outstanding for them all year and that's been their so-called strength. But I said (earlier) I didn't know if our front line was better than theirs or not."
Lock, the recipient of boos from the home folks a few weeks
A Happy 'Cat Bench
ago, was all smiles afterwards. You can't help grin from ear to ear when you have two power dunks like he did in the game's final moments.
"We started celebrating with 15 minutes left and we were up by 20," Lock said. "When the final tick went off the clock it was just even a greater feeling because the game was over and there was no way they could win.
"I think they (Louisville) underestimated our guard play. They knew we had good guards but I don't think they knew they were that good. A lot of people have written off our inside play, with Richard. Irv and myself. We're getting better and we're going to continue to get better."
As for Louisville, the production from its backcourt needs to get on track. . .and quickly. U of L has a week to mend its wounds and prepare for visiting Rutgers.
Following an encounter against Nevada-Reno. Louisville will face a couple of stiff road challenges at Florida State and Wyoming. Things don't get any easier, especially with battles against No. 2 Purdue, Memphis State (twice). North Carolina State, and current Top 10 member Syracuse not to mention plenty others waiting at their chance to knock off the defending national champs.
"We're still trying to do new things." said Ellison. He mentioned the Cards didn't use their high-post offense which has been recently put in.
"We didn't play up to our capabilities," Ellison continued. "I didn't think we executed very well."
The next couple of weeks could be make or break time for the defending national champs.
"Their backcourt people are going to be all right if you give them another month." said Sutton.
Coach, don't you begin to wonder if U of L's guards will ever come out of their slump? Starting guards Tony Kimbro and Craig
Todd Ziegler Back On Kentucky Squad
Junior forward Todd Ziegler has been reinstated to the University of Kentucky basketball team, according to Wildcat head coach Eddie Sutton last Tuesday (Dec. 23).
Ziegler was arrested on shoplifting charges in Lexington Oct. 30 and subsequently pleaded guilty to those charges. He was enrolled in a diversionary program for first-time offenders and after completing 40 hours of community service, had the charges dropped two weeks ago (Dec. 19).
"A great many people make mistakes in their youth," Sutton said. "He has repaid his debt and his record has been cleared by the court.. As far as we are concerned the case is closed.
"I think it is important to show compassion," he continued. "As I have said before, I consider my players as part of my family. I treat them as I would treat my sons. There are times you have to discipline your family and I think Todd has been disciplined. He is a good young man who made a mistake. We're glad to have him back on the squad."
Sutton said Ziegler will begin practice as soon as he is physically able.
"He is suffering with the flu," Sutton explained. "His mother said he has a 102 degree fever. As soon as he is well, he will begin practice."
Ziegler did not dress for UK's game against Louisville.
It's Official-Scott Is Now A Wildcat; Eligible Ian. 18th
Last Tuesday (Dec. 23) 6-foot-ll Mike Scott announced at a press conference at Greenup County High School that he'll play for the University of Kentucky. Scott, who'll wear No. 50, has decided to play for this year's squad. After this season he'll have two more years of eligibility left with UK.
Scott will be eligible for play when Kentucky hosts LSU on Jan. 18. He started practicing with the 'Cats for the initial time the day he signed with Eddie Sutton's team.
"Sometimes it seemed like this would never happen," said Scott. "I've been counting down the days like it was Christmas. I was so excited about it I had a hard time getting to sleep last night."
Scott transfered last season after a brief stint at Wake Forest. He averaged 8.9 points and 5.8 boards per game for the ACC team. According to Scott, his main reason for leaving Wake was because of the departure of former coach Carl Tacy. Tacy, who recruited Scott, left before Scott even played his initial game for the Demon Deacons.
He then enrolled at Lexington Community College and recently graduated from that institution.
"I think he can help us," Sutton said during his weekly press conference (Dec. 23). "It may be by Feb. 1 because he's been out of basketball for a while. But by the time we play Oklahoma (March 1), I think he will be a positive factor for us."
In regards to UK's recruiting binge, which included the signings of 7-foot John Pittman and 6-11 LeRon Ellis, Scott believed he will still be a factor for the following two seasons.
"I feel confident of my abilities," Scott noted. "I feel like I can at least get a lot of playing time even with the people he's brought in. Those kind of players can make for a championshp season and that's something I want to be a part of
"Deep down inside, I've always wanted to play for UK."