1980 81 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL OUTLOOK
The 1980-81 edition of the Kentucky basketball Wildcats, ranked number one in several preseason polls, will attempt to use talent, size, quickness, and youthful enthusiasm to offset inexperience as it battles for conference and national honors.
Nine of last season's 12 lettermen return, including three starters, but the 1980-81 roster includes only two seniors and two juniors. Five sophomores and four freshmen the top ranked recruiting classes of the last two seasons-give Coach Joe B. Hall's Wildcats a very youthful appearance.
Starters Kyle Macy and LaVon Williams and top reserve Jay Shidler ended their Kentucky careers last season.
Macy, a consensus All-American, led last year's team in scoring (15.4 ppg.l, assists (1631, and free throw percentage (91.2). More importantly, however, he provided outstanding leadership that will be difficult to replace.
Williams averaged 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds. Shidler, a sparkplug off the bench, averaged 6.2 points.
Kentucky's three returning starters top the list of young and talented returnees, Sam Bowie (7-1, C) gained valuable experience with the United States Olympic basketball team this summer and appears ready for a superb sophomore season. Bowie led the 1979-80 Wildcats in rebounding (8.1 rpg.) and ranked second to Macy in scoring (12.9 ppg).
"Sam gained immeasurable experience and confidence this summer with the Olympic team," Hall said. "Many players would have become complacent after the type of success Sam had this summer, but it's quite the opposite with him. He has rededicated himself and has increased his size and strength and is becoming a team leader."
Fred Cowan (6-8), F) has added 50 pounds to his frame since coming to Kentucky three years ago. The senior from Sturgis, Ky., was sensational in the clutch last season, scoring 27 points in the SEC clincher against LSU and 26 in the NCAA tournament against Duke.
"Fred is a senior who is exhibiting senior leadership," Hall said. "We expect an outstanding senior season from Fred, and if he picks up where he left off last season, he'll be one of the top forwards in the country."
Dirk Minniefield (6-3, G) started 18 of the last 19 games in 1979-80, and Hall calls him the "key to Kentucky's offense and defense." The probable starter at point guard, Minniefield averaged 5.0 points and ranked second on the team in assists (126) last season.
Juniors Chuck Verderber (6-6, Fl and Bo Lanter (6-1, G) and senior Chris Gettelfinger (6-2, G) will be counted on to provide leadership for the many Wildcat underclassmen. Verderber started one game last season and averaged 3.0 points and 2.2 rebounds. Lanter came off the bench and gave the Wildcats lifts on several occasions. Gettelfinger's work and determination that enabled him to earn a scholarship after coming to Kentucky as a walk-on typifies "Wildcat spirit." according to Hall.
Joining Bowie and Minniefield in Kentucky's sophomore contingent are Derrick Hord (6-6, F-G), Charles Hurt (6-6, F) and Tom Heitz (6-8, F). Hord played in all 35 games last season and started two. He averaged 5.9 points and 2.5 rebounds. The Bristol, Tenn., native is slated for swingman duty this season and has lost 10 pounds in anticipation of playing the guard position.
Hurt also played in all 35 games, with one start. He averaged 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds. Hall calls his jumping ability "legendary." Heitz made more progress than any player on the team during the offseason, according to the coaching staff. He was one of the top weightlift-ers in the Wildcat preseason conditioning program.
Four prep All-Americans made up Kentucky's 1980-81 freshman class. The newcomers are Jim Master (6-4, G), Melvin Turpin (7-0, C), Bret Bearup (6-9, F), and Dicky Beal (5-11, G). Master was Indiana's "Mr. Basketball" following a brilliant career at Paul Harding High School. He averaged 27.8 points and hit 52 percent of his field goal attempts.
Turpin, who prepped at Lexington Bryan Station High School, spent last season at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia. He led his team to a 25-1 record by averaging 24.5 points, 14.2 rebounds, and 7.5 blocked shots.
Bearup averaged 28.5 points and 17 rebounds at Harborfields High School. Midwest Basketball News ranked him as the number one power forward prospect in the country.
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