Mike Estep-
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performances to resemble the latter more than the former. Richard requested a meeting with Sutton the morning of the UNCC game, and I think they got some things straightened out.
Madison had a pretty painful foot injury in the preseason, and I think he's just now beginning to overcome that. I look for Richard to be a big factor from here on out. But I'd feel better if. . .
If what?
If somebody could dig up a season ticket for Herbert Madison.
Herbert Madison?
Yeah, he's Richard's uncle from Memphis, 't just seems like Richard plays a lot better when Herbert's in the stands. He's been on hand for a lot of Richard's best games, including Saturday night's "Chairman of the Boards" performance.
Let me change the subject for a minute. Wfiat's the one thing that has impressed you the most this season at Rupp Arena, and the one thing that has been most disappointing?
The most impressive thing at Rupp so far this year was probably the pre-Victorian Dance Cats (before the UK administration forced them to tone down their costumes). And, I hate to agree with sportswriter Tom Wallace, but by far the most disturbing turn of events at Rupp this season has been placing a cheerleading banner alongside UK's NIT. NCAA and other championship banners.
Thought we were going to stick to basketball.
Yeah, sorry. But I thought that needed to be said.
I've got time for just one more question: How do you see the rest of the season unfolding? Will the 'Cats roll to another SEC title en route to the Final Four in Kansas City?
That's two questions, but I'll answer both of them anyway. They still need to iron out that offensive problem, but I think that will come. For the first time in a couple of years, Sutton has replaced the three-guard offense with a more traditional look. And then you have Jenkins and Bennett in the starting lineup with Chapman, Davender and Lock for the first time. It might take a while, but I think the chemistry will develop. It almost has to. This team probably spends more time together than any other at UK. Sutton's already put the team through an extended two-a-day practice schedule this year, including double duty on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
UK's got a good chance to get to Kansas City, but it surely won't be a Cakewalk. Neither will the SEC race. We'll find out soon enough, but Florida, Georgia, Vandy and maybe even Tennessee will have something to say about it. But as Sutton likes to say, there are about 25 teams that have a chance to get to Kansas City and UK is one of them. I have to agree with him.
Bob Watkins
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Did Jerry Claiborne have anything to do with Holcomb's commercial?
"Naw, naw. But, I appreciate those things," the UK coach said, laughing.
If McCune, who has a 3.6 grade point average and in the words of his coach "is an outstanding football player and a good citizen," is anything like the last southeastern Kentucky lineman to sign with UK, then Claiborne has done well. Vic Adams, a junior-to-be from Middlesboro. should project as an All-SEC player next year.
And Reedy? It says here that Kentucky  if it signs Reedy come February  got an outstanding prospect.
Because Reedywho is 6-5, 235, but could be up to 270 by the time he is a sophomoreis blessed with the sort of apptitude, skills and instincts that good offensive linemen must have to reach a high level of success, I believe he has the tools, especially the personality, to be as good as Dermontti Dawson, UK's most highly decorated senior offensive guard last season (All-SEC).
UK RECRUITING. Meanwhile, Claiborne says he's on the recruiting trail.
"We've got 25 openings this year," he said. "We've had lots of players in and they've had good visits here. But I'm sure they've had other good visits too. We'll just have to wait and see. But I'm optimistic."
Mr. Football
Nominations for Kentucky High School's Mr. Football became official last week as the Associated Press Sports Editors Association made the final selections. The five finalists are: Craig Walker, running back from Louisville Fairdale; Kurt Barber, linebacker from Paducah Tilghman; Dwayne Depp, running back from Glasgow; Chris McNamee, defensive back from Pikeville; and Mike Wolfe, linebacker, Covington Catholic.
Mr. Football will be announced in February. Criteria? A player must have distinguished himself on the field, in the classroom and in his community.
Parting shot
v3) UK's Jerry Claiborne has been under fire from fans throughout the state the last few weeks. Some have even suggested he be let go.
So, coach, what would you like for Christmas? Five blue chip football signees? A break in the schedule? How about a new contract?
"The thing I'd wish for," he said, "is peace on earth, good will toward men," Claiborne said. "That's what I want over and above football and all that other stuff."
And so it goes.
If you have a point of view you would like to share, write to Bob Watkins, Sports In Kentucky Rt. 1, Glendale, Ky.H
Jamie Vaught
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(Former LSU player Jordy Hultberg was named to replace Dean as the color commentator)?
Conley: Yes. I was. I would have liked to been involved in it. But that was a decision that was made. It's not that I lack basketball games'to do. I have plenty to do but I would liked to have been involved. You can't look back. You go on. There are other things to do. Besides UK games, I have a number of games contracted for the Metro Conference and the Atlantic 10. ESPN has hired me to work the SEC games. I will also do some games in the Big Eight for ESPN.
TCP: What has been the biggest change you have seen in the basketball program since you left UK in the late 1960s?
Conley: Yeah, the size of the place we played in (11,500-seat Memorial Coliseum). That's one thing. Secondly, the program has gotten enormous. This has become the single largest college basketball program in America. I mean there isn't a place that I go to that I don't have someone come up and ask me about UK's basketball program. I work in a lot of places (for television). Now, if you played somewhere else other than Kentucky, I don't think they would ask those questions. But you have to remember that this program has won more basketball games than any other program in the history of the game. That, in itself, says what you want to say about UK basketball. So, people want information from anyone who played there (at Kentucky) and was a part of it.
I think there are a lot of reasons. There is more TV exposure today. And when I played, only 11,500 people could get in. Now, you got 24,000 people who can get in. That, in itself, is a big change. I think basically that's it.
Dan Brandenburg
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goal percentage.
Chapman is hitting 87.5 percent (14 of 16) of his free throws, good for fourth in the league and just ahead of Rob Lock, who is at 87 percent on 20 of 23. Freshman Eric Manuel is 10th at 81.8 on 9 of 11.
Lock is also eighth in rebounding at 8.8 per game, LeRon Ellis is sixth in blocked shots with 1.5 per game and Chapman is sixth in steals with 2.5 per match.
As far as the team is concerned, UK leads the league in three of the 16 categories: free throw shooting, 77.7; turnover differential, 7.5 per game; and defense against three-point goals, 24.2 percent.
Also, scoring, second, 86.2; rebounds, eighth, 38.0; field goals, eighth, 46.5; scoring defense, sixth, 71.8; opponents' rebounds, seventh, 35.8; opponents' field goals, ninth, 46.0; three-point goals, ninth, 34.4; steals, second, 10.8; blocked shots, fourth, 4.5; opponents' free throws, ninth, 67.0; rebound margin, ninth, 2.2; scoring margin, fifth, 14.5; and field goal differential, fifth, 3.5.
Todd Hallum
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PEACH BOWLIndiana vs. Tennessee: It should be a colorful affair in Atlanta, as both schools have sold out there full allotment of tickets for a bowl that has never drawn well traditionally. IU coach Bill Mallory was in the Tennessee press box as the Volunteers barely escaped an upset bid from Vanderbilt during the season finale. He might not have like what he saw from the Vols' offense. Tennessee has the better overall team speed and defense.
Prediction: Tennessee by 12.
ORANGE BOWLMiami vs. Oklahoma: Ahhh, now this is what we've finally been waiting for. Will the Hurricanes blow yet another chance for the national title? You know, second chances are hard to come by. And Miami certainly has another second chance this season. I get the feeling Oklahoma left its best game in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., against the Cornhuskers. But from watching Miami this season, I'm not sure Miami has the better defense of the two teams. Besides, Jimmy Johnson owns Barry Switzer during the past two seasons, and in fact. Jimmy comes out on top during the television commercial with Barry where the two are trying to sell VCR football games. What else can you ask for?
Prediction: Miami by 13.
Larry Vaught
(Continued From Page 9)
Louisville Coach Denny Crum and former UK Coach Joe Hall when he was at the Louisville-Kentucky game.
"Those two guys really helped me a lot and have vital parts in my book," said Packer. "I think any college basketball fan will like the book. I took people who had been critical to the Final Four and used their stories."
With Packer's knowledge and involvement with college basketball, it should be quite a book.
ft- ? *
LAST YEAR 7-0 center Will Perdue of Vanderbilt was the SEC's dominant inside player. Vandy Coach CM. Newton expects him to be even better this year.
"He's improved a lot and will continue to improve as long as he enjoys the game," said Newton. "He can run the court and is an excellent passer, especially from inside out and that's really crucial to getting three-point shots.
"We want him to be a more intimidating defensive player this year and a more consistent rebounder. He'll also do more offensively. He'll draw more attention but you will see him shoot the turnaround jumper. He's just an outstanding player and will be past college, too."
Kentucky fans get to see Perdue, who helped Vandy upset North Carolina earlier this year, when the Commodores visit Rupp Arena Dec. 31 to open SEC play for both teams.
"We start out with two big games against Vanderbilt and at Georgia (Jan. 2)," said UK assistant coach James Dickey. "We'll know a lot about where we stand in the con-ference after those two games."