Conference 7.286::sports_91

    This conference just wasn't complete without an SEC basketball topic!
    
    The SEC will be extremely competitive and exciting this year.  The
    league expands from 10 teams to 12 this season.  Arkansas and South
    Carolina are the two additions.
    
    There are now two six-team divisions.  No longer is there an 18-game
    double round-robin conference schedule.  Instead each team will play 16
    league games.  Each team will play 10 games in its division,
    and each team once from the other division.  There will be no
    regular season champion.  The division winners and runners-up will
    receive first-round byes in the tournament, where the league's NCAA
    automatic qualifier will be decided.
    
    The two divisions are represented as follows:
    
    EASTERN DIVISION                       WESTERN DIVISION
    ________________                       ________________
    1. Florida                             1. Alabama
    2. Georgia                             2. Arkansas
    3. Kentucky                            3. Auburn
    4. South Carolina                      4. LSU
    5. Tennessee                           5. Mississippi State
    6. Vanderbilt                          6. Ole Miss
    
    Should be a great year.  The SEC has 3 legitimate Sweet 16 contenders
    in Arkansas, Kentucky, and LSU.
    
    Can't wait until the Jan. 25th matchup between Arkansas and Kentucky. 
    Rupp Arena will definitely be rockin!
    
    More later - Wildcat
                          

    Great news on the recruiting front for UK.  Pitino had his best *day*
    of recruiting when 6-7 Rodrick Rhodes of Jersey City St. Anthony and
    6-8 Jared Prickett of Fairmont (W. Va.) announced they will sign with
    UK during the November signing period.
    
    Rhodes, listed by most experts as one of the top five players in the
    nation, started for the 1988 USA TODAY national champion as a
    ninth-grader.  Last year, he averaged 21 points, nine rebounds, four
    assists, four blocked shots and four steals a game for the Friars
    (32-1).  Rhodes had also been considering Seton Hall and Ohio State.
    UK won a heated battle for Rhoades because Seton Hall has Danny Hurley,
    brother of Duke's Bobby Hurley, and son of Rhoades H.S. coach!
    
    Prickett reportedly is W. Va's top H.S. player.  The 'Cats have several
    other top players eyeing them.  This could turn into a banner
    recruiting year for coach Pitino.
    
     - Wildcat

    More on recruiting.
    
    Jason Kidd, out of California, is considered by many to be the top H.S.
    player in the land.  He shocked many two weeks ago by announcing his
    intention to attend California.  Many people thought UK and Ohio State
    had the inside track on Kidd.  IMO Kidd is a bit overrated.  He had an
    absolutely horrible AAU tournament in Indianapolis this summer. 
    Apparently the knock on him this summer was his outside shooting.  No
    doubt he is a good passer though, and at 6'4 he has good size for a
    guard.
    
    Listen for the name of Mark Hutton.  Hutton, a juco player, is
    considered to be a Stacey Augmon clone.  Hutton was leaning towards
    attending Auburn until they were hit with an NCAA investigation last
    week.
    
    More later - Wildcat

    THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER Tuesday, October 29, 1991
    
    UK nabs top prep player
    
    Tony Delk, a 6-foot-2 guard from Brownsville, Tenn., has given an oral
    commitment to play basketball at Kentucky.  Delk averaged a state-best
    37.6 points per game last year for Haywood High School and was a
    prolific 3-point shooter.
    
    Bob Gibbons has Delk rated as the 3rd best shooting guard in the
    country behind Richard Keene of Collinsville, Ill and Steve Edwards out
    of Miami Fl.
    
    With the two players mentioned in .3 Pitino is harvesting a banner
    recruiting crop!  Look for Walter McCarty, a 6-9 center out of
    Evansville, In to possibly sign next.  McCarty is rated the 3rd best
    center prospect by Gibbons.
    
    Georgia is also having a great year recruiting.  More on the 'dogs
    later.
    
     - Wildcat

    Don't ask me why I'm being so nice to you, Mildcat (tm), what with the 
    way you've jumped on the DeanBashingBandwagon (maybe I perceive that
    there's still hope to turn you into_a Objective Analyst) but here's
    some summer camp info on Pitino's three (3) signees.
    
    Enjoy,
    
    - ACC Chris
    
    
JARED PICKETT 	 6-8, 205, Fairmont, WV (West)

o	A classic overachiever who gets it done with hard work.  He's always
	around the ball!  (NIKE)

o	Another tireless worker who had two excellent weeks at Five Stary.
	Surprises us each time out.  (FIVE STAR)


RODRICK RHODES	6-7, 190, Jersey City, NJ (St. Anthony)

o	An immense talent who played up and down at camp, but has all 
	the tools.

o 	Immense talent who could be our co-winner of the Chris Webber 
	Summer Award for going through the motions.  Has potential to
	be as good as he wants!  (Las Vegas Invitational)


TONY DELK	6-3, 180, Memphis, TN (Treadwell)

o	Scoring guard who put 41 points in semi's.  Was voted top prospect 
	in tourney.  All the majors are chasing him early.  (1991 National 
	17 under AAU's)
    

    Chris, thanks for the recruiting info.  One reason why I love college
    basketball so much is because you can follow the game year round.  I
    really enjoy the speculation about future hoop stars, summer AAU
    tourneys, high school all-star games, etc.  BTW, do you subscribe to
    any of the recruiting publications?  One that I've considered is called
    the "Hoop Scoop", put out by Clark Francis (Louisville, KY).
    
    >> (maybe I perceive that there's still hope to turn you into_a
    >> Objective Analyst)
    
    I think I'm on my way!  Did you catch my note about Knight in the Big
    Ten topic?  Only my closest friends know how much it took for me to put
    in writing something positive about Knight!  But, being objective I
    have to report both the good and bad.
    
     - Wildcat

    > do you subscribe to any of the recruting publications?
    
    No.  I do subscribe to The Poop Sheet (TPS), which covers mostly football 
    and basketball in the ACC.  (Other regional teams get covered too,
    including East Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.)  TPS does
    provide a mother-load of recruiting info though.
    
    
    re: Knight
    
    Being an Objective Analyst doesn't mean spilling your gut everytime
    you read a veiled compliment about an adversary!  I'm disapointed, Mildcat
    (tm), that *YOU*, a Kaintucky main, a main whose school has sworn
    hatred to IU and BobKnight, would even think about putting in something
    complimentary.
    
    For shame.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Kentucky's gonna be awesome this year.  I can't wait for UK basketball
    to start!  (They're finally BACH on TV and over probation!)
    
    Chip (Who will be at Rupp several times this year!)_GSH_Bach

    Chip, which games are you going to?  I will be going to the Ohio U game
    at Riverfront.  The only other games I know of that average folk can
    get tickets to are:
    
    	Georgia Tech - Kuppenheimer Classic - Atlanta
        IU           - Hoosier Dome
        Morehead St. - Louisville
    
    Possibly the Notre Dame game Jan 2, and Georgia game Jan 7 at Rupp, if
    the students are still on break.
    
    Thanks - Wildcat

    My Sister and brother-in-Law live in Lex.  He can get tickets to every
    game, most games he'll take me.  (He's taking me to U.K. Cincinnati
    this Sat.)   I have a better time watching the games with my B-in-law
    and his Louisville friends!
    
    I asked him to get me U.K. vs UMass last night.
    
    Lexington is where I usually spend my weekends anyway, the drive from 
    Cincy is only about 100miles, 1:15 as the Shadow drives route 75.
    
    Regards,
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach

    (U.K. vs Cincinnati is football, btw)

    Thanks Chip.  If you ever have any extra tickets...
    
     - Wildcat

    I will. Where' ya at?
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach

    Chip, I'm in Dayton.
    
    DTN:433-4335 or 513-298-1296
    VAXmail - DYPSS1::ROPER
    All-In-1 - Bob Roper @ DYO
    
     - Wildcat

    From Thursday's Cincinnati Enquirer
    
    UK's Ford hurts knee, sidelined six weeks
    
         Kentucky sophomore guard Travis Ford will be sidelined for six
    weeks after suffering a non-displaced fracture of the left kneecap in
    the Blue-White scrimmage Tuesday night, according to trainer JoAnn
    Hauser.  "This is an unfortunate situation, as Travis Ford is an
    important member of our basketball team," said Kentucky coach Rick
    Pitino.  "Hopefully, though, we will have him back in time for the
    Southwest Texas State game (Dec. 10)."  Surgery will not be necessary. 
    Ford's leg will be placed in an immoblizer for about three weeks with
    non-weight-bearing rehabilitation, after which he will undergo about
    three more weeks of rehabilitation, Hauser said.  Ford, a native of
    Madisonville, Ky., transferred to Kentucky from Missouri in 1990 and
    sat out last season.  He averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 assists at
    Missouri.
    
    _______________________
    
    Hope he comes back healthy, he's a big key to this years offense.  With
    him it allows Sean Woods to play all out in Pitino's pressure defense. 
    Pitino has the leisure of giving Woods a break and bringing in a
    quality backup with good shooting range.
    
     - Wildcat

    Pitino nets another Blue-Chipper!
    
    Walter McCarty, a 6-9 center out of Evansville, IN has given a verbal
    commitment to the University of Kentucky.  Bob Gibbons has McCarty
    listed as the third best center prospect in the country.  McCarty chose
    UK over Purdue and Evansville.  With this announcement, most recruiting
    experts think UK has one of the top 2 or 3 classes for next year.  Look
    for the 'Cats to sign at least one more player (more than likely juco).
    
    Ahhh, sweet success.  I love it when UK goes into Hoosier country and
    grabs one of their top players.  It's happened so many times over the
    years.
    
    Mike Flynn
    Kyle Macy (transfer from Purdue) - Indiana Mr. Basketball
    Jim Masters                      - Indiana Mr. Basketball
    James Blackmon                   
    Rodger Harden
    Shawn Kemp (unfortunately never played an ounce of college ball)
    Sean Woods
    
    Out of this group, the most hotly contested recruit IMO was Jim
    Masters.  Purdue and Notre Dame made a huge push for Jim.
    
     - Wildcat
    

    Quote from NBC commentator and former Marquette Coach Al McGuire
    
    "My genuine opinion of the Kentucky basketball program is that there is
    only one and it is top drawer, Park Avenue, and that all other
    basketball programs in the country think they are, but they are not. 
    The closest ones to get to it (Kentucky) are North Carolina, maybe
    Indiana and UCLA.  But at Kentucky, basketball is a type of religion,
    such a fanatical obsession that they expect to be national champions
    each year, and they live and die with each ball game.  One of the
    things that is so different about Kentucky is that they have more than
    100 stations that the games are broadcast over, while most colleges
    that have three or four think they are the greatest thing since sliced
    bread.  Kentucky puts SRO-- 23,000 people -- in Rupp Arena; if they
    built an arena seating 50,000, there would still be a waiting list.
    
    "I'm not looking to throw a party for Kentucky, but that is how I feel. 
    I think it's an honest appraisal because I've seen all the programs,
    touching them as a coach, a player, and as an NBC broadcast
    commentator...I have touched all the so-called capitals of basketball,
    but when it gets down to the short stroke the only true capital of
    basketball is Lexington.  I even think there are times when the horses
    kinda bend down a little to the roundball."
    
    
    Thanks Al!  Couldn't have said it any better.
    
     - WILDCAT

    Awfully silent in here.  Shhhh, I think I here a certain UNC fan
    frantically trying to find something other than Petersen's Basketball
    Guide to defend his favorite program! :-)
    
    We all know why the IU fans are silent on this one.  It's the reason
    why they love to hate the UK program.  UK and Louisville have stole
    some of Mr. Humbles thunder many a time over the years!  Precisely why
    Bob refuses to play Pitino's Bombino's in Lexington!
    
     - Wildcat

	Bob,Bob,Bob --- I think you know better.

	The reason Indiana fans hate Kentucky has little to do with
	"stolen thunder".  After all, since Knight's first year at IU
	the Hoosiers have THREE times as many titles as the small blue.

	No, the reason Indiana fans hate the Kentucky program is that
	it was built around (dare I say it?) 

			CHEATING! 

	(There, I feel better).  
	They were probably cheating before you were even a gleam, they 
	were certainly cheating for the last twenty years, and, while 
	they may have kicked the habit for the moment, have no doubt that 
	if the losses mount and the titles don't come, those $100 handshakes 
	will be back faster than you can say 

		"Cash-filled envelope?  WHAT cash-filled envelope?"

	As a matter of fact, one of the funniest things I heard all
	summer was on a mid-summer basketball recruiting show on WHAS.
	Given the recruiting problems of the last couple of years, KY
	fans were calling in complaining that they couldn't get the
	good players because they were spending too much time "MAKING 
	SURE THEY WEREN'T CHEATING ANYMORE".  These are NOT people
	who place integrity above W's. 

tom

    
>    	No, the reason Indiana fans hate the Kentucky program is that
>	it was built around (dare I say it?) 
>
>			CHEATING! 
 
    And we have a winner!  Step right down and collect your prize,
    a_authentic money-order wire receipt personally autographed by none 
    other than the late, great Adolph Rupp hisself!
    
    Kaintuck is the Oklahoma of basketball...
    
    glenn
    
               

    re .20 and .21
    
    WE MOCK WHAT WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND!
    
     - Wildcat

    RE: .20
    
    I spend most weekends in Lexington, and I really have *NEVER* heard
    KY fans bitching about too many precautions for not cheating.
    
    As a matter of fact, most fans in Lex hated losing the Cats on T.V.
    so much, I'd find it hard to believe the true b-ball fans would
    want to come near to getting another three seasons of what they
    just went through.
    
    Remember, some (most) of these folks *LOVE* their KY basketball.
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach

    RE .20
    >>        As a matter of fact, one of the funniest things I heard all
    >>        summer was on a mid-summer basketball recruiting show on WHAS.
    >>        Given the recruiting problems of the last couple of years, KY
    >>        fans were calling in complaining that they couldn't get the
    >>        good players because they were spending too much time "MAKING
    >>        SURE THEY WEREN'T CHEATING ANYMORE".  These are NOT people
    >>        who place integrity above W's.
    
    Tom, we all know you were just trying to get a knee-jerk response from
    us Cat fans from this statement.  IMO, the statement couldn't be
    further from the truth.  I spent my teen-age years in Indiana, and know
    first hand the fervor of Hoosier Hysteria.  Being objective, I've never
    seen a state that has the following for high-school basketball that
    Indiana has.  However, I've yet to find a school in the Mid-West that
    has the following and adoration of so many fans as the University of
    Kentucky.  Al Mcguire was right.  It truly is the pinnacle of college
    basketball.  It's something special when you get 10,000 people packing
    Memorial Coliseum for a practice!  I've been to games in the following
    arena's.  Mackey Arena (Purdue), Assembly Hall (IU), Freedom Hall
    (Louisville), Riverfront Coliseum (Cincinnati), UD Arena (University of
    Dayton), Hoosier Dome (Big Four Classic).  None of these places can
    match the excitment of 24,000 fanatics in Rupp.  Truly something
    special.  As Chip noted previously, UK fans were devastated by the
    probation, and want to insure that it never happens again.
    
    Now, back to the WHAS thing.  The people calling in last summer were
    upset about the recruitment of Clifford Rozier.  Sean Woods took Rozier
    to a Kentucky Derby party in Louisville.  Problem was, Louisville is 67
    miles from Lexington, and the NCAA rules state that you can't take a
    recruit more than 35 miles off campus.  Some fans were upset because CM
    Newton and coach Pitino decided to stop recruiting Rozier immediately. 
    Particularly since he stated after the weekend that he would sign with
    UK!  UK could have appealed this *extremely* minor infraction, but
    chose not to.  The fans weren't upset about spending too much time
    "Making sure they weren't cheating anymore"!  Rather, they wanted UK to
    appeal to the NCAA and keep recuiting Rozier.  BTW, he signed with UL,
    and they had an infraction recruiting him that they reported, and were
    able to sign him.
    
    Finally, as I've stated earlier, Dwayne Casey, received a six-figure
    settlement from Emory World Freight this year.  Seems they backed down
    from their allegations about cash in an envelope!  That whole mess just
    doesn't wash when you look at it logically.
    
     - Wildcat

	I saw the story about the cash settlement.  What I DIDN'T see
	was any statement from the parties involved that Emery had
	decided/stated/inferred that there was no cash.  I doubt that
	you did either, since one of the terms of the settlement was
	a gag order on both sides.  My ****OPINION**** is that the
	settlement was more likely related to privacy issues.  I can see
	why mildcat fans would want to suggest otherwise, though.

	I'll take your word for the excitement of Rupp, since I've never
	been there.  Please return the courtesy and trust me when I say
	that the caller's I heard were not complaining about an isolated
	recruiting incident concerning Mr. Rozier.  Rather, they were
	concerned about a "pattern" of poor recruiting since the probation
	hit.  Fortunately for the newly-found ethics in the Bluegrass
	state, this year's recruiting efforts should help to keep the
	old ways at bay.

	But they better win.

tom

    One last time regarding Emory.  The NCAA *NEVER* proved anything in
    regards to this incident.  So, being objective I can't say whether
    there was money in the cassette case or not.  Doesn't it seem a little
    strange that this one *small* cassette tape would come open at the
    World Wide Distribution Center for Emory where thousands upon thousands
    of packages pass along their conveyor belts daily???  Doesn't it also
    seem strange that this happened the day before the spring recruiting
    signing date?  The day before Don McLean was supposed to sign with UK
    in a heated recruiting battle with UCLA and UNLV.  Things that make you
    Hmmmmm?!
    
    I will take your word on the WHAS issue.  However, there are ignorant
    fans everywhere.  Those that got on Pitino for his recruiting efforts
    the last two seasons were *obiously* ignorant.  When a team is on
    probation, and can't be seen on TV, there will be a definite impact on
    recruiting.  BTW, Pitino is very happy with the recruiting classes. 
    Mashburn was the only "blue chip" recruit, but Rick thinks he has a
    couple of diamonds in the rough.
    
    More later - WILDCAT

    UK vs. West Virginia - 9:00 ESPN - 11/20/91
    
    First round game of Pre-Season NIT.
    
    Should be real interesting to see how the freshman Riddick and
    Timberlake play.  Riddick has apparently been impressive in practice. 
    Watch the level of intensity go up when Feldhaus enters the game. 
    Deron may just be the best sixth man in the country.  Look for Mashburn
    to dominate inside.  His only problem may be foul trouble.
    
    WILDCAT

    This is UK's roster for 1991-1992
    
    NAME		  pos.	 class		ht.	wt.
    
    Junior Braddy          G       Jr.           6-2     190
    Jeff Brassow           G       Jr.           6-5     195
    Dale Brown             G       Jr.           6-4     200
    Richie Farmer          G       Sr.           6-0     170
    Travis Ford            G       So.           5-10    163
    Chris Harrison         G       Fr.           6-3     165
    Carlos Toomer          G       So.           6-4     190
    Sean Woods             G       Sr.           6-2     180
    
    Deron Feldhaus         F       Sr.           6-7     210
    Jamal Mashburn         F       So.           6-8     240
    John Pelphrey          F       Sr.           6-7     195
    Aminu Timberlake       F       Fr.           6-9     195
    
    Gimel Martinez         C       So.           6-9     220
    Andre Riddick          C       Fr.           6-9     190
    
    Look for Mashburn to play alot in the middle early on.  If Martinez or
    Riddick can contribute, then Mash will move to his natural position,
    power forward.  Woods will start at the point.  Brassow or Brown will
    probably open at 2G (Farmer may be out for first game - Ford out until
    middle of December).  Pelphrey (heart and soul of team) will open at
    small forward.
    
    GO BIG BLUE
    
    WILDCAT

    Apparently, Travis Ford's knee has healed suffiently for him to see
    action tonight.  Also Aminu Timberlake has apparently had a great week
    in practice and will start at center.
    
    Tonights probable lieup:
    
    John Pelphre      - F
    Jamal Mashburn    - F
    Aminu Timberlake  - C
    Sean Woods        - G
    Jeff Brassow      - G
    
    When it's crun time however, look for Mash to slide over to the middle
    and Feldhaus to take his slot at forward.
    
    WILDCAT

    Bob Gibbons top five (5) recruiting class (thus far) includes two (2) SEC
    teams.  His ranking is as follows:
    
    1. Kentucky
    2. Ohio State
    3. Georgia
    4. Arizona
    5. North Carolina
    
    Couple of items to note:
    
    o Can anybody remember the last time the Big East team had a top 5 
      recruiting class?  (Let alone two.)
    
    o The SEC seems to be maintaining its reputation of shaky academics.
      Only one (1) of Kentucky's top-ranked class has qualified, while
      two (2) of Georgia's #3-ranked class (Carlos Strong and Terrell
      Bell) have academic work to do.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    re -1.  Shaky academics?  The SEC has a rule which only allows a school
    to have one prop 48 player on scholarship.  That means if 3 of four of
    UK's top rated class don't make the grade, UK would only get to keep
    one of the three.  The SEC seems to have put their priorities in place. 
    Are their any other conferences doing the same?
    
    Chris, which player for UK has made the grade?
    
    Wildcat

    I've got no idea which of the Kaintuck signees passed.  
    
    BTW, the SEC can puff its chest about only allowing one (1) Prop 48
    per school, but they still fall short of the ACC, which doesn't allow
    Prop 48's PERIOD.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Kentucky wins the first game of the season over West Virginia last
    night 106-80.  The 'Cats were outstanding from 3-point range 16-32. 
    Their pressing defense forced 28 or 29 West Virginia miscues.
    
    John Pelphrey was on fire last night.  Brassow and Feldhaus also lit it
    up from the outside.  Name the last player you've seen move and handle
    the ball the way Mash does it at 6-8 240.  Travis Ford also looked
    really good.  The 'Cats certainly don't seem to drop of when Woods
    takes a break.  Did you guys catch the assist Ford had to Feldhaus in
    the second half?  West Virginia had run off 8 straight points to cut
    the lead to 9, when Ford had a behind-the-back dribble on the break and
    flipped the ball over his shoulder to Feldhaus for a lay-in.  Made
    CNN's Play-Of-The_Day.
    
    For UK to be a serious contender for the crown this year, Martinez,
    Timberlake or Riddick needs to step forward and at least not be a
    detriment at center.  UK doesn't need a mighty scorer at center, just
    someone to play good defense, rebound well, etc.
    
    'Cats play Pittsburgh Friday night at Rupp on ESPN.  I'd imagine the
    start time is 9:00 again.
    
    WILDCAT

                                      
>    BTW, the SEC can puff its chest about only allowing one (1) Prop 48
>    per school, but they still fall short of the ACC, which doesn't allow
>    Prop 48's PERIOD.
     
    Aw, whoopee, Chris.  So the ACC Prop 48s go to junior college instead
    of straight to campus, and then come in later.  Everybody (or almost 
    everybody) has got their little games.  We heard from Lawrence Taylor 
    what they are at UNC...
    
    I for one think that Prop 48 is a good rule, but the schools and
    conferences that have made it a drop-dead requirement missed the 
    point.  The rule was intended to be a school-first ultimatum, not
    an outright barrier.
    
    Why is it that the ACC prohibits Prop 48s in basketball but not
    in football?  Where's the logic in that?
    
    glenn
    

    Most ACC Prop 48's (including football, BTW) go to prep school for a
    year, NOT JC.  This is a win/win situation IMO, for these reasons:
    
    o Doesn't cost them a year of eligibility
    o Doesn't make them pay for a full year of tuition (under Prop 48
      a student must pay-their-way)
    o Gives the kid a chance to bone up on studies, to the point where
      they can now muster a 700+ on their SAT
    
    I could be wrong on this, but I don't believe the ACC takes football
    Prop 48's either.  I know Carolina doesn't.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

>    Most ACC Prop 48's (including football, BTW) go to prep school for a
>    year, NOT JC.  This is a win/win situation IMO, for these reasons:
    
    o Most prep schools are minor league basketball factories that the
      ACC uses like the NBA uses the Carolinas of the world by paying
      certain prep schools lip service about how good they are to the
      kids.

    o Kid starts college a year later then gets red shirted so he's
      24 as a senior with 6 years of basketball experience out of
      high school.    
    
    o Coach can keep tabs on a player by attending games...

 yup a win win for the ACC and another used kid.....

 mike

    
    To lend credence to Tom's claims about the radio shows in Lexington,
    Sports Illustrated had a note in this week's issue about how a *host*
    (not just the callers) on station WLEX was complaining about how 
    Kentucky can't recruit blue-chippers anymore because they're not 
    doing the "little things" they used to do.  I guess the guy was 
    forced to recant and was re-assigned a while later...
    
    glenn
     

    Glenn, if this guy did say that, then obviously, he's an idiot.  Can't
    recruit blue-chippers anymore huh?  They just raked in the nations
    number one recruiting class for next year.  They had trouble the last
    couple of seasons because of probation.
    
    Let's face it.  UK is one of a handful of schools that doesn't have to
    "recruit".  They simply offer a scholarship and most kids would love to
    play there.  It's a little different when they are battling another top
    program for a kid, but you get the point.
    
    BTW Tom was talking about a radio program in Louisville.  Just a nit. 
    For what it's worth, If you're not from the Mid-West than you don't
    understand the bitter rivalry between UK and Louisville.  The fans from
    these two programs literally dispise each other.  There is an awful lot
    of mud-slinging that goes on with the various sports shows on radio. 
    There are UK fans doing radio in Louisville, and vice versa.  So an
    inane comment from the announcer you mentioned wouldn't surprise me in
    the least.
    
    HTH's
    
    WILDCAT

    UK took it on the chin and everywhere else last night losing to Pitt
    85-67.  See note 9.549 for my comments on the game.  Next game against
    UMASS December 4.
    
    Here is some of Pitinos comments after the game.
    
    "Kentucky, because of it's great tradition, gets a lot of play," said
    Pitino, "but we are not that good of a basketball team right now.  Not
    going to New York is going to help this team, as much as I would like
    to have gone."  
    
    WILDCAT

    S&S breaks down returning players into the following categories (listed
    from "best to worst"):
    
    o First Team All-America  (Calbert Cheaney is in this category)
    o Next best blue-chippers (23 players listed, Pelphrey not among them)
    o highest honorable mention (19 players listed, Pelphrey not among them)
    o high honorable mention (20 players listed, Pelphrey not among them)
    o honorable mention (100+ players listed, Pelphrey being one of them)
    
    In short, comparing Pelphrey to Cheaney is utterly and completely bogus
    if for no other reason than Kentucky can win without Pelphrey and IU
    certainly CAN'T without Cheaney.
    
    HTH,
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Thank you ACC Chris.  Noters with the kind of objectivity in the
    previous note warmeth my heart.  There was a major difference also
    between Pelphrey taking a rest and Cheney.  Listen closely now,
    PELPHREY RETURNED TO THE GAME, CHENEY DID NOT.  Set Volume/Normal.
    
    Chris, regarding your note on Pitino in the Big East note.  The reason
    UK is taking so many outside shots now is because they have no choice. 
    Their only legitimate big man is Mashburn.  They simply don't match up
    against big physical teams.  Feldhaus and Pelphrey at 6-7 simply can't
    post up or guard other guys 6-9 and up.  When UK is on, I believe they
    can probably play with most teams.  When they are cold such as Friday
    night, they will suffer.  They simply don't have the talent yet (help
    is on the way!) to sustain poor shooting from the outside.
    
    MrT. Give it a rest!  No way is Pelphrey in the same league as Calbert
    Cheaney.  Pelphrey hustles his butt off to obtain the success he has. 
    Coming out of high-school, Pelphrey wasn't even recruited by UK.  They
    only started recruiting him when Vanderbilt did.  No big time program
    wanted John Pelphrey.  It's a credit to John and Rick's coaching
    ability that he is a major-college player now.
    
    WILDCAT

    Hey Roper, chill out. We all know that only Bob Fight (tm) can develop
    otherwise hopeless players into NCAA winners.
    
    Everybody else either has talent and squanders it, or doesn't have any
    talent and loses.
    
    Got it ? Good !
    
    HTH,
    
    Doc 

    UK plays UMass Wednesday night in Rupp.  One item worth mentioning is
    that UMass will be suffering from major jet-lag having just finished
    playing in Alaska.  It'll be interesting to see how they respond from
    the fatigue of travel, etc.
    
    WILDCAT

    Wildcat:
    
         What kind of things are the media in Lexington saying about 
    tonight's Kentucky-UMASS matchup at Rupp?  Are folks expecting a
    blowout, or is UMASS' 5 and 0 record causing any concern?  The point
    spreads I've seen range from 8 to 12 points.  Also, isn't Kentucky
    playing Indiana in the near future and could the Wildcats be looking
    past tonight's contest?
    
         You may be interested to know that today's Boston Globe Sports
    Page has a front page, mega article on Rick Pitino (in which he says
    some nice, respectful "coachy" type things about his alma mater), and
    only has a short column on UMASS, and the trouble they may have in
    adjusting to playing a game at 8 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.  UMASS
    may well continue winning, yet the Globe won't jump on the bandwagon
    until sometime in March!
    
    Russ
    
    - I agree btw, that fatigue resulting from the trip from Anchorage could 
    be a factor this evening.  I'm hoping its counterbalanced by Kentucky
    treating the game somewhat lightly, and a weeks worth of rust, due
    to (game) inactivity.
                 

    Russ, I'll try and post some of the local papers comments (Dayton and
    Cincinnati) this evening if any are available.  In listening to
    Pitino's talk show the other evening, he was very impressed with UMass. 
    He stated that if they were a better known team nationally, that they
    would be in the AP top 20.
    
    UK does have a big game with Indiana this weekend.  However, I don't
    believe they will look past UMass especially in light of what
    Pittsburgh did to them in Rupp a week and a half ago!  It should be a
    good game. 
    
    BTW, a friend is taping the game for me.  If there is anyone interested
    in the game, send me mail @ DYPSS1::ROPER.
    
    - WILDCAT

    Got great news yesterday.  I will be attending the UK-IU game this
    weekend in the Hoosier Dome.  I can't believe the price of the tickets
    though.  20 bucks per ticket!  Someone is making a killing on this one! 
    I attended the first Big Four Classic, and the Dome isn't the best
    place to see a game.  Oh well, there is still nothing like attending a
    live event.
    
    Here is my initial cut at this weekends matchups.
    
    Kentucky doesn't matchup very well at all along the front line. 
    Mashburn will hold his own with Anderson, but IU could have its way
    with Cheney and Henderson.  At the guards, I believe that UK will hold
    its own.  It's the front line that really concerns me.  If UK can't hit
    the three, then it'll be a long day in the dome.
    
    GO BIG BLUE!
    
    WILDCAT

    Wildcat:
    
         One thing to look at early in tonights game, is whether Kentucky
    changes its offensive strategy against UMASS.  Its my understanding
    that Mashburn is the Wildcat's only inside force, and that Kentucky 
    primarily gets its points from the outside via the trey, or on
    turnovers.  UMASS will open however, with a lineup that goes 6-7, 6-6,
    and 6-3 up front and 6-4, 6-2 in the backcourt.  A lot of teams look
    at UMASS' lack of height and decide the way to win is to pound the
    ball inside.  This plays into one of UMASS' primary strengths as
    Barbee, Herndon and Harper Williams are three very good defenders,
    adept at cutting off passing lanes, and despite their height, pretty
    fair rebounders.  Against New Orleans the other night, a team with a
    front line at 6-11, 6-9, 6-7, and the team which lead the nation in
    rebound margin a year ago, UMASS outrebounded the Privateers by 12!!!
    Check out William Herndon at power forward at 6-3.  He's built like
    Lawrence Taylor and he has a plus 40" vertical leap.  
    
         UMASS has a history, however, of being burned by the three pointer.  
    Temple, a team which UMASS always plays tough but never beats, absolutely 
    kills UMASS with its guard play, this despite the fact its front line last
    year went 7-0, 6-9, 6-8.  Mark Macon, Vic Castarphen, and Michael
    Hardin, would always seem to outplay Jim McCoy, Rafer Giles
    (graduated) and Anton Brown.
    
         Thus, I think Pitino would be crazy to focus on the perceived
    mismatch Mashburn might enjoy versus Harper Williams.  Mashburn could
    have a big night with points and rebounds, but UMASS would pick up its
    share of turnovers off passes inside.  It will also be interesting to
    see how UMASS is affected by the vaunted Kentucky press.  Given that
    UMASS is a veteran team, and that all five players can handle the ball,
    the press shouldn't bother them all that much.
    
         Unless UMASS is knocked totally out of synch by the combination of
    four games in six days and the long trip from Anchorage, I expect a
    pretty close game.  I may just have to jump in the car and drive a few
    miles to a high hill to pick up radio reception from Amherst!
    
    Russ
        

         Well, among other things, Kentucky demonstrated that I shouldn't
    give up on my day job, and hit the road as a college basketball scout!
    Seven minutes into the second half, the Wildcats broke open a close
    game with 8 points scored within about 45 seconds, and before you
    could say Wick Wobey the Minutemen were in hole they'd never dig
    themselves out of.  During garbage time things got ugly, three UMies
    fouled out, Kentucky hit all their free throws, and the game became a
    blowout.
    
         Contrary to my pregame analysis, Kentucky was awful from long
    range, but received a monster game from Jamal Mashburn at the expense
    of UMASS' front line, and a career night from Richie Farmer.  The
    Wildcat defense also made mincemeat out of the UMASS point guards.
    For UMASS, Jim McCoy and frosh Lou Roe were the only bright spots.
    The Minutemen were outscored 30 to 13 from the charity stripe, with
    Kentucky hitting about 80% of their free throws and UMASS barely
    converting 50% of theirs.  
    
         Well, good luck to the Wildcats the rest of the season.  It will
    be interesting to watch a Rick Pitino team wreaking havoc in the NCAA
    Tournament once again.
    
    Russ
        

    Russ, Pitino in his post-game comments said that he was most impressed
    with the following:
    
    	 - 'Cats shot 50% from the field although only hitting 4-18 3's.
    
    	 - 'Cats out-rebounded UMass 39-35.  He really harped on this and
           brought up the point that UMass was a good team on the boards.
    
    Rick said that he thought UMass would be a top twenty club by the end
    of the regular season.  He spoke very highly of them.  I will view the
    game on tape this weekend.  From what I heard from radio last night, it
    sounds like UMass has a fine team.  BTW, Pitino said that this was the
    finest team UMass has ever had.  Since I don't follow them I don't
    know.  Any comments?
    
    Mashburn had 28 points and 10 rebounds.
    Farmer had 22 points (5-8 fg, 10-10 ft's)
    Pelphrey, averaging 19.5 ppg was held to 1 point!
    
    - WILDCAT

    The loss of Brassow is major for UK this year.  While Farmer will have
    his share of good games, he is no where near the athlete that Brassow
    is.  Brassow led the team in deflections last year.  In Pitino's
    pressing style, deflections are paramount.  Brassow also was the team's
    best motion offense player.  He was constantly taking people back-door.
    
    Chris Harrison, a 6-3 project was originally going to be red-shirted
    this season.  With the loss of Brassow, he played last night.
    
    WILDCAT

    Pitino said last night that Indiana had the best team that he had seen
    from them in the last three years.  He said that their defense was
    "scary" for this point in the season.
    
    UK will have to come up with a stellar effort to win Saturday.  Should
    be an interesting game.  We've already discussed some matchups on the
    front line, etc.  Another interesting factor will be how well IU
    handles the UK pressure.  And there will only be pressure if UK shoots
    well from the field in order to set up the press.
    
    - WILDCAT

    re:  207.49
    
    Wildcat:
    
        Regarding Pitino's high praise of this year's UMASS team, I think
    he is being a might humble.  The 1973 team on which he played point
    guard was a pretty good team.  It generated one NBA player, Al Skinner,
    a European Pro, John Murphy, a guy who received a look-see from the
    Boston Celtics, Bill Endicott, and three college coaches, Pitino,
    Skinner and Tom Mclaughlin.  Although they lacked explosive scoring,
    they were a great defensive team, and they gave the Ernie D/Marvin Barnes
    Providence College team one of their toughest games.  That was the year
    John Wooden called Providence the 2nd best team in the country.
    
         I'm still expecting big things from UMASS this year, and agree
    that they could be a very interesting team at Tournament Time.  I was
    disappointed last night by the final point differential and that 
    Mashburn was allowed to have such a big game, but I think it was at 
    least partially attributable (taking nothing away from Kentucky or
    Mashburn's All-American abilities) to the fatique factor resulting from 
    the 17 hour trip from Anchorage!
    
         UMASS has a home game against a tough Xavier team this weekend,
    and I hope they are motivated by the Kentucky blowout.
    
    Russ
           

    Russ, thanks for the update.  I agree that fatigue may have been a
    factor in last nights game.  BTW, how good a player was Pitino in
    college?  Was he a good shooter, good defensively, etc.?  Did you know
    that Billy Donovan is one of UK's assistants?
    
    Xavier as a pretty decent team this year.  Keep your eye out on Aaron
    Williams.  He is Xaviers horse inside.  People around here were shocked
    that Pete Gillen didn't take the Notre Dame job after last season. 
    He's certainly done a fine job with the Musketeers.
    
    Good luck.
    
    WILDCAT

    Pitino was a pure point guard in college.  Good passer, good defender,
    couldn't shoot worth a damn but an extremely intelligent player who was
    one of the best on-the-floor leaders I've ever seen.  He was captain of
    the team his senior year, a true off-the-floor leader who pulled the
    entire team together.  He really coaches his teams in his image.
    
    He was a senior when I was a freshman beginning to work in the Athletic
    Department and I remember him as being the first true street-smart,
    fast-talking New Yorker I'd ever met.  He was very good to me when I
    was working as a student trainer, always friendly and I remember him
    being the same way when he was at Boston University.  I called him once
    while he was at BU because the son of a friend of mine was being
    recruited by another school and he had some questions about the coach
    there.  Rick was very open with me about that coach and it helped my
    friend and his son make the decision about whether to attend that
    school.
    
    I always liked him and still do, both as a person and a player.
    
    John

         John captured nicely Pitino's abilities as a player.  Back in
    1970, freshmen were ineligible for varsity ball, and Pitino
    quarterbacked a frosh team that was either undefeated or lost a single
    game.  That was also Dr.J's last year at UMASS (he left as a hardship
    junior) and he was star of the varsity team which went 25 and 3.
    As a freshman, Pitino was a real showboat for that time, throwing
    passes behind the back, between the legs, around the neck etc.
    
         The next year, monumental things were expected from UMASS with
    most of the Varsity Team back and with the sophomore class led by 
    Pitino and Al Skinner coming up.  However the year turned out to be a bust
    as Erving left for the ABA, and Pitino clashed regularly with the
    returning starting guards, and with Coach Jack Leaman, over playing
    time.  If I remember correctly, Pitino was booted off of the team
    for a while, after fighting with one of the starting guards.
    
         After this rocky start with Leaman, Pitino mellowed somewhat
    and toned down his flamboyant guard play.  As a junior and senior
    he was clearly one of the team leaders, although I don't think he was
    ever team captain.  As a coach, he has given Jack Leaman credit for
    teaching him many of the defensive concepts he still uses today.
    
    Russ
       

    John:
    
         I just reread your note where you mentioned Pitino WAS team
    captain his last year.  I had thought that Skinner captained the team,
    but since you were directly involved, I defer to your knowledge of
    the matter.
    
    Russ

    
    I was really high on Pitino until that Providence debacle, and after
    that and the subsequent coaching move back to the college game I
    haven't known what to think.  As I recall, Pitino was looking around 
    after leading Providence to the Final Four, which was absolutely his 
    right and fine in my book.  But didn't he then supposedly make and 
    announce a heartfelt decision to stay at Providence and then sign a 
    contract extension to make it stick?  Pitino's dedication to the kids 
    was lauded and applauded, ad nauseum, and then a month or two later 
    he was gonzo...
    
    glenn
    

    Great updates guys.  From just what I've seen of Pitino as a fan, he
    seems to have a contagious personality.  He appears to bring the best
    out of those he works with.  I hope that he remains at UK for the
    duration of his contract.  There has been rumor of him taking the Nets
    job.  He's denied this, but the New York Post, etc., persist with
    bringing it up.
    
    WILDCAT

    My buddies roommate used to be a manager for UK basketball.
    
    He said he went in the locker room (after PITT) and point to each
    starter, screaming "I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, etc".
    
    Says Pitino has fired him after bad games, and rehired him the next
    day.  The wonder of it was, the guy didn't report to Pitino.
    
    I think EVERYONE in Lexington reports to Pitino, they love'em.
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach
    
    P.S. John_Hendry, I have a friend who is supposed to get me a program
    for you, I was unable to make the game against UMASS...
    

    Wow, what a game!  34,705 saw UK upset IU in the Hoosier Dome.  I can't
    say enough about the 'Cats half court defense in this game.  It's
    certainly the best they've played in this young season.  Pitino said
    afterward that it was the best half court defense they had played under
    him.  The last twenty seconds of the game was characteristic of the way
    UK played on defense all afternoon.  Feldhaus did an incredible job on
    Cheney the last possession to deny him the ball.  Knight had said that
    they wanted to get the ball in Calberts hand for the final shot.
    
    Here are some random thoughts on the game.
    
    *** I mentioned last week that I was concerned about Anderson, Cheney
    and Henderson.  Forget Henderson, he played 13 minutes and scored 2
    points.  Anderson had 18 while Cheney had 16.  UK's defense was
    awesome.  At the half Cheney led IU with 12 points.  With Mashburn
    taking him most of the second half, he only had 4 after the
    intermission.  Mash and Feldhaus played Anderson and Cheney very well
    indeed.
    
    *** UK shot extremely well yesterday.  They shot 51% overall and 48%
    from three point land.  IU on the otherhand shot only 43% overall and
    0% treys.
    
    *** Huge discrepancy from the charity stripe.  IU converted 30 of 39! 
    UK converted 9 of 14.  IU outscored UK by 21 points!  However, UK had 6
    more FG's than IU, 11 being three pointers.
    
    *** Mashburn was simply unstoppable.  IU tried every defensive
    combination imaginable but could'nt contain the Monster Mash.  Mashburn
    finished with 21 points, and 8 boards.  The inside play of Mashburn
    really opened it up for Feldhaus who had a great game.  Feldhaus
    finished with 19 points hitting 5 of 8 from three point land.
    
    *** Damon Bailey was a liability for IU.  1 of 6 from the field, and 3
    of 6 from the line.  IU could have certainly used an outside shot from
    him.
    
    *** You may be wondering why Richie Farmer saw only 8 minutes of
    action.  Pitino explained it after the game.  As soon as he entered the
    game, Knight yelled for Bailey to post him up.  Bailey did this last
    year and had a big game against UK.  Pitino realized the mis-match, and
    kept him out of the game.
    
    *** Pitino mentioned that the reason Alan Henderson and UK's frosh
    Timberlake and Riddick didn't see more action was because of the
    complexity of the game.  There was multiple switches occuring,
    complicated offenses, etc.  The freshmen just can't adjust this early
    in the season to the kind of strategy this game had.
    
    GO BIG BLUE!
    
    WILDCAT

    UK played SW Texas State and won 82-36 Tuesday night.  Wasn't much of a
    game.  Mashburn led the way.  It did allow Pitino to play alot of
    sub's.
    
    UK played Morehead State last night in Louisville and won 101-84.  UK
    was up 62-45 at the half.  The game was actually closer than the score
    indicated.  Morehead closed the gap to 89-81 with about 4 minutes or so
    to play.  State plays a game the way Paul Westhead and LMU did.  I'd
    imagine they will do pretty well in their conference.
    
    'Cats play Arizona State tomorrow.  ASU has a fairly talented squad
    from what I've heard.
    
    WILDCAT

    Two out of four of UK's top ranked recruiting class are now eligible
    for next season.  Tony Delk (38 ppg) out of Tennessee and Jared
    Prickett (West Virginia).  Still waiting on Rodrick Rhodes out of
    Jersy City.  Walter McCarty (6-9 out of Evansville) doesn't look
    likely.  He's having trouble even getting his core high-school courses. 
    The SEC only allows one Prop-48/Team.  Sure hope it's McCarty for UK
    and not Rhodes.  If Rhodes doesn't make the grade, I believe he will go
    the Juco route.  Once that happens, it's open season again for the
    recruitment of Mr. Rhodes.
    
    WILDCAT

    Can't figure LSU so far this young season.  The last two games have
    been massacares.  First UNLV beats them by 21 and then Arizona handles
    them by 20.  What gives?  The Shack may be wishing he'd gone to the
    NBA.  In the past, Dale Brown has been a great motivator.  It just
    seems like he hasn't had the proper chemistry the last few years.  The
    man's had some absolutely great talent.  Chris Jackson, Stanley
    Roberts, Shaquille O'Neal, etc.  A UK team decimated by probation beat
    LSU once each of the last two seasons.  'Nuff said!
    
    WILDCAT

    Well, I finished my Final at the University of Dayton last night :-) 
    Boy, I'm glad that's over!  Think I'll take a few weeks off, and enjoy
    the 'Cats!
    
    UK bested Bill (I'd never walk away from an NCAA Championship)
    Frieder's Arizona State team 94-68 Saturday evening.  It was a great
    game for junior-college transfer Dale Brown.  Brown pumped in 24 points
    after struggling miserably from the field early on this season.  If
    Brown can continue to hit the 'J, then that'll take up some slack from
    the loss of Brassow.  Watch out for Travis Ford once he fully recovers
    from his knee injury.  He really adds a spark when he's out there.
    
    Next game for Kentucky is Saturday night 9:30 P.M. against Georgia Tech
    in Atlanta.  Game will be on ESPN.  Should be exciting.  Monday the
    23rd they play Ohio University in Riverfront Coliseum - Cincinnati. 
    Looking forward to that game since I'll be there :-)
    
    WILDCAT

         Well if SU can't have McRae I'm glad to see he will play for a
    contending team. It's not fair to take him from SU but I would want the
    kid to play as he may never get the chance to again after his College
    career. The Pro's may be just not in the cards for him. 

         Good luck to McRae if he ends up at Kentucky!

                                                  Night Flier   ~~v~~

    Time for some updates.
    
    UK lost to Georgia Tech last Saturday 81-80.  With about 12 minutes to
    play, Tech held a 20 point lead!  I thought I was going to witness the
    greatest comeback I'd ever seen.  'Cats fell one point short.  UK was
    hurt by Sean Woods being out sick, and Mashburn getting in foul
    trouble.  It also didn't help when Pitino was tossed and Tech got six
    points out of it. 
    
    It was a bit childish in my opinion the way Pitino handled himself
    after the ejection.  He went to all three officials and gave them an
    earfull before leaving the court.  I was also surprised that Rick
    didn't admit on his weekly show that his ejection could have very well
    cost them the game!  It's funny how pride can sometimes make us look
    like real jerks.
    
    UK beat Ohio University Monday evening 73-63.  OU played a very
    deliberate game.  IMO, UK looked a bit sluggish.  Mashburn again led
    the way with 23 points and 8 rebounds.
    
    Tough game for the 'Cats this weekend as they play Louisville.  Look
    out for Dwayne Morton of the 'Cards.  This kid is good.
    
    WILDCAT

>    UK beat Ohio University Monday evening 73-63.  OU played a very
>    deliberate game.  
    
    This should have been closer.  Ohio is picked to win the MAC this year
    and is loaded with talent (relative to the conference).  
    
    	--dan'l

    dan'l, Pitino was heaping mucho praise on Ohio after the game.  He said
    he'd rather go to the dentist then play OU.  I was at the game, and
    thought that UK was sluggish.  On the post-game radio show Pitino
    said UK played as well as they could!  I didn't realize how good OU
    was.  OU lost to Ohio State by 16, but out-rebounded the Buckeyes.
    
    WILDCAT

    Ahhhh, what a wonderful weekend.  Happy Holidays :-)
    
    UK beat Louisville 103-89.  The 'Cats hit 11-21 from 3 point range. 
    Louisville and their fans begged for years for UK to play them.  UK
    finally gave in and after 10 games, lead the series 7-3! Ha, Ha, Ha! 
    Denny Crumb was left sucking air once again.  Pelphrey regained his
    shooting touch canning 26 points.  The Monster Mash contributed 25 and
    Dale Brown had 16.
    
    Classless play by James Brewer of the 'Ville when he dumped Sean Woods
    off of his back.  Thankfully he got a 'T.  True to form, Denny Crumb
    never said a word to Brewer about his mugging of Woods.  Pitino on the
    other hand gave Gimel Martinez a verbal beating after an errant elbow
    against Ohio University Monday the 23rd.  Martinez never returned to
    the game.
    
    Probably can't blame Crumb too much though.  Poor mans been beaten like
    a drum so often by UK that he's shell shocked. :-)
    
    Next game - Jan 2 - Notre Dame in Lexington.  
    
    1st SEC game Jan 4 at South Carolina
    
    WILDCAT

    Well CAT,
    You can rest easy on 1/2. Cannon fodder we is.
    
    MikeL
    

    MikeL - Everyone thought ND's football team would be Cannon fodder for
    Florida in the Sugar Bowl - NOT!
    
    Guess that's why they play the games.  UK better be pumped for this
    one.  Main worry is keeping LePhonso Ellis in check.
    
    WILDCAT

    Yea right WILDCAT,
    Cannon fodder it is 91-70. If you have any details let me know.
    Bested way to keep LaPhonso Ellis in check is to ask him how he did
    in his finals. The man has had academic problems every year and has
    sat out at least one semester for at least two of the years. I do
    give him credit for hanging in there, bringing back up his grades,
    and working hard. I wish he kept it consistent. 
    
    MikeL
    

    MikeL, I listened to part of the game.  Here are the details as I
    remember them.  I'll post more middle of next week.
    
    Notre Dame held a nine point lead early in the first half.  UK then
    went on a 15-0 run led by Mashburn and frosh Andre Riddick.  UK had a
    lead as big as 21 points in the first half, but that was cut to 10 I
    believe at halftime.  It stayed at 12 to 14 until about the 6 minute
    mark of the game.  Notre Dame cut the lead to 8 before UK went on
    another Mashburn run.  Mashburn hit a three, ND came down with Ellis
    getting a basket, Mashburn hit another three, ND missed, and Mashburn
    finished off the mini-spurt with a 2 pointer.
    
    The announcers were impressed with the play of Sweet, Bennet, and Ellis
    for Notre Dame.  Is the problem that ND doesn't have any depth,
    learning a new system, or what?
    
    UK was led in scoring by Richie Farmer who had a career high 28 points. 
    Mashburn was second in scoring with 25 points.  Ellis had at least 20
    for Notre Dame.  UK shot I believe 11 of 21 from three point range. 
    Notre Dame was able to cut the lead in the second half to eight on
    torrid outside shooting.  At about the halfway point of the second
    half, they were hitting 90% of their shots!  I'll have more stats next
    week.
    
    Tomorrow, UK begins SEC play visiting newcomer South Carolina.  They
    face Georgia in a nationally televised game Tuesday evening.
    
    WILDCAT

    WILDCAT,
    Thanks for the recap. ND simply has no depth after the three you
    mentioned. A couple of freshmen ( Russell and Gordon, I think)
    impress, but after that, nada. When I saw ND play BC, the Irish
    looked as if they had no clue in fundamentals. No box-outs, lots
    of turnovers, etc. Just a period of time for ND to get used to
    MacLeod and vice/versa.  It's gonna git worse, too.When Bennett,
    Sweet, and Ellis graduate, not much is left. MacLeod will have
    to git recruitin' big time. Heard he signed a couple of A-A's,one
    guard and one forward, but it'll take time.
    Glad to hear the Irish put up a good struggle. As T stated earlier
    when ND played IU , ND is a bad team (corroboration vs BC) now, which
    should improve as the year goes by. Gonna lose a lot but should give
    some teams a run especially at home. Next year will be major
    rebuilding.
    
    MikeL
    

        
    
            Fellas don't be suprised if the GAMECOCKS give
    the WILDCATS all they can handle.The Cocks can be very
    tough on their home court. A few luckey calls here and
    there and we'll have ourselves an upset.
            Especially check out Joe Rhett if you get a
    chance to see the game. Not only I'm I predicting an
    upset,but Rhett will eat MashBUM lunch.
    
          
    
    
          p.s. Don't laugh because I'm a South Carolina fan because
    in 5 yrs they will to the SEC what North Carolina has been to the ACC!!
    
    
    
    
         
    
        BIG "O"

Kentucky won big.  Mashburn was a monster stud.

So much for the Big O's prediction.

Bob Hunt

    Welcome to the S-E-C...

    UK welcomed South Carolina to the SEC with a 80-63 triumph on the road
    Saturday night.  Mashburn was once again unstoppable canning 33 points
    and hauling down 11 rebounds.  Mashburn hit 5 three pointers!
    
    I don't know if I'm not seeing the best player to ever play inside for
    the 'Cats.  I know I'm going out on a limb on this one, but Mashburn is
    really impressive.  If he continues to improve over the next two
    seasons, watch out!  At 6-8, he can dominate inside, and can dribble
    and shoot from the outside like a guard!  One aspect of his game that
    he needs to work on is really taking the ball to the hoop with
    authority.  He sometimes misses gimmes underneath.  His inside game is
    not quite where Kenny Walkers was, but he is a much better outside
    shooter and ball handler than Kenny Walker is and ever will be.
    
    Next game is Tuesday night in RUPP vs. Georgia.  Game will be telivised
    nationally by ESPN at 9:30 EST.
    
    WILDCAT

Post-UK comments from the Gamecocks' brain trust were those of simple 
resignation to the fact that Mashburn was unstoppable.    

If they left him alone at the top of the key, he simply stepped back and 
swished treys.  If they sent their slow-footed center out to contest him, 
Mashburn simply dribbled around him and soared on in for thunder slams.

Ouch ...

Give Pitino credit, too.   He knew that the first 10 minutes of the game 
would go the 'Cocks way.   They had all kinds of pre-game ceremonies and a 
packed house to welcome the first SEC game.   And the 'Cocks used the 
emotional jumpstart to kick out to a quick double-digit lead.   But Pitino 
was preaching caution and patience in the huddle and soon enough the 'Cats 
put the 'Cocks in their place and it was a blowout.

Bob Hunt

    Thanks for that report Bob.  I'll return the favor when the Gamecocks'
    are in Lexington.
    
    WILDCAT

    Tough game tonight on ESPN for the 'Cats.  Georgia's coming to town. 
    Georgia has beaten Georgia Tech, and lost on UCLA's home court last
    week by only eight points 88-80.  Litteral Green is leading the SEC in
    scoring and is shooting 56% from three point land!  Georgia also has a
    big 7-1 center that's been playing well of late.  Green lit up UK last
    year, but the 'Cats were able to stop the rest of the team.  Should be
    a really exciting game.  Both teams love to run.
    
    WILDCAT

    Love that name Litteral!
    He doesn't have a cuz named Figurative, does he?  8^)
    
    MikeL
    

    Fun game last night.  UK's half-court defense was fantastic IMHO.  They
    completely shut down Litterial (Figurative) Green!  Dale Brown, Junior
    Braddy, and Sean Woods combined to limit Green to 11 points.  Green lit
    up UCLA last week for 38 points in Pauley!  Coming into the UK game,
    Green was leading the SEC with 23 ppg.
    
    The announcers thought the game was a bit ragged, but I was very
    pleased.  The outside shot wasn't falling, so UK went inside to Mash,
    Feldhaus, and Martinez.  The bench was super.  Feldhaus and Braddy
    scored 15 points each off the bench.  I was very pleased with the
    motion offense last night.  The passing was crisp, and for the most
    part, spacing was excellent.
    
    BTW, UK shot a phenominal 24-25 from the free throw line!
    
    I'm a bit curious why Travis Ford didn't see action.  I thought his
    knee was coming along nicely.
    
    Next game Saturday at Rupp - Florida.
    
    WILDCAT

    
    	Sorry to spoil your excitment WILDCAT..I just didn't see it the way
    you described it...sloppy game..sloopy! No outside shots were falling
    for either team, and if you went inside, you got a FOWL called! Also,
    it took three players to shut down one guy(green). Granted UK has the
    talent to make up for the three that were guarding Green, they need
    some more experience.
    
    	That center for Ga is going to be GREAT!
    
    B.A.
    

    B.A.  alot of UK games may appear "sloppy".  It's because of the
    hectic pace Pitino loves to play.  Also, shots weren't falling
    partially because of great defense on both sides.
    
    Since UK used three players on Figurative Green, maybe Georgia
    should've put three on Mashburn, Feldhaus, and Braddy. :-)
    
    UK will continue to experience problems when they face a team with
    inside muscle.  I doubt Riddick and Timberlake, the two freshman, are
    going to provide much help this season.  If the 'Cats outside shots
    aren't falling, it could be a "UGLY" game.
    
    
    WILDCAT

    UK overcame a sluggish start to defeat Florida 81-60 Saturday
    afternoon.  Jamal Mashburn led the way with 18 points.  The star of the
    game however, was Travis Ford.  Ford, a transfer from Missouri, had
    been hampered by a broken knee cap suffered in November.  Travis
    started the second half in place of Sean Woods and ignited an 8-0
    second-half opening run with some outstanding assists and shooting. 
    Ford ended up the game with 8 points and 8 assists.  
    
    UK had 21 assists and only 9 turnovers, while Florida had 3 assists and
    17 turnovers!  This stat shows that Florida tried to play a lot of
    "one-on-one" basketball.  
    
    Travis Ford can provide this UK team with a major boost if he can work
    into "game shape".  Ford is a magician with the ball, and could give
    Sean Woods (no outside shot) some serious pine time!
    
    WILDCAT

    Big game for the 'Cats Wednesday night at Vanderbilt.  UK hasn't played
    well in Vandy of late.  Vandy's down a bit this year, but still should
    be a good game.
    
    Anyone catch Todd Day's performance against LSU over the weekend?  Day
    lit up LSU for 43 points.  Dale Brown called it the best performance he
    had seen by a visiting player in the Maravich Center.  
    
    If Arkansas can be patient offensively, then they may do some damage in
    this years tourney.  Look for a great game when the Razorbacks visit
    Rupp on January 25.
    
    WILDCAT

    UK had an impressive victory over Vandy in Nashville last night.  UK
    had lost its previous four games in the Music City.  Vandy held a 38-33
    half-time lead.  UK's depth wore down Vandy in the second half.
    
    UK shot 51% for the game while Vandy shot 47%.  Free throws were a bit
    more even this year!  Vandy shot 19 FT's, while UK shot 17.  Last year
    the discrepancy was 51-7, in Vandy's  favor!!!
    
    Once again, Jamal Mashburn led the way for UK.  The Monster Mash had 21
    points, 15 rebounds, and six steals.  This kid is incredible. 
    Certainly one of the top players in the SEC.
    
    Next game Saturday in RUPP vs. Eastern Kentucky.
    
    WILDCAT

    UK had an easy victory Saturday afternoon over Eastern Kentucky.  Jamal
    Mashburn once again led the way with 18 points.  John Pelphrey became
    the 38th player to score 1000 or more points for UK.  Deron Feldhaus,
    perhaps the nations best sixth man, should reach the 1000 point plateau
    this week.
    
    Next up for UK, the dreaded Vols in Knoxville.  Game time 9:30 Tuesday
    evening on ESPN.  Tennessee always plays UK tough.  However, if UK
    plays up to their potential, it should be another W.  
    
    Watch for some great guard play.  Alan Houston of the Vols is one of
    the USA's best guards.  Also, Travis Ford has been getting more and
    more playing time for the 'Cats.  Ford dished out 7 assists in the win
    over Eastern Saturday.
    
    WILDCAT

    OUCH!  UK received a pretty good spanking last night in Tennessee. 
    Alan Houston was fantastic for the Vols.  This kid is one of the top
    guards in the country.  He poured in 36 points last night.  Houston's
    outside shooting opened up the inside for the Vols.  It doesn't take
    much inside play to give the depleted 'Cats fits!  Other than Mashburn,
    UK has no inside game.  Speaking of the Mash, he turned in another
    stellar effort.  Jamal finished with 28 points after fouling out with
    about 4:30 left in the game.  UK had five players foul out last night.
    
    Here's hoping Rodrick Rhodes passes his SAT!
    
    Next game Saturday, Rupp Arena against Arkansas.  UK will have to play
    one of its best games of the season to conquer the Razorbacks.  I
    however don't think that will happen.  Arkansas is just too strong
    inside.  Arkansas by 12 in Rupp.
    
    WILDCAT

Any talk of Houston entering the draft this year, or is he planning
on sticking around for his senior year?

Laker_Ken

    re -1
    
    I haven't heard anything about Houston leaving early but I'll check
    around.  I would suspect he would stay in school since he's playing for
    his Father though.
    
    WILDCAT

    Does anyone give UK much of a chance at upsetting Arkansas this
    weekend?  Pitino is such a master motivator that anything's possible. 
    If UK can get some production out of Riddick and Martinez, then they
    may do it.  Another key will be to not allow Todd Day to run wild the
    way Alan Houston did earlier this week.
    
    WILDCAT

    'Cats lose their second straight to Arkansas.  Final score was 105-88. 
    Game was actually closer than the final score indicated.  With a couple
    of minutes remaining, UK pulled to within 93-86.  UK fouled, and Pitino
    received a technical after complaining about the ref taking too much
    time to stop the clock.  Arkansas got 6 points out of that exchange,
    and never looked back.
    
    The story line to this game was fouls, fouls, and fouls.  Arkansas hit
    41-49 from the free throw line compared to UK's 10-18!!!  That's a
    difference of 31 points folks!  UK had more field goals then Arkansas. 
    Jamal Mashburn was held to a season low 4 points after suffering from
    early foul trouble.  John Pelphrey had his best game of the season,
    netting 22 points.
    
    I beleive that this UK team still has a chance to cause major waves in
    the NCAA tournament.  It all depends on the continued development of
    Andre Riddick and Gimel Martinez in the middle.
    
    WILDCAT

    'Cats take on Ole Miss tonight in Rupp.  This is an extremely important
    game for a struggling UK team that has lost two consecutive games. 
    They travel to Baton Rouge to take on the Shack and company this
    Saturday.
    
    This seems to work for the IU faithful, so I'll try it here!  UK is
    downright pitiful.  How in the world could both the AP and USA Today
    polls have them ranked as high as 14?  Come now folks, this team should
    be ranked no higher than perhaps number 40 in the country!  I mean
    let's just take a quick look at their lineup and you'll see what I
    mean.
    
    PLAYER			TOP 100 H.S. PLAYER?
    ______			____________________
    
    Richie Farmer		NOT!  Sutton never recruited the kid
                                until LSU showed an interest after Farmer
                                won Kentucky's Mr. Basketball.
    
    Sean Woods			NOT!  Came out of Indianapolis with very
    				suspect credentials (No outside shot).  I'd
                                say the scouts were on the money on this
    				one.
    
    Travis Ford			Travis may have been between 50-100. 
    				Certainly no Blue-Chipper here.  Orginally
    				went to Missouri.  UK never recruited
    				him out of High School.
    
    Dale Brown			NOT!  Juco transfer.  No where near top
    				100.
    
    Junior Braddy		NOT!  WALKON!!  Need I say more?
    
    Carlos Toomer		NOT!  Top 250 maybe.
    
    Gimel Martinez		Gimel was perhaps number 75.  Still a major
    				project.
    
    Andre Riddick		Andre was also around 60 or so.
    
    Aminu Timberlake		Aminu was around 100.
    
    John Pelphrey		What a JOKE!  John was nowhere near the top
    				150 coming out of H.S.  Believe me, if
    				UK hadn't picked him he would have been
    				Eastern Kentucky or Vanderbilt fodder!
    
    Deron Feldhaus		See John Pelphrey!  Both of these guys
    				were absolutely pitiful under Eddie Sutton.
    
    Jamal Mashburn		Jamal believe it or not was ranked only
    				around number 35 or so by most recruting
    				experts.  Obviously they made a  mistake on
    				the "Monster Mash".
    
    Jeff Brassow		Jeff was nowhere near the top 100 after
    				H.S.  Jeff is a very nice player one that
    				UK misses greatly.  (Knee Injury)
    
    Chris Harrison		Maybe 125 or so.  Certainly no Blue
    				Chipper.
    
    
    So, after seeing this list you can tell that UK has nary a one
    "BLUE-CHIPPER" on their squad.  Certainly can't touch the recruiting
    classes of IU, Michigan, Lousiville, Ohio State, Duke, North Carolina,
    LSU, Arkansas, Seton Hall, Conneticut, etc.  In other words, they have
    no legitmate shot of beating any top 40 ball club.
    
    If UK does slip up and win, it is only because they have the greatest
    coach on earth in RICK PITINO!
    
    HTH's
    
    WILDCAT

    What a game folks.  Joe Harvell, the SEC's leading scorer, pumped in 29
    points.  That heroic effort wasn't enough however as the 'Cats scored
    what could be considered an upset in many circles beating Ole Miss
    96-78.
    
    The Monster Mash had a good game scoring 24 points while grabbling 7
    rebounds.  Sean Woods dished out 9 assists.  The overachieving John
    Pelphrey and Deron Feldhaus scored 16 and 14 points respectively.
    
    Next up for UK, LSU Sunday on National TV.  No way UK should come close
    to LSU which boasts the best player in the Nation and a great guard out
    of Illinois by the name of Jamie Brandon.  Don't remember Brandon?  He
    was Prop-48 last year and considred by many to be the top guard in the
    country coming out of H.S. along with Damon Bailey.
    
    If Pitino can pull this off, then he will have pulled along side Rupp,
    Iba, Wooden, and Joe B. Hall as one of the greatest coaches of all
    time.
    
    WILDCAT

    Whoa 'CAT,
    Git off that Jolt cola, willya!
    Pitino alongside the others (C'mon with Joe B. Hall-good
    coach...period), because of one possible win!! Are you trying
    to set us up with UK ala T with IU??
    
    MikeL
    

    MikeL, I resemble that remark.  In note 207.99 I went into exhaustive
    detail describing the inadequacies of this depleted Wildcat team.  If
    however, one of the greatest upsets since Villanova over Georgetown can
    occur this weekend ...
    
    Stay tuned folks, this game is on NATIONAL TV.  Sunday afternoon.
    
    BTW, Pitino is being mentioned in the same breath as these great
    coaches because of the following record with this slow, short, talent
    short team.
    
    	YEAR 1 - 14-14
    	YEAR 2 - 22-6
    	YEAR 3 - 15-4 (as of 1/30/92)
    
    HTH's
    
    WILDCAT

    If Pitino can last long enough in one place and garner a great
    record, so be it. I'm not denying that he's a damn good coach, he is.
    But let's not immortalize the man  yet. He ain't reached the
    stratosphere that the others you mentioned, throwin' Joe B. Hall out
    (yup a dang good coach but not immortal). BTW in mentioning Pitino
    in exalted terms, how could you leave out Knight and (shudder) possibly
    Smith??
    
    Also I read your good analysis of UK basketball woes, but I think you
    protestheth too much. I'll agree with you on this, if UK beats 
    LSU it will be an upset,not of monumental stature, but an upset.
    
    MikeL
    

Why will it be an upset? UK's higher in the polls, has a superior coach,
a better bench, and better starters (with one noteable exception). 

 mike

    Wake up people.  'Cat is talking tongue-in-cheek cause of MorT's
    continuous badmouthing of the awesome Hoosiers.  You know the story:
    
    "We've got no studs, so anytime we win a game we must get down on our
    hands and knees and bow before Bob and thank him mightily for yet
    another overachieving 'W'."
    
    Yuk. 
    
    
    - ACC Chris

 I still don't think so Mike. LSU is one the most under-acheiving schools in
 the nation. With the Shack there they should be atleast a top 10 school and
 they're not. Why? Gotta be the coach cause they have some studs besides Shack.
 So with the coach being equally important to the (probably more important)
 equation as the talent on the floor, we have Pitino 2x Brown so no upset.
 Dispite the homecourt. 

 mike

    mike, granted Pitino appears to be doing a better job coaching then
    Dale Brown this season.  In fact, I've stated before that I think it's
    been five years since Brown has done a credible job coaching. 
    However, that doesn't mean a hill of beans because of the disparity in
    talent between the two teams and the fact that it's on LSU's home
    court.
    
    LSU still has the most dominant player in college basketball in
    Shaquille O'Neal.  They have at guard Jamie Brandon who was one of the
    top two rated guards in the country two seasons ago.  UK has nobody
    that can control O'Neal down low.  Not even Mashburn.  Mashburn has
    been eaten alive by the SHACK the only two times he's played him. 
    Plus, Mash can't be expected to guard O'Neal, score all of the inside
    points, and grab the majority of rebounds.  Just not physically
    possible.
    
    IMO, the story of this game will be foul trouble.  If UK can stay out
    of it, they may have a chance at pulling the upset.  If not, this game
    will get very, very, very *UGLY*.
    
    WILDCAT

 Cmon Cat, stop this ACChris-T style whinning it doesn't fit you. Sure Shack
 ate the Mash alive last year but who won the ballgame? UK case closed. This
 year UK has more experience and Brandon may have had a great rating coming
 out HS but I haven't heard him being a world beater this year. 

 I agree Shack the most dominant player in the game but in college that doesn't
 amount to much. If it did LSU would be undefeated. Nope college is a team game
 where a coach's input matters. UK has the deeper team and the better coach...

 mike

    Well, I'm upset they lost, but happy that I was right on the money in
    my pre-game predictions.  You can have the greatest coach in the world,
    but it's very difficult to win when your front line goes 6-7,6-7,6-8! 
    Especially when you're playing the greatest collegiate center in the
    last 20 years!!!
    
    I knew after the first three minutes of yesterdays game that UK didn't
    stand a chance.  LSU had a diamond and one with the chaser on Mash. 
    There was no way Pelphrey or Feldhaus were going to get anything inside
    against O'Neal!  This UK team is vastly overated because of the reasons
    I mentioned several notes back.  The only "blue-chip" player on the
    team is Jamal Mashburn.  No one else comes close.  No one.
    
    BTW, I get a kick out of how Dale Brown of LSU calls a modified box and
    one defense a "freak defense"!  Give us a break Dale.  Perhaps the
    mindless sheep that follow you in Baton Rouge will buy that you've
    created this "new" defense. Wonder what Dale would call a 1-3-1 zone?
    Sheesh!
    
    Go to the NBA Shack.  We don't need you in the SEC anymore.  You've
    worn out your welcome!
    
    WILDCAT

    If LSU shoots as well from the outside next Saturday against Duke, then
    watch out!  Duke's undefeated season could come to a screaching halt. 
    Should be interesting to see how they defense O'Neal.
    
    WILDCAT

	Seems like Bill Walton played in the last 20 years, as well
	as several other outstanding centers.  (I personally think Walton
	was the best collegiate center ever.)

    As far as how they played collegiately, I'll take Shaquille O'Neal over
    any center to play in the last 20 years.  BTW, I'll agree that Walton
    was the second best.  Name another however that comes even close. 
    Shack would've destroyed Ewing on his best college day.
    
    WILDCAT

 Laettner's had fine college career. Outplayed Shack last year. So close
 maybe better definately not....If Hakeem had had the advantage of playing
 the game all of his life he'd certainly be 1A to Shack's 1....

 mike

    UK beat Auburn away 85-67 Saturday.  UK held Wesley Person (Chuck's
    younger brother) to nine points.  Person had been averaging > 21 ppg. 
    Mash led the way with 19 points while Gimel Martinez turned in the
    strongest performance of his young career with 17.  Martinez had his
    big game against a small front line.  Pitino claimed that UK playeda
    the best defense in his three years with the program.
    
    Tonight UK goes up against Alabama in Rupp.  Should be a very exciting
    game.  UK must find a way to deal with Alabama's big front line. 
    Robert Horrey and company can quickly dominate a game.
    
    UK's record stands at 16-5, 6-3 in the SEC.  They lead the Eastern
    Division by one game over Tennessee.
    
    WILDCAT

    Big time win for the 'Cats last night.  UK upset the 15th ranked
    Crimson Tide 107-83!  UK held about a 7-8 point lead in the second half
    when Bama's star Robert Horry was ejected after receiving his second
    technical foul.  Gimel Martinez had his second consecutive good night
    scoring a career high 26 points while grabbing 10 boards!
    
    Pitino claims that UK in the last 10 days is playing their best
    basketball of the season.  He mentioned that they had played as well
    earlier in single games but their intensity has picked up a couple of
    notches in practice.  Rick stated that he had to suspend practice
    earlier in the week because the players were becoming to physical!  He
    stated that was the first time he's ever had to stop a practice.
    
    Martinez could be the key to this season.  If he continues to improve
    and play the way he has been then this UK team will be a factor in
    March.  He played very well last night against a strong Bama front
    line.
    
    Next game Saturday against non-league rival Western Kentucky.
    
    WILDCAT

 Pitino's Wimp-like plaid sportcoat was priceless.   He had a mile wide
 grin.
 
 Bob Hunt

    Pitino did the same thing at Alabama lasted year.  
    
    John

    I saw a news clip on ESPN after it happened last year and there is also
    a picture of him wearing the Sanderson type sports coat in this year's
    University of Kentucky Basketball Media Guide.
    
    John

    Plaid coat is way to funny.  John is correct, Rick wore a really ugly
    plaid jacket last season for the first time.  He wore it however when
    Alabama visited Rupp Arena.  I still have the tape from last years
    game.  Wimp Sanderson's expression was priceless when Pitino walked
    onto the court.  You have to understand Wimp, he NEVER smiles!  When he
    saw Rick strut onto the court, he broke into a grin a mile wide!
    
    Rick said on his post-game show last night that he wasn't going to wear
    the jacket this year unless he found one uglier than last years jacket
    which he had specially made.  Well, he found one uglier and you'll
    never guess where.  It was made from a horses blanket!  Pitino
    apparently spotted it on a horse at Claiborne (sp) Farms.  He had the
    blanket made into a sports jacket by a local suit shop.
    
    Rick said that he nearly suffocated wearing the jacket during the game
    last night.  He said, "That thing was so hot that it's only fit for a
    horse!".  The jacket will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a
    needy grade school in rural Kentucky.
    
    WILDCAT

    	Sounds like they have fun in this Southeastern Conference. 
    I'm not sure I approve.
    
    			/Don_for_mrt

    UK bested in-state rival Western Kentucky 93-83 last Saturday.  Jamal
    Mashburn (who else!) led the way with 26 points.
    
    Gimel Martinez once again had a steady agame.  He seems to be improving
    in the middle each night out.  Hope it continues!  Next game is
    Wednesday at Mississippi State.  This will be a tough one.  Play
    Georgia on the road Saturday.
    
    BTW,  Georgia upset LSU Saturday!  O'Neal was held to ten points as
    Georgia used two and three people on him the entire game.  Wish LSU had
    shot so poorly against UK a couple of weeks ago!
    
    WILDCAT

    Cap and glenn, may I suggest we continue our discussion(?) on UK
    history in this topic before we are subject to a verbal lashing from
    MrT!
    
    re 15.781
    
    >> Coach was drunk so could not be blamed for infractions committed by
    >> his program.
    
    Cap, I never stated that Sutton couldn't be blamed for the happenings
    under his leadership.  What I did say was that his drinking problem
    clouded his vision and caused him not to have proper control over the
    program.  You'll not find one note where I defended Sutton's actions.
    
    >> You seem to take on the Sheep moniker by blindly believing that
    >> there was no wrong done and making up feeble excuses for some of
    >> the worst trangressions committed in college basketball.
    
    Cap, I suggest you try and find a note where I've made up feeble
    excuses defending UK basketball!  I'm only trying to get you to realize
    that there are many sides to a story.  Not just the side you may read
    from SI!  I have barely even given my opinion on most of this.  I just
    asking that we look at every angle before passing judgement.  It's
    always easier to throw stones at an individual then to defend the
    person!
    
    Now, regarding Joe B. Hall, Cap you stated that you have friends that
    think Hall greatly underachieved with the amount of talent he possessed
    at Kentucky.  Seriously now, I'd like for you to tell in what year Joe
    Hall underachieved.  I see in Joe Hall a man that coached for 13 years
    at UK.  During those 13 years Joe won 6 SEC titles and shared 2 others. 
    During that same time frame he won an NIT, and NCAA title.  He also led
    the 'Cats to 3 Final Fours.  Not bad in my opinion for a 13 year
    tenure.  Fact is Joe Hall is the only coach in the history of college
    basketball to successfully follow a legend.  Now Cap, please point out
    to me where Joe Hall underachieved.
    
    glenn, I'll try to get to your note later.
    
    WILDCAT

                                                        
    > Fact is Joe Hall is the only coach in the history of college
    > basketball to successfully follow a legend.
    
    Yet another swipe at Dean Smith from the cheap seats!
    
    glenn
    

    Low blow, glenn.  Frank McGuire weren't_no legend though, despite his
    Title.
    
    HTH,
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    
    > Low blow, glenn.  Frank McGuire weren't_no legend though, despite his
    > Title.
    
    Hall of Famer, Crock...
    
    glenn
    

    re: .-1
    
    In that case, Roper's Rong.
    
    HTH,
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Congrats UMASS fans on a fantastic season.  Hopefully, you'll be able
    to recruit better with the UCONN's of the East.
    
    I'm very pleased with what UK has done this season.  Had anyone told me
    3 years ago after the team lost the farm and was pu on probation that
    they would be in the final 8 the first year back, I'd have said they
    were crazy!  As a team they've been pointing to this first year back
    from the first day Pitino took over the team.  What'll happen Saturday
    night against Duke?  Don't know, that's why they play 'em!  All I know
    is that these four seniors (Pelphrey, Woods, Farmer, Feldhaus) aren't
    ready to hang their jerseys up just yet.
    
    Should be an exciting game against Duke.  Believe me, the Cats have an
    outside shot at winning if they can keep Duke honest with their outside
    shooting.  If UK's hot from the outside, then that should leave
    Mashburn open in the middle.  I like their chances anytime the ball
    goes inside to Mash.  They're gonna need some breaks too.  For instance
    it would help if Laetnerr and Hill, etc. get into some foul trouble!
    
    WILDCAT

	Sorry, Bob.  UK won't be able to rebound well enough against Duke to
win this one.

	However...

	I, of course, am the Small Blue's biggest fan for the next day or so.
If the Hoosiers manage to make it past UCLA, I'd much rather have them play
the Mildcats than the Referee's Pets.

tom

    Bob -
    
    YOu gotta be jokin?  Chrissy get infoul  trouble.  NO way.  Tis not
    allowed. Same with Hill.  Look for the Mash to get in foul trouble.
    
    Duke always has  a 2-man advantage.
    
    JD

         Here's one UMASS fan pulling for the boyz from Lexington.  Let's
    hope the team that shows up against Duke is the one that took the floor
    in Philly for the first 12 minutes against the UM'ies.
    
    Russ
    
    - may the Monster Mash rule against the Blue Demons!

    Thanks for the support guys!  Like I said earlier, I'm already very
    pleased with the way this season has unfolded.  It would be great to go
    to the final four, but I'm one happy fan either way.
    
    John Hendry:  Sorry UMASS had to go up against my favorite team last
    night.  I'd have rooted for them under any other circumstances.  They
    had a tremendously successful year however.  One they and their fans
    can certainly be proud of.  I appreciated your take on the game John. 
    You and both of the coaches involved remained objective when the easy
    way out would have been to whine and complain about officiating, etc.
    
    Here are some of Pitino's comments on the game last night.
    
    ** Before the game he told the Cats, "UMASS has a great team over in
    their locker room and we have a great team here.  There is however only
    one future NBA All-Star in either locker room, and that's you Mash." 
    He really put the burden of last nights game on the shoulder of the
    young sophomore.
    
    ** On the technical.  "I'm sorry it happened.  Please (talking to
    media) don't forget however that our kids played great.  We only took 2
    or 3 bad shots the entire game.  Mashburn, Pelprey and Woods were
    fantastic."
    
    WILDCAT

    Well, I don't believe I've ever been so upset about a loss from any of
    my favorite teams as I was tonight.  I was so happy for UK battling
    back from 12 down to take Duke into OT.  Then, being up by 1 with 2.1
    seconds remaining...
    
    Ouch.  On the bright side, this is one of my favorite Kentucky teams of
    all time.  Woods, Farmer, Pelphrey, and Feldhaus played their hearts
    out.  These four seniors were basically leftovers after UK was placed
    on probation.  They didn't leave partly because nobody thought they
    could play division one basketball.  I think in the last three years,
    they proved they could play with the best in the country!
    
    29-7.  Not a bad record.  Duke has a great team.  What is so
    disappointing is the fact that UK never backed down, and I thought was
    headed to the Final Four after Woods made the circus shot over
    Laettner.  Oh well, that's what makes college basketball the great game
    it is.
    
    WILDCAT

    Couple of thoughts on the game.
    
    ** On Laettner.  Christian played a great game hitting all 10 of his
    shots from the floor.  However, the play in which he received a
    technical for intentionally stomping on a UK players stomach was a
    little much to handle.  Totally classless.  After seeing that, I doubt
    I'll ever have any respect for Laettner.
    
    ** On the last play.  Pitino stated that he was real upset the way he
    coached the final play of the game.  He had thought about putting a man
    on the inbounds play, but didn't.  Hindsight says that maybe he should
    have.  Pitino said he discussed it with everyone and decided not to. 
    Apparently in a similar situation a few years back, he put a guy on
    the inbounds play, and also lost that way.  UK was in a little bit of a
    bind at that point with Mashburn and Martinez having both fouled out.
    
    ** Mashburn, Woods and Brown had great games.  Mash had 28 points and
    10 rebounds.  Pelphrey shot the lights out when he was in there.  John
    played only 24 minutes out of 45 however because of foul trouble.  I
    was pretty disappointed in the officiating the entire game.  I felt
    like there were several bad calls for both teams.
    
    ** On Coach K.  He is one classy dude.  Coach K immediately after the
    game asked the UK radio announcers if he could talk to the UK fans.  He
    told the fans that he was truly sorry that UK lost the game that way. 
    Coach K told a national TV audience the same thing while being
    interviewed.  Classy move in my book.
    
    Truly a great basketball game.  
    
    WILDCAT

    So how did Duke get the 2 points with2.1 sec left???
    
    The Crazy Met
    

Bob,

	Great performance by the Wildcats.  I didn't think they had a chance
to stay with Duke, and they proved me (and a lot of other people) wrong.

	I don't think the problem was leaving the out of bounds guy alone.
From that distance there's really no reason to play him.  The problem was
letting Laettner catch the ball.  There's absolutely no reason to double-team
him unless you're going to put one man in front and one behind. Put
someone in front of him, and I say UK's in the Final Four.

	Agreed on Laettner.  He's been protected for years, and he seems to
have decided he can do anything he wants.  Too bad, too.  He's a heck of a 
player.

tom

    And as I predicted, Kaintuck's big men fouled out.  With noone to guard
    Laetner, the pass was easier than it should have been...
    
    JD

    JD, you mentioned perhaps the biggest reason why Laettner even caught
    the pass.  UK had no one taller then 6-7 to match up with Laettner. 
    You think Pelphrey or Feldhaus is gonna out-jump Laettner?  NOT.
    
    Not without fouling him!  Let's not lose sight of the great game the UK
    players had.  Mash had 28 points and 10 boards.  Woods show he's every
    bit of Hurleys equal.  Pelphrey had a good game, but played only 24 of
    45 total minutes because of foul trouble.  
    
    If only ... - NEVER MIND!
    
    WILDCAT

	Big news for the Mildcats.  Rodrick Rhodes has passed his SATs, so
won't have to sit out next year at UK as a Prop 48.  This means that Walter
McCarty, 6'10" and probably the #2 player in Indiana this year, will be able
to go to Kentucky as a prop 48 instead of looking elsewhere.  

	Big news for the Big Ten, also, since McCarty's alternate choice was
likely to be Purdue.

tom

    You beat me to the punch Tom!  Thanks for the update.
    
    Rhodes passing the SAT is *HUGE* news for Wildcat fans.  If you believe
    the prognosticators, Rhodes is the #2 High School Senior in the country
    behind Jason Kidd (attending California).
    
    Cat fans weren't worried about McCarty since UK had stated that he
    would be the player to get the scholarship if both he and Rhodes 
    didn't make the grade.  UK was worried about retaining Rhodes since it
    was likely he would have attended Junior College.  I'm happy that's one
    problem they won't have to worry about!
    
    According to Bob Gibbons, UK has the years best recruiting class.  Here
    are the recruits.  BTW, McCarty will definetly will be Prop-48 next
    season because he is missing a core math class.
    
    Tony Delk - Guard  - Tennessee (scored over 70 points in one game this
                                    season)
    Jared Prickett 6-9, Forward - West Virginia 
    Rodrick Rhodes 6-7, Forward - Jersey City, New Jersey
    Walter McCarty 6-11? Center - Evansville, Indiana
    
    Rodney Dent 6-10 Center - JUCO (Has committed but not yet signed)  I'm
    not sure about Dent.  He committed twice before to Auburn.  Rumor has
    it that Lousiville has been making a run.
    
    WILDCAT

    I had a wonderful time yesterday.  Went to Lexington for the Awards
    Ceremony and Season Celebration held in Rupp Arena.  Ithought we would
    be in good shape if we arrived at Rupp around 5:00 since the program
    didn't start until 7:30.  Boy, was I wrong!  There were several
    thousand fans already in line.  We were still able to get a lower arena
    seat, just not as close as I'd of liked.
    
    UK really put on an incredible show.  Each player and coach were
    introduced separately with the lights off and spotlight on them as they
    walked to center court.  The music the Chicago Bulls play during their
    intro's was blaring in the background.  (What's the name of that song?)
    
    C.M. Newton, Rick Pitino and Cawood Ledford all spoke during the
    celebration.  Cawood was of course honored as this announcing legend is
    retiring.  Pitino said he met John Havlichek of Celtic fame during the
    final four.  John told Rick that he was sorry UK lost to Duke, but that
    in his opinion that was the greatest offensive basketball game ever
    played by two teams!  Their was a super video presentation showing
    highlights of the season on two large screens hanging from the rafters
    in Rupp.
    
    Probably the highlight of the night was at the end of the program. 
    C.M. Newton asked the four seniors and their families to join him at
    center court.  Newton once again thanked the Seniors for their immense
    contribution to UK during an extremely difficult three seasons.  He
    then directed their attention to the rafters where all four of their
    jerseys were retired!  Never before has a group of seniors been honored
    this way immediately following the season.  It was really a touching
    moment.  This UK team, is undoubtedly the most popular basketball team
    in UK history.  That covers a lot of great teams folks!
    
    Pitino got in a great jab at the NCAA.  "When the NCAA deals out
    punishments they like to see a program suffer.  Thus with recruiting
    sanctions, etc., it's supposed to take a program a while to recover.  I
    have just one thing to say to the NCAA.  We're Back!  These four
    seniors and a super sophomore (Jamal Mashburn) have taken UK back to
    the top of the college basketball world immediately.  Fortunately, we
    didn't need to do any rebuilding!"  (Note the above comments aren'tt
    word for word, but how I remember them.)
    
    What follows is a list of the individual honors.
    
    BEST FREE THROW SHOOTER       - Gimel Martinez 88%
    MOST REBOUNDS                 - Jamal Mashburn 7.8/game
    FEWEST TURNOVERS/MIN'S PLAYED - Richie Farmer
    BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER         - Dale Brown
    MR. HUSTLE                    - Deron Feldhaus
    TEAM LEADERSHIP               - John Pelphrey
    STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR   - Travis Ford
    MR. DEFLECTION                - Sean Woods
    MOST IMPROVED PLAYER         - Gimel Martinez
    BEST PLAYMAKER                - Sean Woods
    REGGIE HANSON SACRIFICE AWARD - Sean Woods
    MOST VALUABLE PLAYER          - Jamal Mashburn
    
    Truly an enjoyable evening.  Only at UK!
    
    WILDCAT

    Hey Rope,
    Gonna watch the grass grow this weekend??
    
    Mucho 8^)'s
    MikeL
    

    That hurts Mike!  But seriously, Only after I watch the paint dry! :-)
    
    WILDCAT

>    then directed their attention to the rafters where all four of their
>    jerseys were retired!  Never before has a group of seniors been honored
>    this way immediately following the season. 
    
    Aside from sticking around while the program was on probation, what did
    these guys do to have their numbers retired?  A nice reward for self
    sacrifice, but kind of bogus if you ask me.
    
    	--dan'l

    >> Aside from sticking around while the program was on probation, what
    >> did these guys do to have their numbers retired?  A nice reward for
    >> self sacrifice, but kind of bogus if you ask me.
    
    Personally, I think sticking around when they could have played
    immediately elsewhere was a huge sacrifice.  What they did to get their
    numbers retired however is the following.
    
    	 - No one expected this group of young men to do anything.  The way
           they played exceeded everyone's expectations.  These four guys
           played with more "heart" then any group of players I've ever
           seen at UK.  Unless you have watched UK on a regular basis, you
           may have no idea what I'm talking about.  However, the Duke game
           is an excellent starting point!  Nobody will deny them after
           that game.
    
    	 - These four will be forever remembered for helping to bring this
           UK team back from ashes.  They restored respectability to a 
           program that was battere
    
    	 - This group never quit.  Often they were undermanned physically 
           (see Duke again) but they never, ever quit.  Again, this 
           Senior class "hustled" more then any I can ever remember.  They
           were not the most talented players to ever lay at UK, but
           nobody worked as hard as they.
    
    As far as popularity goes, this 1991-1992 team will go down in history
    as the most popular team to ever play at UK.  Rick Pitino summed it up
    rather nicely last night when he said, "No team will ever match what
    this teams accomplished.  We may have teams that will go farther in the
    tournament, but no one will ever duplicate what this group has done."
    
    WILDCAT

               
    I really don't have a problem with Kentucky retiring whatever uniforms
    they wish to, but this continual sob story of how the NCAA tried to
    destroy poor Kentucky but virtuous Kentucky fought back and vindicated 
    itself (snubbing the NCAA in the process) is laughable.  Pitino didn't
    have anything to do with the violations but he's obviously pandering to
    the legions.  Hey guys, you cheat, then you pay the price.  No ulterior
    motives, no sinister backroom plotting to exterminate the program
    (which the NCAA could have done and which the university acknowledged), 
    just justice, plain and simple.  
    
    A lot of this is very reminiscent of the garbage that went down around
    the Oklahoma football program (one of my favorites, by the way) when the 
    boom was lowered and the apologists came out of the woodwork,
    threatening the newpapers or whoever else had the audacity to tell the
    truth.  This is the seemier side of the college sports scene, no 
    question...
     
    glenn
    

    re .145
    
    Real cynical dan'l ....

    glenn, please tell where you've heard this "continual sob story of how
    the NCAA tried to destroy poor Kentucky".  You certainly haven't heard
    it from me.  I was only stating the obvious facts.  The facts were that
    UK was decimated after the sanctions.  I said nothing about whether
    they were deserved or not.  Let's just stick to the facts.  The program
    was in ruins, and with Pitinos help (no one would dispute what he's
    done for the program) they rose above the mess faster then ANYONE
    predicted.  They obviously paid the price, but MUCH quicker then ever
    imagined!
    
    HTH's
    
    WILDCAT

    Didn't mean for my discussion of last nights tribute to turn into a
    heated debate!  It was just an awfully nice tribute to a group of four
    who overcame adversity and played their hearts out.  I don't really
    expect fans of other programs to be overcome with emotion, but it was
    great for UK fans!
    
    P.S. - I'd imagine that if every fan had the opportunity(?) to endure
    the pain and agony of probation that they would also cherish the good
    times!  As a UK fan, I'm elated that the shackles of probation are
    gone.  Once again, I enjoy basketball!
    
    WILDCAT

    
    > glenn, please tell where you've heard this "continual sob story of how
    > the NCAA tried to destroy poor Kentucky".  You certainly haven't heard
    > it from me.  I was only stating the obvious facts.  The facts were that
    > UK was decimated after the sanctions.  I said nothing about whether
    > they were deserved or not.  Let's just stick to the facts.  The program
    
    My comments were not directed at you, Wildcat, but rather at your
    description of Rick Pitino's "message" to the NCAA (which you yourself
    said was a not-so-subtle jab at them), hinting that their efforts to
    make Kentucky suffer had failed.
    
    Kentucky and the seniors who stuck around are to be lauded, no doubt
    about it.  Their play in the NCAAs this season was heroic.  Those 
    players and their special contribution may indeed warrant the uniform 
    retirements.  But again, Kentucky's resurgence in no way serves as a 
    vindication of the program's previous transgressions, and I don't 
    understand why Rick Pitino (who wasn't even there) feels the need to
    pick a bone with the NCAA over what was a warranted punishment. 
    Typical coach's mentality (they're in my way and they're out to get
    me), maybe...
    
    glenn
      

>    Pitino got in a great jab at the NCAA.  "When the NCAA deals out
>    punishments they like to see a program suffer.  Thus with recruiting
>    sanctions, etc., it's supposed to take a program a while to recover. 
    
    Glenn's right.  Pitino (or your paraphrasing) make it sound like the
    NCAA was vindictive.  Kentucky broke the rules and was punished
    accordingly.
    
    I think it's great that Pitino (and the seniors) brought them back so
    quickly, but the Wildcats still aren't in a position to point fingers
    at the big, bad NCAA.
    
    	--dan'l

    re Glenn and Dan'l
    
    Sorry for any confusion.  I agree with .151 & .152.  Pitino is real
    brash and cocky.  He's made alot of jokes the last three years about
    the NCAA Enforcement Group.  I think mostly he's trying to encourage
    the fans.  You have to admit that the probation was a great rallying
    point and motivational tool that he more than likely used to his
    advantage.  I can't fault him for that.
    
    

 or Pitino's mouthing off so he can move on again...wouldn't surprise me..

 mike

    Head coach Wimp "Checkered Jacket" Sanderson has resigned as Alabama's
    Basketball coach. Somethin' to do with slappin' his longtime secretary
    upside the haid. Has Wimp denied steroid use yet? 8^)
    
    Anyone got any more scoop?
    
    MikeL
    

    Yeah... Wimp's secretary criticized his choice in sport coats.
    
    ;*)
    
    Dennis
    

    Not much info on this one yet.  Wimp is refusing to talk to the press
    about the incident.  Apparently, the woman has brought a lawsuit
    against Wimp and Alabama (or is it just against Wimp?)
    
    Wimp has done a great job at 'Bama over the years.  Forever plad Wimp!
    
    WILDCAT

    Wimp's History.  Resigned this afternoon from 'Bama.  All the press is
    reporting is that Wimp allegedly struck his secretary in the face.  She
    has apparently filed sexual harrassment charges against the "Wimp".
    
    There's gotta be more to this story then what's been told to this
    point.  Can't wait until we hear the whole thing.
    
    WILDCAT
    
    

What Wimp has done is resign so he can fight the charge and minimize the
school's PR problem and association with the rap. It remains to be seen
if he did indeed do any of the charges.

TTom

	From the Dayton Daily news (paraphrased):

	Dirk Minniefield, guard at Kentucky from 1980-83, says he made about
$100K a year while playing B-Ball there.

	Minniefield says he made the "tax-free money" from selling books of 
season tickets and other sources.  "I was living off campus in a nice place...
Two cars. No way was I gonna live off 10 grand" which he says he made during 
the summers, but says wasn't enough to support his wife and three children.

	Comments were made during an interview televised on A&E.  The interview
was taped at the Fayette County Detention Center, where he was completing
a one-year sentence for passing bad checks.


tom

    
    Geez did Dirk play for Joe 'B doing nothing wrong' Hall????? or was
    he in the Eddie 'drinking was the cause of the program's problems'
    Sutton era??? :-)
    
    Kentucky still remains one of the most corrupt programs in the history
    of college basketball....

    re -1
    
    Give it a rest!  We've all heard this same song and dance for months
    now!  
    
    How 'bout we just talk basketball, and forget this garbage of "Your
    teams the most corrupt in history, IS NOT, IS SO, blah, blah, blah".
    
    UK's done their time, and as a fan I'm excited about the future.  I and
    99% of the people who follow the team had nothing to do with their past
    problems.  I'm certainly readly to enjoy the future.  From my vantage,
    it looks pretty bright.
    
    WILDCAT

    Geez, I seem to remember someone championing Joe B. Hall and the 
    squeaky clean program he ran....:-)
    
    The rumors of transgressions were always there, now there is proof
    and another black eye for Kentucky's proud(snicker) basketball
    tradition.
    
    I can understand how you can be so happy about Kentucky's future
    and what Pitino has done.
    
    I can also understand how embarrassed you must be believing in a
    program that had to cheat to achieve glory.
    
    This is current news and worthy of discussion, if you are too
    embarrassed to take part in it, than don't.
    

    RE .164
    
   >>     The rumors of transgressions were always there, now there is proof
   >>     and another black eye for Kentucky's proud(snicker) basketball
   >>     tradition.
    
    Cap, this is gonna hurt me much more then you.  NOT!  Before I
    commence, let's clear up something.  UK is STILL (after all the
    horrible tales of BA "booster abuse") considered by most all
    "knowledgeable" basketball people to be one of the Top 5 Programs in
    the country.  The list goes something like this (in no particular
    order):
    
    	DUKE
    	UK
    	UNC
    	IU
        #5 has rotated the last 7 years or so between teams like:
    	  Louisville, Arizona, Georgetown, etc.
    
    BTW, UK, UNC, and IU have been pretty much consensus picks the last
    15-17 years.
    
    Now, on to our discussion of Dirk Minniefield.
    
    >>    This is current news and worthy of discussion, if you are too
    >>    embarrassed to take part in it, than don't.
    
    Since you made this statement 8 days ago, it would seem that alot of 
    people were either "too embarrassed" by it or would rather watch paint 
    dry.  
    
    These are the facts.  Dirk was quoted last weekend as saying that his
    comments were "twisted and taken out of context by A&E".  He stated
    that he might have mad as much as 100K during his entire 4 year career
    at summer jobs.  This is not a violation of NCAA rules.  BTW, it isn't
    unheard of for athletes at any larger institution to be paid "BIG"
    bucks for watching the automatic sprinkler system come on during the
    summer.  A booster or "friend" of a program can give an athlete a
    summer job, and pay him whatever he chooses.
    
    HTH's
    
    WILDCAT
    
    

    >commence, let's clear up something.  UK is STILL (after all the
    >horrible tales of BA "booster abuse") considered by most all
    >"knowledgeable" basketball people to be one of the Top 5 Programs in
    >the country.  The list goes something like this (in no particular
    >order):
    
    >	DUKE
    >	UK
    >	UNC
    >	IU
    >    #5 has rotated the last 7 years or so between teams like:
    >	  Louisville, Arizona, Georgetown, etc.
    
    Wow I could make up a list too and leave Kentucky off of it.  This
    proves absolutely nothing about a program's integrity(which Kentucky
    has had very little of over the last 70 years).  Scandals, payoffs to
    players, fixed grades, cheating, money being sent to fathers of
    prospective players, boosters giving large sums of money to players in
    bogus jobs, racial injustices and other transgressions have marked
    Kentucky's history.  It certainly isn't a proud one, in fact it's quite
    an embarrassment.
    
    >Since you made this statement 8 days ago, it would seem that alot of 
    >people were either "too embarrassed" by it or would rather watch paint 
    >dry.  
    
    Who cares, I only made the statement to rile you up and it worked. :-)
    
    >These are the facts.  Dirk was quoted last weekend as saying that his
    >comments were "twisted and taken out of context by A&E".  He stated
    >that he might have mad as much as 100K during his entire 4 year career
    >at summer jobs.  This is not a violation of NCAA rules.  BTW, it isn't
    >unheard of for athletes at any larger institution to be paid "BIG"
    >bucks for watching the automatic sprinkler system come on during the
    >summer.  A booster or "friend" of a program can give an athlete a
    >summer job, and pay him whatever he chooses.
    
    First off I've seen nothing of Dirk's recanting in the national news,
    so I don't know if I believe it.  Secondly, boosters giving out large
    sums of cash for bogus jobs would be a violation of NCAA rules and if
    the statute of limitations hadn't run out on the rules that were broken
    during Joe B. Hall's reign there might not have been a basketball
    program at UK.  So you should thank your lucky stars that time ran out
    before anyone found out about all the rules that were broken.  Ever
    hear of the death penalty in NCAA, Kentucky certainly deserved it.
    
    Once you get over the denial stage and the deep embarrassment you feel
    for your favorite program, you'll be able to live a happier and
    healthier life :-)
    
    Cap

    Cap, the story I mentioned about Dirk was on WHAS out of Lousiville
    last Sunday 5/24.  WHAS is a very reputable source.  Generally they are
    pretty objective and with the exception of Jock Sutherland (Cardinal
    Color Analyst) they do a good job of getting the facts on UL and UK
    basketball.  The reason you haven't heard anything nationally is
    because IMO this just isn't a "news-worthy" item.  What may or may not
    have happened is 10-12 years old now.
    
    I'm not ashamed of what happened over the years at UK.  First, I
    personally had nothing to do with it.  Second, most of what went on
    happens at most of our major institutions (unfortunately).  Third, some
    of the transgressions you mentioned are opinion and not fact.  (Let's
    not get in a "rat-hole" over this one :-) )  I've said it many times,
    but it's a fact that no University can keep a constant eye on the
    supporters of a program.  If a booster wants to bend the rules, then
    nothing can be done to stop him/her.  All a coach/athletic
    director/president can do is try and educate players and supporters
    alike and hope that integrity and common sense prevail.
    
    As you've heard me say before, I certainly don't condone cheating by UK
    or anyone.  However, I'm not going to hold past-transgressions against
    them either.  I'm a fan, and love the game.  Simple as that.  UK did
    more to clean up their program then any school in recent memory.  They
    have turned the corner, and I look for alot of fun times ahead.
    
    WILDCAT
    
    P.S. - I'm pretty sure that it isn't against NCAA rules for an athlete
    to have a summer job and get paid whatever.  I don't see how they could
    enforce what a person does when they aren't taking classes and are on
    their own time.

    
    Agreed, I was simply contradicting an earlier statement(from about
    6 months ago) by yourself in which you implied that there were never 
    transgressions under Rupp or Joe B. Hall.  
    
    The NCAA and other organizations did find evidence of minor and major 
    violations that fortunately for Kentucky were discovered after the 
    statute of limitations for penalizations had run out.
    
    Kentucky has had a sorid past and one of the reasons that the NCAA did 
    not fully investigate these problems is because the statute of limitations 
    had expired and there was no need to waste thousands of dollars on an
    investigation.                                                       
    
    Hell I hope Kentucky stays clean and their rabid boosters remain in 
    control.  I'm a big Rick Pitino fan and think he's a great coach.  Love
    to watch his teams play ball.
    
    Cap
    
    P.S. Believe me if the NCAA found out that bogus jobs were set-up by
         boosters to provide large amounts of money to athletes, the
         program doing this would be in serious problem.  A link between
         boosters and an athletic program would most likely be found(as it
         has in several cases).

BTW, from what I saw in the credits, that series on A&E was originally
a BBC production, and Frank Gifford did new narration for it....


'Saw

    I agree with you Bob.  It certainly doesn't make cheating right just
    because you believe that others are doing it.  I do believe however,
    that abuses are happening all over Division 1.  Why aren't more being
    caught?  Good question.  Probably because there just aren't enough
    enforcement agents to go around.  Typically it seems that the NCAA
    doesn't do the digging on programs.  They wait until some local
    reporter gets the inside scoop, and then they start their
    investigation.  They simply don't have the resources to look into
    "smoking guns".
    
    This brings up another problem.  The NCAA Enforcement folks certainly
    aren't known for their objectivity or fairness in handing out
    punishment.  There's been too many instances to count over the years
    where once program gets a slap on the wrist while another gets nailed
    for the same infractions.
    
    I think the genius behind Kentucky's revival from a "ethics" point of
    view is C.M. Newton.  CM's very highly respected in basketball circles,
    etc.  It'll be a sad day when he retires.  Newton brought in two
    quality coaches in Pitino and Head Football Coach Bill Curry.
    
    WILDCAT

    Saw, do you have a copy of the A&E program we've been discussing? 
    Anyone else?  I'd be interesting in seeing it.
    
    Bob

No, sorry, I don't.

In fact, I've only caught parts of a couple of them.


What originally tipped me off to the BBC nature was the fact that there was
so much rugby coverage.  I figured no American documentary producer could or
would put so much rugby coverage into any tv show.

Then, I got to watching the credits and I saw where it said "Original Narrator"
etc.


However, you might be in luck if you call A&E.  A&E have a major league
tendency to offer a lot of their specials on video tape -- standard price
of around $19.95 per tape.


'Saw

    WILDCAT,
    
    May I assume that your failure to mention Saint John's in the list of 
    "major's) was merely an oversight?????
    
    ;^)
    
    Of course, LOUIEEE's clean record must have been also an oversight!
    
    That's OK, I realiaze it was a human error.
    
    btw, I like Pittino too.
    
    I remain,
    busier 'n a one armed wallpaper hanger in a windstorm....
    Kev
    

    Hey Kev where 'ya been lately. For a minute there I though you SERPE'ed
    outa here.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    Speakin' a Loooooie,
    Read in the Glob this AM that Topo Gigio hisself was speakin
    to a group of youth over in France. Looooie told 'em all to study hard,
    exercise, play sports so they all could grow up to be All-Americains!
    Haw Haw Haw. Sweater too tight Louise, n'est-ce-pas?
    
    MikeL
    
    

   I read that too. Fortunately the translator didn't miss a beat and
  translated "All-American" as "member of the French National Team". I
  have to wonder though why Looie, that monument to mediocrity who rode
  the New York hype machine all the way to the Hall of Fame, is lecturing
  anyone about anything other than under acheiving ?



   There that ought to get Farley's butt back in here.

   
    

    Da'Katz had a tough time getting outta the box in New York last night,
    but took off late in the 4th quarter.
    
    Indiana verses Kentucky (played in Louisville) is a must see this
    Saturday!!!!

    Kentucky over Indiana yesterday.  Looks like Pitinoville is for real
    this year.
    
    The game kept me away for the football upset, but it was a great game.
    
    The Monster Mash looks like he's coming out this year for pro-fess-on-
    al buckets.
    
    They looked sharp, I hope Michigan doesn't put it together like they
    can...
    
    Chip_GSH_Bach