Dec. 10, 1999
Kentucky Wildcats (4-3)
vs. Maryland Terrapins (7-2)
Dec. 11, 1999 – 9:04 p.m. EST
Cole Field House (14,500) – College Park, Md.
ON THE AIR
UK Radio Network — 7:30 p.m.
Ralph Hacker, Sam Bowie, Dave Baker
ESPN: Dan Shulman, Len Elmore
To follow the Wildcats in cyberspace, log onto
www.ukathletics.com. Live stats, notes and information on this year’s team is available.
Maryland Awaits, Again
After cruising to a 45-point win, its largest of the season, Kentucky travels to the home state of Coach Tubby Smith for a rematch with ACC-power Maryland. The Wildcats, who snapped a three-game losing streak and improved to 4-3 with the win over UNC Asheville, will face the Terrapins for the second time in 17 days. UK won the first meeting, 61-58, in the Preseason NIT semifinals on Nov. 24. The Cats led the Terps by 16 in the first half before UM rallied to tie the score at 52 inside the final seven minutes. Kentucky held on for the three-point win to advance to the tournament’s final game. (See page 11 for a final box.)
The Wildcats are in the midst of a tough pre-conference schedule in which they play six Top-25 opponents in a nine-game stretch. The second meeting with No. 22 Maryland marks the fifth ranked opponent in the last seven games. Remaining in the difficult stretch is a rematch with Final Four participant Michigan State two days before Christmas. The matchup follows UK’s annual intrastate game with Louisville.
Probable Starters
KENTUCKY
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Ppg Rpg Hometown21 Tayshaun Prince G/F 6-9 215 So. 13.1 6.0 Compton, Ca40 Jules Camara F 6-11 223 So. 8.1 4.4 Dakar, Senegal42 Jamaal Magloire C 6-10 260 Sr. 10.0 6.3 Toronto, Ontario11 Saul Smith G 6-2 175 Jr. 7.1 *3.3 Athens, Ga.32 Desmond Allison G/F 6-5 214 So. 7.6 2.9 Tampa, Fla. Key Cats Off The Bench 3 J.P. Blevins G 6-2 181 So. 2.9 *1.0 Edmonton, Ky.24 Marvin Stone F/C 6-10 256 Fr. 7.3 7.0 Huntsville, Ala. 5 Nate Knight F 6-8 225 Jr. 1.4 2.3 Sandy, Utah10 Keith Bogans G 6-5 205 Fr. 7.6 2.0 Hyattsville, Md.
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MARYLAND
44 Terence Morris F 6-9 205 Jr. 16.9 7.0 Frederick, Md.35 Lonny Baxter F 6-8 225 So. 15.2 9.9 Silver Spring, Md.15 Danny Miller F 6-8 205 So. 8.7 3.3 Mt. Holly, N.J.25 Steve Blake G 6-3 170 Fr. 5.9 *6.7 Miami, Fla. 3 Juan Dixon G 6-3 152 So. 17.0 6.2 Baltimore, Md. * Assists per game
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Team Comparisons
UK UM Record 4-3 7-2 Scoring Off. 66.0 75.6 Scoring Def. 58.7 63.9 Scoring Margin +7.3 +11.7 FG % 40.5 48.3 Def. FG % 40.8 39.6 3FG % 24.6 33.1 Def. 3FG % 32.2 30.4 FT Pct. 70.5 68.4 Reb. Avg. 38.4 38.3 Opp. Reb. Avg. 34.3 34.6 Rebound Margin +4.1 +3.7 TO Avg. 16.3 19.2 Opp. TO 18.4 21.0 TO Margin +2.1 +1.8 Blocks Avg. 6.4 8.3 Steals Avg. 8.0 10.3
Coaching Comparisons
Orlando "Tubby" Smith (High Point '73) Overall (9th year) 191-78 (71.0%) at UK (3rd year) 67-16 (80.7%) SEC Tournament (4 yrs.) 10-2 (83.3%) NCAA Tournament (6 yrs.) 15-5 (75.0%) vs. Maryland 3-0 Gary Williams (Maryland '68) Overall (22nd year) 406-248 (62.1%) at Maryland (11th year) 201-120 (62.6%) vs. Kentucky 0-3
Tough Schedule II:
Eight of Kentucky’s first 10 opponents played in the 1999 NCAA Tournament.
Against UNC Asheville, UK set season highs in points in the first half (41) and second half (45), total points (86), field goals (31-of-68), FG percentage (45.6%), FT percentage (86.4%), rebounds (43), assists (16), blocked shots (9) and steals (14). In addition, individual Wildcats set 18 season/career highs in the game.
Rankings:
Kentucky is ranked 22nd by USA Today/ESPN and No. 23 in the AP poll.
Maryland is ranked 21st by AP, 19th by USA Today/ESPN.
The Cats’ next opponent:
Cross-state rival Louisville visits Lexington for the annual battle for bragging rights on Saturday, Dec. 18. UK has lost the last two games in the series. The Wildcats did not schedule a midweek game due to final exams for the fall semester, which ends next Friday.
The Skinny on the Terrapins
Maryland entered the first UK matchup with an umblemished 3-0 record before falling by three, 61-58, to the Wildcats. Since the UK loss, the Terps have a 4-1 record, starting with a 72-67 win over Notre Dame in the Preseason NIT consolation game. After a pair of victories over Big Ten foes Iowa (83-65) and Illinois (69-67), the Terps lost to rival George Washington in the finals of the BB&T Classic in Washington D.C., 74-69. But UM rebounded to beat Winthrop in overtime on Tuesday, 76-65.
Juan Dixon, a slender 6-3 guard, leads UM, averaging 17.0 ppg and 6.2 rpg. Preseason All-American Terence Morris tallies 16.9 ppg and 7.0 rpg.
Maryland owns the nation’s longest non-conference home win streak, winners of 68 straight at Cole Field House . The mark was in doubt on Tuesday before the Terrapins pulled out an 11-point overtime victory against Winthrop. The Terps’ last non-conference loss occurred Dec. 12, 1989 to Alcorn State.
The Series
This is the 11th official meeting between the two teams, with UK owning a 7-3 advantage in the series. The first game in the series occurred on Jan. 19, 1928, a 37-7 win by Maryland in College Park. The Terps have beaten UK in two of the three meetings at College Park.
UK scratched one game from its Maryland series — a 90-81 win in the 1988 NCAA Tournament — after violations were found in the basketball program.
Host UK won the regular-season meeting last Dec. 12, beating the second-ranked Terrapins, 103-91. But the Cats spoiled a chance at playing Maryland twice last season as both teams participated in the Puerto Rico Shootout. While the Terrapins won the Thanksgiving tournament, UK fell in the semifinals to Pittsburgh.
The Cats have won the last four meetings with Maryland — dating back to a 58-56 overtime win in Lexington on Dec. 15, 1957.
Series Facts -- Overall Record: UK leads 7-3 In Lexington: UK leads 3-0 In College Park: UM leads 2-1 At Neutral Sites: UK leads 3-1
Coach Tubby Smith is 3-0 against Maryland, earning his first victory over the Terps in Hawaii as Georgia’s head coach during the 1996-97 season. He’s led UK to two victories over Maryland in the last two seasons. Coach Gary Williams is 0-3 against the Wildcats, which includes a loss in the 1995 Tip-Off Classic.
Kentucky at Cole
The legendary Cole Field House has been home to the Terrapins since the 1955-56 season. Less than two weeks after the building was dedicated, Kentucky defeated UM, 62-61, handing the Terrapins their very first loss in the building. The Wildcats returned to Cole two years later and Maryland won, 71-62.
In the NCAA Tournament, UK has played in Cole Field House four times. The Cats defeated Duke in the 1966 National Semifinals, 83-79, before losing 72-65 to Texas Western in the NCAA title game, UK’s first and Adolph Rupp’s only runner-up finish. In 1977, the Wildcats beat VMI there in the East Region semifinals, 93-78, before missing out on a chance for the ?77 Final Four with a loss to North Carolina, 79-72.
Overall, UK is 3-3 in the building and Maryland is 448-147 there.
Did You Know?
Kentucky played Duke in the 1966 NCAA semifinals at Cole Field House. Did you know the Wildcats, affectionately known as Rupp’s Runts, entered the contest as the nation’s No. 1 team with a 26-1 record after opening the season with a 23-game win streak? Duke was the nation’s No. 2 team at the time and the Wildcats won, 83-79, to advance to the title game.
Smith Nearly a Terp
Coach Tubby Smith had committed to play his college basketball at Maryland before a coaching change altered his plans. Smith, who hails from Scotland, Md., had accepted an offer to become a Terrapin, but when Lefty Driesell was named coach, the offer was rescinded. The change sent Smith to High Point (N.C.) College where he became an All-Conference performer.
Kentucky vs. ACC
Kentucky is 110-49 (69.2%) against Atlantic Coast Conference teams. The Wildcats have one more regular-season game scheduled this season against an ACC team, Jan. 5, vs. Georgia Tech in Louisville. Last season, UK was 2-1 against ACC teams.
Seniors Departed
Last year, UK beat Maryland at Rupp Arena as the Wildcats’ three seniors combined for 73 points, 22 rebounds and 14 assists, led by Heshimu Evans’ career-high 31 points.
Evans is now overseas, playing for his third professional team in France and averaging 15 points and seven rebounds per game. Scott Padgett, who posted 25 points and 13 rebounds against the Terps last December, has started nine of the 16 games for the Utah Jazz and averaged 4.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg. Wayne Turner began the season with the Celtics but is now playing for Cincinnati of the IBL, where he led the Stuff to its fourth straight win earlier this week with 29 points and nine assists.
Evans plans to return home for Christmas, along with former Wildcat Jared Prickett, who also is participating in the French league. And, according to Evans, former Cat Andre Riddick has joined a rival squad there this month.
UK vs. Top 25
Kentucky is 2-2 against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 this season. Against No. 16 Utah, the Wildcats recorded a 56-48 win, and against No. 24 Maryland, UK tallied a three-point win, 61-58. The Cats’ two losses have come against No. 8 Arizona and No. 23 Indiana.
AP rankings were current at the time of the game.
Cats From the Foul Line
The Wildcats are shooting 70.5 percent from the foul line this season, their best free throw shooting mark since the 1996 season (71.3%). But over the last three games, UK has made 68-of-84 attempts (80.9%). Last season, UK shot 63.9 percent.
Three Cats are shooting better than 84.0 percent — Saul Smith (87.5%), Jules Camara (85.7%) and Desmond Allison (84.6%).
Stone Grabs Team’s First Double-Double
Freshman Marvin Stone became the first Wildcat this season to record a double-double. The Huntsville, Ala., native had 12 points and 10 rebounds against UNC Asheville on Tuesday.
Rupp Arena
The Kentucky Wildcats, in their 24th season of basketball at Rupp Arena, are 306-35 (89.7%) in the facility.
UK has recorded seven perfect home seasons and four years with only one defeat since Rupp Arena opened in 1976-77. The Big Blue earned its 300th victory in the 23,000-seat gymnasium on Jan. 30, 1999, an 86-62 win over LSU. Kentucky was 12-1 in the facility last year.
UK, which is 3-0 this season in the structure, will face Louisville there in the Cats’ next game on Dec. 18.
December Results
At home in December, the Wildcats are 268-37 all-time, a winning percentage of 87.9 percent. Overall — home, away and neutral — UK is 414-97 (81.0%).
Youthful Contributions
Sophomore Tayshaun Prince is the Wildcats’ leading scorer thus far, averaging 13.1 ppg, while freshman Marvin Stone leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.0 rpg.
If Prince finishes the season as UK’s top scorer, he’ll become the fourth sophomore in the last decade to accomplish that feat, joining Jamal Mashburn, Tony Delk and Ron Mercer with that honor. If Stone finishes at the top of the rebounding charts at the end of the season, he’ll join an elite list of three UK freshmen who have accomplished the feat– Rick Robey (’75), Sam Bowie (’80) and Chris Mills (’89). Rebounds were first charted in the 1950-51 season.
Magloire’s Career Blocks
Jamaal Magloire needs three blocked shots to become the all-time blocks leader at Kentucky. His five blocked shots in the last two games give him 224 during his four-year career. Magloire, who began the season ranked fourth all-time at UK, is expected to surpass Melvin Turpin’s record of 226 set in 1984.
UK Career Blocked Shots 1. Melvin Turpin (1981-84) 226 2. Jamaal Magloire (1997-00) 224 3. Sam Bowie (1980-81, 84) 218 4. Andre Riddick (1992-95) 212
National Exposure
Seven of the Wildcats’ first eight games are televised nationally. UK will make its sixth appearance on ESPN or espn2 thus far when it takes on Maryland. All totaled, UK will appear on national television 18 times during the regular season.
Keightley Witnesses No. 900
Bill “Mr. Wildcat” Keightley, the Wildcats’ beloved equipment manager, witnessed his 900th UK victory when the Wildcats beat UNC Asheville last Tuesday. He joined the staff in 1962. The 72-year-old, now in his 39th season, has seen 900 UK wins and 273 losses, including three NCAA Championships and three NCAA runner-up finishes.
Consecutive Threes
The Cats have hit three-pointers in 380 consecutive games. 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 (63-60). UK’s current streak ranks fourth nationally. UNLV, Vanderbilt and Princeton have had a three-pointer in every game since the rule was implemented in 1986-87.
Smith’s Overtime Success
With an exciting 92-88 victory over Kansas in the second round of the 1999 NCAA tourney, the Wildcats won all three overtime games last season. UK also defeated host Georgia, 91-83, and Indiana, 70-61.
The Cats are 5-0 in overtime games since Tubby Smith took over as coach. In ’98, the Wildcats earned overtime victories over Arkansas, 80-77, and Stanford, 86-85. The Cats had lost seven of their last eight overtime games prior to the five-game win streak.
Overall, UK is 42-33 in overtime games, dating back to Feb. 12, 1907.
Smith is 13-3 in overtime games during his eight-year coaching career. He’s 5-0 at UK, 2-1 at Georgia and 6-2 at Tulsa, which includes a 2-1 mark in double overtime. His one overtime loss at Georgia was an 83-81 defeat to Syracuse in the 1996 NCAA Tournament and one of his OT defeats at Tulsa came at the hands of top-ranked Arkansas in 1994.
Trends
'99-2000 Trends 4-1 When leading at halftime 0-0 When tied at halftime 0-2 When trailing at halftime 4-2 When UK scores first 0-1 When opponent scores first 4-0 When leading with 5 minutes to play 0-2 When trailing with 5 minutes to play 0-1 When score tied with 5 minutes to play 4-0 When leading with 2 minutes to play 0-3 When trailing with 2 minutes to play 0-0 When score tied with 2 minutes to play 1-1 In games decided by three points or less 1-1 In games decided by 4-10 points 0-0 When UK shoots 60% or better FG 0-0 When UK shoots 50% or better FG 4-3 When UK shoots less than 50% FG 1-1 When UK shoots less than 40% FG 1-1 When UK makes more 3FG 3-1 When opponent makes more 3FG 0-1 When 3FG made are the same 3-2 When UK outrebounds opponent 1-1 When opponent outrebounds UK 0-0 When rebounds are the same 3-3 When playing on national TV 0-0 When playing on regional TV 0-1 When playing on the weekend 4-2 When playing on a weekday 0-0 When starting after 10 p.m. ET 1-1 When starting after 9 p.m. ET 3-1 When game starts between 7-9 p.m. 0-1 With an afternoon start 0-0 In overtime games 3-2 In November 1-1 In December 0-0 In January 0-0 In February 0-0 In March 4-2 In home white uniforms 0-1 In away blue uniforms Wildcats vs. Conferences 0-1 vs. Atlantic 10 1-0 vs. Atlantic Coast 1-0 vs. Big South 0-1 vs. Big Ten 1-0 vs. Ivy 1-0 vs. Mountain West 0-1 vs. Pac-10 Record vs. Lineup 4-2 Prince, Camara, Magloire, Smith, Allison 0-1 Prince, Knight, Magloire, Smith, Allison
America’s Team of the Century
The Wildcats own an unparalleled tradition of success. Since 1903, the University of Kentucky has fielded 97 basketball teams. The first national championship was an NIT title in 1946. The first NCAA Championship came in 1948 and the latest, No. 7, occurred in 1998. No other program can claim the unparalleled success that matches the Wildcats’ efforts throughout the century.
Highlights include:
* Seven NCAA titles (1948, '49, '51, '58, '78, '96, '98), * The all-time winningest team in college basketball. 1. Kentucky 1,752 2. North Carolina 1,739 3. Kansas 1,694 * The highest all-time winning percentage in college basketball 76.4%, (1,752-541-1), * Three NCAA runner-up trophies, * 13 Final Four appearances, * A national-record 40 NCAA tournament appearances, * 39 SEC Championships, * 22 SEC Tournament titles, * 10 30-win seasons, * 37 players chosen All-American 54 times, * 86 Wildcats drafted by the NBA.
Season Highs/Lows
Category Kentucky Opponent 1st Half Points High 41 vs. UNCA 45 by Indiana Low 25 vs. Arizona 16 by UNCA 2nd Half Points High 45 vs. UNCA 38 by Indiana Low 21 vs. Maryland 22 by Penn/Utah Total Points High 86 vs. UNCA 83 by Indiana Low 51 vs. Arizona 45 by UNCA FG Made High 31 vs. UNCA 29 by Indiana Low 20 vs. Dayton 15 by UNCA FG Attempts High 68 vs. UNCA 62 by Maryland Low 47 vs. Dayton 44 Twice FG Percentage High 45.6 vs. UNCA 54.7 by Indiana Low 35.6 Twice 31.0 by Penn 3FG Made High 6 Three times 7 by Penn Low 1 vs. Utah 2 by UNCA 3FG Attempts High 23 Twice 26 by Penn Low 10 vs. Utah 8 by UNCA 3FG Percentage High 30.0 vs. Penn 54.5 by Indiana (min. 8) Low 10.0 vs. Utah 25.0 by UNCA FT Made High 25 vs. Indiana 19 by Indiana Low 3 vs. Arizona 5 by Maryland FT Attempts High 33 vs. Indiana 28 by Indiana Low 8 vs. Arizona 7 by Utah FT Percentage High 86.4 vs. UNCA 85.7 by Utah Low 37.5 vs. Arizona 43.8 by Penn Off. Rebounds High 21 vs. Maryland 19 by Maryland Low 9 vs. Arizona 6 by Indiana Def. Rebounds High 32 vs. Penn 31 by Arizona Low 20 vs. Utah 20 Twice Rebounds High 43 Twice 45 by Maryland Low 31 vs. Utah 26 by Indiana Assists High 16 vs. UNCA 17 by Indiana Low 8 vs. Dayton 5 by Penn Turnovers High 21 vs. Arizona 29 by UNCA Low 7 vs. Utah 12 by Indiana Blocked Shots High 9 vs. UNCA 4 by Indiana Low 5 Twice 1 Three times Steals High 10 vs. Maryland 15 by Arizona Low 5 vs. Indiana 2 by Penn Fouls High 25 vs. Indiana 26 by Indiana Low 10 vs. Utah 15 by Arizona
Individual Season Highs
Points 21 Tayshaun Prince vs. Maryland 11/24/99 Field Goals 7 Tayshaun Prince vs. Maryland/Arizona Field Goal Attempts 18 Tayshaun Prince vs. Maryland/Arizona Field Goal Percentage (5 made min.) 100.0 Desmond Allison vs. UNC Asheville 12/7/99 Three-Point FG 3 Tayshaun Prince vs. Arizona/Indiana 3 Desmond Allison vs. UNC Asheville 12/7/99 Three-Point FG Attempts 9 Tayshaun Prince vs. Arizona 11/26/99 3FG Percentage (2 made min.) 100.0 Desmond Allison (3-3) vs. UNC Asheville 12/7/99 100.0 Saul Smith (2-2) vs. Penn 11/17/99 Free Throws 9 Jamaal Magloire vs. Indiana 12/4/99 Free Throw Attempts 13 Jamaal Magloire vs. Indiana 12/4/99 Free Throw Percentage (6 made min.) 85.7 Keith Bogans (6-7) vs. Maryland 11/24/99 85.7 Tayshaun Prince (6-7) vs. Dayton 11/29/99 Rebounds 13 Marvin Stone vs. Maryland 11/24/99 Assists 5 Saul Smith vs. Indiana/UNC Asheville Steals 4 Saul Smith vs. Utah 11/19/99 4 Desmond Allison vs. Penn 11/17/99 Blocks 4 Jamaal Magloire vs. Utah 11/19/99 4 Jules Camara vs. Arizona 11/26/99
SEASON REVIEW
Preseason NIT Final Four Results
Kentucky earned wins over Penn, Utah and Maryland before losing in the championship of the Preseason NIT to Arizona. It was the “western” Wildcats third straight win over UK, dating back to an overtime win in the 1997 NCAA Championship game. UK finished second in the 16-team tournament field that included Ohio State, Notre Dame and Tulane. The final four results from New York’s Madison Square Garden:
Nov. 24 Arizona 76, Notre Dame 60 Kentucky 61, Maryland 58 Nov. 26 Maryland 72, ND 67 Arizona 63, Kentucky 51
Prince Makes All-Tourney
Tayshaun Prince, UK’s leading scorer and rebounder, had a career-high 21 points and nine rebounds in the Cats’ win over Maryland and followed up with an 18-point, five-rebound performance against Arizona to earn All-Tournament team honors at the Preseason NIT.
Joining Prince on the All-Tournament team were Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy, Maryland’s Lonny Baxter and Arizona’s Jason Gardner and Richard Jefferson. The MVP was Arizona’s Gilbert Arenas.
America’s Team of the Century Posts #1,750
Kentucky, the winningest college basketball team in the nation, became the first team to record 1,750 wins with its victory over Utah on Nov. 19. UK is in its 97th season of college basketball, and its record number of victories include seven NCAA Championships, two (postseason) NIT titles, a record 84 NCAA Tournament victories and 39 Southeastern Conference Championships, more than all the other league teams combined.
November Blues
For the fifth consecutive year, UK lost a game in the month of November. In 1995, UK lost to UMass in the Great Eight. In ’96, the Cats fell to Clemson in the BCA Classic. In ’97, Arizona knocked UK into the loser’s bracket of the Maui Invitational. Last season, Pittsburgh sent the Cats to the third-place game of the Puerto Rico Shootout. This November, Arizona earned a win over UK in the Preseason NIT final before the Cats fell to Dayton.
For the 11th time in the last 12 seasons, the Cats have lost one of their first five games of the season. The dubious streak began in 1988-89 with a loss to Duke in the Tip-Off Classic.
Home In November
Since 1980, Kentucky has only lost two home games in November, establishing a mark of 18-1 during the past two decades, including its victories over Penn and Utah. The only defeat? To Pittsburgh in the second round of the Preseason NIT in Nov. 1991.
All-time in November, UK is 45-10, including a 28-1 mark at home, a 3-0 record on the road and a 14-9 slate at neutral sites.
Season Openers
After its Penn victory, Kentucky has now won 10 of its last 11 season openers. UK’s one defeat came at the hands of Clemson, a 79-71 overtime loss in the BCA Classic double-header at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis on Nov. 15, 1996.
UK has not lost a home opener since Northwestern State upset the Cats in 1988-89, a streak of 11 consecutive victories.
PRESEASON CAT SCRATCHES
Cats Short on Experience, Long on Talent
Seven of the 11 Wildcats on the ’99-2000 roster are freshmen or sophomores. UK lost its top four scorers, its top three rebounders and its top three assists men. The Cats’ leading returning scorer and rebounder is senior Jamaal Magloire, who averaged 7.0 ppg and 4.4 rpg, while the leading returning assist man is Saul Smith, who averaged 1.6 apg last season. The only returning starter is Desmond Allison.
Returning production includes: Points: 35.8% Rebounds: 38.9% Assists: 33.1 % Blocks 63.8% Steals: 37.8%
The NBA Connection
Kentucky led all Southeastern Conference teams with 10 Wildcats on 1999-2000 opening day NBA rosters. No other SEC team had more than six former players in the league. For UK, the Cats had Derek Anderson (Clippers), Tony Delk (Kings), Rex Chapman (Suns), Jamal Mashburn (Heat), Ron Mercer (Nuggets), Nazr Mohammed (76ers), Walter McCarty, Antoine Walker and Wayne Turner (Celtics) and Scott Padgett (Jazz). Turner has since been waived.
Magloire Earns Preseason All-SEC Honor
In early November, media members at the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Birmingham picked the Wildcats to finish second in the Eastern Division behind Florida and selected Jamaal Magloire to the preseason All-SEC team. Auburn, which returns Chris Porter and Doc Robinson from last year’s Sweet 16 team, was chosen to win the regular-season crown.
SEC Media Day Predictions
Champion (Votes) Auburn 29 Florida 10 Kentucky 5 Eastern Division Western Division Florida (30) 227 Auburn (40) 240 Kentucky (3) 188 Arkansas 177 Tennessee (7) 181 Alabama 142 Vanderbilt 100 Miss. State 121 Georgia 85 LSU 67 South Carolina 56 Ole Miss 58 All-SEC G - Tony Harris, Tennessee 27 G - Doc Robinson, Auburn 41 F - Chris Porter, Auburn 49 F - Mike Miller, Florida 37 C - Jamaal Magloire, Kentucky 17 SEC Player of the Year Chris Porter, Auburn 45 Doc Robinson, Auburn 1 Mike Miller, Florida 1
Rule Changes
- Timeout format for radio/TV games — five 30-second timeouts for the game. The first called by either team will be 75 seconds. Four timeouts can be carried over to the 2nd half. In overtime, an additional timeout will be granted. TV timeouts will continue to occur after the 16-, 12-, 8- and 4-minute marks.
- The “held-ball rule” was rescinded after one season. Now, all held balls will be awarded according to the possession arrow.
- Uniform numbers “1” and “2” are now legal.
- A three-foot coaching line will extend onto the floor to enable the officials to clearly monitor the coach’s box.
- After a double foul, the team in possession of the ball at that time shall have the opportunity to put the ball in play from a spot nearest to where the foul occurred. Previously, the possession arrow was used.
- Administrative technical fouls now include artificial noisemakers during a live ball and the use of a laser pointers by a fan at any time.
- Points of emphasis: calling the intentional foul, particularly in the closing minutes, rough, low-post play, rough play away from the ball, palming and the coaching box.
Team of the Decade
Kentucky staked its claim for the title of “Team of the Decade” during the 1990s. Only two NCAA Division I schools can claim two national titles during the last 10 years, UK and Duke.
NCAA Championships 2 Final Four Appearances 4 NCAA Runner-up 1 NCAA Tourney Record (App.) 31-6 (8) NCAA Tourney Winning % 83.8% Decade Wins (Pct.) 282 (81.7%) 30-Win Seasons 4 Losing Seasons 0 AP Top-10 Finishes 9 All-Americans 3 NBA Draft Picks (1st Rd.) 10 (8) SEC Championships 3 SEC Tournament Titles 7
News from the Summer Drought
The ’99-2000 schedule includes 17 teams that played in the 1999 NCAA Tournament, including Final-Four qualifier Michigan State. There will be 14 home dates during the regular season since Kentucky advanced in the Preseason NIT. The Cats will appear on national TV 18 times, including 12 times on ESPN or espn2 and five games on CBS. SEC games televised on “Super Tuesdays” by ESPN will begin at 9 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m.
Tubby Smith spent nearly all of July as an assistant coach for the 1999 USA Senior National Team. After winning the Tournament of the Americas in Puerto Rico, the squad qualified for the 2000 Olympics next September in Sydney, Australia. Smith will continue to serve on that staff as well, coaching such NBA greats as Tim Hardaway, Kevin Garnett, Steve Smith and Gary Peyton.
Point guard Saul Smith competed for the SEC All-Stars, which toured Japan in August. Smith helped the team to a 4-1 record against the Japan National Team.
Steve Masiello was awarded a scholarship for his senior season. The former walk-on from White Plains, N.Y. has been a member of UK’s ’97 NCAA runner-up squad, its ’98 NCAA Championship team and the Elite-Eight qualifier last season.
Jamaal Magloire declared his intentions for the NBA Draft in May, but withdrew one week before the event and decided to return to UK for his senior season.
Scott Padgett became the seventh Wildcat in the last four years to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft when he was taken 28th by the Utah Jazz. Padgett was one of 11 Wildcats on NBA rosters as of opening day. In addition, seven other Cats are playing professionally, including Heshimu Evans, who is participating in a French league this winter. (See pages 154-157 of the 2000 UK Media Guide.)
Fall Signees
Cliff Hawkins, a 6-1, 180-pound guard at Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Michael Southall, a 6-10, 225-pound forward/center from West Salem, Wis., have both signed national letters-of-intent during the fall signing period to play their college basketball at the University of Kentucky.
Hawkins, a native of Dumfries, Va., helped the Warriors to a perfect 32-0 record last season and a final No. 1 ranking by USA Today, ESPN and The Associated Press, earning the crown of national champions.
“Cliff is a tough and tenacious defender who’s been an important part of a championship program,” Coach Smith said. “He understands what teamwork is all about and works to make others better. He’s not interested in padding his own stats, which was one of the first things that attracted us to him. He’s a point guard that knows how to push the ball up the court and he’s been well-schooled in the game.”
As a junior, Hawkins averaged 11.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game last season while starting every contest. The southpaw, who his coach called the “best on-the-ball defender he’s ever coached,” also led the team in steals, averaging 3.9 per game. He shot 50.0 percent from the field, 62.5 percent from the foul line and 30.0 percent from three-point range during the ’99 season.
Hawkins played his sophomore season at Potomac High School, leading the squad to a state runner-up finish. In the state semifinals, he held Ronald Curry, the 1998 National Player of the Year, to six points, while tallying 31 in the winning effort. He earned first-team Class AAA All-State honors before transferring to Oak Hill.
Hawkins, who chose UK over New Mexico, played on the 1998 DC Team Assault summer AAU squad with current Wildcat Keith Bogans.
Southall, who plays at West Salem High School, was the Coulee Conference and Region Player of the Year last season, averaging 20.7 points and 13.0 rebounds per game. He was named the team’s Most Valuable Player and earned third team All-State honors from the Lacrosse Tribune after leading his squad to a 14-8 record. He shot 65.0 percent from the field, 66.0 percent from the foul line and recorded 146 blocked shots (6.7 bpg) last season.
“Michael is a player that exemplifies the student-athlete we want in our program,” Coach Smith said. “He has set high goals and ambitions and has a great work ethic. With the loss of Jamaal Magloire to graduation next season, he’ll make an immediate impact. He’s a player that possesses excellent hands and agility and will obviously keep a shot-blocking presence on our front line.”
Southall also was named team MVP during his sophomore year, averaging 13.7 points and 12.0 rebounds a game while leading West Salem to the sectional final.
He chose UK over Utah, Georgia Tech, Michigan and Ohio State.
UPDATED PLAYER BIOS
DESMOND ALLISON
Had his best game yet, tallying 15 points against UNC Asheville with a perfect shooting performance, 5-5 FG, 3-3 3FG and 2-2 FT… He added four assists and no turnovers in 25 minutes… Team’s best three-point shooter, hitting 35.3%… Against Arizona in the Preseason NIT final, scored 12 points and set personal bests in FG made/attempted and rebounds (6)… His baseline jumper with 1:07 remaining gave UK a four-point lead in the win over Utah… Recorded a career-high seven rebounds against Penn while also tying his mark for steals in a game with four.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 15 UNCA 12/7/99 FG Made 5 Twice FG Atts 9 Arizona 11/26/99 3FG Made 3 UNCA 12/7/99 3FG Atts 4 Four times FT Made 5 Arkansas 2/20/99 FT Atts 6 Arkansas 2/20/99 Rebounds 6 Arizona 11/26/99 Assists 6 Arkansas 2/20/99 Turnovers 4 Arizona 11/26/99 Blocks 2 N. Mexico St. 3/12/99 Steals 4 Georgia 1/26/99 Minutes 32 Arkansas 2/20/99
J.P. BLEVINS
His numbers continue to rise with each game… Against Dayton, tallied nine points in 22 minutes, thanks to a 4-for-4 effort from the foul line, all personal bests… Played 20 minutes with a personal best two assists vs. Maryland in the Preseason NIT semifinals… Against Penn, set career highs in FGM (2), 3FGM (2) and 3FGA (3), and tied his career best with two rebounds.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 9 Dayton 11/29/99 FG Made 2 Twice FG Atts 5 Dayton 11/29/99 3FG Made 2 Penn 11/17/99 3FG Atts 3 Twice FT Made 4 Dayton 11/29/99 FT Atts 4 Dayton 11/29/99 Rebounds 2 Twice Assists 2 Twice Turnovers 2 Three times Blocks 0 Steals 1 Four times Minutes 22 Dayton 11/29/99
KEITH BOGANS
Scored eight of his 11 points in the first half vs. Indiana… Played a season-high 24 minutes vs. IU… Followed up with a solid outing vs. UNC Asheville — scored 12 points and had career highs in rebounds (3), blocks (1) and steals (3)… Break-out game came against home-state school Maryland, when he finished with 17 points, including a 6-of-7 performance from the foul line in the Preseason NIT… Saw first collegiate action against Penn… Scored his first collegiate points vs. Utah.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 17 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Made 5 Twice FG Atts 12 UNCA 12/7/99 3FG Made 2 UNCA 12/7/99 3FG Atts 5 Twice FT Made 6 Maryland 11/24/99 FT Atts 7 Maryland 11/24/99 Rebounds 3 Twice Assists 2 Twice Turnovers 4 Twice Blocks 1 UNCA 12/7/99 Steals 3 UNCA 12/7/99 Minutes 24 Indiana 12/4/99
JULES CAMARA
Solid performance vs. UNC Asheville: 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals… Has started at power forward in all but one game… Tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and three blocks against Indiana off the bench… Had 10 first-half points against Dayton but held to two points in the second half while playing a career-high 26 minutes… Tied his career high for blocks with four against Arizona… Made his first career start against Penn.
Career High Opponent Date Points 15 Mercer 11/19/98 FG Made 7 Mercer 11/19/98 FG Atts 11 UNCA 12/7/99 3FG Made 1 Three times 3FG Atts 5 Utah 11/19/99 FT Made 5 UNCA 12/7/99 FT Atts 6 UNCA 12/7/99 Rebounds 11 EKU 11/17/98 Assists 2 Three times Turnovers 3 Five times Blocks 4 Arizona 11/26/99 Steals 4 Tennessee State 12/29/98 Minutes 28 UNCA 12/7/99
NATE KNIGHT
Grabbed a season-high five rebounds vs. UNC Asheville and had a season-best two blocks… Made his first UK start vs. Indiana… Had four points and two assists vs. Maryland… Scored his first points as a Wildcat against his home-state school Utah.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 4 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Made 2 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Atts 3 Twice 3FG Made 0 3FG Atts 0 FT Made 2 Indiana 12/4/99 FT Atts 2 Indiana 12/4/99 Rebounds 5 UNCA 12/7/99 Assists 2 Maryland 11/24/99 Turnovers 2 Dayton 11/29/99 Blocks 2 UNCA 12/7/99 Steals 1 Three times Minutes 13 Three times
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
Needs three blocked shots to become UK’s all-time blocked shots leader… The school record is held by Melvin Turpin (226) and Magloire has 224… This season, leads the team in blocks with 13 and is second in rebounding (6.3 rpg)… Shot nine-of-13 >from the foul line against the Hoosiers, both career highs… Finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in the eight-point defeat.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 18 Missouri 11/26/97 FG Made 7 Twice FG Atts 13 Utah 11/19/99 3FG Made 0 3FG Atts 0 FT Made 9 Indiana 12/4/99 FT Atts 13 Indiana 12/4/99 Rebounds 17 Missouri 11/26/97 Assists 3 Auburn 2/25/98 Turnovers 6 Arizona 11/26/99 Blocks 6 Five times Steals 3 Twice Minutes 34 Tennessee 1/12/99
STEVE MASIELLO
Has seen action in three games this season… With the Cats trailing by 11 inside the final six minutes vs. Indiana, played three productive minutes.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 6 South Carolina 3/8/98 FG Made 2 South Carolina 3/8/98 FG Atts 4 Canisius 1/9/97 3FG Made 1 Four times 3FG Atts 2 Three times FT Made 3 Indiana 12/7/96 FT Atts 4 Indiana 12/7/96 Rebounds 2 Five times Assists 2 Four times Turnovers 2 Canisius 12/10/97 Blocks 1 Auburn 3/7/97 Steals 1 Five times Minutes 9 Wright State 11/23/98
TAYSHAUN PRINCE
Made the All-Tournament team at the Preseason NIT after tallying a career-high 21 points and nine rebounds against Maryland and 18 points and five boards against Arizona… Leading the team in scoring (13.1 ppg) and third in rebounding (6.3 rpg)… Has led the Wildcats in scoring three times.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 21 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Made 7 Twice FG Atts 18 Twice 3FG Made 3 Three times 3FG Atts 9 Arizona 11/26/99 FT Made 6 Twice FT Atts 8 Maryland 11/24/99 Rebounds 9 Maryland 11/24/99 Assists 6 Arkansas 3/7/99 Turnovers 3 Three times Blocks 3 Twice Steals 4 Florida 1/2/99 Minutes 38 Arizona 11/26/99
SAUL SMITH
Leads the team in free throw shooting (87.5%), assists (23) and steals (10)… Scored a season-high 13 points vs. Indiana… His steal and contested jumper with 1:58 to play against Utah gave the Cats a convincing four-point lead… Tied his career high for steals with four against the Utes… Made his first career start at point guard vs. Penn.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 17 Ole Miss 1/16/99 FG Made 5 Ole Miss 1/16/99 FG Atts 13 Indiana 12/4/99 3FG Made 3 Twice 3FG Atts 7 Twice FT Made 5 Twice FT Atts 6 Twice Rebounds 6 Kansas 12/1/98 Assists 5 Five times Turnovers 6 Penn 11/17/99 Blocks 1 Four times Steals 4 Twice Minutes 34 Utah 11/19/99
MARVIN STONE
Recorded the team’s first double-double of the season, 12 points and 10 rebounds vs. UNC Asheville… It was his second double-figure rebounding performance after tallying 13 against Maryland in the first meeting… Leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7.0 rpg, and field goal percentage, 58.8%… Had eight points after hitting all three of his field goals against Indiana, and added six rebounds… The big man had three steals vs. Arizona… Scored 12 points in his collegiate debut vs. Penn, shooting 4-of-6 from the field, and added six points, three assists, a block and no turnovers.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 12 Twice FG Made 4 Twice FG Atts 6 Twice 3FG Made 0 3FG Atts 0 FT Made 4 Twice FT Atts 6 Penn 11/17/99 Rebounds 13 Maryland 11/24/99 Assists 3 Penn 11/17/99 Turnovers 3 Maryland 11/24/99 Blocks 2 Twice Steals 3 Twice Minutes 22 Dayton 11/29/99
TODD TACKETT
Best stats of the season vs. UNC Asheville: career-high four points, three rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes… Has seen action in all but one game this season… Recorded a career-best two assists against Indiana.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 4 UNCA 12/7/99 FG Made 2 UNCA 12/7/99 FG Atts 6 Mercer 11/19/98 3FG Made 1 Twice 3FG Atts 2 Mercer 11/19/98 FT Made 1 Twice FT Atts 2 Twice Rebounds 6 Mercer 11/19/98 Assists 2 Indiana 12/4/99 Turnovers 2 Twice Blocks 0 Steals 1 LSU 1/30/99 Minutes 13 Indiana 12/4/99
