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Hey, Eddie! Why ain't Richie playing more?
Fans should be as patient as Farmer
So far, Farmer's spent much more time on the bench than on the court
Why isn't Richie Farmer playing? That just might be the most controversial basketball question in Kentucky today. Fans have their own theories about why the
		
	1 ~   * 1	Larry Vaught
		Cats' Pause Columnist
		
freshman guard is not playing for Kentucky. He was almost a folk hero during his high school career at Clay County and with UK short on troops, his admirers feel Farmer should be working the same heroics in Lexington that he did in Manchester.
He played only six minutes, though, in UK's season-opening loss to Duke. He had to sit and watch as UK used John Pelphrey and Chris Mills, two players who have never run a team, at point guard. Sean Sutton, the team's number one point guard, was out with an injury.
Some fans are accusing UK Coach Eddie Sutton of not playing Farmer because he doesn't want the freshman to outplay his son.
The UK coach needs that controversy on top of the current NCAA probe about as much as Dick Vitale needs more time to talk.
Coach Sutton has denied feeling any any external pressure on him to play Farmer, Kentucky's 1988 Mr. Basketball.
"There's no pressure on us," said Sutton. "I play the players that will allow us to win. I know Richie will contribute. But he would be the first to tell you how difficult it has been for him, especially since he's missed some practice when he was ill and hurt.
"He's adjusting and knows he has to adjust. I'm still optimistic he will help us but he's just not ready."
Farmer had the basketball in his hands 80 percent of the time at Clay County. Sutton, though, insists he is not yet comfortable at the point in college.
The UK coach says defense has been another problem for Farmer. He didn't have to face many bigger, quicker foes in high school and often played in a zone defense. He's still learning to play the aggressive man-to-man defense Sutton demands.
Farmer is also having to learn to move more without the basketball to occupy his defender.
This controversy won't help Farmer's development. If anything, it will hurt him. And not because Sutton is playing favorites to protect his son's starting job.
"I play the best players regardless of who they are," said Sutton. "If fans can't accept that, that is their problem.
"No one wants to win more than the coaches. I don't know of any coach who plays favorites because the bottom line is victory. You don't play someone just because you like him better."
Farmer knows that. He's smart enough to know he can't dominate a college game the same way he did when he played for Clay County.
"This is a big change from what I was used to," said Farmer. "It takes so much more mentally and physically out of you.
"Everybody here was a top high school player. You are playing with and against the best of the best. You can no longer just do what you want. It's a lot harder here than people understand."
Maybe the callers to the different sports talks show in Kentucky who are crucifying Sutton for not playing Farmer more should listen more to what he says.
"A lot of people picture me as a star," said Farmer. "I did always have the ball in high school but here all 10 people on the floor can play. I've been timid at
times trying to see what I can and can't do.
"I'm still learning the ropes and what the coaching staff does and doesn't want. If you're not sure what you are doing, you play timid. I haven't really been able just to turn it loose yet."
That doesn't mean he has lost confidence in his ability. Those who know Farmer understand that will never happen. He still believes he belongs at UK and will help the Wildcats. So does Sutton.
But the fans in eastern Kentucky want results now. Not January. Not March. Not next year. They want Farmer to be a star today.
"I know a lot of people, especially in eastern Kentucky, look at me as their hope," said Farmer. "They want me to be a star. They tell me if anybody from eastern Kentucky can do it, it is you. That adds pressure but it also gives me extra incentive to try and make them proud by proving them right."
Several years ago eastern Kentucky fans had the same expectations for Todd May of Virgie when he signed with UK.
He was playing as much as another freshman by the name of Kenny Walker when he left the team in December of 1982. He eventually transferred to Wake Forest and finally finished his career at Pikeville College.
Even today former UK Coach Joe Hall still believes May could have been as good as Walker, who earned All-America honors, if he had stayed at UK.
"Todd May could do so many things that most big men can't do," said Hall. "He had a great touch and was a terrific outside shooter. He would have been a tremendous player."
Hall may have even played May more than he should have because he understood the pressure on his freshman. But when he didn't become an instant star he went home.
Placing unrealistic expectations on Farmer could be just as damaging. Accusing Sutton of not playing him for personal reasons won't help him, either.
After all, Farmer is the one who knows the situation best and he's not complaining.
"Most freshmen here sit and learn," said Farmer. "I'll try to contribute any way I can. When I get a chance to play, I'll be ready to do my best.
"Things don't always go your way at this level. You
have to be mentally tough and go on. You can't dwell on what didn't happen. That's why I just want to do the best I can every day."
Too bad more fans can't be as patient and realistic as Farmer.
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TOM OSBORNE of Nebraska and Joe Paterno of Penn State know something about what it takes to win in college football because they've been doing it for years.
Both expressed strong sentiments recently in The Sporting News on two touchy issues.
Osborne spoke out against adding a 12th game to the collegiate season, a proposal some favor to generate extra revenue.
"The season is plenty long enough right now," said Osborne. "I would hope that if something is done, some compensation could be given to the players, whether it's some kind of stipend or provision where a student's trip home at Christmas is paid for.
"We're progressively asking more and more of the players and giving them less and less in return. Twenty-five years ago a season was nine games. Then it went to 10. Then it went to 11. Now 12? And scholarships are being progressively reduced."
His thoughts certainly make sense to me. Unfortunately, the chances of the NCAA doing something to benefit the athlete are slim and none.
Paterno would like see freshmen ineligible to play, a thought many coaches share.
"People don't understand the freshman problems," said Paterno. "It's not the kid who plays that you're concerned about. In most cases he can handle the problem.
"It's the kids who don't play that become disillusioned. They were stars in high school and people want to know why they are not playing. It embarrasses them."
I'd bet Richie Farmer can relate to Paterno's remarks and his fans in Clay County are going to become ask more and more questions about his lack of activity as the season progresses.
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THE SOUTHEASTERN Conference basketball (Continued on page 22)