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BIG SHOES (continued)
to Washington and Bennett to Cleveland.
Enough of the bad news. Back to the future. The cupboard is not completely bare. Although a 38th Southeastern Conference championship would seem a lofty goal, Sutton feels there is enough talent on his team to make for an interesting year.
"We have some players who have not had the opportunity to play in the past who are now going to have the opportunity to step forward," he says. "They're very excited about that. I have found through past experience that, when you have adversity, young people respond in a very positive manner when given the opportunity. That's what we hope some of our guys will be able to do. Maybe people we wouldn't have counted on as much will step forward now, given that opportunity."
One player who already stepped forward is sophomore Eric Manuel. The 6-6, 225-pound Macon, Ga. native played and practiced his way into a consistent starting role during the second half of the 1987-88 season and is Kentucky's leading returning scorer (7.1 ppg.) and rebounder (3.2 rpg.). "If we are going to be successful," Sutton says, "I think a large part of it will be due to the type of season Eric Manuel will have."
Four talented guards join Manuel in the Wildcat backcourt, comprising what Sutton calls one of the
Although he is only a sophomore, LeRon Ellis returns as one of the most experienced Wildcats.
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Although a 38th Southeastern Conference championship would seem a lofty goal, Sutton feels there is enough talent on his team to make for an interesting year.
strengths of this team. Sophomore Sean Sutton (6-1, 175, Lexington) will probably battle for the point guard spot with highly-heralded freshman Richie Farmer (6-0, 180, Manchester), the state of Kentucky's 1988 "Mr. Basketball." Derrick Miller (6-5, 170, Savannah, Ga.) and Chris Mills (6-7, 200, Los Angeles, Calif.) are also strong candidates for starting spots.
"I believe one of the strengths of our ballclub should be our guard play," he says. "We have some flexibility at our guard spots, because Eric Manuel can move out and either
Sophomore Eric Manuel is Kentucky's leading returning scorer (7.1) and re-bounder (3.2).
play the point or the second guard, and that will give us some depth and some flexibility.
"We have in Sean, I think, a very good point guard. I don't believe we have anyone on the squad who has worked harder over the summer. I believe Richie Farmer can also compete for the point guard spot. Then you have Derrick Miller, who is one of the best perimeter shooters on the squad."
The UK front line will be talented but inexperienced, and susceptible to a height problem in an injury situation. Sophomore LeRon Ellis (6-10, 235, Tustin, Calif.) showed flashes of brilliance last season and could have a fine season with added consistency in his play. "Now that LeRon realizes that we are depending on him," Sutton says, "hopefully he will say, 'Hey, I want to be one of the star players on this Kentucky ball club.' "
Sutton will also be looking for leadership and consistency from the tallest and oldest Wildcat, senior Mike Scott (6-11, 230, South Shore). "Mike is our only senior," he says. "He progressed and developed late in the year last season. It's very possible we did not play him as much as we should have. At the times he did play, I thought he did a nice job.
"I am concerned about our lack of size, and I think this can be a real key in what kind of won-lost record you have. If we can get through the season without any major injuries, we'll be much better off. If LeRon and Mike were to both go down, we would be an extremely short basketball team."
Sean Sutton, son of the UK coach, could challenge for the starting point guard spot.
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