Nov. 16, 1999
LEXINGTON, Kty. — Fourteenth-ranked Kentucky, with more young talent than experienced players,begins its season Wednesday against a veteran Pennsylvania squad that seeks areturn to the NCAA Tournament.
Gone from the Wildcats are guard Wayne Turner, swingman Heshimu Evans andforward Scott Padgett. The trio were part of the 1998 NCAA championship teamand led Kentucky to the regional final and a 28-9 record last season.
Coach Tubby Smith also was rocked by the defections of guard Ryan Hogan andcenter Michael Bradley, who was expected to start this season in the pivot.
But no one will pity Kentucky, which had another standout recruiting classto augment its returning players. Center Jamaal Magloire, who took his name outof the NBA draft list for underclassmen, will anchor the frontcourt. He will bejoined by Souleymane “Jules” Camara, who showed flashes of brilliance in hisfreshman season.
“The freshmen and even the sophomores are doing well,” Magloire said.”They are asking questions and are excited about playing and being a part ofthis unit. This gives us a better chance of winning.”
Tayshaun Prince, who also has a season under his belt, will be counted on tocontribute from the wing. The 6-9 sophomore averaged 5.8 points and 3.8rebounds but struggled with shot selection, connecting on just 41.4 percent.
The backcourt will feature coach Tubby Smith’s son Saul and Desmond Allison,who appears ready to break out. Allison averaged 4.7 points per game butstarted the final 17 games last season and hit 38.9 percent of his 3-pointshots.
The freshmen class is headlined by shooting guard Keith Bogans, who can stepin if Allison falters. He played at prep powerhouse DeMatha in Maryland,averaging 17.9 points and 7.0 rebounds his senior year. Marvin Stone andMarquis Estill will provide depth in the frontcourt for Kentucky.
Pennsylvania, which went 21-6 last season, is the favorite to win the IvyLeague for the second straight season. The Quakers, who return four startersfrom a team that gave Florida problems in the first round of the NCAATournament, are led by point guard Michael Jordan.
While he does not have the scoring explosiveness of his namesake of theChicago Bulls, Jordan averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists last season.
“He’s played very well in practice. He’s had three years as a starter, soI’m not really that worried about him,” Penn coach Fran Dunphy said. “I liketo think his senior year will be the best ever.”
Matt Langel contributed 11.3 points and made 43.6 percent of his 3-pointshots. Center Geoff Owens had 58 blocked shots and averaged 9.3 points and 7.3rebounds. The Quakers upgraded their schedule for this season, also playingKansas and Auburn as well as “Big Five” opponents Temple, Drexel. Penn alsoplays Ivy League arch-rival Princeton twice.
The winner of this game will play the winner of the Arkansas State-Utah gamein the second round.
