March 11, 1998

Smith Named SEC’s Co-Coach of the Year

Orlando “Tubby” Smith was named Southeastern Conference Co-Coach of the Year by The Associated Press Wednesday, sharing the honor with Tennessee coach Jerry Green in a vote by the media. It’s the second honor in two days for the first-year coach at Kentucky. On Tuesday, the 46-year-old Smith was named National Coach of the Year by Basketball Weekly. Smith guided his Wildcats to a 29-4 record and a No. 5 final ranking in the AP poll this week. UK is a No. 2 seed in the South Region and will face South Carolina State in Atlanta on Friday. Smith had previously won two Missouri Valley Coach of the Year awards at Tulsa. Green also is in his first year as coach of the Volunteers, who are 20-8 overall and 9-7 in the SEC. UT is making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in nine years.

Three Cats Make AP All-SEC

Nazr Mohammed was a first-team selection to the 1998 AP All-SEC team released on Wednesday. The 6-10 junior center is second on the team in scoring and first in rebounding, averaging 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Teammates Jeff Sheppard and Scott Padgett were named to the third team. The complete list follows:

First TeamAnsu Sesay, Ole Miss*BJ McKie, South Carolina*Drew Maddux, VanderbiltNazr Mohammed, KentuckyNick Davis, ArkansasSecond TeamHoratio Webster, Mississippi StateKeith Carter, Ole MissPat Bradley, ArkansasMelvin Watson, South CarolinaTony Harris, TennesseeThird TeamJumaine Jones, GeorgiaJeff Sheppard, KentuckyScott Padgett, KentuckyTyrone Washington, Mississippi StateC.J. Black, TennesseeAP SEC Player of the YearAnsu Sesay, Ole MissAP SEC Co-Coaches of the Year (tie)Tubby Smith, KentuckyJerry Green, TennesseeAP SEC Co-Newcomers of the Year (tie)Jumaine Jones, GeorgiaTony Harris, Tennessee*Unanimous Selection