xt73bk16mm97 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt73bk16mm97/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1979 Volume 4 -- Number 15 athletic publications  English Wildcat News Company Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Cats' Pause UKAW University of Kentucky Men's Basketball (1979-1980) coaches Hall, Joe B. players Turpin, Melvin Bearup, Bret Hurt, Charles Gettelfinger, Chris University of Kentucky Invitational Tournament (1979) statistics schedules Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause,  22-Dec-79 text The Cats' Pause,  22-Dec-79 1979 2012 true xt73bk16mm97 section xt73bk16mm97 University Archives
North
 PAGE 2    THE CA"TS '  PAUSE,  DECEMBER 22, 197
Back Through The Wildcat Years
ONE YEAR AGO
*For only the second time in the 26-year history of the University of Kentucky Invitational Tournament, Kentucky lost its opening-round game of the tourney, dropping a 73-69 decision   to   red-hot   Texas A&M.
It was the ninth consecutive win for the Aggies, who dropped their season opener. UK had a chance to tie the score with 16 seconds left, but failed and the Aggies scored. The score was tied nine different times and the lead changed hands 15 times. No team ever led by more than four.
THE CATS' PAUSE
Published by WILDCAT NEWS COMPANY P.O. Box 729? Lexington, Kentucky 40502
Postmaster: please lend form 3579 to P.O. Bo* 7297. Lexington, Ky. 40502 PUBLICATION NO. USPS 707340
OSCAR L. COMBS Editor & Publisher GENE ABELL Associate Editor MIKE KENNY SEC Columnist BRUCE KABALEN Staff Writer ALEN MALOTT Chief Photographer JACK MAIDEN Sports Hobby Columnist JACK HAIRSTON National Columnist LARRY LEWIS
Staff Artist DONNA COMBS Business Manager DEBBIE LANDRUM Circulation
Published Weekly: Sept. 15 - April 19 Monthly: June, July, August
Advertising Representative WILDCAT NEWS COMPANY -2134 Nicholasville Road/Suite 6 Lexington, Kentucky 40503
Subscription Price 
$16.00 per year for minimum of 36 issues in USA,
$18.00 per year in Canada. Payable in advance.
Advertising rates available on request from
Kv'e Macy led UK with 15 points, Chuck Aleksinas had 13, Lavon Williams 13 and Truman Claytor 10. Vernon Smith had 22 points and Dave Britton 20 for the Aggies.
*UK held on to a 94-87 win over Syracuse in the consolation game of the UKIT. The Cats ended their shooting slump by hitting 55 percent from the field. UK led 51-36 at the half.
Chuck Aleksinas led UK with 20 points. Dwight Anderson had 17, La Von Williams 13, Kyle Macy 12 and Jay Shidler 10. Dale Shackleford had 24 for Syracuse, which entered the UKIT undefeated. Seven-foot center Roosevelt Bouie scored only five points.
?Illinois blasted Texas A&M 71-57 to win the championship of the UKIT. Derek Holcomb led Illinois with 17. Illinois' Neil Bresnahan was voted MVP in the tourney. Joining him on the all-tournament team were teammates Eddie Johnson and Derek Holcomb. Vernon Smith and Chuck Aleksinas.
*High school All-Americans Derick Hord, Sam Bowie, Dirk Minniefield and Charles Hurt all played in the Stewart's Basketball Classic at Louisville last week. Freedom Hall was also filled with college recruiters, including the Kentucky staff.
The UK football staff announced the signing of four more high school players to a conference letter-of-intent. UK now has 17. The four signees are Scott Schroeder of Satellite Beach, Fla., Gerald Smyth of Dayton, Ohio, Terry Henry of Knoxville, Tenn.. and Dan Cogar of San Ana  Junior   College   in California.
*Two UK football players-linebacker Jim Kovach and center Mark Keene-have been named to the Academic AU-American first team chosen by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America.
FIVE YEARS AGO
*"I am pleased with this opportunity to serve my alma mater and the state," said ex-UK All American Cliff Hagan as he was named the school's new athletic director, replacing Harry Lancaster, who retired. Hagan had been assistant athletic director.
*The UK wrestling team swept through its last seven matches untouched before losing two in a row. They then defeated defending SEC champ Auburn 33-9.
*In the first week a prepster can sign the conference football letter-of-inte.nt. UK. coach- i-Fr-ag. Curoi. announced the signing of seven players from inside the state of Kentucky.
The signees are Lester Boyd, Terry Keelin, Rob Chaney, Robert Hawkins, Jim Ramey, Leon Shadowen and Kelly Kirchbaum.
Kentucky won the UKIT, defeating Oklahoma State 90-65 in the championship game. Keven Grevey led UK with 27 points and was the tourney's M VP: -FiWrrnsri -Rrck*Robey-had-25  " points and  was  named  to  the all-
tourney team, along with Ronnie Daniels of Oklahoma State. Steve Puidokes of Washington State and Keith Herron of Villanova.
Kentucky defeated previously unbeaten Washington State 97-75 in the opening round, with Grevey totaling 24 and freshman Mike Phillips 18.
10 YEARS AGO
The UK football recruiting season got off to a satisfactory start, as Coach John Ray signed 14 prospects. Top signees include Elmor Stephens, a 6-4, 225-pound linebacker from Louisville: Jeff Woodcock, a 6-1, 185-pound quarterback from Tenn.; and James 'Bubba' McCollum. a 6-2, 230-pound tackle from Louisville.
*UK won the UKIT with a 73-59 win over Navy and a 98-76 win in the finale over a good Duke team. Dan Issel scored 40 points in the Navy game, but guard Bob McCowan was the surprise of the tourney, winning MVP honors by hitting over 60 percent of his shots and scoring 41 points in two games.
'Jerry's AAY team handed the UK Kittens a 108-90 loss, the first setback for the frosh. Seven-foot Tom Payne, a UK frosh who is ineligible this year, paced Jerry's with 27 points. Kitten center Jim Andrews had 34.
25 YEARS AGO
*In a preliminary game,  the UK
Kittens won their first game in four outings by a record 135-30 score over Sue Bennett Junior College. The 135 points surpassed the previous Memorial Coliseum record of 110 against Ole Miss last year. High for the Kittens had been 111 in Alumni Gym. Kentucky outscored Sue Bennett 74-7 in the second half. Vernon Hatton led UK with 24 points.
*UK took over first place in the AP basketball poll with a comfortable margin over runner-up Utah, which upset previously top-ranked LaSalle last week.
Three of the top four ranked teams in the country will be in the UKIT. Kentucky is first, Utah second, and LaSalle fourth. Southern Cal is ranked 13th.
*Adolph Rupp won his 500th game (against 82 losses) and UK advanced to the final of the UKIT with a 70-65 win over second-ranked Utah. UK reduced a seven-point Utah lead to 65-64 with three minutes to go, before breaking Utah's stall tactics. Phil Grawemeyer scored 27 points and Bob Burrow had 15 for UK.
*UK whipped fourth-ranked LaSalle 63-54 to win the UKIT crown for the second consecutive year. A crowd of 11.000 saw Billy Evans play one of his greatest games, as the Wildcat guard scored 20 points. Bob Burrow scored 18. LaSalle AU-American Tom Gola scored 20.
J
The following is a list of players who have transferred to other schools. Name the school they transferred to.
1. David Miller
2. Bobby Slusher
3. Bob Tallent
4. Tim Stephens . 5/Bob Fowler'
6. Randy Noll
7. Dan Hall
8. John Lee Butcher
9. Greg Starrick
10. Bernie Butts
ANSWERS
[U] V^Wi. "01 siouijii os 6
3H!A31!d "8 ,  IieusiEjv .'I
,m:i(,' EAtoj -c puBjjaquin^ '\ uojSuiqsByV\ aSjoaj) -g puciJ3quin3 j
IICqSJEJ^J -T PAGE 3    THE CATS'  PAUSE, DECEMBER 22, 1979
Cats'1 Pause Publisher
WILDCATS
Cats Should Be Ready For UKIT This Weekend
Although the game between Kentucky and Georgia is history now, this column was written some twenty-four hours before the Wildcats and Bulldogs met at The Omni Monday night in Atlanta.
If, for some strange reason, some comments seem a bit out of line, then please consider the previous paragraph.
At this point in time, the Wildcats enter their annual Christmas tournament on a high note, after dropping a narrow 82-76 overtime loss to Duke in the season opener more than a month ago.
Since that time, much has been accomplished by the youthful Wildcats. Joe B. Hall's team captured the Great Alaska Shootout title, escaped with a win over highly-respected Kansas on the road and rallied from a 13-point first half deficit to upset top-ranked Indiana last week.
Icing on the cake, so to speak, is the fact that Kentucky has played perhaps the toughest December schedule and still commands a brilliant 8-1 worksheet.
Some clubs playing weak sisters would be tested to match such a feat. For that reason, Kentucky will surely repeat even more dividends from the early stiff competition when SEC play begins on a full scale in January.
And while the Wildcats have been successful early, UK won't be waltzing through the UKIT this weekend, as some Kentucky teams have in the past.
Practically everyone is talking about a possible match-up of UK and Purdue in the final with All-American Joe Barry Carroll going against Sam Bowie.
Many experts feel Carroll is the best big man in the collegiate game today. In fact, I've yet to find a person who'll challenge the statement. Of course, it's another challenge for Bowie if the two should meet.
There's only one problem with all
such speculation. The two clubs must first slip by first round foes Friday night. Kentucky will meet California in the second game, after Purdue and SMU  open  the   UKIT   at   8 p.m.
Both favorites should advance to the finals, but bigger upsets have been recorded. Last year, Texas A&M shocked the Wildcats in the first round and three years ago Utah upset the Wildcats in the UKIT championship. Still, I like Purdue over SMU and Kentucky over California in the first round.
If the favorites collide Saturday-night, look for a high-scoring affair with Carroll probably getting about 30. That still won't be enough. Kentucky will win by six.
Ole Santa Claus hasn't even put on his traveling shoes, but Joe B. Hall has already been presented with a giant pair of gifts in the announcements of Bret   Bearup   and   Melvin Turpin.
Bearup announced last month and Turpin made his intentions public last Saturday. Somewhat surprising at Turpin's press conference was the fact that only four people were at the press conference when it started.
There were no flood lights glaring in his face as he spoke of his intentions to attend UK and the usual hord of reporters were a mere three; those representing The Cats' Pause and Radio Station WVLK, as the seven-footer began his statement.
LSU coach Dale Brown is a friend of mine, I like to think, but it's becomimg increasingly difficult to defend a man who appears to always come   up  with   the   right excuses.
First, Brown has done a miraculous job in building the LSU program into a top ten caliber basketball team. He's an eternal optimist who sees good in the worst of anything.
However, if a recent interview in The Tiger Rag quoted him correctly, and I suspect this is the case, then I've lost a little respect for the man who has a genuine interest in building good character in today's youth.
In that interview, he was quizzed about the reputation LSU had last season around the SEC, that of being hot-dogs or maybe fans were jealous because  the Tigers  beat everyone.
His answer was:
"I think it was a combination of both. What is a hot-dog? Does Mike Phillips of Kentucky a couple of years ago elbowing our Kenny Higgs and knocking him to the floor and then throwing the ball at his chest, then getting a technical foul while 23.000 people laugh about it. Is that a hot-dog? It wasn't to them, but if Higgs would have done it to Mike Phillips, the "nigger'' would have done it and he would be a hot-dog. Is a hot-dog to say what you think, is a hot-dog to exemplify your personality?"
There was more to this statement, but the rest concerned other situations we did not witness personally and do not feel qualified to  comment on.
But, this time, Brown has opened his mouth one time too many in our opinion.
I saw every LSU game which Kenny Higgs played here in Lexington, and yes, he certainly received some verbal abuse that no one should have received. For that matter, so did Dale Brown.
And if Coach Brown remembers, we voiced our displeasure over the language, even to the point of urging the athletics department to seek out the season ticket holders which occupy those seats behind the visiting team and have the seats assigned to more responsible Kentucky fans. Yes, Dale, that was written about.
The point we want to emphasize is the fact that I've never seen 23,000 fans laugh at Kenny Higgs after being
r
GO BIG BLUE
WESTERN COAL CORPORATION
j. w. cl; FTON President
P. O. Box 940 PA1NTSVILLE, KENTUCKY 41240 Phone 606 789-5215
hit with a ball by Phillips. Sure, a few ugly fans prohably laugh, just like thev do in Baton Rouge or anywhere else. And if memory serves me correctly, I believe Dale Brown used those same words in Lexington this past year, AFTER the Tigers beat Kentucky for the first time in Lexington in history.
But nothing in the article was so sickening as Brown's comment that the term "nigger" would have done it had the situation been in reverse. Whether intended or not, Brown's implication was that the entire 23.000 UK fans would have adopted that term.
Perhaps, Brown is trying to alibi for LSU's second loss to Kentucky in the SEC tourney. He's quick to point out that there were no problems surrounding the team involving DeWayne Scales at the time, and that Durand Macklin was injured and that he was forced to alter his team's style of plav because of the adverse press LSU had been receiving.
And he's probably right. Now that everyone is healthy in Tigerland, and that Scales is in good standings and that everyone is in Sunday School this Sunday, well, everyone else had better just call off the schedule and take a long vacation cause the Tigers have it all wrapped up.
In the meantime, we think Brown owes the 23,000 UK fans (less those undesirables) an apology. If you've been misquoted Dale, we'd be happy to print the corrected version. And we're still your friend.
HITS AND MISSES . . . There were two striking contrasts to the Kentucky-Indiana game last Saturday. During the final 10 minutes of the game, the Hoosiers appeared to be running out of fuel, being much less aggressive than early in the game. The other omen
[Continued On Page 39]
B. W. Mc DONALD' Secretary and Treasurer
 1 PA
GE A    THE CATS'   PAUSE,  DECEMBER 22, 1979
Joe B. Hall And Freddie Cowan Discuss Strategy
JOE B.'s
(606)253-5959
Thursdays 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.
WVLK radk>59 PAGE 5    THE CATS'   PAUSE,  DECEMBER  22, 1979
VIEWPOINT
Letters To The Editor
Mail All  Letters To: VIEWPOINT, The Cats'  Pause, Box 7297,  Lexington,  Ky. ^0502
Ja'feAStar
Dear Sir:
I just interrupted a very pleasing and relaxing past-time, reading The Cats' Pause, to write that I'm in total disagreement with the statement made by Richard Jaffe (page 23, third column, November 24th issue) that "There are no superstars on this team, no Art Stills, no Jerry Blantons or no Mike Siganoses."
No disrespect to the three athletes mentioned above, but if Richard Jaffe is not a superstar, then the Cats have never had one. We have watched this young man for the past four years, he was great when he started out and has improved each year. While watching the Florida game rerun, my wife and I isolated Richard Jaffe for several minutes of play in a row. His power and speed seemed awesome, the way he literally overpowers his adversary. I hope to continue to follow Mr. Jaffe's adventure into the Pro ranks.
This has been one of the best teams ever with their never-say-die spirit.
Right on Big Blue.
Sincerely, Donald B. Scully Lancaster, Kentucky
Suggestions
Dear Sir:
I consider your paper one of the finest publications ever conceived, however I do have to agree with Coach Mirilovich that football gets a bit short-changed. The headline error on the Tennessee score is indicative of the lack of attention given. While Coach Mirilovich may not Impress the press, including Fritz, it is clearly evident he is the best offensive line coach in the business.
I, and I am sure many others join me, thank Coach Curci, his assistant coaches and all of the players for the finest effort a football team ever made. As a loud-mouth fan I enjoyed the 1979 season, even with all its heartaches, more than any recent team. I'm looking forward to another successful recruiting season and many seasons as a   football   power   in   the future
I am also looking forward to Coach Hall molding his team into one of the finest ever put together.
I offer the following for consideration. Kentucky's two top news papers, the Courier Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader, should hire some sports writers who provide posit'l've'Veport's cm Kentucky teams
Furthermore, they should apologize to Chris Jones for highlighting his few mistakes and should publicize his many positive contributions. His touchdown run against Tennessee was a thing of beauty, as was the aborted effort against Miami.
Some interprising soul should develop bindings which could be sold to subscribers for binding and storing The Cats' Pause.
Rules are needed in Lexington and the SEC to keep players at least 15 feet from the sidelines so that paying customers can see the game better. The numerous hangers-on including the press should be required to stay at least 30 feet away from the playing field. The Big Ten has a rule to this effect and it is nice. Furthermore, amplified cheerleader speakers should be outlawed.
Have someone explain the call on the kickoff against Vanderbilt, when the UK player recovered the free ball and was knocked out of bounds. It appeared to me to be another example of the many decisions where if UK does something good, it has to be against the rules.
Kepp up the good effort.
Sincerely, Samuel A. Ruark Dayton, Ohio
Humiliated
Dear Sir:
Please accept the enclosed check for renewing our subscription to The Cats' Pause. Our financial situation (due to payment of our bets to Tennessee fans), makes it necessary to share the cost of this great publication.
We expect to resume the practice of having our very own copies in the future at the expense of Big Orange fans. There is no way to tell you how much your publication means to us; likewise, we cannot describe the humiliation we loyal Kentucky fans have suffered due to the losses to Tennessee in basketball and football.
Sincerely, Charles O. Gray William S. Pitt Chattanooga, Tennessee
Praises Football
Dear Sir:
With the football season having come to an abrupt end, I feel it's time to give'some praise 'to- those-who have
worked so hard in makin this another successful season. As a fan I cannot help thinking what might have been had the breaks come our way, however the efforts of Coach Curci, his staff, and the players should not go unnoticed.
People like Mike Shutt, who toiled for five years only to be shot down by injury in his finest hour, still managed to maintain the spirit and enthusiasm that   our   university   is   all about.
As we engulf on another season of basketball, how can we help but get ecstatic when the likes of "The Super Frosh" come to join our ranks. After listening to Iona coach Jim Volvano give his version of basketball, I decided he has never been to Kentucky or else just doesn't understand what the word basketball means to us. Our record speaks for itself. Oh yes, enclosed is a check for another year of TCP, a truly great publication for all proud Big Blue fans.
Sincerely, Stephen Wheeler Columbia, Kentucky
Best Of Luck
Dear Sir:
Enclosed is a check renewing my subscription to The Cats' Pause. Being up here in the frozen north, little if any news about the Wildcats filters up. I reallv enjoy your publication and look forward to receiving it every week.
It was great that the Cats won the tournament in Alaska. I set my alarm for 2:00 a.m. Monday morning so I could listen to the game. Monday was a long day at work, but a happy one knowing the Cats had won.
I wish the Wildcats the best of luck this season. They have a rough schedule the month of December. Win or lose, I'm a Wildcat backer all the way. Thanks for your paper.
Sincerely, Paul Y. Fresia Minneapolis, Minn.
Best Is Ahead
Dear Sir:
Looks like UK sports are going to be at the top for years to come, thanks to the five coaches who represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky, as well as the outstanding athletes in all sports.
Never miss a game of UK football or basketball.' Believe-the-Cats* will be-in
a bowl next year. Also believe that next March we will see Joe Hall and company in the Final Four.
Hang   in   there   tough Dwight!:
Sincerely, Ronald Kirk Marion, Kentucky
Coach Of Year
Dear Sir:
I stated before the season began that if the Cats could win five games Curci should be voted Coach of the Year. I still feel that way. Considering all of the off-season problems, injuries etc., I believe that Coach Curci, the assistant coaches and the players have done an outstanding job.
Best wishes to Coach Hall and the basketball Wildcats for the coming season. Even in the loss to Duke, the performance of all the Cats speaks well for the future.
Being this far removed from My Old Kentuckv Home (Frankfort). I look forward each week to the arrival of my TCP. Fortunately, most night games can be picked up down here on the Gulf Coast on WHAS and Cawood Ledford continues to do an outstanding job.
Congratulations and best wishes to all. Keep up the good work. Go Cats'
Sincerely, Don Blakeman Pascagoula, Mississippi
Beat Oklahoma
Dear Sir:
Please find enclosed my renewal for another year of The Cats' Pause. I want to make sure I don't miss any of your coverage of the exciting freshman roundball class in the weeks ahead.
I know it has not been an easy year for Fran Curci and the footballers, but I'm sure looking forward to Curci bringing in his charges next fall to Norman, Oklahoma to face mighty Oklahoma. The Sooners always seem to have trouble in their opening game. Here's hoping that Terry Henry and the other Wildcats that are receiving such great experience this season really claw the Big Red next September.
Sincerely, Ron Hays I Piedmont. P.kjaljqma,
1 PAGE 6    THE CATS'  PAUSE, DECEMBER 22, 1979
Charles Hurt's Character Matches His Muscular Physique
By GENE ABELL Associate Editor
In a sense, Charles Hurt isn't really what he seems to be.
For sure, this 6-6, 215-pound strongman whose last name should be Atlas is the biggest threat to backboards this side of Daryl Dawkins. And there is no doubt that when it comes to basketball, the power game is where Charles deals the most 'Hurt' to opponents.
On the other hand, all this might tend to be misleading. One might picture Hurt as a rough, tough and gruembling youngster, who pushed his weight around to become a superb basketball talent.
Forget it I
Charles Hurt isn't a big talker. When he speaks, he does so softly. Always a neat and well-dressed young man, Hurt speaks and acts with the politeness that John and Alma Hurt taught him while a youngster in Shelbyville, Ky.
In short, he is the kind of young man that makes Kentuckians proud. He is a home-state product who conducts himself well off and on the basketball court.
Even growing up just 60 miles from Lexington, Hurt didn't realize the ambassador's role a UK player has until he donned a Wildcat uniform for the first time.
"I didn't really understand or find out until we went on the scrimmages," said the freshman forward. "Everywhere we went, people were there wanting autographs. Then I began to realize that Charles Hurt is important to the Kentucky people. It made me aware of how I conduct myself all the time."
For Hurt, the manner in which he conducts himself has never been a problem.
"I don't have a problem conducting my lifestyle. I think I conduct myself well everywhere I go. At least I try
to."
Hurt knows that he was not born with manners and politeness, but developed them through a strong family base.
"I give God the credit along with my parents, my grandmother, and my two older sisters. By me being the youngest in the family, all the relatives and everyone kind of pampered me. Yet they disciplined me."
Don't get the idea Hurt likes to talk about his behavior. One has to almost "interrogate Hurt to get him to talk about himself.
It isn't so hard to get him to talk about the people that mean so much to him.
'' My parents have meant a whole lot to me. They've been to every home game this year. That's about the only time I've seen them for about a month. It really helps me a lot to see them at the games. We are close and I can't wait to get home for Christmas." Home was also where Hurt learned
his best characteristics as a player-to work hard. Not the rah-rah type, Hurt goes out everyday and works diligently but silently, never complaining.
"It's just in me to do that," said Hurt as his team prepared for Indiana. "I feel that nothing comes to you easy and you have to work for it. That's how I've been brought up."
Charles Hurt likes a challenge. Last year when UK was recruiting the Derrick Hords, Sam Bowies and Ralph Sampsons of the world, Hurt heard the talk that maybe he should shy away from a team with so much talent.
"It didn't scare me. It was more of a challenge.  I  said,   'Heck,   if these
players are such great players then I want to be something great. I want to come here and work for a national championship.'"
Recruiters told Hurt that he might not get the playing time at UK he would at their schools. He listened, but   it   didn't   change   his mind.
"With so many players, you have to look at it like that. But you have to discipline yourself. If you are not going to get that much playing time, you have to contribute while you play. That's  what  I  put  in  my mind."
Another challenge was presented Hurt when last year's high school all-star circuit began. He entered the
Charles Hurt Against Indiana
contests highly ranked, but not as high as many of the other great prepsters.
He passed his test well, delighting Kentucky fans. In the two Derby Classic games, Hurt scored 41 points and hauled down 30 rebounds and was named M.V.P. for the Kentucky team in one game. In the Kentucky-Indiana all-star series, Hurt collected 29 points and 25 rebounds.
When it was all said and done, Hurt ranked among the best.
"I didn't think I had anything to prove to anybody," said Hurt of the all-star games. "I don't think people really knew how good I was. I wasn't really confident of how good I was. I went out and played hard. More people got to see the real Charles Hurt."
Hurt had blue-chipper written on him when he started his career under Tom Creamer at Shelby County High School, annually one of the top powers in the state.
As a sophomore, he averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds. As a junior he scored 18 points a game and grabbed 10 rebounds while leading his team to the state title, by hitting a 15-foot jump shot at the last second to send the championship   game   into overtime.
Most of Hurt's teammates graduated that year and he carried most of the load his senior season. He was also moved to forward. Hurt responded with 23 points a game, 17 rebounds and hit 61 percent from the field.
All that time, Hurt was a basketball fan, but not necessarily a Big Blue fanatic.
"I didn't really grow up a Kentucky fan. I grew up as a fan period. If Kentucky was in the finals, I would root for them, but I was mainly just a basketball fan."
In his senior year, the recruiters started swarming. Some claimed Hurt was headed to Louisville, but he never seriously considered the Cardinals. Michigan's Johnny Orr would have done well to have rented an apartment in Shelbyville. He spent that much time there.
It was also Hurt's senior year when he began to think about his future, not only in Basketball.
"I started thinking about what I would like to do when I got out of school and where I would like to live. I decided I would like to stay in Kentucky and play basketball with the university."
If he had not attended UK, Hurt said "I don't know what I would have done. It's hard to say. It could have been Michigan."
There was another reason he chose UK. Hurt had learned to win at Shelby County   and   enjoyed   the feeling.
"That had a whole lot to do with it. Once you've been associated with a winning  program,   you've   got that
[Continued On Page 32] PAGF 7    THE CATS'  PAUSE,  DECEMBER 22, 1973
Km
J
Dirk Minniefield On The Drive
-^
THE
NATIONAL BANK OF CYNTHIANA
P.O. Box 400  Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031
Your Neighbors in Banking
TELEPHONE 234-2530
Burford-Shoop Chevrolet
Phone 623-3350
Richmond,
Ky.
Go
Cats!
 PAGE 8    THE CATS'  PAUSE, DECEMBER 22, 1979
Cats Will Face Another Indiana Team
Kentucky 69, Indiana 58.
As is always the case when these two defensive-minded teams go at one another, it wasn't a thing of beauty. In a game of finesse and touch, it was a war, played with intensity like probably no two college teams play with.
"It was physical," said Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall. "It was a very good game."
"It was a physical game," echoed Hoosier coach Bobby Knight. "Kentucky plays good, physical defense."
There is no garbage when these two teams meet. When two points are scored, they are earned. Nothing comes easy.
It's not a matter of which team looks the best, but which one makes the other look the worst. The gameplan is to disrupt the other team's offense. Whoever causes the most disruption wins.
Both teams played eye-to-eye for 40 minutes. It is not a place for a timid player. The team that lasts the longest usually wins.
Kentucky's defense caused the most disruption and the Wildcats lasted the longest. Therefore they won.
Neither team could establish a consistent offensive attack, but Kentucky's defense proved to be the deciding factor in this one.
It was so good that combining two different stretches in the second half, Indiana went 12 minutes and eight seconds   without   a    single point.
The NCAA record Rupp Arena crowd of 23,798 certainly played a factor. They were louder than ever and picked the Cats up when they did anything right.
It should also be pointed out that Indiana played the game without injured starter Steve Bouchie, and the second half without injured Randy Whittman. Plus catalyst Isiah Thomas played only 26 minutes because of foul trouble.
Anyway you look at it, Kentucky was the best team on this particular Saturday night. The Wildcats and their poised freshmen have now proven they are a national contender.
Both teams are to. be reckoned with in the future. They could meet again probably in the Mideast Regionals.
The Wildcats could not afford to celebrate long Saturday and it almost seemed as though everyone had forgotten Monday night's game with Georgia, which actually was more important   than   the   Indiana game
For now, Kentucky had taken a TO
lead in the Indiana-Kentucky three-game series. This Saturday the Wildcats could meet Purdue in the finals of the UKIT. One week later Notre   Dame   visits   Freedom Hall.
On three consecutive Saturday nights, Kentucky could meet teams from the Hoosier state who are ranked among the nation's best. Supremacy should be established by 1980.
Another strong field will participate in this year's UKIT this weekend.
The Wildcats lost to Texas A&M in last year's first round, only the second time in the tourney's history UK didn't play in the title game.
It was an embarrassment the Wildcats will be out to amend, when they meet California in the opening round Friday.
Purdue and Southern Methodist will play in the other first round contest. The Boilermakers are in the top 10, while SMU owns a victory over Kansas.
Kentucky and Purdue are favored to meet in the final, which could present several interesting matchups.
The Boilermakers feature 7-1 center Joe Barry Carroll, who has established himself as the nation's best pivotman and is second in the nation in scoring It could present quite a test for young Sam Bowie.
If the two teams meet, it will also be the first time UK All-American Kyle Macy has played against the school from which he transferred after his freshman season. The coaches and players have changed since Macy left but it's still Purdue.
It will be quite a tourney. I'll go with favorites and say UK by six over Purdue in the championship game.
More good news for the Wildcats came on Saturday morning.
Seven-foot Melvin Turpin announced that he will attend UK next year, after completing spring semester at Fork Union Military Academy in