With full Roster, Smith’s Cats Ready to Tame Competition
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As the stress began to build, Smith knew his 2001squad would have to have two important elements – depth and more confident shooters.
“We didn’t get off to a good start last season shooting the ball, and that lack of confidence stayed with us all season long,” said Smith, who in three years at Kentucky has recorded 86 wins and just 23 defeats. “I didn’t expect it to all of a sudden reappear.”
In 2000, the Wildcats tallied the worst field goal percentage since 1963, canning 42.3 percent of their shots. In addition, UK shot 29.2 percent from outside the arc, the lowest percentage since the three-point rule was adopted in 1987.
“That will be a key difference in this year’s team,” Smith said. “J.P. Blevins, Saul Smith and Todd Tackett are all better shooters than their effort showed a year ago, and with the addition of Gerald Fitch, Cory Sears and Marquis Estill, those percentages should rise this season. At least they better!”
While the shooting should improve, the maturity level of the squad is still low. Nine of the 14 Wildcats are sophomores and freshmen and there’s only one senior to honor at Senior Night – Saul Smith.
“We’ve got some skilled players, but they’ll need to mature in a hurry and develop physically to handle the rigorous schedule we’ve got again this year,” Smith said. “It seems like all our tough opponents are on the road. Just look at our first game against St. John’s in Madison Square Garden. That should send a message to our team right away that we better be ready.”
And ready the next night to face either Kansas or UCLA in the second round of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. Ready over the holidays to battle the likes of North Carolina, Georgia Tech, national champ Michigan State and Louisville – all on the road.
“We’ve got to be ready to win each game right from the beginning,” Smith added, “because December will prove to be the toughest month in the history of Kentucky basketball.”
Tougher, according to Smith, than even last season when two independent RPI polls measured the Wildcats’ schedule No. 1 nationally. And don’t forget the highly competitive Southeastern Conference. When Kentucky whipped Florida at Rupp Arena in the season finale, the league was left with an unprecedented four-way tie for the regular-season title. This season, Kentucky again faces SEC favorite Tennessee and national runner-up Florida as well as Arkansas, LSU and revamped programs at South Carolina and Auburn.
“What worries me is we lost Jamaal Magloire, a first-team All-SEC pick who had played in 145 games in a four-year period. We also lose Steve Masiello, whose leadership was invaluable. And then Desmond Allison transfers after starting nearly two seasons,” Smith said. “Now we’re left to replace Magloire and Allison in the starting lineup with two sophomores – Keith Bogans, who started most of one season, and Marvin Stone, who averaged 14 minutes per game last year.
“With these younger guys, there’s no doubt in my mind the learning curve will be great, but it takes time and patience. I thought that last year I had the patience of Job. This year will require even more.”
The trade-off for immaturity is raw talent. With the deeper bench comes a more athletic team. Cliff Hawkins is billed as one of the best defenders nationally in the incoming class. Fitch is a scorer from either point or shooting guard. Estill, now an owner of healthy knees and a 50-pound lighter frame, can score from inside or out. And don’t forget Jason Parker, a 6-8 bolt of power who showed up at Kentucky in August as a two-time North Carolina high school Player of the Year. Now, for the first time since arriving in the Bluegrass, the entire team is comprised of Tubby Smith recruits.
“I’ve watched these guys in workouts and they understand the system, even though we’re still doing a lot of teaching,” Smith said. “But as long as they’re learning, we now have guys here that can carry us. The weight falls on the shoulders of the upperclassmen as well as Keith and Marvin. Of the returnees, they’re the ones who have played the most minutes. They’re the ones who will have to carry us until our newcomers mature.”
The maturing depth will be a key. In the national championship season of 1998, nine players averaged double-figures minutes and no one played more than 28 minutes per game.
In ’99, Smith used the two-platoon system to get within eight points of the Cats’ fourth straight trip to the Final Four. Ten players that season averaged 9.5 minutes or more per outing and no player averaged more than 29 minutes per game.
Last season, only eight players played double-figure minutes with three averaging 29 minutes or more per game.
“With the new players, we can be much more aggressive defensively, Smith said. “Last season, because of our short bench, we weren’t able to get the press going like we wanted. I envision this being our deepest team since the 1998 champions.”
Deep enough to reinstall “Tubby Ball,” a proven system of solid defense, rebounding and uptempo action? Deep enough to put the Cats back near the top of the national rankings?”We have seven new players, who in time, will play a major role in our success,” Smith said. “Their impact will enhance our chances to force tempo and play the championship style of basketball we want to play at Kentucky.”
But first and foremost, a full bench will now catch the attention of one relieved Smith.
FELINE FACTS
The Wildcats’ leading scorer last season, Tayshaun Prince, returns for his junior season and moves back into a position he played as a freshman – small forward. Last season, Prince started at the three-spot in nine games, but when Smith went to a smaller lineup against Louisville, Bogans came in at shooting guard, Allison moved to small forward and the slender Prince moved to power forward.
With Allison gone, Prince can now use his 6-9 athletic frame to create mismatches for opponents at the swing position.
“I think it will be hard for people to match up with him because of his height,” Smith said. “In our motion offense, he can post people up or go outside and penetrate to score or pass if needed. But by moving him away from the basket, I’m concerned we may lose his rebounding. So our guys down low will have to pick up the slack.”
Prince averaged 13.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season, but shot just 42.3 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from three-point range. He spent two weeks in July playing for the U.S. Young Men’s National Team, which captured the silver medal in Brazil. “I thought he had a good summer. The nasal surgery he had in April should pay dividends in his stamina and the experience with the national team will help him understand the effort needed night in and night out to be a leader,” Smith said. “We’re counting on that.”
Posting big numbers on the scoreboard will be Keith Bogans, who returns for his sophomore campaign after earning freshman All-SEC honors. Last season, his scoring increased throughout the year. He averaged 12.5 ppg for his rookie year, but 16.5 ppg over the last 15 games.”Keith needs to improve his shot selection, but he really owns the total package,” Smith said. “He can put the ball on the floor and shoot _with range.”
Bogans also set a UK freshman record for most steals in a season with 47. But according to Smith, those thefts were due to his athleticism, not necessarily his knack for solid fundamentals.”When he makes up his mind to be a great defender, he will succeed at that too. Or when we help him make up his mind,” Smith chuckled.
Bogans also will see action at small forward, since both positions are nearly identical in the Smith’s motion offense. He’s one of several Cats who can play at least two positions, a factor that should pay dividends over the 28-game schedule.
Saul Smith is the incumbent at the point guard position and the Cats’ last link to the 1998 NCAA title. He’s played in 109 games as a Wildcat, thriving under a heavy microscope as the coach’s son.
“Saul needs to step up this season and do three things,” Tubby Smith said. “He has to be a leader, he has to play great defense on the opponent’s point guard and he needs to shoot the ball better.”
As a sophomore, Saul Smith shot 35.6 percent from three-point range while backing up Wayne Turner. Last season, cast into the starter’s role with an entire team struggling to score, he dished out 115 assists to lead the squad, but canned just 27.0 percent from beyond the arc.
The best shooter on the team was his backup, J.P. Blevins, who averaged nearly 17 minutes per game. The junior managed to convert 35.8 percent of his three-point shots, one of only three Wildcats to shoot better than 30 percent from outside.
“He’s our most confident shooter,” Smith added.
Smith expects all six freshmen to make an impact on the team, either in practice or in games. But two freshmen who should contribute quickly are Cliff Hawkins and Gerald Fitch.
Hawkins is a Turner-type point guard who can break down a defender and penetrate to the basket for an easy bucket or a terrific pass. Fitch burst onto the college basketball radar screen last season by lighting up the nets from outside, finishing as the Class 4A Player of the Year in Georgia.”He’s a good scorer, very versatile and will help us at both point and shooting guard,” Smith said. “Cliff is a crisp, talented, athletic point guard who can penetrate and distribute the ball. I expect those guys to contribute right away, they have to.”
Adding depth at shooting guard will be Todd Tackett, a junior sharp- shooter who’s looking to find his range this season after struggling in appearances the last two years. Matt Heissenbuttel, a Lexington native, will walk-on the squad, and at 6-4, gives the Cats more size on the perimeter and a solid shooting touch.
“Todd must make shots this year,” Smith said. “He had opportunities last year, not quite as many as he thought he should, but like anything else, when you get a chance you have to be ready to perform.
“Matt is a lot like Todd in that he’s another Kentuckian who comes in knowing what a privilege it is to be a Kentucky Wildcat. I hope that same pride and work ethic will carry over to the entire team.”
Another freshman, Erik Daniels, will have an opportunity to back up Prince at small forward. The 6-7 slasher has the frame to play the swing position but must get stronger. Likewise, Cory Sears, a freshman _from Corbin who attended Hargrave Military Academy, will play both shooting guard and small forward. Sears, at age 20, is older than most freshmen, so the shooter should _help in providing maturity for a very young squad.
“I was very surprised at how well Cory shoots the ball,” Smith said. “And his athleticism is better than I expected. He will be a great addition to our ballclub.”
Down on the front line is where the Wildcats are strongest. The three big Cats – Stone, Estill, and Parker and – can play either power forward or center. Together, they’ll have to replace a first-team All-SEC selection in Jamaal Magloire.
“By tournament time, we should be more prepared down low,” Smith said. “Marvin and Marquis are two exceptional passers and have shown me that they can play at this level. It’s critical they’re ready to stay healthy and be physically prepared to handle the rigors of a long season.”
Marquis Estill battled sore knees during his senior season at Madison Central High School. A new injury surfaced last fall and while he sat out the 2000 campaign as a partial qualifier, he underwent surgery to repair his injured left knee, then rehabilitated and joined the practice squad in January. Now, he’ll have an opportunity to show his inside-out offensive abilities, skills that had him leading the state in field goal percentage (76.9%) as a sophomore in high school.
Marvin Stone, who suffered a fractured thumb late last season, is blessed with solid offensive skills – shooting, passing, handling – and at 6-10, 248 pounds, has the body to bang inside. After backing up Magloire much of last season, he’ll have an opportunity to _shine in 2001.
“He’s ready to blossom,” Smith said. “Marvin’s going to have to turn up the heat at center. He’s extremely talented on a lot of levels and the sky’s the limit for him.”
Providing support is Jason Parker, a 6-8, 255-pound freshman who attended Fork Union Military Academy last season. Many compare him to Duke’s Elton Brand. Some even mention Wes Unseld in the same breath. But Smith isn’t quick to anoint him savior status.
“Like all our freshmen, Jason will have to adapt to the college game,” Smith said. “Fortunately for him, he’s gifted with strength, the first major hurdle all freshmen must achieve. But if he gets in great shape, he can definitely help us inside.”
The questions are clear. And to Smith, his 2001 Wildcats possess the answers.
Cat Notes
Hawkins To Wear No. 1
Freshman southpaw Cliff Hawkins will be the first Wildcat on record to wear jersey No. 1 when Kentucky opens the 2000-0 season. Previously, NCAA rules prohibited jersey numbers 1 or 2 from being used to avoid confusion with other signals given by game officials. The rule was rescinded last season making the numbers available in college basketball.
No. 1 Cheerleaders, Again
The Kentucky cheerleaders captured their sixth straight national title at the National College Cheerleading Championships last January in Orlando. The unprecedented domination now has the UKtrophy case holding 10 UCA titles in the last 16 seasons.
Attendance Champions
For the fifth straight season, the Wildcats led the nation in attendance, averaging 22,448 fans per game in 2000. It is UK’s 13th national attendance title since Rupp Arena opened in 1976-77.
98th Season On Deck
The Kentucky Wildcats will begin their 98th season of college basketball when they tip off the season in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 9. It’s the earliest opening date in school history.In the past 97 seasons, UK has won seven NCAA titles – 1948, ’49, ’51, ’58, ’78, ’96 and ’98 – and totaled the most wins in college basketball as well as the highest winning percentage (76.4%).UK also owns three NCAA runner-up finishes, 13 Final Four appearances, a national-record 40 NCAA Tourney appearances, 40 SEC titles, 22 SEC Tournament titles and a record 10 30-win seasons.
All-Time Wins
1. Kentucky 1,771
2. North Carolina1,755
3. Kansas1,712
Rupp Arena Domination
UK finished the 1999-00 season with a perfect 14-0 record at Rupp Arena, running its win streak in the facility to 20 games. The mark is tied for the sixth longest current win streak in the nation.
Overall, the Cats are 317-35 (90.1%) in Rupp since it opened in 1976-77. UK will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in the building during the 2001 season.
UK has not had a losing season at home in 72 years, the longest streak in the nation. It’s a record that began in 1927-28 when the Cats were 6-2 at home.
Outlook Statistics
Production: Returning
Points: 69.6%
Rebounds: 66.3%
Assists: 76.1%
Blocks: 63.8%
Steals: 77.6%
Team Composition:
Seniors: 1
Juniors: 4
Sophomores: 3
Freshmen: 6
Postseason Performances
Kentucky is 55-9 in postseason play since 1992, playing in four Final Fours, winning two NCAA Championships and seven Southeastern Conference Tournament titles.
Coach Tubby Smith knows the importance of March Madness. In three years at Kentucky, Smithhas coached the Wildcats to a 17-3 record in the month of March.
Three-Point Streak
The Wildcats have hit three-pointers in 407 consecutive games, the fourth longest streak in the nation. The last time UK was held without a three-point field goal was Nov. 26, 1988, a three-point loss to Seton Hall in the Great Alaska Shootout. Since the rule was implemented in 1986-87, only UNLV, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech have converted a three-point shot in every game played.
QUICK FACTS
General
Location: Lexington, Ky.
Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1865
Colors: Blue & White
Nickname: Wildcats
Conference: Southeastern (Eastern Division)
Arena: Rupp Arena (23,000)
Arena Record: 317-35, 90.1% (24 years)
NCAA Titles: 7 (1948, ’49, ’51, ’58, ’78, ’96, ’98)
NCAA Runners-up: 3 (1966, 1975, 1997)
Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office: 800-928-CATS
Rupp Arena Ticket Office: 859-233-3535
Administration
President: Dr. Charles T. Wethington Jr. (Eastern Ky. ’56)
Faculty Representative: Dr. John J. Piecoro, Jr. (Ohio State ’61)
Athletics Director: Larry Ivy (Alabama ’67)
Sr. Assoc. Athletics Dir.: Kathy DeBoer (Michigan State ’78)
Athletics Phone Number: 859-257-8000
Media Information
Basketball Contact: Brooks Downing (Kentucky ’88)
Downing’s E-mail: bdrown@pop.uky.edu
Office Phone: 859-257-3838
Office Fax: 859-323-4310
Office Address: UK Media Relations, Memorial Coliseum, Rm. 23, Lexington, Ky. 40506-0019
Basketball Staff
Head Coach: Orlando “Tubby” Smith (High Point College ’73)
Overall College Coaching Record:
Total: 210-85 (9 years) 71.2%
Tulsa: 79-43 (4 years) 64.8%
Georgia: 45-19 (2 years) 70.3%
Kentucky: 86-23 (3 years) 78.9%
NCAA Appearances (Record): 7 (16-6)
Assistant Coaches: David Hobbs (Virginia Commonwealth ’72), Mike Sutton (East Carolina ’78), Reggie Hanson (Kentucky ’91)
Administrative Assistant/Video Exchange: TBA
Equipment Manager: Bill Keightley
Trainer: David Kindy (Florida State ’91)
Strength Coach: Tommy Boyd (Kentucky ’93)
Team Physician: Dr. David Caborn
1999-00 Review
Record: 23-10 (12-4 SEC, 1st East)
Home: 14-0, Away: 5-5, Neutral: 4-5
Co-Southeastern Conference Champions (40)
NCAA Postseason Record: 1-1
Defeated St. Bonaventure, 85-80 2OT, Lost to Syracuse, 52-50.
Final AP Ranking: 19th
Final USA Today Ranking: 22nd
2000-01 PreviewStarters Returning: 3No. Player Ht Cl Pos. Ppg Rpg21 Tayshaun Prince 6-9 Jr. G/F 13.3 6.010 Keith Bogans 6-5 So. G 12.5 3.611 Saul Smith 6-2 Sr. G 6.6 3.5Starters Lost: 242 Jamaal Magloire 6-10 Sr. C 13.2 9.132 *Desmond Allison 6-5 So. G 7.8 3.8Other Lettermen Returning: 43 J.P. Blevins 6-2 Jr. G 4.2 1.340 Jules Camara 6-11 Jr. F 7.2 4.624 Marvin Stone 6-10 So. F/C 4.6 3.812 Todd Tackett 6-2 Jr. G 0.8 0.4Other Lettermen Lost: 14 Steve Masiello 6-1 Sr. G 0.1 0.1Newcomers: 650 Marquis Estill 6-9 So. F 20.5 11.314 Erik Daniels 6-7 Fr. F 20.4 9.84 Gerald Fitch 6-3 Fr. G 26.4 6.81 Cliff Hawkins 6-1 Fr. G 10.1 ^12.515 Matt Heissenbuttel 6-4 Fr. G 16.0 6.233 Cory Sears 6-6 Fr. G 16.5 5.042 Jason Parker 6-8 Fr. F
*Transferred to Martin Methodist^Assists per game
All-America Candidates
Keith Bogans
Tayshaun Prince
All-Conference Candidates
Saul Smith
Marvin Stone
UK Broadcast Information
Broadcast Info: UK Radio Network, UKTV Network
Network Coodinator: Mike Dodson (859-226-HOST)
Address: 546 East Main Street, Lexington, Ky. 40502
