October 12, 1998

Cats By Committee

Few can argue that the University of Kentucky Wildcats are riding a crestof success. Two national championships in the last three years – threeconsecutive championship game appearances…four Final Fours in the 1990s -the list is long and impressive.

It seems fitting that college basketball’s winningest program is enteringthe final year of the century as defending national champions. And with aroster that includes nine returning lettermen from the title team a yearago, Kentucky is primed to be in the hunt for the school’s eighth NCAAtitle.

“Only one team each year gets a chance to be in this position,” saidOrlando “Tubby” Smith, whose team won the ’98 crown in just his first yearas head coach in the Bluegrass. “It’s going to be interesting to see how wehandle it and how we’re hunted. But then again, you’re always hunted atKentucky.”

Teamwork, sacrifice and hard work are the three keys to Smith’s system.After all, competition is competition, and the annual goals remain the same.”Our chief goal and commitment to our players is simple – we’ll give themour best effort to push them to reach their full potential, and in the end,they’re winners, regardless of the final score,” Smith said. “If theybecome better people, if they improve on the basketball court and we’vebuilt relationships, then we’ve succeeded.

Head Coach Tubby Smith

“Now, to go that next step and contend for championships, you have to havetalent, and we feel we do.”

Throughout Kentucky’s recent success, its talent level has been depletedwith departures. After winning the championship in 1996, UK lost fourplayers to the NBA Draft. Yet, a year later, and with their best playersidelined with a knee injury, the Wildcats returned to the final gamebefore losing in overtime to Arizona. Following that run in ’97, UK losttwo more stars to the NBA, plus two players who had played more than 280games between them, as well as the entire coaching staff. Regardless, the”Comeback Cats”captured the title again.

Now, lost from the team roster is graduate Jeff Sheppard, the startingshooting guard who paced the Cats down the stretch with his Final Four MVPperformance. Big man Nazr Mohammed, who had one year of eligibilityremaining, decided to turn pro after last season. Allen Edwards, theutility man who played nearly every position during his four years,completed his eligibility, along with long-range threat Cameron Mills.Three starters out, five freshmen in.Time to reload.

Sophomore forward Myron Anthony

“That will be our biggest weakness in the coming season,” Smith said. “Thefour players we lost all played for a team that was in the nationalchampionship game three years in a row. They won more games during thosethree years than any other group has ever won during a three-year span incollege basketball. People must know that you just can’t replace that typeof experience. But we’re going to try.”

In 1998, with a new coaching staff and six players who had not played forKentucky the year before, much was made of the Wildcats’ search for anidentity. Some even labeled the team the “Indescribables,” fashioned afterthe more recent UK monikers “the Unforgettables” or the “Unbelievables.”But instead of taking the more recent suggestion as a weakness of his club,Smith used that uncertainty as a strength, the same approach he’ll take forthe 1998-99 season.

“I think our strength will be that we don’t have an identity. Who are thoseguys? How did they do that?” Smith said laughing. “We want balance. Whenyou have balance, you have a lot of different weapons. Opponents then havetrouble defending you.

“I’m not boasting, but I think that’s why last year’s team won. People cameout thinking, ‘What can we do to get Jeff Sheppard in foul trouble?’ And ifthey did, we had someone else prepared to come in and perform at the samelevel.”

So, can the feat be duplicated?

Senior guard Wayne Turner

Seniors Must Lead

Replacing the three seniors off the 1998 roster will be a challenge. Thetrio provided leadership, an unmeasurable quality that included Sheppard, afifth-year senior, Edwards, who overcame battles for playing time early inhis career, and Mills, a walk-on who earned a scholarship.

“That definitely was a strength last year,” Smith said. “I’m trying to getour new tri-captains – Scott Padgett, Wayne Turner and Heshimu Evans – tostep up and take that responsibility. That may be the hardest thing theyhave to do all year, to be focused and to know that the rest of the team islooking up to them.”

If the leadership requirement is fulfilled, the Wildcats need only todevelop depth to make a run at another Final Four, since four of thestarting five positions should be defined early.

At point guard, Smith has Wayne Turner, perhaps the most underrated pointguard in the nation. When various preseason lists were released in thefall, the senior was overlooked. No All-America status, no finalist listsfor the Naismith or Wooden Awards, just a solid point guard set to lead theWildcats in defense of their title.

But wasn’t Turner selected the Most Valuable Player in both theSoutheastern Conference Tournament and the South Region last season? Willhe not finish his career as the school’s all-time leader in steals, one ofthe top Cats in career assists and as a member of UK’s prestigious1,000-point club? And isn’t he the only player on this year’s roster tohave played in the last three Final Fours?

Freshman J.P. Blevins

There’s no debating Turner’s talents, and above all, he has the experience.He’s logged action in 114 games for the Wildcats, and ifUK advances this season to the finals of the SEC Tournament, then on to thesecond round of the NCAA Tournament, he’ll set an NCAA record for gamesplayed in college basketball with 149. Duke’s Christian Laettner holds thecurrent mark of 148.

“I think he’s the best point guard in the country,” Smith said of hisAll-America candidate. “He can lock down a defender, set up your offense,penetrate to the rim, and with his improved offensive touch from outside,he now possesses the total package.”

Backing up Turner is Smith’s son Saul, a sophomore who averaged 13.4minutes per game last season while playing in all 39 games. Saul Smithmay be quicker defensively than Turner, and with a confidence boostoffensively, he’ll provide valuable minutes at either guard position.Also adding depth at point guard will be freshman J.P. Blevins. TheMetcalfe County (Ky.) all-state selection, who committed to the Wildcats asa junior in high school, can handle the ball, penetrate and shoot.

“I feel very comfortable with our point guards,” the elder Smith said.

“We’ve got scoring ability there, and more importantly, we have generals inthat position, real leaders to run our team.”

Penciled in at the starting position at small forward is Heshimu Evans.The senior was UK’s energy off the bench last season, sparking the Cats tocomebacks time and again. The 6-6 Evans used his athleticism to reboundthen lead the break while displaying his finesse in knocking down clutchthree-pointers from outside.

“He’s instant offense and instant defense,” Smith said. “His explosivenessis, by far, the most impressive on the team.”

Returning to help at either forward position is Myron Anthony. The 6-7sophomore surprised everyone with his accuracy from three-point land,canning 46.2 percent of his shots. Improvement on the defensive end willresult in more minutes for him.

“He’s the real unsung type of guy, the real sleeper on the squad,”Smith said. “I hope he can be our Heshimu of last year, someone who givesus unending energy on both ends of the floor.”

Tayshaun Prince

Competing for playing time at the position will be Tayshaun Prince, aMcDonald’s All-American from Compton, Calif. The 6-8 freshman has alreadyadded 26 pounds to his slender frame since the end of his senior season atDominguez High, and his versatility should be a tremendous asset. Princecan shoot, dribble, pass and rebound. He lacks only experience.

At power forward, Scott Padgett returns for his final campaign. Unlike histeammate Turner, the 6-9 All-America candidate has received the advancedbilling, appearing on nearly every list of preseason honors – first team,second team, etc. He also will be completely healthy for the first time in a year.

Padgett underwent surgery on his left pinky finger following the end of the’98 season after dislocating the finger during the World University gamesthe summer before. The joint never healed correctly and Padgett was forcedto play through the pain all last season.

“Scott’s just a complete player,” Smith said. “Inside, outside, he can hurtyou all over the floor.”

Michael Bradley

Backing up Padgett is sophomore Michael Bradley and freshman Jules Camara.Bradley saw limited action last season, appearing in 32 games but playingless than seven minutes per contest. Yet, with improved play down thestretch, his minutes increased. He shot 66.7 percent from the field for theseason, and led all big men on the team with more assists than turnovers.He’ll also see plenty of action at center as well.

But while Bradley carries 235 pounds on his 6-10 frame, Camara is 6-11, 213pounds. The slender freshman from Oak Hill Academy (Va.) can run the floorwith great athleticism and can dominate a game from above the rim.To be a factor early, he’ll have to continue to get stronger, much like theWildcats’ probable starter at center, Jamaal Magloire.

The 6-10 junior is now up to 260 pounds, a product of his off-seasonconditioning program in Lexington. Magloire, a native of Toronto, had spentthe previous two summers participating on the Canadian National Team, butlast summer, he stayed at UK, working out and working on his game. Theresults are impressive.

“He’s a force inside,” Smith said. “And with the improvement of hisoffensive skills, he could be one of the best centers in the country.”So that leaves only one question unanswered. Who replaces Sheppard atshooting guard, along with his backup, Mills?

“You’ll see a lot of different people in that two-spot,” Smith answered.”But even last year, that position was handled by committee for most of theseason until Sheppard surfaced during the last two months.

“The two and three spots are very similar, very interchangeable. It allowsa guy like Tayshaun to play the three, but be a two-man tosome degree.

Desmond Allison

We’ll take a look at Evans at shooting guard, and even though he playedfacing the basket some last year, he’ll have to make that changeconsistently this year. And there are others too.”

Like freshman Desmond Allison, a 6-5 guard with long range and greatstrength. The Tampa native excelled in basketball, football and track inthe state of Florida last year, and he also brings an aggressive attitudeto the court as well.

“Desmond will definitely have a chance to play a lot early,” Smith said.

“His attitude will add a new dimension to the team. He’s hard-nosed withtremendous basketball skills. He’s probably ahead of our other freshmenbecause of his physical maturity, but he’s still learning the game.”Ryan Hogan, who returns for his sophomore year, is a great shooter, muchlike his uncle, former UK great Kevin Grevey. Hogan underwent arthroscopicsurgery on his left knee after last season, and has returned to fullstrength.

“I think Ryan has even improved his shooting, if that’s possible,” Smithsaid. “I expect him to challenge for a lot of playing time at the shootingguard spot. His shooting ability reminds me a lot of Cameron Mills.”Another freshman, Todd Tackett, will get a look at shooting guard aswell. The 6-2 guard from Paintsville was a Kentucky All-Star last season,earning MVP honors in the Kentucky Derby Festival in April. He also helpedhis team to a state title in 1996 and a state runner-up finish last March.Walk-on Steve Masiello returns and will be counted on to provide emotionalleadership, a role held by Mills last season. He’ll also see action at bothguard spots.

The Chase For No. 8

Indescribables? Perhaps, but Smith’s options are limitless. He can go witha strong lineup featuring Turner and Evans outside and Anthony, Padgett andMagloire along the front. Or he can go quick, with Turner and Smith outfront, Evans, Prince and Padgett down low.Options, endless options.

“I think that’s the versatility of this team,” Smith added. “Last year, Iknew we had a good frontcourt. Our strength was our post play. This year,we’ve got a good balance and it’s possible that our strength will be in thebackcourt.”

Freshman Todd Tackett

Last season UK was the No. 2 team in the nation in rebound margin and 62.8percent of the team’s rebounding returns for the ’99 season. In SEC play,UK’s defense limited opponents to 38.4 percent shooting, tops in the league.Regardless, the Wildcats’ strength is in numbers. A 14-man roster can berotated at least 10-men deep, maybe more.

“Big dreams start with little dreams,” Smith said. “We’ll set the samegoals this season that we set last season – improving each day asindividuals and becoming the best team we can be every day we take thefloor.”

Smith will have to have his team prepared early. December opponents includeKansas, Maryland and Duke. Add traditional rivals Indiana, Georgia Tech andLouisville, and the non-conference slate may be the toughest on record.”We’ve talked about our inexperience, and with most of these games awayfrom home, it puts us in a real bind,” Smith said. “Last year, we wereinexperienced with a young team and a new coaching staff. Now, it’s adifferent sort of inexperience. This year, we have inexperienced leadershipand five freshmen. We’ll have to be ready early.”

The SEC schedule also appears strong. Last season, every team in theEastern Division played in either the NCAA Tournament or the NIT.

“The SEC is always tough, but this might be the toughest it has ever been,”Smith said. “Tennessee welcomes back Charles Hathaway from the injured listand brings in one of the top freshmen in the country in Vincent Yarbrough.So they’re better. Georgia nearly won the NIT, winning six of its lasteight games. South Carolina still has BJ McKie, an All-SEC guard returning,along with Bud Johnson, William Gallman and Antonio Grant. Florida had oneof the best recruiting classes in the nation and this is just the EasternDivision. The West isn’t much easier.”

Nine of the 12 SEC teams return at least three starters. The exceptions areKentucky, LSU and Vanderbilt. Tennessee returns all five. Auburn andGeorgia lost only one starter. And this is the same league that has had ateam in the Final Four every year since 1993.

So if the defending national champions are a target, it appears that someof the league teams are loaded for bear.

“I’m sure they are, but we’ll do our share of hunting too,” Smith added.

The chase for title No. 8 is on.