March 19, 1999
By R.B. FALLSTROM
AP Sports Writer
ST. LOUIS (AP) – This time, Miami of Ohio gets a chance to eliminate theother half of last season’s NCAA championship game.
Under normal circumstances, the prospect of taking on defending championKentucky in the Midwest Regional semifinals would be daunting. But afterknocking off Utah, the No. 2 seed, the 10th-seeded Mid-American Conferencechampions aren’t exactly in awe of tonight’s opponent.
“My dad’s always said this: Every game starts at zero and each teamhas thesame opportunity to win,” Miami star Wally Szczerbiak said. “The auraKentucky has, it’s really no different from the aura Utah had.” Maybe not this year, considering that Kentucky (27-8) is the No. 3seed. Butdon’t forget to factor in the rich tournament heritage.
The Wildcats have been in the national title game the last three years.They’ve been to 40 NCAA tournaments, more than any other team, and this istheir fifth straight appearance in the round of 16.
“The fact we’ve been here and been so successful gives us confidence,”forward Scott Padgett said. “At this time of the year, we know what it takesto win games.”
Kentucky also has won 17 in a row against Miami, with the last loss in1927.
While Kentucky expects to get at least this far every year, Miami(24-7) ishitting a rare high note. Coach Charlie Coles’ team has tied the school recordfor victories, is in the round of 16 for the first time since 1978 and hasnever made it to the final eight.
Coles said somebody has made a big mistake if he and Kentucky coach TubbySmith ever end up in the same place checking out prospects.
“We never really cross paths,” Coles said. “If I see Tubby out recruitingsomeone, then I’m in the wrong gym. Nothing against our players, but that’sjust the way it is.”
That even goes for Szczerbiak, the tournament darling and likely NBAlotterypick who has 67 points in Miami’s first two NCAA victories.
“I wasn’t recruited by Kentucky at all,” said Szczerbiak, who averages24.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Smith isn’t to blame, since this is his second season with the Wildcats.Still, it made him wonder.
“I’m sure there are a lot of great players who’ve fallen through,” Smithsaid. “It can happen. But in this day, it’s hard to imagine.”
Szczerbiak carried Miami in the tourney-opening victory overseventh-seededWashington, scoring 43 of the team’s 59 points. Miami proved it’s not aone-manteam against Utah, winning 66-58 even though Szczerbiak was held to 24 points.
“Against Utah, I don’t think I had a superhuman effort,” Szczerbiak said.”Other guys stepped up and did the job.”
Miami likely will need more performances like John Estick’sseason-best 18points against Utah against a Kentucky team known for its bottomless bench.Four players average in double figures and Smith routinely substitutes for theentire starting five after the first four or five minutes.
Padgett leads the team with 12.5 points and six rebounds a game, modesttotals because of Kentucky’s depth. Heshimu Evans averages 11.8 points andfiverebounds, Wayne Turner 10.7 points and 3.8 assists and Michael Bradley 10.3points and five rebounds.
Kentucky has held opponents to 37.9 percent shooting, the best at theschoolsince 1962, and hopes to frustrate Szczerbiak as well. Smith said the best wayto do that is to wear him down.
Szczerbiak’s response: good luck. He averages about three minutes ofbenchtime per game and has played every minute of the tournament so far.
“It’s not like this is going to be our first 40-minute game,” Szczerbiaksaid. “We’ve been doing this just about every time.”
