LEXINGTON, Ky. – UK Races To Indy, Site of 2000 Final Four at Back home in a dome.
The Kentucky Wildcats, who have won 19 of their last 21 games played in domed stadiums, will face Indiana in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis.
The annual border rivalry will be played in front of what is expected to be the largest regular-season crowd in college basketball this season, expected to number more than 40,000 fans. Tickets for this college basketball showcase are split across the midcourt stripe, with half the crowd in red, the opposing half dressed in blue.
Indiana is the fourth consecutive UK opponent to boast a 3-0 record against the Wildcats this season. The last two — Arizona and Dayton — both recorded wins over the Cats in the last nine days as UK dropped its record to 3-2.
The Wildcats are in the middle of a tough pre-conference schedule where they will play six ranked opponents in a nine-game stretch. The Cats are 2-1 against ranked opponents already this season, before facing No. 23 (AP) Indiana. On the upcoming slate: at No. 24 Maryland and a visit by No. 8 Michigan State at Rupp Arena sandwiched around arch-rival, but unranked, Louisville.
Kentucky hopes to snap its two-game losing streak with a better offensive effort. In the last three games, UK has shot 35.6 percent >from the field against Maryland and Arizona, and 42.6 percent vs. Dayton, including a 25.0 percent second half. Adding to the offensive slide, UK has averaged 19.7 turnovers a game during the stretch.
Lexington is 167 miles from Indianapolis, and a mere 90 miles north of Louisville.
Indianapolis will play host to the 2000 Final Four on April 1-3. Its the fourth time the city has welcomed the Final Four, the third time it has been played at the RCA Dome.
The Cats’ next opponent: UNC Asheville at Rupp Arena on Dec. 7 at 8 p.m.
Probable Starters
KENTUCKY
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Ppg Rpg 21 Tayshaun Prince G/F 6-9 215 So. 13.4 6.4 40 Jules Camara F 6-11 223 So. 7.2 3.2 42 Jamaal Magloire C 6-10 260 Sr. 9.0 6.4 11 Saul Smith G 6-2 175 Jr. 6.2 *2.6 32 Desmond Allison G/F 6-5 214 So. 7.6 3.6 Key Cats Off The Bench3 J.P. Blevins G 6-2 181 So. 3.0 *1.2 24 Marvin Stone F/C 6-10 256 Fr. 6.2 6.6 5 Nate Knight F 6-8 225 Jr. 1.2 2.0 10 Keith Bogans G 6-5 2-5 Fr. 6.0 1.6 INDIANA44 Lynn Washington F 6-7 230 Sr. 8.0 6.0 50 Jeffrey Newton F 6-9 215 Fr. 5.7 4.0 35 Kirk Haston C 6-10 230 Jr. 13.3 11.7 25 AJ Guyton G 6-1 175 Sr. 21.3 4.3 11 Dane Fife G 6-4 190 So. 4.7 3.0 * Assists per game
The Skinny on the Hoosiers
Bob Knight’s Hoosiers return three starters from last year’s team that finished with a 23-11 record and finished the Big Ten tied for third — A.J. Guyton, Kirk Haston and Michael Lewis. Lewis is the only one of the three without a start this season. Guyton, a senior, and Haston, a junior, lead the Hoosiers in scoring, averaging 21.3 and 13.3 points per game, respectively.
This season, Indiana has won at Texas Tech, defeated No. 5 Temple at the Tip-Off Classic and earned a hard-fought overtime win at home against Notre Dame on Tuesday.
The Series
This is the 43rd meeting between the two schools. UK and IU have met each season since the 1969-70 season. Kentucky has won the last five games played in the series, including last season’s 70-61 overtime win in Louisville’s Freedom Hall. In the RCA Dome, UK has won the last two meetings with the Hoosiers to run its record to 4-2 at the home of the NFL’s Colts.
Series Facts — Overall Record: UK leads 22-20
In Lexington: UK leads 7-3
In Bloomington: IU leads 9-3
At Neutral Sites: UK leads 12-8
Coach Knight is 14-17 against the Wildcats while Coach Smith is 2-0 against Indiana.
Hotly Contested
Seven of the last 10 games in the series have been decided by seven points or less, with six of those seven games decided by a two or three points. Last year’s game, a nine-point UK victory, was settled in overtime.
Since the 1978-79 season, the teams have met 22 times and 15 of the meetings have been decided by seven points or less while three have ended in overtime.Kentucky has won 14 of those 22 meetings.
The last time a blowout occurred in this series was three years ago, when the Wildcats handed Coach Bobby Knight one of his worst losses ever, 99-65, on Dec. 7, 1996, when Derek Anderson and Ron Mercer, two first-round NBA Draft picks, combined for 56 points against the Hoosiers.
Scheduled Homecoming
For one member of the Kentucky Wildcats’ class of 1998 fall signees, the Kentucky-Indiana game would have marked a homecoming. Seven-footer John Stewart, who had signed a national letter-of-intent to play for Kentucky and would have been a freshman for the Wildcats this season, collapsed and died on March 12 of this year while leading his top-ranked Lawrence North High School through the Indiana State Tournament. The Indianapolis native, known as ‘Big John,’ died from a congenital heart condition. (See page 42 of the 2000 UK basketball media guide for a tribute to John Stewart.)
Kentucky vs. Big Ten
Kentucky has won 12 of its last 13 games against Big Ten opponents. Michigan State’s victory over the Wildcats in the 1999 NCAA Tournament snapped UK’s 12-game winning streak over the conference. The last Big Ten team to defeat UK prior to the streak: Indiana, 96-84, at the RCA Dome on Dec. 4, 1993.
Overall, UK has an 82-48 record against the league.
Stat Comparisons
UK IU Record 3-2 3-0 Scoring Off. 60.2 72.0 Scoring Def. 57.4 61.0 Scoring Margin +2.8 +11.0 FG % 39.3 41.2 Def. FG % 39.1 34.0 3FG % 23.5 30.4 Def. 3FG % 30.2 32.1 FT Pct. 65.3 66.7 Reb. Avg. 37.2 45.0 Opp. Reb. Avg. 37.2 41.0 Rebound Margin 0.0 +4.0 TO Avg. 16.2 14.0 Opp. TO 17.6 17.7 TO Margin +1.4 +3.7 Blocks Avg. 6.0 4.7 Steals Avg. 7.4 8.7
Coaching Comparisons
Orlando ‘Tubby’ Smith (High Point ’73)
Overall (9th year) 190-77 (71.2%)
at UK (3rd year) 66-15 (81.5%)
SEC Tournament (4 yrs.) 10-2 (83.3%)
NCAA Tournament (6 yrs.) 15-5 (75.0%)
vs. Indiana 2-0
Bob Knight (Ohio State ’62)
Overall (35th year) 746-281 (72.6%)
at Indiana (29th year) 644-231 (73.6%)
vs. Kentucky 14-17 (45.2%)
Smith vs. IU
Tubby Smith has won both games over Indiana since taking over as coach at Kentucky. Previously, he was an assistant coach during a memorable game against the Hoosiers on Dec. 2, 1989. As a member of Coach Rick Pitino’s first staff, the Wildcats, who were on NCAA probation and were comprised of eight scholarship players, none taller than 6-7, nearly shocked IU before falling, 71-69 in the Dome. The following year, he was an associate coach on Pitino’s staff that ventured to Bloomington — UK’s last appearance on the Hoosiers’ homecourt, where the Cats lost a heartbreaker, 87-84.
Other great games in the UK-IU history include three from the early ’70s:
Dec. 11, 1971 — Bob Knight’s first Indiana squad beat Adolph Rupp’s last band of Wildcats, 90-89 in double-overtime in Freedom Hall.
March 17, 1973 — IU beats UK, 72-65, to advance to Knight’s first Final Four.
March 22, 1975 — UK beats IU, 92-90, snapping a five-game losing streak to the Hoosiers to advance to the Final Four. It also ended Indiana’s 34-game win streak. Earlier that season, IU had beaten the Cats, 94-78.
UK in the RCA Dome
Kentucky is 6-5 all-time in the RCA Dome. The first five games the Cats played there was during the ‘Big 4 Classic,’ which pitted UK against either Indiana or Notre Dame in a double-header that also included Louisville. Against IU in the RCA Dome, UK has won four of the six meetings.
The Wildcats had won 17 straight games played in domes before Michigan State came from behind to defeat the Cats in the 1999 Midwest Region final at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis. The last defeat prior to the streak occurred in the 1997 NCAA Championship game, a 84-79 win by Arizona in the RCA Dome.
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.
UK’s all-time record in November games is 45-10.
National Exposure
All of the Wildcats’ first five games are televised nationally. The UK-Indiana game tips off the CBS coverage for the season, the same network that will broadcast the NCAA Tournament into the next millenium.
UK will appear on national television 18 times during the regular season.
Magloire’s Career Blocks
Jamaal Magloire recorded a blocked shot against Arizona to move into sole possession of second place on the all-time UK blocked shot list with 219. He had been tied with UK radio broadcast analyst Sam Bowie. He’s eight away from breaking Melvin Turpin’s record (226) set in 1984.
Did You Know?
Did you know the Wildcats lost the first six games in the Indiana series between 1924 and 1942? UK then rebounded to win five straight before losing five more to the Hoosiers as the border series grew between the two basketball-rich states.
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 272 losses, including three NCAA Championships and three NCAA runner-up finishes.
1999-2000 Trends
3-1 When leading at halftime 0-0 When tied at halftime 0-1 When trailing at halftime 3-2 When UK scores first 0-0 When opponent scores first 3-0 When leading with 5 minutes to play 0-1 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 0-2 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 1-0 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 3-2 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 0-0 When 3FG made are the same 2-1 When UK outrebounds opponent 1-1 When opponent outrebounds UK 0-0 When rebounds are the same 3-2 When playing on national TV 0-0 When playing on regional TV 0-0 When playing on the weekend 3-1 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. 0-0 With an afternoon start 0-0 In overtime games 3-2 In November 0-0 In December 0-0 In January 0-0 In February 0-0 In March 3-2 In home white uniforms 0-0 In away blue uniforms
Wildcats vs. Conferences
0-1 vs. Atlantic 10 1-0 vs. Atlantic Coast 1-0 vs. Ivy 1-0 vs. Mountain West 0-1 vs. Pac-10
Record vs. Lineup
3-2 Prince, Camara, Magloire, Smith, Allison
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 1,751
2. North Carolina 1,736
3. Kansas 1,692 - The highest all-time winning percentage in college basketball — 76.4% (1,751-540-1),
- 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 40 vs. Maryland 29 by Arizona Low 25 vs. Arizona 26 by Utah 2nd Half Points High 35 vs. Penn 34 by Arizona Low 21 vs. Maryland 22 by Penn/Utah Total Points High 67 vs. Penn 63 by Arizona Low 51 vs. Arizona 48 by Utah FG Made High 24 vs. Penn 24 by Maryland 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 40.9 by Utah Low 35.6 Twice 31.0 by Penn 3FG Made High 6 Twice 7 by Penn Low 1 vs. Utah 4 by Arizona 3FG Attempts High 23 vs. Arizona 26 by Penn Low 10 vs. Utah 18 by Maryland 3FG Percentage High 30.0 vs. Penn 36.4 by Arizona Low 10.0 vs. Utah 26.9 by Penn FT Made High 24 vs. Dayton 13 by Arizona Low 3 vs. Arizona 5 by Maryland FT Attempts High 29 vs. Dayton 20 by Arizona 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 7 by Utah Def. Rebounds High 32 vs. Penn 31 by Arizona Low 20 vs. Utah 23 by Utah Rebounds High 43 vs. Penn 45 by Maryland Low 31 vs. Utah 30 by Utah Assists High 13 vs. Maryland 14 by Maryland Low 8 vs. Dayton 5 by Penn Turnovers High 21 vs. Arizona 20 by Maryland Low 7 vs. Utah 17 Twice Blocked Shots High 8 vs. Arizona 3 by Maryland Low 5 vs. Utah/Maryland 1 by Penn/Utah Steals High 10 vs. Maryland 15 by Arizona Low 6 vs. Arizona 2 by Penn Fouls High 21 vs. Arizona 22 by Maryland Low 10 vs. Utah 15 by Arizona
Top Individual Performances
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 11/26/99
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 6 Keith Bogans vs. Maryland 11/24/99 6 Tayshaun Prince vs. Dayton 11/29/99
Free Throw Attempts 8 Jamaal Magloire vs. Utah 11/19/99 8 Tayshaun Prince vs. Maryland 11/24/99
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 3 Saul Smith (four times) 3 Desmond Allison (twice) 3 Marvin Stone vs. Penn 11/17/99
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
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.
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.
It’s next game at Rupp Arena is Dec. 7 against UNC Asheville.
Season Openers
After its win over Penn, 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.
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.
Consecutive Threes
The Cats have hit three-pointers in 378 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.
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
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 in rebounds against Penn with seven 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 Twice Blocks 0 Steals 1 Twice Minutes 22 Dayton 11/29/99
KEITH BOGANS
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 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Atts 8 Maryland 11/24/99 3FG Made 1 Twice 3FG Atts 4 Penn 11/17/99 FT Made 6 Maryland 11/24/99 FT Atts 7 Maryland 11/24/99 Rebounds 2 Dayton 11/29/99 Assists 2 Arizona 11/26/99 Turnovers 4 Twice Blocks 0 Steals 2 Utah 11/19/99 Minutes 22 Maryland 11/24/99
JULES CAMARA
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 2 Seven times FT Atts 4 Twice Rebounds 11 EKU 11/17/98 Assists 2 Three times Turnovers 3 Three times Blocks 4 Arizona 11/26/99 Steals 4 Tennessee St 12/29/98 Minutes 26 Dayton 11/29/99
NATE KNIGHT
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 0 FT Atts 1 Twice Rebounds 3 Arizona 11/26/99 Assists 2 Maryland 11/24/99 Turnovers 2 Dayton 11/29/99 Blocks 1 Dayton 11/29/99 Steals 1 Twice Minutes 13 Maryland 11/24/99
JAMAAL MAGLOIRE
With his one block against Arizona, moved past Sam Bowie into second on UK’s all-time blocked shots list with 219… He’s seven shy of the school record held by Melvin Turpin (226).
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 6 Syracuse 11/28/96 FT Atts 8 Twice 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 one game this season.
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 6 So Carolina 3/8/98 FG Made 2 So 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 12/07/96 FT Atts 4 Indiana 12/07/96 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 St 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 (13.4 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.4 rpg).
Career Highs Opponent Date Points 21 Maryland 11/24/99 FG Made 7 Twice FG Atts 18 Twice 3FG Made 3 Twice 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
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 10 Ole Miss 1/16/99 3FG Made 3 Twice 3FG Atts 7 Twice FT Made 5 Twice FT Atts 6 Twice Rebounds 6 Kansas 12/1/98 Assists 5 Three times Turnovers 6 Penn 11/17/99 Blocks 1 Three times Steals 4 Twice Minutes 34 Utah 11/19/99
MARVIN STONE
Leads the team in rebounding with 6.6 rpg while playing 18.2 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… Earned Player of the Game honors… 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
Saw action in the first four games this season.
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 1 Mercer 11/19/98 Turnovers 2 Mercer 11/19/98 Blocks 0 Steals 1 LSU 1/30/99 Minutes 12 Mercer 11/19/98
