xt7bvq2s5496 https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7bvq2s5496/data/mets.xml University of Kentucky 1996 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, 1996 text Basketball, 1996 1996 2012 true xt7bvq2s5496 section xt7bvq2s5496 5 ^ 1995-96 3 BASKETBALL (Clockwise, from top) Walter McCarty & Anthony Epps with Ryan Pitino; The Kentucky Wildcat; Jeff Sheppard; Tony Delk with Kentucky native Muhammad Alt; Rick Pitino with Walter McCarty: Anthony Epps. i The 1995-96 University of Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Media Guide was produced by the University of Kentucky Athletics Association, CM. Newton, Director. University of Kentucky Athletics Memorial Coliseum Avenue of Champions Lexington, KY 40506-0019 (606) 257-8000 CREDITS_ Written & Compiled......Brooks Downing Editors...................Rena Vicini & Brooks Downing Editorial Assistants.............Andre Foushee, Ryan Robinson, Brett Johnson, Shawn Robinson, Judd Hancock, Joyce Baxter Contributing Writers...........Julie Wiedmer, Russell Rice Photography............David Coyle, Dallas Mavericks, Washington Bullets, Los Angeles Lakers, Vatican Services, Bill Straus, Brooks Downing Graphic Design............By Design Cover Design...Cameron Creative Printing...Post Printing Company To purchase additional copies of this publication, send check/ money order for $15 each, which includes postage/handling to: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ATHLETICS Media Relations Memorial Coliseum Lexington, KY 40506-0019 fc3 j 23 fc - E 2 a II- 1995-96 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BASKETBALL GUIDE GENERAL INFORMATION_ Covering the Cats................................................2-3 Basketball Quick Facts.............................................3 Athletics Phone Directory.......................................4 OUTLOOK_ 1995-96 Preview.................................................6-12 Roster.....................................................................13 SEC/NCAA Brackets............................................14 1995-96 UK Schedule............................Back Cover THE PLAYERS_ Radio/TV Chart.....................................................16 Derek Anderson.....................................................17 TonyDelk.........................................................18-19 Allen Edwards........................................................20 Anthony Epps...................................................21-22 Jason Lathrem........................................................23 Walter McCarty................................................24-25 Ron Mercer............................................................26 Cameron Mills.......................................................27 Nazr Mohammed...................................................28 Mark Pope........................................................29-30 Jared Prickett....................................................31-32 JeffSheppard....................................................33-34 Oliver Simmons.....................................................35 Wayne Turner........................................................36 Antoine Walker................................................37-38 Player Game-by-Game Stats............................39-46 THE STAEF_ Rick Pitino........................................................48-53 Jim O'Brien............................................................54 Delray Brooks.........................................................55 Winston Bennett...................................................56 Shaun Brown, Bill Keightley.................................57 Support Staff..........................................................58 1394-95 REVIEW_ Italy Tour '95 ....................................................60-61 Season Review.......................................................62 Final Season Stats..................................................63 Game-by-Game Stats.......................................64-65 Departed Lettermen...............................................66 1994-95 Team Awards...........................................67 Game Reviews..................................................68-78 Final SEC Team Stats............................................79 Final SEC Individual Stats....................................80 THE OPPONENTS_ Alabama / Arkansas................ .........................82-83 Auburn / Florida...............................................84-85 Georgia / Georgia Tech....................................86-87 Indiana / Iona...................................................88-89 LSU / Louisville................................................90-91 Marshall / Maryland.........................................92-93 Massachusetts / Mississippi...............................94-95 Mississippi State / Morehead State..................96-97 Rider/St. John's...............................................98-99 South Carolina / Tennessee..........................100-101 Texas Christian / Vanderbilt........................102-103 Wisconsin-Green Bay..........................................104 THE UNIVERSITY_ This is UK.....................................................106-107 CATS Academics.........................................108-109 UK Facilities.................................................110-111 Team Travel.........................................................112 Blue and White Fund..........................................113 President, Athletics Director.......................114-115 Administrative Staff.....................................116-117 Other UK Head Coaches....................................118 Committee of 101 / Alumni Assoc......................119 Lexington, Kentucky...........................................120 TRAUITION E HISTORY_ Kentucky Basketball Timeline.....................122-129 UK Basketball Museum.......................................130 Coaches Through The Years........................131-132 National Championship Teams...................133-141 UK Lettermen..............................................142-144 Success Academic & Athletic................145-151 All-Americans..............................................152-153 Retired Jerseys..................'.............................154-155 Awards & Honors.........................................156-158 Who Were?..........................................................159 UK in the NCAA Tournament...................160-163 UK in the SEC ............................................164-165 UK in Invitational Tournaments.........................166 Top 10 Rankings..................................................166 All-Time Wire Rankings..............................167-170 Biggest Games..............................................171-174 Cats on TV...................................................175-176 Alumni Gym........................................................177 Memorial Coliseum.............. ........................178-179 Rupp Arena..................................................180-181 Freedom Hall / Louisville.............................182-183 Cats in the Pros....................................................184 The Southeastern Conference.............................185 1995-96 SEC Schedule........................................186 UK Pageantry...............................................187-188 RECORDS_ General Records...........................................190-192 Rupp Arena Records............................................193 Scoring, Year-By-Year Points........................194-195 Rebounding, Field Goals..............................196-197 Three-Point Goals, Free Throws..................198-199 Assists, Attendance......................................200-201 Streaks / Overtime Games...................................202 Year-by-Year Team Stats...............................203-204 1,000-Point Scorers......................................205-211 All-Time Results...........................................212-225 Scores vs. All Opponents.......... ...................226-234 MEDIA DIRECTORY_ UK Basketball Media Outlets.......................236-237 UK Basketball Broadcast Networks.............238-239 City of Lexington.................................................240 Front Cover (Clockwise (mm top) Cheerleader Stacy VanCleave; Tony Delk; Rick Pitino; Mark Pope; Anthony Epps; Jared Prickett; Walter McCarty; Jeff Sheppard BBSS m^.J Covering the Cats Covering Kentucl The 1995-96 edition of the Univetsity of Kentucky basketball media guide has been produced to assist you with your coverage of the Wildcats. Additional information, including pressreleases, photographs/slides, clips and film footage is available upon request. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with Kentucky's media policies, as stated on the following pages. CUE I) I N MAI S (Credentials for UK home games are issued for 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 oi 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 and weekly newspapers will be granted credentials on a single-game, space-available basis. Requests for season credentials should arrive by November 1. Requests lor single-game credentials should arrive no later than one week in advance of the game. All requests for credentials should he made to: III VA VICIIMI Assistant AO/Media Relations University of Kentucky Athletics Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, KY 40506-0019 Media Services Ml IIIA PARKING Available al Rupp Arena on a limited basis. The city of Lexington assesses a small charge tor parking privileges. Requests should be made when submitting press and/or photo credential requests. The media parking area can be accessed from Main Street. Lot opens three hours helore tipoff. ivil MIA IIIIMM The media room is located beneath section 28 and can be accessed through the floor exit beneath section 26. Working facilities, with necessary outlets and a limited number of telephones, are available. Ml MIA SI MVICES The University of Kentucky uses the "Final III" computerized statistics system, which has been used during the last 10 NCAA Final Fonts. Working media will receive the following: H tame program and notes *Complete play-by-play *Halftime statistics *Shot charts *Coach and player quotes 'Final statistics MEDIA WIEE CALL Located through the security door of Rupp Arena which is adjacent to Door 5 of the receiving area. The media parking lot can be accessed from Main Street. Credentials are not available at the public Will Call window on the High Street concourse level. PHOTOGRAPHERS The photo zones are appropriately marked on the Rupp Arena floor. Some photo spots have been assigned. Because of space demands, limited shooting is allowed on the press row sideline. RARIO/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. SEC SERVICES Coach Pitino, 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 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, contact the SEC Media Relations office. FAX-ON-DEMAND University of Kentucky releases and statistics are available to members of the media via Fax-on-Demand. This automated service, which instantly sends information to your fax machine, is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For instructions, please contact the UK Media Relations office at (606) 257-3838. This service is available to media members only. TELEPDONES A limited number of telephones is 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 GTE at (606) 223-9422. 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. Absolutely no media members are permitted in this area at any time. COVERING PRACTICE In general, UK basketball practices are closed. Some exceptions are made one day prior to games. Player interviews may be conducted 30 minutes prior to practices the day before games. Coach Pitino meets with members of the media 15 minutes prior to those practices. 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 after the game ends, Coach Pitino will conduct his postgame press conference. A player will also be taken to the UK Radio Network. Following Coach Pitino's press conference and the cooling-off period, the UK lockerroom will be open to all members of the media for 15 minutes. GAI NIPS KENTUCKY TRADITION_ The University of Kentucky is known internationally as one of the elite college basketball programs in the United States. The highlights of the school's tradition include: 1,616-518 AMime Record Five NCAA Tides (1948, '49, '51, '58, '78) Two NCAA Runner-Up Finishes (1966, '75) 10 Final Four Appearances (1942, '48, '49, '51, '58, '66, '75, '78, '84, '93) 36 NCAA Tournament Appearances 37 SEC Championships 19 SEC Tournament Tides NATIONAL LEADERS_ The 1994-95 Kentucky Wildcats led the nation in scoring margin, the average number of points by which they defeated each opponent. In finishing with a 28-5 record, Kentucky outscored its opponents by 18.4 points per game to lead Division I college basketball. PITINO S NUMBERS_ Coach Rick Pitino has won at least 20 games in five of his six seasons at UK. (His first team finished 14-14.) He needs 17 wins this season to hit the 300-win plateau in his 14 years as a college head coach. The Cats' win in the Southeast Regional over Arizona State last season was Pitino's 150th victory as UK's head coach. Pitino is 12-0 in SEC Tournament play with four-consecutive tournament titles. Pitino is also 23-4 in postseason play (SEC/NCAA) the past four years. FEWER THREES_ Covering the Cats PRESS CONFERENCES-Coach Pitino will conduct several press conferences throughout the season at Memorial Coliseum. Contact the Media Relations office for scheduling details. RADID CALL IN SHOWS As specified by the Southeastern Conference, no players will be allowed to participate in radio call-in shows. Coach Pitino may not participate in any radio show other than those specified in his contract. TELEPHONE PLAYER INTERVIEWS Request telephone interviews at least 24 hours in advance through the Media Relations office. Telephone requests will be returned during the 30-minute block of time befote practices one day prior to games. Kentucky Quick Facts Location: Lexington, KY 40506-0019 Founded: 1865 Enrollment: 24,000 (campus) 30,000 (at 14 community colleges) President: Dr. Charles T. Wethington Jr. Faculty Representative: Dr. Virginia Atwood Conference: Southeastern (Eastern Division) Nickname: Wildcats Colors: Blue and White Arena: Rupp Arena Capacity: 23,000 UK Athletics Association Athletics Director: C. M. Newton Senior Associate Director: Latry W. Ivy Associate Director: Kathy DeBoer Assistant Directors: Bob BradleyAcademics Jack FliggFootball Operations John CroppSpecial Projects Rena ViciniMedia Relations Assistants to the A.D.: Frank Ham, Micki King Director of Compliance: Sandra Bell Ticket Manager: Barbara Donnelly _Head Coach_ Rick Pitino (Massachusetts, 1974) College Coaching Record: 283-1 17 (13 years, 70.8%) NBA Coaching Record: 90-74 (2 years, 54.9%) Kentucky Coaching Record: 150-43 (6 years, 77.7%) Coaching Staff Associate Coach: Jim O'Brien (St Joseph's, 1974) Assistant Coaches: Delray Brooks (Providence, 1988) Winston Bennett (Kentucky, 1987) Strength/Conditioning Coach: Shaun Brown Assistant Strength Coach: Layne Kaufman Equipment Manager: Bill Keightley Trainer: Eddie Jamiel Administrative Assistant: Marta McMackin Staff Assistant: Erin Smith Basketball Phone Number: (606) 257-1916 _Team Information_ 1994-95 Record: 28-5 SEC Record: 14-2 (1st SEC East/Overall) Final AP Poll: 2nd Final CNN-USA Today Poll: 5th Postseason Play: SEC 3-0, Tournament Champions; NCAA 3-1, lost Southeast Region Championship, 74-61, to North Carolina. Lettermen Returning: 9Tony Delk, Allen Edwards, Anthony Epps, Waltet McCarty, Cameron Mills, Matk Pope, Jared Prickett, Jeff Sheppard, Antoine Walket Lettermen Lost: 4Chris Harrison, Scott Padgett, Andte Riddick, Rodrick Rhodes Starters Returning: 3Tony Delk, Walter McCarty, Jeff Sheppard Starters Lost: 2Andte Riddick, Rodrick Rhodes Newcomers: 6Derek Anderson, Jason Lathtem, Ron Mercer, Nazr Mohammed, Oliver Simmons, Wayne Turner UK Athletics Phone Directory MAILING/OVERNIGHT ADDRESS: Memorial Coliseum Avenue of Champions Lexington, KY 40506-0019 ADMINISTRATION ..........257-8000 C. M. Newton, Athletics Director Larry W. Ivy, Senior Associate AD Kathy DeBoer, Associate Director Barbara Isham, Executive Assistant ACADEMICS |CATS]........257-1837 Bob Bradley, Assistant AD Barbara Deniston, Director of Student Development Sheila Breeding, Academic Skills Coordinator Ann Sampson, Staff Assistant RASKETHAEE BFFICE.......257-1316 Rick Pitino, Head Coach Jim O'Brien, Associate Coach Delray Brooks, Assistant Coach Winston Bennett, Assistant Coach Shaun Brown, Strength/Conditioning Coach Marta McMackin, Administrative Assistant Erin Smith, Staff Assistant BUSINESS OFFICE..........257-8880 Sandy Morgan, Administrative Assistant J. R. Hisle, Accounting Manager David Boyd, Computer Consultant Rita Griffith, Accounting Clerk Barbara Kiser, Accounting Clerk Carol Gibson, Accounting Clerk J.J. Jones, Accounting Clerk Carol Ann Maupin, Accounting Clerk COMPLIANCE................257-8884 Sandy Bell, Director of Compliance John Butler, Compliance Coordinator EQUIPMENT..................257-1889 Bill Keiuhlley, Equipment Manager MARKETING, PR8MBTIBNS 8 FBNBBAISING...............257 0000 Kyle Moats, Marketing Director Alyssa Middleton, Promotions Coordinator Tamara Calton, Administrative Assistant Pat McBeath, Staff Assistant NUTTER FIELD HUUSE......257 7122 Russ Pear, Facilities Coordinator Jason Bauman, Field House Manager Mary Anderson, Staff Assistant STUDENT ADMISSIONS....257-1757 Rodney Stiles, Director, Administrative Services Suzanne Wooten, Staff Assistant TICKET OFFICE..............257-1018 Barbara Donnelly, Ticket Manager Sheila Chapman, Assistant Manager Lydia Wehrle, Staff Assistant Sue Childers, Staff Assistant TRAINING RBBM............257-2758 Eddie Jamiel, Trainer VIBEB.........................257 5137 David Combs, Video Director Darin Carr, Assistant Frequently Called Numbers Basketball Office...................(606) 257-1916 Athletics Director.................(606) 257-8000 Rupp Arena Administrative...(606) 233-4567 Rupp Arena Press Row.........(606) 252-3602 Media Relations.....................(606) 257-3838 Media Relations Fax.............(606) 323-4310 Media Relations Interns Susan Hazzard Brett John Shawn Robinson 1395 96 Outlook here have long been two main attractions for following sports in the Bluegrass State horse racing and University of Kentucky basketball The two are quite similar. To he successful in either, great material, superh conditioning and a top-notch manager are essential. And a little luck, whether it's in the scheduling or the draw, is a must. When fans measure success in horse racing, many are quick to reel off Kentucky Derhy winners with "Rig Red," Secretariat, the odds-on favorite. But when University of Kentucky basketball fans measure success, they review the excellent history and tradition of the program. And they also recall the last four seasons under Coach Rick Pitino four Southeastern Conference Tournament titles, one SEC Championship, a Final Four appearance and two Final Eight finishes. Rut the hopes of the upcoming season are always prevalent. For the 1995-96 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, hopes for unmatched success on the hardwood are running rampant. Pitino enters his seventh season at Kentucky with a stable of top-quality athletes. On paper, it's the most talent he's ever coached at the collegiate level. His latest edition returns nine lettermen from a year ago, including three starters, as well as four other Wildcats who have at least two starts on their stats sheets. And even more importantly, there are four experienced seniors to provide leadership. Is this the makeup of a championship team, a team that could bring home the roses? "You don't know that until you see them on the basketball court," Pitino said. "If it's a track ^ race or a jumping contest or a combination i. Tony Oelk of ath- letic events, then certainly it is. But is it the best basketball team? You don't know." This year's talent combines great athletic ability with superb basketball talent. Add a coach with a track record spanning 13 years and whose stats sheet shows that he's won more than 70 percent of his games, and Kentucky is capable of winning its sixth national title. But molding the talents of this Kentucky squad may be one of the biggest challenges Pitino has faced. "Are we going to be one ball and 10 people uniting and coming together to be a great team," asked the 43-year-old coach, "or are we going to need three or four basketballs? That's the biggest question mark right now. Can this team blend into a cohesive unit without egos standing in the way of this team improving and reaching its potential?" The Strengths_ While talent and experience are the obvious strengths, Pitino says that great teams are made defensively. "I think we'll develop into a good defensive team," Pitino said. "I think we'll be a big time steal team. We should be very active in our point production too. We'll score a lot of points." The Cats have averaged 87.0 points per game since the New York - i s 1995 - 9B Outlook native took over as head coach in 1989. In his first year, UK scored 88.8 per outing, and last year, the numbers were an impressive 87.4 points per game. But UK's defense was the key, holding opponents to 69.0 points per game. The difference allowed the Cats to own a 28-5 record in '95 while leading the nation in scoring margin at 18.4 points per game. Yet, no team enters a season without its weaknesses. This year's main weakness is the same that led to last season's end, just one win shy of the Final Four shooting. In the 1995 regional final against North Carolina, the Tar Heels dared Pitino's bunch to fire away outside. The Wildcats never got untracked, and in turn, sunk to a season-low 28.0 percent from the field, 19.4 percent from the three-point line, in losing 74-61. "Consistent outside shooting and free throw shooting, along with passing, will be our weaknesses," Pitino said. "Those are the major obstacles we have to overcome." The Cats got a jump on turning their weaknesses into strengths with a trip to Italy in August. The returning players visited Milan, Venice, Florence and Rome, seeing sights \\ J re w going to be one hi and 10 people Hinting and coming together to be a great team," asked the 43-year-old cod, "or are w going to need three or jour baietballs? That's the biggest action marl right now. Can this team blend into a cokm unit without egos standing in the way of this team improving and reaching its potential,'" such as the Grand Canals of Venice, the Colisseum of ancient Rome and Vatican City. But more importantly, Pitino used the 10 days of practice prior to leaving, as well as the five games overseas, as a chance to improve his returning players while also tinkering with positional changes. The Stable Leading the list of changes is thlilliHIT a 6-1 shooting guard who will make the transition to point guard. He led the team in scoring last season, averaging 16.7 points per game. In Italy, Delk moved to the point and still led the team in scoring through five games, averaging 24.8 per contest while the team finished with a 4-1 record, playing four professional Italian teams and one pro team from Russia. "Our reasons for moving Tony to point guard are twofold," Pitino said. "One, it allows iniHIHTTP to move back to his natural two-guard position and two, if Tony wants to play in the NBA, he'll have to play the point. And he can do it." Delk finished the 1994-95 season as a first-team AP All-SEC selection and third-team All-America by Basketball Weekly. He has scored 1,251 points in his UK career, good enough for 26th on the Wildcats' all-time scoring list. He should become the school's all-time record holder in three-pointers made and attempted early in the upcoming season. 1395 96 Outlook Backing up Delk at the point will he veteran MmI'TTITIHTH. The Marion County, Ky., native started the first six games at point guard last winter, and hecame a valuahle sixth man after Sheppard was moved into the starting lineup. Epps was a solid contributor, averaging 6.7 points in nearly 20 minutes of action per game. He was also the team's top free throw shooter, hitting 85.0 percent from the foul line. "Anthony has hecome very consistent," Pitino said. "And in the final two minutes, he's one of the hest players on the team." In the SEC Championship game last year, Epps came up with a crucial steal and two free throws in overtime to give the Cats a come-from-hehind victory over Arkansas, 95-93. Sheppard, a 6-3 guard, started the last 27 games a year ago, all at point. He was third on the team in assists with 89 and fourth on the squad in scoring, averaging 8.3 points per game. The high-flying guard Irom Georgia is now a douhle threat. "Jeff can play either position at guard lor us," Pitino said. "And he's one ot the most athletic players I've ever coached." But the junior from Peachtree City, Ga., will have to battle to retain a starting position this season. A host of other Cats are capable of playing the "swingman" role, including freshman ihhiiuihmhJB. Mercer was a highly sought-after recruit from Nashville, Tenn., who chose to play his senior season of basketball at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, one of the top high school programs in the nation. The 6-7 guard-forward averaged 26.3 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game to earn the Ban/Naismith Male Prep Player of the Year Award, an annual honor given to the nation's top high school basketball player. He earned first-team Parade and McDonald's All-America recognition. But with a difficult offensive and defensive system to learn, can a freshman play right away for Kentucky? "He was blessed with maturity beyond his years," said Pitino, who battled Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and others in recruiting Mercer. "Plus, he was one of the premier high school players in the nation last year." lillltliHiU'rilJiM. who saw limited action last year as a freshman, also returns to compete at shooting guard and small forward. But due to the number of players at those positions, Edwards, who was Pitino's MVP of the Italy trip, may be red-shirted this season. "You don't redshirt someone who can't help your team," Pitino said. "Al has the chance to sit out a season, work on his game, work on his grades, and improve his chances of earning a starting position and a shot at the NBA by the time he graduates." The 6-5 native of Miami, Fla., averaged 12.0 points per game overseas last summer, earning a starting position at small forward in the Cats final game, a 115-86 win over Siena. Edwards scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in that outing. 1995 - 96 Outlook But while Edwards may not see game action this season, freshman ivnt'iiuiiiyiTH may join Mercer in gaining significant minutes early for the Wildcats. Turner, a 6-2 guard from Massachusetts, is the prototypical lead guard, according to Pitino. He averaged 36.1 points and 10.1 assists per game in earning first-team Parade and McDonald's All-America honors. His style of play has drawn comparisons to former Detroit Pistons' all-star Isiah Thomas. "He may be the quickest player I've ever coached," Pitino said. "There aren't too many players that can stop him when he has the ball." Another newcomer that will see action at either two-guard or small forward will be Ohio State transfer iilTJ;HirTTir;iy,Hiiii. who sat out last season as a redshirt on the UK sidelines. The 6-4 guard is explosive on offense. Against Kentucky in the 1993 Maui Classic, Anderson scored 23 points and grabbed five boards for the Buckeyes. "He's very talented," Pitino said. "He has skills to play both guard positions or small forward, but we'll use him primarily at the two or three spot." Rounding out Pitino's pickings at the guard position is sophomore l^liilrlJilili'iTTTT?!. Mills saw limited action last year, but as one of the top shooters on the team, he could be a e'll develop into a good defensive team," Pitino said.1 think we'll be a big time steal team. We skdd be vm active our point prodtdon too. We'll score a lot of points." zone buster for the Cats, a la Chris Harrison, who graduated in '95. Looking at the roster, it appears the talent at guard is tremendous. But Pitino is not sold on his depth just yet. "There are a lot of question marks," Pitino said. "Wayne Turner how much will he play? Will Derek Anderson play some two guard? "The backcourt is questionable right now. I wouldn't say we're loaded. I'd say we're loaded at the three-spot more than anywhere else." Antoine Walker Pitino pencils in Anderson, Mercer, Edwards and as small forward possibilities. Walker had a fantastic summer, finishing as the leading scorer and rebounder at the U.S. Olympic Festival in Denver, averaging 20.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to earn All-Tournament team recognition. He also played well in Italy, finishing as the team's second-leading scorer averaging 20.8 points and 7.8 rebounds. In the team's opening win over Cagiva Varese, the Chicago native scored a game-high 31 points. And, last season as a freshman, he scored 21 points against Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals and followed that effort with 23 points against Arkansas in the championship game. For the tournament, he was awarded the MVP trophy. "Antoine will really be a special player when his plusses outweigh his minuses," Pitino said. "He gives up as many points as he scores with his defensive liabilities, and I'm sure that will be corrected. When we rid him of his defensive liabilities, I think he'll absolutely be a great prospect." 1995 96 Outlook ou don't redshirt someone u/lio can't help w team," ?iiw mi "AI has the cknce to sit out a season, work on (lis game, wlc on (lis grades, and improve fit's chances ojtamni a starting position and a shot at the NBA h the time he graduates." Walker will share front-line duty | with another great prospect, iv/nimauraipfCT. The 6-10 sen ior from Evansville, Ind., returns as one of the most skilled players in college basketball. McCarty can handle the ball on the break, shoot the three and dominate the glass. And his gazelle-like features allow him to be a major threat on the press. "He could be a potential lottery pick," Pitino said. "He does it all from the inside." In the paint, the Cats' fortunes could rest on the broad shoulders of senior l.'.f'TJTXHI who begins his second season in the lineup after transferring from Washington. The 6-10 Pope stepped in last year as a backup and a part-time starter and led the team in rebounding, averaging 6. ? boards per game. Rut the classic in-the-paint b