No. 8/8 Kentucky Wildcats (3-0)
vs.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (1-2)
Tuesday, Nov. 30 – 7 p.m. ET
Rupp Arena – Lexington, Ky.
Just four days after earning a 77-59 win over Georgia State, Kentucky returns to Rupp Arena to face former UK assistant Mike Sutton?s Tennessee Tech squad. This marks the second meeting between UK?s Tubby Smith and his former assistant. UK defeated the Golden Eagles, 108-81, in Rupp Arena last November.
Former Wildcat point guard Saul Smith, middle son of Tubby Smith, makes his first return home on the opponent bench as an assistant at TTU. The younger Smith takes over a role held by his brother G.G. during the 2002-03 season.
Kentucky had four players in double-figure scoring Friday night as the Wildcats? earned an 18-point win over the visiting GSU Panthers. All-America candidate Chuck Hayes and teammate Kelenna Azubuike each score 16 points and had nine rebounds, while freshman Randolph Morris added 14 points and nine boards. Point guard Rajon Rondo also reached double figures with 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting, his first career double-figure scoring effort.
The Tennessee Tech game is Kentucky?s final tune-up before the first road game of the season. The Cats travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday to face Maui Invitational champ North Carolina.
Scouting the Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech fell to 1-2 on the season after losing at Appalachian State Saturday night. The Golden Eagles opened the season with a loss at Ole Miss on Nov. 19 before earning a 102-62 win over Virginia Intermont last week.
The Golden Eagles return two starters from a 2003-04 squad which finished 13-15. Willie Jenkins is TTU?s top returner after averaging 19.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg as a junior. Milone Clark added 10.9 ppg and 4.8 rpg in 2003-04. Jenkins is averaging 19.3 ppg this season, including a 32-point performance against Virginia Intermont.
The Eagles will also look to Tennessee transfer Derek Stribling for an impact this season. Stribling is averaging 12.0 ppg after three games.
Coach Mike Sutton is in his third season at TTU, holding a 34-29 record.
Probable Starters
KENTUCKY Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG Notes F 44 Chuck Hayes 6-6 242 Sr. 12.7 11.0 16 pts, 9 rebs vs. GSU F 24 Kelenna Azubuike 6-5 208 So. 9.3 6.0 16 pts, 9 rebs vs. GSU C 33 Randolph Morris 6-10 266 Fr. 10.3 5.7 14 pts, 9 rebs vs. GSU G 4 Rajon Rondo 6-1 171 Fr. 8.7 *2.7 12 pts on 4-of-4 FGs vs. GSU G 22 Patrick Sparks 6-0 180 Jr. 12.7 *4.3 7 assists, 1 turnover vs. GSU TENNESSEE TECH Pos. # Name Ht. Wt. Cl. PPG RPG Notes F 3 Ben Jacobson 6-7 215 Sr. 11.0 2.7 Scoreless vs. Cats last season F 21 Derek Stribling 6-6 210 Jr. 12.0 1.7 Transfer from Tennessee F 34 Willie Jenkins 6-6 215 Sr. 19.3 6.0 32 pts in win over Va. Intermont G 22 Milone Clark 6-4 195 Jr. 11.7 2.3 13 pts, 4 rebs vs. UK last year G 24 Keyon Boyd 6-3 195 Jr. 8.0 *5.3 18 pts in 21 mins vs. UK in 2003
*assists per game
Location: – Lexington, Ky. –
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Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles Information
