Kentucky 1988-89
Sophomore Reggie Hanson (6-7, 200, Somerset) will definitely challenge for prime playing time, according to Sutton. "Reggie could very well be the best athlete on our squad," he says. "Now that he fully realizes that he is a person we are depending on, I think he'll seize the opportunity and he'll have a very good season."
Freshmen Deron Feldhaus (6-7, "210, Maysville), Johnathon Davis (6-6, 195, Pensacola, Fla.) and John Pelphrey (6-7, 185, Paintsville) have had a redshirt year in which to mature and learn the Kentucky system. Each possesses individual strengths that could play important roles in the success of the team.
"We believe Feldhaus would have been playing a lot of basketball for us late in the year last season," Sutton says. "He made remarkable progress in his freshman year.
"Many times when you redshirt, there's a tendancy to relax, not to be as dedicated as you should be. But that's not the case with any one of
Kentucky could face the national champions from the past three seasons (Kansas, Indiana and Louisville), 1988 final four participant Duke, perennial Big East power Syracuse, plus the murderous Southeastern Conference slate.
these three guys. No one worked harder than the three redshirts last year, and I think that's going to pay dividends this year for all of them and for our ballclub."
In addition to the youthfulness of his team, Sutton faces another stiff challenge in 1988-89-the Wildcat schedule. Kentucky could face the national champions from the past three seasons (Kansas, Indiana and Louisville), 1988 final four participant Duke, perennial Big East power Syracuse, plus the murderous Southeastern Conference slate.
"This could be one of the toughest schedules any Wildcat team has had to face," Sutton says. "When you look at the top non-conference teams we're playing, then you throw in the SEC, it is going to be tough, especially early. So I would think that if we don't get our ears beaten down too much, by the time we get to conference play, we certainly should have some seasoning."
After a long, hot, frustrating summer, Kentucky basketball players, coaches and fans are ready to get back to the future.
The year is 1988. . .
Mike Scott is the tallest and oldest Wildcat, the only senior on the 1988-89 squad.
Sharpshooter Derrick Miller hopes to regain the form that produced a promising freshman campaign.
Coach Suton is expecting an increased role for 6-7 forward Reggie Hanson.
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