The University of Kentucky opens its 99th season of men’s collegebasketball against Western Kentucky when the Wildcats play host to theNational Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Classic on Nov. 15-16,2001, organizers announced today.
The two-day tournament also pits Marshall against GeorgeWashington in the first game on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. ET with theWildcats and Hilltoppers following in the nightcap. The winners andlosers will battle on Friday beginning with the consolation game at 6 p.m.
“This is quite an opportunity to open the season against theresurging Hilltoppers,” said Tubby Smith, who will be coaching his fifthKentucky team. “The NABC has put together a great field. Western willpresent a tough challenge, and I know both George Washington and Marshallare looking forward to returning solid teams.”
This will be the fifth meeting between Kentucky and Western andthe teams’ first since 1992. The Hilltoppers finished last season with a24-7 record, a Sun Belt Conference regular-season title, the SBC tourneycrown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. They’ll be led by 7-1 centerChris Marcus, who averaged 16.7 points and 12.1 rebounds per game lastyear. The senior-to-be was the Sun Belt Player of the Year and earnedhonorable mention All-America honors from The Associated Press.
Kentucky shared the Southeastern Conference Championship and theSEC Eastern Division crown before capturing the SEC Tournament title. TheCats finished 24-10 overall, 12-4 in the SEC, and were ranked No. 9nationally in the final AP poll.
Marshall boasts a former Mr. Kentucky from Paintsville, J.R.VanHoose, who teamed with UK’s Todd Tackett to lead their high school tothe Sweet 16 Championship as sophomores in 1996. VanHoose averaged 16.5points and 11.5 rebounds per game last season and was selected to the MidAmerican All-Conference team. George Washington, coached by Tom Penders,finished the 2001 season with a 14-18 record, 8-8 in the Atlantic 10.
“We’re enthusiastic about the growth of this event,” NABCexecutive director Jim Haney said. “This year’s tournament field featuresfour traditionally strong programs that should provide for some excitingcompetition.”
Tickets to the event will be included in Kentucky’s season-ticketpackage while an allotment of seats will be split among the other threeteams. There is no public sale of seats planned at UK. In addition,television coverage has not been announced.
The Wildcats will announce their complete 2001-02 basketballschedule in July.
NABC Classic
Nov. 15-16, 2001
Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.
Thursday, Nov. 15
Marshall vs. George Washington, 6 p.m. ET
Western Kentucky vs. Kentucky, 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 16
Consolation Game, 6 p.m.
Championship Game, 8 p.m.
