November 17, 1998
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – Scott Padgett had 21 points and 12 rebounds as No. 4Kentucky opened its quest for a third national championship in four yearsTuesday night with a 99-64 victory over Eastern Kentucky.
In the season opener for both teams, the Wildcats had all facets of theirgame clicking against the outmanned Colonels, who dressed only 10 players.Kentucky shot 56 percent (43-of-77) from the field and outrebounded Eastern48-33, scoring 16 second-chance points to 10 for the Colonels.
With the fast break running in high gear, the Wildcats had 26 assists, manyending in dunks. Saul Smith’s fast-break pass to a soaring Heshimu Evans gaveKentucky an 89-48 lead with 6:20 left and brought the Rupp Arena crowd to itsfeet.
Kentucky played shorthanded itself, with Jamaal Magloire, Ryan Hogan andMyron Anthony sitting out suspensions imposed by coach Tubby Smith foroffseason troubles. The rest of the Wildcats more than picked up the slack,however, as six players scored in double figures.
Center Michael Bradley, starting in place of Magloire, had a career-high 13points, Evans had 15 and Wayne Turner had 11.
Freshmen Tayshaun Prince and Jules Camara each had 10 points, while Camarahad 11 rebounds and all five of the Wildcats’ freshmen saw significant floortime. Even walk-on Steve Masiello got in for the final minute, hitting a3-pointer with 10 seconds remaining to punctuate the rout.
Freshman guard Whitney Robinson led Eastern Kentucky with 21 points,including four 3-pointers, and point guard Darius Acuff had 13 points. FiveColonels played more than 30 minutes and only seven saw significant time.
Smith said before the game that he was concerned about containing 6-foot-9center Ronnie Griffin of the Colonels, but Padgett, Bradley, Evans and Camarawere able to hold him to 3-of-14 shooting and seven points. Bradley and WarrenStukes each had seven rebounds.
Even the Wildcats’ mistakes somehow turned out right. Late in the firsthalf, Bradley attempted to pass to Padgett under the basket, only to have theball batted back to him. He tried again, this time connecting with Padgett fora basket that made the score 48-28.
Up 58-35 at halftime after shooting 63 percent, Kentucky dispelled anythoughts of a comeback, outscoring Eastern 18-2 to start the second half andtake a 76-37 lead.
The only Wildcat who disappointed was the coach’s son, Saul Smith, whostarted at shooting guard and was 0-for-5 from the field, scoring his onlypoint on a free throw. Smith appeared jittery and was visibly displeased withhimself after missing his fifth shot.
