xt76q52f8137 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt76q52f8137/data/mets.xml University of Kentucky 1998  athletic publications English University of Kentucky Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. University of Kentucky Basketball Media Guides (Men) Basketball, 1998 text Basketball, 1998 1998 2012 true xt76q52f8137 section xt76q52f8137  "Tubby is the best coach in
all of college basketball."
Rick Pitino, Boston Celtics President/Head Coach
"I think he will be fantastic at Kentucky. The man is a winner. It might be amazing what he can do at Kentucky, based on what he's done at other places. You put Tubby Smith at Kentucky and wow, it's dynamite!" Dick Vltale, ESPN Color Analyst
"Tubby Smith at Kentucky is a great match, like a hand going into a warm glove. Kentucky could not have gotten a better coach who has experience, knows the program and can contribute to great tradition." Larry Conley, ESPN Color Analyst
"Any person, black or
white, who is going to
follow in the steps of Rick
Pitino, is going to have
a tough task because
expectations are so high.
He (Smith) knows the
system, plays the same
game, and has the same
mindset. So why not get a
disciple of Rick's?"
Damll Griffith, All-Time leading Scorer at Louisville
NCAA CHAMPIONS
1948
NCAA i. CHAMPIONSI
1949 ij
SEC CHAMPIONS
IMS  1933 1937 ttM 1*40
IHt   IM4 IMS 1940
IB47   1948  1H0 1*90 1991
1999   1994  1999 1997
NCAA CHAMPIONS
1951
NCAA CHAMPIONS
1996
NQkA
CHAMPIONS
1958
NCAA CHAMPIONS
1978
SEC CHAMPIONS
1058   1909  1904 1900 1908
1909   1970 1971 1979 flll7a   1976  1977 1979 1990 1989   1909  1904 1900
804   I WHS 1
 general information
3
1997-98 Kentucky Basketball Media Guide
General Information
UK Athletics Phone Directory..............................2
Media Policies/Procedures.....................................3
UK Basketball Quick Facts....................................4
1997-98 UK Hoops Schedule...............Back Cover
Outlook
Roster/Team Photo................................................6
Radio/TV Chart.....................................................7
1997-98 Preview...............................................8-14
Tubby Smith Q & A............................................15
NCAA/SEC Tournament Brackets.....................16
The Wildcats
Myron Anthony...................................................18
Michael Bradley...................................................19
Allen Edwards.................................................20-21
Heshimu Evans....................................................22
Ryan Hogan.........................................................23
Jamaal Magloire...................................................24
Steve Masiello......................................................25
Cameron Mills................................................26-27
Nazr Mohammed............................................28-29
Scott Padgett..................................................30-31
JeffSheppard...................................................32-33
Saul Smith...........................................................34
Wayne Turner.................................................35-36
Player Game-by-Game Stats..........................37-42
The Staff
Coach Orlando "Tubby" Smith......................44-46
George Felton......................................................47
Shawn Finney......................................................48
Mike Sutton.........................................................49
Tom Boyd, Bill Keightley.....................................50
Basketball Support Staff.................................51-52
1996-97 Review
Season Review................. ...............................54-59
1997 NCAA Tournament Bracket......................59
Final Team Stats.............................................60-61
Game-by-Game Results.......................................62
Game-by-Game Team Stats.................................63
1996-97 Team Awards.........................................64
Departed Lettermen.............................................65
Games Reviews/Box Scores............................66-78
Southeastern Conference
SEC Information..................................................80
1996-97 Final Standings/Results.........................81
1996-97 Final Team Stats....................................82
1996- 97 Final Individual Stats............................85
1997- 98 SEC Composite Schedule.....................84
1997-98 Opponents
Travel Headquarters.............................................86
Maui Invitational
Maui Inv. Bracket/Arizona..................................87
Boston College/Chaminadc.................................88
DePaul/Duke........................................................89
C ieorge Washington/Missouri..............................90
American/Alabama........................................91-92
Arkansas/Auburn............................................93-94
Canisius/Clemson...........................................95-96
Florida/Georgia...............................................97-98
Georgia Tech/Indiana...................................99-100
LSU/Louisville............................................101-102
Ohio/Ole Miss............................................103-104
Mississippi St./Morehead St.......................105-106
Purdue/South Carolina...............................107-108
Tennessee/Tulsa..........................................109-110
Vanderbilt/Villanova..................................111-112
The University
University of Kentucky Profile...................114-115
CATS..........................................................116-117
UK Basketball Facilities.............................118-119
Strength & Training..........................................120
Lexington, Ky.....................................................121
UK Pageantry.............................................122-124
Blue and White Fund.........................................125
UK Team Travel.........................................126-127
President/Athletics Director......................128-129
UKAA Administrative Staff......................130-131
UK Coaches/UKAA Year-in-Review................132
UKAA Support Staff.........................................133
Committee of 101/UK Alumni Assoc...............134
Unparalleled Tradition
Kentucky Basketball Timeline...................136-143
UK Basketball Museum.....................................144 I
Coaches Through the Years.......................145-148
National Championship Teams..................149-158
Teams of Tradition.............................................159
Kentucky Lettermen...................................160-162
Success - Academic & Athletic................163-169
UK All-Americans.....................................170-171
Cats in the Pros..........................................172-173
Retired Jerseys.............................................174-175
Awards &. Honors.......................................176-178
UK in the NCAA Tournament..................1 79-182
UK in the SEC...........................................183-184
UK in Invitationals/at Neutral Sites.................185
All-Time Wire Rankings............................186-190
Biggest Games.............................................191-193
Alumni Gym......................................................194
Memorial Coliseum....................................195-196
Rupp Arena................................................197-198
Freedom Hall..............................................199-200
Records
General Records.........................................202-205
Rupp Arena Records..........................................206
Scoring...............................................................207
Year-by-Year Scoring, Field Goals..............208-209
Three-point Goals, Free Throws................210-21 1
Rebounding, Assists....................................212-213
Blocks, Steals..............................................214-215
Attendance, Streaks/Overtime Games......216-217
Year-by-Year Team Stats.............................218-219
1,000-Point Scorers....................................220-227
All-Time Results.........................................228-238
Records vs. States...............................................2 39
Records vs. Conferences.............................240-241
Records vs. Opponents...............................242-250
media Directory
UK Basketball Media Outlets.....................252-253
Cats on the Air...........................................254-255
Map of Lexington..............................................256
University of Kentucky Athletics Association, CM. Newton, Director.
mm
UK Athletics Association Memorial Coliseum Avenue of Champions exington, KY 40506-0019 606-257-3838
Written & Compiled Brooks Downing
Editors
Brooks Downing Rena Vicini
Editorial Assistants Philip Allison, Joyce Baxter, Andre Foushee, Shannon Hart, Brett Johnson, Kim Locke, Molly Mwzolini, Amy & Holly Ratliff, Fred Shank, Lauren Smith.
Photography Director David Coyle
Photo Credits
David Coyle, Joseph Rey An, Helena Hau, Breck Smither, James Crisp, Dale Zanine, Atlanta, Qa., University of Qeorgia Sports Information fRadi Nabulsi, UK Public Relations, Lexington Herald-Leader, AP/Wide World, UPI/Bettman, NBA Photo Services, Brooks Downing, Mike Shields-Graphic Design By Design - Kerry McCulley, Carin Halm Loved, Karen Blanchard
Cover Design
By Design/UK Media Relations Post Printing
Post Printing - Ed Parsons (606) 254-7714
To purchase additional copies of this media guide, send a check or money order for $15, which includes postage and handling, to:
UK Media Relations Memorial Coliseum, Room 23 Lexington, KY 40506-0019
iCilalion Jfor (Extcllnirr 3tn jpuMicatioilo
Colt* IhIotuUo, I >.,!..,. ..t Am.,..-
Hirst jlu Ihr J1.itic.il
The College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSlDA) judged the 1996-97 University of Kentucky Men's Basketball Media Guide the "Best in the Nation."
 MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR/ FOOTBALL CONTACT OFFICE: (606) 257-3838 HOME: (606) 271-5976
general informal
UK Athletics Association Directory
Media Relations Fax
Basketball Office......
UK Ticket Office......
frequently called numbers
Media Relations.........(606) 257-3838
...(606) 323-4310 Athletics Administration......(606) 257-8000
...(606) 257-1916 Rupp Arena Ticket Office.....(606) 233-3535
...(606) 257-1818          Rupp Arena Administrative...(606) 233-4567 Rupp Arena Press Row.........(606) 252-3602
or (800) 928-CATS
MAILING OVERNIGHT ADDRESS:
Memorial Coliseum, Room 23 Avenue of Champions Lexington, KY 40506-0019
ADMINISTRATION...................................257-8000
C. M. Newton, Athletics Director Larry W. Ivy, Senior Associate Director Kathy DeBoer, Associate Director Barbara Isham, Executive Assistant Sandy Morgan, Administrative Assistant
ACADEMICS (CATS)................................257-1897
Bob Bradley, Associate AD
Barbara Deniston, Director of Student
Development Ann Sampson, Staff Assistant
BASKETBALL OFFICE...............................257-1916
Orlando "Tubby" Smith, Head Coach George Felton, Assistant Coach Shawn Finney, Assistant Coach Mike Sutton, Assistant Coach Tom Boyd, Strength/Conditioning Coach Marta McMackin, Administrative Assistant Gini Lin Stickler, Staff Assistant Simeon Mats, Administrative Assistant Leon Smith, Special Assistant
COMPLIANCE...........................................257-8604
Sandy Bell, Assistant A.D. Compliance John Butler, Compliance Coordinator
EQUIPMENT..............................................257-1889
Bill Keightley, Equipment Manager
MARKETING, PROMOTIONS
& FUNDRAISING......................................257-8000
Kyle Moats, Assistant A.D. Marketing Sandy Boyken, Assistant Marketing and
Promotions Director Tamara Calton, Administrative Assistant Pat McBeath, Staff Assistant
NUTTER FIELD HOUSE.............................257-7122
Russ Pear, Facilities Coordinator Suzanne Gott, Field House Manager Mary Anderson-Rydz, Staff Assistant
STUDENT ADMISSIONS.........................257-1757
Rodney Stiles, Director, Administrative Services Susan Renaker, Staff Assistant
BUSINESS OFFICE...................................257-8000
J. R. Hisle, Accounting Manager David Boyd, Computer Consultant Rita Griffith, Accounting Clerk Carol Gibson, Senior Accountant J.J. Jones, Accounting Clerk Carol Ann Maupin, Accounting Clerk Sandee Woodworth, Accounting Clerk
media relations assistants
TICKET OFFICE..........................................257-1818
Barbara Osborne, Ticket Manager Sheila Chapman, Assistant Manager Sue Childers, Staff Assistant Janice Aubrey, Staff Assistant
TRAINING ROOM.....................................257-2750
Eddie Jamiel, Trainer
VIDEO..........................................................257-5137
David Combs, Video Director Gary Foxworth, Assistant Director
Philip Allison
(Miss. State '96)
Andre Faushee
(Kentucky '96)
Molly lYlazznlini
(Lorola-Neu< Orleans '96)
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY OFFICE: (606) 266-1605
1 covering kentucky
The 1997-98 edition of the University of Kentucky basketball media guide has been produced to assist you with your coverage of the Wildcats. Additional information, including press releases, photographs/slides, clips and videotape footage is available upon request. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with Kentucky's media policies.
CREDENTIALS  Credentials for UK home games are issued to working media only and should be requested as early as possible. Requests must be made in writing on company letterhead and are honored only from sports editors of daily newspapers and sports directors of radio and television stations.
The University of Kentucky follows the guidelines set forth by the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference in governing the issuance of credentials. Season credentials will be granted only to daily newspapers and television/ radio stations that cover UK basketball on a regular basis. Otherwise, television/radio stations, weekly newspapers and internet services will be granted credentials on a single-game, space-available basis.
Requests for season credentials should arrive by November 1. Requests for single-game credentials should arrive no later than one week in advance of the game. All requests for credentials should be made to:
RENA VICINI
Assistant AD/Media Relations University of Kentucky Athletics Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY 40506-0019
eneral informat
Media Policies/Procedures
MEDIA SERVICES
Interview Policies-General - All interviews with University of Kentucky basketball players or coaches must be arranged through the Media Relations office. The Wildcat Lodge living quarters is a private team area. Media members are not permitted in this area at any time.
Covering Practice - Generally, UK basketball practices are closed. A select number of practices will be open to the media. Details will be announced by UK Media Relations. Player interviews may be conducted 30 minutes prior to practices the day before games. Coach Smith meets with members of the media at scheduled times to be announced.
Press Conferences - Coach Smith will conduct press conferences throughout the season. Contact the Media Relations office for scheduling details.
Telephone Player Interviews - Request telephone interviews at least 24 hours in advance through the Media Relations office. Telephone requests will be returned when players' schedules allow.
Radio Call-in Shows - As specified by the
Southeastern Conference, no players will be allowed to participate in radio call-in shows. Coach Smith may not participate in any radio show other than those specified in his contract.
Postgame Interviews - Following each game, there will be a 25-minute cooling-off period, during which time the players will shower and dress. Approximately 10 minutes aftet the game ends, Coach Smith will conduct his postgame press conference. A player will also be taken to the UK Radio Network. Following Coach Smith's press conference and the cooling-off period, the UK lockerroom will be open to all members of the media for 15 minutes. Fax-On-Demand - University of Kentucky releases and statistics are available to members ot the media via Fax-on-Demand. This automated service, which instantly sends information to your tax machine, is operational 24 hours a day, seven day ,i week. This service is available to media members only. From a tax machine, dial 770-199-3066. The passcode tor the SEC is 712. Once in the system, the following can be obtained by dialing:
17IS       Quick Stats Only I 719       Latest Hoops Release
1720 Entire Release
1721 All Stats
1722 Note-Only
1723 Roster/Schedule
1724 Updated Player Bins
1725 Previous Box Score
1726 Coach Smith Quotes
1727 Player Game-By-Game Stats
1728 Game-By-Game Box Scores
1729 Quick Notes Only
SEC Services - Coach Smith, along with the other 11 conference coaches, will participate in the Southeastern Conference's teleconference call. The calls are conducted on Mondays and Thursdays during the conference portion of the schedule. For a complete conference call schedule and phone number, contact the SEC Media Relations office at (205) 458-3000. The SEC also operates a 24-hour computer bulletin board with updated statistics and notes on all 12 teams. For further information on these services, see page 80 of this book or contact the SEC Media Relations office.
Radio/TV Rights - Broadcasting rights to UK games are assigned exclusively to Sports Communications, Inc., of Lexington. One reciprocal rights fee waiver is guaranteed opponent schools visiting Lexington. Call Mike Dodson, network coordinator, at (606) 226-HOST.
GAME DAY MEDIA SERVICES
Media Parking - Available at Rupp Arena on a limited basis. The city of Lexington assesses a charge for parking privileges. Requests should be made when submitting press and/or photo credential requests. The media parking area can be accessed from Main Street or Cox Street. The lot opens three hours before tipoff.
Media Will Call - Located through the security door of Rupp Arena which is adjacent to Door 5 of the receiving area. The receiving area is adjacent to media parking. Credentials are not available at the public Will Call window on the High Street concourse level.
Media Services - The University of Kentucky uses the "Final 111" computerized statistics system, which has been used during the last 1 2 NCAA Final Fours. Working media will receive the following:
 Game program and notes  Complete play-by-play
 Halftime statistics  Shot charts
 Coach and player quotes  Final statistics
Media Room - The media room is located beneath section 28 and can be accessed through the floor exit beneath section 26. Working facilities, with electrical outlets and a limited number of telephones, are available.
Telephones - As stated, a limited number of telephones are available in the Rupp Arena media room. Newspapers and radio stations desiring their own private lines, to be installed either on press row or in the media room, should contact Gina Bailey in GTE's Branch Sen ices Division at (800) 483-5300. Photographers - The photo zones are appropriately marked on the Rupp Arena floor. Some photo spots have been assigned. Because ol safety concerns, no shooting is allowed on the either sideline. Hue to the reduction of space, photo credentials will be limited. Kentucky Basketball Quick Facts
University Information
Location:
Enrollment:
Founded:
Colors:
Nickname:
Conference:
Arena:
Lexington, Ky.
24,100
1865
Blue & White Wildcats Southeastern (Eastern Division) Rupp Arena (23,000)
Arena Record:     281-31 (21 years)
UK UKAA Administration
President (alma mater, year):
Dr. Charles Wethington Jr. (Eastern Ky. '56) Faculty Representative:
Dr. John J. Piecorojr. (Ohio State'61) Athletics Director:
CM. Newton (Kentucky '52) Senior Associate Director:
Larry Ivy (Alabama '67) Associate Directors:
Kathy DeBoer (Michigan State 78)
Bob Bradley (Salem College 71) Assistant Directors:
Jack Fligg - Football Operations
John Cropp - Special Projects
Rena Vicini - Media Relations
Sandy Bell - Compliance
Kyle Moats - Marketing Assistants to the A.D.:
Frank Ham, Micki King Ticket Manager:
Barbara Osborne
Media Information
Basketball Contact/ Associate Media Relations Director
Brooks Downing (Kentucky '88) Office Phone
606-257-3838 Office Fax
606-32 3-4310 Office Address
UK Media Relations, Memorial Coliseum,
Km. 2 3, Lexington, Ky. 40506-0019 Downing's E-mail
lxlrown@pop.uky.edu Internet Address
www.ukathletics.com
Basketball Staff
I lead I. Xiach:
Orlando "Tubby" Smith (High Point 7 3) Overall College Coaching Record: Total: 124-62 (6 years) 66.7% Tulsa: 49-43 (4 years) 53.3",, Georgia: 45-19 (2 years) 70.3% UK Coaching Record: 0-0 (First year) N( \.\ Tournament Appearance-.: 4
Assistant Coaches:
George Felton (South Carolina 75)
Shawn Finney (Fairmont '85)
Mike Sutton (East Carolina 78) Secretary (Office Phone):
Marta McMackin (606-257-1916) Best Time To Call Coach Smith:
Coordinate through Brooks Downing Equipment Manager:
Bill Keightley Trainer:
Eddie Jamiel (Lindsey Hopkins '61) Strength Coach:
Tom Boyd (Kentucky '93) Team Physician:
Dr. David Caborn
1996- 97 Review
Record: 35-5 (13-3 SEC, 2nd East)
(12-1 Home, 7-2 Away, 16-2 Neutral)
NCAA Runner-up
West Regional Champ
SEC Tournament Champ
Great Alaska Shootout Champ NCAA Postseason Record: 5-1
Defeated Montana (92-54), Iowa (75-69),
St. Joseph's (83-68), Utah (72-59),
Minnesota (78-69);
Lost to Arizona (84-79 OT) in the NCAAChampionship game Final AP Ranking: 5 th Final USA Today Ranking: 2nd
1997- 98 Preview
Starters Returning: 3
Scott Padgett (6-9, Jr., F, 9.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) Jamaal Magloire (6-10, So., C, 4.9 ppg, 4-4 rpg) Allen Edwards (6-5, Sr., G/F, 8.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
Staffers Lost: 4
Derek Anderson (6-5, G, 17.7 ppg, 4-1 rpg) Anthony Epps (6-2, G, 8.9 ppg, 4.8 apg) Ron Mercer (6-7, F, 18.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) Jared Prickett (6-9, F, 7.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg)
Other Lettermen Returning: 5
Steve Masiello (6-2, So., G, 0.9 ppg, 0.4 rpg) Cameron Mills (6-3, Sr., G, 5.9 ppg, 1.2 rpg) Nazr Mohammed (6-10, So., C, 2.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg) *Jeff Sheppard (6-3, Sr., G, 5.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg) Wayne Turner (6-2, So., PG, 4-5 ppg, 1.6 apg)
Newcomers: 5
Myron Anthony (6-7, Fr., F, 28.1 ppg, 10.8 rpg) Michael Bradley (6-10, Fr., F/C, 35.6 ppg, 11.6 rpg) **Heshimu Evans (6-6, Jr., F, 13.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg) Ryan Hogan (6-3, Fr., G, 27.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg) Saul Smith (6-2, Fr. G, 20.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
*Sheppard reckhined the (996-97 season; Stats from 1995-96 season. ** Evans transferred from Manhattan College after the '96 season.  				
			UtIO	
1997 98 Kentucky Wildcats Roster
NUMERICAL
No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	CI.	Exp.	Hometown (High School/University)
3	Allen Edwards	G/F	6-5	200	Sr.	3L	Miami, Fla. (Miami Senior)
4	Steve Masiello	G	6-2	175	So.	1L	White Plains, N.Y. (The Harvey School)
5	Wayne Turner	G	6-2	187	Jr	2L	Boston, Mass. (Beaver Country Day)
1 I	Saul Smith	G	6-2	170	Fr.	HS	Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central)
1 i	Na:r Mohammed	C	6-10	240	Jr.	2L	Chicago, 111. (Kenwood)
14	Heshimu Evans	F	6-6	210	Jr.	TR	Bronx, N.Y. (Evander Childs/Manhattan)
IS	Jeff Sheppard	G	6-3	190	Sr.	RS/3L	Peachtree City, Ga. (Mcintosh)
21	Cameron Mills	G	6-3	190	Sr.	3L	Lexington, Ky. (Paul Dunbar)
22	Ryan Hogan	G	6-3	193	Fr.	HS	Deerfield, 111. (Deerfield)
25	Myron Anthony	I-	6-7	220	Fr.	HS	Neptune Beach, Fla. (Fletcher)
33	Michael Bradley	F/(:	6-10	230	Fr.	HS	Worcester, Mass. (Burncoat)
H	Scott Padgett		6-9	229	Jr.	2L	Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier)
42	Jamaal Magloire	C	6-10	240	So.	1L	Toronto, Ontario (Eastern Commerce)
					ALPHABETICAL		
No.	Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	CI.	Exp.	Hometown (High School/University)
25	Myron Anthony	F	6-7	220	Fr.	HS	Neptune Beach, Fla. (Fletcher)
(3	Michael Bradley	F/C	6-10	1 JO	Fr.	HS	Worcester, Mass. (Burncoat)
3	Allen Edwards	G/F	6-5	200	Sr.	JL	Miami, Fla. (Miami Senior)
14	Heshimu Evans	F	6-6	210	Jr	TR	Bronx, N.Y. (Evander Childs/Manhattan)
22	Ryan Hogan	(i	6-3	W	Fr.	1 IS	Deerfield, 111. (Deerfield)
42	Jamaal Magloire	C	6-10	240	So.	1L	Toronto, Ontario (Eastern Commerce)
4	Steve Masiello	(1	6-2	175	So.	1L	White Plains, N.Y. (The Harvey School)
21	Cameron Mills	G	6-3	190	Sr.	3L	Lexington, Ky. (Paul Dunbar)
1 1	Na:r Mohammed	C	6-10	240	Jr.	2L	Chicago, 111. (Kenwood)
54	Scott Padgett	1	6-9	229	Jr.	2L	Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier)
IS	Jell Sheppard	(i	6-3	190	Sr.	RS/3L	Peachtree City, Ga. (Mcintosh)
11	s.inl Smith	(i	6-2	170	Fr.	HS	Athens, Ga. (Clarke Central)
s	Wayne Turner	G	6-2	187	Jr.	2L	Boston, Mass. (Beaver Country Day)
Pronunciation Guide: Heshimu (Ha-SHE-mu) Evans; Jamaal Magloire (Ma-GLOR); Steve Masiello (Mass-E-ello); Na:r (NAH-Zee) Mohammed
Wayne rUmer, Steve Masiello, Assistant Coach Qeorgc Felton, Assistant Couch Shawn Finney. STANDING: Special Assistant Leon Smith, Administrative Assistant Simeon Mars, Equipment Manager Bill Keightley, Ryan Hogan, Heshimu Evans, Scott Padgett, Natr Mohammed, Jamaal Magloire, Michael Bradley, Myron Anthony, Allen Edwards, Trainer Eddie Jumiel, Strength Coach Tom Boyd. ALLEN EDWARDS
Guard/Forward
STEVE MASIELLO Guard
WAYNE TURNER
Guard
SAUL SMITH
Guard
-o
MYRON ANTHONY
Forward
6-7, 220, Fr. Neptune Beach, Fla. (Fletcher)
MICHAEL BRADLEY
Forward/Center
6-10, 230, Fr. Worcester, Mass. (Burncoat)
SCOTT PADGETT
Forward
6-9, 229, Jr. Louisville, Ky. (St. Xavier)
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
Center
6-10, 240, So. Toronto, Ontario (Eastern Commerce) All Out, All the Time
STYLE OF PLAY should ease transition pains
rlando "Tubby" Smith knows how to
coach the game of basketball. He's taken
three ovet-achieving teams to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA
Tournament in the last four years.
He also knows about
Kentucky basketball. Coach Smith
spent two years as an assistant of the Wildcats' program
after it was rocked by NCAA probation in 1989.
And yes, he understands the expectations. He
understands that a team can advance to the national
championship game two years in a row, come within an
overtime of winning back-to-back titles, lose six players in
the last two NBA Drafts, and vet still find itself'ranked in
the preseason top 10. All Out, All the Time
"That just gives you a great indication of the respect people have for this program, and for what Rick Pitino and his staff wete able to do hete at UK," Smith said, while contemplating the great ttadition at Kentucky. "Having said that, I would ventute to say that prior to Rick Pitino, it was probably the same thing. Kentucky has always been one of the top-10 teams. For instance, we're celebrating the golden anniversary of the 1948 NCAA Champs this season."
From the days of the legendary Coach Adolph Rupp, UK has won six NCAA Championships while becoming the winningest program in the nation with 1,685 victories. UK owns the best winning percentage of any team in college basketball at 76.2 percent. The Wildcats have made 12 appeatances in the Final Fout, won 38 Southeastern Conference titles and 20 SEC Tournament Championships.
Is Smith impressed? Absolutely. Concerned about expectations? Not hardly.
"I think people in the basketball world and the knowledgeable fans would tecognize that we have lost six NBA Draft picks, and we lack the experienced depth that Kentucky basketball has had in the last few yeats," Smith said. "In tact, we're replacing four veteran players with four freshmen with absolutely no experience."
E MUST PLAY within ourselves, play to our strengths.."
For 1997-98, consider the UK roster as a set of well-built shelves in need of testocking.
"We want to be the best team possible and just take it one day at a time, one game at a time," Smith said. "Especially this yeat with a new coach and new faces. And when I say new faces, I'm talking about Heshimu Evans and Jeff Sheppard. They're going to be new because they didn't play last year, along with out incoming freshmen.
"This is a transition."
Easing the pains of change will be the Wildcats' style. Much of what Smith had implemented at both Tulsa and Georgia was learned at UK, under the tutelage of Pitino. "Pitinoball" is now "Tubbyball," an all-out, all-the-time style creating fun and enthusiasm for both playets and fans alike.
"Our styles ate similat in a lot of ways," Smith explains. "We try to push the ball up the court. We think out defense creates our offense. We've been one of the best defensive teams in the league at Geotgia and Tulsa. I expect that to continue hete because we are a very athletic team and we did ptess a lot like Kentucky. If there's a difference, I may emphasize halfcourt man-to-man more."
The numbers don't lie. Last yeat, Georgia finished just 3.1 points pet game behind UK in scoring defense, while finishing second in the Southeastern
The transition is not limited to a new coaching staff. The Wildcats have lost 63.3 percent of their points production from last year's NCAA Runner-up squad. The departures were Derek Anderson, Anthony Epps, and Jared Prickett, whose eligibility had all expired, and Ron Mercer, who opted tor the NBA two yeats early. In summary, the Wildcats lost its top two scoters, the SEC's Player of the Year, the school's No. 2 all-time assists man and two players who played in more than 140 games during their four-year careers.
Conference in opponents' field goal percentage (39.3%), first in opponents' three-point field goal percentage (30.7%), and second to the Cats in field goal percentage differential (4-5%).
"We must play within ourselves, play to our strengths," Smith said. "It will he critical that we communicate to our players where our strengths and weaknesses he. blow we handle the expectations and how they'll accept the new regime will determine our
New Look
The Kentucky Wildcats basketball team will wear Nike uniforms and shoes as part of an all-sports conttact the UK Athletics Association signed with Nike in May 1997. In addition to new game uniforms, Nike will supply practice gear for the Wildcats. It's the fitst Nike equipment used by the basketball team since the 1988-89 season.
According to the deal, all UK sports teams will wear Nike shoes and equipment through the 2001-02 season. UK will receive $ 11 million in cash, clothing and equipment over the life of the five-year contract. And, thanks to Nike's national and international matketing ability, the Wildcats should see an increase in royalty revenues.
Kentucky is one of only 14 schools that have an exclusive all-sports contract with Nike. Thete is an option fot an additional five years.
A look at the new Nike uniform can be found on page 18 of this media guide.
I THE SQUAD
Senior guard Jeff Sheppard returns after redshirting the 1996-97 season.
hen Kentucky won the national championship in 1996, the squad was labeled as one of the deepest teams in America. Hi > player in nn that team averaged
more than 27 minutes per game, and 10 players averaged at least nine minutes per contest. But now, only five players remain from that roster, two of who saw action in the final game against Syracuse. And with the early departures of sophomores Mercer and Antoine Walker, the Cats are thin in the ranks.
Bolstering UK's confidence is the return of Sheppard. The fifth-year senior was redshirted by Pitino last season in order to free up playing time for Derek Anderson while allowing Sheppard to work on his game in hopes of improving his chances for the NBA.
Sheppard has played in 96 games at Kentucky with 28 starts. He combines athleticism with a good knowledge of the game. During his cateer, he's shot 48.3 percent from the field and 40.4 percent from beyond the three-point are. In 1995-96, he averaged just 12.8 minutes per game, hardly enough to work up a sweat, yet he canned 52.0 percent of his field goals and 50.0 percent of his three-pointers while averaging 5.5 points per game.
"Jeff is hungry," Smith said. "He's worked extremely hard during the pteseason and he's as athletic a guard as Rex Chapman. I'm expecting him to have a great season."
While Sheppard had 27 starts under his belt at point guard during his sophomore season, he's the favorite to start at the shooting guard position this year. However, he will have to log time at point guard as well, backing up Wayne Turner.
The 6-2 Turner is reason No. 1 that UK advanced to the national championship game last March. His insertion into the start