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VIEWPOINT
Letters To The Editor
Mail All Letters To: VIEWPOINT, The Cats' Pause, P.u. Box 7297, Lexington, KY 40522
Bragging Rights
Dear Sir:
I would like to take this time to say that this is my first year as a subscriber of 77ie Cats' Pause. This newspaper has got to be the best newspaper published in the country.
I have been a Wildcat fan ever since I knew what basketball was. Living only five miles from the Kentucky state line, a lot of people in my town can't understand why I support the 'Cats and not the Vols. My answer to that is that watching and listening to the Kentucky Wildcats basketball games and knowing the history background of the teams in the past are no doubt the best in the nation. In the Kentucky romp over the Vols on Jan. 16, 1988,1 have a lot of bragging rights for who I root for. People just don't know what they are missing by not being Big Blue fans.
In closing, I want to wish the best to the 'Cats as they finish the season and upcoming years in basketball. Keep up the good work guys.
Sincerely,
Brent Callicott Union City, Tennessee
Colorado 'Cat
Dear Sir:
I am a subscriber to 77k? Cats' Pause and am living in the Colorado Springs, Colo., area. I am grateful for you publication as it keeps me informed about University of Kentucky basketball. I hope you will publish this letter as I am looking for other Big Blue fans in the area to join in watching the 'Cats. I presently don't know any 'Cats (I'm not sure there is such a thing as a Colorado Buffs fan).
What games are not broadcast on the networks or cable I receive from a friend in Kentucky on video tape. Perhaps there are Kentucky fans that would like to see these games. If there are, my telephone number is (303) 687-2190. Also, I got to see the Pan Am Trials last May and we all know that (Rex) Chapman made the team. I just want to say that I thought that Ed Davender looked sensational with his defense there as he does this season. Now he's scoring, driving, handling the ball. He's great and we need him badly if we are to have a shot at the SEC, Southeast Regional and Kansas City.
Sincerely,
Gregg Carter
Woodland Park, Colorado
Roadcourt Advantage?
Dear Sir:
I have noticed something rather strange this year as far as the 'Cats go, and I wonder if I am the only one. It seems that the 'Cats play more loose and less tense when they are on the road than they do at Rupp Arena. I believe there's more pressure on them to perform well at home than on the road, and their road record would indicate the same. .Except .for
Vandy, the 'Cats have played good basketball on the road. It isn't easy for a "Kentucky" team to go into Baton Rouge and pin Dale Brown's ears down the way they did, especially after LSU had recently handed Oklahoma a stunning loss. With the SEC coming down to the nitty gritty, I believe the fans at Rupp and around the state that call themselves 'Cat fans should get behind this team and not on them. Wildcat fans are the best in the country, bar none, and it is time to show it. We are all hungry for that crown in March and everyone wants it bad, but it is hard for a young player out there to make that big play or critical shot when he has his shoulders burdened with pressure. I am almost certain that nobody wants to win for the fans for than coach (Eddie) Sutton and each of his players do, they also are hungry. The players we have are very good basketball players and the freshmen, LeRon Ellis and Eric Manuel, will only get better, but we must realize that these players are human also and they know when fans are behind them or on them. There is a big difference between a high school gym with a few thousand fans and Rupp Arena with about 23,000 fans.
So come on, 'Cat fans, let's show this team that we are behind them all the way. Someone said of the 15 wins we have that a few of those games we just barely won. Which would you rather have, a narrow win, or a narrow loss? they are both Ws and Ls, whether it is one point or 25. This team can and will play to their potential and they are making progress now to do that, so let's get behind our 'Cats and show them that we are the best fans in the nation. Go 'Cats.!
A True Blue Wildcat Fan,
Johnny Kinser Chevrolet, Kentucky
Behind Enemy Lines
Dear Sir:
I am one of those people fortunate to be a native Kentuckian! Lexington, in fact, is my birthplace. I hope to come home soon.
I have been a Wildcat fan as long as I can remember. I have had several members of my family, on both sides, who attended UK. At this time, two second cousins. One of them, Joel Lipscomb, gave me one of his shakers. Thanks, Joel.
Like all loyal fans, I wear the Blue and White when I watch the games on TV. Even though I have not had the great opportunity to see a game in person, that does not affect my loyalty. I have resided in Alabama for more than 10 years, and I have not become an elephant or war eagle. No disrespect to those who are.
I have a Kentucky sticker in the back glass of car, so, there is no dispute as to my allegiance.
I have seen the Wildcats do their best and have seen them not, in my opinion, do as well as they could have. However, I love them anyway. I feel that Eddie Sutton has that love for UK and his players that coach (Adolph) Rupp had. It takes an intelligent coach to know what positions each member of the . team.is.best suited-for. We are fortunate.to
get him.
A loyal fan.
Carol Collette Saraland, Alabama
P.S.My boss, who is an Alabama fan, allows me to put my UK material on the wall of the office.
Vitale Was Wrong
Dear Sir:
Hello up there in Big Blue Land! It has been awhile since I have written to Tie Cats' Pause because so many of you have been handling everything OK.
However, Mr. (Dick) Vitale's remarks during the UK-Notre Dame telecast concerning coach (Eddie) Sutton's longevity due to the "pressure" has moved me to offer a few coments.
(Vitale apparently questioned whether Sutton would be at Kentucky in five more years during the telecasteditor.)
The so-called pressure that surrounds the UK basketball program could be more aptly described as the following:
"Love," for we certainly love both the sport and the Wildcats.
"Dedication," for we are dedicated to excellence both on and off the court.
"Caring," now this is a biggie!! We "Care" for our program. "We" meaning all Wildcat fans scattered here, there and yon, young and old, sane or. . .well, anyway, we care. The alternative to caring is apathy.
Those timid souls who don't like "pressure" would be happy here in Austin. The Texas gym is one of the few places you could have a baksetball game and a skeetshoot simultaneously, with small chance of anyone getting hurt.
I think Eddie would prefer the "pressure" of this situation.
Actually, this so-called "pressure" means only that UK has more fans who are more concerned, more involved, more discerning, and more supportive than any other school that takes the hoop game seriously.
Many of us Wildcat fans understand the "pot-shots" taken at UK. People hated the New York Yankees for the same reasons. Jealous of their years of winning and being No. 1 for years and years.
I know this is a family-type publication, so I can't really express myself, but I would say this to the Vitales, the Musbergers, and all you other crybabies: "Eat your hearts out, you envious illegitimates."
I think it is a tremendous endorsement to our product at UK the way other folks regard us and "get up" for us. Like any UK fan, I suffer hurt, shock and disbelief whenever we lose. But I follow the basketball scene fairly close and dadgone it, these little setbacks are going to happen now and then. To revise an old saying: "When you're hot you're hot, and when you're not, the other guys are."
Your friend and fan,
Fred Williams
' -Austin-, -Texas." *      nnamra -.-rtmammtm
Vitale Was Right
Dear Sir:
Kentucky fans arc making a big, big mistake by talking incessantly about reaching the Final Four beginning each year in November. It does no good and surely places additional pressure on the players and coaches. Face it, despite the overall excellence, the 'Cats have only peached that elusive goal four times in the past 30 years, thus it isn't something to reasonably expect on an annual basis. Such talk should be postponed until the team has won at least two games in the NCAA tournament.
Now that big-time coaches are hired to produce and move on, it is unquestionably foolish from another standpoint. If you have a "top five" coach such as Eddie Sutton, he obviously knows that he's expected to win a national championship eventually. If he doesn't do so in the first few years, he may decide the pressure and frustration aren't worth the money and move on to greener pastures where the big bucks are available, minus the pressure in Lexington.
The more I think of it, the more I'm convinced Dick Vitale was right when he said Sutton wouldn't stay more than about five years at Kentucky.
And in case you haven't noticed, it might be wise to cast an eye four hours south to observe which way the wind is blowing. If I were Doug Dickey looking for a man who could fill the seats at the new "Thompson-Boling Alley" I'd know exactly who I'd pursue."
Sincerely,
Gene A. Russell Manchester, Tennessee
Don't Forget Adkins
Dear Sir:
Oscar, I was a caller on your Monday night call-in radio show recently regarding Paint-sville's Keith Adkins. You and (co-host) Earl (Cox) acted like you didn't believe me. Here's the proof!
(Enclosed was an article saying that Adkins, who is averaging in excess of 32 points per game, is being hotly persued by Indiana, Notre Dame, Vandy, Michigan State and Auburneditor.)
So tell Earl not to rate (Richie) Farmer as the best player in the state until he has seen Adkins this season. Once he's seen Adkins, there will be no doubt who's the best. The media has made Farmer Mr. Basketball, just as they have already made Allan Houston Mr. Basketball for next season.
Please make mention of Keith on next Monday's radio show. And please have Earl eat his words that Keith will probably end up with a Southern Conference school. This kid is going to be a super college player. Please give him a little credit.
If you or Earl haven't seen him play, at least give him a little recognition based on this article I have enclosed. Believe me, there are many more I could enclose. This is just a sample. If Kentucky is looking for the best, ' iCdrtflhVed W Page 22]