xt754746qj3s https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt754746qj3s/data/mets.xml Wildcat News Company 1985 Volume 10 -- Number 11 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 (1985-1986) coaches Sutton, Eddie players Walker, Kenny (Sky) Hanson, Reggie Nash, Charles (Cotton) Chapman, Rex recruiting NCAA violations UK vs. Czechoslovakia (November 14, 1985) Claiborne, Jerry University of Kentucky Football (1985) statistics schedules Cats' Pause Combs, Oscar The Cats' Pause,  "November 23, 1985" text The Cats' Pause,  "November 23, 1985" 1985 2012 true xt754746qj3s section xt754746qj3s Cotton Nash
Days Remembered
Cats' Winning Season Hinges On Upset Of Bowl-Bound Tennessee
Florida Wins
Again On Field Goal
University Archive* Market i. KinS Library -  CENT$  COPY University of Kenvwcky Lexington* Kentucky 40506
25590
The Cats' Pause
"SPOTLIGHTING UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY AND SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE''
VOLUME 10 - NUMBER 11
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1985
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Chapman Chooses Big Blue
Hoop Cats Open Against Northwestern State &7i& (aats/' (&itMe
Mvsri/>er 23, /p&S
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Cats Hope To Derail Sugar Bowl Express
Kentucky's Last Chance For Winning Season Hinges On Upset Of Tennessee
A winning season will be on the line for Jerry Claiborne's Wildcats, while Johnny Major's
WILDCAT GRID NOTES
Freshman tailback Ivy Joe Hunter, a native of Gainesville, FL has been named offensive back of the week by the University of Kentucky coaching staff for his play in the Wildcats 15-13 loss to Florida. Hunter caught four passes for 51 yards, rushed seven times for 20 yards and scored on runs of four and six yards. The 6-0, 207-pounder was celebrating his 19th birthday in front of a home crowd that included his mother, who saw him play for the first time in his collegiate career.
Senior center Ken Pietrowiak, of Grafton, WI, is the recipient of the offensive line award. The senior offensive captain, who has played with injuries for much of the season, turned in one of his more consistent performances of the season, before having to leave the game because of an injury.
Senior end Brian Williams of Middlesboro and sophomore tackle John Shannon of Devon, share this week's defensive lineman ot the week award. Williams had seven solo tackles and five assists, while Shannon was in on six solos and one assist.
Junior linebacker Larry Smith of Springfield is the defensive back of the week. Smith had six solos and nine assists to lead the team.
The UK coaching staff did not give a kicking game award following the Florida game.
* * * *
Not surprisingly, another University of Kentucky passing record has been broken by junior quarterback Bill Ransdell. This time however, the broken record was one of his own. By completing 12 of 20 passes with no interceptions against Florida, Ransdell has set a new standard for most passes without an interception with 85, breaking his old mark of 74 set during the 1983 and '84 seasons.
The 1985 University of Kentucky football team is now the most prolific passing team in the school's history. Already the record holder for passing yardage, the 1985 squad currently has completed 176 passes, breaking the old mark of 168 set by the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl championship team; and has attempted 329 passes, breaking the old mark of 326 set by coach John Ray's 1969 squad.
The winner of the Kentucky-Tennessee contest receives the "beer barrel", a rotating trophy that has been in existence since 1925 when the Wildcats defeated the Vols 23-20 in a Thanksgiving Day showdown on old Stoll Field. In those days of prohibition the barrel made its appearance incognito with the words "ice water" painted on it.
Saturday's Kentucky-Tennessee clash will be the Wildcats fourth television appearance of the season, marking the third consecutive year the Wildcats have appeared on television for four regular season game.
Volunteers will be playing for a trip to the Sugar Bowl when old rivals Kentucky and Tennessee do battle at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium. The game will be televised nationally by the Turner Television network.
Kentucky, which saw its record drop to 5-5 after a 15-13 loss at Florida, played inspired football coming off a loss to Vanderbilt and led the Gators for most of the final period by a 13-12 margin at Gainesville. The Gators drove 85 yards for the win, however, kicking a 19-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining.
UK freshman tailback Ivy Joe Hunter, a native of Gainesville, celebrated his 19th birthday by rushing for 20 yards on seven carries, catching four passes for 51 yards, and scoring both touchdowns for the Wildcats. Hunter has scored four TDs rushing this season, second on the squad to Mark Higgs, who has five.
Tennessee, which is enjoying its best season under coach Johnny Majors, cruised past Ole Miss 34-14 Saturday in Knoxville in pushing its
record to 6-1-2. In that game senior quarterback Daryl Dickey completed 11 of 17 passes for 203 yards and one touchdown.
Since replacing Tony Robinson, who was injured during the Vols' win against Alabama, Dickey has completed 52 of 82 passes for 680 yards with four touchdown passes and one interception. Two of Dickey's favorite targets are wide receivers Tim McGee (38 catches for 760 yards, 4 TDs) and Joey Clinkscales (19 for 361, 3 TDs).
With a 3-1 record in Southeastern Conference play, the Volunteers would win the conference championship for the first time since 1970 and travel to the Sugar Bowl with wins over the Wildcats in Lexington and Vanderbilt the following Saturday in Knoxville.
Majors is in his ninth year at Tennessee, where he has guided the Vols to a 57-40-5 ledger, including six bowl appearances since leading Pittsburgh to the national championship in 1976.
Kentucky Statistics
toglm*"* Hlgge
Hunter Gardner Burbage Ransdell
Derry
taker
Vheery
Jones
Allen
Dooley
TOTALS
PASSING Ransdell Dooley Allen Teaar J one a
C ATT YDS
10 165 643
10 127 339
6   26 112
6 21 10 3
YPK YPC 3.9 64.3
8 38
9 4
47 15 11 
4 3
0 -6 -17
4.2 4.0
2.2 5.0
0.3
2.3 1.3 3.0 0.0
-3.0 -1.1
53.9 18.7 7.8 1.5 1.3 1.0 4.0 0.3 0.0 -2.0 -2.4
TP LR
3 24 ET 39 MS
26 rr
10 BG
11 FT. 9 BG
10 411 1360    3.3 136.0 12 39 MS
G ATT CMP INT 8 212 122 7 106 51 3 6 2 10 1 I 10 4
6 57.5 4 48.1 0 33.3 0 100.0 0 00.0
PCT TO   YDS LP
5 1670 82 BG 2 537 43 MS 0 13 9 U 0 10 10 CA 0_0   0 LS
TOTALS	10	329	176	10	53.6		7 2230 82		
RECEIVING	s	CGT	CPG	YDS	YPC		TD	LP	
Logan	10	28	2.8	293	10	5	2	43	MS
Burbage	10	25	2.5	418	16	7	0	38	MS
Derry	9	23	2.6	234	10	2	2	35	TU
Pitta	10	22	2.2	316	14.4		1	49	CI
Higgs	10	17	1.7	177	10.4		0	34	CI
Wheeler	10	16	1.6	213	13	.3	I	30	CA
Vheary	10	11	1.1	140	12	.7	0	36	CI
Bryant	10	8	0.8	156	19	.5	0	82	BC
J one a	10	8	0.8	84	10	.5	0	20	BG
Hunter	6	5	0.8	64	12	.8	0	25	PI.
Curry	10	3	0.3	43	14	.3	0	18	VA
PennlngtonlO		3	0.3	27	9	.0	0	18	BG
Led ford	10	2	0.2	21	10	.5	0	13	VA
Sellers	10	2	0.2	18	9	.0	0	9	FL
Grovee	10	1	0.1	12	12	.0	0	12	FL
Sexton	10	1	0.1	10	10	.0	0	10	CA
Lucas	6	1	0.2	4	4	.0	1	4	VA
TOTALS	10	176	17.6	2230 12		.7	7	82	BG
PUNTING	NO		YDS	AVC		LP			
Tesar	63		Z626	41	7	67 CA			
FIELD GOALS		ATT MADE			LK				
Worley		27		19	46	ET			
PUNT RETURNS		NO	YDS	AVG	TD	LR			
Will lama		19	217	11.4	1	57	CL		
Burbage		16	90	5.6	0	47	ru		
TOTALS		35	307	8.8	1	57	CL		
KO RETURNS
Logan
Burbage
Pitta
Vheary
Jonea
TOTALS
NO YDS    AVG TD LR
13 185 14.2
4 81 20.3
1 17 17.0
I 12 12.0
1 9 9.0
0 26 MS 0 27 TU 0 17 LS 0 12 VA
0_9 GA
20 304 15.2   0 27 TU
INTERCEPTION RETURNS
Halraton
Douglass
Mayea
D. Johnaon
Caldwell
Cover
Kremer
Wllllaaa
TOTALS
NO 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 I
YDS    AVC TD LR
26 6.5 57 19.0 16 5.3 0 0.0 -8 -4.0 21.0 11.0 5.0
5
20 CA 43 FL 16 ET
0 LS 0 CI
21 CI 11 ET
5 VA
um ,	. ......k&	
FIRST .DOWNS	181	
, Rushing	66	
Passing	100	
Penalty	15	6
Rushing Att/Yds	411-1577	410-1797
Rushing Yards Lost	217	293
Net Rushing	1360	1504
Yards Per Rush	3.3	3.7
TDs Rushing	12	11
Paaaes/Comp/Int 329-176-10		329-156-17
Passing Yarda	2230	1894
Yards Par Paaa	6.8	5.8
TDs Passing	7	9
Field Goals/Att	19-27	9-19
Int/Yda Ret/TD	17-128-0	10-126-0
Total Plays	730	729
Total Yardage	3590	3398
Yarda Per Play	4.9	4.7
Yards Per Game	359.0	339.8
Punta/Blocked	63-0	61-0
Punting Yds/Avg	2626-41.7	2668-43.7
Punt Ret/Yds/TD	35-307-1	20-70
Klckoff Ret/Yds	20-304	31-569
Penalties/Yds	54-513	67-575
Fumbles/Lost	22-12	23-15
3rd Dovn Conversions 53-162		67-163
4th Down Conversions 4-9		4-9
Time of Possession	299:15	300:45
	SCORING	
					P	A	T	
	TD	S	FG		K	P	R	TP
Worley	0	0	19x27		I5x"l5	0	0	72
Higgs	5	0	. 0		0	0	0	30
Logan	5	0	0		0	0	0	30
Hunter	4	0	0		0	0	0	24
"Derry	2	0	0		0	0	0	12
Lucas	1	0	0		0	0	0	6
Pitts	1	0	0		0	0	0	6
Wheeler	1	0	0		0	0	c	6
Williams	1	0	0		0	0	0	6
Burbage	0	0	0		0	lxl	0	2
Dooley	0	0	0		0	0x2	0	0
Ransdel1	0	0	0		0	0x2	0	0
KENTUCKY	20	0	19x27		15x15	1x5	0	194
OPPONENTS	20	1	9x19		15x16	1x2	0	169
			SCORE	BY QUARTERS				
KENTUCKY		34	46	44	70	-	194	
OPPONENTS		34	32	67	36		169	
1985 RESULTS (5-5 OVERALL
9/14 9/21 9/28 10/ 5 10/12 10/19 10/26 11/ 2 11/ 1 U/16 U/23
Bowling Green Tulane Cincinnati Clemson
Mississippi State
at< LSU
at Georgia
East Tenneasee St.
dt Voudcvbllt
at Florida
Tenneasee
1-4 SEC) UK 0PP ATTEND 26 30 57,620 11 56.812 7 57,192 7 58,230 19 58,345 10 78,562 26 81,498 13 53.429 31 41,076 15 73,672
16 27 26 33 0 6
23
24 13
17   128   7.5   0 43 FL &qy& 3
Chapman Brings New Life To UK
He slowly rocked back and forth in his big blue chair, browsing through a copy of the new TCP Kentucky Basketball Yearbook, chatting with a reporter about the current state of affairs when he was informed a young fellow by the name of Rex Chapman would hold an 11 a.m. press conference on Saturday to announce his college basketball future.
"I haven't heard anything," remarked Eddie Sutton, the new UK basketball coach, as he shifted from one position to another in his office Friday morning, "all I know is that I'm going to be terribly dissappointed if he doesn't come to Kentucky. In all my years of coaching, I've never recruited a kid so hard."
Having learned of the press conference from a reporter rather than the Chapman family, was Sutton concerned a rival school might be the winner?
"No, not at all," replied Sutton. "This is a quality family. Rex is a quality kid and Wayne is a great coach and person. I'm sure they'll call all the schools before the press conference.
They'll handle the "situation in the right way. 1 just hope he decides on Kentucky."
Less than 24 hours Eddie Sutton reeled in the biggest catch of his brief eight-months tenure at the University of Kentucky.
It's been a long time since Kentucky has enjoyed such a positive day, but November 16 will be long remembered as the day University of Kentucky basketball began its return to the top of the collegiate world.
Rex Chapman, the state's top prep player and one of the nation's top five prepsters. is the reason for all the sudden optimism around the Lexington campus. Saturday, he announced his decision to sign with Eddie Sutton and his Wildcats as some 200 fans, reporters and school officials looked on.
The battle over Chapman was the most intense in-state basketball recruiting battle in perhaps the past twenty years. You may have to go back to the days of Western's Jim McDaniels to find a recruiting battle so hotly contested.
For more than a year now. Chapman has been the most coveted high school player in the state. Not only by Kentucky colleges, but by the major basketball schools around the country.
When the final ballot was marked, only six schools remained. They were Kentucky, Western, Louisville, Kentucky Wesleyan, North Carolina and Georgia Tech, not necessarily in any particular order. The final one. of course, was Kentucky.
As we've said before, Chapman was and is the most important recruiting chapter for UK in the past decade. Sutton and UK's ability to successfully withstand the recruiting onslaught of not only UL and Western, but outside schools as well is the kind of statement the new regime needed during this transistional period.
Mind you, this is not the typical "changing of the guard." It's one thing for UK to be hiring only its third coach in 55 years, but the highly controversial ring of uncertainity surrounding the UK program after the allegations of pay-offs to players from fans was expected to have a strong impact on recruiting this season.
Although UK has landed two of its prime targetsChapman and Pulaski County's Reggie Hansonseveral others remained unsigned and could be leaning in other directions. That's the second reason why Chapman is so impor-
tant to UK. His confidence in Sutton and the Kentucky program will go a long way toward luring other recruits to the UK program.
The first reason is because Chapman is the finest prep guard in the country. Recruiting superscout Rick Bolus calls him the finest guard this state has ever produced. That's a heavy statement folks, but UK fans, no doubt love such an evaluation. Add an "amen" from Sutton.
Now, Sutton and his staff must concentrate on other recruits to go with Chapman and Hanson.
At the top of the list are such standouts as Michigan's Terry Mills, Oklahoma's Kevin Prit-chard. South Carolina's James Munlyn and Ricky Jones, Georgia's Derrick Miller. There are others, but those were the most likely to sign this week.
Many believed UK would automatically sign Mills and Pritchard. Mills has been high on Kentucky's list for the past three years, but Michigan came on strong this past spring and summer. Rumors were rampant in recent weeks that he would sign with Michigan on the first day of the signing period last week. He had not signed as of Sunday. Some reports said he would probably sign before the November period was over this week.
Mills has been ranked very high nationally ever since the beginning of his sophomore year at Romulus, Michigan. And he's been recruited by UK almost the entire period of time since then.
He was the consensus junior "Player of the Year" last seasom but has been sharing top billing with J. R. Reid of Virginia Beach. Virginia, this season. Michigan's Bill Frieder has really-been in action, trying to keep the 6-10 superstar home.
Kentucky, on the other hand, is hoping to avert the situation which cost UK a recruit to Michigan two years ago when Gary Grant opted for the Wolverines. Because Mills did not sign on the first day last week, some experts believe that it might be a good indication that UK is still in the picture.
Others have been speculating over the past several days that Chapman's decision could affect Mills. That is, if Chapman chose Kentucky, then Mills, too, might sign with UK. Reportedly, Mills has been bombarded with people saying that UK is going on probation. If Chapman ignored such rumors and signed with UK, then Mills could see that the building of a powerful team is well underway in Lexington. Some even speculated that Mills' only reason for not signing on the first day is that he wanted to see if what Chapman's decision would be.
Kevin Pritchard, a guard out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and considered one of the nation's top twenty guards by Street & Smith Yearbook, was expected to sign early with UK, but indications are that he now may not.
No one is talking, but the Kentucky staff is now faced with the task of selling Pritchard on the virtues of playing with Chapman, the nation's top guard. The same task will be faced when the Kentucky staff tries to sign a second and third guard this season. Such is the situation with Savannah, Georgia's Derrick Miller. Both are quality guards and UK desperately needs one or both. While Chapman was the No. 1 target, without question, today's game calls for at least three playing guards and four if you're smart.
Miller, however, supposedly is leaning toward John Thompson and Georgetown at the present time. Some claim he may wait til April to sign.
After this season, Kentucky will have the services of James Blackmon and Paul Andrews for one season and Ed Davender for two years. So if UK is to maintain adequate depth, the Cats need to sign at least two more guards.
Besides Mills, Kentucky is still hot after Ricky Jones, the 6-6 forward from Pendleton, South Carolina, rated as the nation's No. 11 player by superscout Bob Gibbons. He, reportedly, is leaning in the direction of Clem-son although Kentucky. North Carolina State. Miami of Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina have made a pitch. Clemson, according to one source, will win Jones before the week is over.
For a center, Kentucky's future appears to be pointing in the direction of 6-11 James Munlyn of Aiken. South Carolina. He's ranked No. 72 in the nation by Gibbons. Munlyn visited North Carolina over the weekend, but some believe UK's hopes are slim at best with Georgia Tech holding the inside position over UNC. South Carolina and Kentucky.
While Kentucky won its biggest race of the year, it did lose out to Louisville for the signature of 7-1 Felton Spencer of Louisville Eastern. He inked early last week with Denny C rum's Cardinals. His decision to attend UL had been speculated almost unanimously for the past year although Sutton was quoted more than once, saying he would not throw in the towel until Spencer made his announcement. Spencer is ranked No. 27, nationally.
The other major signing in Kentucky last week was Ft. Thomas Highlands' Scott Draud who made good on his promise to attend Vanderbilt University next year.
If Saturday was a day of jubilation for the Kentucky basketball program, it was one of almost redemption for Jerry Claiborne's gridders.
For fifty-nine minutes and thirty-nine seconds, Kentucky was a 13-12 winner over No. 11 ranked Florida, but just as Georgia has masterminded the Gators over the years, Florida has enjoyed the same jinx over the Cats.
With just twenty-one ticks left on the clock. Florida kicked yet another field goal and sent the gutty Wildcats home with a heart-breaking 15-13 loss, eliminating UK's chances for a third straight post season bowl.
A year ago, UK lost a chance to tie the highly-favored Gators when a late fourth quarter touchdown was called back on a penalty. Back in 1978 and again in 1980, UK lost two-point decisions on late field goals. Saturday was a repeat.
There was a difference, however. This time, Kentucky was a 17-point underdog and the Gators were coming off a disappointing 24-3 loss at the hands of Georgia. That loss knocked the then top-ranked Gators from a possible national championship. The experts said Florida would more than double the point-spread.
But give this Kentucky team credit. After the 31-24 upset loss to Vanderbilt a week earlier, the Wildcats were given up for dead. A team loaded with potential in August would do no
more than go through the motions in the season's final two games against Florida and Tennessee, some predicted. Wrong!
Now, it's down to the season finale. Arch-rival Tennessee comes to town with perhaps the most important game in this series, as far as Tennessee is concerned.
For if the Volunteers of Johnny Majors can defeat Kentucky, the Vols will most likely be champions of the Southeastern Conference and earn a trip to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
Kentucky has plenty of inspiration going, too. The Wildcats can post their third straight winning season with a victory over the Vols. That's something a UK team hasn't done since the mid-fifties, almost thirty years ago. And the feat would be accomplished by whipping a great Tennessee team.
But the greater satisfaction would probably come from denying the Vols a SEC title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl, knowing the relationship between the two border state schools.
Tennessee will be without its all-star quarterback Tony Robinson but back-up Daryl Dickey (son of UT athletics director Doug Dickey) proved he's more than capable of leading the Vols to glory-land in directing the Vols to a decisive 34-14 win over Ole Miss Saturday.
Kentucky, too, could be without its star quarterback as junior Bill Ransdell went out of the game with a knee sprain in the fourth period against Florida. His availability probably won't be known until later in the week.
But forget all the injuries. Forget the records. Forget the bowl pictures. This is Kentucky vs. Tennessee, and don't bet the milk money on the outcome if you don't want the baby to go without supper.
It's been a season of peaks and valleys for the Big Blue, but Jerry Claiborne and his Cats will achieve a little piece of their preseason goals with a 17-14 win.
HITS AND MISSES ... The annual SEC Basketball Media Days held in Lexington last week produced enough copy for the 130 or so reporters that they'll not have to interview anyone for the next couple months. It was like a two-day long soap opera with LSU coach Dale Brown preaching his gospel to anyone who would listen. But the best line of the mini-convention came from Tennessee's Don DeVoe who said he felt pretty good about his profession until he listened to Dale Brown's speech ... An estimated 1,000 or so Big Blue fans will be making the trip next week to Hawaii as Eddie Sutton's Cats play Chaminade and Hawaii next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chaminade game will be televised back to Kentucky via WTVQ-TV, Channel 36 in Lexington and WHAS-TV, Channel 11 in Louisville. Tip-off for the contest will be 9 p. m. Eastern Time. WTVQ-TV sports director Kenny Rice will do the play-by-play. The UK-Hawaii contest will not be televised. It will be played at 12:30 a.m. Both games can be heard live over the UK Radio Network . . . Has the great shoe controversy traveled across the state borders? The sparkling new edition of the annual Southeastern
[Continued On Page 26] &h& 6ati' (Scu^e
Wildcat Coaches Impress Chapman Family
Rex Ends Suspense; Picks Big Blue
By Nick Nicholas
BASKETBALL HOTBED, KY - The
speculation is over and the answer is clear. . .Rex Chapman has decided to don the blue and white of the University Of Kentucky.
In a press conference last Saturday morning at the Owensboro Executive-Inn Rivermont before close to 200 viewers on hand, Chapman narrowed his choice to one fortunate institution. But before announcing his intentions, the 6-foot-4'A,All-State guard from Apollo High School had these words to say:
"Some people thought it was down to two or three schools. But I can say that all six schools were greatly considered up until yesterday when I made my decision. However, one school seemed to have everything that I was looking for  the whole packagae. That's why I decided to further my academics and athletics at the University of Kentucky"
When the words "University of Kentucky" echoed from Chapman's mouth, the crowd in. . .get this, the Kentucky room, let out a cheer that was probably heard throughout Lexington.
As well as the local media, represenatives from Lexington, Louisville, Evansville and Bowling Green were in attendance to cover the event. Most of the crowd packed into the room were family, friends and fans of the popular Apollo phenom.
Thus, Rex Everett Chapman becomes the first Owensboro area player signed by UK since his father, former Daviess County All-State performer Wayne Chapman, took his talents to Lexington in 1963.
For Chapman, who averaged 27.5 points per game last season and is considered the top candidate for Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, the announcement ends a long, difficult process which heated up last March. A politeful person and a cool competitor, the youngster had previously narrowed his selection to six. And up until Friday Louisville, Kentucky Wesleyan, Western Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia Tech, along with Kentucky, were still in the running.
And if Chapman rated the finish of this wild race for his commitment it would have been closer than most people predicted.
Said Chapman, "They were all really close; like one or two points separated them."
For all six schools. Rex?
"Yes."
Much to the delight of Wildcat fans, however, Eddie Sutton and Co. won the services of whom many consider one of Kentucky's great all-time prepsters.
"I feel that Coach Sutton and his staff are really great people," said Chapman. "Just in the short time that I've known them I've really grown to like them a lot. The team members on Kentucky's team are really great people. .I'm just happy that I can make this decision
"I don't know of any three people  Coach Sutton, Coach (Leonard) Hamilton and Coach (James) Dickey  that are so loyal. Through all of this (recruiting process) they kept their word and haven't bothered me as much as some It's great to know that you're going to a school that has the great tradition and people who care about you.
"1 believe any kind of problems that I have, I can go to any of the three coaches; and no mat ter what it is they'll help me out with it."
Chapman's family and high school coach also had enormous praise for the new Wildcat boss.
"I was very impressed," said Apollo coach John Whitmer about Sutton. "He seemed to be a gentleman. He was concerned about Rex, his program and his family. He seemed to be a down-to-earth type person.
"I didn't notice him telling me anything that I felt was untrue. He made some commitments and kept them."
"He's a tremendous individual," said Wayne Chapman. "He's forthright, honest, and down
to-earth. I look forward to my son playing under him."
When asked about Sutton's reaction to the announcement. Rex stated, "He was excited."
Playing either the 'one' or 'two' guard for Kentucky is not of high priority for the prep senior. Devoting hard work for his freshman campaign was more on his mind.
"Hopefully I can go in next fall and really work hard to where I can sec some playing time my freshman year." indicated Chapman.
people has a lot to do with it. As a guard that's what you're kind of looking for."
UK's second commitment of the season can do it all  score, handle the ball, exceptional jumping ability, good defensive skills and more. You name it he can do it.
"I'm not showing any favoritism but I think he's about the best high school player I've ever seen," said Apollo backcourt mate Greg Baughn, who recently signed with Kentucky Wesleyan.
Rex Chapman
Asked if he liked UK's three-guard offense against the Czechoslovakia team, Chapman replied, "That was appealing."
Sutton's work with past Arkansas guards was also an intluencial factor in his decision. UK's first-year coach is known for teaching guards to play the tough man-to-man "D'.
"He's got four or five guards in the NBA." Chapman noted. "The way he's worked with them and developed them defensively and as
Baughn should recognize talent when he sees it. Last season his Eagle team faced Louisville Seneca, which featured all-staters Tony Kimbro and Keith Williams, both of whom are freshmen on the UofL basketball team. Baughn was also a member of the state's junior all-star team that toured Europe.
"He does everything; he handles the ball, he shoots the ball and rebounds," Baughn said. "All-American is the word for him."
The Apollo head mentor feels Chapman will fit into Sutton's plans nicely.
The fact that Coach Sutton started three guards the other night gives you an idea that he ikes to run," Whitmer said. "And Rex likes to run because it helps his offense and helps his defense. He's got quick hands but he's also got quick feet. "He can cover a lot of the floor." Rumors had circulated throughout the state that Apollo's boywonder might takes his talents elsewhere because of the recent Lexington Herald-Leader allegations toward UK's program. Chapman, though, believes that the NCAA, due to when the alleged wrongdoings took place, will not issue a probation sentence to his future ball club.
"I don't really know a whole lot about what's really going on," Chapman said. "I just know that it doesn't have anything to do with the present UK coaching staff or the present team. It doesn't seem that anything can really happen."
His mother, Laura Chapman was a little more worried about the chances of Kentucky being put on probation. She, however, seems confident that everything will be alright.
"It was probably more of a consideration for Wayne and myself," said Laura Chapman." (However, Rex) talked with Coach Sutton, Coach Dickey and Coach Hamilton about this, extensively.
"We just really sort of came to the conclusion that we're going to put our faith in them (the coaching staff). We have, hopefully, great faith in the fairness of the NCAA. We felt like it (the H-L's allegations) was history. No one can perceive what is going to happen, but I think the pros of their situation far outweigh the cons.
"Basically, he felt like he would be happy in Lexington. With his grandmother (Mayme Hamby) there, he's looking forward to home cooked meals."
With Chapman's verbal commitment, Kentucky now has corralled two players for the 1986-87 season. Pulaski County's 6-7 forward Reggie Hanson has officially signed a letter of intent to attend UK. Hanson, who's only 17 years old, and Chapman are already good friends. Both also toured Europe with the Kentucky junior all-star team this past summer. And Chapman has nothing but praise for his future teammate.
"Reggie is really a great player," commented Chapman. "In my opinion I think he can be in the top 15 or 20 (players) in the nation."
"I talked to Reggie last night and told him that I was going to come. He was really happy. . I think we're going to have a great career at Kentucky."
"He's crazy about Reggie," said Laura Chapman. "I don't know if they should be roommates, though. They've talked about that.
"They would be like the odd couple because. . .he (Hanson) is the neatest (person) and Rex is a slob," laughed his mother.
Hanson was not the only player Chapman called. Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball, Winston Bennett, was suddenly contacted Friday night by the Owensboro native.
"He called Winston last night (Friday)," noted Rex's mother. "Winston howled and he said, 'Well, we're going to have to wake up the ole parents.' This was about 2 (a.m.) in the morning. He (Bennett) said, 'I'm just so excited.'"
Attending and graduating from a state school, such as Kentucky, can benefit anyone who plans to earn an income in that state. Planning for the years to come is exactly what this young man has in mind.
"I hope after four years I'll be prepared to play in the NBA," Chapman said. If I can't, I hope to work hard during the time I'm in school, to be prepared for 'after college.'
I So, Kentucky it is. Last Saturday, however, took a long time in coming, not only for Rex I but his whole family and friends.
During the press conference Chapman kidded with his sister, Jenny, that both telephone | lines should now be free for use. Lately, she has had to go next door at times in order to use the ' phone.
According to Whitmer, one or both lines would usually start ringing ut 6:30 a.m and continued til midnight.
Making the early decision means there will ' be no more recruiters and less media attention. Rex can now devote his time to his senior year ' in helping his ball club defend its Third Region ' title.
Finally, the pressure is over. "I thought he handled it very well," said his ' father, Wayne Chapman, who transferee) to ' Western after one year at Kentucky. "A lot of his friends had a lot to do with that. He could ' always get with them, relax and get away