Dec. 6, 1999
LEXINGTON, Kty. – The Kentucky Wildcats return to the friendly confines of Rupp Arena to face UNC Asheville. UK played its first two games at Rupp on Nov. 17 and 19, recording wins over Penn and Utah. But after four neutral-site games, the Wildcats find themselves riding a three-game losing streak for the first time in a decade.
The Cats are in the midst of a tough pre-conference schedule where they will play six Top-25 opponents in a nine-game stretch. Left on the slate are games against No. 24 Maryland and No. 8 Michigan State, sandwiched around a home date with arch-rival Louisville. An additional note: five of UK’s first six opponents played in the 1999 NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats fell to border rival Indiana last Saturday, but still had one of their best offensive performances of the season. UK had five Cats in double figures on its way to a season-high 75 points. The Cats trailed by 12 at halftime, but outscored the Hoosiers by four in the second period, cutting a 16-point lead to seven with 1:08 remaining. Kentucky’s Achilles’ heel was 18 turnovers and Indiana’s 54.7 percent shooting from the field. The Wildcats did outrebound IU, 40-26.
Rankings: Kentucky is ranked 22nd by USA Today/ESPN. In the latest AP poll (Nov. 29), UK was 13th. UNC Asheville is unranked.
The Cats’ next opponent: a rematch with Preseason NIT foe Maryland on Saturday, Dec. 11, at 9 p.m. UK beat the Terps, 61-58, at Madison Square Garden in the tournament’s semifinals.
On the air
UK Radio Network — 6:30 p.m. ET
Ralph Hacker, Sam Bowie, Dave Baker
UKTV – Live
Rob Bromley, Martin Newton, Dick Gabriel
To follow the Wildcats in cyberspace, log onto www.ukathletics.com. Live stats, notes andinformation on this year’s team is available.
Probable Starters
KENTUCKY
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Ppg | Rpg | Hometown | |
| 21 | G/F | 6-9 | 215 | So. | 14.0 | 6.3 | Compton, Calif. | ||
| 40 | Jules Camara | F | 6-11 | 223 | So. | 7.7 | 4.0 | Dakar, Senegal | |
| 42 | Jamaal Magloire | C | 6-10 | 260 | Sr. | 9.3 | 6.7 | Toronto, Ontario | |
| 11 | G | 6-2 | 175 | Jr. | 7.3 | *3.0 | Athens, Ga. | ||
| 32 | G/F | 6-5 | 214 | So. | 6.3 | 3.2 | Tampa, Fla. |
Key Cats Off The Bench
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Ppg | Rpg | Hometown | |
| 3 | G | 6-2 | 181 | So. | 3.0 | *1.0 | Edmonton, Ky. | ||
| 24 | F/C | 6-10 | 256 | Fr. | 6.5 | 6.5 | Huntsville, Ala. | ||
| 5 | F | 6-8 | 225 | Jr. | 1.3 | 1.8 | Sandy, Utah | ||
| 10 | G | 6-5 | 2-5 | Fr. | 6.8 | 1.8 | Hyattsville, Md. |
UNC Asheville
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | Ppg | Rpg | Hometown | |
| 21 | John Risinger | F | 6-5 | 195 | Sr. | 11.4 | 5.7 | Evansville, Ind. | |
| 50 | Matt Osikowicz | F | 6-7 | 225 | Sr. | 6.6 | 3.3 | Merritt Island, Fla. | |
| 40 | Adam Earnhardt | C | 7-0 | 230 | Jr. | 8.9 | 6.3 | Baker, Fla. | |
| 10 | Andre Smith | G | 6-2 | 180 | Fr. | 5.6 | 2.4 | Miami, Fla. | |
| 11 | Brett Carey | G | 6-3 | 200 | Jr. | 10.6 | 4.0 | Lincolnton, N.C. |
* Assists per game
Team Comparisons
| UK | UNCA | |
| Record | 3-3 | 0-7 |
| Scoring Off. | 62.7 | 67.1 |
| Scoring Def. | 61.7 | 85.4 |
| Scoring Margin | +1.0 | -18.3 |
| FG % | 39.4 | 41.9 |
| Def. FG % | 41.6 | 46.8 |
| 3FG % | 24.0 | 37.2 |
| Def. 3FG % | 32.7 | 34.9 |
| FT Pct. | 67.9 | 84.2 |
| Reb. Avg. | 37.7 | 38.1 |
| Opp. Reb. Avg. | 35.3 | 37.7 |
| Rebound Margin | +2.4 | +0.4 |
| TO Avg. | 16.5 | 22.1 |
| Opp. TO | 16.7 | 13.9 |
| TO Margin | +0.2 | -8.2 |
| Blocks Avg. | 6.0 | 2.3 |
| Steals Avg. | 7.0 | 6.6 |
Coaching Comparisons
Orlando “Tubby” Smith (High Point ’73)
| Overall (9th year) | 190-78 | (70.9%) | |
| at UK (3rd year) | 66-16 | (80.5%) | |
| SEC Tournament (4 yrs.) | 10-2 | (83.3%) | |
| NCAA Tournament (6 yrs.) | 15-5 | (75.0%) | |
| vs. UNC Asheville | 0-0 |
Eddie Biedenbach (NC State ’68)
| Overall (7th year) | 77-95 | (44.8%) | |
| at UNCA (4th year) | 48-44 | (52.2%) | |
| vs. Kentucky | 0-1 |
The Skinny on the Bulldogs
Eddie Biedenbach brings his fourth collection of Bulldogs into Rupp Arena for UK’s third home game of the season. While the Wildcats are playing six ranked opponents in a nine-game stretch, UNC Asheville has faced the likes of Missouri, Saint Louis, Tennessee and Connecticut — all on the road — en route to an 0-7 start, its worst ever. Their next game is at N.C. State next Sunday.
Biedenbach guided the ‘Dogs to 18-10 and 19-9 records during his first two years, but they slipped to 11-18 last season after a 1-11 start. After losing six lettermen, including three starters, from the ’99 team, UNC Asheville welcomed seven newcomers this season.
The Series
This is the second meeting between the two teams. UNC Asheville faced UK four years ago when the Wildcats were fresh off their sixth NCAA Championship, and lost 105-51 at Rupp Arena on Dec. 23, 1996.
Series Facts
Overall Record: UK leads 1-0
In Lexington: UK leads 1-0
The previous UK-UNCA meeting at Rupp Arena still ranks as the largest crowd to ever watch the Bulldogs play — 23,891.
Coach Biedenbach is 0-1 against the Wildcats while Coach Smith has never faced UNCA.
Kentucky vs. Big South
The Wildcats’ only game against a Big South opponent has been the one previous matchup with UNC Asheville. The league also has a familiar member — High Point. Coach Tubby Smith’s alma mater recently joined the Division I ranks in the Big South.
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.
Rankings were current at the time of the game.
Rupp Arena
The Kentucky Wildcats, in their 24th season of basketball at Rupp Arena, are 305-35 (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.
Its next game at Rupp Arena is Dec. 18 against Louisville.
December Results
At home in December, the Wildcats are 267-37 all-time, a winning percentage of 87.8 percent. Overall — home, away and neutral — UK is 413-97 (81.0%).
Youthful Contributions
Sophomore Tayshaun Prince is the Wildcats’ leading scorer thus far, averaging 14.0 ppg, while freshman Marvin Stone is second on the team in rebounding, averaging 6.5 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, he’d join an elite list of three UK freshmen — 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’s two blocked shots against Indiana moves him within five of the school record. Magloire, who began the season ranked fourth all-time at UK, now has 221 blocked shots. He’s five away from breaking Melvin Turpin’s record (226) set in 1984.
UK Career Blocked Shots
| 1. Melvin Turpin (1981-84) | 226 |
| 2. Jamaal Magloire (1997-00) | 221 |
| 3. Sam Bowie (1980-81, 84) | 218 |
| 4. Andre Riddick (1992-95) | 212 |
National Exposure
All of the Wildcats’ first six games were televised nationally. UK? will appear on national television 18 times during the regular season.
Did You Know?
Did you know the Wildcats are 31-24 overall against teams from the state of North Carolina?
Keightley After No. 900
Bill “Mr. Wildcat” Keightley, the Wildcats’ beloved equipment manager, is looking for his 900th UK victory since joining the staff in 1962. The 72-year-old, now in his 39th season, has seen 899 UK wins and 273 losses, including three NCAA Championships and three NCAA runner-up finishes.
Consecutive Threes
The Cats have hit three-pointers in 379 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.
1999-2000 Trends
| 3-1 | When leading at halftime | |
| 0-0 | When tied at halftime | |
| 0-2 | When trailing at halftime | |
| 3-2 | When UK scores first | |
| 0-1 | When opponent scores first | |
| 3-0 | 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 | |
| 3-0 | 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 | |
| 3-3 | When UK shoots less than 50% FG | |
| 1-1 | When UK shoots less than 40% FG | |
| 0-1 | When UK makes more 3FG | |
| 3-1 | When opponent makes more 3FG | |
| 0-1 | When 3FG made are the same | |
| 2-2 | 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 | |
| 3-2 | When playing on a weekday | |
| 0-0 | When starting after 10 p.m. ET | |
| 1-1 | When starting after 9 p.m. ET | |
| 2-1 | When game starts between 7-9 p.m. | |
| 0-1 | With an afternoon start | |
| 0-0 | In overtime games | |
| 3-2 | In November | |
| 0-1 | In December | |
| 0-0 | In January | |
| 0-0 | In February | |
| 0-0 | In March | |
| 3-2 | In home white uniforms | |
| 0-1 | In away blue uniforms |
Wildcats vs. Conferences
| 0-1 | vs. Atlantic 10 | |
| 1-0 | vs. Atlantic Coast | |
| 0-1 | vs. Big Ten | |
| 1-0 | vs. Ivy | |
| 1-0 | vs. Mountain West | |
| 0-1 | vs. Pac-10 |
Record vs. Lineup
| 3-2 | Prince, Camara, Magloire, Smith, Allison | |
| 0-1 | Prince, Knight, Magloire, Smith, Allison |
Season Highs/Lows
| Category | Kentucky | Opponent | ||
| 1st Half Points | High | 40 vs. Maryland | 45 by Indiana | |
| Low | 25 vs. Arizona | 26 by Utah | ||
| 2nd Half Points | High | 42 vs. Indiana | 38 by Indiana | |
| Low | 21 vs. Maryland | 22 by Penn/Utah | ||
| Total Points | High | 75 vs. Indiana | 83 by Indiana | |
| Low | 51 vs. Arizona | 48 by Utah | ||
| FG Made | High | 24 vs. Penn | 29 by Indiana | |
| Low | 20 vs. Dayton | 18 Twice | ||
| FG Attempts | High | 59 Three times | 62 by Maryland | |
| Low | 47 vs. Dayton | 44 by Utah | ||
| FG Percentage | High | 43.1 vs. Utah | 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 | 4 by Arizona | ||
| 3FG Attempts | High | 23 Twice | 26 by Penn | |
| Low | 10 vs. Utah | 11 by Indiana | ||
| 3FG Percentage | High | 30.0 vs. Penn | 54.5 by Indiana | |
| (min. 8) | Low | 10.0 vs. Utah | 26.9 by Penn | |
| 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 | 82.8 vs. Dayton | 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 by Indiana | ||
| Rebounds | High | 43 vs. Penn | 45 by Maryland | |
| Low | 31 vs. Utah | 26 by Indiana | ||
| Assists | High | 13 vs. Maryland | 17 by Indiana | |
| Low | 8 vs. Dayton | 5 by Penn | ||
| Turnovers | High | 21 vs. Arizona | 20 by Maryland | |
| Low | 7 vs. Utah | 12 by Indiana | ||
| Blocked Shots | High | 8 vs. Arizona | 4 by Indiana | |
| Low | 5 vs. Utah/Maryland | 1 by Penn/Utah | ||
| 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 Superlatives
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.)
| 62.5 | Keith Bogans (5-8) vs. Maryland | 11/24/99 | |
Three-Point FG
| 3 | Tayshaun Prince vs. Arizona/Indiana | |
Three-Point FG Attempts
| 9 | Tayshaun Prince vs. Arizona | 11/26/99 | |
3FG Percentage (2 made min.)
| 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 | 12/4/99 | |
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. Then last Friday, Arizona earned a win over UK in the Preseason NIT final before the Dayton victory on Monday.
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. It continued last week with the loss to Arizona.
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 DecadeKentucky 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 men’s basketball bios
DESMOND ALLISON
Tied his career highs for points (12), while setting personal bests in FG made/attempted and rebounds (6) vs. Arizona in the Preseason NIT title game… 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 | 12 | Twice | |
| FG Made | 5 | Arizona | 11/26/99 |
| FG Atts | 9 | Arizona | 11/26/99 |
| 3FG Made | 2 | Six times | |
| 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 | Three 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… Break-out game came against home-state school Maryland, where he finished with 17 points, including a 6-of-7 performance from the foul line… 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 | 8 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| 3FG Made | 1 | Three times | |
| 3FG Atts | 5 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
| FT Made | 6 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| FT Atts | 7 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| Rebounds | 3 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
| Assists | 2 | Twice | |
| Turnovers | 4 | Twice | |
| Blocks | 0 | ||
| Steals | 2 | Utah | 11/19/99 |
| Minutes | 24 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
JULES CAMARA
Improving with each outing… Has started 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 Highs
| Opponent | Date | ||
| Points | 15 | Mercer | 11/19/98 |
| FG Made | 7 | Mercer | 11/19/98 |
| FG Atts | 10 | Utah | 11/19/99 |
| 3FG Made | 1 | Three times | |
| 3FG Atts | 5 | Utah | 11/19/99 |
| FT Made | 4 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
| FT Atts | 4 | Three times | |
| Rebounds | 11 | EKU | 11/17/98 |
| Assists | 2 | Three times | |
| Turnovers | 3 | Four times | |
| Blocks | 4 | Arizona | 11/26/99 |
| Steals | 4 | Tennessee State | 12/29/98 |
| Minutes | 26 | Dayton | 11/29/99 |
NATE KNIGHT
Had his first UK starting assignment vs. Indiana… His best outing has been his four points and two assists vs. Maryland… Scored his first points as a Wildcat against his home-state school Utah.
UK Career Highs
| Opponent | Date | ||
| Points | 4 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| FG Made | 2 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| FG Atts | 3 | Utah | 11/19/99 |
| 3FG Made | 0 | ||
| 3FG Atts | 0 | ||
| FT Made | 2 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
| FT Atts | 2 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
| Rebounds | 3 | Arizona | 11/26/99 |
| Assists | 2 | Maryland | 11/24/99 |
| Turnovers | 2 | Dayton | 11/29/99 |
| Blocks | 1 | Twice | |
| Steals | 1 | Twice | |
| Minutes | 13 | Twice |
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
With his two blocks against Indiana, he now has 221 in his career, within five of the school record held by Melvin Turpin (226)… 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 two games this season… With the Cats trailing by 11 inside the final six minutes vs. Indiana, played three minutes with no stats other than one personal foul.
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 | Three 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 (14.0 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
Has scored in double figures the last two games, finishing with 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 | Four times | |
| Turnovers | 6 | Penn | 11/17/99 |
| Blocks | 1 | Three times | |
| Steals | 4 | Twice | |
| Minutes | 34 | Utah | 11/19/99 |
MARVIN STONE
Had eight points after hitting all three of his field goals against Indiana, and added six rebounds against IU… Second on the team in rebounding with 6.5 rpg while playing 18.3 mpg… The big man had three steals vs. Arizona… Dominated the boards against Maryland with 13… Scored 12 points in his collegiate debut vs. Penn, shooting 4-of-6 from the field… Also added six points, three assists, a block and no turnovers.
Career Highs
| Opponent | Date | |||
| Points | 12 | Penn | 11/17/99 | |
| FG Made | 4 | Penn | 11/17/99 | |
| FG Atts | 6 | Twice | ||
| 3FG Made | 0 | |||
| 3FG Atts | 0 | |||
| FT Made | 4 | Penn | 11/17/99 | |
| 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 | Maryland | 11/24/99 | |
| Steals | 3 | Arizona | 11/26/99 | |
| Minutes | 22 | Dayton | 11/29/99 |
TODD TACKETT
Has seen action in all but one game this season… Recorded a career-best two assists against Indiana.
Career Highs
| Opponent | Date | ||
| Points | 3 | Four times | |
| FG Made | 1 | Four times | |
| 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 | Mercer | 11/19/98 |
| Blocks | 0 | ||
| Steals | 1 | LSU | 1/30/99 |
| Minutes | 13 | Indiana | 12/4/99 |
