KENTUCKY BASKETBALL OUTLOOK, 1975-76
The University of Kentucky will introduce its youngest basketball team in 30 years after losing six lettermen, including four three-year starters, off last year's 26-5 NCAA runner-up team.
While the senior dominated team of last year utilized dazzling finesse, speed and experience to vanquish 26 foes, this year's squad must overcome exceptional youthfulness with intelligent play and 100 per cent hustle, in the words of fourth year coach Joe B. Hall.
Seven lettermen return-two juniors and five sophomores-and four of them appear to have nailed down starting berths. Pairing at forward are two "75 All-SEC freshmen selections-6-foot-l0 Rick Robey (10.4 ppg), who played center last year, and 6-4 Jack Givens (9.4). At center is mammoth 6-10 Mike Phillips (7.8), while junior 6-2 guard Larry Johnson (4.3) must increase his scoring proficiency with more playing time, and lead another aggressive defense.
Vying for the other guard slot are 6-1 freshman Truman Gaytor, a quick, hot shooter, who must subdue a determined bid by two non-lctternien-6-1 senior Reggie Warford and 6-2 junior Joey Holland-both of whom have shown marked improvement in early workouts.
In seeking more experience in the lineup. Hall has toyed with the idea of moving the multi-talented Givens to guard and inserting either 6-4 junior Merion Haskins (0.9), a fine defensive player and rebounder, or 6-5 sophomore James Lee (3.0), the team's most powerful individual, at forward.
Holding the vital key to a successful season is 6-10 sophomore center Don Hall (1.8), who realized some fine moments last year, but who must gear himself for increased playing time this year backing up Phillips.
Other squad members include two freshmen who have shown great promise. They are guard 6-2 Dwane Casey and 6-4 forward Bob Fowler, a muscular leaper who could surprise after gaining varsity experience.
Replacing All-American forward Kevin Grevey and strongman Boo Guyette is no easy task, but Hall has made such a move in switching Robey from center and installing Givens (who started five games last year) at small forward. Robey, an All-UKIT selection, gained invaluable experience at forward on the Gold Medal winning United States Pan-American team, while Givens overcame poor shooting early last year to wind up with a healthy 49.4 field goal percentage.
The Wildcats will employ a variety of offenses-single and double posts. 1-3-1 and the stack, as well as the traditional fast break. Defensively, they will go man-to-man, 1-3-1 and various pressing offenses.
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