Time For Midterm Report Cards
Basketball's Professor Beal Rates The 'Cats
With the season a little more than halfway over, it's time to give the Kentucky Wildcats their midterm grades. Now, professor Beal isn't going to give out any failing marks, so none of my students have anything to worry about. I'm a fair teacher who likes hard work.
As we all know, Kentucky's season has been up and down. Still, the team is a surprise to me. To hear most Kentucky fans talk, you would think the 'Cats are having a terrible season. With the inexperience that it has, I think UK has played well. It's just too bad that the team isn't more consistent.
	
	Dicky Beal Cats' Pause Columnist
	
Now, let's look at some of the players and what they have done this season. Here are some of the individual grades:
Ed Davender: Ed has done a solid job, as usual. He plays tough defense and gives the 'Cats steady ballhandling. He's a great penetrator who can score. Ed isn't hitting his outside shot, but like all good players, it's just a matter of time. Ed has played well even though rumors about him being jealous of Rex Chapman have been hanging over his head. No question he is the team leader. Ed gets a solid B.
James Blackmon: James has always been one of my favorite players to watch. He can score from anywhere on the court at any
time. James has improved in every area of his game. Well, maybe he needs help on the free throw line. He sacrifices his offense for the sake of the team. I would like to see James become more aggressive on the offensive end. His defense is very good. If James ever decides to explode, look out. Because of his slow start, James gets a C+. Of course, his grade is on the rise.
Rob Lock: Rob has come a long way. I felt like Rob would help, but I didn't have confidence in him. After being booed by his home crowd. Rob has come out of hiding. I think that he has improved greatly and he will get better. I like his hard work and attitude. Rob has earned a C and his grade is rising.
Richard Madison: Richard has a world of potential. He can score and run with any player in the country. I think if the 'Cats went to Richard just a little more, I believe he would surprise them.
Lock Heading To The Front Of The Class
He has done well in other areas besides point production, particularly in his defense arid his rebounding. Maybe Richard ought to post up a little stronger, then his teammates might look to for him more.
Due to Richard not getting the opportunity to show what he can do offensively, his grade is nowhere near what it could be. He gets a solid C.
Paul Andrews: Paul has played extremely hard since coming back from his knee injury. He has given the 'Cats a guard who has experience, and he is a solid defensive player. He has the ability to shoot the jump shot when needed. I wish he would take more shots. A solid C is Paul's grade.
Cedric Jenkins: This summer, Cedric was super. So super that he would take the rebound and go coast-to-coast for a layup. No one was able to stop him when he posted up low. Because of his
VIEWPOINT
Vattmn To Th* feStor
Davender Earns Top Grade
injury, his season has been tough. It's an uphill battle when you get a serious injury. I can see Cedric progressing. That's real good news for the 'Cats. Because of Cedric's injury, I will give him an incomplete.
Irv Thomas: Irv has been up and down this season. Against Indiana in Bloomimrton, it looked like Irv was well on his way to being a dominant player. He has the tools, but when you don't get the ball, you can't score. I like Irv's enthusiasm and his hard work. He tries to give his all, and as a coach, what more could you ask for? Irv has a lot of talent and will get better. His grade is a C
Mike Scott: Mike has a lot to learn. It takes a while to get back when you have been out of action for over a year. He is a big man that the 'Cats need. He's just getting started, so we have to give him and incomplete.
Derrick Miller: Derrick has been a pleasant surprise. He told me this summer that people would be surprised. He was right. Although Derrick has had a tough time of late, you can see that he will be a good player in the future. Like most freshmen, he is going to be up and down as far as his playing is concerned. You have to like Derrick's confidence in his ability. He gets a C
Rex Chapman: Rex is a good basketball player. He has a world of ability that has yet to be tapped. Rex has been up and down, but he has handled himself admirably. I have never seen a player have so much expected of him. Pressure? I don't think it bothers him. He likes a challenge. Rex, welcome to Kentucky Basketball. Rex needs to penetrate more so people won't play his jump shot so close. Grade: C+
Steve Bruce and Terry Shigg: Kentucky's two walk-ons deserve to be graded. To walk on at Kentucky is not easy, and it doesn't happen very often. These guys may not get to play very much, but they help the team by giving a maximum effort in practice. Steve and Terry are in a very envious position. They ought to feel very good about themselves. Their grade will be from a fens' standpoint. Don't you think they deserve As? I do.
Now these grades that I have given are just temporary. There are a lot of things that go on between the players and the coaches that I know nothing about. From watching some of the games in person, and seeing others on TV, this is what I've seen. By the end of the season, I'm sure the 'Cats will have better grades. Yes, most got Cs, but there's plenty of time to bring those grades up.
Future 'Cat Hcopster?
Dear Sir:
I've lived in Ohio all of my life. Although there is a big tradition of University of Dayton and Ohio State basketball here, I am very glad to say that I would rather be eating Kentucky Wildcat dirt than playing for the University of Dayton or Ohio State. My room is all in Blue and White and in Kentucky Wildcat stuff. University of Kentucky basketball is very important to me. Last year I bet my teacher that the Wildcats would beat Western Kentucky. Everyone in our family is a Wildcat fan. My father's cousin works as a maintenance man at the university. In six years, I hope to be on the Wildcat basketball team.
Go Big Blue,
Shawn Arnett Dayton, Ohio
Salute From Utah
Dear Sir:
I'm currently serving in a fuD-time capacity in the Army Reserves here at Fort Douglas, Utah, which is located in Salt Lake City. I was born and raised in Louisville, but have been a BIG BLUE FAN all my life.
I enjoy The Cats' Pause very much. There's nothing like getting The Cats' Pause to fill you in on what's going on with the Wildcats. I was wanting to know if you or one of your writers could put in a future edition of The Cats' Pause information pertaining to the six recruits that were signed in basketball.
Points of interest I would like to see printed are:
A. What has been their highest points and rebounds in one game?
B. What are they averaging (points per game, rebounding and assists)?
C. What are their thoughts about corning to UK?
D. How are they doing as far as SAT/ACT tests are concerned (Proposition 48)?
I might also add that having been away from the basketball hoop-la in the state of Kentucky off and on the past six years due to my military service I have realized how fortunate we are to have such a rich basketball tradition. Most arenas in the country are fortunate if they can get half of the capacity for one game.
I believe, just like coach Sutton does, that KENTUCKY is AMERICA'S fevorite college team and I am very proud to be a BIG BLUE FAN!
FROM A BIG BLUE FAN IN UTAH,
SP4 Paul A. Mitchel
Fort Douglas
Salt Lake City, Utah
P.S. I believe it's time we honor and pay tribute to the 1965-66 Kentucky team known as "Rupp Runts." They captured the hearts of basketball fans everywhere with their style of play. No doubt in my mind they will go down in Kentucky basketball history as the fans' favorite all-time team.
Let's also get Dan IsseTs No. 44 retired as well.
(Editor's note In regards to Proposition 48, Jonathon Davis, LeRon Ellis, Sean Sutton, Deron Feldhaus have passed their college entrance exams. At this time Johnny Pitt man and Eric Manuel have not. In future issues well try and fulfill the rest of your requests.)