February 17, 1999

LEXINGTON, Ky. – With its postseason hopes fading, Georgia hopes to settle a score and earnsome family bragging rights against Kentucky on Wednesday night.

The Bulldogs (14-10, 5-7) were beaten 91-83 in overtime by the No. 6Wildcats on January 26.

“It’s always tough to play against people you respect and love,” Kentuckycoach Tubby Smith said.

Smith coached at Georgia for two seasons before moving to Kentucky twoyears ago. His oldest son G.G. is a senior point guard for the Bulldogs, and hisyounger son Saul is a reserve guard for the Wildcats.

Smith’s Wildcats (20-6, 9-3) had lost two in a row before reboundingto rout South Carolina 74-40 on Saturday.

Scott Padgett scored 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in thevictory. Kentucky shot 50 percent from the field while holding South Carolina to 25percent shooting.

The Wildcats feature a balanced offense led by forward Heshimu Evans, whoaverages 11.9 points per game to lead four Kentucky players averaging indouble figures.

“I am looking forward to playing Georgia,” Evans said. “They are a great3-point shooting team and they have a great player in G.G. Smith. Our defenseneeds to come out ready to play.”

In addition to Smith, Kentucky must try to stop Georgia’s standoutsophomore forward Jumaine Jones.

Jones has blossomed into one of the SEC’s best players, averaging 19.6points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Smith averages a team-high 4.2 assists and8.8 points per game.

Georgia is coming off a 75-64 loss to Florida on Saturday. Jones had 24points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.

This will be the fourth and possibly last meeting between G.G. Smith’sGeorgia team and his father’s Kentucky squad. The Wildcats won the first threemeetings.

G.G. had nine points and nine assists in the Jan. 26 game, while Saulcame off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers in the Kentucky victory.

The Wildcats have won the last 11 meetings in the 78-year-old series,including this year’s overtime win. Overall, Kentucky has won 94 of the 111meetings.